Chapter Eight :: Lucas of Galore
It was the season of blooming. Cherry Blossom trees that surrounded the castle all bloomed. Years ago, the Queen of Loire had them landscaped so the trees were on either side of the stone streets of the castles entrance. Twenty on either side, forty Cherry Blossom trees in all. It was a magnificent sight to see when peddles flew in the breeze of the ocean as the flowers bloomed to life. Every Year the Kingdom of Loire held a festival to celebrate the bloomings of Cherry Blossoms, for it too was the day the Princess of Loire had been born. The crown and his people gathered around as they celebrated, dancing to musicians, eating a magnificent feast prepared by the servants of the Castle. On her Eleventh birthday, Sakura danced in her finest dress. The silk glistened in the sun as she spun, lifting her skirts off the ground so they wouldn't dirty.
Everything around her was nothing but joy and laughter. She dwelled in it, dancing with the people of her kingdom. Her emerald eyes laughed in silence as she was spun around in the arms of one of the weapons master's sons. He was tall for his age, but nonetheless the same age. The two danced to the joys of many and the amusement of her mother and father. Not once had she seen her parents dance, but she knew from the way they sat on makeshift thrones at the end of the cherry blossom road, they were happy. As the joyous sound ended, Sakura curtsied to the young man before hopping off down the road. Blossoms fell in her wake and she spun and skipped, laughing as she tried her best at not trampling on the ones already on the ground. An old woman, smiled at her as she held out a gift.
Sakura gracefully planted herself and bowed her head, accepting the blossomed necklace. With a toothy smile, she curtsied and bounded off for the end of the Blossomed road. There, standing in her wake at the end stood a knight. He was covered in blood from head to toe. With a bow, he took the helmet off his head to reveal a gash running down his right cheek. Sakura froze in place, eyes wide. The music continued on playing behind her as she stared at the knight and all his gore. He was still bent at the waist in a respective bow but she saw the strain in it, saw the twitch of his legs as he held still against the pain. Eyes wide, she looked at the festival then back at him. No one seemed to see him, no one cared that there was an unrecognizable knight bowing the princess. She held out her hand, getting him to lift up from his agonizing bow.
Green eyes as green and pure as her own stared at her. "Run," he whispered, blood slipping from his lips. Sakura froze in place as his face contorted and twisted. "Run now Princess they are here." She looked behind him, seeing no one but the villagers. He fell forward to her surprise, disappearing in a gust of smoke. That's when it all happened, the villagers all dead before her, blood marking the roads in puddles at the corpses. Turning behind her at the festival she saw that everything was in ruined, blood smearing the decorations and the trees. Sakura took a step forward and screamed.
Sakura bolted up, sweat running down her face. Heart thudded madly against her chest as she placed a shaky hand to it. A dream, it was all a dream. Blinking, she looked around her at the surrounding expecting to see the blood, the corpses, and the ruined Cherry Blossom trees. The only thing she saw were sleeping knight's bundled up next to a burnt out fire pit. Rela and Hitori were sound asleep next to a tree, Nartake in his own spot propped up on a different tree. The sun barely reached the sky, the sky a mere dawn. Willing her heart to slow down at the horrifying dream, she rested back down. Lyri shifted, limps out of the blanket that kept her warm. A small hand suddenly latched onto Sakura and she turned her head, watching the child snore. It was only a dream, she told herself again. Softly unlatching Lyri's hold Sakura got up quietly.
The herbal tea medicine that Nartake insisted the two girls drink, sat in a canteen by their spot. Taking it, she took a quick swig of the gross tasting substance holding back her disgust in a forced swallow. Laying it back down, she covered Lyri up tightly and grabbed for her weapons that usually hid beneath the bundle they slept on. Barefoot, she stepped cautiously away from the camp and to the stream a little ways away from where everyone slept. Rela opened one eye, watching her before deciding against it and went back to sleep. Sakura was grateful the wolf was silent and crossed the stream with one natural leap. If she wanted to practice and get the dream out of her mind, she didn't want to be near the group. It was barely dawn, she was sure Syaoran and Eriol needed the rest to heal.
