Tricked-Cara, Tiggi and oO Renn Oo

Yune twittered happily, 'Micaiah and Areinor really miss you. Sothe and a girl from the village have gone missing. Micaiah is with Elincia at the moment. Elincia is very upset.' Yune paused hoping Violet had caught all of that. 'Do you know what the wolf really is?'

Felix kept his distance from Raymon as they traveled. Ilia protested so much that she even threatened to walk. Felix whined, and Ilia patted him, saying she was sorry.

Rolf fumbled in his pocket for the small box. He had spent all of his three years savings on this, and wasn't going to miss it. Just a few more minutes, after she's talked to Calumn, he thought happily.

Violet was happy she understood most of what the bird said, she was better at bird speach than she'd thought. "The news about Sothe is upsetting, especcially for Elincia. I'd have thought he'd learnt his lesson by now but he's taken a bad turn" she said thinking for a moment before processing the next thing. She stayed quiet for a moment then said "No, I don't, he's not a dog or anything is he?" she asked with a small human laugh. She carefully put her foot back in her stirrup and swung herself up, keeping her arm straight. She made the horse walk back towards Calumn and the others slowly so she wouldn't lag behind if they got going but would give her enough time to talk to Yune.

Raymon let out a weary breath as he waited for everyone to get ready to go. Ilia and the wolf had gone on ahead but he was oblidged to wait for the company and seem nice and friendly. He walked over to Reine who smiled nicely. He'd heard a lot about her.
"Good morning, my lady. You slept well?" he asked delicately, his soft voice tracing the words like the wind traced the petals of a flower. She nodded thoughtfully and looked at him "And yourself? You weren't at the gate all night I assume?" she said lightly. He shook his head "I don't think I could live without sleep, my dear. The gate is locked after ten o clock and is opened at six. Do you care for my wellbeing?" he asked a trace of a smile curving his lips. She laughed breezily and said "I care for most, Raymon. I doubt a night without sleep could shatter your enthusiasm and a night in the rain dampen your spirits" he laughed also, silently glad that she wouldn't say something to indicate she knew about him. She was too sharp. Raymon turned to leave when reine stopped him with a gentle cough. He turned back and she raised her eyebrows "You intend to lead us north, I'm curious as to how you know the northern lands, you being a humble gate keeper." he bit his tounge to keep back a look of surprise and smoothed his expression. "I was once a knight of the palace in the north. After the war it never seemed right to stay. Too much destruction" he lied. A sad look crossed her eyes suddenly and she nodded "I was just curious" she repeated. he nodded and looked at his feet, turned and went over to his horse. "Their buying it" he chuckled to himself as he adjusted the strps of his mare. He looked over his shoulder at Rolf who had his hand in his pocket and shuffling excitedly.
Excited again? After his word about Violet? He rolled his eyes and kicked the ground when no one was looking. They were too happy all the time. Whatever he needed to do was obviously important and Raymon had an overwhelming urge to break something, possibly whatever Rolf had in his pocket.
"Ho there, boy. Should you not have let my ladyship ride off into the woods on the back of a wolf? Surely she should have your assisstance. Mine is taken with my lady Violet and my lady Reine." he said, his lips curling. Tricks like that were often effective. Smiling at a name of a girl and narrowing the eyes. Rolf wouldn't take it, he's quick too, he'd pick it up. Raymon took off his long cloak and put it over the horse back, lighting his long pipe and inhaling deeply, blowing a smoke ring in his direction.
"It's her birthday today" he said, still smiling.

