Freya glanced back at Mouse. Her eyes half closing as guilt begun to grip her. Neither of them had spoken for several hours, but by then Mouse had been left in the dust. Rose had slowed without her rider encouraging her. The longma too seemed on edge. Her head thrown up and flickering its ears back to listen. Even she was worried about the coyote. The heat had not gotten better, even as the day went on. At least Freya was able to rest, although her legs were starting to fall asleep. Riding for hours did horrors on the back and hips. Maybe he would be more willing to stop now, at least to get something to eat and drink. Neither of them had seen any tracks or signs of Alec's party. For all they knew, they were going in the wrong direction. That or maybe she was reading her map wrong. She smiled just a bit as she folded the parchment. She placed it into the saddle bag before tugging Rose into a stop. The steed snort, but obeyed her master. She needed a break too.
Turning the horse around, Freya searched for Mouse. He had perked his ears towards her and forced his head up. His body still drooped from the heat. "Can we stop now?" She was unable to stop the edge in her tone. Her irritation was still just under the skin. Mouse's lip curled slightly, but there was no threat behind it. It was just annoyance at her words. Freya did not have to ask him twice. He came to her side instead before turning towards a shady place under a tree. Flopping himself down, he rolled onto his side and stretched himself out. Mouse's eyes slowly closed as a loud huff left him. Within seconds, the coyote was asleep.
"Well then." Mumbled Freya as she turned Rose towards him. She threw her leg on the side of the steed before slipping down the side of the creature. She gripped the side of the horse knowing full well she would need a second to gain her balance. Her predication was correct. Her legs turned to jelly. She yipped while hanging onto the saddle. Her blood rushed into her veins creating pins and needles throughout her muscles until finally turning into a gentle ache. Freya rolled each ankle to stretch out the muscle. Just like her arms and legs, they were stiff. In a few seconds, they calmed enough for her to guide Rose over. She tied her to the tree just above Mouse. After the first time she ran, she could not trust the longma again. She thought they were supposed to be fearless, but Rose was fickle.
Breathing in deeply, she reached up and rubbed along her face. They needed food and water. She had no bow. The knife would not do much unless she could get close. Maybe.... Freya smirked. She turned back to Rose and opened the bag again. She pulled out some makeshift rope and the knife. She turned to her shirt, before using the knife to cut away some of the hind. Now, all she needed was some strong wood. She glanced up at the trees around her, then the ground below. While branches litter the ground, she worried none of them would do the trick. Even so, it was safer than trying to climb a tree. Chewing her lip, she started to go through the different sticks until she found one she liked. It was a bit to big, but she could make it work. Nodding, she forced herself into a sit. Her legs throbbed with appreciation. Freya was starting to feel the effects of the lack of sleep, and the need for substance. She was starting to get used to having to find food, but she seemed unable to get used to the lack of it.
Freya groaned low in her throat before rubbing her stomach. Her eyes half closed as finally she finished her creation. It was a simple wooden slingshot. It would not do much good against anything too big, but she bet she could at least get a bird. Fishing would be easier, however after last night she doubted it was a good idea. Smirking a bit at that, she glanced over to Mouse again to check him. The white coyote was still asleep. Mouse's body was stretched out in pure relief of rest. The pink skin was sun kissed from the heat and would probably burn. A gentle rise and fall was the only indication of his rest. Well, that and his maw that was slightly parted. His tongue and teeth peeked out just below his lips. His hard face had softened showing just how young he was. Just how valuable he was. For a second, guilt gripped her again. The male was a hard shell, yet he was here. He protected her. He even got hurt for her, but she had rejected him. Once more, she had to wonder if he would be different if he had not been exiled. What would he be like if he had been accepted as part of the pack? It reminded her of her own family... the very family that one after another she lost.
Swallowing thickly, darkened eyes turned to look up at the clear sky. All these years she had been alone, but at least she had not been rejected. It was a cruel fate. However, it was part of nature. For someone so isolated, he cared even if he pretended otherwise or maybe he hoped she would bring peace. Freya sighed softly. "I will be right back, I promise." Freya whispered before pushing herself up. She glanced back over in concern and hesitation. She did not wish to leave him here, but at the same time... They needed food, and he needed water. Maybe some rest would do him good. Quietly, she stepped away unable to shake the uneasy feeling.