Coming up on a clearing, she placed the two daggers down and began stretching. Her body hurt, stiff from head to toe from being attacked, bound, and running for miles. She hadn't realized the extent of not resting could take such a toll on her body. Bending, she played with the hem of her tattered skirt, wishing she had others to change into. The old witch, Lady Abigail was nowhere around so she wasn't taking care of Sakura's feminine needs any longer. A small part of her missed the old woman the other part was glad to be rid of her sarcastic batty ways. Wiggling out what soreness she could, Sakura took up the daggers and began a practice of turns. Both were hidden easily against the palm of her hands. Coming up slow, she turned left then right before spinning in a complete circle on her right leg, her left dagger slipping from her grasp and embedding itself into the dirt ground.
She did that again with the left leg, quicker then the first and sending her dagger to embed itself into a nearby tree. It thumped, splinters flying at impact. With ease she cart wheeled to the first dagger, pulling it out of the ground before hopping to her feet and springing into a double flip to the tree. Yanking it out, she climbed and flipped backwards into a stance that would have killed an opponent if they were standing behind her. She did that over and over again till there were deep holes from the impact of her weapons. Sweat beaded her face as she came to a stand still, pulling the dagger from the tree. The dream that had woken her up, a small dot on her mind. It wasn't enough; she still remembered the blood, the screams, and the corpses that were her kingdom seven years ago.
Breathing hard, she began again. As her dagger went flying into the dirt as it had ten other times, she heard a rustle of leaves as someone walked in the woods. Not taking her mind off what she was doing, she spun on her left leg and sent the other dagger flying into the depths of the forest. It clinked against another's weapon and she cart wheeled for her dagger, bringing it up just as the knight from last night appeared in her sight. Holding back her spring, she blinked back sweat and held still. He had the oddest look on his face as she held her dagger between his fingers. His blue eyes examining it from point to hilt with curiosity. Bringing his gaze up, he smirked.
"Impressive," Lucas said, flipping her dagger up and catching it with ease by the hilt. "Very impressive for a girl." That last statement made her narrow eyes as she straightened up. He was no threat, but the look on his crooked grin made her sense something.
"For one to live, one must defend herself." She stated, calming her nerves to a steady breath. The knight's grin only got wider.
"You talk like that red man." He brought his long sword out, letting her dagger slip and embed itself into the dirt. Not once did she take her gaze off him as he did so, his movements slow and deliberate as he approached. "Syaoran says you're the queen of these people yet you are not one of them. Sakura isn't it?" he brought his sword up and around, twirling it. She watched him act the predator, his grin slowly losing its perks. "Where are you from, Sakura?" he continued, bringing his blade up still.
Find a knight from Avalon called Lucas of Galore for his help to find me… "I am of the Greenland Isles, from the eastern woods, from this Kingdom Sir Lucas." She stated, ignoring her brothers voice that crept up into her mind. Something about the way he held himself and came from nowhere that made her hold her tongue. She couldn't tell him. "Is there something you want?" he merely stopped his progress at that, crooked grin gone replacing him with no expression at all as he held a stance, eyeing her.
"To you mind, I feel like I lost my manhood last night when you attacked." He explained, bringing his sword back a fraction of an inch. "I've never fought a female; my pride last night has been…challenged." She eyed his long sword, the metal bright and clean then at her small hand sized dagger. Déjà vu told her she had a similar brawl with Syaoran, but the knight's sword seemed to be a tad longer.
"No crying," she bent her knees to their obvious stress and smiled. Blue eyes met with green in a not so nice stare before he charged. She couldn't read his expression as he brought his sword at an angle in a whoosh. With ease, she dropped herself and went forward, using her legs to trip him. Lucas caught himself before he plummeted and skipped back a step before charging forward once again. She watched as the sword came down in a killing strike before she rolled out of the way. The impact it presented sent shivers down her arms as she rolled and flipped up, getting her stance ready as he recovered.
