The tall woman smirked. "Now, darling, that's not very polite." She cooed. I rolled my eyes. "Oh, yes, you wander into my camp and wake me while I sleep and I'm the rude one." The woman stood up straight and walked toward me. Her stance emanated grace. She definitely wasn't a simple commoner. As she got closer, she circled me, as if to size me up. "My name is Nika, and this is my companion Elai." She introduced, motioning to the small troll like creature. Elai nodded and gave a jerky wave. I nodded awkwardly at her. "What do you want," I asked, still on edge. "You're new to the Homeland you are," Elai said in their throaty voice. I looked at her and frowned. "No I'm not, I was born here." I replied defensively. Elai shook her head. "Born on Homeland ground you are, but no smell of Homeland you have," they said. What? Nika seemed to pick up on my confusion. "What Elai is trying to say is that although there is no dispute you are Homeland born, but you haven't the smell of homeland magic on you," she explained. As she explained I began to understand. Even though I'm home, every demon will know that I have been to the human mainland.
Even though I hardly knew these demons, they seemed to bare me no ill will. Knowing that I calmed myself. I cautiously walked over to where my bag was. "What is the kitty cat doing Nika?" Elai asked. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry," I called over my shoulder as I dug out my small loaf of bread. I heard Elai gasp as they saw what I had in my hands. "Nika, Nika, look, the kitty has human yummies." Elai said, as she tugged on Nika's cloak. I sat down and started to gnaw on a small piece. "I'm willing to share," I said, holding out a piece to them. Nika scoffed at my humble offering but Elai seemed overjoyed by it. They eagerly sauntered toward me, their short stubby arms reaching out for the bread. Elai snatched the bread from my hand then retreated back to Nika's side before scarfing down on the small piece of bread I'd given them. In a matter of seconds the bread was gone and Elai was sighing contentedly. "You are a strange demon," Nika said, raising her brow in question.
"Nika, the kitty hasn't told us their name yet," Elai said, looking up at their companion. Nika stayed silent for a moment then nods. "Yes, it is quite rude. We have introduced ourselves and even shared a meal, but still you have yet to tell us your name," She said, with a reprimanding tone. I gave a slight chuckle. "My name is Yuna." I said, before eating another bite of bread. Nika's head tilted in interest. "Named after the goddess of fury and strength. That's quite a name to live up to," she says. I nod. "I never understood why my parents chose that name for me. Considering they're the ones who sold me to the humans as a slave." I said bitterly. I looked up to see Elai and Nika looking at me in surprise. "I'm sorry," Nika said softly. I shrugged. "It's fine, I'm home now." I said, solemnly crossing my arms across my chest.
"Do you know the quickest way to the Dragon's Den?" I asked changing the subject. "Why does Yuna need to go there," Elai asked, the curiosity apparent in their eyes. I paused for a moment. "It's the safest place for me," I replied. "What are you running from, young demon?" Nika asked. I look away and sigh. "I don't want to talk about it." I said. A long pause of silence settled over the camp. "I know someone who should be able to help you, but you're going to have to have something in exchange." Nika said. I nodded. Without saying a word I reached into my pack and got out the pouch of gems that Jack gave me. "Will these do?" I ask opening the pouch to reveal the precious jewels. Elai gasped in awe of the sight, while Nika only raised one brow. Nika nodded. "Those will do just fine." Nika turned and started to walk away. "Come," she said as she continued to walk. I quickly packed up my things and followed after her.
We walked for hours before we stopped. I tried asking Nika where we were going and who this friend of hers was, but she refused to answer. I guess they're just as wary of me as I am of them. Looks like I'm going to have to wait and see. It was late in the evening by the time we reached our destination. We stopped in front of the largest tree I've ever seen in my life. I stared up in awe at the sheer size of it. Nika turned to me. "Stay here, I will tell them your situation and your means of payment, but it's not a guarantee that they'll do it." She said, then turned and scaled her way up the tree with ease. Elai was left down on the ground with me. With nothing else to do, I sat down and leaned my back against the trunk of the tree. Elai came and sat down next to me. Their scent no longer bothered me, I didn't know if it was because I had time to adjust to it or if it was something they could control at will. We didn't talk for a while, just sat there, watching the birds hop from branch to branch in the lower hanging trees. Singing their melodies and bouncing around cheerfully.
