"Brynley," said the black one with a jokesters smile.
"Toril," said the short one with dull green eyes.
"Zyn," said the quiet one with the translucent skin.
I nodded at each of them, connecting their faces to their names. Story came up next to me and stared at them with me.
The black one is kind of cute, Story snickered.
"No he's not," I retorted instantly, then I thought about it. "Okay, maybe a little," I giggled.
The boys narrowed their eyes at us - or rather just me - and I could see Kian's glare sharpen.
"This is Story," I stated, setting my palm on Story's cheek.
"Hey Story," laughed Brynley, his smile widening.
He talked to me! Story screeched. Hi Brynley! I winced as Story's squeal ricochet off the walls in my head as she bobbed her head up and down ridiculously.
Stop squealing, I yelled at her angrily. He can't hear you!
Well tell him I said hi, ordered Story.
"Alright," I howled, exasperated. I turned back to face the boys, whom wore concerned looks on their faces, and sighed. "Story says hi, Brynley."
"Oh," Brynley said quietly, the concern on his face replaced with confusion.
"Happy now?" I asked Story.
Yes, she giggled happily as she whinnied and tossed her large head up and down.
"Alright," I sighed as I clapped my hands together. "Now that we are past that awkwardness, shall we go?"
***
We rode for a few hours, covering a lot of ground even though we didn't move very fast. Which Story complained about annoyingly often. The trees thickened and the path narrowed the further we ventured into the Schiff forest.
Soon, we were trotting lightly in a single file line. The prince took the lead with the silver eyed, bearded man close behind. Then the black man with the directions trotted in between me and the captain. Behind me followed the pale one then the runt of the group was the last person.
Kian called to stop just before the sun ceased piercing through the trees and finally crept below the horizon. Blood orange spattered across the sky and hues of red and purple mixed and swirled as they would on the canvas of a painting. The world was starting the fall asleep as the sun slid away to hide for the night.
We all hopped off our horses and then pulled off the path and past the tree line. The others proceeded to tie their horses to the trees, but I began to undress Story. I took out her bit and harness; I loosened the straps and slid the saddle off her and onto a log on the ground. Laying the saddle bags next to the saddle, I pulled out a canteen and bowl and poured some water in it and held it up for Story to drink from. I didn't tie her up because I know she doesn't like that.
Where are we even going? Story asked as she drank.
"Not sure," I answered. "The edge of Schiff forest I believe."
That's so far, exclaimed Story, lifting her head.
"I know," I moaned. "And we have to conquer a village or something." I set the bowl down then fished for two apples in the bag.
What? How? Story whinnied.
"I have no clue. Here's an apple," I said, tossing an apple towards her and Story caught it in her mouth and bit out a big chunk of it, letting the rest fall to the ground. I took a bit out of my own and picked up Story's apple. "The crazy thing is, is that he wants up back in ten days."
But it takes three days to get there, gasped Story. So that means he wants you to do it in four days?!
"Crazy, right?" I held the apple up and story ate the rest. "I bet it's cause of me," I sighed. "He thinks I can blink and kill ten people."
Can you?
I chewed on my lip, pondering if I really could. "No," I said slowly. "I don't believe I could. Maybe if they all had weak runes. Hmm. I'd most certainly would like to try, though," I laughed.
Yes, of course you would, chuckled Story, looking as if she was rolling her eyes at me.
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" I gasped.
I'm a horse, cried out Story.
"Doesn't mean you can't roll your eyes," I chastised loudly.
Well I did no such-
"Don't you lie to me," I threatened playfully, pointing my finger at the giggling horse.
Okay fine, sighed Story. I rolled my eyes-
"Ha!" I laughed. "I knew it. I win!"
I spun around to do a childish victory dance as Story giggled at my silliness and was met with two narrowed eyes, two blankly staring eyes, and six wide eyes.
The boys looked at me as they had when we first made introductions; concern mixed with confusion.
"Are you?" started Brynley, but stopped suddenly.
"Talking to your horse?" finished Toril.
I scoffed, thinking they were joking at first, but when their confusion only deepened, I turned to Kian.
"Have you told them anything?" I asked raising my eyebrows.
"They know the basics," grunted Kian in response.
"As in," I drawled.
"As in we know you steal runes," answered Jhestan, narrowing his eyes slightly. "And often kill people for profit."
"That I do," I chimed. "But is that also not what you do, also, being soldiers and all," I teased, making the soldiers wince slightly at my retort. I winked at Jhestan before saying, "I also have many other talents. One of which is I am able to get into to humans and animals minds in various ways and do an assortment of devious acts.
"My horse," I continued, petting Story's cheek softly, "has a talent also. She can access my mind since I can access hers. We can speak telepathically and she can understand us humans when we speak out loud."
"Ah, of course," mumbled Jhestan as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Right. Zyn."
"Yes, Captain," said the pale, tall boy with the stealth rune.
"Get some grub for us to eat tonight," ordered Jhestan.
"Yes sir," Zyn responded stoically.
"Oh!" I chimed before Zyn could slip off deeper into the trees. "Might I come? I can help," I offered.
Jhestan stuttered than looked between Kian, Zyn, and I, obviously unsure what the right answer should be. He regained his captain-like composure and stared daggers at me. "I don't think," Jhestan began, but I cut him off.
"Oh come on, Captain," I sang, creeping closer to Jhestan as I prowled along the walls of his mind. It was strong, just like himself, but there's always a crack in the walls of men who have experienced war. "You know I can sense souls, right? I know exactly where every animal is right now as we speak. Plus, I'm pretty handy with a dagger." I unsheathed my good dagger and waved it around, showing it off. I slipped into a crack in the burly man's mind and felt around a bit. Sensing that Jhestan was about to decline my request, I persuaded him a little.
His face tightened and his fists clenched. For a second I thought he was about to fight it, but then he blurted out, "Alright."
"Yay!" I squealed. Jhestan's eyes widened in surprise at his own answer and Kian flinched then quickly began to move toward me. "Let's go Zyn!"
I disappeared deeper into the forest before anyone could stop me. I didn't even wait to see if Zyn was following.
A.N. Real quick to in case you're wondering. How you pronounce the names cause I was thinking that some of ya'll will be saying them wrong.
Laika: lie-kah
Kian: Kee-a(like how you say the letter)-n(like how you say the letter)
Jhestan: jeh-stan (basically, the h is silent)
Zyn: zie-n
Brynley: brin-lee
Toril: tore-ril
Cress: you say it how it's spelled haha.
Madoxia: mah-dox-ee-ah
Saar: sare. not too complicated either haha.
And I think you understand how to say Mercy haha XD