Species (according to Ursa):
21) MonoAries
- Grey, white, and black skin tones
o Look like people from black and white movies
- Possess large ram horns (men and women) that grow with age
- Colorblind like their appearance
- Patrons of Taito, god of art
- Love creating and finding things of beauty
- Often mistaken as stoic because they prefer studying their surrounds, dissecting for beauty
- Don't believe in a standard beauty
o Each view different things as beautiful
Chenoa woke first sometime in the late morning. Chris and Lieben slept soundly as Chenoa looked around. As tired as she felt, she knew that the boys must be even more exhausted. Lieben, despite his smiles and casual talk, had to still be recovering and Chris was having to deal with and accept a whole new world, literally. So she decided to let them sleep. Running her fingers through her hair, Chenoa grimaced as she felt the grit and grime that was building up in her hair. Almost a week with no showers was killing her.
Looking around, Chenoa truly wanted to bathe or at least rinse off. The growing familiar presence of Osiris appeared for a brief a moment.
"There is a river about a mile northwest," he informed her, "if you wish to bathe."
"Why should I trust you?" Chenoa snapped.
"Look, if I was going to lead you into a trap, I would make sure you were going somewhere clothed. I wouldn't trust those men not to take advantage of you."
"Excuse me?"
"Remember I've seen your memories, so I have seen you naked. It's very nice. Too tempting for the hired guns."
"I think I'm going to throw up."
"Just walk about a mile northwest and you'll see a river. It should run quickly and sparkling clean. It is where the fairies go to baptize their babies, since it has the ability to purify anything and anyone. It is known as the Goddess's Tears River."
"Hmmmm."
"Go look and if it's not there then just come back. It's not like those boys are going to wake up anytime soon."
"Why are you up?"
"It's not like it's earlier, Chenoa."
"Fine, but get out of my head. I would like some privacy."
"I promise I'll leave when we get to the river."
"Why then?"
"I would like to poke around a little."
"It's sad that I am getting used to that. Least you can't control me anymore."
"Not with that damn amulet, but if you miss my touch…"
"Shut it!"
Trudging in the direction that Osiris instructed, Chenoa muttered to herself, although Osiris heard it all. In a while Chenoa finally reached the river he told her about. It was large, about ten feet across and ran farther than Chenoa's eyes could see north and south. The surface sparkled like millions of crushed diamonds.
"Okay. I found it. Time to get out of my head."
"Such a party pooper…kisses until next time."
Chenoa felt the gentlest brush against her lips before Osiris disappeared. Waiting a few minutes to make sure he was really gone, she looked around. When she was sure, she approached the river and stripped down until she was in her underwear. Scrubbing her clothes against the rocks, she worked the dirt out of them slowly. Once they were as clean as she was going to get them, Chenoa laid the clothes on a large rock to dry. Glancing around nervously, Chenoa slipped off her underwear and stepped into the water. Its cool depths made her skin tingle as she submerged herself briefly, then surfaced to scrub her underwear clean. When they too were clean, she let them dry as she scrubbed herself clean.
"What I'd give for shampoo," Chenoa sighed, working her hands through her hair.
Once her fingers could run smoothly through her hair, Chenoa lay back and floated in the water. It felt pleasantly warm and it helped relax her aching muscles. Allowing the gentle flow of water rock her body, Chenoa closed her eyes. The sun radiated down onto her as she dozed for a few minutes. A small shadow flickered over her face, causing Chenoa to open her eyes.
A small girl flickered above Chenoa.
Her body was delicate and she appeared no older than ten years old in a simple black dress with bare shoulders, white lace collar and cuffs. Thin, purple-red bat-like wings sprung from her back, gently beating in the air as she hovered above Chenoa. Surprised, Chenoa ducked down into the water, swallowing a bit of water in her rush. The flying girl tilted her head and looked at Chenoa curiously.
"Hi," Chenoa said cautiously.
