The Land Of Warriors

Part 6

The day had been tense. My mom had looked at me and given me a small smile. Both of us had remembered yesterday's course of events. And I myself was shocked. The last time I had cried was when I was in the Aware forest. I had been crying way too much these days.

Ugh Aubrey. Haunting me even when you were dead I see...
And I was dragged back to the hustle and bustle of  the Taigh in preparation of our journey.

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Thirst clawed at my throat. We had a fair supply of water yet we could not use it lavishly. Who knew what awaited near the abode of the secrerkeepers? The carriage rattled, making us sway back and forth.

Abigail heart shaped face literally turning green.Her blonde hair combed back into a thick braid. Although she wouldn't admit it, she always felt nauseous when we travelled through a carriage. I threw a sympathetic look her way. She answered mine with a wince/smile.

Elijah dozed next to her, the trouble maker looking peaceful in his sleep. His eyes were smooth. Although I wouldn't admit it to him,he was quite handsome. His ego would increase tenfold. His dark hair was ruffled. My heart strained. I did not think he had comprehended that we may not come back. Alive anyway. If,truly the secret keepers were killed, there was no way in hell that Aubrey's proteges would have left any trace.

The three opponents to the thrones, reduced to nothing because of the quest. Or even if we survived the hardships thrown at us by the gods, I had absolutely no doubt that Aubrey's people would throw a few more obstacles-oh just a few assassins, maybe a few poisons, or who knew? Maybe someone who would even try to smother us in our sleep! How exciting! Note the sarcasm.

The carriage suddenly stopped.Elijah jerked awake, and placed his ear near the window. It was darkened in such a way that those from the outside couldn't see us yet we could see them. Came in pretty handy whenever we wished to take a ride around Talamh but still wished to keep ourselves hidden from the citizens.

We were after all the royal family, and were quiet noticable.

Abigail and I looked out of the window as Elijah tried hearing what was going on. All three of us shared the images and sounds in our heads.

I heard the sound of metal singing in my head, courtesy of Elijah. And a distant murmur.
I was shocked. It sounded like a prayer.

I shivered, knowing full well what had just happened. That prayer was the first prayer we Gaisgeach learnt, and had to recite as after we ended someone. A few minutes later the place went mute. I could hear the sound of the grass sighing.

We couldn't see anything off. Elijah and I shoved open the door leaping out. We couldn't leap out before. And as my eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, my worst suspicions were confirmed. In front of me lay a body.

Of a mauled cat. With blood having sprayed onto the carriage.

The horses were nowhere in sight. Our coach did not have a coachman. It was magic after all and the horses were well trained. Well,we thought they were well trained anyway.
Clearly, We had just entered the area of the Bandits- Meirleach. I groaned. You have got to be kidding me.

Elijah threw an amused look at me.

"What? We literally just had a battle like, a week ago. Now we fight Meirleach. How exciiiiiting", I said, drawing out the word.

Abigail giggled. I flung a half smile at her.

"Let's shift, we would just be animals in the jungles then. We'd be ignored."

I sighed and we shifted, my soul singing as I embraced my Mammal. Hey,I was a wild one. Bear with it. (Get it?Bear..you know what,its not funny if I explain it.)

The sun was setting. Gail and Eli were stalking next to me,our steps coordinated.

"Let's split." I said in my mind.

Gail and Eli looked at me as if I had just asked them to start dancing in their mammal form.

"Seriously?" Gail asked, dubiously."That is literally begging for trouble "

"So you really think a leopard, a jaguar and a cheetah can be spotted together? " I retorted.

They both sighed. I ran towards my right embracing the thrill that went through my veins.

Elijah snorted into my mind.
"Shut up Eli," I mumbled.
It had been so long since I was a leopard. It had literally been purring in my veins. Felt good to let go.

-------☆-------

We finally made it across the forest. The sun had set completely and the night was bright. Rioghail would fly and meet us here now. That's why the three of us were waiting here.

Rioghaill did not need to travel by the coach. She was literally the emblem of Gaisgeach. Some might even think of her like the founder of the Gaisgeach. In simple words the secret keepers and Rioghaill had been buddies. Meaning she did not need to travel through the forest as part of tradition. Lucky bugger.

We paced, still not having shifted. Better to be safe than sorry.

A sudden flash drew our attention. Rioghail stood in front of us ,her silky black hair floating behind her.
"Shall we?" She asked,cheekily.

We rolled our eyes at her and shifted. We started trudging through the soil again.
"Rio, Eli we'll meet you later." I said.

Abigail and I reached the house as Eli and Rioghaill scoured the perimeter.

The blood was already trickling down onto the stairs. My lunch came rising up out of my gut. But I calmed myself down.

Abigail didn't look like she was doing any better. As we walked in, a sound made us halt.

"A...n..d...r...e..a...?" A feeble voice called out.

Gail and I looked at each other bewildered.

But we raced towards the voice. That was the voice of one of the secret keepers.

His state was absolutely dreadful. Blood oozed out of his slashed body.Abigail rushed towards him trying to clot the wounds using her power. He coughed up some more blood. Gail looked frightened. I called for Elijah in my mind,knowing Rio could handle herself.

I kneeled down near him.
"Queen... of the.. land?" He asked,wincing as Gail patched him up.

I shook my head." Princess,wise one."

He smiled weakly,but did not dispute my claim. I was puzzled.

"Aubrey...Murdered..my..fellow..keepers.." he whispered.

My eyebrows knotted together. Aubrey? But she was dead. How could she...I took it in the metaphorical meaning. Aubrey as in her people.

"We know wise one. We know." I said, tears filling up in my eyes. They were killed because of me. Killed because my Aunt had wanted the throne. And wanted us dead.

My fault.

"I can sense you blaming your self..princess," he croaked. "What Aubrey did is her fault,not yours, heritor.."
And with that he slumped down his pain-creased face smoothening.

A/N
Hey my readers! This a fairly long part, so enjoy!!

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