A Court of Blood and Feathers

14

Branwenn

Turns out, it proves more difficult than originally intended to hold onto a giant wolfhound, in the winter, in the dark, sprinting, with two other people riding it with you. Wren's fur continuously shifted over the muscles pumping, driving us up the mountainside.

The sky is beginning to lighten up, dawn breaching the trees in soft light. Yet the winter wind whips and burns our faces as we cut through it. It's silent out, despite there being so little time left in the trail. Along with so many warriors targeting the three of them.

"Where is everyone now?"

"They seem to choose the most inconvenient times to show themselves. All except now." Ianto grumbles to answer Delwyn.

I listen to the two of them go back and forth, also keeping visualint of the area. We were approaching the top of the mountain, estimative five minutes of riding left, and no sign of struggle or even life except us.

The hairs on the back of my neck rise in preemptive warning, but none of my other senses were picking up anything.

No movement.

No sound.

No smell.

Nothing.

***

We ride on for another hour. No sign of anyone still.

"This is starting to make me nervous," Ian admits, out of character for him to even voice his concerns like this.

"Yeah well, we're almost there. Let's hope they can wait a little bit longer for us to win." I flash them a grin that doesn't completely reach my eyes. As much as I hated it, I agreed with Ianto. This was on my nerves as well.

Wren by now is panting heavily from carrying three, winged fairies up the mountain at break-neck speed. The trees begin to be more spread out, clearing a bit so the evening sky was visible. Beautiful shades of gold, red, and midnight blue tint the sky. The perfect sunset for us to win. I may live in the Night Court territory now, but my heart will always remember the sunrises and sunsets of the Dawn Court.

Looking past the tops of the trees present, I can see where the trees touch the sky. The top of the mountain.

"We're almost there," I breathe.

"We should stop soon, continue on foot."

I nod to Ianto, agreeing.

"We don't want to alert anyone that we are here."

I let Wren run a little further before panting his side, signaling to slow down. He does so, into a loping gate, his tongue lolling from the exertion we had just put him through.

Ian clicks his tongue and Wren comes to a complete halt. The three of us dismount quietly into the snow, crunching beneath our booted feet. Delwyn lets out a muffled protest as he flexes his stiff legs from the ride. I can't help but give a small smirk at the stretches that Del continues to do, as ridiculous as they may look.

I work my fingers to warm them up as I begin to walk towards the apex of the mountain, I give a sharp head jerk and whistle to my companions to get their attention. They both give me malicious grins, bearing their teeth. I snort and continue on, giving a shake of my head.