"Nika likes you, she does," Elai said abruptly. I turn to her frowning. "How can you tell? Her personality is so aloof," I asked. Elai gave a sly smile. "You may not see it, but I've been traveling with Nika for many years, I have. I know Nika better than she probably knows herself. She's quite a woman, she is." They responded. I shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Maybe she's just being nice?" I say unsure. Elai shakes their head. "No, no. Nika, isn't nice. Not nice to strangers. But she's nice to you," they said, pointing to me. "Kitty probably reminds her of her little one," Elai muttered to themselves. Now my interest was piqued. "Nika has a child?" I asked. I wouldn't have guessed she'd be a mother. Elai's eyes widened. "No mind, no mind. Elai said nothing." They quickly said, waving their hands in the air as if to clear away the topic. "Why won't you tell me," I ask, looking at them curiously. "Not supposed to talk about it. No talk. Make Nika sad," they explained. I nodded as it clicked. Something bad must've happened to her child.
"Now if you're done gossiping about me, our friend has agreed to meet you," a familiar voice said. Elai and I both turned to see Nika standing there, looking as bored as usual, with a strange figure behind them. Elai gasped. "Elai so sorry. So sorry Nika," they quickly said, bowing their head in apology. Nika rolled her eyes at the dramatic apology. "Don't worry about it Elai. I'm not mad," she said with a gentle tone I hadn't heard from her. This seemed to calm Elai, because they got up and took their place beside Nika. "This is Crail. He's not too fond of others, which is why I had to talk to him first to see if he would be willing to meet you." Nika explained before stepping aside. There behind her stood a creature just slightly taller than herself. The first thing I noticed about him were his eyes. They were the same color as mine. And they were trained directly on me. As they stepped closer I saw their hair was completely made up of black feathers. Their nose looked beak like and their arms were two large wings covered in the same black feathers. As they stepped closer I realized he also had the feet of a bird and I could see the tail feathers behind him.
He regarded me with a skeptical eye, then leaned into Nika's ear and whispered something I couldn't hear. Strange. Maybe he knows that I have sensitive hearing? Nika looks at me, studying me with her calm and cool gaze. "Please introduce yourself, and what you wish to accomplish," she orders. I lock eyes with her and nod, then turn back to face Crail. "My name is Yuna, and I'm trying to get to the Dragon's Den. Can you help me?" I asked. Crail stayed silent for a moment before straightening and walking towards me. "Why does such a low level demon need to go to the dragon capital?" He sneered. As he said this I felt a twinge of anger in me. No. Stop it. Breathe. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..
"It's the safest place for me," I replied, lifting my head. I will not bow to another. Never again. Crail stayed silent as if to consider my words. "What could a small insignificant thing like you be running from?" He jeered. I gritted my teeth. "We all run from something, what it is in particular isn't your business," I snapped. Something in his eyes changed, softened even. "Then why should I do anything for you?" He asked, lifting a skeptical brow. I shrugged. "You shouldn't. And you don't have to agree, I was only here to ask. If you're unwilling then I'll find another way." I replied. Crail was silent again, only for a moment. Then he started laughing.
I frowned. I think he's crazy. He doubled over with laughter, and didn't recover for a good few seconds. "You-" he breathed, trying to catch his breath. "You sure know how to pick 'em Nika." he said taking a deep breath and sighing amusingly. "What is so funny," I asked. It was Elai who answered my question. "You passed the test, you did," they said with a smirk. "That still doesn't explain why he's laughing," I respond.
"Crail was testing your character. You passed with flying colors, and reminded him of someone in the process," Nika explained. Crail walked towards me until he was a few steps away. "I will take you to the Dragon Capital," he said, "the only thing we need to discuss now is payment. Nika said you would be paying in jewels?" he asked. I nodded, reaching into my pack to get the pouch. After I retrieved it, I opened the pouch and poured the gems into my hand. All different colors and shapes could be found within my palm. Crail stepped closer, examining them.
From the folds of his wings, a hand appeared, completely black in color. No wonder I didn't see them, they blended in. Delicately he picked up a gem from the top of the pile in my hand. He held it up to the light and turned it several times in his hand before nodding. "This will do perfectly."