Kora reined in Oginalli on the crest of the hill, waiting for the others to keep up with her. She had felt the gold and gem veins in the mountain side as soon as they had crested this ridge a few weeks ago. She looked up, gauging the position of the sun in the sky. Still, plenty of morning left, but the weather was starting to turn. While the warmth of summer still blanketed the region, Kora's sensitives to the earth told her that this would be the last sweltering day they had for a while, fall was beginning to creep in. She sighed and started down the hill to the mountains edge as the others caught up to her. She had genuinely enjoyed being away from the capital, despite all the drama Drew had managed to dredge up. Another winter season of aristocrats and nobility awaited them. She needed to start planning her wedding as well. Smiling, she had images of a fall wedding in mind, when Ludis bumped her slightly with an elbow.
"And what has you smiling like a fool?" Ludis teased. Kora mentioned her thoughts on the wedding she was needing to plan, and the women dived in, wishing Stella were present as well. The men rode behind them a way, and Malik lowered his voice as he spoke to Ben.
"So, Stella is assisting with the trap?" Malik looked forward, casually scanning the land, looking for any danger.
"Yes, we know she can handle them, with Royce for back up. Informants say any time now. Suspicion is tonight. They may try to sneak into the castle today." Malik nodded. It was why they had asked Kora and Ludis out for the day. Approaching the hillside, Kora dismounted and left Oginalli to a good patch of grass to graze. Shadow thundered past to the creek that ran at the base of the mountain, jumping on and trying to bite at the scattering fish. The women were discussing different magical methods of tracking the gem and gold supply within the earth as Ludis dismounted. From the sound of the conversation - it was incredibly detailed. Each where debating different methods.
"You must realize Ludis; the earth is in my magic. Tracking it by choosing to sense for it just comes naturally. I scan the earth every time my feet touch the ground. And it goes for miles. I do not know how to teach that." Kora shrugged and pulled her bow from the saddle. Ludis was thinking hard as she dismounted.
"What about a tracing spell, but on the gem or gold?" Kora looked thoughtful.
"It would have to be from this region for the spell to work but I don't see why not, here-" Kora held out her hand, and a rock came flying from the side of the mountain to land in her palm. You would think that such oddities would not surprise them anymore, but Ben and Malik drew their swords with lighting speed, not expecting such a missile to come flying towards them. Ludis covered a smile as Kora rolled her eyes. She tossed the bit of gold to Ludis and said,
"Here, try it!" Ludis caught the gold, and while holding it in the palm of her hand - began to make complicated marks over it, whispering under her breath. The gold began to glow purple, and then hopped from her hand. Ludis turned to follow the gold as it floated away from her and towards the mountain. Excited, she began to follow it. Kora winked at Ben and Malik, before following her friend. The gold led them across a shallow part of the creek and to the mountain, up a slim path. There was a cave, and inside the walls glowed with bits of gold. Stunned, Malik used his hunting knife to pop a piece out of the wall.
"You did it!" Kora chorused, hugging Ludis, who was also grinning as she looked around the cave.
"It was easy too! It had to have been the proximity of the gold." The men began to examine the walls, taking notes for the mining project, as Ludis and Kora still spoke magic theory.
"When tracing through the earth, it is a much bigger scope. If I want to, I can track to the capital through the ground, though only if I am looking for something specific. If I open my mind as I search, I can see everything that touches the earth within a few hundred miles of here." Ludis was blown. It was like having a gigantic living map in your head!
"So, people too? Could you find Ben or Stella? Or do they just appear as feet?" Ludis was intrigued.
"If those people are familiar to me, then I can sense who they are. If they are strangers, I can tell if they are a man or a woman, elder or child. Even if they are under a spell of disguise or invisibility. I bet if we modify your tracing spell, we could produce equivalent results." The women were deep in conversation now. Malik walked forward, putting his hand on Kora's shoulder.
"So, you're telling me that you could tell me where Royce and Stella are right now?" Malik was interested too. He knew where they were - but the idea that Kora could track those that are familiar to her was intriguing. Kora nodded. Ben, curious as well, approached them.
"Only if their feet are touching the ground." Kora grinned.
"Let us finish here and have lunch, I am starving. I will show you after!" Kora implored, and her stomach growled. Thye laughed and agreed. They were able to track around 10 miles of the vein and mapped it out on large sheets of parchment they had brought. Laughing as they saw Shadow lying on the side of the creek, looking dejected that none of the fish had wanted to play. They set up camp in the shade and began to pull out cold cuts, fresh bread, a wonderful spread, and fresh fruit. A pitcher of water and fruit juice was also found - with cups! They made little sandwiches and were discussing the veins of gold, when far to the south, a cloud of birds suddenly rose from the forest. Though far away it was a good amount of them. Kora frowned. The others, seeing it as well, began to talk to each other in earnest- trying to act as if such a thing was not out of the ordinary. While Kora did not notice their odd behavior- they did notice hers. She slid her hands off the picnic blanket into the grass and closed her eyes. Before they could even attempt to distract her, she was frowning and then all color drained from her face. Her head snapped up - and she was running for Oginalli. Not even bothering to saddle him, she whistled and mounted the horse on the run, Oginalli already running towards where the birds had flown. The others were right behind her - though they saddled first. Ben caught up with Kora before the others and he began to holler.
"Kora what is wrong? Stop and tell us!" Kora shook her head and spurred Oginalli faster. Her eyes were wild, and she was angry.
"Royce and Stella, they are in danger!" And she was gone. It was like she and the horse had become one, and he had gained her supernatural speed. The only one keeping pace with her was Shadow, a few feet ahead of her and moving fast. Even the dog was focused, and a chill went down Maliks spine. Had the trap failed? What did Kora sense?