A few hours passed since Richard had left me. This whole thing was new to me. I've never had to train before, so I can't say I was fully motivated. But I kept remembering Bertolt's smile as he was about to die. My inability to help him........it forced me to keep going. But I quickly realised determination can only get you so far - I couldn't make a dent in the orb. I wasn't even able to last ten seconds before it siphoned all my magic. Each time, I had to stop to regain my strength. Eventually, my endurance got worse and worse, while the time it took me to recover, got longer and longer. I had to take a break, my entire body was aching. I groaned, getting up slowly and leaving the tent.
I was hit with a wave of sound, inside the tent was complete silence. Yet, once I stepped out, the noise came at me all at once- pounding into my eardrum. The camp was bustling even as the sky was dark, it was all so loud. A cool breeze pushed against my face as the cold tried to bite into me. It was like I had teleported from polar opposite worlds; the silent, lit, warmth of the tent- to the clamorous, dim, freezing of the outside. Still, while I felt the chilly air, my body didn't feel cold. I looked around for our wagon, seeing it empty with Richard and Percival nowhere to be found. The trail had spaced out from the front and back of our resting spot. It seemed like no one wanted to be near us. Sabre was missing too, and as I was just about to call out to him- there were flapping sounds in the short distance.
As I closed in, I could hear start to hear the mutterings of a child as well. They suddenly came out of the forest- a little, furry, flying cat chased by a small boy with a stick.
"Get back here evil dragon,"
Sabre looked fed up and tired, frantically dodging the child.
I held back a giggle, snorting slightly, having never seen Sabre tire from being chased. He usually enjoyed it, tormenting anyone foolish enough to pursue him- me especially. Flying just out of reach so the person wouldn't give up and think they still had a chance to catch him. Just so he could drag out the tortuous game as long as possible. But now, the mischievous cat had finally met his match- a child who never got tired. In my eyes, it was all too funny. I couldn't have dreamt a better scenario, and holding back a laugh was getting harder and harder. Until I couldn't help but let one out....it wasn't even that loud, barely a slight chuckle. Yet that was enough for Sabre, his ears flaring, eyes darting towards me.
He was distracted for a moment, and the child struck. A stick thumping Sabre on his forehead. He squealed, flying back in pain. The simple-looking kid had no idea he had just hit a nerve with Sabre. A wave of anger swelled up in him, his furry cheeks puffing. Red flags expounded in my mind-
"Sabre don't!" I shouted, running towards them.
My words fell on deaf ears as flames spewed out of his mouth. There was a smell of burning, and I envisioned the worst. On the ground lay a charred black......stick. The child laid on his back, across from it, frightened but relatively unharmed. Sabre flew onto my shoulder before spitting his tongue at the kid. I got angry, grabbing him by his wings and scolding him immediately. The mischievous kitten pouted in defiance, even giving a deflated meow as I dropped him onto the ground. I stared at him with my arms crossed, giving him a stern look.
"Now apologise,"
His mouth went agape as if he had been wronged, but my countenance didn't budge. With no other choice, he reluctantly stepped to the child, rubbing his head into the boy's palms. The kid giggled, Sabre's soft fur tickling him.
"Its ok little dragon, I forgive you." -Suddenly, the boy grabbed Sabre tightly, his eyes popping out. Then got up and broke off into a sprint- "Ha I got you,"
I stood slightly shocked as the child dashed away with Sabre.
"Let's go see Aunty Malikah,"
I was stunned for a second before realising I'd better chase after them. The kid was fast, not to mention he'd got a headstart, running in the direction of the back of the trail. Tall torches lit up the sides, just a few metres from the woods. In between them, there were masses of people, all mobbed together. They appeared to be moving supplies from wagons, some setting up camp and tents. The boy reached them first, slipping past. But the wall of people stunted me for a moment. Their figures seemed to enlarge as I hesitated. This feeling of apprehension was new to me. For the first time, I was by myself. Madam Mopta wasn't here; Richard was gone, Beltolt resting and Sabre out of reach. I was well in truly alone. As small as I felt, I couldn't just abandon Sabre. My eyes closed as I followed behind the boy, forcing my way through the crowd.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry", I apologised as I barged past them. When I finally reached an open space, no longer feeling the warm bodies around me. I opened my eyes. The little boy was still a bit in front of me, the crowds of people behind me. As I chased, I started to realise it was getting darker this far into the back of the trail. Less and less torches were littered around here. This side was quiet, people were still here, but many were sat along the edges. Grouped around the torches for warmth. Everyone here was ragged and dishevelled. Their garments ripped and worn, like drags of cloth rather than clothing. Up ahead, I saw a woman and a child as they were walking up to a hooded figure. Their faces were colourless, skin and bones almost sharing no border, bodies shaking as they stepped. The hooded figure handed them bread and water as I ran past.