Having been sick, she was slow. Her body was pushing itself to the limit as she ducked, jumped, and dodged his strikes with ease. If Nartake hadn't fed her the herbal tea days ago, she would be even slower; as it were she was healing fast. Not once had she used her own weapon, maneuvering each time to get out of the way of his strikes. Everything was defensive and her breathing was starting to become quick. His movements were getting faster, yet sloppier. She studied him as he swung, the muscles in his legs tensing as he kept himself from slipping in the dirt. Every move was the same but she still wasn't able to strike. Only twice had she gotten him off guard, landing a kick to push him back. His blue eyes turned to ice as he brought his weapon up and around, coming in with the same technique to strike her middle.
Sakura leaped to the side and ducked, bringing her legs out to trip him. This time she managed to get him down on one knee, but his blade came at her fast. It struck, tearing cloth but she moved out of the way before it struck skin. Sweat dripped down her cheeks and she back flipped, now realizing his true intent. Lucas of Galore was a man of pride and she had bruised it last night. He was a Knight with the craving for blood, his morals only differing from any of the ogres of the islands. With ease she avoided getting attacked from his advancements as she made for her forgotten dagger at the edge of the woods. Seeing an opening, she flipped and flung the weapon in her hand. His eye twitched at the offense and blocked the blade before it embedded itself into his shoulder. Taking her chance, she snatched the second blade and flung it.
He blocked it easily, charging forward with sword at an angle to strike. Sakura went up, latching onto the nearest branch and disappearing into the trees. That caught him by surprise as he slowed, looking up to where she disappeared. She hid, watching him. A weird expression crossed his sweaty face. Grinning, she moved to another branch. The rustle of leaves gave her position and he walked backwards to her daggers. Making the leaves, she waited in anticipation. If he was a knight, he would use all weapons. Getting her breath back she watched through the depths of the leaves as she crouched, grabbing one of her blades. With a smile she waited, glade he was doing exactly what she wanted him to.
Lucas brought a blade up and flung it with a professional throw. The blade thumped deep into the tree, sending wood chips flying. Sakura grasped it, pulling it out with slight difficulty and waited as the second came. Whether he knew he was sending her blades back to her on purpose or for the fact that it was a weapon to use to get her, she didn't bother to contemplate on it. As the second one thumped into the same exactly spot, she flung the first and dropped down with the second. With quick grace she charged at him, surprising the knight as he blocked the first dagger with his sword. She was inches from him before his sword came up and around at her body. Sakura ducked and skidded, stopping her progress just in time. His sword came inches to slicing her in two. A knew weapon came flying, clashing against his sword to stop its progress.
Sakura stared at the near death she came to, eyes wide. Lucas growled under his breath and turned to look at the forest. Nartake stood at the edge, the wolf at his side. His red painted skin was brilliant as the sun hit him, the intricate design of all warriors bright with the darker red of his skin as it crawled up his arm. His design was that of a healers mark, revealing his purpose to his clan. "That one has won." His voice hit Sakura like a vice and she slowly turned her head to him. His dark eyes gleamed with a warriors demand for blood. She knew that he was at the ready to strike if her blood was spilled in the slightest.
Lucas stood frozen, anger written across his face before he looked down at Sakura. The look he gave her was one of mystery. "You are truly impressive." He commented; hand out to help her stand. She stared at his hand, then at the blade that had been forced from him. Biting the inside of her cheek she accepted his offer and stood. He said nothing as he gathered his weapon, walking towards the woods. Swooping up his fallen sheath, he gave Nartake a quick glance and disappeared.