Rose dashed back through the woods, her feet barely touching the ground. Her people were far beyond in the other land now. She came out a mile or o away but saw no indication of them moving. She skipped back down and saw them in the same place. Something was keeping them all. She saw Calumn and waved brightly. He raised his hand in greeting and she looked at the others. Mysterious Raymon was leaning against his horse and smoking. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. He was doing something, he had a look about him. Whatever he was doing it was to do with Violet. He couldn't make Rolf jealous, surely. Not by smiling at Violets name. Maybe unerve Rolf slightly but not make his jealous.
Rose skipped forwards and came up next to Raymon. She put a hand over his pipe and he smiled. "Should you not be escorting everyone up the valley, Sir Raymon?" she asked. He shrugged "Not yet" she frowned. "Where's lady Ilia?" he waved a hand to the forest "Riding on a big wolf called Wolfy" he said letting out a breath of smoke and letting his pipe drop. She took it and put it in his saddle bag. She loked at his carefully, with sharp faerie eyes and saw some secrets that no one but a faerie could see. He looked into her sharp blue eyes and looked away sharply. "What lovely eyes you have, lady Rose" he said strapping the last of his bags up "Almost as lovely as that becautiful star neclase of Violets." he raised his eyes brows. She leant in and whispered to him, so that no one else could hear "That is hers. I don't know what you intend to do, Lord, but you can keep away from her. And from Rolf." he chucked her under the chin lightly and walked away to stand between Reine and Rolf next to calumn. Rose rolled her eyes and went to stand next to Reine.

Ilia spent most of her time talking to Felix. She knew he was intelligent, but also, he couldn't tell her secrets to anyone else.
'I guess you dont like Sir Raymon? There's something about him though...' She smiled at the wolfs reaction. 'I think we should wait for the others.'

Yune chirped her bird laugh. 'No, hes a human, or part anyway. He's a wolf shifter. The princess doesn't know it.' She hovered above Violet's head. 'I'll see you later.'
She flew onto Alex's shoulder. 'Hello Heather, Its good to see you again.'
'When will you stop calling me that? Why have you been away so long?' Alex asked in bird talk, smiling at Calumn.
'Because Micaiah called me. She's my main priority. What do you know of the wolf?' Yune asked sweetly.
'He's a shifter. My father told me, when we visited the wolf clan. They think I am too.'
'Why haven't you told the princess?'
'She never asked.' Alex sang dully.
'Be careful Heather, Micaiah sees great danger ahead.'

