Chapter Twenty-six: Trip Plans
(Trading Post's Kitchen)
Siro walked into the kitchen with a grumble. Since Jola's attack a week ago, the trading post's residents have had to set a watch every night. It would take time to complete all of the repairs, especially since funds were running thin. Putting a kettle on to boil, Siro prepared to make himself some strong tea in the hopes it would help keep him awake until sun-up. Althea walked down the stairs and into the kitchen and greeted Siro with a, "Morning."
Siro just grumbled something and continued glaring at the kettle. Althea smiled slightly, Siro never was a morning person. She dug through the pantry debating on what to fix for breakfast. Althea was tired of oatmeal so decided on breakfast rolls and sliced sausage. Pulling out the needed supplies, laying them on the table, and then pulling out the needed bowl, pans, etc she prepared to mix the batter for the rolls. Siro glared at her apparently because of the noise she was making. Althea just looked back at him and said, "If all you're going to do is glare, you can make yourself useful and slice up this sausage."
With a 'humph' Siro grabbed a knife and sat at the table to do as he was asked. In minutes, rolls were in the oven and sliced sausage was frying in a skillet. Nursing his mug of tea, Siro asked, "You do this every morning?"
"No, "Althea answered, "Usually, its oatmeal. Easy and all you got to do is make sure it doesn't burn."
"I mean, "Siro said, "Fix breakfast this early?"
Althea shrugged and said, "Kinda use to it. Had to do it growing up with Granny. Going to the Academy and then the war sorta encouraged the habit. Believe me, if you ever tasted military cooking you know that cooking for yourself is a survival requirement."
Siro watched the woman as she took the sausage slices off the skittle and then place uncooked slices onto it. The former bodyguard wondered as to how little they knew of Althea. True they knew she was a magic user, godslayer and fought in some war...but who was this Granny and what was this academy she mentioned? Memories of how much trouble not knowing Taja too well caused a year ago came to mind.
"Food is ready," Althea announced as she placed two plates, one of rolls and the other of sausage on the table, "I'll be outside if anyone needs me."
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Siro
"Just before training? Are you insane?" Althea returned, "I'll just eat with everyone else later, like always." She then went to set up the courtyard for morning practice.
A little later Kung Lao appeared in the kitchen and found Siro preparing himself a sausage and roll sandwich. The monk then went to fix himself a mug of morning tea and said, "I thought you be in bed already?"
"And miss this, "said Siro as he threw a roll at the monk. Who caught it with one hand as he sipped on his tea. "Besides, "Siro continued, "My shift doesn't end until sun-up. It's still dark out there if you haven't noticed."
"Not for long, "said Kung Lao as he sat down and took a bite out of the roll, "And with Althea up there's no point for you to be also."
"That reminds me, "said Siro, "We really don't know much about her still. She's a good friend and all but..."
"I know, "said Kung Lao, "However we won't push it. I have a feeling there is some stuff in her past she rather not talk about. "
"Is that wise?" Siro asked, "Remember what happened to Taja when we didn't bother to find more out about her and what could be worse than an insane grandfather that happens to be a god?"
"Do I hear someone describing Kuravan?" said Althea startling the pair.
"Damn it, Althea!" said Siro, "Did that week with Rayden give you his habit of sneaking up on people?"
"Not that I'm aware of, "Althea replied with a smile, "But talking about people behind their back could be considered just a bad or even worse."
"I was just saying that you don't talk much about yourself that's all, "Siro replied.
"And you do? Aside from you once being a bodyguard to this Jen and her father I don't know much about you either, "Althea said and then shrugged, "I just figured if there was anything dangerous in your past you would mentioned it and the rest was just that, the past."
"She got you there, "Kung Lao said, "We didn't even know about your brother until he and his wife showed up that one time. As for me my life is almost an open book."
Siro grumbled something about how everyone seems to ganging up on him lately. Althea nearly laughed and said, "If it'll make you feel better, you can come with me when I go back to Calorna for a few days and snoop around my old place."