The girl grinned broadly, exposing pearly white teeth. Waving, the little girl fluttered above Chenoa as Chenoa studied her more. She had long hair that alternated thin strands of black and white hair amounting to a large mass of peppered hair. Her eyes were almost perfectly round and innocent looking with dark gray eyes, a beautiful charcoal color. Pearl white horns grew out and back from about three inches above her long pointed ears. The horns were three inches wide at their bases and narrowed to half an inch at their long tips. Instead of being round horns though, the girl's horns were flat, only an inch thick. Silky black ribbons crisscrossed around them until they reached laced gold that decorated the last two inches of her horns.
"Keiju!" a voice called.
Turning around, Chenoa saw a handsome man approaching quickly. The only other time Chenoa had ever had her breath taken away was when she saw Tristan. Yet, when this man came into her view, Chenoa felt herself struggle for breath. The man was almost too perfect. He had sleek black hair that fell past his waist, shining in the midday sun. His eyes flashed sharp, bright blue. Squinting, Chenoa momentarily was unsure if it was the sun or his near perfection that hurt her eyes. The man didn't notice Chenoa at first, too intent on the flying girl.
"What are you doing, Keiju?" he asked, his voice tickled with laughter.
With silent laughter, Keiju pointed down at Chenoa, who blushed, sinking lower into the water so only her face from the lips up was visible. Stopping the man stared at Chenoa as if he could not believe she was there. Blinking the man walked a little closer. Keiju fluttered over to him and twirled slowly in a circle above him. Her head moved up and down as if she were talking, but not a single word left her lips. Switching his eyes between Keiju and Chenoa, the man seemed to be thinking. Sliding his eyes to the side, the man saw Chenoa's clothes lying on the rock and a smile appeared.
"What do we have here?" he asked in an amused tone.
In a flash, he was next to the rock and holding up Chenoa's clothes, as he laughed cruelly. Chenoa yelled at him to let go of her clothes. Ignoring her, the man got to her bra and underwear. Seeing the fine lace of her undergarments the man's smiled turned crooked.
"This just keeps getting better," he chuckled, holding up Chenoa's bra.
"Hey! Let go of my stuff!" Chenoa yelled, standing up in her anger.
His face went blank as the water cascaded down Chenoa's body. Her hands balled into fists and rested on her hips. Keiju's eyes darted to Chenoa's naked body and the man's blank face. Her eyes went so wide they took up most of her face as her mouth opened in a silent "oh no!" Dashing to the man, Keiju landed on his back and folded her wings over his eyes so he couldn't see anything.
"Keiju, stop! Let go of me!" the man yelled, pulling at the wings.
She shook her head and mouthed soundlessly. A few minutes of a hilarious but awkward struggle ensued between the man and Keiju. He pulled and grunted trying to pull her off as she continued to holler silently, her eyes shut tight. Chenoa watched confused and forgetting that she was standing naked in the river.
"Enough!" the man finally grunted, grabbing Keiju by the base of her wings and throwing her off.
She spun through the air, trying to regain control, her arms flapping around. Staring Chenoa felt worried for the poor girl, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the man when he cleared his throat. His eyes were focused on her, dark in color and tone. His fingers ran across her lace undergarments.
"Cold out?" he asked, smiling again.
Glancing down, Chenoa screamed slightly as she covered herself. She wrapped one arm around her chest and placed her other hand between her legs as she crossed them. He laughed and raised an eyebrow as she attempted to appear more modest. Taking a few steps forward, he bit his lip as he studied her again.
"Could you please give me my clothes?" she finally asked, shifting uncomfortably.
"Why should I do that?" he smiled, teasing her.
"Because they are mine."
"Oh, but what's that old saying? Finders keepers. Losers weepers."
"Oh, ha-ha, please, give me my clothes back."
"Naw, this is more fun. And it's your own fault for skinny dipping in public."
"I am not skinny dipping! I am trying to take a bath."
"In the sacred river?"
