January Story Contest

Land of the Barren Oath part 4 part 3 part 2 part 1
By: Keely
Age: 14

Kehrilo sighed as she stared into the yellow-orange flames that danced to an unknown
 song and cackled evilly, eating up what wood Kehrilo and Mariah had found.
   “What’s the matter, Kehrilo?” Mariah asked.
 “Oh… Nothing just thinking of home.” Kehrilo replied.
  “Yeah, I wonder what mum and dad are doing…”
 “I hope our parents won’t be too mad when we get back.” Kehrilo murmured.

*****

 Fiona sighed as she slumped against her husband. “Will, what’ll happen to them?”
 “Well, if they think straight, they’ll do well.” Will replied.
  “I suppose I should go make dinner” Fiona concluded listlessly.
“I’ll go take care of the animals.” Will replied as he stood up, offering his hand to
 Fiona.
  “Alright” Fiona grasped his hand and stood. She looked up at him and they then parted, Will going to the barn and Fiona heading to the kitchen.

*****
 
 Kehrilo blinked as she felt warmth tickle across her body.  
“Ooh… Good mornin’” She muttered her voice heavy with sleep. “Hmm?” Mariah sat up looking at her companion, “Yeah, good morning.”Kehrilo wiped the sleep from her eyes and stretched, her back popping as she did so.
“What’s the plan Kehrilo?” Mariah asked.
“Uhm, head towards Soufaxia, hopefully find a stream, and the rest I have no clue.” Kehrilo concluded.
“Ah. I suppose we should eat something, drink, pack, and go on.” Mariah supplied.
“Aye, we should,” Kehrilo stood, grabbed a stick and poked the dying embers of the fire.
 “Rats, doesn’t look like we’ll be having anything hot to eat or drink.”
“Here, give me that!”
Mariah grabbed the stick, and broke it in half, putting one half into the fire and poked it with the other half, soon the embers latched onto the fuel and burned orange. “Oh.” Kehrilo went to the saddle bags, and dug out some jerky.
She tossed a chunk to Mariah then grabbed another saddle bag, the one filled with oats, and took out a handful.
 “Mariah,want me to give Ceara some?”
“Sure.” Mariah said. The sound of oats brought the attention of the horses to Kehrilo, they walked over.
“Hey Jacovy!” Kehrilo grinned as she held out her hand to the horse.
 Ceara nudged Kehrilo wanting some also.
“Just a moment Ceara!” Kehrilo giggled, once Jacovy had finished the bit of oats he looked for more. Kehrilo then grabbed another handful of oats for Ceara. She held it out to the palomino while attempting to keep Jacovy away. Ceara eagerly ate the oats then turned away looking for a bit of sparse grass. Kehrilo grabbed some more jerky and bit into it.  
“I like jerky, but I think it might be getting old…” Mariah said through a mouthful.
“It will…” Kehrilo grinned.

****   

Later, after the girls and horses, had traveled a while, they reached the base of the mountain. The sand had turned into hard black rock, causing the horses to slip and slideabout struggling to keep their balance.

A/N I'm sorry for the late update...