Hoshiko POV
The fifth day into our journey I finally was able to wake up at dawn without wishing harm on who woke me. In those five days I had done my best to hide this desire to hit them at these times and was fairly confident that no one hade noticed. When I woke on this morning, I got ready to leave and put on a pair of earmuffs. When I had started doing this, I had gotten some looks, but I explained that their arguing was too loud and I had to plug my ears.
I mostly chatted with Yūn as we walked. Yūn had similar interests: reading and learning. From him I learned the basics of medicine. He complemented me on being a fast learner and soon he was teaching me many things. While I did not know much practical information, I did know things about the different countries and could speak the languages of all bordering countries, plus a few more. We picked one of those and I started teaching it to him, as well as a version of sign language.
While Yūn and I discussed verb conjugation and debated the usefulness of a single first person pronoun, Hak asked, "Oi, white snake. Are we close? We already have checked all the placed we thought."
Kija shook his head, then pointed further towards the mountains. "He's that way."
"Maybe he crossed the border..." Yūn said, quietly (for the others, at least). He then proceeded to pull out his map. I looked over his shoulder, curiously.
"What about there?" I asked, pointing to the mountains near by. I had heard of other societies that built right into the cliff face, so why not a mountain.
Yūn shook his head. "No, I don't think it is hospitable... Wait." He stood up suddenly. "Thats it! Great job Hoshi-chan! It must be in the mountains! I had previously dismissed it as being inhospitable, but I think it is our best bet."
"Yes! Lets go!" Yona exclaimed.
I shook my head. Yūn had startled me by standing up so suddenly and then yelling. "Yeah!..." I tried for enthusiasm and succeeded in pathetic.
Off we went to the Seiryuu's village.
-
We entered the mountain and marveled at the tunnels. Just after entering, I shushed the group. The village people were whispering. I took off my ear muffs and listened...
"Strangers" said a voice
"One has red hair!" Another stated, nervous
"We can't let them know about him!" Exclaimed the first, in a whisper so quiet I doubted those near him could hear it, but with no less intensity.
I sighed.
"What is it?" Yona asked, clearly curious.
I made a helpless gesture.
Yona continued to give me a curious look while I went back to focusing on the conversation, closing my eyes. (Hey, just because I can hear it does not mean that I can stay focused on it while other things are going on.)
"We need to get them to leave. Now." One was saying.
Following this, I heard their footsteps coming toward us.
I opened my eyes and frowned.
I tuned to Yona quickly and said quietly (at least in the opinion of others) "they are going to try to make us leave. Don't fall for it! The Seiryuu is almost certainly here!"
I slipped my earmuffs into my cloak, anticipating a negative reaction to my dragon blood. I quickly and quietly (always relative) to the back of the group.
"We have guests?" A man asked in (fake) confusion as he appeared from deeper in the mountain from behind a pice of cloth, along with a few others including some people with masks.
Kija looked like he was about to speak, but Yona, evidently remembering what I had said quickly interrupted. "Hello. We are looking for someone named Seiryuu. Is he here?" Yona asked politely.
"No. I have never heard of someone called Seiryuu." The man who appeared to be the leader said curtly.
There was something close, just beyond my range of hearing... I couldn't make it out... It seemed to be coming from the man, but...
"Oh, well, would we be able to stay the night then, before we continue our journey? It is getting late, and we have an injured person in our group." Yona was saying, diplomatically.
"... Fine but just one night." The man huffed. "Follow me... But do be careful, it is a maze in these caves and not my responsibility if something were to happen to you." A threat. We followed the man deeper into the mountain.
