The group grew quiet at Mika's words, and in the silence, they could hear the birds beginning to awaken outside.
"Well, whatever we're doing, let's do it far away from this damn village," Audrey stated sourly. "We've wasted too much time here already. It's starting to get light outside, and people might start to snoop around."
Mika nodded, and gave Darby and Larys a querying look. Darbie turned to look at Larys, then responded to Mika.
"If you're going to Arlor, we'll go with you," Darbie stated determinedly.
"I think that's the best option," Mika agreed. "I also need to let my master and the Arcane Chamber of wizard elders know about this outbreak of dark magic. However, I think we should be a bit careful. I'm not sure who is behind all of this, and we don't want to draw attention to ourselves. Even though it might take a bit longer, I think we should stick to back roads on our way to Arlor, and stay away from the villages." Grabbing a clean light blanket from the stable supplies, Mika fashioned a makeshift cloak for Darbie, hiding most of his unique feline features.
Having decided on a destination, the motley crew quickly and quietly exited the stable, soon leaving the outskirts of the village far behind. Their departure seemed to go unnoticed, and soon Mika and Audrey settled into their travel pace, Ed and the mule plodding along as well, with Darbie and Larys bringing up the rear.
After a few miles, Mika noticed the gap between the main group of himself, Audrey, Ed, and the mule, and that of Darbie and Larys had grown quite a bit. The little half-cat boy's stride was no match for the adults, and he was beginning to lag behind. Mika paused, and Ed, whose reins Mika was holding, stopped as well. Audrey, leading the mule, halted a few steps back in order to keep the molly mule's attention on the road and away from Ed.
"We won't make good time at this rate," Mika explained to Audrey, who simply looked irritated by the delay. "Darbie, why don't you ride on Ed," Mika called back. Darbie looked unsure at first, but his tiredness was beginning to show. The days of fear and hard traveling had taken their toll on the young boy.
"I would like to be of assistance, don't get me wrong," Ed quickly interjected, dancing to the side. "But there is the matter of the...ahem...young lady? I admit, it isn't very gallant of me, and my reluctance is no reflection on the dear damsel at all, but I do wish it noted that..."
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, scaredy-cat," Audrey snapped, then looked at Mika. "Well?"
Mika stepped away from Ed and over to where Darbie was waiting, unsure as to what to do.
"Darbie," Mika started, holding out his hand. "Why don't you let Larys stay with me for a bit. That way you can ride on Ed, and we can move a bit faster. I promise, I won't let anything happen to her." Darbie looked reluctant, but Larys made the decision for him, leaping off Darbie's shoulder onto Mika's palm, then running up his sleeve to perch on his shoulder. Although worried, Darbie headed over to Ed, while Mika instead went over to Audrey and the mule. Disgruntled, Audrey slapped the lead rope of the mule into Mika's hand, walked over to Ed, and after hefting Darbie into the saddle, picked up the reins.
"I do appreciate the consideration..." Ed began, quite relieved.
"If you really appreciate it," Audrey broke in, through gritted teeth, "then don't talk... AT ALL."
Although Ed seemed a bit put out, he largely complied, and soon the travelers came upon an intersection of paths. Many of the roads led to Arlor, but each by different routes, serving different purposes.
"What do you think?" Mika called forward to Audrey, who understood the advantages and dangers of each path better than he.