Chapter Four

The day is over. I still am not sure today actually took place, perhaps it was just a dream, but either way I'm still I awe. Here's what happened; I woke to a soft voice calling to me to get up. His voice. Reme's. Apparently Kendai hadn't bothered to wake me up.

"Amera!" He said. "Come on! If you don't get up now we might never get the dance lessons in." He said that with a dash of anxiety, a dash of playfulness in his voice. He said that in that deep voice that made me want to do back flips all over the dust covered yard.

"Ok! Alright already!" I replied trying to make my voice match his playfulness and tone, but in a more feminine manner. "I'll meet you by your wagon in twenty minutes." After a mad dash to be ready and looking as good as I could make myself look without being obviously trying to look good…confusing, eh? If that makes sense…

We started right away. Today was a rest day, you see the poor horses were about ready to drop dead and there truly was no other way than to rest them, even so close to Hultas.

At first I could think of no way to play the music in order to teach him the steps. He suggested singing. I was hesitant but eventually I became used to it.

I don't think I'll ever forget it, the singing and laughing. Feeling his body close to mine, so close I could feel his warm breath upon my cheek. We danced all morning and into the afternoon, not even realizing that so much time had pasted!

Unfortunately, others did notice. Father sent Jame looking for me after I didn't turn up at lunch. Reme and I were in the middle of a tricky step, my voice ringing out the beat. Jame decided it would be funny to sneak up behind us. Ha ha, hilarious.

As it turned out, I jumped and screamed at Jame's loud "Boo!" And Reme instinctually tried to protect me. At least I think that's what he was doing. No matter, we all ended up on the ground and then I heard a yelp of pain. It was Reme. Jame had landed on Reme's side and putting pressure on a barely healed wound definitely wasn't a good thing to do.

Reme had to be rushed back to the 'infirmary wagon'. As we passed I could have sworn I saw Kendai. She was smiling. I woke up this morning and saw that Kendai had left without me again. In truth I still don't totally understand why she is angry with me. After going through my everyday chores, I went to pay Reme a visit.

On the way over to the wagon where Reme had been, I spotted a small fleck on the horizon. That 'fleck' was Hultas. A little spark ignited in me, I was happy to be home.

I continued on until I reached Reme's wagon. Finding him fast asleep, I swallowed my disappointment and began making my way back to my own wagon. That's when he appeared out of nowhere. Sheath. The idiot didn't even give me a chance to hide, I was caught in the open and I reacted like a deer in the headlights.

"Er, hi, Sheath." I said in response to his full-hearted hello. The wagons were rumbling on by and if we waited to long we would get left behind. Sheath took no notice to this, as I glanced worriedly around looking for escape, he beamed. "We, um, probably should get back to the wagons." I said.

He didn't even look put out, he simply said; "Yes, I agree, we probably should, but at least I saw you and that definitely brightens my day." Sheath didn't move. He just stood there. Grinning. I couldn't take it anymore, I fled and hoped to God that Sheath would just stand there and either get left behind or get run over by a wagon. Sadly I did not get my wish.

The day moved agonizingly slow. I didn't see Reme, Kendai, or anyone else until we reached Hultas. Hultas. I didn't remember how much I had missed it! The entire town was made up of temporary structures, permanent ones accenting the place only every few blocks. The roads were paved, though, and a great stone totem rose up in the middle of it all, the flag of the Hultas waving proudly, high above its people.

The flag pole was located directly in the center of Hultas, in the middle of the square where a dance would be held that night. A wonderful dance. One that I shall remember. Forever. And ever!

It took me a long time to prepare for the festival. Fifteen minutes before the first dance of the evening I scurried from my small room and arrived just in time. There was but one problem: Sheath was there, and Reme was no where to be found. What a way to start out the night! Was the first thought that came to mind as Sheath began making his way to me. Then, I felt it. A shiver of delight raced down my spin as someone tapped my shoulder. It was him. Reme.

"May I have this dance?" I heard that voice ask me. I spun around to face him.

"Why, I'd be honored to dance with you!" Was my distinguished reply, but as I looked in his eyes and saw them sparkle, I knew 'honor' and politeness had nothing to do with it.

We danced every dance except for one, and that was the final one. Instead of dancing, Reme took my hand and led me off away from the crowds. We sat on a bench as far away from the excitement as we could possibly be and still hear the music drifting around us. When we sat down, Reme reached for my hand and his touch sent electricity running all through me.

I never knew a person could feel like that! He leaned toward me and I toward him and I was SURE he was going to kiss me. I'll never know, though. You see, my dear fictitious friend, my darling mother chose this precise moment to reveal herself.

"Remel, I'd like to speak to you for a second." She looked pointedly at me. "Alone." Grumbling I went off, back to the party. The odd thing is, I was walking away, Mother's hand came out from under her cloak and her wedding ring was missing. I wonder what happened to it? Ah, well, I'll just have to ask her later.

Now it's late, and all in all it was a wonderful day! I very much enjoyed it. Wait, what was that-