Naveen

Maleen:

I stood up to put my shoes on and Rina moved to collapse the cot. Tossing the blankets on her bad and setting it against the wall. Her birds flitted all over the room excitedly. I moved over to the window to look through the slats of the shudders. There were several horses lined up outside and a bunch of men wearing identical uniforms. I turned my eyes to Rina wondering if this was why she was so anxious.

I moved over, curious as to what they were looking at. I saw the men, not sure what was so interesting about them. Maybe they could help us! With...what ever it was we were doing.

Rina:

I looked over to see both girls at the window. I moved to grab them each by the arm and pull them back. Maleen cringed and I released her with a slight frown. “We have to go quick. We don’t need them realizing what or who any of us are.”

Maleen:

“Oh.” I said softly, hugging myself. Rina had reminded me of the way my former masters had treated me, though she had been significantly more gently. I glanced to the window again though I couldn’t see through it from this far away. She was worried that they would find out what I was and take me.. I wasn’t too eager to find out what they would do but there were really only two options. They would use me for my gifts, or they would kill me. Humans seemed interested in nothing else. My stomach seemed to tighten with anxiety and suddenly I didn’t want to leave the room.

I looked between them, not sure what they were talking about or worried about. I stood where I had been pulled, wishing that I could understand what they were saying. But even as I ran over what they had said in my mind, I didn't recognize it or feel any familiarity about it.

Rina:

I opened the door and ushered Wren out. I looked back to see Maleen standing in the canter of the room looking very young and frightened. “Come on.” I said hurriedly. “But.. What if they know? What if they take me?” She asked quietly. I paused for a moment. “They wont. I’m not going to let them take you from me.” I said assuredly. “You’re outnumbered.” She stepped back, bumping into the bed. “But not out matched,” I held my hand out to her. “Now let’s go. You’re a witch anyway, can’t you just cast some spell and be done with it?”

Maleen:

I smiled a little at that. “Well, only ones I know. And those are mostly cleaning ones..” I said and slowly walked over. She put her hand on my back and nudged me out the door next to Wren.

"They do seem pretty dirty." I remarked absently, my eyes unfocused though a soft glow came from my eyes as I stood in the hall. I paused and then shook my head for a moment, then turned to look at them, completely unaware that I had spoken in their language.

Maleen:

I giggled at that as Rina hurried us down the hall and out a side door. She led us along to the stables. “Can you ride? Either of you?” She asked pausing in front of a stable door.

I looked at her unsure of what she had just said. I glanced at the door and pushed it open with a curious gesture. I brightened when I saw the horses and I rushed inside, the horses being almost drawn to my presence.

Rina:

I watched her with a slight smile. “Hopefully that’s a yes.” I said to myself. “And you? Can you ride?” I asked Maleen. “I have, but only a little..” She answered uncertainly. “Well you can share with Wren.” I walked into the stables where two horses were affectingly nuzzling Wren. The bigger of the two was a chestnut while the other one was a brown paint. Bothe were already saddled but the paint had backs on either side.

I giggled softly as I tried to pet both of the horses at once, though they weren't making it easy for me. The creatures were beautiful, what ever they were. I smiled at the others, wondering if this was good.

Maleen:

I smiled back watching her before going over to the chestnut one and stroking her neck. “What are their names?” I asked Rina. She shrugged swinging herself up on the other one’s back. “Hurry up, we should be going.” She said. I looked to Wren. “Do you need me to boost you up?” I asked.

I looked at Rina swing herself on top of the horse and I blinked before looking at the other one. We were getting on top of them? Why? Did they serve a purpose?

Maleen:

“Or I can pull you up?” I offered after she didn’t respond. I looked at Rina uncertainly. She gave an impatient sigh.

I couldn't decide what it was they wanted from me. But eventually I just chose to try and repeat the motion that Rina had done. And so I tried to pull myself on, to no success.

Rina:

I sighed again and slid off the horse. I got behind Wren and pushed her up when she was trying to get on.

I blinked, settling in the saddle, looking around curiously, before having to lean forward to listen as the horse I was on gave a small whiny.

Rina:

I laced my fingers together and held my hands out for Maleen who stepped up and settled behind Wren. The horse was big and the two girls were fairly small, so the saddle had plenty of room for the both of them. I took my place once more on my horse and nudged her out of the stables. The other one followed. “If someone stops us, let me do the talking.” I warned them both. The soldiers were searching for a pack of goblins that had been sighted. So my little group shouldn’t draw attention, but still, it made me nervous to be near them.

Talon:

I walked down the road, towards where an inn lay. I was still covered in a bit of gore, glancing up at the darkening sky. It would rain soon.

Rina:

Once we were on the rather muddy road the other horse with the two girls walked up next to mine so I was no longer in front. I glanced at the witch, she kept looking over her shoulder, clearly as nervous as I had been if not more.

Wren:

I kept my ear to the horse before something made me look up. A figure was walking down the road towards us.

Rina:

As we neared I recognized the elf from the day before. My forehead pinched, remembering the annoyance he had caused me, but I slowed my horse anyway. “Oy, I wouldn’t go that way. Soldiers.” I stated. “They don’t take kindly to your type.”

"If you want to not be a suspect, I would take a side road." I called softly, never stopping in my movements, though I did slow.

Rina:

I stopped my horse and watched him. “They’ll kill you for being so close to a village. I at least have the protection of being human.” Called.

"And if they find what you will see ahead of you? You will be blamed, or rewarded. But it will draw attention to yourself. Something you don't want." I said glancing to the other horse and the girls. As I came closer, the rain started falling, beginning to start washing the blood from me.

Mina:

I gulped watching him. Maybe Rina couldn’t see it? The blood? Maybe she thought it was mud. I closed my eyes for a moment seeing flashes of goblins being sliced. I couldn’t help it. I had touched his mind recently, the connection was there, and I had never closed it. I opened my eyes and the visions went away. I focused on the elf wearily.

Rina:

“What is there ahead?” I asked in alarm.