Storm Cloud

Her sleepiness was gone. The moving dark clouds were more interesting. Elestria moved to the front after the cooks retreated. She thought proudly that she must keep the old people out of the storm.

She looked ahead. The cart in front of her seemed calm. The coachman seemed unperturbed by the horrible turn of events.

Elestria was in the second carriage. Six fat cows pulled the carriage in front of her.

"It was sunny this morning, but suddenly it's like this."

"We're starting to enter the forest. Don't be surprised," Scarlett chirped.

"You said, this atmosphere is the rise of the vampire king."

"I made it up. Why do you believe me?"

The dark clouds continued to move slowly. They seemed to be making a formation that the forest wouldn't get any sunlight. A few snowflakes fell. Next, it rained. Due to the low temperature, the water turned into sharp little spears that cut into the ground.

Keir was at the forefront. He knew the group needed to take cover. The wolf in him tracked a cave near them. Before long, they were inside a cave near a frozen lake.

Elestria didn't get off. She was comfortable with the warmth near the foodstuffs. The cooks paid her no mind. They thought it was the girl's job to look after the cart.

***

A campfire was made. People surround it while holding out their palms. Some burned meat for lunch.

Keir stood at the mouth of the cave. Tiny ice spears came down swiftly. Visibility became short. Everywhere was covered in white.

Turning around, Keir found Elestria. Her small body sat in front of the carriage. Like a child, she stared at the campfire.

Keir swung a leg towards her.

"It's cold here. Go to the campfire."

Elestria gave a small bow. She blushed at the attention. "I... I have to look after the groceries," she replied.

Keir sat by her side. Being close made him certain that Elestria was as small as a rabbit. Keir didn't know why he was always amazed by her beauty.

Elestria said, "People dress like merchants."

"Yes. This is our disguise."

Elestria glanced at her clothes. "You... are well with it."

He smiled.

Meanwhile, Scarlett was wailing. She was already chatty, but Elestria cut off their hearing. She just continued to howl in a frenzy.

"The meat will cook. Let's go over there," Keir invited after a few awkward seconds.

Elestria jumped down. Her foot slipped. Behind her, Keir was already holding her arm. "Be careful," he whispered.

She nodded, then went to the campfire. Grilled meat was being distributed. Elestria got a small, thick piece. 

One warrior held the bone and savored his large portion. He laughed contentedly with his puffy cheeks.

***

The rain was continuing. The warriors stood guard at their positions. Those who were not on guard entered the cart to take a nap.

Elestria sat at the front of the cart. She hugged her knees. This weather was boring. It would be far more boring if every day was like this.

"I just want this expedition to end quickly. By the time I get back, it'll be spring," she whispered.

Scarlett sighed. "You wanna go home quickly when we could have found our mate on this trip."

"I don't like winter."

"Me too."

Elestria leaned back. She wanted to lie down, but there was no soft bed there. She envied the cooks who could sleep soundly.

"I wonder about our mate," said Elestria, "when he turned 18, was he also confused?"

"I'm sure. Everyone finds a mate at 18. For those who don't, they'll have to wait or go somewhere else."

"Keir too."

Elestria looked at the mouth of the cave. Keir was sitting near the wall with a warrior. "Is his mate not a wolf? Maybe a mermaid... or a human?"

"It's better to wonder about our partner." Scarlett rolled her eyes. Elestria easily fell in love with a good thing. That good thing included Keir.

***

The weather improved towards the afternoon. The group had traveled up the valley. The tent was pitched just after sunset. At this time, the warriors stood guard around the group.

Elestria was sleepy. Her weakness is cold. She yawned widely, then hurriedly opened her eyes. Still, she was sleepy.

"Wake up!" The booming voice almost ruined her ears. Scarlett couldn't sleep, so she disturbed Elestria.

"I... didn't sleep."

"Your yawning doesn't lie."

After opening her eyes, Elestria was shocked. In front of her was a hand holding a cup. It was a steaming glass of tea.

Elestria took it.

The female cook smiled faintly. A frown appeared on her face. "Drink this, you can stay awake," she said with concern.

"Thank you very much," Elestria said still in a daze.

"You're very young. Did your parents make you work here?"

"No, I... I'm here to find my mate."

"How old are you?" The woman was both curious and astonished.

"Twenty."

She nodded. Without a word, she left Elestria. She came back to her friends. After taking a seat, she started to speak, "She's twenty, looking for her mate. I think her parents don't care about her at all."

Her friends nodded as they believed in the statement.

"She's tiny. I don't expect she's twenty. If she's looking for her mate, why get closer to the commandant?"

"I agree. She's not a good girl."

Elestria just watched them. She could hear they were gossiping. She just shook it off and enjoyed her drink.