"I didn't know it was sacred. I was just told I could wash up here."
"Well, you do look squeaky clean."
Blushing, Chenoa kept eye contact. She wasn't going to be intimidated by this jerk. He took another step closer.
"You know when I first saw you, I thought maybe you were the Goddess," he said smoothly.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean this is her river and young girl bathing in it. It's not something you see often. Sure, you'll find fairies and other such creatures here, but not a human girl."
"How do you know I'm human?"
"Your smell. It is distinctly human."
"Oh…well, I am, but whatever. Can I please have my clothes back?"
"Do you know the story of this river?"
"No. My clothes, please?"
"This river supposedly formed from the Goddess's tears. Right before the worlds split from each other, she saw such a horrible crime, she wept. Those tears were so full of pain and sorrow that they fell heavy to the earth and tore away the soil wherever they hit. The amount of her tears was so great that they built up in the grooves in the earth they had created and flowed together to make this river."
"Interesting…my clothes…"
"Do you have a great sorrow?"
Startled, Chenoa didn't know what to say. The man was looking at her with serious eyes and his mouth was no longer smiling. He seemed to be expecting an answer. Her skin pricked into goose bumps as Chenoa felt the mood change. His demeanor was too serious. Instinctively, Chenoa backed away a step.
"Are you looking for something in Taikaa, human? Do you have a great sorrow? A great regret? Are you at this river to repent?"
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm just here to take a bath."
Suddenly the man was next to her. She hadn't even seen him move. His feet rested on the surface of the water. His right hand tenderly held her chin, keeping her eyes on his. There was a pain in his expression that seemed to reach his very soul as Chenoa looked into his eyes. Something about it made her heart flutter.
"Your sins must be great," he whispered, almost seductively. "But do you remember?"
Breath catching in her throat, Chenoa felt as if she knew his voice from somewhere, but couldn't place it. Her body trembled, though she didn't know if it was from the chill of standing naked or his close proximity. Mouthing wordlessly, Chenoa felt an electric shock leap from his chest to hers. Blush crept up into her cheeks and suddenly he looked down at her body. Whatever serious mood had possessed him vanished and he grinned.
"I really must have been crazy when I first saw you," he said apologetically, "to think that your body could come close to that of a goddess."
Burning red, Chenoa snarled and hit the man hard in the chest with the palm of her hand. He fell backwards, surprised, but laughing as he plunged into the water. Her clothes, which had been released by his surprise, flew into the air. Keiju was back and she caught them effortlessly. Scrambling out of the river, Chenoa screeched about his rudeness and his gall. Keiju fluttered around Chenoa, trying to hand back her clothes as Chenoa ranted and raved, throwing small rocks and clumps of dirt at the man, who laughed boisterously as he sat in the shallow part of the river.
Finally snatching her clothes from Keiju, Chenoa bared her teeth at the man as she started dressing, still insulting him as much as she could. He watched, his eyes dancing with delight as she slipped her mostly dry clothes on.
"Need some help?" he offered as she struggled with her pants, which didn't want to slip on due to the left over water on her legs.
She stumbled and hopped to stay on balance before flicking him off. Hopping like a bunny, Chenoa tugged the pants all the way up, threw on her shirt and stormed off. Keiju watched her with wide worried eyes as the man continued to laugh. Flying over to him, Keiju shook a finger at him, telling in no words that he had behaved horribly.
"I was just messing with her, Keiju," he chuckled, still watching where she disappeared. "She is a lot more fun this time around. Not as serious. I think I like that."
Keiju tugged hard on his left ear, causing him to wince and yelp. Swatting at his little companion, the man scowled. She continued to scold him silently until he stood up and snapped his fingers. His clothes were instantly dry.
"Stop nagging, Keiju. I was just having a little fun. Let's go home now."
Pouting Keiju sat on the rock where Chenoa's clothes had dried. Realizing he had hurt her feelings, he approached the little girl quickly and picked her up under the arms. Twirling her around, the man grinned at her as she wiggled around in joy.
