Cloud Riders(80)

They all stood up straight, as you would imagine soldiers to act and saluted him. ‘Yes sir,’ they said in unison. They had all been together a long time and to see them daily, you could forget the military background they had all had in order to be in the elite group they now belonged to. Cassie felt so out of her depth when they did things like this.

Kayden saluted. ‘At ease, men,’ he said and he turned to her. ‘Cassie, do I have your support? You may talk freely.’

‘I have faith in Woody and believe he’ll work through this. If he is so spellbound that all this,’ she gestured around the room, ‘and what we do here is not powerful enough to break him out of her clutches, I will understand your decision.’

He nodded. ‘We have a bit more time before we go and believe Woody may still turn up. Let us go and unwind a bit. It could be a long night. Dismissed,’ he said formally, as he always did.

It was very quiet as they sat around waiting. None of them felt much like discussing their thoughts because they were on a subject Kayden was not prepared to hear or discuss with his men. Maybe with her later, yes, but she knew it wouldn’t be in front of them. He was chosen because Zoren would know he was capable of making the hard calls and his tone was letting them all know he was going to do just that.

Kayden sat back on the couch with his arm around Cassie’s shoulders, his eyes closed. Using his gift, he made them all rest and assisted them to escape from their thoughts for a while. Kayden put them into a sleepy trance: it was similar to an abyss: not dreaming, just a nothingness from which they woke feeling refreshed and alert.

She woke with a start when Kayden stirred. ‘Sorry, sweetheart.’ His voice was calm and Cassie was glad he had woken in a better mood. Jason shook Conor and Ethan awake and they all had a coffee before Kayden summoned the horses. Woody’s horse didn’t come out, making them feel a little lost without their friend.

Cassie rubbed Starburst on the nose and hugged him. ‘We have to work hard tonight, boy. We’re one short, okay?’ Cassie instructed her horse before placing the golden bridle over his head, watching him transform. It still fascinated her.

Sitting on Starburst, Cassie followed Kayden as he paced before he finally came up to her. She lovingly touched his face. He wasn’t happy Woody had let him down.

‘He wouldn’t have deliberately not turned up, something must have happened. Give him the benefit of the doubt and maybe leave him a note so he can follow.’

She watched as he walked inside and scribbled on some paper, leaving it on his bridle. He seemed happier now and jumped up on his horse, leading them out into the paddock.

Cassie for one, was pleased to get into the clouds. The mysterious and enchanting colours swirled and mingled before her, taking her mind off the Woody saga. They jumped from cloud to cloud until they moved through the final portal. Flying out of the fourth dimension they arrived at the stars that were being targeted.

As the horses landed the team on the constellation Canis Major, Cassie had to hold back a smile that threatened to expose her thoughts. The two dogs, Major and Minor said that they had smelt them coming and she put her head down and coughed to hide a giggle. They had the body and head of a dog but stood up on their hind legs and talked like humans. When they walked, they dropped down on four legs although they stood up again to speak. Talk about being in a Scooby Doo movie. This was fantastic.

Kayden went over by a bunch of trees that had no leaves to discuss what was going to happen. Major seemed concerned and let out a gruff bark at one stage. Kayden was probably telling them he was one Cloud Rider short.

Jason slid Cassie off the horse to have a stretch and stood with his arm around her shoulders. He was taking Woody’s place within the group. She was comforted they also included her, considering there were many dogs around them, none of which looked very friendly towards her.

Jason was still very quiet and when Ethan and Conor came to stand with him she asked if they were all okay.

‘We just don’t like how Woody has just up and deserted us.’ Conor spoke freely now without Kayden around.

‘He’s always been the sensible one, guiding us in our love lives and now he’s doing what he’s always frowned on us for doing,’ Ethan grumbled.

‘Ethan, some people in that position can be quite ruthless. I’ve studied up on this characteristic trying to work out my very own mother. They don’t just pull you in with sex; it is so much more. Like the way they wrap themselves around you, smile sweetly and smell. They apparently wear a different perfume every night until they find the one that drives you crazy. They watch what clothes you prefer them in. Anything that repels you they delete from their wardrobe until all that is around you are the yummy things you can’t resist.’