Violet smiled and said "Ah, so the princess is to know?" but Yune had already flown away. She sent her horse into a canter and then jumped off, leaping up to hug Calumn. He squeezed her tight and said "Fathers been missing you a lot" she groaned "Don't tell me that, I'm homesick enough already!" he put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her "If you want to go home, Vi, you can. Nothings stopping you. Nothing." he said firmly. She nodded "We'll see how it goes, I might take you up on that" she joked laughing grimly. He jumped down from his horse and gave her a white box with red ribbon. She timidly slipped off the ribbon and opened up the box. She gasped at what was inside and pulled the dress out in wonder. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever owned, but the neclace, of course. NO one or no thing could ever match a stars beauty.
She held it against herself and he nodded approval. "It suits you. Makes you look grown up" he said and she put it back in the box. "I'll wear it in finer scenery. I don't think travelling through the woods on horseback would quite suit it." he nodded and took it for her, slipping it into her saddle back lightly and fastening it up.
"I think you just do look more grown up, maybe it isn't the dress. It does suit you though" he said, cuffing her lightly on the arm. She smiled and said "I'm glad you're here Cal, you're not going again are you?" he shook his head "Not yet. I might in a while though" she nodded and looked at his deeply in the eyes "I think people need you here" he snorted and said "You a fortune teller now?" she snorted too and shook her head "I've got a feeling about it" he laughed and said. "OKay, okay. You keep your feelings and stop giving excuses" she rolled her eyes and looked at her feet.
Calumn sobered and looked at her more carefully "I know when somethings bugging you, you going to tell me now?" she sighed and looked up. "You know me too well" she said but stepped to the side and said quietly. "Our guide, Raymon. He keeps giving me these looks and talking about Rolf. It's like he knows something about Rolf, something concerning me. Rolf's isn't talking to me either" she looked away and calumn let out a breath. "I'm glad it's nothing that bad Vi. That family" he said balling his fists suddenly "Always up to something" Violet took his hand and smoothed his fingers "You should think ill of them, brother" he took his hand away and took both her arms with his hands "I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want you to think you're bound with duty to Rolf. What if this guys right? What if something wrong, Vi? What if you don't see it?" she looked away and said "I'm here for Rose Calumn. Not just this family. Not just Rolf. Not just Ilia. Rose is important right now" she leant in and whispered to him "She's more magik than anyone. She's going to make me magik too" she leant bakc and saw a faint smile on calumns lips. "I always knew you were special" he said and hugged her again quickly. "My Vi's growing up" she laughed and said "My Calumns getting too tall" he let her go and she stepped back. "Thankyou" she said, not knowing particularly what for. Just for everything.
Rose danced up behind her and said "I hope we're going soon, hi Calumn" suddenly looking up at his and kissing him on the cheek. "Are we going soon?" she aske dagain turning back to Violet. Violet shook her head "I'm not sure really. I thought you hated the horses anyway" suspiciosly. Rose looked at the horse and patted it's neck. "Not this horse" she said brightly. "Not any horse really, I just don't like riding them" she looked over her shoulder at Raymon and said "He should be egtting us all up. It's like he's waiting for something". Violet shrugged "Maybe for the right... wind?" Calumn laughed "Thats sailing Vi, not horse riding" they all laughed and Rose skipped away to talk to Reine. Violet turned to look at Rolf then turned back to Calumn "I guess we just wait for whatever Raymons waiting for" she said with a small shrug. Calumn turned around and slipped her birthday present back out of the saddle bag. "Go change. It wont stain, it's special. It wont get creased probably. I want to see how you look in it" Violet smiled slightly before grabbing it and running back into the inn. She came out moments later with her new dress on. It was light purple with a blue neck line, with a small silver spiral where the neckline finished and embroidered cuffs. It was woven with tiny beads at the hem and fell nicely. The neckline fell just low enough and the sleeves came down just past her elbows. It was soft to wear and smelt of flowers and summers days. It clung to her figure beautifully, the material just the right weight. It wasn't too fancy and wasn't too ordinary. It suited her amazingly and seemed made just for her. She gave a twirl and calumn nodded "Everyone was right about it. The right dress for you". She put her old travelling clothes back in her bag, feeling right in her new dress. It didn't have the odd newness either. the sort of newness where everyone new she hadn't worn it before. It was perfect.

'Im always careful Yune.' Alex protested.
'I know Heather, but this time you might be caught off guard.' Yune flew into the tree singing beautiful songs about falling stars.
Alex caught sight of Violet's beautiful figure. She hid her face away from Calumn, realizing how boring it really was. My mother was beautiful, my father handsome, and i am plain, she thought miserably.
Alex walked over to Raymon and asked shyly, 'What are we waiting for? Wolfy and Ilia are waiting for us on the outskirts of the trees.'

Ilia sighed in the morning heat. She wondered where everyone had got to, Alex included. She only leaves my sight to hunt with Wolfy, Ilia thought puzzled.

Sothe darted in between the trees. He had spotted Violet and others in the same pub as he and Vivian had been in that night. They had snuck out quickly in the half light, and waited in the shadows for them to move on.
What bad luck, he thought, that they had gone north aswel. Vivian smiled grimly as if she had read his thoughts.
Suddenly an idea struck Vivian. 'What if we ask the girl by the tree's over there' She pointed north. 'If she knows where they're going?'
Sothe nodded. 'It couldn't hurt.'

Raymon turned to Alex and smiled. The wolf girl.
"Waiting for everyone to be ready mostly, but I wanted Calumn to have a chance to talk to Violet. It's her birthday, it wouldn't be right for him not to see her" he said, as kindly as he could. He looked at Alex and said "What is so fair a girl as you doing travelling so far north?" he asked making gentle conversation. He took a flask from his pocket and took the top off. He poured some of the brink into the cup and said "You should drink, it's cold today. I drink it in the winter so I don't get cold at the gate." he smiled and said "There's nothing wrong with it, believe me" he took a sip to prove it. It was a love potion though, mixed in with a sweet infusion. He'd made it inaffective to him though by casting it into the mirror waters with a strip of his clothing so the mirror would see who it was protecting.

