The Harbinger of Change by Matthew Travagline

Author:Matthew Travagline [Travagline, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

One morning, many days after beginning their journey south, a quiet air surrounded the travelers. Cleo’s group searched for any reason to speak, though nothing in the pervasive snow beckoned easy conversation. Harvey, on Fester, and Aarez, atop Slipper, led the column through the forest. Riding on Debs, Roy remained in the rear of the group. In the middle, atop Perogie, sat Cleo and Kiren.

Cleo examined the folded and wrinkled map that she had flattened out on the mare’s neck. She mumbled to herself, prompting Kiren to whisper in her ear, “What’s the matter?” Her voice, too low to carry to other ears over the crunch of sixteen hooves on snow.

“We are making slower progress than I’d like,” Cleo whispered back. “I’d hoped to reach the lake by morning, or afternoon tomorrow. We’ll be lucky if we’re there by nightfall tomorrow,” she said, laying her fingers out on the map to judge crude distance.

“We’ll make up the time,” Kiren assured. “Our first two days were tough on all of us, horses included. Plus, we had a late start the first morning. I don’t think any of us wanted to rush and finish Oslow’s morning oats.”

A rumble of hunger thundered from deep in Cleo’s stomach. “We should stop for lunch,” she said, raising her voice loud enough that it would carry to everyone.

“Thank Providence,” Roy said, jumping from his saddle and untying one of the group’s food packs. Harvey and Aarez worked quick to build a fire and melt snow, replenishing their canteens and allowing the horses to water.

Cleo and Kiren dismounted, allowing Perogie respite. Despite the added load of two passengers, Gnochi’s seasoned mare kept a good pace, especially after Cleo told her that the group was on the way to rescue Gnochi. So far, she made no complaints under the added weight.

“I know why Gnochi loves you so much, you smart girl,” Cleo said, feeding Perogie a carrot. Looking around, she felt at peace. Gnochi’s absence and current treatment continued to squeeze her heart raw but seeing her friends all working together under the slate-grey cover of a winter sky, she felt optimistic. She had known none of them longer than a year, yet they all put their lives on hold to help her find and rescue Gnochi.

Could he see the sky? Did the clouds over his head look upon him with a menacing sneer or a complacent smile? She wondered if he foresaw them coming to his aid. What would he say if he could see her now?

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