The cave was closer to Serult than Faye had expected. She found her way back in no time, and with no problems. But now what?
The first place she went to, was the inn. She doubted Jyri was there, but she had left her new cloak and old clothes behind. When she arrived, the innkeeper told her Jyri had already checked them out. Faye wrapped her tattered cloak around herself, and made the decision to find Jyri. Since they were both on the run from the same people, it made sense to stick together. And it would be nice to know why those men had been after him in the first place.
But she couldn't spend any more time in Serult. The men were bound to return there. If she couldn't find Jyri, so be it. Lost in her thoughts, she almost bumped into Jyri himself. He stood next to a horse-sized, dog-like creature. The animal wore a bridle and saddle, much like a horse would. It also wore a collar, like a dog would.
"Jyri!" Faye clutched at her heart. "You gave me a fright."
"Sorry. I've been looking all over for you."Jyri scratched back of the animal's head, right behind its floppy ears. "I traded the horse for an estin. This fellow here tracked you down."
Faye had only seen an estin a handful of times in her life, and they didn't come cheap. She frowned. "For only a horse?"
Jyri smiled. "I didn't even have to negotiate."
"Who would trade an estin for only a horse?"
The estin growled, and lunged towards Faye, knocking her over. Jyri yanked the collar, and shook his finger. "No! Bad estin!" The estin flinched, and ceased growling. Jyri pet its head. "No one wanted him," he explained. "They were trying to get rid of him. Poor thing."
Faye pushed herself up, ignoring the stares from passerby. The estin let out another growl. Jyri grabbed its collar, and Faye stepped back, but the estin didn't move. She folded her arms, jutting her chin out. "I'm glad you had a great time estin shopping. Meanwhile, I got captured, and had to escape all on my own."
Jyri stopped petting the animal. "I'm sorry. If I'd have known-"
"It'd be nice to know why there's guards chasing after you, seeing as you got me into this mess."
"I didn't get you into anything." Jyri scowled at her. "You chose to follow me."
"Only because I didn't want your death on my conscious."
The estin growled again, and stepped towards Faye, but Jyri tugged him back. "We don't have time to argue. Let's go."
"Fine."
Once out of the city, Jyri struggled up onto the saddle. He had been walking slower than usual, but his eyes were fully open.
"How are you feeling?" Faye asked.
"I've been better." He rubbed the side of the estin. "Do you want up? There's plenty of room."
Faye eyed the animal. Its body was long enough to fit three people. And it wasn't as tall as a horse, so it would be less difficult to climb on. She wouldn't need assistance, anyway. Faye made a move towards the estin, and it turned its head towards her, growling. Faye leapt back.
"Holger..."Jyri said sternly.
The estin stopped growling.
"You named it Holger?"
"What's wrong with Holger?" Jyri gave the estin's back a few, calming rubs. "It's a fine name for an estin." He scooted closer towards Holger's neck. "Get on behind me."
Reluctantly, she pulled herself onto the growling estin, while Jyri cooed at it. "What am I supposed to hold onto?"
"Me." Jyri took the reigns in hand, and flicked them. Holger didn't budge.
"A worthwhile investment," Faye said. "Totally worth trading the horse for."
"That horse would've died carrying both of us all the time. Estins were bred for multiple riders, you know. And they're faster." Jyri flicked the reigns again. Holger walked at a slow pace.
Faye held onto the back of Jyri's coat, eyebrow raised. "Really?"
"He's learning."
They rode on in silence. Faye wondered when to ask questions. It seemed more appropriate to wait until they were at a resting point. But she wanted answers. Lots of answers.
Faye cleared her throat. "Who were those men."
"Guards."
"I figured that much out, thanks."
Jyri let out a breath. "King Lyon's guards."
"So you have Lyon after you?"
"Kind of." His voice sounded strained, as though he didn't want to continue.
"Why?"
Jyri grunted.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Do we need to stop?" she asked.
"I said I'm fine," Jyri said, an edge in his voice.
"Sorry, for not wanting a repeat of last night."
"I'm better today. It was just a side-effect of the potion. I'll live."
Faye tried a different route. "Why were you dying when we first met?"
Jyri scratched the back of his neck, eyes downcast.
"Well?"
"I was hungry," Jyri said slowly. "There were these... blueberries. I went to pick some."
Holger let out a low bark.
"What's wrong, boy?" Jyri rubbed Holger's neck. Faye looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Holger yawned, and dropped to his stomach.
"Holger!"Jyri flicked the reigns, but the estin made a noise that sounded like gurgling.
Faye buried her face in her hands. "I miss our horse."
Jyri stood up, and gestured for Faye to do the same. "Come on Holger," he said in a soothing voice. "Get up."
Holger rested his head on the ground, and closed his eyes. Jyri put his hand over his forehead, then looked at Faye. "Let's try lifting him up. Get on his other side."