Violet told Calumn she was going to setlle her horse and walked towards her lovely Stardust. She foudn the name brilliant now that there was such a coincidence. She looked over her shoulder at Rolf again and sighed. Calumn had turned away and was looking at Raymon and Alex for a few seconds. Violet strapped up her bags and adjusted the straps on her horses saddle.

Raymon put the drink in her hand and then went over to his horse. "Is everyone ready or are there any more things we need to do before we set off?" he asked good naturedly.

*I'm thinking that Rose could give Alex a counter potion or something to make her fall out of love with Raymon and things can go a bit wrong for Raymon, but not wrong enough to unmask him completely or let everyone see that he slipped her a love potion, that should come a bit more to the end.*

*Good idea.*

Alex sniffed the drink suspiciously. It smelt good, so Alex took a sip. The drink was delicious. She drank some more, then attached the flask to Brandy, and mounted quite easily. She whispered to the horse some words of peace and nodded, smiling a little at Raymon. He really is beautiful, Alex thought.

Vivian stepped out onto the path. 'Hallo?' She called to the girl.
Ilia looked over and nodded. 'Good morning.'
Sothe followed Vivian towards the girl. 'Are you with the group outside the pub down there?' Sothe asked.
'Yes. What might your names be?'
'I'm Sothe, and this is Vivian.' He told her. 'And you?'
'Ilia.' She said giving a puzzled look to Vivian, who felt eyes on her, and shifted uncomfortably.
'And, er... Where might you be headed?' Sothe asked.
What a nosy person, Ilia thought, but said sweetly, 'Up north. I'm not sure how far though...'
'Mightn't we join you?' Vivian asked, without looking at Sothe.
'Um, sure i guess.'

Raymon smiled back at Alex, his lips curling with pleasure. Things were working very well indeed. "All ready" he called out and mounted his horse. He trotted off to the beginning of the road and said "Make haste, the mid day sun is reaching for the sky".

Violet mounted her horse and Calumn kicked his horse and joined Raymon. Raymon looked at him with his head cocked to one side and said "I don't know you, do I?" Calumn shook his head. "I doubt it. Perhaps a relation" Raymon nodded and turned back to look at the road. Violet trotted up to Calumn and waited for the others.

Reine mounted her horse and Rose knelt down and put on a pair of white shoes with silver laces. "It looks strange going barefoot, though shoes do feel like their trapping your foot and I could never bring myself to wear socks" she said to reine. Reine smiled and said "Ah, that is just like you" she kicked her horse gently and Rose kept pace beside as they drew level with Calumn and Violet.
Rose looked back over her shoulder at Alex and the others and her eyes widened. The way she looked at Raymon was almost like... no.
"There's something funny going on here" she said to herself. Reine turned to her and said "Pardon?" Rose loked back up quickly and said "Nothing. Just thinking we should all be off very soon" Reine nodded thoughtfully.

"Off we go then. We'll take the north-east trail. Though slightly longer it's less dangerous and an easier road to cross. Hopefully we shall be well on our way to the next river by sundown" he turned back and kciked his horse, everyone else following suit and following him.

Sothe turned around at the sound of hoof-beats. 'Viv, I cant face him. Maybe if it was only Violet, but Calumn...'
'I'll go for you.' Vivian said pleasantly, turning, and walking back down the path. The wind blew her white blonde hair, which made ripples in the sunlight.
'Violet! Calumn!' She called down the slope.

Rolf looked up at the sound. A young woman, with long blonde hair, and a light blue silk dress, stood at the top of the slope. She waved her arms in the air in the direction of Violet and Calumn. He then recognized her as the girl Sothe had been with in his visions.

