Page 7 of Their Trials
“It doesn't really matter, does it?” Callum huffed, growing impatient with our stand-still.
“You may be right,” Arryn replied, his brow furrowing as he considered information that I didn't have access to. “The maze may not have an end.”
“What do you mean?” I questioned, eager for any knowledge I could gain from him. Clearly, he was the scholarly one. The one with all the answers, or that’s how it felt. It felt nice having someone who could lead us, someone who was calm and rational. I knew I tried to be, but I also fell victim to my emotions, which was what usually led to my many mistakes throughout my life.
“Simply that the trial wants us to face certain things, and the maze may shift us through it until we accomplish whatever task it deems necessary,” Arryn replied, glancing at me quickly before studying our surroundings again.
“That does sound like something Avalonia would do,” Lennox said, huffing out a breath.
“Avalonia?” I questioned further.
“The land,” Baer answered me quietly as the others remained introspective.
“If that's the case, then it doesn't matter which way we go,” Callum said, stomping off to the right, not waiting for us to agree or follow.
“Looks like we're going right,” Baer joked. We followed behind Callum as Arryn's eyes glared at his back.
More openings appeared before us, but Callum didn't stop. The path he followed turned to the right again, and as we rounded the corner, I halted just behind him as a roar sounded out around us.
“What the hell was that?” I questioned them, the sound so much louder than anything I had ever heard before from any kind of animal.
“I don't know,” Arryn replied softly, his hand going to the sword he had selected from the available weapons.
Before anyone could respond, a group of Consorts and Chosen burst onto the path before us, running full speed and forcing their way through our group, pushing me into Callum.
Callum steadied me on my feet as I turned to glare at them as they passed us, terror written all over their faces.
The roar sounded again, much closer this time. I turned toward the sound instinctively, just in time to catch sight of the beast that landed in front of us all. A large, black dog that stood as tall as an enormous bull. It had shaggy, dark green fur that stood up on end. However, what terrified me the most was the burning, fiery eyes that were now focused wholly on me. A hell hound from the nightmares of every human.
My heart pounded in my chest as the beast stopped in front of us, staring us all down. I used to think I was brave, but facing this monstrosity, I had to admit that the only thing I could think of doing was running in absolute terror.
“What the fuck is that?” I asked again softly, unable to do anything except repeat myself, trying desperately not to startle the creature into attacking us.
“A Cú Síth,” Arryn breathed out.
“A Fairy Dog? I thought those were extinct!” Baer exclaimed under his breath.
“So did I,” Arryn said.
“So, what do we do? Do we run?” I asked the guys, unable to tear my gaze from the animal.
Callum drew his sword, looking around us briefly. “We have to for right now. There's no room to fight here, not without risking exposure to the vines.”
“Okay,” I said, sounding surer than I was. Being the shortest person in the trials, I had less of a chance of outrunning the beast, but I saw no other options.
“On three, we will run until we can find a place to challenge the Cú Síth,” Arryn said calmly, taking charge of the situation. “It won't stop chasing us otherwise.”
I nodded in confirmation, my eyes still glued on the threat before us as I slowly shifted my weight to my toes, preparing to run like my life depended on it. Because it absolutely did.
Arryn counted off slowly, giving us each the opportunity to get ready to run. “One. Two. Three.”
As soon as he uttered the final count, the dog barked once, and we all sprang into action, fleeing for our lives. Arryn let me pass him, Lennox and Baer leading the way now with Callum still behind me.
Running back the way we came from, I pushed myself to my absolute limit. Cardio had never been my strong suit. I hated running. I used to say I'd rather die than run. But now, I was quickly rethinking that stance.
I knew the guys could easily leave me behind, but they didn't. Instead, they held their formation around me, ensuring I was safe. “Pick up the pace, Rhowyn!” Callum growled out, causing me to glance at him. I could see the beast gaining ground on us, only about thirty feet behind Callum.
“I'm going as fast as I can!” I yelled back, already running as fast as I was capable, my breaths rushing in and out, screaming at the demands I was placing on them.