Chapter 64

The next morning was a quick one. We packed up the tents and in a jiffy we were already on our way to Stormclaw. 'I think horses will make our journey faster." Thorne suggested as we walked down the valley. We had woken up from sleep but didn't see him so we waited. He came back later on to say that he had to look around the territory. 'Where can we find horses?" I asked. 'I know a place, not very far from here." 'Alright." I said. Everyone was cold, Thorne was in his usual quiet mood, Laura, not quite in the mood for jokes and then my mother walking slowly and getting tired easily. No one was in the mood for chit chat just like we usually do. This has gotten harder and harder for us these days and I don't even know how to face it. Thorne led us to a little village that I didn't know even existed. As we waited by the well, taking clean water, he spoke to some men so they could give us some horses to make our journey easier and faster. I was still scared of riding a horse and even though Thorne had promised to teach me, he still hadn't said anything about it. I knew he couldn't teach me now, since there wouldn't be any time for that. 'These horses are for sale." I heard one of the men argue. He must have not agreed when Thorne begged him. I went closer to Thorne to properly understand what was going on. 'What does he want?" 'He wants to be paid for the horses." Thorne turned to me. 'Sir, please could you just let us have these horses, we'd surely pay back on our way home." I pleaded with the men with the true intention of paying when we went back to Shadowcrest. 'You don't pay, you don't get the horses." The man replied, simply then turning his back against me.b 'I'll pay him." Luna Isabella said. She stood up from her where she sat, removing her gold watch from her wrist then handing it over to the man. 'Take this. This would be able to cover the payment for the horses." 'Mum?" I held her back. 'You can't sell that." I told her. It was a gold watch given to her by Alpha-king Magnus and he wouldn't be happy that it was sold just for mere horses. Not that I care how he felt, I just didn't think my mum should be giving her gold jewelry to these greedy men. 'Don't worry. We need these horses, after all we're all exhausted." My mother said, considering us all. I nodded as she gave the man the bracelet. He smiled, showing decaying teeth. 'I hope that's enough." My mother asked. She was quite ready to sell more of her stuff if it wasn't enough. 'Of course it's more than enough and he knows it"" I exclaimed. 'Can we have the horses now?" 'How many do you want?" He asked and I looked at Thorne. 'Two will do." He answered and I shot him a surprised look. 'You and Laura take one since she can ride a horse while my mother and I take the other one." 'Oh.." My mother exclaimed. 'Thank you. I never learned how to ride a horse even though it sounds funny." My mother laughed and I smiled at how happy my mother was. 'I can teach you." Thorne suggested. 'Maybe when we get settled." I watched as my mother literally jumped up and down in excitement at being taught how to ride a horse. I felt that way too when he promised to teach me. I watched him choose 2 strong heavy horses and take them with us. 'You'll go with Laura while I go with your mother on this." He pointed it out to me. I smiled and went with the flow of things even when I didn't understand what was going on.auea didn't say much, she only climbed to the back of the horse then helped me up after I had helped my mum get at the back of Thorne's horse. In minutes, we were already so far from the village. I grabbed Laura by the waist as she rode the horse with ease. She moved with effortless grace and control. There seemed to be a mutual understanding between the horse and Laura making the whole scene look like a dance. It continued like this until we sighted Stormclaw from afar. 'We are here." Thorne announced as we entered. The clan was quiet as usual, the atmosphere calm and peaceful. I missed this unlike Ice crest where everything was bustling and hustling. Life here was simple and harmonious u like other clans. We made a stop at the Alpha's den since he was the one we had come to see. He was in a meeting with some strange visitors when we came so we had to wait. Minutes later, we were invited into the throne room to speak with him. 'How are you, my friends?" He greeted us while giving us a smile. He was especially speaking to me and my mother since he already knew who Thorne and Laura were. 'Good day, my lord." I bowed respectfully and so did my mother. 'We are here because of the discussion we had earlier with you about merging with Shadowcrest to fight a strong Territory that has been plotting against us." I spoke fluently without stuttering. 'Yes. I remember quite vividly and have been waiting on you ever since." He said and It got me puzzled when he said that he has been waiting for our response. 'You see, a certain clan came here with Mascot yesterday to ask for the same proposal that you made to me." 'Mascot? He is here?" Laura asked, suddenly interested in the conversation. 'Yes. He came with a certain man and they asked that I give my warriors to help them fight a certain war. At first, I wanted to give them the support they asked for, since Mascot is a trusted member of this clan but since you proved to me otherwise I decided to wait on you." He said then paused. 'I remember you told me that you wanted my support to fight a clan so I told them I would get back to them." We all looked at the Alpha, hoping he would make the right decision and join us. 'My question is are you fighting against this same clan that Mascot came here to plead for? Ice crest park?" I was short of words but I had to respond.