Failing a Mission

Theo had his bones repaired by the camp medic as soon as dawn broke, but no amount of medical attention would heal the bags under his eyes.

He barely slept last night between his pain and the drunken snores that started once all his roommates returned.

Theo was nodding off as he saddled Carrot up.

Thankfully, the unicorn was used to the lack of sleep that often accompanied Theo's stays at the camp and helped nudge Theo awake and reminded him to get rations.

Before anyone but the current patrol woke, the trio was out of the camp and on the road.

The freedom combined with cold air and a healed body felt refreshing.

Once they had trotted a few miles from camp, Theo tapped the couples ring three times to tell Marc to meet. Then, he tapped it twice.

It would be a back breaking pace to get to the capital in time, but Theo wanted to meet Marc as soon as possible.

He only had a week and a half to two weeks before Dullahan would expect to hear news about the theft. He had less time before the spell work around his neck grew suspicious.

Theo stared at the ring, waiting for a response.

He counted the seconds. When he got to seven, the ring vibrated once.

Theo smiled. Marc delaying the timeline would have complicated matters.

"Let's plan to meet our new friend in the capitol in two days."

Theo kept the wording vague, but trusted Carrot would understand.

"Can we make it three?" Carrot grumbled.

"Tight deadline," Theo answered.

Carrot sighed.

It was the closest to a "yes" that Theo was going to get.

Meanwhile, Scourge was sitting on top of Carrot's head, so Theo plucked him up by the scruff of his neck and tucked him in the new cloak he had picked up at camp.

"Unhand me, Mortal Theo!" Scourge squeaked. "Disturb not my view!"

"Trust me, you're going to want your view disturbed," Theo said.

"What do you-" Scourge stopped as Carrot broke into his fastest gallop.

Instead, he dug his needle-like claws into Theo's flesh. It made Theo feel a bit like he had a kitten – a thought he kept to himself.

Theo patted Scourge's head and ducked his eyes down to avoid the stinging cold wind as much as possible.

The fast speeds always made Theo feel nauseated, but it was a feeling he always managed to quench after his first time to ride Carrot at this speed.

The first time Carrot had taken Theo at this speed, he had vomited all over Carrot's head.

Carrot had refused to speak to him for a week. Everyone else had thanked Theo for the rare silence from Carrot, but Theo had been rather bored without Carrot.

They continued their pace well into the night. Carrot eventually stopped near at a small cave they often camped at. A series of well-hidden campsites were one of Theo's few secrets from Dullahan.

He liked to dream that if he ever managed to get rid of the oath around his neck he could use the campsites to run away and become a hermit.

This particular one had a couple of small cooking pots and a wooden chest with dried meat, vegetables, and oats as well as some wards to keep animals out.

Theo struggled to light a fire with as his fingers were stiff with cold, but once he did, Scourge clambered out of his cloak and curled up so close to the fire that the flames would lap at his scales every once a while.

Scourge made a sound suspiciously like a purr.

"Are you sure we didn't pick up some milkmaid's tabby?" Carrot asked.

"What is a tabby?" Scourge asked, stretching in the coals.

"It's a mighty warrior," Theo said before Carrot could answer. "A warrior that defends crops from mighty foes."

Scourge preened. "Then you may call me Tabby, Scourge of the Night, One who makes-"

"Watch your head," Theo interrupted, putting a pot of dried meat, vegetables and water over the fire.

It wouldn't be a luxurious or filling meal, but he preferred it over the stuff Dullahan fed him any day.

While he waited for the food to simmer, Theo dolled some oats into a bucket for Carrot who happily began to eat.

Scourge crept on the side of the bucket and stole one. He smacked at it unhappily.

"Why does this beast of labor behave as if this is a rare steak?" Scourge said while attempting to spit the oat out, but it kept sticking to his tongue.

Carrot kicked at Scourge with his front hoof.

"This what of what?" Carrot growled at the now prone Scourge.

Scourge scampered up Theo's arm, drawing tiny pricks of blood with his claws.

"Hey!" Theo yelped while grabbing Scourge by the scruff of his neck. "Calm down and eat some stew."

Scourge prodded at the cup of stew Theo placed in front of him. "This looks a little like water," Scourge said.

"It's camp fare. Don't be too picky," Theo said, drinking some of the broth that was admittedly mostly just hot water. "Besides, tomorrow we can eat at an inn."

Scourge sat up. "Meat?"

"Yes, there will be plenty of meat," Theo said.

The trio finished their meal in silence.

Theo scrubbed the dishes as best he could in a nearby stream before washing himself.

It had been a while since his last chance to bathe and he would like to avoid looking ragged if possible when he met Marc, especially if Marc invited some of his higher-ups.

When Theo was as clean as possible, he changed into a fresh set of clothes and curled up to the fire for some much needed sleep. But morning came all too soon in the form of a unicorn nuzzle.

Theo pushed Carrot's nose away with a grimace before rolling up and starting their travels anew.

As dusk was falling, they finally made it to the city. There were barely a few beams of light when Theo saw Marc sitting on the fountains edge. Theo was shocked to see Marc alone.

"Didn't bring any friends with you?" Theo asked.

"I didn't know how that would go over."

Marc tapped a finger on his neck.

Theo raised a hand to his own throat. The magic was blessedly quiet.

"Thanks for the consideration," Theo said.

Scourge nipped Theo's side from his hiding place in Theo's cloak. The little brat wanted food no doubt.

"Have you eaten?" Theo asked Marc.

Marc shook his head no.

"The inn I'm staying at is supposed to have good fried chicken," Marc said. "We could take it to my room, so we don't have to worry about people listening to our conversation."

"Sounds great," Theo said, leaning slightly on Carrot.

He was tired from traveling, and the thought of having to play mental games with his ever friendly spell was exhausting.

Marc began to lead the way to the inn. Theo followed behind him while taking in the capital city.

It amazed him how closely people could live together and with so little trees.

Gaggles of children ran through the streets. It was a far cry from his own childhood.

Including his sister, there had only been five children close to his own age.

Theo preferred to be in rural areas. There were less people to die if he lost control of his magic.

"My temporary abode," Marc said, pulling Theo out of his thoughts.

Theo looked up. They had arrived at The Roost.

It was a modest, brick building, several stories tall. Warm firelight flickered through the windows.

"There's a stable over there," Marc said, pointing to the right.

"Thank you," Theo said, "I'll meet you inside."

"I'll go ahead and order some food up. Room's 207."

"Got it."

Theo dropped Carrot off, paying extra for some fresh apples.

The stable boy was more than happy to oblige the minute Theo pulled out the money. Soon Theo was walking to meet Marc.