"Le rae es babitve-il nous quelat." (That one is an intruder to our land) Nartake said lowly. Sakura stared at the place where Lucas had disappeared before blinking back sweat. Not bothering to say anything to the warrior, she gathered her own weapons and slowly walked. Her body was in deed a mass of stiffness now. She waved off his offer to help her and sighed, thinking back to the fight. Lucas of Galore was indeed of man of pride and bloodshed.
…
…
…
The sun was at its peak now, waning high above the tall trees of the Greenland Forest. With Nartake's help, the men were hunting for game so they could travel on without fear of starvation. The girls took that chance and washed their clothing in the stream without the peeping eyes from the knights. Rela was sleeping on a large boulder, facing where Lyri was now playing in the water. The sickness that had taken to the small girl was now gone, the only trace of it was a rash that marked her stomach to Sakura's displeasure. Nartake had found the source of and with much description; Lyri claimed she had eaten berries along the road when she was in Eriol's care. The knight had felt guilty for not knowing they weren't edible and had to be reassured more then once that she was now fine.
Though Sakura had gotten sick too, Nartake had given her the same herbal medicine. He wouldn't explain why her sickness had made her act weird and bring up such horrifying thoughts that she almost killed Syaoran but he did explain she had been exposed to a poison the village she investigated possessed. A poison that clung to the air when hundreds were slaughtered, including the ones that did the slaughtering. There was no name for it and she wondered many times if Nartake was lying to her. Sakura laid out in the sun now, in nothing but her breast band and a blanket wrapped around her like a skirt. She kept one eye on the child, her mind reeling with thoughts of their journey.
Hitori was off in the woods with no word to her disappearance. The wolf was the only thing that said she would return. The girl was a quiet warrior and Sakura was thankful for her help. The splashing of the stream was a soothing noise, Lyri's laughter calming her nerves. The five year old could find the most interesting way to be happy. Lying out in the sun a little longer, Sakura closed her eyes and breathed steadily. She was still tired from the morning's event with Lucas. They hadn't told the others when they returned back to the camp and Syaoran had a look that said he knew something passed. Sighing, Sakura opened her eyes and looked over at Lyri. Hitori had returned, now sitting next to the sleeping wolf with a vine she was twisting.
It always amazed her, the quietness the warrior possessed. A sharp whistled echoed from the woods and Sakura got to her feet. It was a signal the boys agreed on when they were coming back; to make sure the girls were decent. Taking her time, she went over to the drying clothes and began dressing. Lyri hoped over to her at her call and she dressed the girl as well. A second whistle and she whistled back, letting them know it was clear for their return. The wolf perked up, staring at the clearing as one of the knights stepped out. It was the dark haired knight that whimpered when they ambushed their advancement last night. Sakura smirked, remembering his fear. This was a knight that got his shield but obviously didn't like bloodshed.
"Hi," he raided a hand, a weird expression on his dirty face. He was awkward to say the least. A nervous glance at the wolf made Sakura shake her head in sympathy.
"The others are hunting still?" she asked. He sighed in relief at her use of language and she couldn't help but smile. The language of the painted warriors made him a wreck.
"They're washing up further down the stream. Your friend, the red…warrior…bid farewell to go hunt herbs." His face scrunched up as he tried to remember. He crossed the stream in a splash of cold water, hopping on one foot as he shook off the water. Lyri began giggling, watching him from behind Sakura. The new knights had scared her into silence and she refused to speak since waking up. Giggling was a sure sign she was getting used to them now. The knight smiled at her, his brown eyes warm. "Is she yours?" he asked Sakura.
"What, no, no of course not." She hurriedly exclaimed with a blush. "I adopted her however, so I guess in a way she is." Sakura smiled sweetly as Lyri tilted her head to the side gazing at the knight upside down. "Her name is Lyri."
"Hello Lyri, I'm called Takashi." He knelt beside them, sheathed sword hitting the ground. Lyri stared at him, teal eyes bright. He winked and she blushed hiding back behind Sakura. That only made him laugh as she stood again, fixing his sword so he laid against his leg. "My lady back home claims I'm a big softy when it comes back to children and that I talk to much once they start to warm up to me, which I never really understood since most kids have many questions to ask when they see a knight." Sakura couldn't help but laugh when he finally stopped. He smiled, eyes crinkling at the sides.
