Since these quotes below are quotes for the next chapter, I have actually finished the next chapter already but I won't publish till I get the chapter after that finished.

- - -

"I don't suppose any tutors taught the great General Teng's daughter some kung fu."

"I don't suppose anyone taught the famous Amayan thief to look behind his back since all he does is run forward."

- - -

-Rollan-

Tarik was trying hard to stay calm, "For the last time, they are real."

"I have no reason to trust your word," Rollan retorted, "Anyways, you don't have proof that you've seen any walruses unless you suddenly have the power to show us what's on your mind."

Tarik let out a patient sigh, "I don't even know why we're fighting about this."

Ever since Tarik mentioned about the walruses, Rollan had strongly refused to believe it without seeing it for themselves. He had heard of travelers talking about it back in Concorba and he had wondered if the cold had frozen half their brain cells to death. They were approaching an Ardu fisherman who was supposed to take them across the freezing waters to the Arctic.

Tarik approached the man, digging into his pocket for some coins, "May you kindly take us to the other side?"

"Sure. Anything for Greencloaks," the man nodded eagerly, before inspecting everyone, "Well, most of you anyways. But i'm afraid not all of you could fit in the boat all at once."

"Very well," Tarik nodded, "You five may go first. Me and Lishay will ride after."

Rollan saw Meilin going on the boat without much hesitation, not sparing him a single glance. Ever since that night when she had 'stalked' him, not once had she tried to talk to him and for some reason, Rollan felt slightly disappointment. Rollan shook his head to clear his thoughts.

Conor reluctantly climbed in next as Abeke stepped forward. She hesitated and Rollan suspected that she didn't like the water, just like her Spirit Animal.

Then Conor stretched out his hand and offered her a smile, "Here, let me help."

Abeke took his hand gratefully before climbing on the boat and settling down beside Conor. Shane went next, casting the two a glance before sitting opposite from them. Rollan gritted his teeth and climbed in, giving some distance away from the others. The boatman went in last and finally started rowing the boat.

As the boat started moving, Rollan tried not to gag as he said, "Not to be offensive or anything but your...'passengers' stink!"

And by passengers, Rollan meant the dead fishes that are currently sharing their ride. He could tell from the others that they couldn't agree more.

The fisherman only chuckled, "They smell beautiful to me."

"It's either because there's something wrong with your nose or the weather has frozen your brain cells," Rollan muttered too quiet for others to hear.

"Or, the weather has numbed his nose," he was surprised to hear Meilin reply to him. Not only was he surprised that she heard him but she actually agreed.

Before anything else could happen though, there was suddenly a loud thump that almost sent Rollan off the boat.

"What was that?" Abeke exclaimed, her voice pitched in fear.

The Ardu looked at the water, his face with a mixture of fear and confusion, "I don't under-"

There was another sharp thump, this time much stronger and Rollan caught a glimpse of huge teeth with the color of black and white. He could tell that Conor had seen it to.

"I don't remember hearing about walruses who are colored black and white," Conor squeaked.

"That's because it isn't a walrus," the Ardu exclaimed, raising his oar as he glanced at the water, "It's an orca!"

"An orca?" Rollan questioned.

"A killer whale," Shane explained, glancing at the waters as well.

Another huge bump and he went flying, landing beside Conor. He glanced at him and noticed something shiny around Conor's neck. His vision sharpened and he thought he saw some sort of animal engraved on it. Before he could properly see what it was, Conor had quickly pulled his gray cloak up, covering the object.

Rollan glanced at the waters and saw the huge dark beast coming straight towards them, "There! It's coming!"

There was a sudden bright flash and a huge dark figure had shot into the whale's path, huge-like jaws snapping at it. The two creatures started moving so fast that Rollan couldn't tell what was happening until the huge shaped fish had disappeared, leaving the mysterious huge creature to start swimming up. Rollan almost jumped back as the huge creature surfaced.

It disappeared in a bright flash of light and Rollan saw Shane buttoning his shirt. The others were also staring at Shane in shock as he replied with a casual look.

"Yes, I have a Spirit Animal," Shane told them sarcastically, "Big deal."

Meilin started, "But it looked like a-"

"Look," Shane snapped, clearly losing his calm, "We need to keep going or that orca might come back."

The Ardu man was already paddling as fast as he could to the other side. Once they have reached the other side, the Ardu still looked confused, "I don't understand. The orcas here never attacked us unless they smell food."

"Their brain cells must've froze too," Rollan muttered as the Ardu went back to get Tarik and Lishay.

This time, the orca didn't attack again as Tarik and Lishay safely reached the other side. They thanked the Ardu as they started walking to a small village near the river.

"We should meet one of my Redcloaks," Shane said, "She's currently spying on Suka."

"And where can we find your spy?" Tarik asked.

"She should be in this inn right here," Shane said, nodding towards the building they were approaching which was in fact an inn.

As they approached the entrance, Shane stopped them and said, "I'll go in and talk to her. You guys can stay here. If we all enter at once, it might attract suspicion. There may be others lurking about."

No one argued as Shane entered the building.

Then Meilin spoke, her voice suspicious, "Shane's clearly hiding something."

"He'll tell us when the time is right," Abeke told her, "Whatever he's hiding must be personal."

"Aren't we all?" Rollan heard Conor mutter under his breath but the others didn't seem to hear.

That's when Rollan remembered about the shiny object he had seen around Conor's neck. He was about to ask Conor when suddenly, his vision fell away and was immediately in the sky. Everything was happening so fast that he fell.

He finally realized that he was seeing through Essix's eyes. The falcon seemed to be moving so fast that Rollan was having a very hard time to see. Essix's was diving with such speed and he finally saw a group of soldiers and a young Ardu girl with a huge polar bear nearby. It took him a moment when he realized that they were Conqueror soldiers. He had a guess who the polar bear was.

He was immediately brought back to the others and had realized he was on the ground. The others had gathered around him, looking worried and confused.

"Are you okay?" Lishay asked in concern which slightly surprised Rollan.

Why would they be concerned about me?

He shook his head the clear out the thoughts as he stood up in alarm, "Suka and her summoner. They're here and so are the Conquerors."

"What?" Conor exclaimed.

"I saw it through Essix's eyes," Rollan snapped, "They're battling the Conquerors now as we speak."

"But Suka's supposed to be in an Ardu settlement, more into the Arctic," Tarik murmured.

Clearly they were still having a hard time trusting him. He sighed in frustration, "Listen to me. The Conquerors are going to take Suka away first unless we go and help them now. Just...trust me on this."

He didn't know why he wanted to go and help Suka. Maybe he wanted to earn the Greencloak's trust. Maybe he started to care without realizing it.

It was silent for a moment until Meilin broke it, "Very well. We should follow him."

"What?" Rollan's gaze shot to her in surprise. My brain cells must be freezing to death as well.

She met his gaze evenly, "We need to trust each other now, right? Then we may as well start now."

- - -

See guys? Meilin has started to trust Rollan. This takes patience.

Please check out the new Spirit Animals joint account, SpiritAnimalsErdas!