Five, maybe six fay guards marched through the high grass. The cold wind forced the high straws to bend, always blowing right in front of the guards. They were already in the middle of the open field, with clear sight of the mountains. My heartbeat spiked up, and I started franticly looking. But around the mountains was a vast open field with grass. There was clear view in all directions, and I don't doubt both Tew and Amon had scouts looking around. I am trapped here!
Panic struck me for a couple of seconds, my heart raged, and that familiar pulsating sound swooshed inside my ears. Inside my head. My hand clutched over my mouth, and the other grabbed my shirt. Through the mild wind, the straws brushed around their war armor. Closer and closer. Drawing a sharp breath of air through clenched teeth. What is wrong with me? Resolution pumped through me, and my head snapped to the side. Automatically I started scanning the area, while halfway crawling along the mountain foot.
I leaped up and crawled up the steep rocky hillside just as heavy steps were about to round the mountain. Instead of fear, a rushed sensation of adrenaline rushed through me. Fighting time and moving events. From the corner of my eye, I saw the shiny silver plates blink. Throwing myself forward I managed to slide, roll crawl into a little cleft in the mountain.
Closing my eyes, I did my best to force myself to calm down. Force my heart to slow down. Pressing everything down while listening. Slowly steps and mumbling voices pushed through the rushed sensation that filled my ears. Slowly my body cooled down. My muscles relaxed. Giving way to my other senses. I knew I smelled different now that Drifta was gone. My scent was even more subtle, and I had managed to claw myself up pretty high. Maybe it would be enough to keep them from sniffing me out? Up here there were several different currents of wind brushing by. With a little luck, they would work in my favor.
Breathing slowly and deeply with purpose, I stayed here; hidden in a cleft. Not that I had any other options anyway. Luck provided, and for the time being it seems my smell is out of reach for the group. But to even it all out, they camped right below me. I have two options the way I see it, I can stay here until they leave. Something that brings high risks of being noticed, smelled, or spotted by a random scout guarding the camp. It will be an incredibly long and tense night and without a doubt cold. But on the other hand, if I manage to stay unnoticed, at least I am safe. However, I will also fall behind, and have problems passing them and get a head start.
Also, a bit more risky maybe, I wait until they all fall asleep. Sneak of hidden in the night's darkness. Tippy toe down the rocky side with a ninja kitten's little steps and pray to the goddess my clumsy feet stay in lane for once. Dusk turned to night, and the colorful sky turned to a dark canvas sprinkled with stars. The warm, humid winds danced around me crisp and cold. For a while, it felt incredibly relaxing, soothing, and cooling down my aching and sweaty body, but after a while, the coldness crept beneath my skin.
Breathing as quietly as possible I lay there watching everything around me turn dark and listening to the group settling down beneath me. The air was filled with deep murmurs, chuckling, and clattering of silver armor. My nostrils filled with smoke from their fireplace before a mouthwatering smell of grilled meat took over. I didn't dare to move, not enough to grab something to eat. So instead, I lay there, carefully trying to adjust my body so it would go completely stiff.
After a loud and childish conversation, five scouts were picked. Three of Tew's men and two of the fay king's closest guards were the little group's protection for the night. They scattered around the camp, one even climbed up the mountain before he changed his mind and slid down again. Leaving me still unseen, but with heavy and rapid heartbeats thudding between my lips. So close. He almost climbed past me and before he finally turned around, I filled my lungs with air and held my breath to the point I almost fainted. But slowly soft talk and sounds of eating died down. The night's heavy darkness swallowed words and laughter.
Inch by inch I worked my way sideways down the steep mountainside, realizing there wasn't a cat like bone in my entire body. There was no soft and easy jump and walk, I felt heavy and clumsy. When my feet finally touched the ground, pearls of sweat trickled down my back making my shirt stick to my skin. With both feet planted safely on the ground I froze. Still, as a statue, I waited. Listened. But the soft sound of heavy breathing and snoring remained unchanged. Relieved I let the air out, and slowly, one foot before the other I made my way around the foot of the mountain.
The long straw of grass brushed against my legs and the path towards the forest was clear and open. I could finally breathe free and disappear into the shadows of the night.
"You know him by now, he always has a plan."
A deep male voice broke the silence, and I threw myself down, hiding in the deep grass. My nails dug down into the soil, pressing myself flat while listening. Quickly I realized it was the two fay guards talking. Lazily they leaned towards the rocky mountain wall, and I had to fight an incredible urge to scruff. This is what they consider keeping an eye out for enemies? Leaning, almost laying towards a wall, and gossiping? Stupidity! They are not protecting anyone. Managing to push the irritation aside, I carefully started to drag myself forward. Again, their voices made me freeze in my tracks.
"Yeah, but he did it! I have no idea how I managed, but he did. Do you think the old myth could contain some truth?"
"Idiot! There is a huge difference between a myth and a prophecy! Of course, there is! The fay court and royal console would never agree to such an expense if not! But what about the sister? "
"What about her?"
The other one chuckled.
"You saw what happened, we all did! It all fits perfectly!"
They both laughed quietly,
"In a couple of days, the true firstborn will be mated to a pureblooded fay. A ceremony that can't be undone. She will be tied to the fay people for the rest of her life, and we can finally step out of the shadows and ruffle some feathers!"
A sudden burst of laughter shot through the night but were quickly muffled. Replaced with mischievous snickering and shushed conversations. A cold lightning of ice ran down my spine, they were about to force my sister into an unbreakable mate bond!