The Obelisk

-Chapter 64-

The map lay spread out on a flat boulder, the sun reflecting off its weathered surface. The Five studied it closely.

“I have no idea,” Spark said.

“Well, wherever we’re going, it’s gotta be good,” Rust observed. He tapped his claws on the lower part of the map. “we can’t go this way or this way, because of the recent human packs roaming there.”

“I’m not afraid of humans,” Crimson said.

“Well you should be.” Rust gave her a neutral look. “They are very aggressive, and quite smart. Trust me.”

Forest tilted his head at the map, then at Rust. “But I thought that—“

“Yeah, I know. Gossips gotten the best of us this year. No matter what other carnivores or even scrolls say, they are not to be reckoned with.”

“They may be dangerous,” Spark said slowly, “but I wouldn’t worry about them too much. We can’t overestimate them either. Humans are very weak. They don’t have scales or fur to protect them. But I agree, no human encounters is definitely safer.”

“I’ve never seen a human up close before,” Nyx said.

“Me neither.” Forest admitted.

“I hope I never do,” Rust exclaimed. “Humans scare me. And I’m not as tough as I look.”

“REALLY?” Crimson gasped, making Nyx jump. “Rust, You’re NOT All Knowing and All Powerful?”

“Maybe,” Rust said to her. “But I am All Handsome, that’s for sure.”

Crimson rolled her eyes. “Shut up already.”

“Oh!” Nyx’s blue eyes widened. “I know where we can go!” She turned and gestured for the map. “May I?”

Forest nodded and picked up the map. He carefully handed it over to her.

She sat down on her haunches and studied the map for a short minute. “Here,” she said finally. “We can go here!”

The other edged around to see where she was pointing. It was a small scrap of land right outside the Lindbjord forest, in between a few large, pretty looking hills.

“It’s my home,” Nyx explained. “The Shadowmane camp. It’s the safest place to stay.”

“But I thought the Shadowmanes lived in Asgard,” Spark said with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, you never heard?” Nyx asked her. “The Shadowmanes we’re driven out of Asgard about five years ago, before I was born.”

“That’s too bad,” Spark said.

“Yeah,” Nyx said sadly. “I’ve never even been to our old home. It’s just a lonely, forgotten forest now.”

A small dab of sympathy for Nyx went through Forest. The Shadowmanes had lived in the Realm of Asgard for many decades, and Nyx’s unlucky generation never got to see it. ‘the scrolls I grew up reading…’ Forest thought, ‘they’re all so outdated.’

“Our new home is great, though.” Nyx said. “I grew up there. Since Father is still at Runheimr, Orbit should be in charge of the camp right now. He’s the nicest! We have to go there!”

“You sure they’re safe?” Crimson questioned.

“Believe me, you can trust them. I just hope that they trust you.” Nyx bit her bottom lip thoughtfully, then brightened. “But I’m sure they will! So should we go??”

“I think it’s worth the try,” Forest said, glancing at the others.

“Sure,” said Rust with a shrug.

“OK.” Spark and Crimson said.

“Then let’s go!” Nyx jumped up and handed the map to Forest, and he folded it and placed it inside his sack. “If we get going now,” she said, “we’ll get there by sunhigh tomorrow!”