"Hey stoppppp,"
I shouted at the kid who was but an arm's length away. He giggled as I got closer before sharply turning and bolting into a large purple tent. I halted, staring surprised as it slightly towered over me. It was no near the size of Richard's tent, but it was still significant. The ground that surrounded it was oddly made up of sand. There was a strong smell drifting from within. A spice-filled incense entered my nose, along with the stench of heavy herbs and plants. It made me feel bubbly inside; a sense of security and openness poured over me. All my anxiety and weariness disappeared, leaving just positive thoughts.
"Well, are you coming inside?"
A soft feminine voice called out to me, its tone warm and inviting, underpinned by a hint of seductive intent. I felt compelled to follow, my body already making its way inside the tent. There was a wall of mist that slightly covered my eyes. The grey, sweet-smelling barrier dissipated as I entered. Behind it was a young woman lying on a bed, silk sheets up to her chest, her arms out. Candles littered the edges of the tent. The smoke that seeped out descended to the floor instead of rising up, covering the ground in a thick ankle-deep layer. None of it touched me. The grey gas slithered and constricted around me, almost alive. Each step I took, it wormed away, actively avoiding my touch.
The child stood at the bedside of the woman, his arms out, holding Sabre in the air. Yet she acted completely oblivious, her green eyes focused on me entirely. The woman was beautiful, with caramel brown skin, glossy dark hair. Thick black eyeliner fitted with purple eyeshadow; that stretched to her eyebrows. I stared at her flushed cheeks. Glastonberry lips smiled at me. We locked eyes, and I was transfixed, hypnotised by emerald oval pupils. It was all so enchanting, my everything lost in her gaze.
"Your scent....it's different...... your not fully human are you?"
It took me a second to break from my trance and register what she said.
".......Erm, what?"
She broke into a chuckle at my confusion.
"Haha, its fine, I've just never smelled someone like you before.........it's......a unique scent,"
I had the sudden urge to sniff my armpits to check if I stunk. There was an awkward silence for a moment, everyone staring at me. My face slightly reddened. 'Why do look like the weird one when that woman is the one literally smelling people.'
"What's your name?"
"Aurora"
"So.....Aurora, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you?"
"Erm, I came for my friend....." I answered, pointing to a slouched Sabre, still carried by the boy. The woman turned to the little kid.
"Timmy, would you let go of Aurora's pet please."
"He's not my-" I outburst for a second before stopping myself.
"Sorry, I meant Aurora's.....friend."
Timmy looked down, knowing he'd done something wrong.
"Can he be my friend too?" Timmy asked quietly, looking at me.
"You'd have to ask him yourself, Timmy -after you put him down." The woman repeated, this time with a sterner tone.
Timmy nodded somberly, quickly dropping Sabre onto the bed. Relieved, he stretched out his paws before raising one in Timmy's direction for a handshake. The boy's eyes sparkled. He grabbed Sabre's paw and rapidly shook it up and down.
"Thank you kitty cat,"
Sabre's fur twitched at the 'kitty cat' line, but he decided to ignore it. I beckoned him towards me. Letting them continue as they were could end very badly. Sabre made a start, then suddenly glanced back to the woman. There was a look of concern on his face as he gazed at her. The woman chuckled once more.
"I see why he is called Sabre, his senses are certainly as sharp as a blade."
She reached out to pat his head before gently shooing him away. Sabre flew up to my shoulder, perching himself comfortably.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking whether not my question would be rude.
"......Are you injured?" I asked politely. Whilst Sabre's actions hinted at that fact, the woman didn't look hurt at all.
"Yes, I am. Unfortunately, I didn't choose to be bedridden."
"Is there-"
"No, as special as you are. I'll be fine. I have more than enough strength to make it to the elf kingdom. And there, they might be able to help me."
Regardless I felt the sudden urge to touch her. That everything would be explained if I could just touch-
"Oh Timmy!!!!"
An elderly voice shouted from the outside. Timmy lit up as he dashed off, yelling, "Grandma".
The sudden interruption kinda reminded me that randomly touching someone isn't the best idea. I awkwardly smiled at the woman.
"I'd better get going too,"
"Haha, that's fine. Although I ask that you come and visit again......"
I nodded, then finally took my leave from the tent.
-As Aurora's frame left, there was silence. The sandy ground moved and shifted. A figure dressed in black garments and brown armour rose from the sand, bits of it dropping from his body. His appearance was covered—a hood over his head and cloth wrapped around the bottom half of his face. The only notable feature was his dark skin and aged eyes.
"Hmph, to think that girl would dare try and touch you. Had she gone any further, I would have sliced off her hand." the man spoke with a commanding tone and in a foreign language.
"And you would have lost your life for it. That black ring on her finger...I have seen it before. Tell the others to stay on the alert during the night. I suspect we will have.......a visitor."