Finally! The gates of Perilous can be seen from little distance as they walk now.
The rest wondered what happened to Leo and LiLi that got them talking. Even Felicity and Joe wondered whether it was before or after they had slept last night that they resolved everything, maybe not wanting the rest to know.
Or probably they thought privacy to settle everything was the best option.
Even though the two probabilities are incorrect, they are still happy to see LiLi and Leo talk and laugh together. It's a very pleasant sight to witness.
Leo and LiLi talked happily and heartily as the rest followed suite but two are apart.
Chloe and Ryan.
When they first saw LiLi and Leo talking to each other, they turned unconsciously to look at each other but Chloe quickly broke the eye contact and Ryan's expression changed entirely.
Chloe felt like a fool keeping a distance with him... She can't help but wonder why that babyish feeling towards people she approach isn't there when it comes to Ryan.
"Are you happy to go back to your fatherland?" Salient asks Aisha as they walk closely behind Leo and LiLi.
Aisha look down at the little boy and smile as she answers.
"Not that. I just want to help you guys, besides, Perilous isn't my father land. I am suppose to be heading to Peril instead"
"So, you are saying that you were going to Peril when we met you?" Liam ask and Aisha head shot up to stare into his eyes as she answer him.
"Yes. Yes I was"
Liam raised a brow at her and she bit her lower lip and turn to stare at the ground in embarrassment.
"Why then are you coming with us?"
"Because she... " Aisha pointed at Felicity who is joyfully talking to Joe and Ryan.
"Forced me to. But I actually came to help you and your sister"
LiLi, he reasoned. Do they look alike? The way she call them siblings.
"She's just a friend. We aren't related"
"Oh... My bad" She said and covered her mouth.
"Aisha, right?"
"Yes. You?"
"Liam"
"Nice to meet you, Liam" They shook hands and the gaze of Aisha went to Salient.
"What's your name little boy?" she asks.
"I'm Salient" Aisha smile as she pat Salient head and smile.
"Nice to meet you Salient"
"Pleasure is mine"
Aisha didn't stop herself but admire the accent of little Salient. Even if he is just a boy, men does he got English in his mouth!
Chloe walk to LiLi and interrupts the conversation she have with Leo.
"LiLi? Can I talk to you for a sec?"
LiLi turn to face Chloe and Leo stops talking. Her expression isn't good.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up" LiLi say and Leo nods as every one pass by them but they walk slowly.
While Joe's group pass by them, Ryan stare back at Chloe and LiLi. Chloe slowly diverted her gaze to the ground nervously and Ryan sadly stare at his front, moving with the others.
LiLi notice this but wait till they all pass by them before she ask Chloe what the problem is.
"What happened?"
Chloe stared at the ground in embarrassment. What will she tell LiLi?
"I... Um... I... "
"What happened, Chloe?" LiLi ask with a hush voice.
Chloe bit her lip. How will she tell LiLi for God's sake?!
"Uhh... I... I and Ryan had... A... An argument" she stuttered.
LiLi squints her eyes and Chloe continues.
"I was trying to make him to stop talking about Joe the way he was and so with what I said... He... He got confused and... "
"Shish now" LiLi said and pat the back of Chloe as she released silent sobs.
"Joe is a dubious person... I know but I don't like it when people talk about him the way Ryan did and... "
"Even if it's the truth?" LiLi ask and Chloe keeps quiet and bites her lower lip hard.
"You don't like when they say negative things about your brother, even if it's the truth?" LiLi ask and Chloe's hands forms into clenched and hard fists.
"I know he is your brother but stop shunning people up when you know what they're saying is the truth... "
Chloe kept quiet and for once she looks like she is standing in front of her mother, being cautioned and corrected.
"You will go and apologize to him"
"What?! I can't do that... "
"Then you stop talking to anyone on this journey" LiLi said simply and straightforward.
Chloe nearly opened her mouth wide. If not for the sound of a fly she would have left it open.
"Are you joking?"
"I said... You apologize... Or I break any relationship you want to start with anyone on this journey"
LiLi means it. Chloe felt ashamed of herself and started asking why the heck did she get into an unecessary argument with some handsome and important guy. It doesn't makes sense!
She stares into the bold eyes of LiLi and made a decision within her.
Perilous is just some steps ahead.
Entering with an argument can make anyone to come out with it so...
"Fine. But at night"
"Why night?" LiLi ask
"Because I want it to not be seen"
LiLi smirks at her stubbornly and Chloe rolls her eyes.
"Fine. I'll be awake to see how it goes"
"Wait wha-"
But LiLi has already strode off before Chloe said anything. Now she have to apologize in front of LiLi, even if she won't be within sight.
They both caught up with the rest and Leo and LiLi went back to their discussion happily, while Chloe walked side by side with Ryan, but none uttered a word to each other.
"This isn't right" Chloe whisper.
The gates of Perilous can be seen fully now and Felicity gather the rest to let them know somethings that they need to know and help them with somethings they might need while entering Perilous.
"Okay. We have finally gotten to Perilous. I need you guys to listen up"
Everyone eyes on her as she speaks.
"As you all know, this is an extremely dangerous risk we are taking to go see the ruler of Perilous. We might need these"
Knives spread on the ground from her pockets. About six of it laid on the ground.
LiLi surveyed her very well. "How did they fit in?"
"Wanna mess with a wild girl? Huh, don't even try it" She said and LiLi smile at her as she returns it stubbornly.
"Grab one each" Everyone scrambled for the sharper knives. Salient got a little knife, because they are all afraid that he might get an injury if he is given a big one.
Just then, the phone of LiLi beeped. Everyone stare at LiLi shocked.
Even she, didn't know how come.
"Your phone isn't dead?"