Chapter 25
Hunter an emotion that made him look like a deer caught by a noose.
He knew what I was referring to just then, and schooled his facial expression. Inanov chuckled softly from behind me.
"If we expect to get to Litara before the sun sets, we need to be fast. And that means starting now." Akiel emphasised.
***
Immediately after commands were given, we began our departure from Viridis Aurum.
The wind whipped into my face, the wisps of my hair flew right off my cheek as we descended down a steep hill.
The feeling was nearly energizing; the reprieve one has by the harsh beats of hooves as you make incredible distances between grassy fields.
I embraced it as much as I could, knowing that this was as close as I would ever get to freedom in this lifetime.
Adrion's stallion led first, prideful just like its master, his horse making immaculate speed. His gold cloak flowed in the wind.
"I think we can make better speed than that, don't you think, Fluffcake?
" I said against my stallion's mane, who didn't seem to be as confident as I was.
The heel of my foot bit into my stallion's side, urging him faster.
My body surged forward as the stallion began to pick up more speed, passing Inanov, who gave me a surprised glance and was passing both Akiel, Hulin, and Red who cheered into the air.
I willed my horse faster, hot steam exhaled from my grey stallion.
Hooves now beating in rhythm with the prince's stallion, now side by side.
The prince didn't acknowledge me beside him, but from the slight tic from his tensed jaw, it was enough of an answer. And to put the cherry on top, I dared to pass the prince who took cheap shots by taking sharp curves around the hill, trying to make my horse lose pace and at some point; if I weren’t holding onto my horse tight, I most likely would have fallen off.
The prince did not want to lose. I did not know if it was the Litaran air I was breathing; the taste of freedom or even the adrenaline of this petty race that awoke something in me that had tendrils of shadows seeping out of my hands.
I didn't notice at first that it went into my horse's body, seeping into his skin and breathing in like smoke going into its nostrils.
I nearly got thrown off as my horse surged upward on its hinds and then landed back down, racing to the royal stallion.
I had to hold on tight to not get swept back into the wind as my horse began to pass his with ease, leading the group at last. I held in the reins of my horse, pulling back, but he wouldn't slow down—still racing at that impeccable speed he was urged to go at.
It was only until I noticed the devious dark whisplings that had nearly covered the front of my horse that the shadows slowly evaporated and allowed the horse to slow down.
My mind whirled with a thousand questions as I kept my horse riding at a more durable pace, the prince now starting to catch up with me.
A loud whistle was sounded by the east wing of soldiers.
They found something.
I followed in the direction everyone seemed to gather in.
Hulin and Akiel stood in front of a huge tree with no leaves. I got off my horse to have a closer look. On thin branches, long ropes hung ten men from their wrists, skinned from top to bottom. I immediately covered my nose at the bitter strong stench of their blood.
Behind me, Red asked softly, "Vampyres?" A loud neigh came from the prince's horse as he jumped off to inspect the bodies.
"No. Vampyres don't torture their victims by skinning them," the prince answered.
"As interesting as this is. Why are we stopping?" Colfe said, arriving with his horse. His face red with heat and sweat. I spotted yellow bloodied cloaks and armoured boots that lay about.
"It's because the men that were skinned alive are Apollon soldiers," I answered for everyone. Hulin nodded while Akiel assessed the rope. Colfe blanched when he began noticing the signs.
"They are not ours." Colfe sputtered. His eyes darted across all the bodies and then back to the group of soldiers that accompanied us.