Chapter 4
Encounters
It took about a week for Orion to travel into Diamond Territory. The sun was low in the sky and he was on the side of the road near a bend. He had seen many things on his journey so far. From boats on the Tor to sea serpents in the Silver Sea. Orion was just thankful that he hasn't been attacked yet. He had heard tales of bandits and thieves from his father and travelers. How they would leave you for dead and take all your valuables. Orion had seen what he guessed was a sea serpent, but it was busy feeding on whatever was in the water.
The shape was long and slender but had bulk. Blue, green, purple scales and spiny fins were on the monster. He didn't see a head to his disappointment, but he knew he shouldn't go looking for danger.
"A little late to be thinking that, don't you think?" Orion scolded himself. He was heading to Blood Lily Island after all. If he wanted to stay out of danger he would have stayed in Tora.
"REEEEET!" Multiple squeals screeched from his right and Orion was instantly startled. He looked around looking for the sound when he saw a herd of animals coming straight towards him. They came up to his knees and looked something like pigs. But these pigs had tusks, humps, and fur.
Orion cried out in alarm and instantly started to run. He ran down the road as fast as he could but the wild pigs pursued him. They screeched and squealed as they chased after him, intent on harm. Orion thought wildly what to do, but the panic wouldn't make his mind think straight. He was truly scared for the first time in his life. It was so new so sudden he didn't know what to do. All he could do was run and hope he outran them. Orion kept keeping glances at the herd behind him, but that only made him want to run all the more. He could probably run faster if he wasn't holding his staff.
"Wait- staff! Magic!" Orion instantly thought what to do. He abruptly stopped and turned around, stamping the ground with his jeweled staff. A wall of fire abruptly sprang in front of the wild pigs. The effects were instant. The pigs reeled before the flame. Some crashed into one another. Others swerved away and back. "Good. It's holding them back." Though the flames kept the beasts at bay, they were dwindling and the pigs were getting restless.
Orion looked around frequently, trying to figure out a plan. Then he remembered pigs couldn't climb trees. Their legs are too stubby and they had hooves. Orion dashed to the nearest tree, threw his staff away, and started to climb. It was hard for him though. Orion had never climbed a tree before. Tora had no trees, they could not grow in the marble. But Orion still managed to climb the tree and get onto the low branch. He went up higher to be safe.
The pigs were instantly around the trunk. They rutted and squealed, circling the tree he was in. Some looked up at Orion, black eyes calculating. Orion counted how many there were, pointing them out. He counted 6 pigs. He stared down at the as they circled and communicated, holding onto the branches for dear life.
A final squeal was made from a larger pig and they all backed up. Orion felt relief flow over him as he sighed. Then he yelled out jeering. "HAHAHA! Take that you- WHOA!" Orion reaffirmed his grip on the branch as he felt the tree shake. It had nearly knocked him out of the tree.
He looked down again and saw the big one charge the tree. It rammed into the trunk and the tree shook again. Orion scolded himself for getting distracted, thinking it was going to be finished so soon. The pig charged again, slamming its head into the tree trunk.
Orion cursed and retaliated, thrusting out his hand, lashing out magic at the beast. The pig jerked back as if it had a heavy blow and stumbled. It shook its head and started trotting around the base. A few others gave the trunk a try. Though they simply rammed their heads and did not charge like their leader did.
They were wary this time. The fire had taken them by surprise, but now they were being careful. Orion had been able to hurt one of them, so now they had to be careful. This went on for about an hour. When Orion decided one was doing too much, he'd strike at them with magic, like he had done with the large one.
When they finally gave up, their leader gave a snort and they walked off into the forest. Orion watched them as they went, making sure they were going to leave. The pigs were out of sight but he climbed down onto the lower branch, checking again that they were gone.
Deeming it safe he dropped to the ground and went to collect his staff. He knew it was irresponsible to throw his staff away. Though Torans could always do magic, Orion always felt stronger with it. The pigs have left it alone well enough, though he did see one stiffing at it. Frowning, he used his cloak as a cleaning rag on the staff.
Satisfied, he leaned it against a tree and took out his map. "Okay… According to this I am right about… here!" Orion pointed to a spot where there too was a curve in the road. "Alright… It took me about 8 days to get this far. So if…" He moved his fingers making measurements along the coastal road. He mumbled as he did so. Orion always talked to himself when he was trying to solve a problem. "…It should take me another day to get to the end of the Finger. …Now what am I going to do about a boat?"
The sound of neighing pierced his ear and he looked down the road. There he saw a large cart being towed by two brown horses. Each had black manes and white spots decorated on their hides. The cart had a canopy over it tied down by ropes. Crates were the cargo. But what really caught his attention was the driver.
A knight dressed in golden armor held the reins. His armor had both plate and mail but it looked as if it should belong in a museum. The plate was embellished with swirling patterns, like ivy on a fence. The helmet had a 'T' shaped visor and two horns adorned it like tusks. Spikes also trailed down his shoulder plating, gauntlet and armored boots on his limbs. A great shield hung on his back. He could not tell if there were any intricate designs but he had seen paintings of this kind of warrior. It was a Jalis Knight. But what one doing driving a cart?
Then Orion thought of his journey so far. He had not seen a single person on the road. True, he did see an occasional farm or two but he never really met anyone. Maybe he could ask the knight for a ride. He'd rather not have to walk all the way back to the coast.
