Blood Ward

Chapter 13

I took Anders' advice, scroungingup paper and ink where I could get it on the ship and wrote down myexperiences since Reif had bitten me. When I wasn't writing, Iwatched Stefan recovering from afar. He sparred daily with Daeron,building his strength back up. As we drew closer to Dravin, thetingle of my skin that drew me to Reif became a hum that I couldn'tignore. I shuddered in anticipation as our ship docked and weighedanchor. "He's here, Anders." I sighed with relief. "Ican taste him." I saw Stefan glance over at me and frown as Iunwittingly pressed my back into Anders' chest and closed my eyes asif immensely pleasured.

Anders politely put his hands onmy shoulders and backed away. "You are not yourself, littlewarrior." I could hear the grin in his voice. I flushed, unsureof what had come over me.

"Sorry," I mumbled andtook up War Chaser's reins so we could disembark. Anders chuckledquietly.

I was anxious to begin my search,my hands twitching. Before we found an inn, I hopped on top of WarChaser and yelled for Beri to commandeer us lodgings. Before anyonecould object, I sped off in the direction I knewReif was in. I could hear Beast bounding along beside me and didn'tstop to send him back. I couldn't. I needed to find Reif.

Dodging roots and ducking treelimbs, I rode hard through the woods after breaking free of the city.Animals scattered in my wake. He was close. I veered to my right,Beast barking in surprise and following. Suddenly, I pulled up on thereins and stopped. Glancing around, I spotted a cave. I dismountedwith a stern, "Stay!" spoken to both War Chaser and Beast.

I approached the cave, but beforeI got there, Reif stepped out, a look of relief crossing hisfeatures. "Stasia," he sighed.

"I found you." Ismiled.

"Do you know what's goingon? Why do I feel so attached to you?" he asked.

"Have you ever heard theterm Salonul Sange?"I asked him.

He frowned. "Blood Ward?Those are legends..."

I shrugged. "It's the bestexplanation I've got."

"We should discuss thisfurther," he suggested.

"My comrades are waiting inDravin. Come with me. Anders is the expert on this stuff," Isaid, holding out my hand.

He took it without question. Imounted War Chaser and Reif jumped up lightly behind me, his armsencircling my waist. There is no way to describe how right that felt."You make me feel strong," he growled excitedly in my ear,nuzzling my neck.

I kicked War Chaser, reining himback toward Dravin, unsure if it was good or bad that I felt as goodas Reif did. The bond we shared, it was strong and we apparently bothgained from it.

We rode into Dravin, Beast closebehind, eyeing Reif warily and growling softly every few steps. "Stopit!" I scolded him as I spotted Snowflake tied up outside an innwith Spitfire and Moonbeam. I guided Chaser up beside her anddismounted after Reif. I tied him and waved a threatening hand towardBeast who was still growling. "Behave, or you'll not get any ofmy scraps!"

Beast glared at me, but ceasedhis growling. "He is the one who attacked me," Reif said,obviously recalling the experience as he rubbed his shoulder.

I nodded. "Beast is a bitprotective of me."

"He's grown," Reif pointedout.

"No, he's just gotten fat,"I said and Beast whined, probably afraid I'd put him on a diet."Come," I said. "Everyone else must be inside."

Reif followed me closely, as Ientered the inn. It was a busy place and before I could find them,Stefan was on his feet and charging at me. "You brought him here?!"he hissed angrily.