Page 44 of Own To Obsess

“It's a traveling sled. It’s similar to our carriages but only holds one person.”

Shaya pursed her lips as she stared at it. “But why do you have it? If it's like a carriage, why do you need something like this? Surely a carriage keeps you warmer?”

Kardos chuckled. “It's not about keeping warm,” he said. “It's about speed. A tobo can travel much faster than a carriage because it is lighter and specifically designed for speed. There are popular competitions based around the speeds of different designs. There are excellent designers from each island who craft tobos for a chance to win in the hope that their tribe leaders or even the high chief will ride their designs.”

Shaya nodded, taking a few steps around it as she eyed it.

It must have looked strange to her, just as the carriages in her Lands looked strange to him. But tobos were the only way to travel in order to truly experience the beauty of the Isles.

“But how does it move?” she asked finally.

“It requires a special sled-pack,” Kardos said. “They are slightly younger and much leaner than the normal pack that pulls the carriages. They are specially trained too.”

Shaya glanced up at him nervously. “So we're going to travel on this?”

“Yes.”

Shaya wound her fingers together as her gaze returned to the tobo, but didn't say any more.

Kardos headed to the kennels and called for his tobo-trained pack. They were a hand-selected pack of brothers and sisters he had trained himself.

As he harnessed them up, Shaya stepped toward them. “They’re all white,” she whispered, amazement on her face.

“Yes, this pack are part wolf and part van-tusk,” Kardos said.

Looking up and him, Shaya smiled. “They’re beautiful.”

Kardos would have picked her up and kissed her if he wasn’t holding the harnesses. She had given him a real smile and an ache deep within told him he needed to be touching her again.

“This one looks too young,” she said, pointing at the littlest one who was running around, pulling on his harness and fidgeting in the snow while the others sat calmly. “Are you sure it’s safe for him?”

“He was born smaller,” Kardos said. “And where he is positioned, he doesn’t carry much weight, but he is my secret weapon. His energy keeps the others alert and able to run for longer.”

Shaya grinned and laughed as the little one tripped over his own feet, and Kardos sped up his harnessing so he could have her in his arms again.

“Why are there more dogs for this… thing that only holds one person than there are for a carriage?” she asked after a moment.

“The tobo is lighter than a carriage so sometimes the balance of weight is different, especially when turning corners or traveling at high speeds,” Kardos explained. “Carriages are heavier but more predictable, whereas tobos can vary depending on the design.”

“Has anyone ever had an accident on one of these things?” Shaya asked nervously.

Kardos fixed the last harness and strode over to her, finally gathering her up in his arms. “Of course,” he said softly, smiling at her. “That’s half of the thrill of them.”

Shaya averted her eyes shyly and took a breath.

“But nothing will happen to you on here. I’ll make sure of it.”

Once they were all attached, the sled-dogs sat calmly waiting to begin instruction, except the littlest who was already harassing the others. Kardos carried Shaya to the seat and then placed her on his lap. She was so small; it was as though he was her seat, and of course she fit him perfectly.

“Are you ready?” he said, nuzzling his head into the side of her face.

“I think so,” she said, nervousness in her voice.

“Then let's go.” He took the reins and barked orders to the pack, and immediately they jumped to life.

The tobo shot forward smoothly and quickly gained speed. Soon they were rushing along the white, snowy landscape, with the breeze caressing their faces. Kardos directed the pack to take them along one of the most scenic routes of Nyek Island, where it was possible to see its vastness and beauty. They quickly established speed but traveled slow enough for Shaya not to be overwhelmed by it, and also so they could hear each other speaking. Shaya relaxed back into him as the wind tussled their furs.

Shaya turned to him. “Is it always like this?”

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