Ok, let's follow Pax across what we know as Pakistan, Iran & Iraq.
This chap starts about 3 weeks into her travels…
Disclaimer:
Just to reiterate the fact that I own nothing of 'King Arthur' or 'The Last Legion' (sighs)
So if you want to sue me over this story, all you are going to get is my collection of Porcelain Dolls!
Hope you all enjoy!!!
"Across the Desert"
Peyton collapses next to me as we rest under a tree, trying to get some relief from the harsh heat of the sun. It is so hot and we cannot keep on without water and a rest, unfortunately I only have a little water left in my bag, so we may have to just sit here till it cools in the afternoon. As we rest I pull out my bag and start to rummage through it…apple, water bag, writing stone, slingshot and pebbles (given me by Augustus as a gift when I left), a spare scarf and my scroll.
I look at it carefully, I feel as though it is begging me to open it. After a moment of thought I give in to its silent taunting and unroll the parchment to reveal that it has magically produced another few lines of text, it reads:
Congratulations on making it this far though trials and tribulation have disheartened you.
You could say that again, in my first week I was attacked 3 times and I had thought that Peyton had died. It was a hell of a beginning, but thankfully it had definitely turned out better since then.
You have proved your worth over and over, showing that you are completely ready for the task at hand. Even so, this is not a journey or task of ease. It is unfortunate that I must be the one to inform you that it will not be easy for you; you will be in unmarked territory as you continue on. That is all I have for you at this time, for look the sun is clouded and the air is cool, now is the time to continue.
"What that's it!?!" I exclaim loudly. Suddenly the scroll rolls itself up in a brilliant flash of light. It's then that I realize that the air has cooled; I drape my cloak around myself as I give Peyton the last of our water. She neighs as I mount her, and once again we are off, heading towards the setting sun.
– PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA – PAA –
2 weeks later (it has been just over a month since Pax left)
"Whoa girl, easy there!" I say trying to soothe Peyton. We have just happened upon a nasty looking snake and Peyton is terrified, I try to make her progress around and past the snake but she is too scared to move. Suddenly from out of no where a spear flies past my head and pierces the snake right through the head. I turn around to see an elderly man walking towards me.
"Did you throw that?" I ask astonished, he nods silently and retrieves his spear as well as the snake. "Snake meat is very good, lots of oils to keep the skin healthy." he tells me in a raspy voice. "Yes, it is very good" I say eyeing it hungrily, I haven't had a decent meal in days and feel as though my stomach has started eating itself.
He looks intently at me for a bit, "Would you like to join me for dinner?" he asks kindly, I am gob smacked, a total stranger has just invited me to have dinner with him, but I am too hungry to stay shocked for long "Yes please"! I exclaim a little too loudly earning a slight chuckle from the elderly man. "Very well, follow me then." He leads me across sand dune after sand dune, till we reach a tiny oasis.
He pulls back a palm branch and I duck just in time for it to miss my head, as I raise my eyes I take in the view. There is a small pool of sparkling water surrounded by golden sands and fenced safely by the many different green trees providing protection for any who happened upon the little paradise. To the left of the pool sits a fairly decent sized tent, which I assume is the man's home. It looks as thought he has been here for a while, possibly years, the little spot offering him a beautiful yet protected home.
"Beautiful, isn't it?!" he asks, "Yes!" I reply "it is absolutely stunning!" He starts to make a fire as I remove my bags from Peyton so she can sleep. "Can I help?" I ask "No, there is not much to do. You are welcome to fill your water bag from the pool." he replies, at this I walk over a collect my bag and begin to fill it with the cool water.
I return the water bag to where it sat, next to a peacefully sleeping Peyton. I take the next few minutes to unroll my sleeping bag and set up what personal items I have, it feels nice to be able to actually stop somewhere for a whole night and not worry about whom or what could come upon my camp.
"Have you been traveling long?" asks the elderly man as he removes the chunks of snake meat from a pan sitting over a small fire. "Just over a month, it has been an interesting experience so far" I reply.
"Not exactly what you expected I guess. Why exactly did you leave?" he asks eyeing me suspiciously. I look at him wondering if the truth is a safe option, or if he will think I am insane. "I…uhm…decided to travel a bit before I settled down I guess" I answer chickening out.
"Did Freya tell you to say that?" he asks with a smirk. I look at him completely shocked, "or did you think that I would think you were insane?" he concludes.
"Uhm…uh…well…I thought you would think I was insane. Freya did not tell me what I should do if someone asked me about my travels, in fact she didn't tell me very much at all. She never warned me of what I could be facing; I do not think that I am reading for whatever task she has set for me!" I exclaim exasperated.
