to look at her. Kiora huffed in irritation as she let the bubble drop. “Don’t worry, you will learn in time.” He pulled his horse around and started forward again.
“Hold on,” Emane objected, as his horse came alongside Kiora’s. “I thought you could determine whether something was good or evil by its thread. Now we have to wait until it tries to eat us to be sure?”
“The threads are accurate for creatures that have enough brains to choose good from evil,” Drustan answered over his shoulder. “Animals with low intellect cannot choose.” He shrugged. “And they eat what they eat. Kiora will soon learn which threads constitute a threat and which do not.” Drustan looked over his shoulder in time to see Emane roll his eyes. “Or,” Drustan drawled, “we could always set you out for bait and see what happens.”
Emane opened his mouth with what Kiora was sure would be a snappy retort. To prevent the downhill slide that was Drustan and Emane’s banter, she moved her horse between them. “All right,” she said brightly. “Let’s go then.”
As the sun began to drop lower in the sky, they exited the tree line and came to a large, overgrown meadow. Kiora guessed that in the spring it was filled with brilliant wildflowers. But they were approaching fall now, and nothing remained but tall brown grass waving in the breeze.
Pulling his horse up short Drustan announced, “We will stay within the forest for the night and cross the meadow tomorrow. The Morow region is that way.” Drustan pointed. “Hopefully we run into whoever Lomay sent to find us between here and there.” Dismounting, he grabbed the reins and led the animal back into the relative shelter of the trees.
“Are we going to make camp and just hope that some monstrous creature doesn’t wander in?” Emane said, also dismounting.
Kiora shuddered, dropping off her horse. The thought of waking up to the pointy beak of the Aktoowa was not a pleasant one. Nor would it help her get some rest. She certainly couldn’t hold a bubble all night. Grabbing the reins of her horse she followed Emane and Drustan.
“We will deal with it,” Drustan answered without turning around.
Emane rolled his eyes as he tied his horse to a tree. “As usual, Drustan, you are always so clear with your answers.”
“And as usual, you lack patience,” Drustan said with a smirk, undoing the buckle on the saddle.
Although she couldn’t deny the banter was terribly entertaining, mostly because it unhinged Emane to the point of hilarity, Kiora chided them anyway. “All right, you two, we are going to be together for a long time.”
“It is all in good fun, My Lady,” Drustan said, pulling his bedding off his horse. “And should I be at fault that he is easily provoked?”
Emane dropped his head into his horse’s neck, breathing deeply, while Kiora pulled down her saddle, trying desperately not to laugh and failing. “No.” She giggled. “It’s not your fault.”
“Wonderful, Kiora. Thank you,” Emane said, unable to hide the half grin he was wearing.
Getting camp together was straight forward enough, except they were still in the open. Drustan settled down on his bedroll and asked Kiora to retrieve the book Eleana had sent with her.
She left the Book of Arian in the saddlebag, instead pulling out an old nondescript book. “What’s in this one?” Kiora asked, turning the book over in her hands.
“Incantations to use the old magic,” Drustan said, his eyes roaming over the cover. “Of all the books on old magic, I am a little surprised she sent that one with you. After the wars began Epona wouldn’t let it out of her sight.”
Kiora looked at the book warily, running her finger over the worn brown leather. “Epona said old magic is dangerous.”
“All magic is dangerous,” Drustan said, sitting back. “But it’s all determined by the user, now isn’t it? Old magic is used here, both for good and evil.”
“Is it more powerful than nature magic?” Emane asked.
Drustan’s head swiveled towards Emane.
“Don’t look so surprised. Aleric told me about it. I pay attention.” Emane cleared his throat. “Occasionally.”
“To answer your question,” Drustan said, “nature is the source of all magic. Old magic enhances it, allowing one to reach beyond. May I?” He held out his hand to Kiora. Taking the book he flipped through it, quickly finding what he was looking for. “Here,” he said, handing it back. “This should help protect us so we all can sleep.”