Violet gasped and looked at Calumn. Calumn raised his hand good naturedly but his jaw was set. They rode up to meet her together. "It's good to see you Vivian. Your disappearing act didn't go down too well so I've heard" she looked at calumn "with many". She smiled and said "Is Sothe here? Come climb up, you can rise with me while we talk for a while. We can go and find Sothe after if he's with you" he moved forwards to make room and patted the back of the saddle.

Rose stopped and turned around, then went to walk beside Alex. "Hi Alex, how are you?" she asked pleasantly.

Alex barely heard Rose. 'Oh, fine.' She said dreamily. 'I wonder what Raymon's thinking about... It wont be me, but still...' She sighed sleepily.

Vivian nodded. 'Thanks. And yes, Sothe is with me. He asks that you give his apologizes to Elincia.' She got up behind Violet, gracefully, without even creasing her dress. 'He's waiting with Lady Ilia, and the wolf.'

Rose narrowed her eyes then walked away. She went over to reine then got up behind her. "Hello Vivan" she said distractedly, still wondering about Alex.

Violet kicked her horse and they were off to find Ilia. They came upon her soon enough, Calumn behind her. He was bigger now, much bigger than Sothe and every part of him wanted to hit him, but he held back. He stopped his horse and Violet carried on. Violet squared her jaw and said "Hello Sothe" without emotion. Calumn looked behind but couldn't see Raymon or Alex.

Raymon pulled his horse around and rode beside Alex. "It seems we are alone" he said his lips curling. " he made his horse walk, slightly taller than hers but their legs tapped in unison on the track.

*do you think the thing he should be doing with Alex is making her fall out with Ilia? But Rose can stop anything really bad happening just in time. Maybe he should say that Ilia is like, the most beautiful person he's ever met and try to use the potion to make her jeolous and make her fall out with Ilia. Rose can stop it though If you like that idea, if you've got a better idea, or another idea that's cool too*

*ah, just remembered I forgot Rolf, so they're not QUITE alone lol. But maybe he wasn't quite riding with them or went with the others*

Alex smiled a little. 'It would be so.' She sighed and tucked her hair behind her ears. 'I think we should find Ilia. Wolfy is with her, but sometimes i worry. She has practically no sense at all, and she can barely see Wolfy in the dark.'

Rolf followed Violet and the others up the hill. He sighed to himself and wondered why Violet was angry with him. He noticed a red-gold bird sitting in a tree. It looked at him and chirped. Rolf felt somehow better after seeing the bird, it was a good sign. He had seen it in only one of his visions, and this troubled him.

Sothe gulped. Violet had always been forceful. 'Hello Violet, Calumn.'

Raymon nodded "I see. It would be best to know her location I suppose" he said. It wasn't just for her sake. Losing Ilia at this time could be disastrous to his plans. he'd have more time to be found out because he'd be stuck with the company until they could find her. He spirred his horse on and urged Alex to join him at his pace.

Violet got off her horse and went up to him. She hugged him quickly and said "I hope you never plan on doing that again, it was really..." she stopped and let him go "I know you don't like getting hugged by me.. probably, but we're family. I'm trusting you Sothe so please don't let me down again" she smiled and said "New slate, or shall we leave you standing here in the mud?" she asked her lips curling slightly. Calumn rolled his eyes and got down. "Just leave him here, Vi. I don't want him with us, he'll just drag us down again. Risk my neck up at the castle for that little rat" he spat leading his horse forwards. Violet turned "You should give him another chance" she said. He looked at her doubtfully "How many chances does he need? Ten, twenty?" he waved a hand and got back on his horse. "Do what you want just keep him away from me" he said riding his horse up the track.

