Chapter Seven – Swank, at long last!
They reached Swank by noon, and like a certain yet-to-exist sorceress (and on Zillas' insistence), headed for the local tavern. Unlike said sorceress, however, they merely ordered a single portion of roast lamb and two glasses of water (Gorian, being a Mazoku, didn't need to eat even in human form, but Zillas was half-human, so…).
After eating her absolute favourite meat – Zillas claimed that she would go completely insane if Sheep went extinct and there was no more roast lamb – they booked a room at the inn and went exploring. As they passed the clothing store, Gorian took on long, hard look at Zillas and remarked:
"You need new clothes."
She glanced at him. "If you get me anything skimpy, I'll sing 'You are my sunshine'. Loudly. And off key."
He flinched. "I won't," he said. "'Sides, you're kinda tall for your age. How tall are you?"
"Last time I measured…about 4'11," Zillas said, shrugging. "Oh, I like those!"
She pointed to the black long-sleeved top, matching pants, knee-high boots, and elbow-length gloves. "They look like they would fit, too!" she grinned.
He looked at the outfit and nodded. "Then that's what you're getting," he said, walking into the store with a large bag of coins in his hands. Zillas eagerly followed him in, and came back out a few minutes later dressed in her new outfit. She turned to Gorian and grinned.
"How do I look?" she asked, turning around in a complete circle.
She missed his look of silent awe; she didn't know that he thought that she looked beautiful – very beautiful.
He shook his head. She's only thirteen, he thought. I'm…what, four hundred? Even by Mazoku terms she's way too young for me!
"Um, you look nice," he said, smiling at her. She looks great in black…
He paid for the clothing and showed her around Swank. Which, much her disappointment, had no library to speak of. Gorian said that the next town did, though.
Unfortunately the next town was a week's travel to the north.
Then Zillas brought up an interesting fact – Mazoku could teleport.
"But, you're too young for such a long range teleport," he argued.
"So?" she snapped. "This town is…boring!"
He sighed. "You're right," he said. "We could always find some fun in the next town… All right, we'll teleport. But don't say that I didn't warn you!"
He explained to her how to Teleport naturally, and she grinned as she followed his instructions. She felt herself being moved for a few seconds…
…and collapsed from the strain when they reached the town moments later.
Gorian sighed and shook his head – he HAD tried to warn her… Fortunately, he knew somebody in this town that would let Zillas rest. He picked the girl up and carried her to his friend, Silvira's, house.
Author's notes: ^_^_^ I really am enjoying this, you know. Comments?