The road to Hori village wasn't safe by any means.
With spring, there's always the increased chance of running into travelling bandits and even larger mercenary groups on a occasion they occupy the woods in hope of a rich lady or noble man passing by on the roads, often they stay for weeks at the time if there was plenty to hunt and nobody bothered them.
We obviously had nothing to fear. Our people were mostly well trained and disciplined, but the roads were also strangely packed with people.
We kept seeing horse-drawn carriage, and often even those travelling on foot.
Some waved at us, yet some just turned their heads away and hoped we weren't here to rob them.
We couldn't talk during riding. The pace didn't allow it, so when the sun peaked above, we were all, including the horses, who were thankful for some rest.
Zephyr stopped us along the Sen near a clearing where we can make ourselves comfortable for a little bit.
" Tie up the horses near the river over here, please. " Alexander went ahead and showed what to as he said it.
As novice riders, we three followed him first.
" How's the road, babe? " He looked over his shoulder and asked Demelza.
" It's fine, even if somewhat uncomfortable.. I'm also getting hungry. "
I agreed with that, so once Sky started drinking, I left them and joined my husband.
He was sitting with his back to a tree and let me use him for the same. I leaned back and let myself get comfortable.
" Tired yet? " He asked.
" A little .. you? "
I knew he had to sleep less since I had fallen asleep before he came back home last night and woke up after him in the morning.
" Bone tired, my love. At least I will sleep well tonight. "
" Where are we going to sleep anyway? " Eli's voice came.
We looked at the side where the rest of our family settled down while Carlos and Lucian were talking something to the man.
" Amarah, let us use the village Inn for the night. " He answered, tapping on my stomach through the leather. " We should be arriving just before nightfall if nothing happens. "
I looked up, seeing his eyes scanning the sky.
" What's wrong? " I asked.
" Nothing ..nothingnothing.. " He said, still looking at the sky for another second. " .. my mind wondered. "
He leaned down, smiling, and kissed my forehead. " Let's get some food, huh? "
Our meal was pretty basic, just some ready to eat sandwiches made by Mother and Miranda, we talked about our destination while we ate.
This means we kept bombarding Zephyr with questions.
" How many people this village has? " asked Alex.
" .. Umm .. maybe 80 people? "
" Did you see any shops or ..? " asked Nifa.
" Nah .. mostly just houses and some working spaces. "
" That blessed with the stone skin .. Dayko? " asked Carlos.
" Draykos, brother .. "
" Yes, him .. " He stopped suddenly and joined the others looking at him.
" What? "
It was a little strange he remembered his name .. that's all.
Carlos shared some coy smiles with us and continued.
" .. You said he can harden his skin. That's a pretty vague explanation of his power. Anything you left out? "
He just shrugged. " We spoke for 10 minutes maybe, he showed his ability, in exchange I showed him mine .. then I left. If he hid his power or something, it's his business. "
" Maybe I can learn about him. " Viela spoke up. " .. if he let me read him. "
Zephyr just shook his head with a goofy expression, indicating his lack of interest.
" You know other people would be more suspicious. " I looked at him. " .. as in maybe they try to set up some trap for you? "
The others around me nodded along listening.
He looked at me like I barked my sentences.
" .. What for? "
I opened my mouth, but as I did ... nothing came to mind. Well, nothing they can actually do to him. Luckily, others had ideas.
" What if they try and kidnap you for ransom big brother? " That was Lucian.
" What if they made pacts with others to lead you an ambush? Maybe deliver you to Chensler? " Carlos added his bit.
" What if they ..
As the questions become increasingly insane I could practically see him regretting this entire trip.
" What if ..
" Okay, stop! .. " He put his hands up, putting and ending to it. " ..not one scenario made a lick of sense. Now come on .. we have a long journey ahead. We will try and ride straight to Hori village soo..."
He let the end hang in there while nodding towards the woods.
" Soo? " I asked.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes.
" He means go and do .. your business so we don't have to make extra stops .. right? "
Manata explained it for him as he nodded gratefully.
Ohh ..
———
We rode .. and rode .. and kept on riding for the next 5 hours straight.
At one point, I almost fell off when a rabbit spoked Sky, but we did arrive at the top of the hill where Zephyr stopped and got off his horse.
The view was incredible, looking down into the valley, and a small group of houses were visible from here.
" Alright.. welcome to Hori village. "
We jumped off the horses .. landed in the most ungracious way possible but quickly pulled up by strong hands.
" You okay, my love? " I heard his voice above me.
I nodded into his chest and let him pat me down. He led me next to the others, looking down the village.
" There.. " He pointed behind the village towards a set of smaller purpleish mountains. " .. Hori's home can be found there. "
We couldn't make out much but looked anyway. I let my eyes wonder and saw the road leading straight down the mountain and into the village, and the road was occupied.
" The welcome party. " Zephyr said, catching my eyes. " .. Let's do our best, not scaring them. "
He took my hand, and we walked ahead to meet them.
It was a group of 6 on horseback wearing identical white cloth armour.
One with a beard reaching his stomach jumped off his horse first and bowed deeply.
" Lord Zephyr, your timing is excellent, Lady Amarah prepared a feast in your honor. "
Hmm.. for some reason, I felt a little annoyed hearing that but didn't let it show on my face.
" Marwa .. thank you for the warm welcome. Meet my family and friends. " He pointed behind us. " ..and my wife, Lylly. "
I nodded towards them with a polite smile.
" This way, Lord. "
The man called Marwa gave us a quick glance and pointed the way.
As we turned around getting back on our horses, I grabbed his ear when he let his guard down.
" Lord God, stop!! .." He immediately struggled but gave in. " Why.. just why!? "
" I see you made an impression on that lady leader .. fancy feasts ... in your honor, huh? Tell me more .. "
He looked at me with a genuine, scared look before I felt him slip away and the familiar wind hitting my face. He used his ability to escape.
" First of all .. ouch .. " He rubbed his ear and lifted two fingers. " ..second! ..We really need to work on your jealous fits, my love. They have become a nuisance. Third of all .. "
He couldn't continue my kicks were on point.
" Stop .. talking .. and TALK! "
" Wh-what? "
He got confused enough to stop, which allowed me to land a few clean hits, well deserved for his childish antics.