“That was weird.” Gwinn said getting up and brushing herself off. “I’ve never seen a bear do that before.”

“What was weird about it?” Alcor asked.

“He was scared of you.”

“What’s weird about that? I was trying to scare him.”

“Yes, but bears don’t scare easily.” She went on. “He was really scared of you and you’re smaller than him. It was a strange way for him to react.”

“Well, I don’t know but I’m glad he went away and I’m glad he didn’t hurt you.”

“I’m glad too.” She smiled with relief.

He lowered his furry eyebrows and let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry I put you in danger, we should probably go back now.”

“It’s not your fault and we’re fine.” She rubbed the top of his head. “But I think it would be a good idea to get out of here.” Merith chirped in agreement. “I guess it’s unanimous, let’s go.” 

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Lady paced in front of her throne. Her black satin dress swished with her movement. The mounted heads on the wall watched her with eyes that could no longer see. She stopped and turned. Her icy stare focused on the creatures in front of her.

“We lost track of the egg.” The female darkwing hissed. The male stood quietly by her side. He was afraid to incur the wrath of his mistress.

“Then why did you come back here?”

The darkwings eyed each other knowingly. “We, uh….questioned several animals in the forest. They said there was a strange creature around.”

The Lady’s anger turned to interest in a second. “What kind of creature?” She asked.

“They didn’t know but, they were afraid of it.”

The Lady paced in front of her throne as she thought over the darkwing’s words. “The Airwolf must have hatched.”

“What should we do?” The female asked.

The Lady looked at them as if she had forgotten they were there. She was lost in her own thoughts. “This doesn’t change anything. We still have to get it.”

“But the animals were scared of it, terrified even.”

“They are simple animals and you are more capable than they are. Besides, the Airwolf will be young and easy to subdue. Now go and bring it back to me.”

The darkwings could hear the threat in her voice and they didn’t wait around for her to unleash her anger on them. They hopped quickly to the balcony and flew away from the Lady’s fortress. Its towers were like midnight; black and blue stone roughly carved. The fortress was nestled in a crater where no green tree or plant could survive. The only things near it were dead contorted trees. Their limbs blackened and twisted until they could be twisted no more.

The darkwings flapped their grey wings across the forest as quickly as they could. “We’re not going to lose it this time.” The female hissed.

“We’d better not.” He hissed back. “I don’t want to disappoint her again.” He rubbed a sore spot on his shoulder and remembered the last time they had disappointed her.

They landed near the stream where they had lost the trail of the egg. It was getting dark and, the darkwings smiled at each other. They could see better in the dark. The male stuck his stubby but wide nose is the air and sniffed. “I still don’t smell it.”

“I know.” She spat at him. “Let’s go find something that can tell us which way it went.”

The search took them awhile but when they found what they were looking for they relaxed. The female scratched her back roughly against a tree and tore the head of the bunny she was holding. Blood squirted out and dribbled down the darkwings chin. “The stupid thing didn’t know anything anyways.” She said between chews.

“The fox did.” The male said as he tore into the fox. Its furry tail was matted with blood and its guts spilled onto the forest floor. “It told us which way to go.” He smiled and lifted his face from his meal. There was a piece of flesh hanging from his lips. “We know exactly which way to go.”

The female laughed and bit into the bunny. “Yes, we do.”

----------------------------------------------------------

Gwinn woke with a start but then relaxed when she realized it was Alcor’s paw across her stomach that had woken her. She picked up his paw and set it aside. It was now large enough to cover her entire stomach. He kept growing and Gwinn didn’t know what to do. She sighed because she knew she couldn’t keep him in the loft forever. He was quickly outgrowing it. He was almost as big as a horse.

She brushed out her hair thinking about it and braided her wild tresses down but there was only one solution that came to her. They could run away. No one would let her keep him and she couldn’t bear to lose him. He was the only true friend she had ever had but running away would be risky. She didn’t know if they could survive on their own. She sighed as she laced up her boots and prepared to leave.

“Are you all right?” Alcor asked in his deep rumbling voice.

“I’m fine.” She smiled as she looked at him. His eyes were as bright as the day. “I just have a lot to think about.” He pulled his long ears back behind his head to keep them from flopping around and she scratched the top of them. “Don’t worry.”

