The Travelers
by supergirl309

Dane's feet were only walking out of habit. She kicked a rock angrily across the dingy dirt road. Tila sighed, shaking her head. Dane had been like this all day. The fire Lupess seemed to be living in her own dreary world. Tila stopped short and blocked Dane's way.

Dane, what has gotten into you! You've been like this all day! the red Wocky said, her voice edged with exasperation.

Dane glared accusingly at her friend. Like what? Tila rolled her eyes.

Like that! Glaring, kicking rocks, standing around and pouting. What's going on?!?

Dane retorted, holding her head high. Absolutely nothing.

Tila mumbled. Dane could act however she wanted, no snot out of my nose, Tila thought, catching the angry, accusing mood Dane was in.

Suddenly, a long sigh erupted from Dane. It's just so. . . boring Nothing ever happens. Everyday it's the same old thing: Wake up, go to school, come home, and tend the vegetables for granny. I'm sick of it! I want to do something. . . worthwhile. She sighed again, and stared down at the ground. Like that'll ever happen, she muttered.

Tila shrugged. I guess it is kinda routine. But I'm fine with it. I like a little order. She paused and shuddered. Besides, why would you want something to happen. I hate excitement. She gave another shudder.

Dane sighed and said softly, I guess that's where we're different.

***

That night Dane ate at Tila's house. Every time she glanced at Tila or her family members, she seemed to notice how boring they were. Her father for instance, took a forkful of food, turned his fork upside-down, placed it in his mouth then chewed fifteen times exactly before swallowing. He did this each time he ate. Dane could hardly bare it.

Can I be excused, she choked when Tila's father began to ichew/i his mashed potatoes. Tila nodded.

I'll come with you. I'm full anyway.

They walked outside into the late evening calm. Dane sighed with relief, happy to be away from all that painful sameness. She stared up at the sky, and wondered out loud, You know what would be great, Tila? If someone just took me away from here.

Tila shrugged. I guess. I dunno, though. It's so beautiful with all the stars out and everything. Why? Do you want to go to your house?

Dane sighed wearily. Forget it. I'm going to take a walk. You can stay here.Tila nodded as Dane walked over to the side of the road and crossed without a glance for traffic.

When she was out of hearing range, Tila crossed her arms and said indignantly, Humph! Well, I like my yard just fine, thank you very much! She then turned on her heel and strutted inside.

***

Dane sat on a log, wondering how she and Tila had become friends. She was so different from her. Her and every other pet this side of Neopia. She sighed, wishing even more that someone would just take her away.

I wish they weren't so boring at least, she thought out loud. They never do anything. She shook her head, staring down at the ground. Suddenly, she remembered that she hadn't made a trail to follow back home. She groaned. It was nighttime and she was lost. A piercing howl split the air. Werelupes.

***

Tila was tired. It had been almost an hour since Dane had left. She sighed. She wanted nothing less than to leave home and search the woods for Dane. But there wasn't much else she could do.

she muttered. I wish Dane didn't wish for excitement so. I hate it, and one way or another, I always get dragged in. Nonetheless, she was searching the woods in minutes, making sure to leave a trail behind. Getting lost would just cause more excitement, and she wasn't going to let that happen. She shook her head sadly. Dane was more trouble than she was worth.

***

Werelupes were the least of Dane's worries as she soon found out. She had no idea what else could be lurking in the dark of the night. She searched the ground for some sort of weapon. The best she could find was a heavy branch. She heaved it up and took a clumsy fighting stance.

Suddenly, she heard something. A shadow flashed in the corner of her eye. A bead of sweat slid down her forehead. She spotted a dark shape darting behind a tree.

I mean no harm, she called softly, half-tempted to drop her stick in a greater gesture of peace. Of course she was only half tempted, and kept a tight grip on her make-shift weapon.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the trees. Dane shrieked and swung her weapon. The creature was shocked and stepped back, letting out its own shriek.

Don't hurt me! it squealed. Dane dropped her branch. Cowering before her was a small green Eyrie. His feathers were shocking electric green, rather than the normal plain green of many Eyries.

Dane sighed with relief. What are you doing out here? she asked. The Eyrie peered through his wings at her. He blinked.

