I watched in sadness as the people of the Resistance packed their belongings and left, heading to a destination that was not revealed to me because if I was captured I could reveal where the Resistance's new HQ was through the mind-reading interrogation. Then it would all truly be over.
Lana and I were given what we would need for the long and exhausting journey that was ahead of us. As well as this, 3 other mages volunteered to go with us. I was half happy about this and half sad, because now someone will be there to inadvertently keep me and Lana's bond urges in check. And I was sad because now Lana and I wouldn't be able to be alone. Yeah, I'm making no sense, I know.
The first of the 3 mages was a neko girl named Elena. She specialized in Ice magic. But at first glance, she doesn't look it. Her clothes are brightly colored, and she had a cheerful and open personality. The only thing icy about her was her glare, which she gave me when Lana and I were flirting with each other earlier when we were waiting for our stuff to be brought to us.
The second mage was a dog guy named Drake that specialized in Fire magic, and his fiery passion and personality made it pretty obvious. But at first glance, his dark colored fashion choices made him look different then he actually is.
The third and final mage was a rabbit girl named Luna who specialized in Navigation and Healing magic. She wore dark colored clothes and she was very shy and quiet. She mostly kept her cute little nose buried in her books.
Professor Leon came up to us as we finished packing our bags and started mounting our horses.
"I came to wish you the best of luck," he said. "It's all I can give you in this trying time. I hope that I'll see you all again."
"Thanks Professor." Drake said, nodding respectfully.
"It means allot Professor Leon," I said. "And I promise I'll try to make sure everyone makes it back safe."
Leon smiled and said,"I know." Then he turned and walked away with a flourish only he was capable of.
I looked at the group. "Are we ready to go?" I asked.
Everyone did some last minute checks and all confirmed that we were ready.
"Okay, Luna," I said, looking looking over at Luna. She kinda jumped and blushed now that me and everyone else in the group was looking at her. "Lead the way."
I felt Lana's arms tighten around my waist as the horse started into a trot, we started trotting through a small trail that went North into the thick forest. I could tell she was sad and anxious for some reason. It must be this weird bond, we must be able to read each others emotions or something. We were all split on 3 horses. Lana and I were on a pretty brown horse named Sammie, Drake and Elena were on a jet black horse named Raven, and Luna had a horse to herself, a white and black horse named Rosy.
As the castle got smaller and smaller behind us and the lights from the lanterns began to fade, the sadness in Lana got bigger and bigger. I felt a wetness on my arm and realized Lana was crying. I leaned back and put my head against hers and reached my hand back and held her hand. The castle must've been her home for a long time, and I knew how much leaving a life long home hurt.
We all rode in silence for a long time, the only light a small lantern that was being held by Luna. And after we had been moving for a steady trot for about 3 hours did Luna slow to a stop.
"The horses are tired," she said. "It's late, and they're not used to not being able to sleep at night."
I nodded. "Then we'll make camp here and we'll all get some sleep. We need the rest well if we're gonna make steady progress."
Everyone nodded and went about getting a small camp prepared.
* * * * * *
The figure sat on his horse, his fox ears twitching as he watched his soldiers search and loot the castle.
A soldier walked up to the man. He bowed and said,"My Lord, there is no one here. It appears that the Resistance and the human evacuated. Somehow they knew we found out of their whereabouts and escaped before we arrived."
The figure smiled and laughed. "Of course they knew, I'm the one that allowed the information to leak to their spy. Now they'll flee to their backup Headquarters and have no where to go when we track them down again."
The figure gave the soldier a piece of paper with a name on it. "Have this soldier arrested for treason and being spying for the resistance."
The soldier bowed again. "Yes my Lord."
Lord Zachias watched his soldier scurry away to do his bidding.
It's all going according to plan. He thought, smug and confident that he would soon be victorious and that he would be in complete control, with no resistance.