“But I do worry. I can sense your uneasiness.”

“It’s really nothing to worry about. I’m safe. You’re safe and that’s all that matters right now.”

He laid his head on top of his large paws and harrumphed. “If you say so.”

“I do.” She said more than she believed. Gwinn went down to start her day and began her usual chores but with a heavy mind. She was helping the cook with the dishes and her day was going fine until she was interrupted. Chaney tore through the kitchen on her way to the yard.

The cook turned and gave her a disapproving look. “What has gotten into you, child?”

Chaney grabbed Gwinn’s arm with too much excitement and forced her to drop the plate she was holding. “Rider’s are here.” She shouted. The plate crashed on the floor and broke but Chaney was too excited to care. She ran outside without pausing.

“Oh great,” Gwinn said in a sarcastic tone.

“Don’t worry about the plate.” The cook said.

“I wasn’t. I’m more worried about the Riders. They’re so annoying and I…I…” She couldn’t finish what she was going to say. She didn’t want them to find out about Alcor and it was going to be harder to keep the secret from them.

“You what?” The cook asked with her hand on her hip.

She had to change her words quickly. “I hate dealing with them.” Gwinn walked across the room and peered out the small window. She saw Riders landing in the yard and frowned. “Chaney’s right. There are Riders.”

“Don’t sound so miserable. They bring good business to the Inn.” The cook reminded her.

Gwinn turned her frown on the cook. “I don’t care. I still wish they’d go away.” She heard Hal yelling from the hallway and she cringed.

He walked into the kitchen and spotted her. “Hurry up and get to the barn. You need to take care of their horses.”

“I know.” Gwinn said dropping her shoulders and retreating from the kitchen. She was on her way to the barn when she realized that the Riders could be in the barn with Alcor. Then she started running as fast as she could. She skidded through the door with an apprehensive look on her face but the Riders were stalling their horses casually. Her eyes flicked to the loft and she breathed a sigh of relief. Everything seemed to be fine.

The Riders stopped and looked at her. She calmed herself and straightened her apron. “I came to tend the horses.” She spit out.

Marshal’s horse was prancing around. She seemed nervous and, he was having trouble getting her into the stall. He talked to the horse reassuringly. Gwinn decided that it would be a good idea to avoid him. The last time she had seen him things had gone dreadfully bad. She rummaged around on the table for a brush. The floorboards in the loft creaked and, she froze. No, the Riders can’t find him. I can't let that happen. “Everything’s fine.” She said loud enough for Alcor to hear.

“Yeah, but who are you talking to?”

Gwinn whipped around. Kellin was standing in front of her. “What are you doing here?”

“I came with the Riders.” He pointed to the horses in the stalls with a grin. “You know, with the horses.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Of course I know that. I just didn’t know you were here.” She pushed past him.

“It’s nice to see you again too.” He shrugged. “So, do you have anymore brushes? I’m supposed to stay with the horses and help you. They seem a little skittish today.”

“There’s one on the table.” Gwinn went back to the stalls to watch the Riders and to make sure they didn’t notice anything suspicious. She crossed her arms and waited for them to leave.

Marshal saw her watching them as he settled his horse. “I see your attitude hasn’t changed.”

“I see yours hasn’t either.” She snapped back.

He patted his horse one last time and shook his head before leaving. Soon they all left and, she breathed another sigh of relief. Alcor was still safe and secure in the loft. She nodded to herself.

“Are you going to help?” Kellin asked.

“Oh, I forgot you were here.” She said turning in his direction.

He gave her a charming grin. “Am I so easy to forget?”

“Only a little.” She smiled back. Then went to brush Marshal’s mare. The horse was still skittish. “What’s wrong?” Gwinn asked her.

“I smell something strange. I don’t like it.” She pranced nervously in her stall and sniffed the air.

“That’s strange.” Gwinn said. “The barn is exactly the same since the last time you were here.” Except for Alcor. “You are completely safe in the barn.” She brushed the side of the mare’s neck and tried to calm her. “What is your name again?”

“I am Matar.” She said calming a little.

“That’s a good name. Don’t worry Matar. I know every square inch of this barn and I assure you there is nothing in here that will harm you.” Gwinn continued to brush her shiny coat out and the mare finally relaxed.

