WOLVES MIST - Chapter 4(.6)
#7 of WOLVES MIST(2)
Having finished their work as fast as they could, Chris and Snow made their way to the training grounds. As they stepped up to Bayle they waited for him to set the group with him to task. Snow's excitement was at a peak, he could barely stand still as his curiosity yearned to be sated. Bayle eyed the two of them before speaking "You two took long enough, walk with me." The tawny Wolven gestured and turned. Snow and Chris fell into step with him.
"You two are being assigned to a small detail. You'll be sent to the border of the Krundas area by magic, from there you'll be making your way to the mining town in the mountains." Bayle said. He was setting a fast pace with his long strides. "You are to act as escort to a mage. Grev has been assigned to go with you. He'll be giving you the particulars."
They approached a group of others, Snow looked them over. Grev was there talking with a young man with tanned golden nut brown skin wearing only a pair of loose trousers that came to just below his knees. There were two girls standing slightly apart from them and a large muscular youth sat cross-legged on the dusty ground.
Bayle suddenly stopped and then pushed Chris and Snow towards the group before turning abruptly and striding away.
Chris snuffled the air as they got close to the group, sorting through the myriad smells. The two girls smelled strongly of horse. The big youth of dust, sweat and metal. The strangest scent came from the muscular youth who was talking with Grev, for some reason it reminded Chris of the chickens that he had chased among the wagons as a young boy among the Meeko. A pang of homesickness struck him strongly at the sudden happy memory. Chris studied the shirtless youth. His back was strong and his frame lean, the muscles on his arms stood out defined, thick veins proudly standing out in the heat. The youth's whole body seemed sculpted and with each movement Chris could clearly see every muscle ripple beneath the skin. The boy turned as Grev looked over to them. Chris was amazed at his sharp features and strong cheekbones, but what most caught his attention was the boys eyes. They were unlike any he'd ever seen before. They were ringed with black and had no white, only a black hole in a sea of calm blue. The boys gaze speared Chris and the world seemed to freeze. It felt like Chris was prey staring into the eyes of its hunter, a jolt of fear flashed through him and it felt like a yawning pit had opened in his stomach. The boy blinked and the world came crashing back.
Chris had to drag his gaze away from the boys' eyes to look at Grev when he spoke. "Ahh, the last two are here. These will be the two Wolven to accompany us on our escort detail. The black one is Chris and the white Snow. Snow, Chris, this is Aaron" Grev indicated the white haired topless youth, "Uthran" he pointed at the youth on the ground "And Ylien and Olien" he indicated the girls. It was only then that Chris paid any attention to the rest of the gathered group. The two horse scented girls were mirror images of each other, black straight hair hung down to their waists pleated into a thick braid. They wore tight fitting leather trousers and jerkins that left little to the imagination. Chris could almost smell the aroused interest of the boy on the ground and of Snow. Uthran the youth on the ground was broad of shoulder and he slowly stood up. The boy was a full head shorter than the girls, a head and a half shorter than Chris. He almost seemed to have no neck and Chris wondered if the short mound of muscle would be able to even get his arms over his head. Where Aaron was defined and proportionate, Uthran was more of a trunk of muscle.
"We're moving out tomorrow at first light." Grev continued looking at each in turn "Aaron, you and Chris will be our scouts. Uthran, you and Snow are our main force of arms. Ylien and Olien you are our archers and cavalry." Chris's eyes drew back to Aaron's raptor gaze, his lip curled into a lob-sided smile and he nodded at Chris. "I expect you all to get an early nights rest and have your gear ready for the morning." Grev growled loudly "Anyone who is late will be punished severely. Anyone who has forgotten to pack something will have to go without. Any questions?"
Chris started as Snow spoke next to him, he'd forgotten that he was even there so absorbed was his attention on the white haired youth. "Who's the mage we're escorting?" Snow quickly added a "Sir" when Grev growled menacingly.
"The mage's name is Gren, a master of spirit magic's. He will be accompanied by your brother, Skye." Grev answered with a nod and a smile before looking up at the sky. "Right then, off to your training masters. I will see each of you at first light. Is that clear?"
Chris and Aaron nodded their heads, Uthran saluted with a loud "Yes, Sir!" along with Snow. Ylien and Olien both bowed slightly at the waist in perfect unison. Chris could almost swear that Aaron had winked just before he'd turned and strode away, but his attention was quickly diverted as Grev motioned for him to follow.