Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

After two days, I’ve managed to help Malay regain her confidence in herself, and she’s resumed my care. Gedric understands why I’m allowing Malay to treat me, but he’s just a bit salty about it. The Fates have yet to make another attempt, and I’m almost positive it’s because they realized there is nothing they can offer to make me agree to serve them. They’re plotting something, but I’ll worry about it later. Stanya is being particularly rough with Halthin, which is odd. Something he did made her beyond angry. There hasn’t been a civil sentence exchanged between them for two days. I know this because she refuses to leave my side. When I asked her about it, she told me she doesn’t want to talk about it. I know better than to press her when she’s like this.

The sun still hasn’t risen when I step out into the sleeping city. I watch the snow sparkle as it falls, waiting for Stanya to bring the horses. Gedric is helping Halthin get ready, and teaching the man how to properly dress in the cold. I’ve already said goodbye to Malay and Merry last night, and am allowing them to sleep. With the Magicnite camped so close to the city, we figure it is best to leave while it’s still dark. Stanya will be providing us cover with the help of the little raven statue Malay made for me from my initial overload here.

I enjoy watching the snow sparkle in the moonlight. I’m currently covered head to toe in warm traveling gear, and warmer gloves. I have a few more days left in my sling, which I’m excited about. Gedric is watching me like a hawk these days, so it’ll be nice to do something that won’t require his assistance, like tie my boots.

The door to the infirmary slowly opens behind me. When I look behind me I catch sight of Gedric holding the door for Halthin. “Are you sure you can handle this?” Gedric asks him. “We’ll be on horse back for hours, and walking in knee deep snow.”

“I can do this,” he tells him in a stubborn voice. “You and Stanya all baby me. If Natasha can make the journey I can.”

“Natasha is a bit of a key component in this,” Gedric points out.

“And I’m not?” Halthin demands. “I can help just as much as you or Stanya.”

“Not you too,” I whine. “Halthin, don’t start a fight with Gedric. You’re already fighting with Stanya.”

They both look at me with surprise on their faces. “What are you doing here?”

I was not expecting that reaction. “Being a good little girl and allowing Stanya to fetch the horses. She only had to threaten me three times before I finally agreed.”

“That’s an understatement,” Stanya calls, coming into view with our horses. “I believe it was nine.”

“That sounds more accurate,” Halthin says, his body tensing. I notice the glare Stanya gives him, which explains his reaction.

“Okay, seriously, why are you two so upset with each other?” I ask, allowing Stanya to help me to my feet.

“That’s not something you need to be worrying about right now,” she answers, beating Halthin to the punch.

“But it’s hurting you, so yes it is.” I answer, reaching Macy. She nudges me and starts smelling me all over. She’s mad I haven’t checked on her, but she’s relaxing now that she has seen me. Judging how she’s rubbing my slinged up arm, she doesn’t like that I’m hurt either.

Stayna leans into me and whispers, “Nat, please let this go. I have too much going on right now to cry.”

“Your worst fear?” I ask her; which is that Halthin would reject her feelings.

“I didn’t even get a chance to get that far, so he still doesn’t know.” She looks over her shoulder, then returns to our conversation. “He’s interested in you.”

That hits me hard, but now some of his words are starting to make sense. “But I’m not,” I tell her, refusing to resurface those feelings. I let him go for her. To be honest, I’ve felt a lot of relief since I’ve made that decision.

“Since when?” She demands.

“When I realized how much you were in love with him.” I tell her, trying to keep my voice low.

“Are you kidding me,” she nearly yells, making the boys look at us.

“Hush,” I tell her. “Let’s not go there until Ari’s killed. Please?”

She smirks, “I can do that.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Gedric asks as he leads Halthin towards us.

“You two,” Stanya answers; her grin still hanging out on her face. She helps me onto Macy’s saddle, immediately shooting Halthin a dirty look.

“You’re so childish,” I tell her while I look at the boys. “Let’s get going before I lose my patience.”

Stanya gets onto Bitzy, looking at me. “Where are we setting up camp?”

“Let’s get past the Magicnite camp, and then we can decide that.” I look to Stanya. “How do you plan on covering us,” I ask while ordering Macy to start moving.

“I think it’s best to camouflage us. If they see anyone up here, they’ll likely investigate. Now what are the rules Nat?”

I groan as I shake my head. “How long are you going to hold onto this?”

“I’m with her,” Gedric agrees, falling slightly behind me so he can keep an easy eye on me.

“How surprising,” I mutter darkly.

We pause at the entrance, letting Stanya pull a bubble over us, cloaking us in a mirrored bubble. It’s smart since it covers us, but her magic still doesn’t physically touch me. It’ll also cover our footprints. After she whistles, signaling our departure, we start moving into the open world. It’s quiet, but Gedric doesn’t seem too concerned. I hate being cut off from my magic. I feel like I lost one of my senses. Maybe since Macy seems relaxed, we’re okay.

After an hour into our journey down the mountain, Stanya pauses. I immediately stop Macy while she listens. While the others come to a stop, she pulls out my raven statue from her saddle pack. It’s about the size of a fully grown man’s hand. Malay designed it to be exact to my tattoo, which is perfect. I get to see it in it’s full glory.

“Don’t move,” she instructs, looking right at me. She holds onto the statue and closes her eyes, putting more strength into her spell. When I look to my left, I see three Magicnite approaching us. I hold my breath, seeing a blue pulse come out of the center one.

