The ride was long and very uncomfortable. The carriage had no suspension at all and the terrible road conditions didn't help either. It didn't take long for my back pains to return again. Apart from that, though, it was fine. The company was great which made up for the lack of comfort.
During the day we, meaning David, our driver, and I, would travel alongside other voyagers and at night we would camp at official camping sites where I met many new people. Mostly merchants and other pilgrims.
It almost felt like one big family. All the travelers, regardless of who they were or where they came from, would share their food and resources with one another. They immediately accepted me as one of their own and would talk with me about all kinds of things. They were impressed by my academic knowledge while I, on the other hand, was impressed by their worldly knowledge.
I got more than one bronze token which was some kind of business card from them which I kept safely in my bag. Who knew when I would need them. It was lovely talking to them. These travelers always had exciting stories to tell. They would gossip among themselves about high society. Apparently, some of the nobles were really getting impatient and wanted to remove the current rulers with the help of the Law of the Lydian Temple. It sounded very scary. I decided that I wouldn't ever interfere in that department. I still had much to do and see. And people to save...
Thinking about Kat, this was a great opportunity to ask around if anyone had come across her. A beautiful young lady with weary cat eyes and full dark hair. Unfortunately, I couldn't gather any information on her from any of the people I met.
Kimba didn't enjoy the journey too much I think. Too many people for his taste. Also, the climate became hotter and drier the further north we went. I started finding sand all over the place which was even more annoying than the fact that we were once again drinking that absolutely disgusting water of guess what plant? That's right. Ocra my old friend. I couldn't have it anymore.
Apart from that, everything went fine on our journey. Until once incident, in particular, about one week into our two-and-a-half-week journey, which shook me to the core. It had been another wonderfully peaceful evening and one of the guys had caught a wild boar which we roasted and all ate together. Except for me of course. But as I was sitting next to the campfire with everyone else, the taste of the roasting boar crept into my nose and something was triggered. The lust to devour the whole boar overcame me. My stomach turned on itself and I gaged. I was disgusted by myself for even thinking about eating meat. I had to excuse myself for a second.
It was that awful feeling again I had felt back in Whisteria when I was talking to Belinde
It was that awful feeling again I had felt back in Whisteria when I was talking to Belinde. And if I had to guess, it was Nivalia who was gradually waking up and becoming stronger. Her thoughts and feelings were seeping into my consciousness. I was terrified.
I asked Kimba to check on my silver neck marking again. He confirmed my suspicion that it had grown. The dragon had moved.
I swallowed. But there was not much I could do about it. So I did what I could which was hope for the best.
When we arrived in Phillia and had entered the city gates, the first thing that hit me, was the oriental smell of spices and incenses. The streets were bustling with life around us. The scenery on the streets reminded me of Jordan. The city was built around an oasis and the houses were made of what looked like orange-beige sandstone. It looked beautiful. Unlike in Mariquus and Whisteria where every shop was in a building, the shops and stalls here were everywhere on the streets. Phillia seemed to be much more... I wouldn't say primitive but it was just different from Whisteria. They were selling carpets, animals, spices and jewelry everywhere. The clothing style here was much looser. Women often wore long flowing skirts with long decorative belts and sashes with a short cut top and long or short sleeves. Sometimes even a mix. Some also wore long baggy pants like the men, but unlike the decorative tops the women wore, the men had embroidered shoulder capes and toga-like apparel. They also wore ornate belts and sandals.
It was beautiful. What I especially liked, were the great spectrum of colors the clothes came in. The richer inhabitants had a lot, and I mean a lot, of gold on them. Either sewn into their fabrics, especially their belts, or as golden bangles and bracelets which the women often wore on their arms and legs.
I instantly fell in love with this place. Compared to Whisteria, Phillia felt much freer.
David dropped us off at his delivery place. We thanked him for the ride and bid him farewell. I remember Peter telling me that I'd be picked up from the marketplace at noon on the eighteenth day after my departure. His calculations had been perfect as we had arrived early that morning on the eighteenth day. So all there was for me to do was wait until noon when I was supposed to wait in front of the biggest silk shop called "Maver's silk, clothing and accessories".
I didn't complain. Kimba and I wandered the lively streets of Phillia, indulging our eyes with the foreign and beautiful scenery. I was stopped a few times and greeted respectfully. Probably because they thought I must be a high ranking priestess or something. I was offered a water pipe once in exchange for my blessing.
The people here were so much friendlier than in Whisteria. I noticed that right away. Maybe the fact that I looked like a priestess helped but also in other ways. The atmosphere was much more carefree. When people talked at the stalls it was more than just what was required.
I sat down on the side of a well near the main market and was playing around with my whistle, watching the people around me. I wonder how the person picking me up will find me?
Kimba, who had been laying around half-dead for the entire time because of the burning heat, suddenly twitched and jumped up full of energy.
Nene, he's here! His tail was wagging like a dog.
"What? Who is? Is it the guy?" I looked up and intently studied the people around me.
No! It's him! Look! Kimba nodded his head in the direction of two o'clock.
Then I saw him too.
And he saw us.
I'd recognize those sea-green eyes anywhere.
It was Ferras.
End of Book I