"You're going where?" said Kung Lao with surprise.
Althea sighed and said, "I really don't have much of a choice. There are some things I need to take care of that has been put off for too long, especially if I plan to stay on Earthrealm."
"So you decided to take the Elder God's offer?" Kung Lao surmised.
Althea nodded and said, "Yes, but I do need to take care of a few personal matters first."
"Hum..."Siro said, "So you are going back to a realm where one of the gods is seriously pissed off at you to take care of some personal matters?"
"Look we have no choice, "said Althea, "I need to go back to Calorna, before I take the offer of having Earthrealm declared as my official home"
"What's this 'we'?" asked Kung Lao.
"If I don't take care of these matters, "said Althea with a raised eyebrow, "They may decide to take care of themselves and show up here, believe me we don't want that. It could get embarrassing."
Later that day Althea sat at the kitchen table writing down a list of things she knew she needed to bring back. Poor Siro, once again he was going to play beast of burden. She smiled at the memory Siro's face when he finally figured out she wasn't joking about them going to Calorna for a day or two. Althea laid the pen down next to the paper and said, "You know it's rude to spy on people."
"No worse than not telling me of this little trip of yours, "said Rayden as he walked from the shadowed doorway. "Please tell me you not serious about this, "he said as he looked down at her with arms crossed.
Althea just looked up at him and said, "I'm serious, it need to go back for a few days. There are some things I need to get and matters that have to be dealt with."
Rayden shook his head slightly and said firmly, "It's too dangerous. You're not going."
Althea frown at Rayden's tone and asked, "What do you mean I'm not going?"
"Just what I said, "the thundergod replied, "You are not going."
"Is that an order?" said Althea as she stood up with flickering eyes, "Because if it is..."
"Thea, please...I don't want you to take unnecessary risks, "said Rayden making Althea even angrier.
"I am more than capable of taking care of myself, "she said coldly and eyes growing brighter.
Now Rayden was starting to get a little angry as well, "You could have fooled me. How many times have you needed my help?"
"Unless I'm mistaken I've done the same for you just as often, "Athea returned.
"Who got me into danger to begin with?" Rayden returned.
"You did, "said Althea with flashing eyes and a rising voice, "All you had to do was follow that little rule about not interfering in mortal affairs. I never asked..."
A sharp whistle caught both of them by surprise and broke the 'conversation.' "Ok you two, "said Fujin, "Back to your respective corners."
"Stay out of this Fujin!" Both Rayden and Althea yelled.
"Believe me, I would if I could, "the windgod replied, "But if you weren't so distracted, Bro, you would have noticed you are being summoned."
Rayden said a choice word in that long forgotten language and then vanished in a flash of light and a crash of thunder. Althea humphed and sat back down to finish her list. "He's only acting that way because he cares, "said Fujin quietly.
"I know, "said Althea with a sigh, "It's just I can't stand being ordered around as if I'm an idiot. I know the trip is dangerous, that's one of the reasons why I want Siro along...to cover my back. The moment we get there I'm going to try to contact Vatas and let him know what's up. Hopefully with him keeping an eye on things and getting this stuff done fast, we should be ok."
"And Rayden didn't give you a chance to tell
him that, "said Fujin, "Sounds like him. I'll talk to him
once he's free."
(Calorna)
Lilith knelt down before her lord and master, Kuravan, waiting for orders after giving her report. "So my loving granddaughter is planning a small visit, "said Kuravan with a smile, "This could prove most useful turn of events. Go and gather your friends, I have a job for them."
Lilith stood and as she walked out of the room, Kuravan added, "I'll see to informing Shao Kahn of Kung Lao's friends being away. He might find this bit of information as pleasing as I do."
The End…
Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest...
The sound of a woman's scream, made both Siro and Althea jump up from their chairs. They ran to the direction of the scream and into the study.
