LogFAQs > #903033714

C

"Go with the East side," you say. "We'll be closer to home that way."

"Then we can alter course just a bit now," Roselind says.

"So that we save time back-tracking later," Rebecca says.

Roselind and Rebecca have their horses turn slightly to the right as you continue. You stay close to Raven as the group goes up and over a hill to enter the flower fields.

"Wow~...!" Raven says. "They go on for miles! And this is all in your family's estate?"

"Yes," you say. "All these flowers, from the honeysuckle to the dog roses, belong to the Null Family."

"It's so colorful, too," she says. "It's actually kinda nice."

"Really? I would've thought you'd prefer darker."

"Well, it's still nice," she shrugs. "I'm not all doom and gloom, you know that."

"That's true. You were more 90% gloom when I met you, and now... Maybe 80% gloom?"

Raven giggles a bit.

"Maybe," she says. "Definitely no less than that."

You look up ahead and see that, along with the Robertas just competing with each other, the others have gotten ahead of you.

"C'mon, we should speed up just a little bit," you say.

You give a little flick of the reins and Cherry Bomb trots a bit faster. Raven gives her own flick, and Vinegar matches speed. The two of you catch up to the Robertas in the rear, and the horses naturally slow down to avoid bumping into them.

"Oh, the bluebells are still out," Rivers says as she points out the tall stems draped with purple-blue flowers.

"Those look lovely," Rhodes says. "May we pick some on the way back?"

"Certainly," you say.

Rhodes smiles and claps as the group continues on.

"Here's the major hill section," Roselind says to the group.

"Hold on tight," Rebecca says.

They and their horses go up first, the horses being careful of the rocky face. After they go, it's Ruby and Rumiko. Young Bundt Cake is a bit shakey but with encouragement from Ruby on her construct, the yearling makes it to the top. The Robertas are next, and their horses are confident as they go up.

"Just relax," you tell Raven as you two are last. "The horses know what to do, so just let them."

"Okay," she nods.

The horses climb up, and you lean forward as the slope increases. Raven seems pretty nervous as Vinegar carefully finds footing.

You reach the top first with Cherry Bomb, and everyone makes room.

"Aaa!" Raven yelps as Vinegar slips slightly.

"Just hold on!" you say. "You might throw Vinegar off balance."

Raven tenses up, and Vinegar steadies herself. Vinegar tries again, and finds more stable rocks this time. They reach the top, and Raven relaxes.

"Thank goodnes..." she heaves and sighs. "I was worried, mostly for the horse."

"I know, that would've been so tragic," Rivers says. "Even with Druidic and normal Healing magics, it'd be awful if anything happened to these poor dears."

"They are not deer, they are horses," Rumiko says.

"No, not the animal. Dear, as in 'sweethearts'."

"Oh..."

The group moves on, and after walking through the slightly wooded area, come to the stream. This is much easier to cross for everyone, and you leave the stream behind to come upon the lake.

As planned, you come upon the Eastern side of the lake, and find the posts to tie the horses to.

"We need to refill the troughs," Ruby says.

"On it," you say.
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