Book 3. The saga continues. With her mating to Haku rapidly approaching, Chihiro has a number of new problems to face. But these are nothing compared to the plans a new foe has for her. Sequel to Enchantment of the Heart.
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Chihiro landed on the ground and changed back into her human form. She stretched and grinned at Linca who had only just fluttered to the ground.
"Come on, Linca," she chuckled. "You're slowing us all down." The white owl snapped her beak at the human and changed. Light flashed and the owl turned into a formless shape that expanded upwards. When the light faded, Linca was standing with her arms folded and her white hair was slightly untidy after ruffling her feathers indignantly.
"I may be slower but I'm far more elegant in the air than you are!" she said huffily.
"I prefer substance over style," said Chihiro with a chuckle.
"Be quiet, you two," Rin snapped. "Stop arguing and get moving; we have a mad old spirit to find and the best way to do it is on foot."
"Some feet are faster than others," neighed the nygel. "Why don't I scout ahead?"
"Good idea," said Scott. He dismounted from the horse awkwardly, almost slithering down the spirit's flank. He stood uncomfortably and touched his toes, stretching the kinks out of his muscles.
"If I have to spend another day on horseback, I think I'm in danger of losing the ability to reproduce," groaned Scott as he brought his face to his knees. The nygel snorted with amusement and trotted away, kicking his heels up and swishing his tail. He suddenly accelerated and galloped away with a taunting whiny.
"Idiot," murmured Scott. He straightened and walked towards the edge of the canyon, placing his feet carefully. The sisters tried to keep their titters to a minimum but it was difficult. Even Rin could not keep the grin from her face. Scott ignored them and peered over the end of the canyon. He whistled, impressed. "So this is Yumulk Gap," he muttered.
"Home of the old man of Arron," confirmed Linca, standing beside him. Suddenly she broke into song. Her voice was throaty but strong and the canyon walls echoed the words back at her, creating a delayed stereo effect.
"By a tree, near a river, is a hole in the ground,
Where an old man of Arron walks around and around,
In his mind, he is everywhere with no time or no night,
He cannot tell the difference twixt the wrong and the right."
"Great," muttered Rin to Chihiro. "Now everyone knows we are here."
Chihiro shrugged; it hardly mattered, they had made enough noise getting there to alert anything in the area that they were approaching. Suddenly Chihiro heard hoof beats again. The nygel came galloping back, nostrils flared, ears laid back against his head, eyes wide and rolling.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY," he squealed, still some distance from them. "GET OFF THE PATH!"
"Path?" whispered Linca. As one they looked at their feet. They were standing on hard-packed earth that had a deep ridge running down the middle of it, exposing stone. Chihiro could see there were even marks in the stone. Something had scratched the rock with its passing.
