Chereads / Rise Of The Forgotten: Paths Cross / Chapter 33 - CHAPTER THIRTY THREE WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Chapter 33 - CHAPTER THIRTY THREE WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

The warm sun poured its rays over the town bathing everything in bright light. Mrs.Walters had begun placing breakfast across the large table in the middle of the dining room. First to appear were Clayton and Lily, the pair walked out from the hallway with their mouths watering at the sight of the freshly prepared food. Mrs.Walters had placed a large variety of foods across the table, baked sweet bread covered in honey sap. Roasted sausages and fresh fruit, with a big pot of porridge with what appeared to be ground nuts. Clayton had missed such a sight, he had last seen such a treat on his last day at the Capitol before leaving for his stationed post. Lily's mouth nearly poured with the saliva that had built up, she and never seen such an abundance of food prepared in such a way that would resemble a dream. The pair moved over to the chairs that sat along the table and began to feast upon the welcomed food. The large house shook with the thudded sounds of movement that traveled down the stairs. Diomede turned the corner and set his gaze on the pair who had begun eating without him and the others. Diomede gave them an emotionless expression, Clayton stopped and felt the guilt build up in his throat that had the warm porridge falling. Lily returned Diomede's gaze with a mouth full of sausage and sweet bread. "Children." Diomede thought to himself as he gave them a half smile. The noise of movement erupted from upstairs as Francisco and Kira appeared behind Diomede. He turned and was met with the same forms as yesterday. "AH yes, good morning everyone." Francisco bolstered in his elderly voice. "Good morning." Replied Mrs. Walters as she entered from the kitchen. "I take it everyone was able to rest in their rooms?" Mrs.Walters asked. The group replied with different forms of grunts and sounds of confirmation. "Good then, now why are you here in the first place?." Mrs.Walters stated. Diomede looked to Francisco, who replied with an empty expression. "We are traveling to Kinga." Mrs.Walters brow rose, "Kinga you say that is where this bread has come from, what business do you have there?" Mrs.Walters asked. Diomede continued, "I have an old friend there that I haven't seen in a long time." Diomede glanced over to Kira, she maintained her gaze on her plate of food. "And you are a knight correct?" Mrs.Walters asked. Diomede nodded. "Then please tell me why, you are traveling with such little belongings, no transportation, and no other subjects?" Diomede felt the tension build in the air. "I have been housing guests for some time now, and I have never seen a Umar knight travel with such meager means." Lily looked to Francisco as if to ask if she should do something. Kira stopped and felt her heart begin to beat like a drum. Clayton watched as if to see what Diomede would say. Mrs.Walters sat down at the end of the table, waiting for Diomede's response; he looked on finishing what food he had left in his mouth. "The reason why we travel this way is because we are not from Umar and as such we have been subjected to the brutality that is your country, our belongings have been taken and what we carry on our back now is all we have left." Mrs.Walters looked on, "Then I suggest you go into the market area of town and buy some replacements for your items that have been taken, look for my husband Jacob Walters he is the head farmer here for the groves and may be able to sell you a wagon to quicken your journey." Diomede nodded and stood to his feet, " We shall go at once then, I thank you for the food and the lodging Mrs.Walters." Mrs.Walters bowed her head in response. With a crescendo of noise, the group stood and marched out the door toward the market. Reaching the town's bustling streets, the group saw firsthand the daily routines of the townspeople of Fungle Grove. Each person carried a large smile across their face, and the crowd moved like an ocean's current, swirling in on itself never stopping. Not a single person stopped in the middle of the town. Francisco loved the bustle of the town, the high energy of everyone trying to get someplace. Diomede pushed his way through the crowd not paying anyone attention. Kira clung to Lily's arm, the overwhelming nature of the crowd caused her to feel as if she were drowning in the emotions of everyone around her. Though they are positive and joyful, it is still too much for her to endure. Clayton stayed back from the group, only a few paces just to keep an