Chapter 105: Chapter 105

They trespassed through the Soot Forest, as Camper had called it, for five hours straight. They only rested at most ten minutes while standing because of the human girls who were not as tire-proof as the wolves. Avril and her girls even surprised Prince Dakar. They didn't tire as easily as other humans.

“One more hour and we'll be out,” Camper announced to the group.

“I hope there's a place we can sit our butts down?” Nana grumbled.

“Well, I see sitting your butt down is very important to you. Seeing you carry a lot over there, of course,” Xiao Wéi joked, and the girls burst into laughter except Verona, who had not smiled since the journey began, as was usual of her.

“If we don't sit soon, I'm afraid I'll lose all my assets,” Nana replied.

Avril slapped Nana's butt.

“Nope, you're still good even if you walk the whole day,” she teased, and Nana butt-kicked her. Avril wasn't expecting that move and it pushed her, making her feet unbalanced on the ground. She yelped as she felt herself descending to the earth.

For a split second, horror was plastered over everyone's face, and Avril's eyes widened at the realization of what was going on. But before her bare head could hit the ground, there was a blur of movement, and she was suddenly floating inches from the sooty floor.

Prince Dakar's face hovered over her, and his arms were stopping her from colliding with the ground. She began to breathe fast, and he gently pulled her up and into an embrace.

“Oh my God,” she gasped as he hugged her.

“Be careful... please,” he pleaded and released her. She nodded frantically.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Oh my goodness, Avril, I'm so sorry,” Nana cried out and went to hug her friend.

“I didn't expect a butt to send me to a sooty grave,” Avril still joked, and everyone else smiled.

“I'll make sure it doesn't send anyone to any grave,” Nana replied and laughed.

“Like it isn't going to be the death of me,” Camper whispered and began to walk ahead. The girls glanced at each other but didn't say anything. Camper didn't seem to know they all had overhead him.

“What's going on with you two?” Chidi asked quietly. Nana shrugged and began to walk, but she had a look on her face... a look one would have when their crush ignores them.

“Okay, who wants to play matchmaker?” Xiao Wéi whispered. Verona gave a glare and stalked off. Chidi dramatically cleared her throat and walked on. Prince Dakar totally ignored whatever was being said like it mattered not to him. He held Avril and walked away too. The Chinese girl scoffed and resumed walking.

After over an hour, they finally found greenery a few meters away. It was such a relief to be able to leave the gloomy forest that felt as deathly as it looked. When they finally made it to the fresh and alive land with a peaceful river, all the human girls heaved dramatically loud sighs. They dumped their bags and fell to the floor.

“My limbs. Oh it's so good to rest them again,” Nana exclaimed.

“I thought my knees would totally give out. I can't believe I made it here with my legs still attached,” Avril spoke up. Her girls laughed.

“What would you do if you figure out you left them behind?” Verona questioned as she sat on the grass.

“Borrow Prince Dakar's to go get them back, as sooty as they would be,” Avril answered and laughed. Verona cracked a smile and removed her hair from her face.

“We rest for an hour here. Then we have to find a place to stay the night. Be careful not to get any attached soot on your faces,” Prince Dakar ordered and began to walk away with Camper and the quiet, grumpy man.

The girls washed off the attached soot in the river, drank water, and asked Verona questions about the journey until one hour had elapsed.

Prince Dakar and the other two surprisingly returned with four horses that moment. The prince explained they were rental horses and would take them to the next town where they could lodge for the night.

Avril climbed on with her prince who cocooned her immediately in his arms as he grabbed hold off the reins. Camper climbed his horse and smiled sweetly at Verona. The death stare she sent his way got him clearing his throat and looking away like she was Medusa.

“I'll take one horse. Chidi can ride with me,” she stated and went over to a black magnificent stallion.

“Why Chidinma?” Nana scowled.

“Apparently, she's the only one with an iota of a brain amongst you all.”

“Ouch!” The girls including Avril, who had gotten comfortable in Dakar's arms, yelled out.

“An iota is what I have? Double ouch,” Chidi pouted but went over to Verona anyway.

The quiet guy, whose name was still unknown, was already seated on a brown horse, and Xiao Wéi hurried over to him.

“May I ride with you?” She asked. He looked down at her, as if she was a speck of dust begging to rub shoulders with gold dust. Finally, he nodded and helped her up to his back.

Nana looked around, and her eyes widened. Every other person was taken. She had to ride with Camper.

“Let's head out now,” Prince Dakar commanded and began to move his horse forward, the others followed suit. Nana shut her eyes and swallowed. Then she turned to Camper, whose eyes were rooted on her figure, watching her with amusement.

“I... May I... Join you?” she requested slowly. He smirked and looked her over.

“You don't have to ask, baby,” he replied and climbed on. She walked to him, and he helped her on.

“Ever been on a horse?” he asked as he moved his horse forward.

“Never,” she replied. She was sitting behind him and couldn't see his face, but she wanted to rest over his back and wrap her arms around his torso. Would he allow that? Wait, why was she even thinking that?

They all soon fastened up their pace as they rode in the countryside. They didn't see a single soul, not even small animals. Only hawks prowled the air.

