Tear of Ice

Chapter 7

As we made our way through the Guecedand, I followed the map quietly as I tried to focus exclusively on getting to Lostwick. Lia walked beside me as we made our way. We stayed quiet for most of it, only really talking whenever there were outside elements to point out. Lia was still absorbing everything like I was, and I couldn't make her talk to me. And honestly, I don't think I could handle talking about what happened.

"Hey, Carmine." She called out, glancing up at me as I glanced back. Our eyes met awkwardly and she looked away.

"Yeah?" I force out.

"Have you eaten? You haven't eaten anything since we left home, right?"

I think for a moment, only to realize she was right. I never had too much of an appetite, but Grandma always made me eat at least twice a day, saying it was best for my body because I was human. But ever since the incident back at home, I haven’t eaten. But-

“I don’t feel hungry or anything.” I touch my stomach, expecting at least some sound or feeling from it, but all I got was silence.

“We’ve been gone for a while now. And even when you were knocked out-” The wolf beside me runs in front and tries to convince me to take a moment.

“Lia, drop it. If I don’t feel the need, I won’t do it.” I walk around her, continuing to bury my face in the map. We’re a good distance away from Lostwick, and that is where we are gonna be able to get more supplies and information on getting to Kreidd.

“There you go again.” She scoffs.

My foot stops, lowering the map as I turn to her. “Excuse me?”

“There. You go. Again.” this time it was just barely a growl. “You’re not communicating with me.”

“Says you, who refuses to look me in the eye!” My hands angrily gesture towards her and my face.

“That’s different.” She then only seems to prove my point by turning her head away as she steps closer.

“Look, Carmine. I know that a lot has happened, but even Rose ate food to take care of herself.”

My eyes twitched, “I know that. I was the one feeding her. But even then she usually ate only twice a week. Three times at most.” I whip my head back to the map and march on. “Perhaps Loraines don’t need to eat as often. Have you considered that?”

"But, you always ate at least twice a day. Don't change that just because-"

"I have to change that, Lia! I have changed!" My grip on the map became harder as I slowly tried to calm myself. Folding the map as I put it back into my pocket.

"Why are you getting so defensive? I'm just trying to help!" Before I can even gauge her tone I whip my head around.

"I'm not getting defensive! Just-" when I looked at her all the frustration I felt drowned out. Her blue eyes matching my inherited one as I simply stood there. Her eyes shimmered full of emotion as she just slowly looked down.

"South, right?" She continues to walk past me as I nod. I followed her; we didn't speak to each other for a while. I kept my head on the map to prevent speaking out of turn again.

Then I felt a nudge on my leg . I lower the map and look at Lia. Before she simply steps back and lowers her stance. Wisps of blue around her as she growled. Looking up finally I see-

A carriage?

Two horses pulled a large cart as a driver guided the horses by the reins. In the back sat a little group of people, most of them gathered together and chatting away as their ride continued.

I noticed quickly that they were coming our way so I reached out and grabbed Lia’s back fluff so she reigned herself in. The wisps of blue and shards of ice that were rising faded out as the carriage came closer. I lifted my hood hurriedly as they pulled up and the driver waved out to us.

“You there! Do you and your pup need a ride?”

I look down at Lia and she scoffs a bit at the ‘pup’ but tilts her head back at me. “Uh, are you headed towards Lostwick?”

“That’s the next major stop, ma’am. 10 silver for a ride! Loraine or no, I’ll take you around the lands!”

I grab my bag and pull out two mercury coins. Walking over to the driver before holding my arm out as I look away. I have to make sure he doesn’t see my face.

I hear him chuckle as I feel his hand cups under mine as he takes the coins. When I glance back he points to the back of the carriage as I motion for Lia to follow as we both walk over. Lia presses her head on my back to aid me in climbing in as she simply jumps in easily herself. Before we took a seat on the wall and held onto the edge.

“Hold on tight!” and with a call, we were off.

It was cramped in the cart. 3 other people harboring it with us as a seemingly old rustic couple who held hands from across from us as they chit-chatted. Covered in blankets and warm knitted clothes and hairs of white, watching them talk away with their shaking hands staying intertwined. My heart strained a bit as I grip my cloak closer to me, leaning a bit on Lia as I hid under the hood.