Kellin came over to her as soon as he finished brushing down his own horse. “The other horses are skittish too. I’m not sure what’s gotten into them.”

“I’m sure it's nothing.” She said trying to assure him and keep his suspicions at ease. “Even the mule gets skittish sometimes for no reason.”

“They’re not mules and they rarely act like this.” He had a stern look on his face.

“I think they’re fine.” She went to the next horse in line and kept up her calm manner. “Hello.” She said to the horse.

“I’m Silverstar.” The horse whinnied.

“I see.” She smiled at him. He had silver streaks in his black mane. “That’s very appropriate.”

“I don’t think you understand.” Kellin continued. “These are well behaved horses, better behaved than any normal horse. They wouldn’t act up without a reason.”

She let out a long sigh. Can’t he just give it a rest? “Look, there is nothing amiss in this barn. Trust me. I should know. Maybe there is something outside that is upsetting them.”

“You could be right.” He finally conceded.

She decided to change the subject while he was thinking it over. “So, how is your training going?”

“Huh? Oh, fine I guess.” He said as his mind shifted gears. “I’m still riding with Marshal. He’s my mentor and I have to ride with him until I’m a full-fledged Rider.”

“I don’t know how you manage to spend so much time with him.” She grimaced.

“First of all it’s not my choice and second of all, he does know a lot about being a Stormrider.”

She shrugged. “Maybe so, but he still irritates me.”

“Maybe if you got to know him, he wouldn’t seem so bad.” Kellin suggested.

“I doubt that.” She brushed Silverstar’s back and, he hummed. Kellin was brushing one of the other horses now. She wanted to keep him on this subject so, she kept asking him more questions. “So, how did you become a Rider?”

“My father was a Rider.”

“Does that mean that all Riders come from Aerion?” She continued.

He faltered a moment before answering. She thought it was rather odd. “No.” He said without elaborating.

“So, Riders aren’t born at Aerion?”

“No, they come from all over.” He said under his breath.

“I thought there was a place where that kind of arrogance was bred on purpose.” She smiled but, he did not smile back. He was acting so strange. “Then how do people, who aren’t from Aerion, become Riders?”

It took him awhile to answer the simple question and, she waited. “They apply to the board.”

“Oh, all right.” She shrugged. It didn’t matter to her but it seemed to pluck some sort of string with him. They finished brushing down the horses in silence and fed them some hay. Gwinn walked Kellin out of the barn to make sure he left. “Thanks for helping with the horses. It goes much quicker with help.”

“I’m used to it.” He shrugged and walked toward the Inn. He was usually more talkative but it didn’t bother Gwinn. She was just glad he was finally away from the barn. She hurried up to check on Alcor as soon as he was out of sight.

“You need to stay calm.” She told him. “You’re making the horses nervous.”

“I don’t know why they’re nervous.” He said.

“Those aren’t normal horses. Those are the sky horses of the Stormriders. They might be able to sense you.” She whispered.

“I was only worried because I could tell you were anxious. I thought there was something wrong.” He tried to whisper but his deep voice still rumbled.

“I was worried that the Riders might find you but there is nothing wrong. They are not dangerous just aggravating. You need to stay up here and keep quiet, no matter what.”

“Does this mean we won’t be going to the forest tonight?” He laid his head on his front paws and sighed.

“Yes. You’ll have to stay up here until they’re gone.” She frowned. “And you have to promise me you will stay up here. Everything is completely fine. There is no need to worry. The Riders are just more observant than the Cuthberts.”

“Fine, I promise but I don’t like it.”

“I know, neither do I.” She scurried down the ladder and ran across the yard. She had to get back to her chores before Hal scolded her.

The darkwing landed in between the trees. Its long claws gripped the ground as he crouched down. “I can smell it.”

“I can smell it too.” The female landed next to him and hissed. Her legs were bony but strong as she stepped over to him and hissed in his ear. “We are getting close.”

Birds and squirrels scattered away from them. His hunched back and bony shoulders flexed as he pointed with his claw. “That way.”

“Yes, that way.” She smiled with a wicked gleam in her eye. She loped off in that direction and he quickly followed. They were on the hunt.