Rose followed him and when they were out of earshot took his arm and said "I need to talk to you" Calumn got down and Rose lead him into the trees.
"There's something funny going on, Calumn. With Alex" she said. Calumn started "Alex?" Rose nodded. "She's under a spell. I don't know which kind yet, I think probably a love spell but there are so many that it will take me so long to find out which one" Calumn nodded "I'll help you. We'll think on the journey, ride with me" Rose nodded.
"Thankyou Calumn" she said with a perfect smile. they went back out and he mounted his horse, she got up behind him and held on tight as they started walking slowly giving the others enough time to catch up. they talked quietly about all the possibilities, narrowing it down to a few. Rose and Calumn smiled at each other as they plotted their moves on the situation.

Rolf saw Alex smile at Raymon, and decided that this was his best chance of talking to Raymon. He trotted over to the two and asked Alex if he and Raymon could talk in private. She nodded wonderingly and trotted on past Rolf.
'Raymon,' He said, bowing his head slightly. 'I know what you have seen, and what is to happen, but, the future is a dangerous and unreliable thing. You have used a mirror, or water to see the future, if i am not mistaken, and seen only one possibility. That is where the two of us differ. I can see several different futures, depending on what i say to you now. Even now, they are shifting, and changing. You wont win either of them, or take Violet from me.'

Sothe grimaced. 'Thanks Violet. Calumn will never forgive me, that I know.'
Vivian jumped down from Violet's horse and tossed her silver blonde hair over her shoulder. She walked over in a dance like movement, and whispered something in Sothe's ear. He grinned, and took her hand. 'We have something to tell you. Svetlana and I are married.' Vivian smiled her bright smile and tossed back her shimmering hair again.

Ilia felt awkward at the moment, so quietly she and Felix crept away into the woods.

Raymon smiled slightly and inspected his nails while Rolf talked. When he'd finished and Raymon could see everyone was out of sight he grabbed the collar of Rolf's top and said "Don't you breath a word. Nothings going to happen to Violet, okay? I'm a friend of her uncle. You'd better stay out of this I just need some help." he let him go and said "You'd better watch it. I might not be the only reason Violet's drifting. She's sensitive. She's come out here without knowing what she's here for and she's homesick. Seeing a god damn bird made her happier than I've seen her in weeks" other than when you actually talked to her, he thought in his mind "She's having doubts about staying. She nearly told me about it. She's got bad judgement of people fair to say but the mentality of any woman. You should be with her now not talking to me" he said, and with that spurred his horse onwards until he reached the company.
"Can we carry on, the suns high and we've barely gone a mile" he said irritably.

Violet smiled "Congratulations. I suppose you mean Vivian, but isn't that a name for a... star?" she asked in amazement looking at Vivian. "Anyway, it isn't important. I hope you'll act more grown up and not go looking for trouble now you have a wife." she said in a very grown up way. She then clapped her hands together and said "When was the wedding? Tell me all about it" she looked back for Calumn but he was gone. "Come and ride, we'll talk on the way" she said.

*I think I'm goign to leave Reine out actually bevcause I dont' want to have to keep controling her is that okay?*

Sothe found his horse where he had left it, and joined the group. Vivian got on behind him and they rode next to Violet. Sothe started by saying, 'We were married two days ago, in the village church nearby. We had been engaged for almost a year, and I didn't want Mother or Father interfering. Viv told me she was a star almost two years after we had met, but I wasn't surprised really, and it made no difference to me.
Vivian grinned. 'I would've told him sooner, but i was too afraid.'

Ilia sat sleepily on Felix's soft back. She waited for the group to catch up with Felix's pace. 'I wonder what's keeping them...' She said to Wolfy. A gold bird chirped in a tree, and landed lightly on Felix. The bird was no bigger than Ilia's palm, and she stroked its feathers with her fore finger, watching the bird.

Rolf caught up with Violet and the others after a few minutes. 'Still no sign of Lady Ilia then?' He asked her a little happier. Everything was going his way.