"I can't imagine why she would say that." Sakura returned the smile. Hitori had stood up, getting the girls attention before bowing her head in respect and disappearing with Rela. Takashi watched, sighing in relief when the two disappeared.
"I'm sorry," he said moving to sit down on the rocks a little ways away from Sakura. "I've never witnessed a warrior in skirts. Back home we don't have females and wolves fighting as they do. In fact, in my little city we don't have much of any fighters to protect it we probably should though."
"What city are you from, Sir Takashi?" Sakura asked, using his title in respect. Since hanging around the knights all the manners she learned as a little girl seemed to be slipping back to her.
Hand sliding through his black hair, eyes casting down, he seemed to flush at her question. "I'm from a very, very small city called Yuza. With my cast, I'm surprised I was able to be trained as a knight but My Lord of Avalon wishes every man to be able to defend ones territory. It is a new law now; I believe the kingdom is expecting a war." He shrugged his shoulders. Sakura gave him a look as she thought back to Lucas claiming they were ambushed. Syaoran and Eriol too had lost their troops to the Greenland Isles mist as well. Now she wondered if they were attacked on purpose.
There was a whistle and she whistled back. The three knights walked out from the forest a moment later. Syaoran gave her a smile that made her heart thud. Her eyes lingered on him, realizing then blood seeped out from his green tunic. She was up on her feet in moments as they crossed the stream. "Syaoran what happened?" she asked in a whisper, her emotions giving way a bit. Eriol gave his companion a 'told you so' look as he limped over to the camp.
"Nothing, my wound reopened." He winced when she gingerly touched it, feeling it wet underneath. Tsking under her breath, she forced his arms up not giving him a notice as she pulled his tunic up. In moments he was standing shirtless, his torso bearing wounds long but healed and a fresh mark from where Nartake's stitches had opened.
"Lyri go get a fresh cloth and the ointment leaves." She called. Takashi and Lucas watched as the black haired child bounced off repeating her command. Syaoran shook his head as he bid to Sakura's fingers to sit down where they stood. "You need to be careful otherwise I'll beat you up myself." She told him so only he heard. Movement told her Lucas walked off and a childish rustle of chirps told her Lyri was running back to them.
"I'm sorry," Syaoran whispered with a half smile as he winced. The bandit that ran him through days ago had done it with a clean strike. Running a gentle finger, she traced the slit mark. It had been his sword. Syaoran watched her silently, wondering what was gong through her distant gaze. Lyri bounced up, bundle of items in her grasp. With a wave, Sakura sent her back to the camp. Takashi followed then, giving Syaoran a sympathetic gaze. In less then a moment the two were by themselves by the stream.
They sat in silence as she calmly cleaned the blood off his skin. Seeing it now without the dried blood caking around it, the wound was a wide slit directly blow his rib cage. She felt a bit guilty. If they hadn't been preoccupied talking that rainy night, the bandit wouldn't have been able to slip past and stab him with his own sword. With gentle fingers, she ran a finger across it before gathering up the ointment leaves. It was a plant rarely found in the Greenland Forest, a flower called Calendula. She knew it was a common plant found near the Western point where Nartake lived but even then it was rare to have them. A beautiful orange flower dried and grounded to make the ultimate dressing for cuts and wounds.
Syaoran winced under her touch as she dabbed the oiled ointment onto his open wound. It wasn't as opened, but she knew if the knight wasn't careful it would remain open and never heal. As a knight of the Avalon realm, it was critical to not be able to fight for his kingdom. It was the same for all kingdoms. Gingerly she pressed her palm against the wound, feeling him tense. Keeping her gaze away from his, she let her hand linger longer then needed. His heart beat thudded mildly at the feel of her fingers on him. Taking her hand, he brought it up to his lips and kissed her fingers one by one before leaving them there. She smiled, bringing her hand to cup his face. He's so kind to me. She thought. He shouldn't be this kind to a petty thief with no real home. Bringing her hand back, she made him turn.