Jyri squatted down, and stroked Holger's shoulder as Faye sat on the opposite side. "Put your hands under him," Jyri instructed her. Faye complied. "Now, on the count of three-"
Holger whipped his head around, and bit her arm. Faye shrieked.
"Holger, NO!" Jyri turned to Faye. "Are you okay?" Faye managed a nod, and inspected the tooth marks in her arm. Surprisingly, there wasn't any blood. Holger howled, but Jyri wrapped his hand around his snout, and pointed his finger at him. "Quiet!"
Holger whined, and stood up. Jyri rubbed his neck. "Good boy." He climbed back on, and turned to Faye.
Faye's arm throbbed. "If you think I'm getting back on that-"
"He just needs to get used to you."
"I'm walking."
"Suit yourself." Jyri flicked the reigns, and Holger continued onwards. Faye trailed behind.
Once certain Holger was done causing trouble, she cleared her throat. "So, blueberries..."
Jyri nodded. "Blueberries."
"What do blueberries have to do with your near-death experience?"
"Ah. That."
Holger stopped to sniff at a tree.
"Now what?" Jyri asked him, his voice gentle.
Holger let out a whine, and bounded forward. Jyri tugged the reigns to stop him, then turned towards Faye. "Are you sure you don't want on?"
Holger sniffed at the dirt, and Faye looked up at Jyri. "Fine." She climbed up on Holger, grabbing Jyri's jacket. Once comfortably seated, Faye asked, "What was wrong with the blueberries?"
Holger moved forward. Jyri glanced over his shoulder at her. "They weren't actually blueberries."
"What were they?"
Jyri didn't look at her. Instead, he gazed off into the distance, almost like he was going for a dramatic effect. "They were astro berries."
Faye's eyebrows shot up, and she swore. "How'd you manage to make that mistake?"
Jyri ignored her.
"I thought there wasn't a cure for those."
"There is." Jyri shifted. "It just costs 4,000 loti."
Faye snorted. Holger let out a growl that sounded more like a groan.
"I have your new cloak in one of the saddle bags." Jyri gestured down towards the bags draped over Holger.
"So you took my stuff."
"After I got away, I went back to our room to see if you were there. But I only saw a bag of your clothes, so I took it with me. In case I found you again."
"Thanks."
"You'll need that cloak, once we're stopped for the night. It's going to be a cold one."
"What do you mean?" Faye asked, eyebrows furrowed. "We won't make it to the city?"
Jyri shook his head. "We might even have to spend two nights out here."
Faye was no stranger to sleeping outdoors. But sleeping outdoors in a city was much different than being away from civilization. And there was the added bonus of Lyon's guards after them.
"We'll be fine." Jyri smiled. "We can take turns keeping watch."
Late in the evening, after sunset, they found a place to stop and spend the night. Jyri tied Holger to a tree, then pulled blankets out of the saddlebags, and tossed one to Faye.
"This is it?" Faye asked. "I'll freeze."
"I thought you would've been used to it." Jyri pulled something else out from the bag, and handed her her new cloak. He looked at her sides. "I suggest you take off that binding. No one's here-"
Faye ground her teeth, her grip on her cloak tightening. "I can't wear a normal shirt over my wings without binding them. It stretches it out."
"Do you have any shirts where you can have your wings free?"
"Not unless you want to see me shirtless again," Faye said, wrapping her cloak around herself.
"Odis, no." Jyri scrunched his nose. "It's just, you're ruining your wings, you know."
"Good. I don't want them."
"Why not?"
"Because all they do, is get in the way. I can't use them, even if half-breeds weren't despised here, and I didn't have to always hide them." Faye plopped down on a boulder, chin in hands. "They're a curse."
"I like your wings. And when we get out of here, you can stop hiding them." Jyri sat on the ground, next to Holger, who laid on his stomach with closed eyes. He pulled out a loaf of bread from his pack, and offered her some. "I'd make a fire, but I'm worried it'll catch attention."
Faye agreed, and ripped off a chunk of bread. "I'm fine like this."
"Do you want first watch? I'm exhausted."
"Sure." Faye took a bite.
Jyri grabbed the blankets, and laid down, using his pack as a pillow. Faye sat next to him, and took another bite. "You never told me why you have guards after you."
He pulled up his blanket, and rolled over to his side, back facing her. "Goodnight."
Jaw clenched, Faye wrapped her blanket around herself. Her mind raced through the possibilities. He couldn't be an escaped prisoner, given his manner of dress. Unless he escaped before he reached prison. But what would he have been arrested for? Not thieving. Murder?
Faye swallowed, and looked at Jyri. She could only see his faint outline in the darkness. What if...? She shook her head. There'd been plenty of opportunities for him to kill her. And even if he was a murderer, it might've been a one-time thing. Maybe there was justice behind it. He could've been rescuing a maiden. Or fighting for one. Men were always doing such nonsensical things. Regardless, Faye slipped her knife out, and kept it gripped in her hand. She didn't plan on sleeping. She'd stay up all night to keep watch.
On him.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
