158 Leaving The Forest Peak

CHAPTER 158

"I do not understand. You literally almost killed Jareth and I when you saw us with your cub, White-Fire, and now you want it to come with us?"

'I thought she was clever, how can she not have figured out that the little cub is her beast companion by now?'

"That was before I found out that you were our beast companion."

WHAT!"

Jareth and Astrid said in unison. The disbelief and shock were plastered on their faces. They were perplexed beyond words.

"Well technically, you have a stronger connection with my cub than you have with me. So you too are very compatible."

"Also, it is the first time for a master to be a beast companion with two beasts at once," White Wing added.

"I don't know, is it okay to take your cub with me? I mean, you do know how dangerous my journey would be," Astrid mind communicated to White-Fire.

"It is its destiny. It was fate that made you two meet and brought us together. Now I can rest assured that you have help. And if anything were to happen, I am linked with you in mind. I can always rush over."

"No, I couldn't ask that of you, White-Fire. I also don't want to activate the contract. I can't let either of you bear my pains with me."

"You must. It strengthens the power of both parties tenfold and would activate my cub's speech. You can then communicate with each other and can always sense one another even when you are far apart."

"Was it also how you pulled me from my mental demons?"

"Correct. That was because I had a mental connection with you. Come closer," White-Fire told Astrid.

All this time, they had been communicating with their minds, completely shutting the others out. She did as she was told and walked closer. 

When she was some centimetres away, White-Fire placed its right paw on her chest lightly and brought it back down. The next minute, white light surrounded her chest and head. It went in circles for some seconds and finally disappeared.

"It is time," Glacier announced once more.

"Thanks for the supplies," Jareth thanked them and moved closer to Astrid and White-Fire.

"You are welcome."

"By now the boundary would be swamped full with Elven soldiers. I know another part that would lead you out of the forest," Glacier announced.

"Thank goodness," Astrid said with a sigh. She couldn't imagine having to fight her way out of the forest for another six days. Little did she know that things weren't exactly as she thought.

"Do not be so thankful yet, child. You are not exactly out of danger yet. You see, you would have to head out through the boundary first and face the soldiers," Glacier explained.

"Ohh! I was hoping."

"Where is the other part located at?" Jareth asked.

"Then let us get our things and leave?" Astrid asked Jareth.

"Yes. It has truly been nice knowing you all. Thanks or all the help rendered," Jareth said the White Tiger-Phoenix Beasts.

They nodded at him, "We also owe you our thanks," White Wing said.

After that, all the bigger beasts communicated to the little White-Tiger in turns with their language.

"You have found your companion, little one. Now you must protect her at all times," Glacier instructed.

"Be safe my son, come back and visit whenever you can," White Wing advised.

"I am proud of you my cub. Keep her safe little one. You can always communicate with me. I have ensured now that you can mind-communicate with her, but it would be better if you get the contract bond activated for both of your sakes."

White-Fire turned its gaze away from its cub to Astrid and said out, "Take care of my cub dear and be safe." Then it moved its gaze over to Jareth and said, "Jareth take care of them."

"I will protect them with everything I've got," he replied the mother.

"It is time. Goodbye, everyone."

With tears filled eyes, Astrid moved in and hugged White-Fire, followed by White Wing and Glacier.

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~ELVEN FOREST~

The troops with Aelfdene and Cleon were already nearing the boundary. 

"In about thirty minutes more, we would get there," Aelfdene said to Flynn who was running beside him.

"Yes. Finally, we can be of better help to Her Highness and render our assistance."

"I hope she is okay because the fighting marks and dents on the floor do not a show a pretty good picture," Cleon added, catching up with them.

"She would be fine Cleon. It is Princess Avery we are talking about here. It would take someone as skilled as the Princes to be able to bring her down," Aelfdene prep talked his friend.

"Let us run faster. I do not want his majesty having my head for being late to the battle," Cleon joked.

"So typical of you to joke in a serious situation," Aelfdene replied his comment.

"I learned from the best, you."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Lieutenant Flynn shook his head slightly and half-smiled at the men beside him.

*****

Right outside the boundary, the soldiers still took turns scouting the area and waiting for a sign of an opening in the boundary.

Half of the new day had passed and still no sign of the hybrid. Princess Avery has since woken up from her sleep and joined them in staking out.

"Your Highness, how much longer do you think she would hide in there? It has been more than a day already and still no one has caught sight of her."

"Lieutenant Callum, no matter how long it takes I would wait for her. She cannot stay there forever. She must come out. And when that happens, we would be ready. Besides, they are coming."

"Who?" He asked her, not so sure of what she meant. "The hybrid and the traitor? He asked again.

"No, reinforcements," she replied Callum.

'Thank you, father."

RUMBLE!

All heads turned towards the direction of the sound. Not too far from where they stood, the boundary suddenly split open. 

From where she was, Avery could see three figures walking out from it. After which the boundary closed back up.

"Finally!"

From where she was, Avery could see three figures walking out from the boundary. After which it closed back up.

"Finally!" she whispered to herself.

All the Elven soldiers with her quickly stood up on their feet the moment they caught sight of Astrid, Jareth and Little White-Fire.

Her lips curved up into a knowing smile as she stared at her target.

"Your Highness?" Lieutenant Callum called. He was already set and waiting or her orders just the same way the other soldiers were.

"Attack!!"

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~FOREST PEAK~

Right after Astrid, Jareth and the little cub left, the three bigger beasts were left standing in front of the boundary. White-Wing had a worried expression on its face as it stared blankly at the boundary. 

Glacier noticed White Wing's lost expression and decided to ask what was wrong. "Why the worried look, White Wing?"

White Wing shook its head as it came around. It turned its head to Glacier, giving the Elder a weary smile.

"Are you bothered about your cub?" Glacier questioned.

"That's not it Grandfather. It's something else," White-Fire suggested.

White-Fire looked at its mate with suspicious eyes and shook its head. Not getting any reply from the other beast, Glacier turned around.

It was ready to return to its normal activities. While it had its life, Astrid had hers. And his wasn't centred on worrying about her. It already had enough faith in her. As it took a step forward, White Wing spoke up.

"Grandfather, but the Elf…"

"Yes, I know," the Elder cut in.

"It puts her and my little one in danger."

"No. Although danger would be a common occurrence for her, it is a part of her destiny, and your little one's fate is intertwined with hers," Glacier corrected White Wing. 

"Then shouldn't we stop them from journeying together?" White Wing asked with concern laced in its tone.

"No, we must not interfere. Irrespective of where the elf stands, he has feelings for her. We can only hope that their love is strong enough and may just be what this war needs to come to an end."

"Grandfather!"

"She has the same will as her grandmother. I have just as much faith in her and I believe she would be the one to finish what Leia started."

"I understand Grandfather," White Wing replied calmly. 

"Hmm!"

The Elder looked up at the clear sky and smiled, 'Leia, I have done what little thing I could do for her. The rest is up to you now. Watch over her.'

"Do you have any regrets, granddaughter?" He turned its head to the side and asked White-Fire.

"No. As much as I wish to be there with them, but it is their destiny, not mine. I know she would keep my cub safe and so would my little one."

"Very good. Spoken like your grandmother. Little White-Fire couldn't have gotten anyone more suited to be its master than her. Let us head back; you still have other cubs to train as well."

"Yes Grandfather," White Wing and White-Fire said in unison. 

Together the three White Tiger-Phoenix beasts made their way further into the forest peak.