The Dark Ages of the Synakoy; The Past Forgotten, Wolfheart [top ebook reader .txt] 📗

was going to watch what she did next, but something spooked Garix on her side, and she was forced to grab his reins before he capsized the wagon. She calmed him down and looked around, searching for what could have caused it. Finding nothing, she shook her head and focused on the trail again.
He must have tripped or something. I need to watch this trail more carefully, or one of the Garixes or horses could break an ankle.

****

Kiyoshi watched the path absently. Something felt off. Her head throbbed with the many thoughts that were circulating within it. Zenic kept close by her, keeping a close eye on the path, the sky and the cliffs. She looked over to see Ivory pointing at a boy. Kai said something about him liking her bow. Then she disappeared into the wagon and came out with a sturdy, curved piece of pine wood. Ky smiled. Ivory had given the girl something to do.
It didn’t ease her, however. Something still wasn’t right. What was it? What was going on?
Zenic stopped dead and snarled at a wagon that nearly smacked into his face. The action was enough to spook the Garixes. Before Ivory could even take the reins of hers, Ky had the Garix beside her. Her very touch seemed to calm him. Guiltily, she watched Ivory try to find what had startled them. Then she sobered and paid heed to the road instead of bored Kai.
Ky sighed, shaking her head. This was going to be a very long ride.
Zenic is worried about something. This is a dangerous stretch of mountain indeed if a lion his size worries about the sky and the cliffs high above our heads.

*****

It was around noon when Kai saw the land, out of nowhere, suddenly even out. She gasped. There was not a single bit of snow or ice on the plateau of stone. Patches of soil and even grass dotted the landscape, and there was a small grove of pine trees to their left. It wasn’t completely flat, but the walls of sheer rock that slowly encased them as the wagons circled the valley plateau made it clear why there was growth and so little snow.
“It’s gorgeous.” Levin whispered. Kai nodded.
“Isn’t it?” Yuki asked; his voice was full of awe.
Kai noticed Ky tense. It was such an odd reaction to the place, she felt a little unnerved. Ky loved the environment, which made it even less comforting.
What’s going on with her? She’s been lost in thought the entire day. She’s even got Zenic in an acid mood.

Ky mounted Zenic and he took off in a dead run, circling around the wagons. Kai watched her closely as she got down. Levin helped Yuki down before he climbed into the cubby to fetch wood and food for lunch. When her sister and the huge white lion returned, Kai shivered.
There was an anxiety about them that the hunter couldn’t put off as wariness or lack of sleep.
“What’s wrong, Ky?” She asked, avoiding the teeth of the black stallion.
“I can’t place it…” She muttered. “But…something doesn’t feel…right. Zenic isn’t making sense, either. He keeps saying this place is both dangerous and sacred and that we shouldn’t be here.”
Kai looked her up and down. “Why don’t you talk to Riviera about this place? he may have some myth or whatever that will explain why you don’t feel well.”
She shook her head. “No. Riviera is busy. She’s organizing something with the scouts.” She pointed over at the scouts. They surrounded the Caravan leader in the middle of the plateau. “She won’t appreciate me doing that. I made sure, however, that all the wagons were alright. There are no people hurt…”
“You feel like somebody may get hurt?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, Kai. But the only time I’ve been this anxious…that I’ve felt like this…was…” Sorrow gleamed in her blue eyes with the stress. Her fingers tapped her leg. Zenic looked up at her as if in concern. “The day mother died.”
“Then go for a run on that insane lion of yours.” Tenzik’s voice made Kai jump, but even though he’d come up behind Ky, she only turned her head in slight surprise.
It’s as if she’s surprised to see it was him, but she knew something was there.

“Greeting, Tenzik.” She said warily. “What business do you have with us?”
He came to stand at a distance from both of them – out of Kai and Zenic’s reach.
“Riviera noticed how unnerved you are, and she understands your restlessness. She just wanted to tell you we’ll be here for the evening. Settle your beast and your spirits, Lady Kiyoshi. You’ll spar here tonight. The best way to do that is to ride that cat to the ground, in my opinion. He won’t be so frantic if you do that.”
“Thank you for your advice Tenzik, and for the warning we’ll spare.” She was glaring at the man as if he’d insulted her. He turned and left. Zenic snarled at him as he walked away, making him cast an apprehensive glance backward.
“What was that all about?”
“The man has no respect for animals at all. He beats his dog and rides his fox mount hard enough to put it into the grave ten years too soon. His Garixes are gelded to make them less difficult to handle.”
Kai shook her head, understanding what she was saying.
She’s never liked fixing an animal without a real reason – like they’re ill or psychotic. And she must really hate the man for beating his dog and treating his mount like that.

