The Mage Wars

King Haemir's Ruins

4 Astris of the year 13004

A rope made of light connects our horse's bridles. We've learned our lesson. In this part of the forest, we need to stick together. Last night I figured out a spell to join the bridles using light.

The day before, we had simply gone slow and tried to hold hands. That idea didn't go over too well. Altair has the bruises to prove it. They are not too nice. Altair has nice skin, but now most of it is green and purple, at least on his legs.

Under me, Hunter shifts. What now? There better not be any more rogue shifters. There are already too many of those. We need the rare ones who are like Jaen. The ones who don't give in to the animalistic part of the shift.

I'd rather a syrpant.

One of those giant stone srypants. They are native to the mountains and plains. It's why we don't travel along the coast. Too much open field. We may actually come across one when near Mount Annola.

"Eve, think we'll see a syrpant?" Kaelen asks.

"I was just thinking that,"

"Those things are impossible to deal with," Jaen growls. "The changing from stone to the slimy, scaly snake? No thanks."

What stepped on her tail?
_____

"How much farther do you think Mount Annola is?" Altair asks. He cranes his neck to see past Kaelen.

Up ahead is nothing but trees, trees and more trees. You'd think by now we would be able to see the top of the mountain range. Mount Annola is a huge mountain range. Its tallest mountain is why it's called Mount Annola.

"Not sure,"

"Should we ask Jaen?"

"No, leave her be. She was up all night on patrol." Galen shushes us. Right, she sleeping.

Jaen is currently asleep in human form. After her syrpant rant, Galen offered to have Keith carry her. She denied but changed her mind when he said he'd walk. A few minutes after changing, she fell asleep.

We keep our horses at a steady walk. Around us, the trees open. They reveal a river. Wide and long. Father, then the eye can see. Jaen said we'd come across a river, and when we did, to follow it until we reached Mount Annola.

Jaen mentioned we could be attacked again. This time—

Ahoo!

Jaen jolts awake. Her eyes scan the tree line. If we get attacked like this, we're dead. She slides off of Keith and walks beside Galen. Jaen is not much shorter than the General. At least 5 or six inches. "Get back on Keith,"

Galen nods.

Swiftly the general lifts himself onto Keith. I throw up a shield around us. The blue hue of the shield transfers to our surroundings. Galen asks how close they are.

"Too close." Jaen slips one arm out of Galen's shirt. She lets it rest inside the long shirt. I think it's to help her uncover herself more easily.

Her eyes keep darting from the river's edge to the forest. I'm getting a sense Jaen knew this was going to happen. "Kaelen! Keep away from the edge!"

Ahead of me, Kaelen swears. He pulls Mal away from the water's edge. It seems his horse wanted a drink so much so that he'd sacrifice his rider in the process.

Unintentionally I let out a laugh. In doing so, Hunter does the exact same thing Mal did. My balance wavers.

Oh no!

I nearly take a tumble, but I manage to gather my balance. When I'm straight, a snort comes from my twin. Rude...well, to be fair, I did laugh at him.

Beside me, Galen softly chuckles. Altair follows suit. Soon enough, we're all laughing at the karma.