Saddles were filled to the brim with different supplies, small weapons and necessities. They had to be quick and efficient about their packing, for the longer they stayed in one town, the further danger they would be in. Zesam and Lill kept an eye out for king's guards that could have possibly filed into town during their stay. So far the coast was clear. The three original traveling companions had invested in new cloaks to cover their heads in a feeble attempt to hide their identities. So far, it has worked out for them.
"Wait till we are well away from the Locgres before pulling off your hoods," Nimer warned. He popped the top off his brask flask and consumed some of the brew. It tasted fresh and earthy, like any healing brew.
"I hope they don't recognize us at the gate," Jex said quietly, tugging on his hood.
He turned and suddenly came face to face with a large snout that huffed a snotty puff of air in his face. He was surprised to see a large, brown, wooly boar with large curved tusks standing behind him. He could barely reach its shoulder. Mounted on top in a large saddle was Kat. The blonde girl smiled down at him with a wave.
"Ready to go when you are," she chimed happily.
"I've never seen a boar so big!" Jex exclaimed and reached out to pat the bridge of its nose.
"I'm too tall for a horse. So he is my steed for my travels," Kat laughed.
Kugruth rode up beside her on a sturdy looking pony, perfect for his dwarfish size and more so well suited for the cold weather. "Let's not sit 'round and chat. We best get goin' or we might draw more unwanted attention than good."
"Yes, Let's get going," Nimer urged them. The group of seven mounted their steeds, riding through the streets, making their way to the edge of the city, exiting out the back gates instead of the front. Nimer had been sure they would draw less attention there.
When the gates came into view, Ray muttered with a quick breath, "Gates ahead."
"Keep your heads down," Nimer said, holding out his palm toward the street. His eyes were locked on the guard towers. He glanced over to Zesam and gave him a nod.
The guards at the gates watched them pass, their heads swivling in their direction if only for moments but could not see past the deep shadows of their hoods. Zesam kept them occupied with a friendly, nonchalaunt wave that drew their attention to him instead of the other three in front of them. Once they made it onto the main road, Jex, Ray, and Nimer could breathe again.
"Happy we came along?" Zesam asked and rode up close to the guide's horse and smiled.
"I suppose so," Nimer answered, then pulled off his hood when the gates were far behind them. Jex and Ray did the same.
"I'm more than happy you've joined us," Ray said and looked back toward Kat and Kugruth who kept their eyes on the surroundings. With several sets of eyes on the road and the scenery, they may just be able to spot cult members or guards more frequently.
"Is it the first time you've been wanted?" Kat asked.
"For Ray and myself, yes," Jex answered with a smile. "We honestly don't get out much. This is our first adventure! I can't speak for Nimer. I imagine that he's been wanted by guards before."
Nimer rolled his eyes. "This is not the first time I've been hunted by guards and it won't be the last. That goes for you two as well," he said, looking over his shoulder at Jex and Ray. "I suggest that you get used to it. Kugruth, if you don't mind, could you give us eyes above so we can scout the landscape?"
"Aye," Kugruth said, then held his hand out over the snow.
Swirls of the powder sitting on top of the road side rose into the sky shaping and forming slowly. His hands moved with the swirls as they danced around his short steed. The snow glistened in the air and soon formed into a large ball of individual flakes suspended in the air. It uncurled, morphing into a large owl that swept through the group, the image coming undone as it darted past the other travelers and reforming in between them. It caused a gust of cold wind to rip through the other six companions, their hair, clothes and cloaks rustling with the wind. The large owl turned up its nose then soared upward into the sky, leaving a trail of snow in its wake.
The dwarf's eyes coated over in a golden yellow and his pupils enlarged like that of an owl. From where he sat on his small horse he could see everything bellow the snow owl. The trees raced by and he could see deer far out to the front and a jagged river cutting through the forest to the left of the trail. The owl circled ahead and many of them watched it intently while it flew overhead.
"Incredible," Jex said, jaw slacked and in awe. He could only imagine in that moment what it would be like to fly like the owl did.
"This is the power of Talorak," Kugruth said with a gruff chuckle.
Zesam and Lill tuened, slightly shocked to hear the god's name. "Are ya Talorak in the flesh?"
"Indeed I am, but best not tell no one," Kugruth warned wagging a finger. He looked even more serious with his eyes like that of an owl.
"It's an honor to be traveling with a god," Lill said politely. "I'm sure you will help with safe passage through the mountains."
"Aye, tha's why I'm here," Kugruth said, his eyes landing on Nimer who quickly turned away from him when he was caught glowering.
The seven of them traveled long hours, the day passing slowly and the sun soon disappearing behind a blanket of clouds. The owl swooped over their tracks left behind in the mud, causing a steady blanket of snow to cover them. It was critical they weren't followed. The chill of the air increased while Nimer drove them off the path to make camp for the encroaching night.
They worked as a small unit gathering wood and dry grasses for the fire and built it as the sun set. The bitter cold night nipped at their noses and ears. Jex and Ray huddled under a woolen blanket and Zesam and Lill did the same. Kat's blanket barely covered her, but she didn't seem too cold in the winter weather.
"Giants have thicker skin and are made for the mountains," she informed. "At least I think so. I don't remember everything about giants."
"Most live in these woods, though, not many got much of a brain as Kat 'ere does," Kugruth said, poking the fire with a stick.
"Did you awaken into a giant then?" Jex asked her, hopeful to hear her story.
The tall girl nodded. "Kugruth told me all about the time I awakened, how much pain I was in at times when my bones cracked and grew larger over time," she admitted and laughed a little. "I was strettched out like you stretch wool to make yarns."
"I couldn't imagine that to be a pleasent experience," Ray said, shuttereing. She could only imagine what it was like to have every bone in your body broken and regrow larger in size.
"What are ya talking about, awakening?" Lill said, walking up with more firewood.
Ray and Jex's eyes turned to their guide who shook his head at them from the spot he sat in. He still didn't trust the two mercenaries no matter how they had proven themselves worthy.
"Perhaps, we shouldn't worry too much about it," Ray said with a kind smile. "We should get some rest to be able to get headway on the road tomorrow."
Jex yawned, raising his arms above his head then settled his arm around Ray's shoulders and drew her close. "As long as you lay with me tonight, I'll be as warm as can be." He planted a small kiss on Ray's cheek and she flushed a shade of pink.
Soon, slumber took them one by one except one soul. Nimer lay awake, staring up at the clouds that threatened a snow storm. It wouldn't be an easy trip into the mountains if it stormed the next day. He turned on his side and his gaze fell upon Kat's sleeping face.
"I can't believe she had to go through all that pain and I just left her to experience it," he thought to himself. He couldn't help but blame himself. The guilt had been eating him alive for the past few days and he couldn't shake the feeling.
He turned to the other side, his eyes drifting out toward the woods. He could hear far out into the trees the subtle movement of creatures that lurked in the night. He could only imagine what was out there or if anyone was following them. A sudden flash of yellow eyes caught his immediate attention and he jolted up. Nimer pushed back his covers and carefully made his way to the tree line. Four sets of eyes stared at him intently from the darkness. He placed his hands on his swords, drawing them quietly.
"Put those away," came a rough growlly voice from one of the sets of eyes and a shadow of a large wolf emerged. His sleek black fur kept him well camouflaged in the night and Nimer could barely make them out.
"What do you want wolf?" Nimer asked, demanding an answer.
"Lucine has sent us. We are in search of our alpha. Where is Canin?"