"That woman is impossible; I'm guessing she probably gave you one of those ridiculous half empty scrolls too. Now when I used to shift I made sure that whoever it was knew exactly what was happening, but she is just a meddling woman. Only interested in what will be more exciting! It's…it's…infuriating!!" he shouts loudly.
"Sorry, it's just that all these young ones that come up through the ranks make it out to be so hard, and they spend their time just fiddling with things that are completely unnecessary. But, you did get one of the better ones I guess; no matter how annoying she is her heart is in the right place. It would have to be, she is my grand-daughter after all".
"Freya is your grand-daughter, how can that be?" I ask that gentleman, "The gene of shifting runs through the family, it has the tendency to get weaker, but every so often someone with a natural knack is born. Freya and her mother Kiara, my daughter, were two very strong Shifters. My daughter has since retired along with myself and my late wife, but it is always there, very like a disease actually".
"Wow that is incredible, so you retire like you would form work, but you still retain the skills you have learnt. That is amazing!" I say excitedly, "Yes, well dinner is ready, shall we eat?" he asks as I nod enthusiastically.
After we have finished I help clean up, whilst drying off the last plate, I turn and ask "Excuse me sir, but I feel as though I have been very rude, you have shared your food and I still do not even know whom I am to thank?" "My name is Jedekiah, and thank-you for helping me clean up. Now perhaps there is something else I can do for you, where is this scroll of yours?" he asks.
I put down the now dry plate and return to my knapsack for my scroll. I hand it to Jedekiah who unrolls it, there are still only the half a dozen or so lines, he reads them all and then frowns. "That's not much to go on is it, maybe I can fix that he says as he rummages through one of his own bags. He finally pulls out what looks like a pen starts to run it over the blank section of scroll, suddenly words start appearing and forming sentences on the page.
He hands the scroll back to me; it now contains two new paragraphs. "Now you must promise me to only read one of these paragraphs, in four weeks when you will have been away for 2 months, you can read the second one, but not before. Do you understand?" he asks. "Yes, I understand." I reply.
"Good, now get some sleep. It's late and you have a big day ahead of you. Sleep well Paxton" calls Jedekiah as he enters his tent. "You too Jedekiah" I call back. I lay my head down on my pillow……'wait a second how did he know my name' I think sitting upright. I laugh silently to myself at this as I lay back down on the pillow. Looking up at the beautiful night sky, bejeweled by twinkling stars I slowly take in a deep breath, then for the first time in over a month, I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next morning I wake to the sun shining brightly on my face. I yawn loudly, turning towards the smell of something delicious cooking on the fire. I cannot see Jedekiah anywhere, and assume that he must have gone for a walk. I make my way over to the food; next to the big cauldron bubbling away I find a small bowl with a note resting inside. It reads:
Dear Paxton,
I do hope that you slept well. As you probably would have guessed I have gone for a walk and probably won't return until after you have left. Have some breakfast, but do not wait for me. I can see that you have a big task ahead of you and I would not want tot keep you here any longer than is necessary. I can see that Freya was right in choosing you for the job, I foresee you doing great things; and becoming a great person.
Good luck on your journey,
Jedekiah
A small tear escapes form my eye and runs down my cheek, dripping onto the letter. I quickly dab at it to stop it running. I fold the letter and put it into the same box I carry my scroll in. I remove the scroll and decide that I should probably read the first paragraph before I head off. I unroll it and it reads:
Well done on making it this far, the desert is a treacherous place, do not waste the knowledge you have gained thus far. To ensure great things you must be capable of them, there is no gain without sacrifice, no victory without struggle. You have already met one of your helpers for this journey, now you travel to meet another. However this one will not find you, you must find him, when you reach the village at the foot of the great mountains, ask for a man named Hezekiah. He will help you continue your journey. Remember, you must put forth effort in order to receive blessings.
After securing the scroll and my other belongings to Peyton, I have 2 bowls of the breakfast stew, finding that it tastes as good as it smells. After cleaning the bowl and stacking it neatly with the others, I mount Peyton and make my way to the edge of the Oasis. Looking back at the crystal pool and lush trees I bid my final farewell making my way out into the desert, knowing that my adventure is only just beginning.
So what you think, the next chap will be "Through the Mountains", it goes with Pax as she travels over dangerous mountain ranges to get to the shipping port at which she will travel to Britain, and yes meet up with some familiar characters.
Please let me know what you thought, it's tough to try and start this again so I would like some constructive criticism to get me back on course pls!!
Stay tuned…
Luv Punky