"So what you're telling us is that Demyx, our Demyx, is in the possession of these 'Shadow-walkers'. That it will be essentially impossible for him to come back before three days are over. Even then he may choose to stay with the people who have kidnapped him. And if this is the case then we must give up any hope of ever even glimpsing either him or that annoying sitar of his ever again." Zexion summarized the information he and Lexaeus had just received regarding their blond musical Neophyte companion with a frown.
Big Davy nodded. "Aye... 'fraid so wee pal." and he did look genuinely apologetic. Although neither of the Nobodies really needed to see his expression to know this. He had after all practically engulfed Zexion with his wide well-plumped form while offering his deepest sympathy and apologies. All-be-it in a far from dignified fashion.
"This is what happened to your sister and your nephew?" Lexaeus questioned. A teary-eyed Kayleigh nodded. "The Shadow-walkers will return Demyx unharmed when he decides, correct?"
"That's what happens, aye." the young offspring of the two 'leaders' of this group piped up. "But how do ye know that's what he'll decide?" he asked, tilting his head in an adorable inquisitive manner.
"He does have a point, Lexaeus. We have no way of knowing the result three days of living with those people will have on Demyx." Zexion added, frowning a little deeper.
For a while the Silent Hero didn't answer. Then he opened his mouth and said "Because Demyx would not just abandon us like that. If there is any chance that he'll be able to return. No matter what it is. He will take it. That's how I know." his tone was so confident and decisive that Big Davy had to break out into a grin.
"So the lad's got his head an' his heart in the right place, eh? Puts his pals first. Ah can see ye think highly of him. Let's hope he dun let ye down."
"Hey, Taj?" the man gave a grunt to show that he was listening. "You... still haven't told me why I'm here." Demyx sat down on the grass next to one of the reptillian horses from before. He'd discovered they were quite affectionate. These people must take very good care of them.
Taj looked at him. "Later... will explain rest when you meet last..." his brow creased in thought for a moment. "member of family first. Will make... telling you easier." he said apologetically.
"When do I meet 'em then?" the Nocturne frowned. Sure Taj and his family were nice enough to Demyx. But the lack of answers he was getting was frustrating.
"At night-meal. We introduce you. Then... we talk. Am sorry, friend, is my nika's instruction. She is elder so we do as she say."
Again no answers. Demyx frowned slightly more but didn't push it. He had yet to see anyone here get angry. But judging by their well-trained physiques he was pretty sure that he really didn't want to.
Seeming to sense his frustration Taj held out his hand and pulled Demyx to his feet while coaxing the creature on the ground up as well with a series of clicks of his tongue and gentle tugs on the reigns.
"Come. I'll get Zil. We will ride together."
"Ride?? Y-ya mean on those things?"
Taj nodded. "You ride on Raz. She is gentle to new riders. Won't let you fall." he said reassuringly handing the reigns over to Demyx. "Just walk. Raz follows." and before Demyx could protest Taj was away towards one of the larger 'horses' which he mounted easily in one leap before whistling at a girl and signalling for her to go to Demyx.
She probably wasn't even fourteen yet. But Demyx could easily see the deadly muscles lining her otherwise slender willowy build. The girl smiled warmly at him then, without warning, grabbed him by the knees and hoisted him up onto Raz's back with incredible ease. Giggling a little at Demyx's yelp of surprise.
"Hold onto reigns. Don't need saddle, reigns all you need." Taj tugged a little on his own reigns to demonstrate. "Copy."
Soon Demyx was able to urge his mount into a fast trot, guiding the direction with the reigns and his shoulders. He was still getting used to having to rise from Raz's back and go back down to meet it at the right times. But he was getting there. By now a group of people had gathered around them. Watching and even calling out to one of them. Mostly to Taj. Demyx recognised some of the people gathered, having seen them in the camps before being brought here. He even recognized one of the girls who'd been fauning over him and his two fellow Nobodies. She was being held by a man, one of Taj's people, who had an arm slung over her shoulder and was nuzzling her hair.
Apparently some of these people were also very bold to be able to act in such a way towards someone they can't have known even a full day yet.
Out the corner of his eye Demyx noticed Taj slow down from a canter into a trot beside him. "You learn quick. Natural rider." he grinned at the Neophyte, clapping him on the shoulder. "Soon you be able to keep up with Dil." he indicated a young boy of about eleven. "He young but he will be one of best. Jyakin trust him like they don't trust the rest of us. Raz... she trust you almost like she trust Dil. Can see it in way she let you... hold onto mane. Most time Jyakin not let manes be touched ... because is very sensitive there." he explained.