He did with a grin, scooting his body in a circle so she was behind him now. The entry to his wound was in better shape then the exit. It hadn't reopened but the stitch work was gone. Glad there was no blood, she gathered up more of the healing leaves and pressed them gingerly to his cut. He didn't wince but she felt his body twitch at the feel of her fingers. The cut was more bruised now with a single line deep enough to be called a cut. Pressing down she counted in her head to make sure the leaves stuck before bringing her hand away. When he didn't move, she scooted closer hugging his backside. Her skirts bunched up at her waist as she brought a leg to lie on either side of him. To his shock, she rested her forehead against him. Arms locked around his broad waist tenderly and he placed a hand on hers, trying to cock his head to see her.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" he asked after a moment. She shook her head, not saying anything. For some reason, seeing his wounds had opened her mind to memories of her brother. Opened her mind to remember the morning's nightmare. Syaoran gave her a minute, letting her lay there against him. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked again.
"Yes, I'm sorry." She whispered her breath hot against his skin. "I'm just tired." It wasn't exactly a lie and she was glad he couldn't see her face.
"Is it because of this morning?" she stiffened automatically. "I know you had a duel with Lucas. What happened though? You and Nartake came back to camp with weird looks on your face." She didn't say anything, biting on her lower lip. Syaoran lifted his head up, staring at the sky above. She felt him sigh, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer for this mornings event. "Lucas and Takashi are in the same predicament as I am, Sakura. We're all trying to get back to Avalon with obvious difficulty. The least you could do is get along with them till we do." That brought her head up.
"Get along with?" she whispered harshly, scooting away from him. Syaoran turned as she gathered up her skirts to stand. "I don't have to get along with anyone knight."
"Then what's the problem?" he asked, getting to his feet. Sakura ground her teeth, debating on telling him. When he took a step forward she took one back.
"Your knight friend got carried away this morning." She spoke, voice low but harsh. When he stared at her confused she couldn't help but laugh outright. "If anyone is to get along it's that fiend. Nartake intercepted an attack that could have been my life. Your knight got carried away, wanting blood." She seethed.
"He wouldn't have killed you. Practice duels get violent, you know that." He defended to her astonishment. Sakura opened her mouth to say something then stopped, hands clenched tight. She did that a couple more times before finally screaming out agitation. Syaoran stared at her confused. "Sakura you're overreacting."
"Aŝhϊ ά babluok!" (All of you are baboons!) She screamed at him. "Lyri!" she cried, giving Syaoran one more look before storming off down the stream. Lyri ran after her, hoping on one foot then the other. The two girls walked on, disappearing behind a willow tree of shade.
"That language is creepy." Syaoran turned his head, seeing Lucas watching the two girls as well. The look on his face made Syaoran briefly wonder if she had been right. He had a look he only saw on bandits, a look he knew too well nowadays. The thought quickly disappeared when he brought his blue gaze to him, a crooked grin appearing on his face. "Food is done, Takashi is putting some aside for the girls." Syaoran nodded, slipping into his tunic with one last thought on Sakura.
…
…
…
The sky grew dark quicker now that clouds were rolling in with a coming storm. Eriol sat on a large boulder, bad leg stretched out as he stared at the stream gliding by. Neither warriors nor girls had returned since disappearing when the sun was at its peak. Absently he began rubbing his healing thigh, wondering where they had gone to. Lucas and Syaoran had argued about moving on without them. The clouds that made the evening sky darker, making Lucas's argument stand stronger. If a storm was coming, they couldn't stay under trees like idling ducks. He agreed of course, but he also agreed with Syaoran that they couldn't leave without the girls. No matter how well Sakura knew the land, she was still healing like the rest of them. A shadow overlapped his and he turned, seeing Takashi approach.
