Sorry about the wait. I hope you enjoy this chapter. And don't forget to review. Otherwise Xellos might pop out at you wearing a dress and claiming to be your blind date!
Sammy
Uncommon Vows
Chapter Eight: Apprised Of The Situation
I just can't believe it!
Actually, I take that back. I've been through enough adventures with Lina to be intimately acquainted with her stubborn, impatient nature. There are still times that I am taken aback by her behavior, and this seems to be one of those times. She had gotten what she deserved when she fell into that hole. Lina needs to learn to pay attention before she rushes off.
"I hope you learned your lesson, Lina." I said disapprovingly.
I walked to the edge of the whole, carefully minding my footing, and peered down into it's depths. The fall was ten feet maybe but a booby trap lay in wait for the impatient. Rusty spikes thrust upwards, eagerly waiting for a foolish person (like Lina) to fall onto the dull points. But try as I might, I didn't see her.
"Lina?" I called.
When I received no response, I started to worry. I raywinged myself down to look in the hole but I still didn't see Lina. I was sure that she was just pulling a prank so I flew back up and sat down to wait as I built a fire. Minutes went by and she still hadn't appeared. Sighing, I brought out my kettle to fix myself a calming cup of tea.
Xellos almost scared me into my next life as he popped out of my kettle. He stood there with his idiot grin on his face as he faced me. I was wary of him despite the merry look imprinted on his face. Intelligent people should be afraid of a creature like Xellos. He's a high ranking Mazoku and capable of making Lina look like a butter fingered child playing with her first magic trick.
"Hello, there, Zelly-kun!" Xellos chirped.
I was grumpy. "Why are you here?"
"To help you find Lina, of course!" He answered.
I felt a hint of curiosity. "Why?"
He grinned even wider. "Why? Because when she fell into that whole, she fell through a rip in time. She's no longer here in the present."
"What?!" I exclaimed.
Xellos nodded. "She's stuck in the past. And unless we get her back fast, I'm afraid Lina's going to get captured by another Mazoku."
"Great." I said sarcastically.
He grinned. "Oh come on, Zelly-kun. Don't you think it's time that someone saves Lina and not the other way around?"
Put that way, it was hard to argue.
"I'm not native to this time." Terra spoke as she gently dabbed a concoction on the place she hit me.
I winced. "Just like me."
"Yes." She finished and put down the bowl. "For a while I was obsessed with returning home but then I realized I liked this time so much to leave."
I shrugged. If it were me, I'd never give up. "What changed your mind?"
Terra spoke as she bandaged my head. "This is a time when human civilization is still in the dark ages. The Dragons and the Mazoku are at the height of their power at this time. Fighting between the two is constant now, not sporadic as it has been in the last year. They are too busy with their own troubles to help the humans."
"My training as a Wiccan has given me an extensive knowledge of herbs." Terra tied a knot then snipped the end of the bandage with a pair of scissors. She rolled the excess gauze up and stowed it in her satchel. "I have formed a school of sorts to teach what I know about herbal lore and magic since the Ancients have been hoarding the knowledge for many human generations. I teach a few of the interested and they leave to teach a few more."
Lina was interested, despite herself. "In that way, the word spreads but slowly enough that the Dragons and Mazoku remain unconcerned. Smart move."
"Exactly." Terra smiled.
"My name is Lina, by the way." I told her. I touched my head and winced.
Terra was sympathetic. "Nice to meet you. Your wound will be tender for a few days. How will you precede from here?"
As if there was any doubt! "Find a way home, of course."
"Of course..." Terra murmured with a smile playing on her lips. "Until then, you may stay at my house."
"Great!" I was suddenly cheerful. Then a thought struck me. "How good of a cook are you?"
Terra just looked at me. I laughed and rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment.
"Ow!" I cried out.
Terra laughed. "Forgot, didn't you?"
