Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I cast a sideways glance at Quillen. “Tell me honestly. How much will I hate the upcoming activities?”
He pursed his lips. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On just how ready and fit to join the Order you are.”
◆◆◆
Walking along a carpet of colorful wildflowers, high grass, fallen leaves, and pinecones several hours later, I wished that the ever-present fog would disappear if only for a few moments so I could properly appreciate the scenery.
I might be able to see more than most, but not enough that I could drink in the true beauty of my surroundings. I could see vague tall shapes through the haze; knew they would be the leafy trees I’d seen when we passed through this meadow on various treks through Reaper’s Pines.
It smelled a damn lot better here than in the marshland that we’d traipsed through earlier. No scents of salty water, rotten eggs, or decaying plants in this spot. Only warm soil, floral foliage, and overripe berries.
While I liked looking at the meadows within the Pines, I wasn’t ever in a hurry to walk through them. I’d prefer a simple path any day. Paths didn’t have long, lush grass that concealed snakes, mice, and wasps nests.
“We’re not going to win,” mumbled Sable behind me.
I didn’t look at the Lykaon over my shoulder as I said, “Whatever officiates are on our tail will of course catch up to us. This exercise isn’t about winning or losing. Not really. They’re testing us on our knowledge of the terrain, and they’re hunting us at the same time to put us under pressure and knock our confidence.” It was rather typical of Xalbia activities.
At the garrison this morning, the forty-one remaining candidates had been split into small groups—I’d been placed in one with Lear, Sable, and Reeve. Each group had been led to one of the most mountainous area of Reaper’s Pines. We’d then been let loose, having been made aware that we’d be hunted by officiates.
Not a grand scenario, but we’d completed such ‘exercises’ twice before, so it wouldn’t have been a big deal. Except … it was different this time. We didn’t have to merely walk to the city. We had to make our way from one very specific location to another on our way to the city.
There was nothing simple about traversing the Pines. It was exceptionally easy to get lost here, particularly when the fog hazed your view. Also, we had no map or compass or other such equipment, which forced us to rely on our memories and sense of direction.
So far, our little group was handling it well enough. Sable was nervous, but I suspected that could largely be blamed on the restlessness she wouldn’t shake off until her power finally surfaced. Particularly since it made her feel vulnerable.
Stepping over a log, I said, “Be careful here, they’re a few gopher holes in this part of the meadow.” The last time we were here, Finian had twisted his ankle after accidentally dipping his foot in one.
“I don’t know how you’re keeping us on track, Anara,” commented Reeve. “I can barely see anything.”
Lear wafted at the flecks of pollen peppering the air. “I recognize different landmarks, so we’re definitely going the right way. It’s funny how the fog makes you pay more attention to your immediate surroundings. You can’t see much else, so you mentally note whatever you do see. It helps you stay on track.”
A soft breeze slid through my curls and made the foliage swish, the sound adding to the music of the meadow that came from chirping birds, droning insects, and the gurgling of a nearby creak.
“It’s about a twenty-minute walk to the city from here, right?” Reeve asked. “How long do you think it will be before officiates catch up to us?”
“It depends on whether they’re going at an easy pace,” replied Lear. “Either way, I’d say they’ve let us get this far.”
I nodded, adjusting the position of the sheathed scythe strapped to my back. We were all allowed to take a weapon, just as we would if on patrol. “It would be pointless to track us down too soon—it robs us of the full experience and won’t test our knowledge of our surroundings.”
Still, we’d taken the mission seriously; had acted as though we were genuinely avoiding hunters. We took only short breaks, kept our voices low, moved at a purposeful pace, and kept our minds switched on.
A branch cracked as the lazy, lumbering gait of a large beast sounded from somewhere within the fog.
Sable sucked in an audible breath. “Something’s coming this way.”
A few beasts treaded through here—I could see the trails they’d left in their wake. “It’s not hunting—it would be aiming for stealth if it was.”
“You don’t need to worry, Sable,” Reeve advised. “Ajax said the beasts here won’t harm us so long as we wear these cuffs. Make sure you don’t lose yours.”