Once when closed the connection with Raina, Kyera sighed softly as she looked out at the forest beyond. It was strange, granted she missed Clovis and Raina she felt at home. Her eyes scanned the horizon… there was no sign of a storm in site. Her heart thudded hard one time, but then evened out. The tendril of regret was slowly finding its way into her heart.
"Are you ready for the hunt, Crown Princess Kyera?" A women's soft voice asked. A little startled, Kyera turned back to look at the speaker. Rose stood elegantly behind her. The older woman still looked as beautiful as she had in her early years.
Rose had lived around 60 years, but due to a shapeshifter's long life only appeared to be in her 40s. Silver strands streaked her warm red hair carefully pinned up behind her. Her eyes were gentle but filled with a storm of thoughts. Kyera couldn't remember a moment those eyes had been clear of thought.
"Grand Aunt, yes I am prepared for the hunt. Thank you for your concern." Kyera replied as the older woman walked forward. She raised her hand as if to touch Kyera's face. Kyera waited patiently, honestly curious about the look behind those eyes… was there sadness or was she misreading it.
However just as her cool fingertips brushed Kyera's cheek, she pulled back. "The others wait for you in the front hall. Be safe on the hunt." Rose whispered before stepping away and with a swish, she turned and disappeared down the hallway. Kyera stood still for a moment trying to understand what had just passed between them.
She walked out into the front hall where the Princesses stood waiting. "Did you get the message through?" Feya asked looking rather urgent. Kyera nodded.
"Yes, I spoke to the Princes everything is fine we will be postponing the Hunt Ball till tomorrow night at least. We can hunt today, and then head back tomorrow morning." Kyera suggested, her eyes scanning the sky as she spoke. Not so much as a cloud.
"Why wait? Let's complete the mission, gather a few pelts and to home tonight. There is no reason to drag out their hospitality for us." Feya tried to demand. It was a pitiful attempt at consideration and only succeeded in earning an eye twitch from Myra and Sansor who were standing together nearby.
"Because the trip must be made with specific transportation and two of our beasts are still out. We need at least four in order to make the trip safely." Sansor explained, trying to be mindful of the lack of knowledge this girl had. None of their kind had come here before, they weren't welcome, so obviously they wouldn't know the Frost Land Way. Kyera gave him a thankful smile, well aware he wanted to call her a idiot.
"Do you not keep spare horses?" Feya asked before flipping her hair. "Back home we keep many… It never occurred to me you would not."
"Princess, have you seen a single horse since you arrived here? For that matter have you looked around? This land is torture for them, why would we keep such fragile beasts here?" Sansor replied trying to be nice but his voice was subtly strained. It was clear he was struggling but she seemed unaware.
"Then… oh no.. your nothing putting me on a flying lizard." Feya instantly started to argue. Sansor turned away and stared at his sister. The look in his eyes begging her to help him.
"How do you suppose on getting home then?" Myra asked and Feya smiled.
"By horse drawn carriage and the portal. Surely we can make decent time that way." Feya replied but Melania had finally had enough.
"Don't be rude, the kingdoms are days apart and the portal was damaged, you saw that with your own eyes. I am sure that The Lady and Lord here know better than we what the best way to leave their land is." Melania chided and Lalia nodded in agreement.
"The dragons are amazing flyers and if we are waiting for four we must be taking a coach so don't worry so much." Lalia agreed honestly a bit biased. She had wanted to ride a dragon since she was a child, but only the true royals and a few lucky civilians got that chance in their lifetime.
"We are wasting time. The royal guard have surrounded a hunting zone, so bigger beasts that would kill a large hunting party us can not enter. We will be safe. We have till dark to hunt then return to the castle. Do not try and stay the night in the forest. If the frost doesn't get you, snow demons will." Kyera warned them as she motioned to the four pairs of sleds that were set up nearby. Each sled was pulled by a large wolf, and wore matching collars.
"Are these more shifter kin?" Melania asked and Kyera shook her head, but did not have a chance to answer.
"They are wildlings. Werewolf born, but without the ability to change. Incredibly strong and intelligent, but they are simply wolves." Lalia explained as she familiarized herself with a artic white wolf. Kyera pet the crimson one with a smile.
"Exactly. Now then, the larger wolf will pull your sled. The second will follow you and pull a sled for your kills. Mount up and move out." Sansor explained wanting the group gone. Kyera was already in place and the other girls moved to their own sleds. Lalia and Kyera were calm and at ease with their rides, but Melania was the shining star of the group. Her expression glowed with excitement as she pet the wolf and got onto the sled. Feya… well we will just skip the painfully embarrassing debacle that was her trying to find footing on the sled. We will also skim over her falling off the sled, ending up firmly in the snow with a less than dignified thud when the wolf began to accelerate.
Despite Feya however, the hunt had began.