Avril wanted to ask Prince Dakar where they had gone to get the horses, and how they were going to return them. But somehow, she rested her head on his chest and the sweet breeze whipping against her face as they cut through it made her fall asleep. When she woke up, it was almost nightfall, and they were slowing down. She stirred slightly and felt a strong arm binding her in place.

“Enjoy your rest, my love?” Prince Dakar whispered deeply into her ear. She smiled and looked up at his face.

“Hey, I had no idea I slept off.”

“You're not supposed to know you've slept until you've awoken.”

Avril chuckled and sat up.

“We're making camp by the cave,” bellowed Prince Dakar as they neared a hill covered totally by foliage.

“What cave?” Avril inquired with a yawn.

“It's hidden. The entrance is covered by leaf-climbing vines.” He pointed to a spot covered completely by leafy vines like thick curtains. They rode to the front of it, and all climbed down.

“My thighs feel like they're carrying the weight of the entire world,” Nana panted and sat down immediately. Camper chuckled and squatted in front of her.

“I could give you a massage later, if you don't mind,” he grinned at her. Nana waved him off.

“I don't want your arms anywhere near my thighs, Camper.”

“Let's see you say that this time next month,” he whispered, kissed her on the cheek to her surprise, and went over to Prince Dakar. Nana's eyes widened as she placed a finger over the spot on her cheek that was now very sensitive.

“Next time, baby. It'll be on the lips,” she heard him direct at her. She scowled and looked at him. He laughed and began to arrange their bags on the ground. She looked to her friends, and thankfully, none of them were even noticing her or what Camper was saying. It seemed she wasn't the only one saddle sore from riding for hours. All the girls except Verona were sprawled on the grass. The quiet guy had disappeared into the nearby trees.

Camper volunteered to inspect the cave thoroughly before allowing them in. When they finally all entered, it was surprisingly spacious and clear ground.

“Travelers often camp here whenever nightfall strikes, as it's the only safe place here,” Prince Dakar let Avril know.

“Shouldn't it be in use always then? What if other travelers come now? How are we going to share?”

“This route is almost never used, Fiorella,” Verona cut in as she spread her Remusian sleeping furs.

“It's the shortest, but no one wants it,” Camper added. Everyone was busy spreading sleeping furs or bringing out necessities from the bags. Prince Dakar was arranging wood in a well-constructed fireplace.

“Why?” Chidi asked.

“Because the most peaceful place is the Soot Forest,” Verona answered. The human girls gave each other puzzled looks.

“On no occasion should any one of you venture out of this cave as soon as the sun sets. Camper and I will take turns to watch the cave entrance. We'll leave as soon as the sun is fully in the sky,” Prince Dakar stated after lighting the fireplace.

“Why did you just say all that like there's going to be a zombie apocalypse outside this cave during nightfall?” Nana asked with a small scoff. Her eyes met Prince Dakar's, and she shivered, instantly regretting the tone she used. Even though he didn't seem to care.

“That, my love, is exactly what is going to happen. Except we don't call them zombies but wraiths,” Camper informed and walked to the covered entrance. He moved the thick curtain of leaves a little and stumbled back when a hand pushed him off.

“Get out my way, you vile thing,” the quiet guy hissed as he entered, not sparing anyone a glance. He hastily went to the space closest to the fireplace and set down his bag to start arranging his things.

The rest of the day was quiet except for the hushed discussion of Prince Dakar and Camper as they stood close to the entrance. The others were having dinner of delicious, fresh food gifted to them by the king of Lioa. They only had to warm them up over the fireplace. Suddenly, there was a sharp, high-pitched cry that rang across the sky outside the cave.

Everyone stilled, including Prince Dakar and Camper. The two men stared at themselves with furrowed brows... Waiting.

The cry tore through the air again, this time closer and more intense. It brought along chills that crept all over everyone.

“Remdangit!” Camper whispered and tightened his fingers into a fist. His facial features changed immediately as that darkened, dangerous look arrived to show the other side of Camper. Prince Dakar's eyebrows were closely knitted together, his irises showing a hue of red. Verona jumped to her feet, her plate kissing the floor. Even the vulgar guy rose to his feet.

“Get your weapons,” Prince Dakar whispered. Everyone scampered to pick up something. Camper went for his twin swords, Verona had a small black axe hanging from her hand, the guy had a nice sword in fighting stance, but Prince Dakar stood with his arms crossed. He was gazing intently at the curtain of hanging leaves.

Avril had pulled out a sword too, but the girls' greatest weapons were guns which they had none. She tossed each girl a dagger from Verona's bag.

A slow breeze slightly moved the leaves back and forth. Everyone held their breath as silence reigned. But all knew it was not a positive silence.

And then, the cry came again, and this time it rocked in their heads. For it had burst into the cave with that earsplitting scream. Camper sliced twice beside him within the same second with his twin swords and black liquid spurred out from the air, splattering on the ground.

“Dakar, how did you know a stealth wraith was going to show up first?” Camper asked, alarmed even after he had killed whatever it was.

“A stealth wraith?” Verona asked with eyes widened. Dakar was still standing with his arms crossed.

“I have no idea,” Dakar replied. Afterwards, more cries pierced the world outside, filling the night with a hellish dread.