---
Freya pressed her side against a tree as she peeked around. She focused on movement in the distance, however she had been unable to identify it. It was most likely a small animal, maybe a bird or a rabbit. It would not be much to eat. It was better than nothing either way. Getting close enough to kill it, however, was another story entirely. She would need to get close enough to hit it. The hunter silently glanced around the area as she breathed in deeply. Exhaling, she calmed her breath and heart. Her palms sweated as a coldness swept through her figure. Only when her body was still did she pull her form away from the tree. Her movements became purposeful... the definition of grace and patience. She knew this dance. She felt her way around the forest ground. She avoided branches, twigs, and leaves. Freya remained close to the ground as she twisted and slipped around another tree until she came to a thicket.
The vines crossed and twisted to create a dense patch of bushes. Vivid plump blue berries peppered along the vines while some remained hidden behind small green leaves. Tiny white flowers peeked out against the blue and green to reach towards the sun. Many of them were being abandoned in favor of tiny nubs that would soon bare fruit. Yet, under the bright colors were deadly spikes. They speared outwards throughout the bush with purposeful intent of harm. Each one was about an inch if not longer with small points along the edge. It would be a painful experience to be touched by one. Butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds fluttered about along the flowers. Two humming birds buzzed around each other. They seemed to tag in and out. One would fly in, the other would fly out. When one returned, they zipped around each other until one was gone. Bees and butterflies skipped from one flower to another. They did not remain long in their dance. The others seemed to just find a place to enjoy the berries freely.
Among the fry, however, there was no longer the sound of Freya's prey. Had it already left? Had it heard her? Crouching down, she placed herself slightly behind some underbrush with over hanging branches. They caged her in. If something came close, she would hear it from miles away. Her clothing did well to hide her as well. The shadows of the woods blended well with her darker clothing, although if she was down wind it would be easy to smell her. She had been careful to avoid such things. Freya reached up to brush her hair from her ears and tucked it away. It was then that she looked along the landscape in hopes of finding what she had heard. All she saw was the beautiful sight before her. She could not see any birds, mammals, or really anything protein wise. She debated if the berries would be enough. Her stomach clenched at the idea. It rumbled and her mouth watered. No, it would for sure not do. This was a good place to wait until something came. Thus, she got comfortable with a quiet sigh.
It was a few hours later that a sound had Freya perking. She glanced about, however she was unable to locate the sound. The trees covered to much of the sky for her to identify anything in the air. She did not need to though. She caught movement in the corner of her eye. Freya tensed up as she glanced over. Swallowing thickly, a furious orange stood out against the shadow of the woods. Red eyes flickered back and forth as a chirp left the tiny creature. Mouse's words had shivers running down her spine. A pithoui. An assassin. A poisonous bird. One touch could kill her. Freya's heart begun to pick up as sweat broke out against her skin. The cold licks of liquid had goosebumps crawling on her flesh. It had to know she was there. It had landed so close to her, but it had not turned towards her.
Instead, the tiny creature tilted its head and flapped its wings. It was eying the blue bush as it danced among the branches and sticks. Back and forth it danced before kicking off. The small creature landed on a vine with careful purpose. Its claws were nimble enough to avoid harm as it begun to chomp down on the blue prizes. The bird swallowed them whole with butt wiggling delight. The creature hopped about before flying back to the branches. Shaking out its feathers, it chirped before finally turning to look at Freya. She stiffened again with widened eyes. Her body slightly propped itself up. She was ready to run. "Are you scared Little Rose?" The voice was so gentle. It was a whisper against the wind, not quite there. It was not male, not female. It switched between a deeper tone to something softer. It was a strange sound almost out of reality.
Freya found herself memorized by the little thing. "Aren't you a foe?" She smirked slightly as her tongue brushed along dry lips. Her hand moved to place her slingshot in front of her with a stone at the ready. This was not good. If she did not get out of here-
"Friend, foe. It does not matter to me. I simply follow Hel's will. Hel, The Keeper and Guardian. Hel who guides us all." The bird tilted its head. "Hel who fears nothing and everything because she is the one and true mother."
Freya blinked. She had no idea what the bird was talking about. The bird seemed to understand this. "Hel has spoken of you."
"I don't understand." She responded as she lowered the slingshot to her side. The stone was long forgotten.
"Hel is sad, so sad. Beastmen have become corrupted." The bird snapped its head up and looked about.
"I don't understand. What do you mean? Why-" Freya's frustration spiked. Her dreams.. these messages.. the constant threats from the felines. What did it all mean? Why was she here? It brought her almost to tears. Her throat tightened as anxiety waged war on her system. She just wanted things to make sense.
Once more, however, the bird ignored her. "I must go."
"Wait!" Freya yelled out and jerked forward. However, the bird had already taken flight to disappear into the sky once more. It was only then that she could fell the burning of eyes on her back. She scanned the tree line, but she was alone again. The pressure had slipped from her just as quickly as it had came. Instead, she was left with only her thoughts and the lingering uneasiness.