Sorry it took so long to get this chapter here. I had been so stressed out on school and projects I really didn't have time to work on this. Well, here it is anyway.
Chapter Seven
The journey had continued the next day. Calus and Kareia had actually pleasant conversations to pass the long hours of their trip. Kareia was relieved to find he wasn't a 24 hour teacher but capable of being a friendly fellow traveler and even charming. Despite his friendliness, Kareia could tell he was wise far beyond what he appeared to be. They way he spoke, the way he lightly carried himself, and the way he looked about his surroundings with utmost care and delicacy gave Kareia an impressed impression. Saveil had constantly commented on Calus's words and added some points to Kareia with interested enthusiasm.
Emeral's strange concerns stayed as their group continued their journey to Teirm. Kareia had continuously attempted to inquire what the problem was but had little success. Even Saveil showed signs of insecurity. Kareia tried to ask him.
I don't know what it is either, Saveil said, but I believe Emeral has a right to worry. These are not the most peaceful of times.
One time it got even stranger. Kareia had once again asked what the problem was in slight irritation.
Are we in ANY danger of ANY kind Emeral, Kareia threw out.
We are always in danger, Emeral replied, but something is happening. Something bad is happening and something worse is going to happen.
How do you know for sure Emeral?
I don't know for sure, Emeral said patiently, But there are signs…
Kareia sighed and consulted the problem with Calus but he had little to say.
After a couple of days of traveling, by the fourth day, they were a little less than two miles from the city.
"We are almost there!" Kareia shouted joyfully.
Calus's face remained expressionless, "We must be very cautious being in the city. There are always strange people lurking about in a large town like this and we have to try to be inconspicuous."
"Ugh, you sound like my mother," Kareia teased but the reminder she gave herself of her parents greatly lowered her spirits and she didn't say anything more. Calus didn't comment either.
A heavy mist had rolled in from the sea and blanketed the ground. Through it's haze, Kareia and Calus squinted and saw a blurry outline of Teirm in the distance.
We are almost there Saveil. Kareia said hoping to receive a better reaction to these words than Calus.
Saveil spoke sadly, I does not matter. I am still refrained from venturing too close and the little one doesn't talk much. Kareia assumed he was referring to Emeral.
I'm sorry you have to stay away. I'll visit you outside the city, when I get a chance okay?
You had better be careful. If there is even a spark of trouble, I'm never going to let you out of my sight again.
All right! So I'll visit you later.
They got through the gates with relative ease. The guards questioned them intently and almost threateningly as if daring them to make a false move. Calus had led them to believe that they are simply visiting a sick relative.
Once they got through an were out of earshot, Kareia said, "So where are we really headed?"
"We have to find a small inn to stay. We then need to find a place to get supplies and," Calus glanced at Kareia, "some new clothes to replace your worn traveling ones."
Kareia was looking at the buildings that got steadily taller the more they rode in. They held a cold gloom with ghost-like faces peering through the windows. Passersby would stare at them in a way that made Kareia uneasy.
They moved to the western part of the city where it seemed more pleasant. Everyone looked friendlier and the fog had thinned up, allowing some rays of sunshine to reach the streets.
They found a small but pleasant place to stay and unloaded all there things. They tied their only horse to the inn's stable and walked into the more busy part of the town where most of its business was held.
"Teirm is a major city when it comes to trade and commerce," explained Calus, "and it has gone through many troubles with pirates and Urgals. That is why many of it's residence are so uptight."
As they explored through the maze of shops, buildings and houses, Kareia noticed Calus hadn't pulled his hood up and was about to remind him until she noticed that his prominent elf ears were barely noticeable under his wavy blond hair.
They did all there errands Calus had listed when they had entered. Kareia found out that Calus had a fair amount of money. He had generously gave her some few crowns and let her but herself new clothes to replace her worn ones. She was able to buy herself a pair of gloves that she meant to buy herself a while ago. They found a place to eat afterwards and Kareia enjoyed having a variety of fruits and meats that she greedily stuffed up her mouth. She stored some leftovers to munch on later. Her full stomach put Kareia in a jubilant mood as they departed from the restaurant.
They were heading back to the inn before Kareia remembered her promise to Saveil.
"You go ahead. I have to go take care of something," she told Calus.
"Come back quickly," he replied urgently, "the gates will close at sundown."
Kareia raced through the city streets eager to spend time with Saveil and Emeral. She left the city walls and began casually walking down the sandy path. The sun was well over the sky when all the mist had cleared out. A cliff towered tall off to the right surrounded by trees. The warm sunshine was extremely comforting and held Kareia's spirits high.
