The Champion *ON HOLD*

Chapter 16- A Slight Misunderstanding

A/N: So Not much changed in this chapter, most of the content is pretty much the same, but I did change a few things here and there to help it flow better. Also I might change the title of this chapter, I'm not sure. Also the picture isn't any close representation of anyone in this chapter, I just thought it was cute (: Anyway, here is chapter 16 of The Champion. Enjoy!

Avery was sick of riding horses. They had been riding for four days and Leovar had set a ridiculous pace for them. Most of the day was spent riding, altering between a swift canter, to trotting, to walking for a ways before cantering again. They only stopped to relieve themselves, water the horses, and bed down for the night. She had developed saddle sores and those had already blistered and calloused over.

Leovar kept telling her that they were getting closer and that if they kept up the pace they would get to Lake Voth before a week had passed. She was starting to doubt him. The terrain hadn't changed much in the past few days, altering from forested areas to small clearings covered in snow. At least it hadn't snowed the entire time they travelled, only off and on, and even then, it wasn't heavy. Leovar said it was because spring was on its way. She wanted to believe him, but she still shivered in her saddle and felt envious of Leovar's natural high body heat.

The pace and the cold wasn't the worst part, either. Almost every day she had been accosted by some creature or another. The day after they left the village, a harpy had swooped down at her head. Luckily, Gus had reared and landed a hard blow to the creature's head, ending its attack swiftly.

The next day a group of men had tried to capture her. They nearly succeeded, since Leovar had been out flying on Sila. Luckily Leovar and his dragon had swooped in right as they were about to haul her off her horse, and put that to a quick end. Four of the seven men left scorched, the other three left severely bruised with several bleeding cuts over their bodies, courtesy of Leovar's sword. Most of them left with large gashes and bites from her dogs. Leovar didn't ride off on the dragon again after that.

On the third day, a flock of thestrals had flown overhead, chirping in strange, high-pitched calls to one another. Avery remembered gagging at the scent of rotting meat that followed the winged creatures. They hadn't done anything but circle overhead before passing on, seemingly disinterested. Leovar explained to her that thestrals only ate rotting flesh, which was why they were disinterested in her and smelled so bad.

Today, thankfully, nothing had tried to attack her and for that she was grateful. She was still sick of riding, however, and her butt had gone numb again.

"Can we stop, please?" She whined. Leovar, who was riding ahead of her, looked back and frowned. He pulled up on his reins and stopped. Avery trotted up to him and stopped Gus by him.

"Why do you need to stop?" He asked, sounding somewhat irritated. Avery couldn't help but feel angry.

"Why? Because we've been riding damn near non-stop since we left the inn and my dogs are tired, my horse is tired, I'm tired, and my ass is numb! Is that good enough for you, Your Highness?" She snapped. Avery left out the part that her shoulder was starting to bother her again.

They had quickly found that the numbing action of Lysagh's salve went away after a time. Leovar had changed the bandages once for her and although the bite mark and the scratches no longer bled, they weren't healing very fast. Leovar blinked at her.

"I am sorry Avery. I am simply trying to get us to your destination as soon as possible." His bright, pale blue eyes looked truly sorry and it made Avery feel bad for snapping. She sighed and looked away.