“But he does have a point, Ky. You could try riding a little while. We could all go.”
She looked thoughtful for a second, then sighed and nodded. “Alright. Ask Ivory if she minds you riding double with her. Get Levin to ride, too. Champion is saddled already for a reason.”
Kai smiled. “Good idea.”
Just before she could make a move, however, she spotted Riviera break away from her scouts and make a b-line for Ky.
She’s in no condition to talk with her alone. I’ll stay here.

“Riviera.” Kai warned her sister, tensing.
Could we fight before she’s calmed down?
“Greetings.” Riviera called as she reached them.
Ky only nodded, so Kai kept her tongue.
“Tenzik told me you’re unsettled, and that he advised you ride from here.” Her frown reached her eyes and her tone. “I advise you not to look away from camp for your unease, but within it.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is something that will give you peace here.” She turned to point toward a mountain to their left. Kai spotted a pile of rubble and a blackness that could only mean one thing. “That cave is a place of great power, and will put your mind to rest. It’s a cave that the original people of these mountains would do all ceremonies in. I’ll hold the sparing until after your return.” Her fox bit at the reins as she spoke; she yanked sharply and released. Kai noted Ky frown, and the way the teen commandant overlooked it. “I recommend going there. Leaving with Kai won’t do you much good and Ivory is…busy.” Kai looked over at where Ivory was talking with a scout. She smiled, shaking her head at the girl’s flirtatious stance; no matter where they were, Ivory was a true vixen. She watched the girl flick her hair.
“Why don’t I taker Levin, then?” Ky was obviously thinking aloud. She was studying the cave warily, as if its shadows were her bane. “An old cave is bound to have bats, and perhaps wolves. In this region, it may harbor a leopard. I really don’t think going in alone is safe. I need at least Levin; Champion is fast enough to get help, and he seems anxious himself.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Levin has reason more than you to go there, doesn’t he?” Her voice said she knew more than she was telling them.
What is she hiding from us? I think I could trust a rabid hyena more than her.

Ky frowned. Her focus seemed more inward. Zenic gave a nervous half-growl and shook his mane.
With Ky not answering, Kai covered her.
“I’ll go get Levin, then. He will enjoy a ride with Ky.”
Ky gave her thankful glance and nodded to dismiss her.

*****

Levin tried to relax as he prepared the fire and food. It was difficult to do; something was making him very unnerved and restless. He fingered the precious stone on his chain necklace, trying to comfort himself. For some reason, not even the stone, which had comforted him as long as he could recall no matter what the situation was, would ease his nerves.
Kai came over and watched him for a second, apparently distracted and reserved for once.
“Need something kido?”
“One; don’t call me kiddo. Two; Ky wanted to go for a ride with you. I think she’s leaving Zenic here to go on Champion.”
“Is he saddled?”
“Yes.”
Maybe that would help…and some time alone with Ky may be exactly what I need. She always seems to know what’s going on around here anyway.

“Watch the fire and put the food on? We shouldn’t be long enough for you to do anything but bring it to a boil.”
“No problem; go have fun.” She sat down and took over his job. Doing a quick scan of the camp, it took him on a second to find Rivera, Zenic and Kiyoshi. Ky had Champion by his reigns already, and was staring in the direction of a cave. Sighing, Levin steeled himself and headed toward her.
She’s kinda taking charge, so I doubt it would be a good idea to say no anyway. Besides…if I didn’t come, she’d probably leave alone. There could be anything living in that cave – some kind of giant winged leopard or something.

The image of a spotted gryphon covered in blood, wings broken, came to his mind. Startled, he faulted for a heartbeat. Then he shook the memory away.
Where did that come from?

He reached Ky, who turned and looked him dead in the eye as if she knew he were there.
“Hey. Do you mind going for a ride? Zenic needs to hunt, so we’ll ride Champion double if you’ll go.”
Anybody else would say she was calm and secure. Her voice was quiet and smooth. Her head was held high and her shoulders squared. But Levin could see that her stance was off, and the anxiety in her eyes was unmistakable. Her fingers danced on her thigh as she leaned toward Champion as if in need of support. The smile was about as honest as a scam artist.
“Of course I will.” He smiled back kindly.
Then he waved for her to mount first, and actually assisted her up – even though she really didn’t need it. She was too anxious to even shoot him a dark or cross look.
She’s worse than I am.

She growled at Zenic. He nodded and walked off toward the cave, then turned abruptly and sprinted toward the cliffs they’d just come from. It was strange to realize they communicated with growls and roars like that.
“He wants to be nowhere near that cave for some reason. He says it’s a dangerous yet sacred place. Perhaps it is simply a place