Hey Saveil! Where are you hiding? Kareia called merrily.
An image projected into her mind and Saveil began guiding her down the road. Kareia she stopped. Some movement caught her eye off in the trees.
What is the matter? Is something wrong? asked Saveil.
No, I think I saw something... I'm going to see what it is.
You have too much curiosity for your own good. Chances are that it is going to be something bad, Emeralgrowled warningly.
Kareia ignored them and stepped off the road. To prove that she wasn't that stupid, Kareia unsheathed her sword in case it was something uninviting. She slowly ventured into the trees but made sure she didn't lose track of the road.
Suddenly, a large cat had dropped from the trees above and landed right in front of Kareia. In her surprise, she gave a yelp and stumbled and feel backwards. The cat merely cocked its head and watched her intelligently. She couldn't help but notice it's oversized claws, small fangs and muscular shoulders. It had shaggy fir and black tufts on the back of it's ears. Kareia tried to stand back up but fell backwards again.
Another brilliant one, came a voice.
Kareia jumped and looked wildly around but saw no one. Her first thoughts were that it came from Saveil of Emeral but the voice sounded different. Then she laid her eyes on the strange looking cat.
Kareia spoke, Are you—
—talking to you? Sure seems like it, the cat said. It's bright yellow eyes gave a complete light of it's own as they stared right through Kareia.
But you're a cat! I thought I could only talk to my— Kareia caught herself.
Well you don't, apparently, and I am not just a cat. Don't you have eyes?
You certainly don't look like a normal cat... but I still don't know—
Obviously you need some teaching. I had to do this last time when the one of your kind that came waltzing over. I am one of the few that currently exist in this world but you should have heard of me at least. I happen to be a werecat.
Kareia's eyes widened, I didn't think you existed.
A couple of weeks ago, I would have said the same about you but I can't anymore, the werecat stretched its paws and sat loosely in front of Kareia.
What do you mean?
How many things could I possibly mean?
You mean there was another dragon rider here not too long ago?
The werecat didn't answer but just cocked it's head again in response. Then it rose and said, You seem however different from that other one. You are human and a rider but it appears something else had been mixed in with it all.
Got that right, Kareia thought to herself but the werecat had a look of knowledge in it's eyes as if he had already figured it out.
What has happened? It was Emeral's voice.
Nothing. I'm coming. Kareia turned to the werecat, I have to go… do you have a name?
Of course I do.
Can you tell me?
I suppose the name you should call me by is Solembum.
Thank you. I'll be leaving now, but when Kareia turned her head she found Solembum already gone. Weird.
Kareia found Saveil and Emeral sitting side by side hidden in a small cave at the base of a cliff. She readily sat down and told them of the day.
I believe we will meet that werecat again, commented Emeral.
Why do you think so? asked Kareia.
Werecats are just like that, answered Saveil, They somehow involve themselves into stories and adventures giving advice and warnings.
Now how would you know that? Kareia teased.
I learned it from Calus.
Calus? He can talk to you? asked Kareia bewildered.
Obviously. He's an elf, Emeral answered.
The three of them sat and talked to each other companionably talking until there was nothing left to talk about. Emeral laid herself down beside Kareia and Saveil lay behind, both humming contently. They sat in a tranquil silence listening to the last of the bird calls of the day.
If I were you, came a voice, I would head back to the city.
Solembum!
Saveil and Emeral raised their heads and stared carefully at the werecat.
Yes I am.
What are you doing here?
Solembum considered the question and decided to answer straight, To warn you of course. Some unwelcome visitors are heading in your direction and the city gates are about to close. I suggest you move quickly.
Kareia was already on her feet and had grabbed her leather bag, What kind of unwelcome visitors?
But that mysterious werecat was no where to be seen. Saveil and Emeral seemed to have shown great interest in seeing the werecat about but they did not comment about him.
Colorful hues of orange and pink danced around the sky. He was right about the gates about to close. Kareia found her way back on the road and half jogged and half ran back to the city. Emeral and Saveil had stubbornly decided to follow Kareia high within the clouds back to the gates. Kareia glanced behind herself and saw a couple of broad figures in dark clothing riding upon giant horses galloping in her direction… no, they were coming at her. Kareia looked forward and saw the gates slowly beginning to close. Kareia sprinted her hardest toward the city forgetting that Emeral and Saveil were there at her protection if needed. They were galloping harder. Kareia swayed off to the side hoping that maybe she was just jumping to conclusions. They riders steered their horses in her direction. No, they were definitely riding at her.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I would like to take this moment and give my pal Heather a shout out. I GOT KENSHIN ON THE BRAIN AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! See ya everybody!
Dragons4eva
