Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“We will give our lives for her, do not doubt that fact for even a second.” Terran came over and kissed Araiya’s head. “Now, my lovely mate, we have need of you outside.”
“What?”
“We have to teach you how to strap the saddle and bags onto us.” Talon smiled at Araiya before he turned and left the room while the rest followed with the bags.
“You ready?” Araiya turned to Ember and Korine, who just nodded. Then they left to start the first leg of their new journeys.
“Do you see here, there is a dip where with or without a saddle, you can sit naturally.” River pointed at the dip before Talon’s wings started. He placed the saddle there. “The buckle on either side drops down and wraps around the front two legs, and comes back up. Like this.” River had Talon lift each leg so that he could wrap the leather band around his leg and buckled it tight. “We need it tight, but not too tight. We have colour coded the holes on the saddles with the correct size for each of us. This last bit comes down between the wings as such,” River hopped up into the saddle and threw the last strap down. It was a single band that that dropped behind the wings and looped through a second band that wrapped down under the chest. Araiya watched as River finished up.
“Why do I need to know that if I have all of you? Surely one of you will stay in this form.”
“This is just in case. We need you to know just in case one of us is hurt. More than one of us is hurt, or we all need to shift to carry stuff or protect you.” Mac patted Talon, who shifted back and sat on the ground.
“On the way there, River will be point. You will be riding me and Talon will be riding Terran. We will switch if we get tired.”
“We will fly straight there if we can. I don’t want to land if at all possible until we get to the Keep.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to know the way?”
“We have had one of our closest friends turn on us lamb, I won’t risk you. We are always going to be flying over the deep. That is risk enough.”
Everyone turned as Brooke, Ember and Korine came out of the door. “Is everything set to go?”
“Yeah. Can you call the guards?” Korine came over and hugged Araiya. “Stay safe. I refuse to lose you again. I love you, Yaya.”
“Same. I love you Kora.” Araiya hugged her sister tightly. “Be strong, be fast, and work hard. You were meat to become Chosen. I can feel it. Ember will take good care of you, won’t you Ember?”
“With my life, Young mother.” Ember bowed and was surprised when Araiya hugged her.
“Araiya, please, just Araiya.”
“Araiya.” Ember nodded and gave her a quick hug before standing behind Korine.
Araiya hugged Brooke, who burst into tears. “None of that, Brooke. We will be back.”
“Stay safe dearie, and bring back my boys.” Brooke kissed her head and turned to the men. All four of them gave her a hug and whispered their goodbyes.
By the time the goodbyes were done, the guards had made it outside and it was time to leave.
“There we go, I keyed you into the gate so it will not hurt when you leave. Or come back. Rule of thumb, enter alone and count to five before following behind someone. If more than one person is in the gate at once it can be fatal.”
“Or just very, very painful.” Araiya shook off the memory of the gate.
“Stay safe sister, until we meet again.” Korine smiled and hugged Araiya one last time before she turned back to the gate. The guards were through and it was just her and Ember left on this side.
“Stay safe,” Araiya called after her before Korine walked through the gate. “Ember, take care of her.”
“With everything I have Young-Araiya.” Ember gave a small bow before she followed through the gate.
“After the saddles are done, can you go through and ensure she has made it to the village, Talon? Please?” Araiya looked over at Talon, who had slightly paled.
“I-“
“I will do it, Lamb.” Araiya looked at River, confused. “The last time young Talon was there was when Shavon had…”
“Faked her death and broke our bond,” Talon answered softly. “I would rather avoid Chosen Village if you don’t mind, Araiya.”
Araiya’s face fell as she realized. “I am sorry, I thought…”
“It’s okay. She might be with Zeph, but I still love her, who she was to me anyways.” Talon finished strapping up Terran and attaching all the bags. “I just…I will be right back, I just need a minute.” Talon walked off into the forest and Araiya was left standing with a saddle belt in her hand, feeling guilty.
“It’s okay lamb, he is strong. He will be fine after a while. He is just hurt his mate deceived him.” Araiya whispered too softly to be heard. River moved closer. “What did you say, lamb?”
“Nothing, I thought he was okay is all. Can you go check on my sister for me? She should be at the village by now. Once you and Talon come back, we can leave.” Araiya busied herself with attaching the buckles to prepare the saddle for when Mac shifted. River gave a small nod before he went through the gate.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Firebug. You didn’t know he was still hurting. You guys are still rebuilding your friendship.” Mac moved closer and wrapped his arms around her.