"I didn't mean to be harsh. I am sorry. Let's go home, okay?"
Nodding, Keiju allowed him to place her on the ground before she took hold of his index and middle finger in her petite hand. In a blink, they both disappeared.
Meanwhile Chenoa stormed off through the fields back to her friends. She was fuming. How dare he insult her like that and make fun of her when she didn't even know him! You don't go around making fun of strangers. Who knew who they were or what they could do, especially in Taikaa? He was the most egotistical guy she had ever met! How dare he!
Reaching the camp area, Chenoa grumbled to herself as she kicked at some the rocks on the ground. Chris and Lieben were wrapping up the camping spot. Lieben kicked dirt onto the fire pit as Chris brushed clear the area they had slept in. Both looked up in expectation when she appeared. A frown still plastered on her face, Chenoa crossed her arms as she approached.
"Ready to go?" she snapped as if it was somehow their fault she was in a mad mood.
"Where have you been?" Chris asked ignoring her rudeness.
"Took a bath in the river nearby," she stated matter of factly.
"I told you," Lieben sighed, sensing that Chenoa was off and not wanting to cross her anger's path.
"Next time could you please wake one of us and let us know?" Chris continued, ignoring Lieben.
"Why? I wasn't gone long and I'm back now."
"Chenoa, we are supposed to be looking after you and we can't do that if you wander off without telling us. We were worried."
"I don't need you spying on me!"
"What? That's not what I was talking about."
"Why don't you just mind your own business!"
Chenoa turned sharply and stormed down the road. Chris mouthed silently. Lieben shook his head and followed quickly after Chenoa. He bit his tongue as he jogged to catch up. Grumbling now, Chris ran after them. What had he said? Girls. He did not get them.
For long time Chenoa stayed out of the boys' range. If one of them tried catching up with him, she would speed up and leave him behind. She knew she was acting irrationally, but she felt angry and embarrassed. Not that it was their fault. That stupid jerk at the river…it was his fault. Behind her, Chris and Lieben walked in silence. They had stopped trying to catch up and talk with her. It was not a great start to their journey without Cor and Ursa.
"Something must have happened," Lieben whispered confidentially to Chris.
"Obviously," Chris rolled his eyes.
"Must have been bad."
"Who knows. She is a girl. Sometimes they over react."
"Vas do you mean?"
"You know. Girls can be moody and sensitive, especially around their time of the month."
"Time of the month. Vhat are you talking about?"
"Uh…I don't know if I am the one who should explain this to you. It's a female body thing."
Lieben raised an eyebrow in confusion. A female body issue? A woman's time of the month? What the hell was Chris talking about?
"I do not understand. I don't think I ever vill."
"Now you understand."
Unable to help himself, Chris laughed loudly and clapped his hand on Lieben's shoulder. Lieben's expression of complete bemusement only made Chris laugh louder. Looking over her shoulder, Chenoa wanted to scowl at them but her temper was cooling and she felt embarrassed for her behavior. She wanted to walk with them and enjoy the laugh but didn't let herself due to her pride.
The boys ended up talking for most of the afternoon while Chenoa listened from a distance. Her temper eventually dissipated and she could only feel foolish. How could she let some stranger get under her skin so badly? Chris seemed to sense her temper mellow out for after about four hours and he trotted up to her.
"Are you ready to talk about it now?" he asked seriously.
Glancing at him, she half smiled. She knew she owed them both an apology.
"It's not important, but I am sorry for being such a witch," Chenoa said honestly.
"Somehow that expression seems weird now that I know you are a Spellbinder. And to correct you, it is important because you were very upset."
"Chris, really…"
"I am not going to drop it. You know how annoying I can be."
"Good point. Look it's nothing. I was just embarrassed. I went to the river to wash up and something happened when I was there."
"I figured that much, but what happened?"
