Faces of the Mountain

Chapter 2

As time goes by, I learn more & more about the benefits of being a "Mountain Lion". Apparently, we not only protect all nearby territories from the "Bad People", but we also trade goods with caravans & merchants! This means I get to travel a lot and meet new people. Meanwhile the girls follow me everywhere I go.

First, Itoya & I travelled in big trading ships. I thought that I could become a good sailorman. But it reminded me of the old not very good times that I had with the pirates groups. So I preferred not to think about it for now. Then we started travelling on the land with caravans. Right now we are with a group, who carry silk, carpets, jewelry, spice, & other stuff. They use camels to move their carriages in some of which, families also travel together. Itoya & I still use our horses to protect the chain from bandits together with some other horse riders. Well, I wouldn't say it's any less exciting than the mountain. Though I have to return to the mountain sometimes, in order to prevent becoming another Heidi!

We stop for a rest in the middle of the desert. "Sandy", "Sunny" & "Windy" are with us. They have made themselves like Gypsies! I still haven't seen any signs of anyone else being able to see these girls.

Women get ready to prepare food, and men set up big umbrellas. An Indian guy (named "Kumar" if I'm not wrong) invites me & Itoya to sit under one of those umbrellas on a colorful carpet. He is older than me, but seems younger than Itoya… or maybe about the same age. He takes out a cloth & starts cleaning the sweat that doesn't exist! And eager to begin a conversation, he starts:

-"Man, there's nothing here except sand and sun! Don't you think so?"

Windy is startled by this remark. She becomes angry & a sudden wind blows & drops the Indian's hat! I try hard to hold my laugh, but a small "Ha!" skips from Itoya! Kumar san adds,

-"My bad, and wind!" There is a smile of victory on Windy's face. Itoya suggests, -"Try to think about the good stuff, like the Gold you'll earn instead!" Kumar picks up his hat & wears it again, then continues:

-"Right! So, Kazuki! Correct? Tell me, will you become the broom of my daughter?"

Itoya chocks his beer, & I jump up, -"What? I thought you're younger than Itoya!"

-"You're very kind, son! But I'm 50 years old! There she is. She's helping her mother in making the Indian Curry."

We turn to that direction, there is a teenage daughter waving at us beside the big black pot! We wave back at her. Sandy stands up & steps towards her while Windy & Sunny try to hold her back.

Mr. Kumar explains, -"Her name is "Naya", which means: To Admire God." This time Sunny flies & the other two catch her. Kumar san continues, -"She plans to become a cook chef in the future. By the way you are invited to visit my castle in India after this trip ends!"

He has a castle in India?!

Later on, we are all enjoying a very spicy Indian curry served by Naya, together. It's too hot I'm almost burning. I need some water!

Kumar san asks me, -"So, What would you say?"

I look at Itoya for help, but he is busy trying to figure out his own curry. I turn to Mr. Kumar & answer, -"Prease… I yeed home hime ho hink about it!"

-"Of course, take your time. We'll wait!"

Someone calls: "The bandits! The bandits of the desert are here!"

Itoya & I jump up & run to our horses. Other protectors do the same, while the traders try to collect all the stuff back inside the carriages.

I prepare an arrow on the galloping horse. They are a group of about 20 horse riders. All covered in black except their eyes, almost like our ninjas. They are running towards the caravan, so I have to shoot the arrows in their way in order to stop them & buy time while our group scape. I start shooting, while Itoya takes out his sword.

Then I'm surprised when another arrow comes from behind. They have an archer too? This is not good. I turn back to see that there are actually three of them. Will our caravan manage to escape? What is taking those guys so long? As I shoot arrows, I take a fast look at our caravan. They are now packed & starting to move. Someone runs & throws a stool in the last carriage, and hurries to jump in. Wait a minute, the Indians are also running. The mother is pulling Naya's hand. She manages to jump in, but Naya falls down & misses her hand. Oh my God, They are leaving without Naya. The Woman is calling her name & stretching her hand, but others stop her from jumping. I have to do something!

At this point I figure out that the bandits have arrived dangerously close to the caravan. Itoya and others are following closely. With this rate, the bandits may reach Naya & use her as bait. I think of the only thing I can do now, so I jump & act as a shield! I try to cover her as much as I can, hoping for others to cover for us. The rest of our team arrives. I close my eyes & hear them fighting. Then I feel someone grabbing my arm. She seems to be really scared. I just smile and say:

-"Don't worry, everything will be fine!"

…..

Dear goodness, how did I end up here?!

I find myself in this rare situation, where there is a great celebration & I'm the hero! I never predicted this! They have made a big fire in the desert, & are dancing around it, saying that I rescued their daughter! I'm pretty sure that her daddy is going to announce a wedding for me & her! If I see him standing to say a toast, I swear I will run!

The girls are also dancing. They invite me to join the dance once in every minute! I didn't know there are musicians in our caravan! They play guitars & drums. Suddenly I imagine myself riding on an elephant! No way! This is not happening!

I look for a route to escape. Just when I find one in the bushes, someone pulls my hand & takes me inside the dancers! Naya & the girls are prancing in front of me. Sunny has become one with the fire & turns rounds & rounds. They are body flirting with me! What shall I do?! I smile & start clapping! I know, I will play for a few minutes then I will escape. Jumping right & left with the crowd, I discover Itoya's face inside the watchers. So I grab his hand & pull him in as well! He objects:

-"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!"

-"Please play with me, I have a plan! Just pretend to dance for a few minutes!"

-"Well, I don't have any other choice, right?"

-"I love you! Someday I will make it up for you!"

-"Wow! Did I hear this sentence before? It sounds familiar!" Itoya starts clapping too. Then suddenly he disappears into the inner circle! Oops!

Now is the time. As I still clap, I take secret steps to the left, and finally I hide behind the bush. Then I start running! I run & run & run! Until the fire becomes an orange dot far away in the night horizon. Taking a breath, I notice the silent desert around me. Then I see the Sky.

A sea of thousands of shinny little hearts spread around me! And a smiling crescent moon in a corner. I finally found my place in this world! Here I stand, and here I stay! I sit down to rest, when I spot two familiar faces, "Moonlight" & "Starry"! Oh, they were here too! The sisters are as lovely as always. "Starry" is a Black woman with all the stars shinning in her hair. And "Moonlight" all in white, is my Bride! Starry stands leaning on a rock, where Moonlight is sitting on it. I lie down & call it a "Night"!