True North [True North series book 1/3]

We went out into the clearing, and met Thoridor, Maista, Morai and two other Ardanians I hadn’t met before in front of the royal tents.

“These are Phaedra and Aricor, our Royal Alchemist and Master of Arms, respectively. They will be traveling with us,” Warrian explained, before greeting them the way he had Morai – by resting his forehead and nose against theirs.

“Hi,” I muttered awkwardly.

Thoridor gestured toward the forest, and we all followed him silently.

Even though it was likely daytime —or at least, that’s what I assumed, since everyone seemed to be awake— it was eerily quiet out. Our footsteps crunching through the snow was the only sound to be heard. I hadn’t brought anything —not that I had any belongings to bring with me in the first place— but Aricor seemed to be the only one hauling along luggage.

I wondered how long we’d be traveling for, and how long we’d be staying. Hopefully Myrtha had already arrived at the Terrestrial palace, and she’d be able to help me get back home soon.

Suddenly, I was able to see my surroundings a little better, and I soon realized why — we had reached the ice plain. The body of water I had emerged from after falling through the gateway. The lake was still frozen over, and covered by a thick layer of snow, which glittered in the light of the three moons.

“What are we doing here?” I whispered to Warrian.

“Waiting for our transportation,” he replied quietly.

I stepped a little closer to him, bracing myself for whatever monstrous animal I’d encounter next.

Thoridor, Morai and Aricor each yipped loudly, and soon I heard the familiar thudding of paws on ice. Moments later, three Niophs appeared. Where I had been scared the last few times I’d seen one, I now almost felt relieved. They came to a stop right in front of us, breathing clouds of hot steam in our direction.

Thoridor yipped again, and the largest Nioph knelt down in front of him, so Thoridor could mount it. Morai and Aricor followed his example, and each mounted their own Niophs. Phaedra and Maista joined Aricor, and after having exchanged a quick glance with Thoridor, they dashed into the forest.

“You take the human,” Thoridor said to his sister, and extended his hand to Warrian. But before Warrian could take it, the Nioph stepped back. Thoridor dug his heels into the Nioph’s flanks, and leaned down toward Warrian again, but this time, the Nioph growled lowly, and stepped toward me.

It bumped it’s feline snout into my shoulder, as if to nudge me. I took my hand out of my pocket and held it in front of its nose, and after it was done sniffing me, I gently pet its snout.

“Come, let me help you,” Warrian said, gently guiding me away from Thoridor’s Nioph and toward Morai’s one.

“Jump on three,” he whispered in my ear as he wrapped his hands around my waist, ready to lift me.

Before he got the chance to start counting, Thoridor’s Nioph let out a low growl, and pushed Warrian away from me, before nudging me again, more aggressively this time. I looked up at Thoridor, confused by what was happening. Thoridor mirrored my confusion, making a clicking noise with one side of his mouth as he tried to reel back his Nioph.

The Nioph seemed unbothered, as it ducked down and hit the backs of my knees with its head, nearly making me collapse into the ground.

“Fine,” Thoridor growled, “you’re with me. Morai, you take War.”

Warrian reluctantly helped me mount Thoridor’s Nioph, seating me in front of him. The Nioph purred contently as it rose to its feet again, making me crash backward into Thoridor’s chest.

“Hold on tight,” Thoridor mumbled into my hair, and then yipped, making the Nioph break into a sprint.

I struggled to regain control of my body as I fought against the abrupt acceleration, trying my hardest to shift my weight forward again.

“How far away is the palace?” I half-yelled over my shoulder.

Thoridor leaned forward too, hanging over me as he grabbed onto the Nioph’s fur.

“Far,” he replied plainly.

“What’s its name?” I asked, shifting slightly beneath Thoridor’s chest. I could smell the leather of his coat, warmed by his body heat, which set off some conflicting feelings within me.

I shook my head to clear it. “Your Nioph. What’s it called?”

“It has no name,” Thoridor replied stiffly, “it’s a beast. You don’t name beasts.”

I ran my hands through the Nioph’s warm pelt as it galloped through the snowy fields that lay beyond the lake.

“You should,” I mumbled, “it deserves a name.”

“You name it, then,” Thoridor growled.

I leaned forward, lying down on the Nioph’s back. I pressed my cheek into it’s warm fur, and closed my eyes. I pictured myself back home, laying down in the grass on the sunny mountain side in summer. Sadness sunk its poisonous claws into my heart, and I opened my teary eyes.

“Sol,” I said, wiping my eyes with my sleeve, “that’s a good name. It’s my goat’s name.”

Thoridor made the clicking noise again, and pressed himself closer to me as the Nioph picked up speed.

“What’s a goat?” he asked, his beard tickling the side of my neck.

“It’s… an animal,” I said, trying hard to focus.

“What kind of animal?” Thoridor asked, as the Nioph jumped over a frozen creek. I squealed as we were suddenly airborne, and then landed again with a soft thud.

“It’s gray, and it has horns,” I began helplessly.

“Is it dangerous?” Thoridor asked.

“Oh yeah,” I lied, “so dangerous. You’d be scared if you ever encountered one.”

Thoridor chuckled. “Sol it is then,” he said, “you should get some sleep.”

I furrowed my brows. “I just woke up,” I protested.

“It’s a long way,” Thoridor said, “and there’s nothing to do. Besides, you could use the rest.” I opened my mouth to object, but realized he probably was right. Besides, it was dark, and the rhythmic movements of the Nioph were already lulling me into a gentle slumber. “Fine,” I said, “ but no licking or biting me when I’m asleep.”