Violet sighed happily "Oh it must have been so nice, I wish I could have come! Oh, well. Maybe you'll get another one or something" she said laughing. She got up onto her horse and smiled at Raymon "Yes, you're right. Let's carry on" Raymon nodded to her left and Violet looked down and saw Rolf. She smiled slightly, though nodded stifly. He looked very happy. "No sign yet but we've been stopping so we wouldn't be seeing her" she kicked her horse and said "C'mon Rolf" with a wave. Calumn heard hoofbeats and soon saw Raymon come round the corner. Violet followed behind him. Calumn turned to Rose who was still clinging on tightly around his waist, not liking the horse very much. "He'd better not do anything to her" he murmered. Rose frowned "He won't do anything to her specifically, but he's started trying to push him and Violet apart. That's why Violet told you she wanted to go home. She's homesick because Raymons been dropping hints that Rolf's been ignoring her and now she's unsure whether he still loves her. She's looking very pale and troubled now, see" Calumn nodded. "Oh well." he said "Let's try and cheer her up if no one else can" Rose smiled and Calumn waited for them to join up to them.
Raymon smiled, seeming genuinely pleasant as Rose knew he was at that moment in time. He quite liked Violet it seemed, though not in any way as he'd been trying to portray. Rose smiled at him also just happy to sense this though she knew the rest of him was doing bad things. Calumn came up beside him adn Violet and said "I bet you.. let's say..." he smiled "My stirrups, that I can beat you to the next town my nightfall" he siad. Violet bit her lip "But it would be ridiculous if you had to ride without your stirrups!" he grinned "That's why I'm going to win" Violet started to smiled and said "Okay. Your on. How about you Raymon?" she asked.
He smiled "Sure. I bet everyone my saddle, including my stirrups that I can beat you all there." they all laughed and Violet siad "So what am I betting?" They thought about it for a moment then they said "How about fifty pieces?" Violet gasped "Fifty? Twenty five for each of you? That would leave me with.. barely anything!" they laughed "Then your betting your stirrups?" she shook her head. "Fifty crowns then" with that she spirred her horse onwards getting a head start. calumn kicked his and Rose clung on tight. raymon whipped his lightly and the race was on.

A smile caught Alex's lips. She had overheard their bet, and knew that she had the advantage of having lived wild all her life. She whispered to the horse to return to its home, before dismounting and slipping into the trees. She climbed through the half light, asking nearby animals where the group were, but she could hear them, galloping away down nearby paths.
'Ah.' She gasped as she tripped. What was wrong with her? How could she have lost her focus? These things ran through her mind, making her scared for the first time in her life.

Ilia heard the group behind her. Felix ran a little faster to keep up. 'What are you doing?' She asked laughing.
'We're racing.' Rolf told her. 'I haven't decided what im betting... What about my saddle?' He told the group. 'It'll be hilarious if I lose.'
Ilia laughed again. 'Erm... What should I bet?' She thought for a moment. 'Ive got several gold pieces in my bag, and...' She fumbled with her small crown. Would she risk something like that on a race? 'Where's Alex?' She asked suddenly.

Violet saw the others begin for the race aswell and smiled. Raymon whipped his horse and they were off. "Hey!" she cried ahead as Calumn and Raymon bounded onwards. She kicked her horse lightly and they were off. Rose clung to Calumns back laughing as they bounded off but soon found it almost impossible to hold on as they sweayed and rocked. Calumn ground to a halt and Raymon did to and looked back over his shoulder.
Rose climbed off and said "I don't think I can hold on when we go that fast" she said to Calumn. Raymon smiled and said "Don't worry, come with me, just try come on" he said. She looked at himdoubtfully but let him take her arm and swing her up onto the saddle in front of him. "Ready?" he asked. Violet came up behind them and didn't stop. She powered on through saying "Come on Raymon, it's your saddle on the line" with a laugh. Raymons mouth twisted into a smile and he kicked his horse. Suddenly Calumn looked behind and saw Alex with the others and she'd fallen. he turned his horse around, even with his stirrups on the line. he wanted to make sure she was okay. He kicked his horse and started back up the lane.
When he reached her he got down and looked at the others aswell. "Everyone okay?" he asked. "I think we can catch the others if we start now, even if you might now be able to get ahead of Raymon" he said. "If you can't ride yourself I'll always ake you on my mount" he offered Alex pulling on his reins once.