“Are you sure you sensed an Illusionist?” The one to the left of the center one asks, seeming annoyed to be out in the cold.

“Positive,” the man states, pushing another search towards us.

“Should we call Ari? He told us to call him even if we get a hint of a Sheik.”

“It’s an Illusionist, not his precious Sheika.” The right one looks to the center one. “If you’re not finding anything, lets just go back to camp. So we lost one Illusionist. It’s freezing and there is a storm coming. It’ll freeze to death.”

“But Ari will kill us,” the left one argues.

“Then don’t tell him,” the right one hisses. Clearly he hates his post assignment.

“Enough.” The center one orders, withdrawing his spell. “They’re long gone. Best not to mention this to Ari.”

After they have left, we wait ten minutes before moving. We start off slowly, trying to conserve our strength. I’m just glad we got through the Magicnite camp. They weren’t kidding, they are close to Ridgewilf. I’ll have to make a mental note to expand the protection parameters.

I follow Stanya while we ride in silence. Gedric is worried about how fast the wind is picking up, lifting fresh snowfall into the air and attacking us with it. If it’s this bad now, I hate to think what it’ll look like when the blizzard starts.

When the other three switch to walking, Gedric is the one to hold Macy’s reins, every single one of them refusing to let me walk, Macy included. She takes a nip at my leg whenever I try. I’ve never had such a mothering group before. I wish that I could stretch. Macy is trying to be as gentle as she can, but my body is starting to protest. I’m not telling the others that though. It’s going to take us near a month to get to the Ancient Stream, which is the exact same amount I was given to heal from this overload. Normally, it takes me two weeks to recover, but since I had two large ones back to back, it’ll be longer. Stupid Ari. Stupid Fates.

Stanya finds a cave we can rest in for the night an hour after nightfall, and two after the blizzard began. We’re all freezing, tired, and sore. Gedric is getting the fire started while Halthin and Stanya rest. I take advantage of their fatigue, and feed and clean the horses. After making sure the horses are dry, and no longer covered in sweat, I toss on their blankets to help keep them warm throughout the night. Their eyes are closed before I come back from changing.

I sit next to the fire. Stanya and Halthin are currently passed out by the fire, Stanya resting her head on Halthin’s lap. Gedric gives me a dirty look and hands me my dinner; dried meat. “You’re going to get yelled at by Stanya when she wakes up,” he warns.

“Well she’s asleep, so that’s my future self’s problem.” I take a bite of the meat and look at her. “Besides, she can’t lecture me. She didn’t drop that shield once, even when we were safe.”

“So what is going on with those two?” He asks, motioning towards them.

I shake my head, “Believe me, you’re better off not knowing.”

He scoffs, “Okay. Where are we going anyway?”

I thought I told him. It clicks after a moment. He doesn’t know where it is. “The Ancient Stream is out near Goeshan.”

That perks him up. “That’s near Frostula.”

I nod. “Twenty minutes from it actually. I believe the plan is to reside there while we try to find what we can about the Champion, and that fifth fate marking.”

Gedric hesitates, going tense. “Do you think I’ll be welcomed there?”

I give him a smile. “Without a doubt. Remember, your trial? There is a reason I had you attend. It’s always best to know where you stand, and what is coming towards you.”

He looks confused. “I didn’t have to be there?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“You lied to me,” he says, looking me over.

“I guess you can say that,” I allow, then take another bite of my meat.

“Did you mean what you said?”

“Every word. It’s not my practice to lie, but I do on occasion.” I give him a wink, then take my arm out of its sling. It’s a little stiff, but its been worse.

Gedric moves over to me, “How are you feeling?” He asks, checking my shoulder, pleased to find little swelling.

“Better than I have been,” I say, only lying a little.

He looks me over, but decides not to press it. “Can I ask you something?”

“Always,” I say, taking another bite of the hunk of meat.

“Can you teach me to use magic? I know I don’t have any, but with your stone I can try and be more of a help.”

I cock my head. “Who said you don’t have magic?”

He gives me an exaggerated look. “You always call me the non-magical one.”

“Yeah, because you don’t have magic living inside of you.” I tell him, reaching for his hand. He tenses from my cold touch, but accepts it. I put his hand on the earth, “Didn’t you listen to my history lesson? That’s the whole reason the Fates are here.”

He looks at me with a confused expression, watching as I shift into a cross legged position. “Turn towards me,” I instruct him, putting my hands on the ground. “Everything does have a small part living in them, but some are so low that they don’t notice it. Forest Folk are always born with an unnatural gift for Earth Magic. The stronger connection you can feel with the earth, the stronger your earth magic. It’s called being earthbound. There have been some so strongly earthbound they could shatter mountains. Mordecai was the strongest one in our history. So much so, that the Fates currently are having him serve as a Servant of the Fates. Believe me, you need to read that story. It was a hell of a fight.”

I put my palms on the ground, Gedric copying me. “Now close your eyes,” I instruct him, keeping mine open. I’ve already done this, and I really don’t want to chance an overload. The last time I used magic from the earth while recovering, it gave me my biggest spike ever. That’s including the recent one that was courtesy of the Fates. It’s the purest magic, and the strongest.

After Gedric has closed his eyes, I smile. I’ve missed teaching. “Now, what do you feel?”

He frowns. “Cold stone?”

“No,” I tell him. “Look past that, and feel past your hands. It’ll feel like a voice talking in your mind, only it’ll be a sense. Now calm yourself. You’re not going to get it immediately, so don’t rush it.”