The Guardians of the Forest: Book One
Page 44
CHAPTER 31
CONTROL
Her endurance surprised even herself.
Kiethara had not stopped running since she had crashed her way out of Gandador’s abode. Her heart was pounding as she sprinted her way through the streets of Nikkoi, barely remembering to check the sky to make sure that she was headed in the right direction.
She didn’t quite know how she managed to get past the guards at the gate. They had gotten up to stop her, crying something she could not here, but something had blown all of them back, smacking them rather harshly into the stone wall. Something in her mind told her that it had been her, but Aaron had never taught her something like that before.
As soon as she cleared the kingdom, Kiethara pushed herself harder, refusing to look over her shoulder for fear of what she would see. All she wanted to do was put as much distance between her and that forsaken kingdom as possible. That focus helped guard her from everything else; the icy wind cutting through her lungs, the pains of protest coming from her legs and chest, and the violent pounding of her heart.
Of course, that focus could only take her so far.
Dusk had yet to fall when she fell into the tall grass, gasping. With shaking hands, she pulled her possessions out from under her dress, the canteens falling softly to the ground.
Only a little water could be heard sloshing inside one of them; she knew that the other one was empty.
Kiethara groaned, falling back onto her back. She should have spared her water, taken tinier sips than she had. She shouldn’t have followed Sinsenta! What had she been thinking? What was she going to do without any supplies? To add insult to injury, it had all been pointless. She had learned practically nothing from her encounter with him, besides a few more worthless details on his insane plot to attempt to steal her much envied powers.
Well, there was no point in regretting her actions now. What was done was done, and nothing she did now would change the past. What she really needed was a plan, and she needed one fast.
For all she knew, Gandador could be following her as she lay here, wallowing in foolish self-pity. And if he did come, she would have to resort to her powers. Odarick had warned her that she didn’t have much magic to spare. Also, if Sinsenta tagged along like the faithful pet he was, she wouldn’t stand a chance. Honestly, her only hope was to get to the forest as quickly as she could…really, that had only ever been her option.
The only problem with that plan was, of course, her lack of water. If her estimations were correct, and Odarick’s directions, it would take her a few days to reach the forest and, with only a mouthful or two of water, it would be a difficult journey. Unless it rained, but to be quite frank, she just didn’t seem to have that kind of luck.
Above her, an orange-yellow sun hung up in the sky, still kindly pointing her in the right direction, although a good part of the sky was covered in clouds. If she didn’t hurry up, her guide would soon be lost. Unfortunately, this made it impossible to travel at night and midday, for fear of drifting in the wrong direction.
With a groan, Kiethara stood up.