Oh. You aren't a werelupe, are you? Dane shook her head no. The Eyrie sighed and flopped onto the ground. Cold beads of nervous sweat matted his feathers. Oh good. That means you aren't going to eat me, then. His head jerked up quickly, terror etched in his features. You aren't going to eat me, are you?

Dane almost laughed. Of course not. She lifted a curious eyebrow. Who are you, then? she asked.

The Eyrie reached across his back and pulled a silver harp from the leather strap slung about his shoulders. He smiled mysteriously and struck a chord on his harp. I am Lao, the traveling Eyrie bard--and I am lost.

***

Tila flopped down onto the forest floor. She was exhausted. She panted as she glanced around the forest. Something caught her eye. There was light at the edge of the clearing. She stood up and began walking toward it, as if entranced. Then, she was out of the forest, standing feet away from a comfortable-looking inn.

she whispered, an inn!

***

Dane and Lao were now just as exhausted as Tila. They trudged endlessly through the dark forest, feeling desperately that they were going in circles. Suddenly, Lao caught sight if what looked like. . .an inn! Dane and Lao rushed through the forest, nearing that glorious break in the trees. Suddenly, Dane shrieked in pain.

Lao flipped around to find Dane crouched on the forest floor, a whip-like serpent clinging to her leg with his fangs. Dane shrieked again and lashed out at the snake, hoping to strike. But it was to no avail. The serpent bent and twisted his thin body to avoid the blow. Lao clutched at his harp.

Oh help! he wailed pitifully. Dane was still writhing on the ground with the serpent, when suddenly, a red blur lunged out and struck the snake silly. Dane took his moment of dazedness to reach out and whack him sharply at the base of his neck. He let out a strangled hiss of pain and slithered off of the wretched creature that seemed to be attacking him. He rolled over upright and slithered off into the darkness, pausing only to turn and his angrily at his attackers.

Tila walked up to Dane and began checking her leg. Thanks, Tila, Dane gasped, staring at the spot where the serpent had disappeared.

Lao stepped forward shakily. Who are you? he asked the red Wocky who had just saved Dane's life.

Tila stood up and blinked, noticing Lao for the first time. she said, sounding surprised, I didn't see you there. Were you the one wailing for help? Lao nodded numbly. Tila stood there for a second, mulling through her head what had just ucuored. She had actually attacked a snake. She shuddered, wondering what had come over her. Then, suddenly remembering her manners, she thrust out her paw and began to shake paws with Lao. I'm Tila, she said, I'm friends with Dane. . . she trailed off. Why was she shaking paws with this complete stranger? she tentatively, do you know him?

Dane stood up slowly, wincing with pain. Er, Tila, this Lao the Eyrie bard. We er, met up back in the woods earlier.

Tila blinked. Oh. Of course. Hello, Lao.

Lao said in a strangled voice. How quickly things seemed to be happening.

There was an uncomfortable silence that followed. Dane was the first to break it, saying, Er, what do you say we go and see if there's any open lodging in that inn over there.

Tila and Lao replied in cautious succession. Dane led the way to the inn, and paid the innkeeper at the front desk. They trudged up to their third-floor room where they were shortly served some bread and soup.

After they ate, Tila, Lao, and Dane--the three new-found friends--went readily to sleep.

***

The next morning, Dane was up at the crack of dawn, hurriedly shaking her companions awake. Come on, she said urgently, you must get up. We have a lot of traveling to do today.

Dane dragged the two reluctant wakers out of bed and down to the front desk, where she tipped the innkeeper, and then rushed outside.

Tila yawned. Gee, I wonder which way's home? Dane snorted with laughter.

Home? Tila, what are you talking about?! I went out in the first place to get away from home. We're not going back now.

Tila looked stunned; Lao looked pleased. he said happily, finally, some traveling partners."

Dane smiled. Yes, Lao. She turned to the rising sun, Tila and Lao following her gaze. Now we can go out there--go out and search for what we were meant to do. The smile on her face widened, and even Tila couldn't resist an excited grin. I know there's something better out there, and we've got to find it! And so, they started out on the journey, searching for purpose. For they all knew, even Tila, that there was something better out there just waiting for them to find it.

The End