The Raven & The Wolf

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“I’m going to start killing those Fates the second my magic is back.” I shout while we race through the trees as fast as the horses can take us.

“Are they going to start leading Ari to us,” Stanya demands. “That was not fair.”

“You’re telling me. Since when do the Servants get involved with mortals?” I say, urging Macy to go faster.

“I don’t know, but that was way too close.”

“You know, it’d be closer if Nat didn’t sense them.” Gedric says, giving me a look. “What did they mean by magic light?”

“I don’t know. I was meditating.” I tell them, annoyed by this. “What I’m angry about is how gifted Stylus is. Who knew he was that good of a tracker?”

“I’ll say,” Stanya grumbles. “It takes hours for that illusion to vanish. I stream your magic into every single one to keep Ari from detecting the trail.”

“What I want to know is, how did Ari know we left the city?” Halthin demands. “All of us were basically stuck inside that infirmary. Aside from Stanya going to get the horses from the barn, we were never apart.”

“Well I don’t know but they’re being an AA pain in my ass,” I grumble.

Stanya sits up. “Wait a minute, I told the stable boy we were leaving.”

“Stable boy? That early?” I ask, finding that odd.

She groans. “I’ll call Merry.”

“Please, before I do.” I rub my face, trying to urge Macy into a faster run.

“Why do you call her Merry if she’s Elder Berrick?”

“Berrick is her given name. She prefers Merry these days, because she’s “merry over her life changes.” That’s a direct quote.”

“And that change is?”

I shake my head. “You’ll have to ask her that. She’s one of the oldest to have joined our ranks, but after she’s gained some confidence she’s been unstoppable.”

“I’ll second that.” Stanya shudders. “She nearly killed me during her Elder test.”

I grin. “That was a good match.”

“Good,” Stanya scoffs. “It was invigorating. She kept me on my toes that entire battle. She gave you a run for your money.”

“Only because I was put on a limit.” I say, flashing her a smile.

“It’s the only way to give some of us a chance.” She slows Bitzy. “Do we want to keep going, or get supplies?” She looks to me. “There is no way we’re stopping in Bendra after that.”

I nod, accepting that. “Might as well stock up, but make it quick. We better not stop until well past night fall. Ari is going to be close on us.”

“I hate that we can’t teleport him away,” Stanya mutters.

“What is needed to do that?” Gedric asks, watching Stanya stretch; waiting for answer.

“Sheik magic,” Halthin answers, catching up to us. “Nat and I are the only ones that can. It takes a lot of concentration. If there is one mistake a variety of things can happen, including inducing your death.”

“It’s why only high powered Sheiks are allowed to do it,” I explain.

“When did you first do it?” Gedric asks, sounding a little frustrated.

“Unintentionally, I was six.” I then close one eye as I think about it. “Seven…I think I was seven when I did it under Master Brin’s instructions.”

“Don’t base your progress off on her,” Halthin tells Gedric quickly. “Nat is an anomaly by herself. Magic is hard to control, almost as much as Natasha.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, like I’m something to control.”

“Your magic certainly is,” Halthin says quickly. “You’re the only one that will likely die young because of her own magic.”

“Like that’s my fault.” I retort. “I’m not the one that didn’t put a cap on me.”

“And you’re not making that any easier. Why are you antagonizing the Fates?”

I scoff, “and what do you propose I do? Be a little dog with my tail tucked between my legs begging for their favor?”

“If it gets rid of Ari,” Halthin snaps. “You’re acting like they want to throw you in hot coals for eternity.”

“No, I just give up any chance of a better life, give up my life on this planet, and serve self-serving pricks for the rest of my life.” I take a calming breath. “I can handle Ari.”

“Can you?” Halthin demands. “Because it looks like your magic controls you.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Gedric demands.

“I second that,” Stanya growls. “You’re acting like a jackass Halthin.”

“I’m not. I’m being realistic.”

“So you want Nat to sacrifice her eternity to get rid of one man, when it’s entirely possible to do it on our own?” She demands.

“They’re the ones that told us what to do,” Halthin argues.

“That was before they found out how truly powerful she is,” Gedric says quickly.

“If they didn’t care then, why now?”

“I suspect it’s because Nat’s body is reaching a full capacity,” Gedric muses, making us all stop.

“What was that?” I ask.

Gedric shifts in the saddle, uncomfortable. “Well, you’ve been near death after your last couple of overloads. You were so powerful when I looked at your line, I cannot fathom you holding more.”

I urge Macy into a run, anger starting to rise. “I can hold it just fine.”

“Nat,” Stanya calls after me. “What is wrong with you?” She demands from the boys before she urges Bitzy to follow me.

When we get to Yuka, I ignore everyone and lead Macy through the cold city and vendors, gathering supplies I need. Gedric is trailing behind me, while Stanya has taken Halthin by the ear and went to gather their supplies.

