The sun was already dipping low in the horizon, painting streaks of orange and violet across the sky as the forest path stretched endlessly ahead of them. The air was still, the faint rustle of leaves brushing through the trees being the only sound besides the clopping of hooves.
Julie rode on one side, her chin propped lazily on her palm, reins hanging slack as her horse trotted at a steady pace. Skadi was in front of her, her posture anything but dignified, slouched over the saddle, tail dragging like a defeated banner, ears twitching with irritation. Aisha was slightly ahead, back straight as always, though her expression betrayed the same dull weariness.
All three of their faces looked the same, tired, bored, drained. Like they'd rather be anywhere else but here.
It wasn't that the journey itself was unbearable; they'd traveled alone like this plenty of times before. But the absence of one person made it hollow.
Cassius.