The cart drew closer and Orion walked towards it. The knight took notice of Orion and pulled on the reins. The horses responded halting to a stop. Orion spoke first. "Hello. May I ask how far you headed?"
The knight spoke brashly. "That is no business of yours. Now go away." Then Orion noticed the smell. He cringed at the odor that came from the knight. It was not pleasant at all, like he had never bathed in his life. The knight obviously took notice at Orion's action, and his helmet turned back to face him. "What's the matter? Something you don't like?"
"Um." Orion cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but do you smell something?"
"No. Why?"
"I've noticed odor. Why is it so… strong?"
"Great." The Knight said dryly. "Another bather." He seemed to sneer saying those words. And his anger was rising. "The Jalis believe that bathing causes weakness. We use tusker fat and herbs to clean ourselves. Do you want to make something about it!?"
Orion flinched back, eyes widening and blinked. He had never experiencing anger before, and the Jalis was obviously offended at mentioning his body odor. "No, no! I just have never met someone as… noticeable such as yourself, knight."
"Hmm." Orion imagined the knight grinning. "You honey your words. You are lucky that I have other business to attend to, you spineless-!" A woman's voice rang out from the back, interrupting the knight. "Why in the world have we stopped!? Brock! What is the meaning of this!?"
The knight sighed and responded. His words became a yell as he spoke. "There is a traveler who decided that he wanted to TALK TO ME, YOU WITCH!"
"THEN WHAT DOES HE WANT!?"
"Ugh." The knight, Brock, sneered. Then his word came out like a hiss. "What do you want, stranger? We are late as it is and my patience is running thin! Now what do you want!?" Orion recoiled at the man's anger but didn't look away.
"I need a ride down the road to the coast." Orion spoke cautiously, so he could avoid stoking Brock's anger. "I was run down by a herd of pigs with tusks and-" Laughter interrupted Orion's explanation. "Hahaha! Got chased by a couple of tuskers did you? Ha! What I wouldn't give to see that!" Orion frowned at Brocks laughter, not seeing how it was humorous.
"Why in the world-?" The woman shrieked again, interrupting Orion. "BROCK! WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG!?"
Brock growled back. "He was just explaining himself you little-!"
"Will you take me or not?" The Jalis stared at him, assessing him. Then Brock removed his helmet, revealing a teenager about his age with blue eyes and short brown hair. His skin was tanned and his features were rugged, and ruff, but not ugly. Brock stared at Orion squinting his eyes. Then he snorted and looked back to the road. "Get in." He moved his head sideways giving Orion permission. "Thank you." Orion climbed up beside Brock and onto the top of the crates.
Then they were moving. The horses pulling the cart. "About time, you muscle brained brute!" The woman yelled again.
Orion frowned looking "She seems to have quite the temper. Why is she with you?" Orion could feel her power. It was not like others in Tora. Her aura radiated knowledge but it was constantly shifting. He could also feel two other presences. One was faint, like a spider's thread, and the other was strong like a well-kept rope. Orion was wary of back.
"I was assigned to escort the witch. She's from the Plains and came here blind. Bloody insane if you ask me. I'd rather be at the stables than with this woman. But no! The Captain told me too, saying I need a woman's touch. Baa! Unfair is what it is!"
"My apologies." He looked back at the end of the cart wondering what she looked like. Then he looked back at Brock. "What is her name?"
"It's Ava you twit!" Orion spun around looking back at the end again. "I'm blind, not deaf, you insufferable wanderer!" Orion blanched while Brock laughed, noticing his reaction.
"Best ignore her. So, what's your name traveler?"
"My name is Orion, of Tora."
"Tora?" Brock raised eyebrow at him and then looked back at the road, grumbling and scowling. "Great. Another accursed sorcerer." The Jalis spoke again. "Rarely see your kind around here, sorcerer. What brings you out of your marble walls? Another meeting with the king?"
"Only the leaders of my people can do that, knight. Besides, do I look like I'm visiting royalty to you?"
Brock laughed. "Ha! Not with that cloak, you're not."
"Where are you escorting Miss Ava anyways?"
Brock looked at Orion as if he grew another head. "Miss? Why in the world would you call her Miss? She's a nutcase."
"It's always better to be polite. Besides Miss Ava can hear us perfectly well. I believe we should treat her with some decency. Even more so, since she is blind as you say."
"Ha! At least he gets it!" Ava called out.
Brock grumbled then spoke to Orion. "We're heading to an old building out on the Finger. She bought the place after it was abandoned by the previous owner. Said she had set up a shop. The building's been around for centuries."
Orion's eyes lit up at the mention of the Finger. He immediately spoke. "I myself am going to the Finger actually. I have business there I wish to attend to. Perhaps I could ride with you two. I could help unload these crates when you arrive."
"Now why would you do that? You said it yourself, you have your own business to attend to."
"I think my business can wait. Think of it as repayment for the ride."
Brock looked at Orion up and down, reassessing him. "You are honest. I can see that much in you. Good, so I won't need to listen to the witch's complaining if we stop again." Orion smiled at Brock knowing that he was happy to have more company.
Orion looked to the back. "And what of you Miss Ava? Will you accept my help?"
"I'm not paying you if that's what you're looking for, wanderer. Do what you will. I could care less." Orion frowned at being called 'wanderer' again. It was disconcerting to him and he did not know why. But Orion made himself comfortable, ignoring the feeling.
He was happy, no longer alone.
So what'd you think? I was going to write more, but I think it was better for the next chapter. Oh, well. Hoped you enjoyed it.
