Exton

Keon clicks closed the phone. He clucks to his stallion, stepping it into the Shadow Paths. Guunnar and Twillon follow, each leading saddled mounts.

"So, vat dey say? Dey ok mit du leaving short notice?"

Keon nods, saying nothing.

"Du ok mit it?"

His lips twitch and he sighs.

"No, du not."

Twillon urges his mount even with the others. "Let him be Guunnar. Five minutes. Let him breathe." He takes the lead of Keon's spare and canters forward, motioning Guunnar to join him.

After a few minutes, Keon catches up. "Guunnar, take my reins. I am going to run a bit." Still on the move, Keon slips from the saddle and changes before he hits the ground. He lopes ahead, putting space between himself and his friends.

The pace eats away miles. Guunnar and Twillon chat amicably whiling away the time, keeping an eye on Keon. Soon enough, Keon halts at the turn of a Path. He waits until he is sure the others see him, then trots ahead. A cu sith blocks the Path, almost hidden by its green coloring. Every time Keon tries to move around the large creature, it shifts. He finally gives up and shifts back to Sidhe form. The cu sith settles on its haunches and waits.

As Twillon and Guunnar approach, a small Demifae appears between the massive ears. She twitters in the Fae dog's ear. It looks Keon over, then steps aside, bowing. He nods back and walks past, followed by his companions. Once they are past, the creature fades into the woods. The little winged faery darts to Keon.

"Paris awaits you, Dealg Drubh. Do not tarry long. We can only keep this passage open for small stretches at a time. The Gargoyles do not like to share their territory."

"We come to escort four gargoyles to Exton."

The fae nods, flitting upwards.

"Only the Stone Dragon who helped hunt the Morgan has shown tolerance for our People in this Realm... but we hear there are others. We have had no reason to believe it. If these honor the friendship shown to our warrior guilds, we will honor the safe passage for these four."

Keon nods. "I trust they will. They are kin to the Stone Dragon."

"Then pass thee to and fro. We will keep watch."

The Veil thins, allowing them through. Darkness has fallen in France and the men hurry to collect their charges.