"Uh…well…see I was bathing and this guy and this little girl showed up."
"Okay…"
"That's it."
"I don't get what the big deal is."
"Chris, I was bathing."
"Yeah?"
"Chris…I was bathing, which means I was in the river…naked…"
Realizing her point, Chris blushed red and stammered a little bit.
"Oh…oh…okay so this guy and girl showed up and saw you bathing."
"Yes."
"How old were they?"
"The girl was probably about ten, but the guy was older than us by maybe about five years."
Chris's face became grim.
"So this older guy saw you bathing. Did he do anything to you?"
"He didn't touch me or attack me or anything if that's what you mean. He just stared and then…he kinda made fun of me."
"He made fun of you? How?"
"He said he had thought I was a goddess at first but at close look I was not even close to being like one or something like that."
Chenoa looked down and blushed deep red. The mere memory caused her to burn with shame again. Chris appeared stunned.
"It's stupid. The guy was a jerk, but it embarrassed and upset me. I am sorry for taking it out on you guys. I just never…I've never been seen naked by someone before and it just felt really mean for him to say that."
Both of them looked away from each other. It was a truly awkward moment. Neither knew what to say. It wasn't like they had ever been close friends and suddenly they were shoved together in a personal manner.
"Look, Chenoa, I don't know a lot about girl stuff. I'm an only child in my family and I don't have that much experience with girls in dating and stuff, but I can imagine that it was very embarrassing. If girls are anything like guys, I am sure that you are very self-conscious of your body and that guy was an asshole. I mean I can only imagine your body is amazing naked."
Chenoa looked up at him startled. His mouth hung open at his own brazenness.
"I didn't mean that like how it came out! I…I…"
"It's okay, Chris. I get what you mean. Thank you. He was a jerk. I just don't get why he had to be so mean."
"Some people are just jackasses. There is no reason behind it."
"You are probably right."
Putting an arm around Chenoa, Chris hugged her. He grinned and said a little joke to make her laugh. Lieben, noticing that the storm had blown over, ran up and bumped between the two.
The last leg of the day passed quickly. Chenoa was able to enjoy her friends' company much better. By the time dusk approached the city seemed so close, but Chenoa's feet were killing her. They had to stop for the night. None of them wanted to walk into the city at night. Making camp, the group stretched and enjoyed the pleasant weather. The pixies came out again and Chenoa lay back watching them. They reminded her of fireflies back home, making her feel less lost somehow.
She realized she had been away from home for over a week now. Papa Bear must be worried sick. At least he would have an idea of what had happened, but Gabby's and Nick's and even Chris's parents were clueless. All they would know is that strangers had come to the high school and taken their children. The idea must have been killing them. Guilt tore at Chenoa's insides. It was all her fault.
Closing her eyes, Chenoa slowly fell asleep without even meaning to. She dreamed of the steel gray eyed man again. He was reaching towards her, his eyes full of longing and sadness. He needed her. He needed her to save him. To find him.
"You are really terrible at blocking people out from your mind," a voice said sadly to her.
Bolting up Chenoa looked around and saw the boy named Oric sitting at her fire. Lieben and Chris slept soundly as the fire crackled gently. Oric broke a dry twig and tossed it into the fire. Chenoa watched him warily, her heart pounding from fright.
"You know I can sense at least three things trying to get into your mind," Oric continued, his eyes on the fire. "Doesn't the presence of so many others make you tired?"
"What?" Chenoa finally stammered.
"You really shouldn't be sleeping right now," he changed subjects, ignoring her questions. "Quälen is going to catch up soon."
"Quälen is near?"
"Of course. He is a bastard, but he is good at what he does."
"Are you leading him to me?"
"No, Chenoa, I am not. I had to point him to one of your old trails. I figured I would find you and talk to you first."
"Why?"
"I wanted to see what you remembered."
"What do you mean?"
"About your past. What do you remember?"
