บท 670: Catch a Ride
It took a moment for the gravity of her words to fully hit Devrim.
"You were really planning on dying?" he asked slowly.
"I was hoping to avoid that. But if that was the outcome, I was prepared to do it for all of you. For the world. I do not think my time here is done. If the Maker agreed, he would send me back like he did for Alaron." The Empress thought of her son.
He had died to save humanity and had gotten a second chance to right his wrongs. But there were countless others who had died in that war who were buried and gone. Their spirit and body remained separated. Whichever outcome Aurora had received by Isbora's paw, the Empress had been willing to accept it.
"I am glad it worked out," Devrim said carefully, "but next time you fully intend on dying, could you let me know ahead of time?"
"It won't be an issue if we freeze to death before we ever make it to the Seed." The Empress did not want to keep what she was told secret. "Isbora says that we will never make it at the pace we are going."
"Your Majesty," Nurlan approached the sled with Schwinn by his side.
Aurora had not realized the Captain had come with them. She had expected him to remain with his ship while it was repaired. Perhaps his desire for adventure was greater than she thought. Or maybe he just trusted his crew to fix the ship in his absence.
The general and Captain bowed.
"The bears seem to be having yet another heated discussion. Should we be concerned?" Nurlan managed to keep the fear out of his voice as he shivered against the wind. Aurora noticed how his skin was paler than usual.
He didn't have a pile of blankets to keep him warm like she did. The Empress tapped her chin with her flower. She loved how it felt against her skin.
"It is probably fine. I do not think the bears mean to harm us. But If you would like me to look, you can begin putting our supplies back on the sled--leaving me a proper window to see this time." The Empress was very firm with her request.
It was immediately carried out by the soldiers and soon, Aurora had a clear view of the pack.
Their growls were enthusiastic but the Empress did not think they were exactly angry. None of it was in human-speak or the Ancient Tongue, so she could not discern their meaning.
"It is really none of our business what is going on with them," Aurora told her husband after the last crate was in place. "If Isbora hadn't said she would come back, I would advise us all to move out."
"If they take any longer, we need to go." Devrim could feel the heat of the day slipping away. Although heat was very relative, when night hit, the group would have to huddle very close together and not move in order to conserve warmth.
"I will give them another minute and then ask someone to pull me beside Isbora. I do not want to be rude, but I agree that we are not doing any good sitting here."
The minute passed. Devrim, Nurlan, and Alvar decided they would be the ones to pull and push the sled. The fish had been mostly eaten, and the few left behind were scooped up by the soldiers for the sled to pass unbothered.
As Aurora came close to Isbora, the bears all ceased their grunting and lowered their heads. It was a strange sight to see the bears mimic the humans when they had only a short time ago been intent on destroying them all.
"Isbora," Aurora lowered her head toward the mighty she-bear. "It is time for us to continue on our way."
"I agree. You probably want back your elf and fairy." Isbora roared and the bears suddenly parted.
Brinn exited from their midst and shivered when she came to the open air. "I had forgotten how cold it was. It is quite comfortable in there."
Reyan, also, seemed reluctant to leave the furry furnace. "My old bones are not made for the ice and snow..." he grumbled.
"None of you are," Isbora corrected them. "It is why you belong in your land, and we belong in ours."
The simplicity in her statement was simultaneously profound. Everything had a place. A home. And theirs was very far from here. But they had come here to save their home.
This frigid land did not belong to them.
"We will try to get out of your land as quickly as we can and not return," Aurora promised.
"Yes, you will," the she-bear agreed. She nudged Devrim and Alvar out from in front of the sled. "Because the snowbears will take you."
To punctuate her point, Isbora turned around and sat between the two sled handles.
"I don't understand…" Aurora was afraid to offend the bears, but she was unsure if they were offering to take her farther south or trying to send them back to their ship.
"We have a fire burning inside us. You will freeze without us to keep you warm. Tell your men to climb on the bears' backs. We will not harm them. I will pull your sled. With our help, you can reach the Keepers of the Seed in a few days."
Isbora looked over her shoulder and bore her teeth. Aurora realized it was her version of a smile.
"What do you think?" Aurora switched into human-speak as she looked toward Brinn. The elf had heard the whole interchange.
"What does she think about what?" Devrim wished he had worked harder to master the Ancient Tongue.
The Empress had spent more time in the Land of Magic recently and had gotten much more time to practice. Even their son had picked up some of the words and phrases while he was there. Devrim felt his own lack of skill keenly just now.
"Isbora is willing to take us to the Seed. They all do. Do you think the men will be willing to ride on the backs of such majestic beasts to speed us on our way?" Aurora asked her husband.
"Nurlan would know better," the grey-eyed man deferred.
Saluting, the General gave a short nod. "The soldiers will follow orders, Your Majesties. Just say the word."
"If they are smart," Captain Schwinn added, "they will be happy not to be walking in this blasted cold. I know I will be."
"You sure you don't want to head back to your ship?" Aurora looked at him with curiosity. "You will be gone from your men for even longer if you stay with us."
"Like the soldiers, my sailors know how to follow orders. They will be ready for us when we return." Schwinn seemed resolute in his decision.
"I've always wanted to ride a snowbear!" Brinn squealed.
"Really? You have never once mentioned it," Alvar raised his eyebrows at his wife.
"I didn't know I always wanted to until I saw Aurora do it," the elven princess turned up her nose.
"Sounds about right," Gandr winked. "My cousin has a bit of a jealous streak in her."
"Can I not be happy for someone and still want it for myself?" Brinn asked innocently. "Anyway, what I want isn't what we are deciding. I say we do it."
The others nodded. All but Reyan. "I'll fly as much as I can. I'm still not convinced they don't mean to eat us when we sleep, but if the rest of you want to risk your necks, be my guest!"
"Well?" Isbora was growing impatient. Her paws stomped at the ground.
"We accept your offer," the Empress announced. "We can leave at once."
Brinn hooted. "Saddle up, boys! We are riding South!"
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