His sword smacked his leg as he walked head down in thought. Eriol couldn't help but grin at his knight friend. Takashi was one of the clumsiest knights in the realm, his extensive knowledge being the only thing that kept him alive for so long. That and the love for his lady back home. It wasn't until Takashi got closer did the tall knight bring his dark gaze up. Grinning sheepishly, he brought one hand to rest against the back of his head. "They're arguing again." He explained, looking for a split second behind him at the camp where Syaoran and Lucas were bent over staring at a drawn map in the dirt.
"Of course they are." Eriol returned his gaze back to the stream. "What's it about this time?" he finally asked. Takashi went over to the water, kneeling down as he placed a hand into it. The water gliding around it, turning into ripples at his fingertips.
"Best way to get back to the ocean and avoid getting hit by the storm." Hand still in the water; he looked up at the forest in front of them. "The way we came, took us five nights. We would have been home by now if Lucas hadn't decided on searching for some bandits. We were at a village off the coast, healing from wounds we received from the ambush the night we lost the squad. A little boy came from another village, claiming bandits raided his home killing everyone and taking women as their prizes. Lucas thought it would be better if we found those bandits and won the kingdoms praises for our heroic acts." He shook his head, getting to his feet. Wiping his wet hand on his breeches he turned to Eriol. "Plan didn't turn out the way he hoped."
"That's because he doesn't know what he was planning." Both knights turned as Sakura approached, a sleeping Lyri in her arms. Ignoring the look Eriol shot her, she stared intently at Takashi. "Excuse my bluntness, Sir Takashi, but those bandits you were planning on taking care of would have sent both of you to the lord of death. Two knights against the fifty bandits wouldn't have been a fair enough end. Sir Lucas would have been at fault for your end." Takashi all but blanched at her.
"She was taken by those bandits." Eriol explained, getting the same astonished look from Takashi. After a moment he nodded, expression going back to a smiling one. "Sakura a storm is rolling in. Do you-" she cut him off with a sharp green look.
"The storm won't hit us." She said, shifting Lyri's weight. "We can, however leave this spot. Nartake and Hitori will meet us by daybreak."
"Are you blind!? That is a storm and from the way its darkening faster it will hit us hard." Lucas interrupted, receiving her cold stare. Thin lips tight, he met her cold stare with his own. Syaoran watched brow arched. "We're sitting ducks for it. There's a cave to the west of us. Leave now we should make it by first rain."
"And go the opposite direction of the harbor?" she asked calmly. Eriol got to his feet, standing stiffly as he watched the confrontation. Something about the way she was so calm with her eyes so sharp and menacing that kept him from interrupting. Syaoran saw it too as she watched.
"Do you not see that a storm is coming?" Lucas asked, lips twitching.
"Do you not understand that it won't? Storms on this island come and go; however, I know when it will hit. The air isn't dense enough for rain. It will pass without so much as a single drop, Sir Lucas." Absently the other three knights began sniffing the air, wondering about the smell. Lucas growled at their actions.
"I'm heading towards the caves, do as you like lady Sakura." he stated, turning on a heel. "With one horse, we can pack it and walk. We can make that cave fast if we move quickly." He basically commanded. When no one else moved to help pack, he turned, eyeing his fellow knights. "Well!?" he snapped.
"Lucas, we aren't leaving the girls to fend for themselves. She knows the lands better then we do." Syaoran said, his voice taking on an authority's darkness that made Sakura eye him tentatively. Lucas growled, anger rising. "Sir Lucas," he warned. Lucas made a face staring first at Sakura then at Syaoran. She didn't understand what just passed when he finally agreed and she didn't think she wanted to know. Something about the way Syaoran spoke made her remember the way her father spoke. His word was the law. Confused, she held Lyri tighter and ignored that show. Least we're finally moving.
To be continued…
