Page 175 of The Lost Ones

“Alright everyone, mount up and lets get going.” Levi orders. The guys having already taken down the camp and left no trace that we were here in the first place.

Chapter Four

“What happens if we don’t hear any rumours or anything in the towns between here and the academy?” I ask, the thought only just occurring to me as I settle onto Dave’s saddle and watch as the others all get settled too.

“My brother’s will be able to help once we’re at the academy. It might be a good idea for them to be with us anyway. We aren’t entirely sure what we’re going to walk into.” Kysen says as he points his horse in the right direction and we all start to follow him.

“He has a good point.” Jax says.

“I agree. Hopefully we’ll hear at least something in the towns to give us a vague direction about where they are.” Levi says, “Then we can discuss getting your brothers involved.”

“Full disclosure, they aren’t actually my brothers. We’ve just been together for so long and gone through some shit together so we consider each other family.” Kysen says.

“Same dude, we get it.” Hunter replies.

Kysen’s tense shoulders relax at the obvious understanding the guys have.

We ride for a while longer, meaningless chat bouncing between us before I start to see a large looming brick wall curving around as far as I can see ahead of us.

“This is one of the larger towns. It’s got a high status than some of the villages we’ll see that’s why it’s got the wall surrounding it.” Kysen explains as we approach. “Remember keep your hoods up, we’ll still garner attention but hopefully they’ll just think that it’s because we’re of lower status and no one will be bothered with us.”

“Got it.” Maverick says and the rest of us hum our agreement.

I really hope we get through this with no issue. I don’t think I can watch my guys fight to the death. I know they’ll win but none of us are used to fighting in our supernatural forms or using our gifts and that puts us all at a serious disadvantage despite Kysen’s reassurances that we are stronger than the majority of the supernaturals that should be here.

We garner few curious looks as we pass through the giant wood and iron gates that look similar to the ones on the academy in the Earth realm but they’re at least as wide as six of the SUV’s side by side. Plenty of space for several horses, carts and pedestrians to walk through comfortably. The buildings in this area are simple and packed close together. They look like something out of Tudor England with dark timber framing showing between the pale walls on the outside of the houses with lead lined small paned windows.

Thankfully unlike real Tudor England the streets are not used as a waste disposal system, which makes me assume that despite the ancient look of the exterior of the buildings the interior at least has some modern conveniences. I look up from under my hood as we slowly make our way down the middle of the street. The people are an eclectic and an interesting mix of supernaturals and they’re all dressed in an array of different style clothing from many era’s.

“How come we couldn’t wear our Earth realm stuff?” I ask, coming up beside Kysen as I watch a couple of women laughing showing they’re fangs and wearing skinny jeans and tight tank tops despite the cooling weather.

“Here you wear Earth realm stuff if you want to stand out. It’s very expensive to get hold of since only some merchants are willing to go to the Earth realm to procure it.” He explains, “it’s safer this way and will help you blend in.”

“That makes sense. I have to say I am not missing my jeans right now. These pants are awesome.” I grin, making him chuckle.

“I definitely agree there as much as I love my own jeans riding in them for long distances is not fun.” He chuckles. “Just before we get to the main square where all of the stalls are, there’s a smaller one with a stables that we can leave our horses at. Don’t worry they will be perfectly safe.” He reassures me reading my worry correctly, “pay the stable hand one gold coin only and try not to show him just how many you have.”

“Got it.” I say. “I’ll tell the others.”

I send what he just told me through the Bond link to the others.

“Have you guys got a mind link?” He says even quieter than he’s spoken so far.

I nod and his eyes just widen.

We soon arrive at the small courtyard, which turns out to be not that small at all. There’s a giant fountain in the middle where several horses are drinking and the far right hand side is a giant stable block with several stable hands rushing around. From what I can tell there are a couple of public houses on the other sides of the square and a couple more obscure shops that I don’t imagine people needing to use as often as the more common shops. One selling, what appears to be a mix of different items that I’d liken to a thrift shop back in the Earth realm. A glance at the other two shows one similar to that and one that seems to be selling fortunes ifthe sign in the dark and dusty window is anything to go by.

Kysen leads us towards the stable block and a older gentleman weathered and roughened by hard work steps out. I say older gentleman but that’s only in comparison to all the younger faces that I’ve seen supernaturals bare. Supernaturals have lengthy lifespans at the least and immortal ones at most, it takes many years for a supernatural not start to look old.

“All of you?” He asks, a growl to his voice but no indication of what kind of supernatural he is.

“Yes sir.” Kysen says respectfully and the old man’s eyes warm slightly.

Kysen gets off of his horse and the rest of us follow suit, I fish around in my bag and pull out one gold coin. Before I unlatch that the saddle bag and using the handy strap pull it over my shoulder.

“How long?” The guy says gruffly.

“Three hours maximum, Sir.” Kysen replies.