“Not much of a traveller, are ya?” A young man’s voice spoke out. It took Lia nudging my head with her snout and me looking up and meeting red eyes.

I flinch so hard that my back hits the wooden wall of the cart with a thud, Causing the old couple to even look my way as I just wave to them. Once they fizzle their attention back to each other the young man chuckles.

“Didn’t mean to scare ya. Just making conversation.” He shrugs casually and leans a bit closer to Lia and I from where he sat beside us. “Between you and me, that old couple have been 5 seconds from macking on each other for 3 towns now.” He whispers.

I lean away and put a hand on Lia for comfort, my eyes squinting as I stare at him. He had honey brown skin and messy white hair. He wore a lot of greys and overlapping robes, with white accents and thin black trousers, with red shoes that match some red markings on the lower corners of his eyes.

“What?” He raises an eyebrow but then scoffs. “Oh, right. No, I am not making moves on you. Unless you are a handsome young man, I would never.” I blink at him, barely being able to keep up with his rambling and expressive hand motions.

“So, are you mute or-?” he speaks slowly as he wiggles his fingers at me.

“I can talk.” I say dryly.

“Ah! They speak!” he raises his hands dramatically. “Sorry, just thought you could use someone to talk to on this long trip.”

“Not really.”

“Not much of a talking type, I see. I understand, I am but a stranger.”

Lia scoffs as she leans on me further, I readjust myself to wrap a hand around her leg.

“Close, huh?” the stranger speaks up as he finally leans back against the wooden wall. The bouncing of the carriage only slightly made it hard for me to see his expression perfectly.

“Yeah. Always have been.”

“Always, huh? Always nice to have a pet.”

Lia growls at that and I lean forward past her, my hand hitting the wooden floor with a thud. “Lia is not a pet.”

For a moment, everything was still. Even the couple’s chattering silenced and instantly my hand trembled with cold. I quickly slide my hand back and place it under the cloak and hold the hood closer. I barely notice Lia looking at me until she lays in my lap to better hide the way my hand shakes.

“Sorry about that. Didn’t think that would be a chord.” He continued to talk, his tone softer than before.

“Well, it was.”

“In my defense, I can only assume that. Your friend is awfully composed for an animal.”

Hunters and other people from nearby villages never really called the pack our pets. To them, they were a mini-army we had at our disposal. But now with it being just Lia and I, it's easy to see why someone would think that. As much as I don’t care for it.

“You’re awfully talkative, you know that?” I keep my eyes down, focusing on Lia in my lap. Her sharp teeth slightly slow as she rolls her eyes.

“One of my many vices, or charms depending on who you ask.”

“Well, I’m not interested.” My hand rubs Lia’s fur, as she actually starts to relax a bit in my lap.

“That’s fair.” And from then on he was quiet. The older couple did look at me, and even asked if I was okay, but all I did was nod from under my hood and they continued to leave me alone afterward.

Occasionally, I glanced over at him. He seemed far more preoccupied now watching the scenery or making conversation with the driver. And whatever the hell he wanted, he seemed to be satisfied not paying attention to us now.

I look back down at Lia, and lean down onto her fur. My nails gently scratch at her, as I feel her relax even further. I sigh and slowly let myself try to relax, before I quickly feel the fatigue catching up to me. Now with us on this carriage, we’re making a decent headway and can make it to Lostwick quickly. Then get to one of the many ferry bases near the Creux Delta.

I wonder how the remaining pack is doing. If Seff is doing okay leading them with his injury. If they are able to continue warding off enthusiastic hunters. They should still have their magic, so it should be possible. But still, they are severely chopped down in numbers now, which leaves us vulnerable. I wonder if the cubs are okay without Lia and I or-

Grandma’s body is still laying in her bed back at the cabin. She and Icarus deserve better, and once I come back with the tear, they will get better.

Kreidd will pay for what they’ve done to my home and my family.

My body was sore; I could feel the ache in it as my eyes fluttered for a moment. As they finally closed, I felt another soft nuzzle against my head.