Cocheta means stranger.

Sow The Seeds

When the village awoke, an uproar followed. Their shaman was missing. The commotion woke a now pain free Kara, who panicked and got dressed as quickly as she could. She ran outside and focused her mind on Night. She located him, but he was far away, and running after him may not be the best option. To the clan, they would just think she was trying to slink away, with her tail between her legs because she may have done something to him.

The clan elders questioned her, but in their own tongue, something Night had not yet discussed with her. All could see her wide eyed gaze, terrified and lost. It made them question why she looked like that. Terrified because she had done something to Night? Or lost because he had helped her to calm down, rehabilitate her into an unknown place. Whatever the case was, Night had to be found.

Three of the strongest warriors in the clan were sent out in different directions. But each went the wrong way, and Kara shouted to them, hoping that they would know what she was saying.

"No, please Sir! Night is to the East, at least a few hours away on foot. I feel partially responsible for his departure as he may be after the man that tried to kill me. Please, I speak the truth".

The chief just glared at the tiny, almost waif-like woman and laughed. His laughter rumbled and Kara almost cried at his nastiness towards her.

"And tell me, I wish to know why we should listen to a cocheta? You think you belong here because the foolish warrior Nightwolf brought you here? You will never be one of my proud, sacred people".

Kara somehow mustered up the courage to speak to possibly the scariest man she had ever met.

"I do not ask to be a part of your incredible people, I would never be worthy of that honour. The mere fact that I am here now must prove that I could not be a threat, or I would have been dealt with swiftly. I cannot assure you, I can only tell you, that I know where Night is. I do not ask for any of you trust me, only that you lend me your ears, just for now".

The chief looked to his men, who remained defiant, but he motioned for them to walk to the east, before walking away himself. An old woman came through the congregation of people and stood next to Kara.

"You must be Night's grandmother". The woman nodded.

"Ogin Kara".

Kara tilted her head at that, it didn't seem like an insult. The older woman laughed a little.

"It means wild rose. You are a wild one, young one. No wonder my grandson seems taken with you".

"Really? But he is calm, docile. If I am wild, then surely he would run away".

The woman now held a somber expression.

"His wife used to be docile, like him. She was sweet and kind. But he would never tell her, but he wanted someone who was strong willed, brave, not just beautiful. You are all of those things. And I can see, when I look at him, even with my weary eyes, that look he gave her. Adoration, and I felt an inner peace with him when he spoke about you".

Kara couldn't stop the blush from creeping up and into her cheeks.

"To have captured Night's heart, she must have certainly been something. I care for him, so much it frightens me. I don't know if I have ever felt anything like this before, nor do I know how to react to affection".

"Be yourself, that is how to be in a positive love. If it was not meant to be, it would not have happened. Something brought you together that night, a higher power. And in seeing him happy again, I thank it".

Kara now smiled and the woman smiled back.

"I think I know what happened, to draw him to me. I remember calling out, but my lips were not moving, it must have been with my telepathy. Then when he went to pick me up, he felt my pain jolt through his body. And ever since then, I could feel his heart beat, his breaths, his pain, I can even hear Lycyrian's voice when he is only supposed to be heard by Night. I think, I think we are tied somehow. Like our souls are entwined. And to be truly honest with you, I am happy about that. If I can help him in any way, then I will. I promise".

The older woman took her hand and smiled, chanting something that made a grey mist of magic swirl around their hands. The magic expanded until both could see Night, standing on top of a mountain peak, as if searching for something, or someone. Kara spoke to him and he flinched, looking around, and then spotting a familiar mist in front of him.

"Kara? Gran?"

"Night, three warriors from your clan are looking for you. They only left a short while ago though. Please, join them and come back. I will take full responsibility for you leaving, after all, it is my fault".

Night shook his head.

"It is not, and never has been. I will come back, but on one condition. You let me take the punishment for me leaving. Deal?"

Kara sighed but nodded.

"Fine. But if you are banished, or hurt in any way, I will be very upset, and I will leave".

The smoke had vanished before Night got to reply. He retraced his steps and Kara sat on her bed, worried sick for what may happen when he returned. The chief was a stern man, and Kara expected no less. He wouldn't have gotten to the position he is in now if he wasn't like that. It took a few more hours for the party to return. Kara however, was mumbling to herself. She had remembered something but her mind only gave it to her tongue in fragments. She decided to try and voice the unclear memory.

Night overheard her, and something told him to eavesdrop, even though it wasn't in his nature. He wished he hadn't.

"Smoke, grey, rather blunt, but sweet in his own way. Smoke, Tomas? Maybe. Heart flutters, smiling constantly, happy. I love him. I...damn mind! Why can't you work properly? Who is Smoke? And why do I see him, clearly in my mind?"

Kara slammed her foot down and pouted, wishing for this man to be here, then possibly, she could work out more about him.

Night knew whom Kara spoke of. Smoke was a member of the Lin Quei, but he was made into a robot unit, although no one had seen him in that guise. So Kara did have someone, and she still loved him. Even if her memory wasn't perfect, she said she loved him. Even the wolf had no witty comeback to throw at the shaman.

Night felt his heart shatter, and a single tear, mixed with war paint slowly slid down his face.