Chapter the Fifth
The two young animals flopped down on the grass, panting from exhaustion."Th-that was a good race" The white one stammered "But I beat you!"
"No ya didn't ah passed the line first!" retorted the other "You cheated! I saw you flapping your wings at the last moment!"The other shot back indignantly.
"Fine, fine have it your way!" laughed the other. Scyler and Kallana were in great spirits.
They were far from home, on a wild adventure and no one could tell them to do anything.
Scyler rolled over onto his back, twisting back and forth to scratch an itch "I wonder what my herd is doing right know?" He thought aloud.
"From
what ya told me they're probably discussin where you've gone." My butt they'll ever look or find me though! Scyler thought savagely.
"Ready ta go again?" Asked Kallana, getting up. Scyler nodded in agreement and they set off.
The sun had started to set when the pair stopped again. "Do you want first shift or should I?" Asked Scyler wearily. "Ah'll do it. You get some rest." Kallana said. Scyler was in full agreement with her their race had left what seemed like very muscle in his body aching. He fell asleep almost instantly.
Kallana lifted her head smelling the air. Something wasn't right, there weren't any sounds that the creatures of the night usually made.
Even the wind has died down. What's going on? A twig snapped and Kallana whipped her head around looking for the source.
The shadows caused by the moon shifted unnaturally and slowly a body formed through the darkness.
Kazheo was a warrior in the King's pack. Probably the best of all of them. He had been sent by the king to apprehend the trespassers.
Not only was the group that was following him as stealthy as the best thieves, they were as strong as oxen and could disappear without a trace.
They centered in on the two. The mare who had been set on guard suspected something and lifted her head to scent the wind.
They don't look like an evil pair to me. Thought Gath.
Contrasting to what the King had told all of them, they looked like they couldn't find the Royal Palace if they walked into it. They were barely three years old!
He looked around at his fellows. None of them looked like they had a problem with tearing the intruders to shreds and they would walk away guilt free.
Kazheo had done this for years and yet it just didn't seem right to attack them. Throwing caution to the winds he materialized into his earthly form: A black panther, warning the mare of their presence.
Kallana trumpeted a warning, waking Scyler instantly. They reared and ran off, out of the clearing.
As they passed, Kallana saw the panther nod to them and she watched behind as they ran when the shadows closed in on the big cat.
Hearing horrible, haunting yowls behind them, they ran as if followed by flames.