“Are you finding everything you need, miss?” A man ask me from inside his vendor stall. Judging by what he sells, he’s a blacksmith. He has sapphire colored eyes and onyx colored hair. He smiles at me, the moment my eyes meet his.

I smile at him. “I have, but I’m missing some treats for my horse.”

He purses his lips and looks over Macy, “She looks like she loves peppermints, and they’re her favorites.”

I give him a surprised look, “Yes, how did you know?”

“Because she looks like she has a refined sweet tooth.” He winks at me and turns around, after motioning for me to wait.

Gedric has his arms folded as he watches me. His face is covered, but I can see his eyes are a scrutinizing every move I’m making.

The blacksmith comes back with a sack full of peppermints and hands them to me. “Here you go. These are the same treats I use when I’m shoeing a horse.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, reaching for my bag. “What do I owe you?”

He puts up his hand, “They’re on me.”

I widen my eyes at him. “I can’t let you do that.”

He waves me off. “Maybe you can stop by tomorrow to make it up to me.”

I give him a sweet smile while Gedric glares at me. “That’s very sweet, but my brother and I are passing through town. We’re heading to Iroh for my mother’s birthday.”

He purses his lips. “How about, I let you have them, if you promise to stop by on your next visit?”

I flash him a smile. “I can do that.”

“Can I have your name?” He asks, a little hesitant.

“Whitney,” I tell him, putting the mints in my bag.

“Jordan,” he tells me, reaching his hand out to me.

I nod as I shake it. “It was nice to meet you.” I tell him while Gedric straightens. “I’ll be sure to stop by on our way back.”

He nods and turns to go back to his work. I push Macy away when she tries to go for my pack, and begin to lead her away. I can feel Gedric’s eyes burning holes into the back of my neck as we walk through the town.

I bounce up to Stanya when I see her. After shooting Halthin a glare, I show Stanya my bag of peppermints. “Look what I got for Macy.”

Stanya smiles at me. “I’m glad to see your mood has shifted.” She takes the bag and whistles. “How much did you spend?”

“She got them for free from the blacksmith.” Gedric answers, catching up to me.

I get the urge to stick my tongue out at him. His tone reminds me of a tattling sibling.

Stanya snorts, “Sounds about right. Do you want me to put them in my bag?”

I shake my head as I take them back. “If we leave them in mine, at least one of our bags will make it to our next stop.”

“What did you mean by your comment?” Halthin asks, stepping next to Stanya to ask her directly while we leave to exit the town.

Stanya gives him a questioning glance before answering. “Nat usually gets gifted things from men, and sometimes women.” Stanya says, watching me happily walking next to her. “It usually puts her in a good mood when that happens.”

“It’s an ego boost,” I tell her.

“And what’s this one’s name?”

“Jordan,” I tell her while still feeling Gedric’s eyes on me.

“This happens a lot?” Gedric asks, but I’m not sure who he’s talking to.

“Anyone who looks into her eyes are usually taken with her,” Stanya explains. We’re fully out of the town and we quickly switch back to horseback. I’m just excited that Gedric hasn’t noticed that I’m not wearing my sling yet.

“Enough about my admirers,” I tell her, “Where do we want to stop for the night?”

“I’m not sure we should,” Stanya answers, motioning for us to move. “If Ari was that close behind us, I don’t feel comfortable sleeping.”

“We have to rest the horses,” Halthin says quickly, looking dead on his feet.

“We’ll walk a good chunk of the time so they’re not carrying us.”

I nod as I agree. “My leg is good enough to walk. I can also go lay a false trail to buy us some time.”

Gedric’s eyes narrow on me. “Where is your sling?”

I grimace, “You have it Healer Gedric.”

“Why did you take it off?”

“Like I’m going to let Ari know I’m hurt,” I reply with satire in my tone. “If he knew I was hurt, he’d know I’m too weak to heal. The Fates are already taking advantage of my overload recovery. There is no way I’m going to give Ari that chance too. I’d like to be able to sleep, and there is no way I could if he knew.”

Gedric rolls his eyes. “Well put it back on.”

“You have it,” I tell him again, more annoyed than the first time. I just had to mention that I can walk now.

He reaches into his saddle bag, but his hands come up empty. “No, you didn’t.”

“Yes I did.” I tell him. “You were still pinned under the tree.”

He stops, so I pull Macy to a stop. Gedric closes his eyes. “You did. I didn’t grab it after Halthin got me out. I left it behind.”

“Are you kidding me?” I yell, making the other two stop. “I’m screwed.”

“What is it?” Stanya asks, coming to stand next to me.

“Gedric left my sling behind.”

“Why is that getting this reaction? You hate that thing.”

“I do, but now Ari knows I’m too weak to heal.”

“What if he thinks it belongs to one of us?” Halthin asks, joining the conversation.

“Great, now he thinks I’m too weak to heal anyone.” I rub my face. “I’m screwed.” I’m either too powerful, or too weak. There is never an in-between these days.