Chapter 27

"Um, there's no carriage?" Rika asked as she looked up at the white horse they had brought over for her.

"N-no. I'm sorry, Miss Rika, but the terrain to get there is too hard to traverse in a carriage. This is the best way," Ferran said, stroking the horse's mane.

Rika stepped away from the horse, uncertain. "This won't work for me."

"Oh, the bunny doesn't know how to ride a horse?" Kael led his black horse over behind her. "Don't worry; you can ride with me." He held his hand out to her.

Definitely not a good idea; I'd be better off walking.

"Definitely not," Wolfe said and smacked Kael's horse's behind, sending it galloping ahead. He signalled for someone to take her horse back and hopped down beside her. "I guess we should add riding lessons down the line, if you stick around long enough."

"Not really by my choice. And I'm sorry to tell you, but if I have a chance to go home, I'll take it." Rika sighed. It'll get harder and harder to leave as I go.

"I understand. You had a life before you came here, and you'd like to return to it. You probably have people waiting for you there."

"It's my work, mostly... but that includes one of my friends. I do have family around, but we don't talk often..." Rika frowned. What is it I'm so eager to go back to? I've probably let down people at the company by now, but it's not like 99% of them care about me. She chewed on her lip.

"Sounds... isolated," Wolfe said, unsure how to respond. "Here, greet my horse, Mack." He led her shaking hand over to his nose to pet him. "Don't worry. He won't bite you. Horses are great at sensing emotion, and if you're too nervous, you'll make him nervous, too."

"Oh, great; I'm doomed."

Wolfe chuckled. "Or you could trust Mack here and me."

Mack nuzzled his nose up to her in greeting.

Oh, he's quite warm and soft. My hand is even tingling. Are my saint powers reacting?

"See, he likes you."

She reached over more to stroke his mane. "I guess if we get along, he won't throw me off randomly like a bucking bronco."

"Bucking bronco? Never heard of that term before, but I can guess what it means. And no, he won't do that. He's been through wars and doesn't scare easily. We trust each other." Wolfe smiled gently as he stroked Mack's mane. "Here, I'll help you up, and you can ride with me." He held his hand out to her. "Put your right foot in the stirrup, push up, and lift your left leg, swinging it over the horse's back."

"Maybe I should've changed into riding gear..."

"Would you prefer I pick you up and place you up there myself?"

"Tch, fine." Rika took a deep breath and followed his instructions. "Wow..." She gripped the front of the saddle, leaning forward as she stared over the edge. Okay, this feels taller than I thought it would.

Wolfe shifted the skirt of her dress behind her, forward, and hopped up behind her. "That's... not a good way to hold on." He shifted up close to her, one hand holding the reins as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to sit up. "Don't worry; I won't let you fall. And if you can manage to open your eyes again, you'll get to enjoy the ride."

"I... don't know if I can." She kept her eyes scrunched closed and hugged his arm around her waist.

"You're safe, Rika. Just take a deep breath and open your eyes," he whispered into her ear.

Bah, too close. She bit her lip, twitching away from his warm breath. "Fine." She took a deep breath and peeked. "This is too high up. Don't you have a pony or a shorter one?"

"I wouldn't be able to ride with you on a pony. And I don't think most horses would even like two people riding. Mack's an exception because of his training."

"Are you saying you two together are too heavy?" Kael trotted back over to them. "If that's the case, she can join on my horse, since I definitely weigh less, Mr. Knight—"

"Not happening. Mack's fine, just ask him."

"Ahem. Can we go now? I don't think we'd want to camp outside; we're not prepared for that. And I'd rather have Miss Rika back before nightfall," Ferran said. "If we're ready, I'll lead the way."

Wolfe nodded. "We're ready."

Rika's grip on his arm tightened. Can I stick to cars? I know people can drive like maniacs back home, but at least I'm not worried about falling off.

"Alright then. Speak up if you need to rest, and keep your eyes out for any demons lurking in the forest. We're outside the kingdom from here on, so it's not as safe. I'll try to keep an eye out, but they might slip by." Ferran pulled out a magical compass and trotted off.

"Ah, wouldn't this be such a nice date if these two fuddy-duddies weren't here?" Kael sighed as he gazed up at the beautiful, clear blue sky.

"If you want to enjoy the scenery, you can go off on your own. You don't have to join us," Rika said.

"But what fun is that?" Kael pouted. "If you were going with me, it'd be a different story. On my own? The world will be bland again."

"Why are you joining us, anyway?" Maybe the system gave him a quest. What if he's out to sabotage us? It would do well for Aeuro if we fail to make the barrier. If I fail to make it.

"To keep you safe." Kael looked around as they entered the nearby forest. "Three protectors should be better than two, since that's all this kingdom offered their saint as she traverses into a dangerous, demon-filled territory."

"Excuse me? Do you have a problem with the number one mage and the number one royal knight being her escorts?" Wolfe gritted his teeth.

"The number one knight, who was recently injured in battle. How good are you, really?"

"Tch. I'm fine now, and I was only injured because I was protecting someone else."

"Still, it speaks of an inability to protect as you fight."

"Don't pick fights," Rika warned Kael, as her grip on Wolfe tightened even more. "Or we'll—"

"You'll what?" Kael smirked, turning to her.

"We'll find a way to leave you behind!" Or feed you to the demons...

He laughed. "Good luck there, little bunny."

Wish I could come up with a better threat.

"How about I take you out while we're hidden in the forest and blame demons?" Wolfe suggested, pulling Rika closer unconsciously.

"Oh, is that a challenge?" Kael smiled. "'Cause I'd like to see you try. I have excellent fighting skills in both sword and magic, so you'll excuse me if I use both."

"Tch."

"Can't you guys be good? I don't need you two at each other's throats," Rika complained.

"But he's—"

"Try to ignore him," Rika whispered back to Wolfe. "I know he's... a bit too much, but let him throw the first punch if something is going to go down. You don't want him to threaten us with Aeuro, right?"

"Right, but what if no one knows what happened? Then they can't blame us," he whispered back.

"Now you're leaving me out?" Kael brought his horse closer as he leaned in close to them. "That's not fair."

"You don't need to be a part of every conversation." Rika shoved his head away.

"But I hate being left out." He pouted.

He's going to drive me insane. Is this how he really is or is this the character he's playing for the game? Rika eyed him, lost in thought.

"Finally fell for my handsome visage?" Kael smiled at her.

"What?"

"You're staring," Wolfe whispered and shifted his horse further from Kael's.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Kael followed them over.

"Can you guys quit it?" Ferran called back. "We don't have time to deal with your quibbles. We have a bigger problem." He halted his horse, looking at his compass. "It seems we have a few visitors."