After gallivanting...erm... studying the current estate of Tal-El city, Chalice's group of five went to take a sumptious lunch in one of the popular restaurants there. She has completely forgotten the earlier incident and the others thought it was not much of an affair. However, Luke did take note of the man's face and attire. It seems like Chalice encountered an Ogen citizen.
"Hey Luke, when are we going to arrive at Zeru Mountains? I miss Aslan."
Chalice whined to Luke as they started of on their journey again. It has been many days since she last saw her big kitty. Chalice wanted to ride on him again. Aslan's back was a lot more comfortable than being juggled around the carriage. She also rode on Onyx but the saddle they had bought wasn't compatible to a Thunder horse's form. Also the wind was too strong and Luke forbade her to ride for long, complaining that her hair would be difficult to comb again.
"We'll get there after three days more or less. As long as no incidents occur, my lady, you'll be able to see Aslan soon enough."
Chalice removed her gaze from the carriage window's changing scenery. She pouted at Luke and gazed at him with a brow raised.
"I somehow sense a slight jab from that statement of yours, my dearest."
Luke cleared his throat and turned his back on her. Chalice chuckled and put her face closer to his without him noticing.
"You sensed wrong, my lady. I'm merely stating a fact. Besides, you cannot de--"
His words were cut off when he realized how absurdly close her face was when he turned to face her again. Luke gulped nervously. He could feel her breath blowing in the tip of his nose. A subtle lilac fragrance drifted off from her intoxicating him.
"Really, my dear Luke? Hmm. Are you sure you're not insinuating that I frequently get into incidents that delay our trip?"
Luke felt as if he was in the midst of a heavenly tribulation. His nails dug deep into his palms drawing blood. It took all of his willpower to pull himself away and put a distance between them. God knows just how much he wanted to do the opposite. His heart ached at the need to take her into his embrace and keep her there.
'You're merely her servant, Luke. You are not worthy of her.'
He chanted that thought in his head so he could keep himself from doing something he might regret later.
"It is not my fault if you take it that way, my lady."
He said dismissively as waved his hand. This woman who was too gutsy for her own good. She didn't even realize how much she's courting danger a while ago.
'Honestly, she will be the death of me.'
Chalice harrumped loudly. Luke was such a party pooper. But then again, seeing that red tint spreading in his face never gets old. It always put her in a good mood.
---
"My lady, wake up. We have arrived at the Wind Valley. We'll be spending our night here."
Chalice groggily rubbed her eyes as she looked around her. A gasp of surprise escaped her lips when she saw the cluster of stone houses with thatched roofs. There were also people who were wearing some kind of a headdress made of the same thatches.
She was taken aback. Those headdresses made them look like fluffy puffballs walking on land. The lot of them were mostly plump, too. Add that to their fair skin and naturally reddish cheeks, they made Chalice thought of sesame balls. Now those treats are delectable.
"Where are we again, Luke? Are we in fluffylandia?"
Chalice asked absentmindedly. She got a light rapt in her head for that. She glared at Luke.
"My lady, I may not know what the word you used meant but coming from you it would surely not be good. Please be more sensible."
She scoffed at Luke and chose to ignore him. Chalice saw Levi coming towards them. It looked like he went to whoever was in-charge of the place and ask permission for their stay.
"The Valley Chief has allowed us to take shelter at his home for the night. He also had his people prepare a small banquet. I refused but he would take none of it. He said that their valley seldom have visitors and us arriving is a joyous occasion."
Levi informed them as he led the way to the Valley Chief's home. Chalice took Onyx from Rye's hand seeing that the horse was being unusuall restless. She then sneakily gave the stallion a cubed sugar which the horse happily munched on as he finally settled down. Chalice smiled at this. This horse was a bit lordly.
The Valley Chief's home was a lot bigger compared to the other stone houses in she saw as they walked by. She asked Luke why the houses were built like that. The walking google of this world answered that it was because the wind in the valley was a lot stronger compared to Tal-El City. The dome buildings weren't enough for such kinds of erratically strong winds.
Chalice agreed to that. She did notice that fact when they arrived. Luke was even forced to put her hair into a tight bun to keep it from flying off and transforming into a bird's nest. The Chief's wife stood waiting for them at the front door of the house. She looked like the typical local of their valley; plump, fair, and perpetually blushing. The only difference was that she wasn't wearing a headdress and her caramel-colored hair was tied up in two buns. She had a warm smile as she welcomed them.
"Esteemed guests, please put down your things here, I and my daughters shall settle it to your rooms. The banquet is about to start and the people are there waiting for you at the Valley Square. You'll see a big bonfire when you reach it."
Her tone was polite and corteous. Chalice couldn't help but feel fond of her. She was like the typical kind and hospitable auntie that gives you food. They gave her their luggages and then walked to the direction the Chief's wife pointed out. A huge fire roared up in the center with people in thatch headdresses surrounding it.