Old-Peoplenese

A few minutes later, we were on the steps facing a huge horde of llamas bowing repeatedly.

Kane approached. "You have appeased the god of the shrine, restored balance to the seasons, the land, our world. The Atlawa want to worship you now."

"Worship!" Sparx cut in. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

"I've never gotten the respect I deserve," he continued, "the praise that's rightfully mine!"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't hold your breath, Tinkerbell."

He glared at me. "I resent that."

"Oh, I know," I said with false sweetness. The Atlawa were giving their new 'gods' some interesting looks. "That's, er…nice," I said hesitantly to Kane, "but we have to get back. We could use a place to spend the night, though."

He nodded. "Follow me."

We were led to a small hut with a straw-thatched roof. Cyril was led elsewhere. I collapsed, exhausted, on the mat of straw provided. But just as I thought I was alone in my sleep, I felt a familiar presence in the room with me.

"You again?" I commented. "Can't a gal get any sleep without you around?"

The spirit dragoness laughed. "I have a gift for you."

"Oh, good, is it a free day or two? Thank you!"

She laughed again. "You overuse sarcasm, young one."

I snorted. "It's impossible to overuse sarcasm. It keeps the slight sanity I have from evaporating."

She chuckled. "You remind me of y–"

"Yeah, yeah," I interrupted irritably, "I remind you of my mother. Doesn't do me much good, now does it?"

"I suppose it doesn't," the dragoness said, her head drooping a little.

"So," I said, changing the subject, "you said you had a gift for me?"

She nodded and slipped a forepaw up to her neck. For the first time, I noticed a smooth metal plate, a piece of armor right over the throat – the most vulnerable part of most living creatures.

She slipped one ivory claw into a concealed groove and pulled. The piece of armor opened with a melodic 'ping' and she handed something to me.

"A little big, but eventually you'll grow into them."

She handed me two bracelets – "They help increase your breath capabilities" – and a small tail-band.

"Er... Thank you," I said uncertainly. It would be at least several years until I grew into them. "When I wake up?" I asked curiously.

"They will be in your bag, should you choose to accept them."

I nodded. "I accept, then, I guess."

"Thank you, young one." The metal disappeared. She was thanking me? Odd.

"Excuse me," I asked. "What's your name?"

If she didn't give me a straight answer, I swear I would have called her 'Blackjack' until she did, or something worse if I could think of it.

She sighed. "I see determination in your eyes."

I rolled said eyes. "Sure, sure."

She shook her head good-naturedly. "My name is Kaboa."

"Kaboa? What does that mean?"

"It means hope."

I smiled. "Finally getting somewhere here."

She laughed quietly.

I gave her my best cocky grin. "Now, can I go get some real sleep? Or is there some ominous warning I have to listen to first?"

She laughed. "No doomsday prophecy. For now."

"Oh joy," I commented. "I feel all warm and fuzzy now."

Kaboa sighed.

I looked at her, seriousness creeping over my expression. "Please, can you tell me? Will it ever be over? I don't need to know when or how, but please." I closed my eyes. "Just say there'll be an end sometime to all this fighting."

The two moons shone light on either side of us, causing her eyes to gleam from two angles. "All things must end eventually – the good, and the bad."

"Is that old person for yes?"

She laughed. "I'm not that old, young one."

I stamped one foot. "Is that a yes or not?"

But I never got my answer. Just as suddenly as she had come to me, Kaboa was gone, and I was lost in dreamland.