"What is with everyone's obsession with me remembering the past? I remember everything since I was four but I have a feeling you aren't talking about that past."
Oric looked up from the fire and shook his head. His eyes seemed almost sad.
"You know I always thought that my life was sad. All my power but still stuck as the slave to a brute like Quälen, but your life may be sadder than mine."
"I have a great life. What are you talking about?"
"We have a lot in common. We both are very powerful and because of that people hang on to us for that alone."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Oric stared at her very seriously. His soft black tail swished as it rested on his shoulder as it had the first time Chenoa saw him. A rustling sound caused his velvet cat ears to twitch. The firelight reflected in his jewel-like eyes, making them gleam like diamond cut emeralds.
"How old are you?" Chenoa asked, suddenly curious.
His ears twitched as he cocked his head to the side.
"Uh…I am twelve," he said slowly. "But I'll be thirteen soon."
"You said Quälen owns you?"
"Yes. He bought me from my parents when I was five."
"Why would your parents sell you?"
"Quälen didn't give them much choice. Plus, they were poor and I had seven brothers and sisters."
"Big family."
"Families are important to MagicTellers."
"If they are important, why did they sell you?"
"I just answered that question. You are a little slow, huh."
Lip from a blue skinned kid with three eyes and cat ears. Yeah, Chenoa's day couldn't get any weirder. Continuing to study Chenoa, Oric seemed to watching something or someone.
"I have never seen the spirits react like they act around you."
"Huh?"
Tapping his third eye, Oric half smiled.
"Our third eye lets us see the spiritual realm that coexists with this world. The spirits wander around and live their lives ignoring us since most in this realm can't see them anyway. However, some people the spirits can't ignore. They hang around or approach when those people are near. Yet you…it's like they are seeking you out."
As Oric said this he watched an elderly man approach Chenoa, his body nothing more than a pale shadow as all dead spirits were. Hesitantly, the man reached out to Chenoa, though she was totally unaware of his presence. Pausing, the spirit bit his lip and then thrust his hand forward to touch Chenoa's shoulder. This surprised Oric because spirits rarely interacted with people, let alone tried to touch them. Sometimes spirits did try to touch a person physically but usually because the living person was a relative or loved one. Yet this man, a dragonrider by the looks of it, thrust his hand out to touch Chenoa's shoulder. When the dragonrider's spirit made contact with Chenoa's shoulder, he gasped and a look of absolute peace crossed his face. There was a bright light and he disappeared into the light, which so bright even Oric's normally unblinking third eye shut closed for a fraction of a second. The blink was so fast that Chenoa did not even notice it.
"Very strange…all the more reason you should not let Quälen catch you."
"I am not trying to let him catch me."
"You need to work harder. I can't keep him off your trail for much longer. He has his own abilities and while he is not intellectual, he is very cunning. Quälen has his versions of brains."
"Do you know who is offering the bounty?"
"No. Quälen has kept that to himself. Yet the buyer is the least of your worries. Quälen saw your power potential and he is greedy. He wants it for himself."
"What power? I didn't do anything but stupidly reach into the fire to grab Lieben."
"Don't you remember what happened after?"
"I remember a lot of pain. Then I woke up with Cor."
"So, no. Maybe that is for the best. I am sure the gods have a plan for you, Chenoa Rose."
Oric stood and stretched. Scratching his right ear, Oric yawned, all three eyes shutting momentarily. His tail swished behind him lazily. The muscles of his stomach and chest pulled taut. In a brief moment, Chenoa could see how he would be considered handsome when he grew up.
"I must be going before Quälen misses me. I recommend you leave in an hour at the most and get into the city limits. Quälen will have a much harder time finding you there."
Chenoa opened her mouth to ask another question, but Oric was gone. Reaching into her pockets, Chenoa pulled out her cell phone. It didn't have any service but it still had an alarm on it. Setting it for an hour, Chenoa yawned herself and lay down. An hour's sleep. Great. That would be a wonderful start to the day.