They set out after spending the next day in Herdol. Amelia and Edmund spent the day closeted with Thyrr. What they finally agreed on was never found out, but Amelia seemed oddly satisfied with the results.
The morning after that, they set out once more. The seasons passed quickly up here in the mountains and ugly black clouds were slowly gathering on the horizon.
Their party had expanded by two. Gracia had taken a leave of absence and rode next to Lina. The two sorceresses were talking quietly as they got caught up on what they had been through over the time since they had parted ways.
Dankin the blacksmith had also come along, citing personal reasons for the decision.
Amelia, along with Kunikeda, the orange skinned man, Momiji, Setsuna, Bunny, and whoever was wrapped up in the bundle of blankets that Setsuna gaurded so closely were in the wagon, wrapped in heavy fur cloaks as they sat among the pile of crates, bags and bundles that were their supplies.
The going was slow, but eventually they came out of the mountains and down into a pleasant meadow. A brook ran alongside the road and birds sang in the trees.
Lina however had grown more and more silent. She sat on her horse, her black cloak wrapped around her. She hadn't been on this side of the mountains for years. Zefila lay only a week's journey away by horseback and every step they took brought it closer.
You're gonna have to tell them sometime Lina. Her inner voice repeated endlessly in her ear. You're not like them, nothing like them. Like Zelgadis, you'll never be accepted no matter what face you wear.
Lina set her jaw and did her best to ignore it.
They were no more then a day's travel from the town of Rivers East, which sat near the zefilan border when they came across a coach. The driver and his passengers were backed up near a tree, barely managing to hold off the pack of strange creatures that were surged at them with long curved sabers that flashed in the afternoon sun.
The creatures were perhaps as tall as Zelgadis, with white skin and whiter hair with long pointy elflike ears that poked up between the strands. Their lips were drawn back in a maniacal grin, revealing sharp pointy teeth and their large black eyes were mad.
"What are those things?" Asked one of the knights.
"Newcomer Zefilans." Lina replied drawing her sword and enchanting it with an Astral Vine. "Use enchanted blades only and be careful of their teeth and claws. They're on some kind of drug."
They rushed forth and the Zefilans turned to meet them screeching in an odd langauge at the top of their lungs.
Koume dove from her horse and rolled to her feet as her hands ducked into her clothing and emerged just as quickly holding a heavy dagger in each hand.
Damon charged into the fray, the hooves of his mount trampling anything in its way as he made his transformation and began tearing into the attackers.
It was then that Amelia noticed two of the Zefilans had broken away from the fight and were heading for the coach.
Making an impulse decision, she swung out of the wagon and ran for it. But the wheels were already turning as it started to move.
"Raywing!" Amelia cried.
Nothing.
Ameila swore. Perfect time for her magic to cut out.
"Raywing!" She tried again, putting all her willpower into it as she jumped.
This time the glowing nimbus formed around her and she lifted off the ground as the spell propelled her into a high arc, only to cut out midway.
Amelia swore again as she angled herself to land on the coach's roof. The Zefilan standing there turned as she landed.
She gave him no time to react as she grabbed his tunic and half pushed, half threw him over the side.
The coached bounced once as the rear wheels hit something large.
It was then that she realized her pants were wet.
Crap. She thought. My water just broke.