A New Possibility

I looked at the map to see how far we could get based on our current pace. The distance between Tiaanway and Lorel city was 80 miles. We had walked around 5 miles of plains. Now we were almost at the edge of the first forest we were going to encounter. After around 20 miles for forest, there was a river we needed to cross. It seems the river was not that deep and we should be able to cross it on foot. Then there was another forest on the other side of the river which extended for another 30 miles. We would see a small mountain range once we crossed the forest. It seemed ideal to make night camp there.

Based on our pace, we would have to camp somewhere in that forest if we couldn't cross it. It would certainly be more dangerous to camp in the middle of a forest even if we lit a fire. I had to come up with a way to increase our speed.

I showed the map to Cleo and asked about what she thought.

"I thought about it. While it would be best if we could camp on that mountain, I don't think we will make it there. I was thinking about making this trip to 3 days. We will camp at the river tonight, then once more at the mountain. After crossing the mountain, we can walk through the rest of the forest that is close to the city."

"Is there no way for us to increase our pace?"

"You know the reason Ren. It would be easy for me and Leana to get to Tiaanway in 2 days, maybe even 1.5 days. But you do not have the strength to do it." replied Cleo frankly. It seems she didn't want to say this and thus had not brought this up before. I had forced her to hurt our feelings and she did not seem happy about it.

Both me and Turek were feeling dejected after Cleo said this. I thought that I was too weak and that I needed to get stronger. I thought about how Cleo was always protecting us. I thought about how Tina had casually picked me up like a little kid and how powerless I had been to stop her. Cleo had to save me from her.

Suddenly I got an idea. But I rejected it immediately. I could never bring this up to Cleo! I looked at Leana but shook my head. No way, I can't bring myself to say it. Especially not without consulting with Turek. I looked at Turek and saw that he was just walking mindlessly. I guess he really didn't like walking...

Finally I decided to hang back to talk with Turek. I pulled him close and told him my plan. He was astonished at first then glanced at the two women walking in front of us. He looked back at me and shook his head quickly. I was right, there was no way this was a good idea.

"What are you two guys whispering about? Care to share with the two of us?" said Cleo loudly.

We were both startled. Turek immediately got away from me as if he didn't know me. What kind of friend is this! He abandoned me when things got tough!.

"I am asking you two. You have been talking behind our backs. Is it about us?" asked Cleo in a dangerously cold voice.

I got shivers down my spine and immediately decided to spill the beans

"Uh… umm… well…"

"Well?"

"Uh… We were just talking about how we could speed up our journey so we can make it in 2 days."

Cleo was surprised. "Oh?" She looked at Leana and said with a laugh, "Looks like Turek already learned magic. Now he is going to make the two of them go faster than us!"

Leana suppressed her smile and asked me, "So what way have you guys thought of?"

"It's not my idea, Its Ren's!" Turek didn't want to be associated with the idea and quickly cleared his name.

Cleo walked in front of me and bent down to peer at me. "Now I am really curious Ren. What ideas did you come up with?"

Leana also came close, bent down and put her hands on her knees. She was taller than Cleo and had to bend down more to come to my level.

Now I had two tall women staring at me with curiosity. I got even more nervous but finally shored up my courage. I looked up at them and said with as loud a voice as I could manage "I thought you two could carry us"