Chapter 17

"Remind me again why we're climbing up a mountain?" Ember complained.

"Either we walk for another week and go around it, or we climb over a few rocks. However, if you would like to walk around the mountain, be my guest."

"Autumnnnn," Ember whined, "You know I have a bad sense of direction. I would never make it to Dawnbreak."

"That's why we should listen to the navigator."

"No fair! You're not the one walking!"

Autumn rolled her eyes, "You're the one who insisted on carrying me. I'm telling you, I'm fine!"

"Your ankle isn't supposed to heal this fast…" Ember scolded, "I think you've somehow accelerated the healing by using up more energy. Anyways, it's better safe than sorry."

"Now that you mention it, I've been sleeping more lately."

"All the reason why I should carry you."

Autumn scrunched up her face in confusion. "Weren't you just complaining about carrying me?"

"I was complaining about walking."

Autumn took a deep breath, exasperated. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, we're nearly at the top."

"You call this 'nearly there?'"

Ember looked up towards the large rock wall ahead. She sighed, "I guess I'll just get on with it."

Ember carefully shifted Autumn out of her arms and into the hood of her cloak before walking forwards.

Grabbing onto the rough surface of the rocks, Ember slowly pulled herself up.

Ember let out a small breath, interlocking her hands and stretching. "Finally made it," she groaned, "I think I need a break."

"Now all we need to do is go back down,"Autumn laughed.

Ember gaped, "I'm not going to be okay."

"Oh come on, going down is easier than up. Although if your feeling particularly adventurous, there should be a waterfall somewhere around here," Autumn hinted.

"Never mind," Ember quickly replied, "I can walk just fine."

Quickly jumping to her feet Ember began walking.

"Your going the wrong way, Ember."

Turning around, Ember laughed nervously, "I know. I was just looking at the view."

"Uh huh," Autumn skeptically replied, "By the way, Dawnbreak is over there."

…

Autumn twitched her ears, closing her eyes as a light breeze swept past.

Ember had shifted into her wolf form and curled up under a bush. The gentle rise and fall of her chest went to show how exhausted Ember was from the entire ordeal.

Autumn curled her tail around her paws, watching the bright orange hues of the sunset slowly fade into a deep blue. Beside her lay the carcass of an unknown species of bird.

Autumn had already eaten her fill, another similar bird who's bones were neatly disposed of.

Autumn mused, 'I wonder how mad Ember will be when she finds out I went hunting with my supposedly 'bad' leg.'

Rolling her eyes, Autumn padded softly towards Ember. Curling up next to her, it didn't take long for Autumn to fall into a steady sleep.

…

"Ember," Autumn called out, "Wake up. I know your tired but we need to start moving."

Ember turned her back towards Autumn and continued sleeping.

With a wave of her hand, Autumn quickly stored the bird carcass into the blue heart pendant around her neck.

Grinning, Autumn poked Ember's soft pelt. "Don't blame me when you wake up," Autumn laughed as she proceeded to pick her up.

"Wha-" Ember rasped, "Autumn?"

"We're on our way to Dawnbreak. It's about time you woke up."

Ember hopped out of Autumn's arms, shaking out her pelt before shifting.

"Your not supposed to be walking." Ember narrowed her eyes.

"Ember," exasperated, Autumn answered, "It's well past noon. We've already left the mountain far behind and are approaching Dawnbreak. Now is not the time to tell me that I can't walk."

Ember crossed her arms, "…Fine."

Silence reigned as Autumn and Ember walked on, each relishing in the crisp morning air and breeze. Yet, the silence didn't last long before it was broken by Ember's rumbling stomach.

Autumn looked over at Ember with an amused expression.

Ember covered her eyes with a hand. Embarrassed, she mumbled, "I didn't eat since yesterday…Speaking of which, why aren't you hungry yet?"

Autumn laughed, "I hunted while you were asleep and didn't have the heart to wake you up."

With a quick wave of her hand, the bird carcass was laid out in front of them. "I saved you one, no need to thank me," Autumn snickered.

Ember rolled her eyes, "Thanks thanks," she sarcastically replied.

Quickly scarfing down the prey, Ember sighed contently.

"Ready to go?" Autumn questioned.

"Ready."

Autumn stood up, brushing the dirt off her clothes and began walking. Ember followed quickly behind.

They had hardly walked for 20 minutes before the sight of a looming stone wall came to view.

"This should be Red Reef City, the border city of Dawnbreak," Autumn explained.

"How extravagant," Ember commented.

Autumn nodded in agreement. "If this is anything like Bluestone City, we're done for."

"We won't know until we try," Ember chirped up, "Let's go."