Kaari's Secret

Chapter 4

Kaari ripped out her dagger from within her saddle bags and pointed it at the black stallion, her eyes fixed on the point of arrow. But the arrow wasn't pointed at her. It was pointed at her brothers.

Kaari slowly shifted her eyes from the bow to the horse and finally to the rider. He had a dark swirling robe on and the hood pulled over his head, shadowing his face. Realization struck her when she glimpsed a strand of white-blonde hair. Lowering the dagger, she slipped of her horse.

"Wren?"

The rider's face turned toward her and his hand reached up to pull the hood down and revealed his head of striking blonde hair and emerald eyes. "Hi, Kaari," he said, releasing some of the tension that had been building. 

"What are you doing here?" Kaari asked, glancing at James and William. Her two brothers were eyeing Wren's weapon and slowly inching their horses away. Kaari spun toward them. "Don't you even think about leaving!"

James glared at her. "Why? You scared we're gonna tell Mother about your friend?"

Kaari laughed. "She won't believe you." She sheathed her dagger and pulled herself into Cirrus's saddle. She nudged his flanks and he trotted over to her brothers. Wren followed on his dark horse a few yards away. 

"Why's he following us?" William asked, worry lacing his words. The bow and arrow were still at ready in Wren's hands. 

Kaari glanced back and motioned for him to put the weapon down. She had Cirrus double back to where her companion was waiting. "Where's Asha? Is she with you?"

"No, do you want me to tell her something for you?"

Kaari sighed, "Just tell her that the meeting place and time are still the same. Anyways, you never answered my question."

"What?"

"Why are you here?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Fine."

Kaari faces her brothers again. "Actually, just leave me alone. I don't care if you tell Mother or Father. Honestly they either won't believe you or they'll get mad so just go. I have other things that I need to do today than just be annoyed by my brothers."

James side eyed Wren one last time before flicking the reins of his horse and galloping away. William followed close at his heels. 

Kaari watched them disappear and then whipped around. Wren gave her a half smile and shrugged. 

"Did you really have to come then? I know how to handle my older brothers. Now they'll go and tell my parents and I won't be able to go to my grandmother's!"

Wren's smile disappeared and he avoided her eyes. "Sorry, I thought you might need some help. Besides, we were supposed to meet half an hour ago."

Kaari sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit stressed. At least they're gone." She gestured back at the area where her brothers had gone. 

Wren nodded and looked around. "Where's Kia?" 

Kaaris head snapped up, "Oh no." Cirrus nickered and tossed his head, his mane flying up. "Kia?" she called, trying to locate her friend. 

Wren slipped off his horse, the robe billowing around him as he landed on the dusty ground. He checked his watch that hung from a small golden chain attached to his saddle bag. "It's almost time for the meeting," he murmured and tucked it back into the bag. 

"Kia?" Kaari called again, panic wrestling it's way into her stomach. She tried to recall when the snowy owl left her. She recounted the events in her head, hoping to remember something. But all she remembered was that Kia had been perched on her arm while her twin siblings had been poking fun at her.

Wren readjusted he bow and sling of arrows on his back into a more comfortable position. He paced the width of the trail they were on, his jade eyes scanning the landscape. 

Suddenly, a white owl with brown speckles came diving in, screeching as she flared her wings to stop herself from crash landing. "Kia!" Kaari sighed, relief weighing heavier than the guilt.

Kia landed in the dirt and scrambled to get herself together. She looked up at the two humans who were watching in bewilderment.

"They've got Quill!" she huffed, her breath caught in her throat as she gazed desperately at Kaari and Wren.