We follow Xander's lead, exiting the courtroom and navigating through the corridors of the citadel. Descending a magnificent flight of stairs, we finally emerge from the grand doors, stepping out into the world beyond the Starlight Citadel. Felderians pause in their tracks. Their gazes fixate on Xander, who now assumes temporary leadership.
They all cower and curtsy, afraid that we may kill them as we did the Mystic Council. They have no idea of the villainous intentions of the Mystic Council, and little do they know that our mission is to free their loved ones from the Crystal Mines, to bring justice and shed light upon the Council's tyranny. Through the testimonies of their freed loved ones, the truth will be revealed, hopefully alleviating their fear and allowing understanding to take root. Hopefully, then they won’t be afraid of us.
As we step into the stable, my gaze shifts to Janie. 'How are you feeling? Did you manage to get enough rest?' I ask, genuinely worried for her well-being.
A smile graces Janie's lips as she responds, her energy seemingly replenished. 'I feel much better now. A good night's sleep, a refreshing bath, and plenty to eat have done wonders,' she assures me.
Returning her smile with a nod, I notice a flicker of hesitation in her expression. Her fists clench, a visible sign of her inner turmoil. 'But what about you?' she asks, her voice quivering. 'Gretchen hurt you... after everything you've been through with Brad. And I couldn't even imagine how shaken and scared you must have felt. I'm so sorry, Rose. If only I had gotten there sooner,' she says, tears streaming down her face.
Without hesitation, I envelop Janie in a comforting embrace, my arms encircling her trembling form. 'Janie, none of this is your fault. Please, don't blame yourself,' I reassure her, my voice filled with sincerity. Gently, I wipe away her tears.
Though she nods, the weight of guilt still lingers in her eyes, consuming her.
Janie straps her broom to the glowhorn stag, deciding to ride with Xander. Donning his hat and cape, Mister Kal leaps on the back of her stag. I must admit, he does look adorable. Orelious and Imogen mount the next stag, readying themselves for the journey. I approach my mount, preparing to ride, when Warrick suddenly appears mounting behind me, sending a surge of tingling sensations throughout my body. He reaches around, gently enveloping my hands over the reins.
'What are you doing?' I ask, turning my head to meet his gaze.
Warrick responds casually. 'I'm riding with you,' he states matter-of-factly.
'Why can't you shift into your wolf form and travel that way?' I retort, my annoyance evident. I sigh, desperate for some distance between us, even as friends.
I feel the warmth of his breath against my ear as he whispers, his words teasingly provocative. 'If you'd like to watch me remove my clothes, I'm more than happy to oblige,' he suggests, his tone laced with playful innuendo.
My cheeks flush with embarrassment, and my ears flatten against my head. Reacting instinctively, I elbow him, momentarily forgetting about his injured ribs. Warrick grunts in pain, his hand instinctively pressing against the wound.
'Sorry, I shouldn't have elbowed you there,' I apologise, genuinely.
'It's okay,' he replies, wincing slightly. 'But shifting would tear the stitches and open the wound. I should wait a few days before I shift again. To keep up with the group and allow my body to heal as much as possible, riding with you is the only option,' he explains.
'Well, you could have explained that from the start. It would have saved me from elbowing you,' I frown. 'Just try not to whisper those kinds of comments in my ear again,' I playfully scold, flicking the reins to catch up with the rest of the group.
We finally arrive at the mystical Sylvan woods as dusk falls upon us. The antlers of our glowhorn stags illuminate with a mesmerising glow, casting a radiant light upon our surroundings. A breathtaking display of vibrant flora and fauna unfolds before our eyes. We venture deeper into the woods, and intricate carvings adorn some tree trunks. Celestial mushrooms of vivid hues sprinkle the landscape, adding an ethereal glow to our path. The ground beneath our stag's hooves reveals sprawling patches of wildflowers, with glamourous insects flying and buzzing about.
Janie dismounts from her stag, her eyes alight with wonder, as she plucks a few wildflowers and inspects them by the soft radiance of her glowhorn's swirled antlers. She is captivated by the enchanting surroundings and the delicate details of Felderia's nature.
'Let's make camp here for the night,' Xander decides, expressing appreciation for the serene ambience. He dismounts from his stag, taking in the splendour of the Sylvan woods.
Amidst the vibrant trees, some adorned with leaves in various shades of pink, purple, and red, we find ourselves immersed in vivid colours. Even the rocks and boulders are draped with vines, and flowers or draped in moss, creating a wonderous scene of wonder.
Orelious gracefully dismounts from his stag and scoops Imogen into his arms. Their eyes lock in a loving bond, and he carries her over to a nearby log, setting her down gently. His arm encircles her waist, and she smiles at him, holding onto his coat before kissing his cheek gently. The tenderness between them is evident, a sweet moment amid the magical surroundings.
As I adjust to the enchanting atmosphere, Warrick's voice startles me. 'Do you want me to help you dismount?' he offers, his presence I forgot, catching me off guard.
Shaking my head, I lift my leg over the saddle and slide from the stag. I turn to find Warrick grimacing in pain, his grip tight on his injured ribs.
‘Come on then,’ I say to him and grab an arm. I help him to sit with the others.
Returning to the glowhorn-stag, I retrieve our two bedrolls. I place Warrick's down first, but as I hesitate before laying mine beside him, I glance to my right and notice a serene grassy patch. My decision made, I walk over and unroll my bedroll there, intentionally leaving a considerable distance between Warrick and me. All eyes are upon me, then shift to Warrick, awaiting his reaction. To my relief, he does not seem bothered by my choice, though I do wonder if he is hiding his dismay.