Almost as soon as they arrived they were leaving again, Jenody having pointed them in the right direction. For the moment the three of them slowly rode on their newly obtained steeds as Metrus walked alongside them. Shala found Jingles the mare just as finely mannered as Jenody had promised. Bhask and Dompel, saddled with most of the party's goods in one big lump of moving weight looked ready to march right across the face of Angaria. Kaell however now had a horse that matched the mask on his face and clearly it wasn't lost on the others as Metrus called attention to it.
‘There is something otherwise about this horse Kaell,’ said Metrus, ‘I can’t feel it as I would other creatures of the Grove.’
‘He is not from around here, Jenody said so himself didn’t he?’ rebuked Kaell.
‘It has a foreign mind, and I fear it bodes ill for us to have this horse in our company,’ said Metrus.
‘Do not start with me as well Druid. You expect every creature and critter to be open and submit before the power of the Grove. You would shun an animal just because it is strong-willed and needs to keep to itself?’
Metrus shook his head. ‘I’m only afraid you chose this horse because of that mask on your face. Strong-willed indeed, but to what purpose? Will you tell anyone what this is about? And I must ask, would you still be a Wolf, even as you chose a horse that is ready to bolt away and fulfil a conquest that has nothing to do with Her Highness?’
Kaell gave Metrus a look as dark as his mask. ‘I’m always a Wolf, other matters have no say in it.’
‘But you would become a lone Wolf, loathe of words and company, and your service to the throne nothing but vengeance!’
‘Enough! You tread too close to truths I do not want heard!’ said Kaell.
‘If it is in you to make a decision, then make it fast. There’s no reason for us to abide one who will take leave,’ said Metrus. The Druid turned into the eagle and took flight, finally letting the others ride with speed.
Kaell is going away? thought Shala despondently.
She wanted to ask; ask about Kaell that is, but she wasn't quite ready yet. She would wait to have Bhask alone, and then she'd have some much needed answers.
Dream of Embers Book 1 Page 29