Alex shook her head. 'I fear for the horses safety. But... I will accept your offer. Perhaps we can get ahead of Lord Raymon.' She said, a smile pulling at the edges of her mouth. She stood up warily and listened. 'He's quite a way off, but you mustn't loose you reigns... I'm sure you could beat him.' Alex smiled and came out of her animal zone. 'Lets go.'

Ilia smiled as she saw Alex. Felix quickened is pace to his fastest, and took an old forest path, which Ilia thought must be the wrong way as the town was in the other direction. She tried mentioning this to Felix, but he never slowed. His task was clear. Find the father of Ilia, with no delays.

Rolf didn't notice Ilia disappear. He only concentrated on making sure that Violet never fell. This, he knew, was pointless. She was an experienced rider, and they had ridden together many times. But he felt unworthy not to, even though in his seeings, Violet came to no harm. He wondered why this was, but dismissed it, only thinking of her dark hair, blowing in the wind.

Violet thundered on, Calumn and Raymon closing in behind her. She laughed as Raymon overtook her but urged her horse on faster until she was speeding beside Raymon, each one never able to overtake the other. So it seemed.

Raymon felt his mighty steed wish to be kicked harder, onwards to leave them behind. But they were trying to please Violet. Rose had her arms wrapped tightly around him, burying her head in his shoulder with fear.

Calumn smiled as their horse rocketed into a gallop towards the others. They were very far behind but it seemed the others were slowing. He smiled knowing Raymon didn't want to overtake Violet. His horse gained and soon the pace picked up.

With everyone in race the towns lights came into view sooner than they'd expected. Violet has slowed a bit with fatigue. Raymon looked at her, her eyelids drooping slightly as her legs bit with the wooden pain of a day-ride. He looked into him powers and felt a string of invisible healing energy erge into her and bit by bit they got faster until they could see the finish line and they all thundered up to it.

Eventually they all crossed it, Violet and Calumn together and Raymon pulling slightly back. Where the others already here?

'Stop! Wolfy stop!' Where are you taking me!?' Ilia shouted at the wild beast.
Yune flew beside Felix. 'The princess is in distress.' She sang.
'This is the only chance I'll get.' Felix replied.
The speed was tremendous. She couldn't feel the bumps like the road when Felix had ran before. Ilia closed her eyes and listened to the whistle of the wind as it flew past her ears.
They entered a darker part of the wood, where no birds sang, and no forest animals hid.
Ilia opened her eyes for a fraction of a second, seeing the trees rush past her. An old, huge house lay ahead. Felix slowed to a walk and then stopped a meter away.
'Careful.' Yune warned, before flying off to find the others. 'Violet! Violet!' She called to the group. Yune perched on her leaders shoulder. 'Danger. Danger for the princess.'

Rolf stopped a while away from the town. A sight had blinded his eyes. Ilia was in danger. He spurred Epona round and rode until he found a side path. Without another thought, he galloped down.

Raymon smiled "Quite a rider" he said to Violet. He got off his horse and untied his saddle. Violet laughed as he handed it to her.
"You're not serious?" she asked him taking the saddle and sitting it in front of her. "I'm a man of my word" he told her. Violet laughed and put the saddle down then at her feet. Rose held onto raymons arm for a moment as the flight had stunned her. Raymon looked at her with a grin.
Violet looked up suddenly as Yune came flying down and suddenly turned round. "Raymon, someones in danger" she said not sure whether to say Ilias name. Raymon looked up but took his time clibing onto his horse. "Calumn!" she said. Calumn looked into the woods then said "Okay and spirred his horse. Violet started galloping.

Rose looked at Raymon. "What are you doing to endanger her?" she asked. Raymon shrugged. Rose jumped onto the horse behind his and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I knew you'd warm up to me" he said with a mocking smile. She hit his back and kicked the horse herself. "Go!" she called as the horse leapt into action with abnormal power.