eye out for any pickpockets or agents of the kingdom that may be on the lookout for them. The clanging sounds of a hammer beating against metal began to overcome the crowd's mixed noises. Diomede followed the sound to a small forge that sat between a storehouse and a seamstress shop. Diomede stepped inside, the forge radiated with the smell of coal and sweat. Lily and Clayton Followed behind Diomede into the fordge, while Francisco and Kira entered the seamstress' store. Inside, the calm quiet nature of the store was welcoming to Kira, it felt like the noise outside was being kept out. From behind the blue curtain that separated the front of the store from the back and small voice traveled upfront, "Hello welcome welcome, please give me just one moment please." Francisco and Kira shared a look of curiosity. As they waited they browsed the different garments that hung from the walls of the store. A dark green robe captured Kira's attention, it reminded her of the thick grass that sat before the southern ocean of the Boarkar territory. She grabbed a handful of the robe, it was soft to the touch and she felt the warmth of her hand quickly build in the robe. Francisco gazed upon the colorful fabric that sat behind the counter. "OK dears, let me know what it is you wish to–" The voice stopped as a small figure turned the corner of the counter. Francisco met the bright green eyes of the storekeeper, "You're…You're an Akumor?" The small female Akumor, standing at a full size of three feet tall, turned and ran to the back of the store. "WE ARE CLOSED PLEASE COME BACK LATER!" The small voice shouted from the back. Kira felt the fear seep into her heart, she looked to Francisco, "What harm have you caused? She is terrified!" Francisco stood dumbfounded, "I did nothing she turned the corner and there I saw her." Kira moved to go to the back but was stopped when a small box flew from behind the curtain. "Please I apologize, I meant no harm if you come out we will be able to show you we are not a threat." Francisco pleaded. A moment passed, "How would you do that?" The small voice spoke. "This elderly form of mine is not my true one, I am a bard you see." The sounds of movement bounced around the back of the store, the Akumor woman poked her head out from the curtain. "Show me what you mean then Bard." Francisco snapped his fingers and his form dropped and changed into his beautiful Nesfundur form. "See I am no Umar human." The small Akumor moved slowly out from the curtain. Her eyes fixated on Francisco, "You're a Nesfundur? I can't believe it." Kira Watched as the small Akumor walked out and took her hand, Francisco reached out and shook the shopkeeper's hand. "My name is Bellera White, please to meet you." Francisco smiled, "And I am Francisco De La Martinez and this here is my friend Kira." Bellera turned and met Kira's gaze, "Are you a Nesfundur as well?" Kira shook her head, "No I am not, I am a Boarkar." Bellera took a step back, Kira could feel the fear in Bellera's heart begin to rise. "Please do not worry, I am not here to cause any issues." Kira extended her hand to Bellera, and the small Akumor looked at Kira's hand. She grabbed hold but ever so lightly just in case she had to pull away. Kira gently wrapped her hand around Bellera's, once Bellera felt Kira's embrace she felt calmed and the fear that circled her core vanished. She felt safe just from the touch of Kira's hand. "My you must be a healer of some kind, I can feel your gentleness." Kira was shocked by Bellera's statement. "Really?" Kira blurted out. "Yes, Akumors are naturally attuned to the auras of others and can tell people's intent," Francisco said. Kira marveled at the information, she didn't think such small creatures could tell so much just by the presence of others in such detail. Bellera pulled her hand back grabbed at her purple dress, and dipped into a curtsy. "Welcome to my shop, if there is anything you may wish to purchase please let me know." Bellera walked behind the counter hopped up onto a stool and stood straight up with her hands behind her back. "Is there anything you wish for me to throw together or hem, only let me know my skills are worth every coin." Bellera boosted. Francisco's face brightened and his large teeth were trapped in his large smile. Kira turned to the green robe that captured her attention, "Bellera how much would this robe cos-" Before Kira could finish her question, a large thud hit the wall behind the clothes that hung from the racks. Muffled yelling could be heard coming from next door at the forge. "Oh my, I do hope that isn't our comrades next door." Francisco muttered while he buried his face in his hands.