5 Chapter 4

" This field is way bigger than I thought, sorry man," Tanen said as he squinted as if it would help him see further.

" We need to find a lake or stream. We ran out awhile ago." Cal pointed out as he flipped the canteen over for what was probably the tenth time that hour. Cal seemed to have an endless pool of energy, unlike Tanen who was only human could barely keep up half the time wailing behind asking for piggyback rides or breaks to rest his poor legs.

" I think this is a sign that I need to work out more," Tanen said as he was still catching his breath at the top of the hill. He decided it would be good to get a vantage point as they got close to the hill. The higher up they were the bigger of a chance they had at seeing something they would otherwise miss.

" You're fine," Cal replied adjusting his bag on his shoulder, a slight huff to his voice. " Wait is that a carriage?"

Tanen's head shot up to look in the direction Cal was pointing in and true to his words there was a carriage being pulled by large horses at breakneck speeds. The rider appeared to be urging the horses to go faster with frantic shouts. The two men watched from atop the hill in shock of the scene before them, carriages were normal to see coming in and out of the village but never have they seen one going so fast.

" What do we do?" Tanen frantically asked facing his friend.

" It's not our problem honestly," Cal replied as he began walking in the same general direction as the carriage. " We follow behind, he's leaving obvious tracks and we do not get involved in his issue."

Cal leads the way a bit beside the tracks the carriage left behind in the soft earth, his instincts going nuts telling him to turn back and never look back at this situation. But on the other hand, his heart was telling him to go further, go faster, get there sooner and that the man needed help. It was a normal trade carriage, it was the type that carried a person usually of high status and if they were running from someone it must be bad. He can't have these thoughts right now he needs to focus on himself and Tanen. His hand rested on the head of his axe as any movement caused him to twitch, ready to protect themselves at any time.

" He's barely out of view, looks like he slowed down," Tanen spoke trying to cut the tension that was slowly creeping it's way closer. It was practically choking him it was so thick. " Wait no he stopped."

" If I say run, you run. No questions asked," Cal said his hand firmly resting on the head of his axe, ready for action at any point. " Got it?"

Tanen didn't reply verbally, just gave a silent nod as his left hand tensed over the strap of his satchel, it wasn't often Cal felt threatened, he was much larger than most people and hybrids but if he asked you to run it was very serious.

The two were now close enough to the carriage they could hear voices frantically talking to one another. A girl and a man.

" It's not my fault this carriage is cheap, I can not believe I hired you," The lady hissed clearly trying not to yell or raise her voice in any way.

" My lady the wheel just fell off its easily fixable you just need to be a bit patient," The man replied.

" Well I don't care, get it fixed, we do not have time to waste right now, a man is dying back at base,"

" Yes, I understand perfectly my lady just please sit tight and wait." He said again as Cal and Tanen watched him show his head out the carriage door. The man was clearly older, hitting his midlife easily with wrinkled eyes, grey well-kept hair and a matching beard that was neatly trimmed. Clearly high status.

" Do you need any help?" Tanen asked out of the blue completely shocking Cal as his eyes went wide.

" Help would be greatly appreciated, young man," At the unknown man's reply Cal yanked his friend back and behind his larger body. At his actions, the older man stood still and in shock but quickly recovered and offered a calm and friendly smile. " Oh I'm sorry, I am only a stranger arent i. My name is Theodore, I'm the stagecoach for this carriage and for Lady Vayle."

Cal studied the old man's face for a little while longer to see if anything faltered. Seems Theodore held true to what he said, it also explained the female voice. Stepping to the side he allowed Tanen to walk to the man to help with the wheel.

" It'll just take a sec, I used to help my parents with their carriages all the time," He explained with a blinding smile. Damn charismatic bastard. " Cal come here and lift the carriage a bit so I can fit the wheel back on."

" Oh no, I'll help lift it its a very heavy-" Theodore tried to explain as Cal walked the short distance and easily lifted the side up.

" Ahh!!," A high pitched scream came from the carriage as Cal held it steady for Tanen who worked fast and efficiently as he has done many times before." Theo, what on earth is happening out there?"

Theodore was quickly at the door to respond to the voice who Cal could only assume was this Lady Vayle.

" Oh you see its quite wonderful, my lady these two young fellows have come to help us in our time of need," He gushed holding his hands in front of his face, fingers laced together.

" Hmph, fine but hurry up we don't have time to spare at the moment."

" No problem lady, ill have this done in just a jiffy!" Tanen said a bit louder to insure she would hear him. He got no reply which didn't surprise either of them if she's a lady she wouldn't talk to two lower classmen she can't even see as she sits comfortably inside her carriage." Alright, there we go you're all set to go now."

" Thank you so much young man, this is a lifesaver. Please tell me where you are travelling too I can offer you a ride as a reward for your kindness." Theodore exclaimed as he got back on the front bench. The two younger men looked between each other seemingly having a silent conversation before facing Theodore again.

"We're just heading to the nearest town, but our map is so old we don't think it's all that accurate," Cal spoke finally looking less tense about the strangers.

" Oh please hop in the carriage then, Tabrid is quite the walk away, this will go much faster than on foot. Please, please hop in now," Theo ushered them into the dark carriage where Cal and Tanen then sat on the plush cushions of the benches. Across from them, they could see a female figure sitting straight on the opposite bench, her arms crossed in clear distaste.

" So I see we pick up strays now."