Demyx glanced at his hands. They were indeed holding onto the short mane on Raz's neck. It felt more like fur than hair.
"Taj!! Giko bashilan morot!" Kit called forcibly, arms folded across her chest. "Hcan niko mala Demyx." he nodded towards her and motioned for Demyx to follow him.
There was a heavy silence in the camp as everyone made themselves eat their lunch. Some were glaring at their food as they pushed it around their bowls before forcing it down their throats. Others sat limply in a kind of daze, needing external help to even pick up a fork or a bowl. While some of the younger locals huddled together should they suddenly break down and need the comfort of their peers most distanced themselves from everyone else staring out longingly into the distance. Pleading silently to whatever deity they worshipped for their loved ones to come back to them.
Kevin was sniffling into his mother's shoulder. "Cousin Andy's not gonna come back I know it!! He never were happy wif us!! Why would he wanna come back?!" he wailed as quietly as he could while Kayleigh held him close, murmuring soothingly to him.
David scowled and pulled the boy from his mother's embrace. "Ach wheesht yersel and eat ya stovies..." he muttered, putting Kevin's bowl into his hands. "Besides we don't ken that fer sure." he added with a soft grunt, rubbing his son's hair with a large hand as a comfort offering.
Joc, Taj and Demyx were gathered in the family's tent. Joc had been trying to communicate with Demyx for the last ten minutes using a series of hand gestures and noises. Taj was over at the sleeping bags so he couldn't do any translating.
"Sorry, what? I don't know what you're trying to say." Demyx looked in confusion as the gestures were getting more and more over the top. Joc frowned at this and leaned back into a normal sitting position tilting his head a little as he closed his eyes in thought. Lips set in a thin line. It had quickly become apparent that Joc was not only the youngest but he was also the only one in the family who couldn't communicate in a language that Demyx
Joc's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Kit and a fair-skinned delicate-looking blonde woman into the tent. This prompted four sets of voices to give the greeting: "Schla-ko." before sitting down around the fire. The new woman grinned warmly at Demyx as she sat down between him and Kit.
"I'm Elizabeth." she said, holding out a hand for him to shake. "You'll be Demyx, then? Kit's brothers' room-mate for the next few days." she added as Demyx shook her hand once.
"Er... yeah. That's right. Nice to meet ya, Elizabeth."
"Psh, just call me Beth. Elizabeth is way too formal." she chuckled. It was then that Taj set down a pot and dished out bowls of some kind of stew.
"Khan-dral." he said each time he handed a bowl to one of them. As he took a bite of the meat he found in the stew Demyx recognized the same soft texture and slight saltyness from the meat he'd received that morning with his breakfast. It seemed that this meat, whatever animal it had come from, could be used for lots of purposes. Not that he was complaining. In fact Demyx found himself becoming quite partial to whatever it was.
Taj lowered himself down by Demyx's other side. "You have... met my other nika, yes?" he asked, looking at the blond musician.
"Huh? Ya mean Beth?" Taj nodded.
"Well I ain't really related to them. I'm more like a sister-in-law."
"So now... we tell why you are here." Kit spoke up, swallowing a soft chunk of meat. Demyx looked around him at Taj, Kit, Joc and Elizabeth. They seemed serious. Taj felt around in his pocket then pulled out a gold chain. Demyx's eyes widened slightly. Hanging from the chain was a completely colorless Kier Crystal.
A/N: And yes I'll leave you guys with a cliff-hanger. Why? Because I just think that was a good place to leave off. And for anyone who didn't notice it was Heroes' Melody that won the most votes for the new title.
Stovies is one of my favorite foods. It's basically mashed tatties (potatoes) mixed in with mince .
Traslations
Khan-dral: Dig in
Giko bashilan morot: Stop showing off
Hcan niko mala: Get our brother
Okay hope you guys liked this chapter. I promise I'll try not to make you wait too long for the next one cos I know how annoying cliff-hangers can be for some people and that you will find out why on Earth the shadow-walkers took Demyx in the first place. And yes the Beth in the tent is Kayleigh's sister.
Also I would just like to mention that the Jyakin (lizard-horse creatures) have already grown on me and like their masters the shadow-walkers have now forced their own special place to be formed in my heart. Yes that's how much I've come to like the damn things in the space of two chapters haha.
Anyway as always all of your reviews are appreaciated no matter how short or critical they may be. Love all of you guys, see ya next chapter.