(NEW MOON)
ARC TWO: Re-journey
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Chapter Eight: Traveling with Strangers
The unit had traveled a distance away from the scene in silence.
Everyone had one way, or another agreed to travel without a single noise except for the sharp stomps of the horses and the crisp sounds of the dried leaves under their hooves. They would stop occasionally to see if they were still on the right track and to take a break.
Oddny and Mallory huddled together whenever that happened, and aside from giving them a few rations, the others ignored them. The two were relieved from the lack of attention and ate the small dinner they had in silence.
Someone approached them and sat a polite distance away. Mallory looked up and realized that it was the person who shared his horse with her.
Sensing her gaze, he smiled at her. Mallory froze dumbly, unsure what to do. Meanwhile, Oddny retreated at her back, not even bothering to greet the man. She didn't look at him and kept her head down.
Seeing Oddny's attitude to him, the man didn't take it negatively, instead; he looked at them warmly. "Had you had your fill? Sorry to give you such a small portion of the food. The travel will take three weeks. And we haven't expected that there would be additional in our crew."
Mallory took a second to respond. "No, it's enough. Thank you."
The man nodded his head. "I'm glad." He looked at the dark forest and sincerely advised them. "I know what happened to you was shocking, but you have to immediately adjust your mood to survive. I assume you already know about hunting? If not, please familiarize yourself with that, and, oh, don't forget about foraging. During this trip, it's better to get more food to get by."
The two listened attentively, but only Mallory nodded her head.
Mallory knew how limited the resources of a traveling unit were. Even their rations that supposedly would last all throughout their journey are sometimes not enough. They did not have enough food to feed themselves. What's more, if they add another two mouths to feed?
Mallory understood that, but she also knew that Oddny couldn't.
She felt her grip on her clothes tighten.
Mallory can't help but smile sadly in her mind.
It has already been a couple of hours since they traveled with this unit.
It was 'already' for them, but to Oddny and Mallory, it was still 'only' a couple of hours since they left their home. Especially with Oddny.
Mallory can't begin to imagine how overwhelmed Oddny is from the situation earlier and for the next few days. Out from the comfort of her own home, Mallory was sure that Oddny felt so small and insignificant. She was still young, at the age of fifteen years old. The sudden separation of her and her family shocked her to the core that she doesn't want to do anything let alone speak. Whenever someone tries to communicate with them, she would shrink back to hide on Mallory's back.
Mallory is filled with empathy.
She, too, was just like that.
She was six when she was first deprived of her first home. She remembered being so confused and terrified, but she had someone by her side, holding her hand and giving her warm smiles all throughout the journey to find a new home.
Her mother.
Mallory felt a pang of pain in her heart.
Lyall, that's her mother's name.
YOU ARE READING
The Rejected Luna is the Goddess' Blessed
Werewolf-- Mallory was forced to watch as a vampire kills her family, only to accidentally trigger her 'Blessing' and killing the vampire. In her escape with her friend, Oddny, they got rescued by Leofric, who became her destined mate. However, he rejected...
