Heather stopped to glare at the night. They were late. The lack of breeze wasn't part of the plan. They were walking now, taking them into the night with no clue of their location or their distance from the border.
Mathias made it worse. Even as she stared into the night, she could hear him panting and wheezing behind her.
"Stop, stop!" He said staggering up to her before resting behind an orange tree. He was sweating from head to toe. "You left me." He panted
Heather turned and opened her mouth to say 'only the weak get left behind' when she stopped, blinked and frowned.
"Um, I'm sorry?"
He waved her words away, " Don't worry, I think I got some goods here." Heather looked into his hands, he was holding mushrooms, they were massive and bright orange.
She hadn't seen mushrooms since home but those were grey, white and the size of two coins. These were larger than her head and thicker than her fist. There were dark leaves, twigs and black bits of something she hoped wasn't rot. He smiled.
"This place is its own paradise."
"Which is why we shouldn't hang around. This much fruit in one area seems dangerous and did you see the types, by the looks of it, this entire farm is designed to bear seasonal fruit on a constant basis."
"Of course, efficiency is one of the best tools a person can have."
"If you say so" Heather sighed rolling her eyes.
"You worry too much. We eat, we go, I have flint, you can bring wood."
"Fine but be quick."
"You too"
He laughed, she glowered and turned away, her wings feeling like lead weights.
He wasn't quick at all. Heather had a pile wood reaching up to her knees when the fire started, it took even longer for the food to cook but Heather couldn't complain, mushrooms weren't supposed to taste so good.
"You are a man of great talents" she said breaking a piece off popping into her mouth before licking scorched fingers.
"It's hot" He warned.
"It's good, that's what matters. Try eating food while it's hot, you'll be surprised how much better it tastes."
"Sounds like self-mutilation." He said.
"Well it isn't, try it before fighting it"
Him trying was funny to watch, it was a fight just to break a piece. It bounced from hand to hand before being palmed into his mouth. He made a face until he finally swallowed.
He shrugged. "Kaskes the shame"
Heather sighed after eating more of the very well-seasoned mushrooms.
"That's because you let it cool in your mouth, kills the point doesn't it?"
He shrugged. "I'll have to learn it another day, I think our short cut to the border is on its way.
Heather jumped up spreading her wings defensively.
"What?"
"Look," Matthias said pointing past her shoulder.
Heather turned, the trees rustled in a wave rushing through the darkness towards them.
A chill breeze washed over them, blowing constantly but with enough force to put out their small fire.
Almost immediately the world became a place worth living. He wasn't as slow as she thought, the borders were just behind the next tree. It pushed on her feathers as a wave, rising slowly before finally crashing heavily at the base of her wings… giving off the look of white burning black. She didn't waste time, taking to the air disappearing in the sky before she swung back catching Matthias by his armpits.
"You seem to be in a better mood."
"It happens, sorry. It never lasts, I'm better now."
"Glad to hear it."
"I'm glad you're going to No Man's Lands"
"I'm glad you think so"
"You are going right?"
"Maybe"
Heather slowed, "Please, you'll die. My mind would be at ease knowing you're with your wife and Judge because then you're alive."
"It's funny how important life is, especially a good one. You're right, I'll go, but on two conditions, the first you meet me there, even if it's just to say hello."
"The second condition?"
"You'll find out when you see me next."
Heather's smile couldn't have been wider if she tried.