Siren

Siren - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Cora!" Clara cried, flinging her arms around the neck of her foal. Cora whinnied and pushed against her flank.

"It's good to see you too, mistress! It's ever so cold."

Clara nodded. She looked over at Mallach, who was shivering. His teeth were chattering so hard, she thought his head might come off at any given moment.

She walked to him, and took off the fur jacket she was wearing.

"Take it." She said, handing it to him.

He only stared at her.

"My Siren heritage." She offered. "I feel none of this."

Mallach frowned.

"Then why were you wearing it?"

She laughed.

"Oh, yes Mallach, I would love for everyone in Valeur to know I'm not as Sumoian as I look."

Mallach frowned.

"You had better not be lying." He said, slipping on the jacket.

"There's no time for dilly dallying around!" groused Octavious. "I am far from a coward, but that giant in that castle there is too much for us at the moment."

Mallach and Clara nodded. They all mounted their horses and headed off towards the Edge of the World.

Sterling was freshly dressed. His hair had been brushed and he had washed. Sighing, he thought about how good it felt to be home again. The journey hadn't been easy. He'd faced many obstacles. He was relieved to never have to do it again.

Making his way through the hallways, he headed for the grand entryway. His stomach growled, and he looked forward to a hot meal. But the drivel the prince and his party had would probably be less than entertaining. His thoughts were interrupted by a high ranking officer.

He knelt before Sterling, not making eye contact.

"What's this all about?" inquired Sterling, annoyed.

"Your lordship..." the officer began, "we... we tried our best... to contain them. B-but..." he continued, choking on his own words.

"Out with it, man!" cried Sterling, his patience wearing thin.

"The dragon! She controlled it! No, not controlled it, but... she spoke to it! And... and... it killed your father!" he blurted out finally.

Sterling blinked. He stared at the officer for what seemed like an eternity. The officer was shaking like a leaf.

Sterling only walked past him and began to laugh quietly. By the time he reached the stairs, he was laughing like the madman he was.

"It's so bloody cold!" cried Mallach, clinging to the little warmth the jacket gave him. "Why did this all have to happen in winter? Why? Why not summer, when it would at least be bearable?"

Clara sighed.

"We are unable to control our fate, let alone nature herself." Soothed Clara. "We must deal with the cards we are given."

Mallach frowned deeply. He grumbled something inaudible to Clara.

The party was making a steady path away from the castle. Turning back, Clara saw nothing but a faint grey dot in the distance. She sighed in relief. She hoped the news would not reach Sterling until they were far away. Very far away. She shuddered, thinking of how he had picked her up like a toy. How he could have crushed her in an instant.