Author's note: I know I'm posting the second chapter right away, but I had it typed, and the first was a little short.
Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1.
Chapter 2: My Fish!
Six months later.
There was a small river a short distance from where Lilah and Zharane had camped. Zharane rose before the sun and went to the river to find food. She slid into the water and waded in up to her waist. She waited, watching the water, and feeling the creatures moving within it. It was something she'd been taught by a Vida who was friend to the clan. He had taught her and her brother how to fish by feel and hands on one of his visits to the clan when she was young. The fish came towards her. She waited. Come a little closer. She slid her hands slowly into the water. There, she reached and grabbed it. It thrashed in her hands as she pulled it from the water. She held it tight, pulling it to her chest for better control; ignoring the pounding it gave her with its fin.
"Hey that's my fish!"
She held onto the fish, wading towards the shore. She ignored the boy. He'd not caught the fish, she had. It was her fish.
"I said that's my fish, child." She now looked at him. He was perhaps two years older then her. And he was not Ooni, nor vampires.
"I did not see you in the water, catching it."
"I was about to." He argued.
"Well, you did not." And she started to walk back towards where she'd left Lilah. She should be awake already, and probably wondering where Zharane was. The boy was still following her and complaining about the fish. She didn't listen, but wished he'd go away.
Lilah already had the fire going, when they arrived back at camp. Lilah was cleaning a stick to use as a spit.
"Lilah, would you tell this boy that this is my fish!" Zharane said, pointing at the boy following her. Lilah looked over the boy, who was looking Lilah over in return.
"Where did you get the fish, dear?" Lilah asked.
"The river we passed last night." She was soaked from head to toe, still holding the squirming fish tightly against her chest.
"It seems you didn't even get wet, son of Sharden. It looks to me, that Zharane is the one who caught the fish." Lilah told the boy.
"I was going for that fish, Lilah, of the Ooni." The boy shot back.
"Aiming for and catching are two different things." Lilah said. "Would you share with us, I do believe that Zharane's fish is more then large enough."
"I will."
Lilah started coughing. Zharane recognized the pain in her eyes. Both her and the boy rushed to her.
"I'm alright." She shooed them both. "Do you know how to prepare a fish, son of Sharden?"
"Of course."
"Please show Zharane. I will go get some more wood for the fire."
The boy sat down on a stump and pulled out a knife. He showed her how to gut and prepare the fish. They were just finishing when Lilah returned. Lilah cooked the fish and they ate.
"Tell me," Lilah said after a mouth full. "How far our we from the Narn clan?"
"Not far." The boy answered.
"Would you take us? I need to speak with Shardan."
"I will take you, only because you are Lilah. My father will not be happy though."
"I will deal with his anger."
After they finished the fish they cleaned up and put out the fire before following the boy up the river, towards the Narn clan's home. They arrived by midday. The fortress was only a short distance from the riverbank. Zharane was taken aback by the size of the fortress. It was huge. She stared in amazement. The boy laughed at her.
"It's not that big." He teased.
"She's not seen a fortress yet, lad." Lilah told him.
"Well, then she should see inside. Come on."
He led them in through a small side gate, which he locked once they were inside. He took them to the clan leaders meeting room.
"Wait here. I will get my father." He left them alone in the room.
Lilah sank into a chair. Her breathing was labored, and she was in a lot of pain. Zharane went to her.
"Are you alright?" She questioned.
"I'll be fine, dear."