Alright so now that I have some free time I'll get down to business. Last chapter Hugo got some memories. This chapter he'll act on them. Don't expect really long chapters from me though. I have a tendency to become ADD (Layin down yesterday I got bored and went outside to climb a tree. Then I practiced kickboxing. I don't kickbox) Ok, R&R if you like it or if you don't. Tell me what to do better.
Move over Rover, let Jimi take over!
"Hugo! Hugo! Snap out of it!" called the duck. He stood over Hugo shaking him violently as Hugo's eyes shot open. "Hugo! What happened?" He asked.
"This happens sometimes, Jordi, when someone acquires another runes memories" replied Lucia calmly. "Do you really think I would just be sitting here if my son was in any serious trouble? I think not" she said to the exsasperated duck. He looked over to Lucia questioningly.
"Yeah, I think I'm okay Sgt, but thanks for yout concern." Hugo said as he sat up. "It seems that Le Buque had a more important part in the Grasslands than I thought, though. I need to see Franz about this new development." Hugo said. He got up and began walking into the platueau. It had been a long evening and the few people who had yet to pass out left to the comfort of their beds. Lucia let the few guests that they hadshack up with her in her extra chambers. Dupa and Shiba both returned to the Great Hollow where Shiba returned to a quite annoyed missus. All had settled in the evening but the coming morning would prove far more interesting.
"Hugo, where are you off to? It's only an hour after sunrise. Aren't you tired even a little?" Sgt. Joe said to Hugo as he prepared a Karayan horse for a day trip. Hugo had gotten a new set of clothes from his mother after becoming cheif. He now wore a chestplate over his black skin-tight tee-shirt. His necklace was still there, over the chest plate which looked to be made of a composite clay. He had a new belt, but the only difference was that it was bigger and had proportionatly larger gems in it. It helped Hugo carry his new sword, which was larger and more fitting the cheif of the Karaya Clan.
Hugo mounted Cavallo and began to trot out of the stables. He was stopped by Sgt. Joe. "So you were going to leave me? I feel hurt!" Sgt Joe said mockingly. "So really what's causing you to want to leave so fast? You've gotten me really curious now" he said.
"Well, I'll tell you on the way there." He said as he started to run off.
"Hugo, I'm not the young, handsome duck I once was. I can't go with you this time." Joe said. Hugo turned around quickly after hearing what he said. "You're the new chief now and you should be able to take care of yourself. I trust you will no longer be needing me to protect you from every little danger. Besides, I have a wife and family to get home to. I'm sure they've become curious as to why I'm so late from coming back from the store by now." Joe said.
"I'm sorry to hear that Joe. If you must know I'll tell you, but please don't worry my mother with it." Hugo replied. "I'm going to see Franz. Le Buque used to be apart of the 6 clans, Joe. Thats a bond that shouldn't have been forgotten. If the Second Fire Bringer war taught me nothing else it taught me that the past can come back and bite you in the ass sometimes. You've got to know your past before you go into the future." he said.
"Hugo you sound like an adult. Congratulations on becoming chief, by the way." He said with a small chuckle. "Thanks Joe. I never thanked you for all the times you saved my life so here it is, thank you." Hugo responded. With his response he set off into the distance, on his way to Le Buque.
"Captain , I think its about time we head out. The sun's up and no ones drunk yet." Queen said with a laugh. She stood with Geddoe on the edge of the plataeu. They looked into the newly arisen sun. They both saw Hugo ride off into open plains. Geddoe looked to Queen. "I think it's about time we go back to Caleria. We need a mission" He said to her.
Jacques looked up from his position leaning against one of the piles of hay. He wore the same clothes as he always had yet they were not quite in mint condition. They had tiny cuts and stains on them but remarkably, his blue coat was completely spotless. He walked away at the same time as Queen. Queen headed into the subterrainial village.
She found Ace asleep in Lucia's home, next to Joker. Ace was awoken from his restful slumber by a swift kick to the gut. The ensuing grunt roused Joker from his rest, as well. "What was that for?" Ace whined.
"For all the women who's hearts you broke last night." She replied. The party rose to their feet and joined the others outside. They stood for a moment and let themselves all get settled and more fully roused from the slumber.
"So we're going to Caleria, everyone make sure ou have all of your things. I'll go pay the bill we accumulated while we were here." Ace said to the group. Luckily, it wasn't a large bill because the Karayans were more than happy to share their food.
They all looked around for a moment. "Where is Aila?"Queen asked. She was noticably missing from the group. As they moved on towards the exit of the village Geddoe responded.
"She got up early and tailed Hugo. We are going to pick her up when we pass by Le Buque, since that's where they are headed." He said, eyes glazed looking onward. Reaching the make-do gate of the village they chatted as they waited for Ace to return. Lucia approached them in the meantime.
"Hello everyone." Lucia said cordially. After their nodded acknowledgments of her comment she continued. "Geddoe, may I speak with you for amoment before you leave?" She said. They both walked around the corner to a secluded area, away from invasive ears.
"Geddoe you are going to see Hugo at Le Buque, correct?" She said. Geddoe looked up in surprise for a moment but nodded his head. "I knowthat I gave leadership of the Clan to himbutI need you to give him this message from me. Over the years Beechum and I have scouted the area looking for the best place to set upa new Karayan Village, even before our last home was burned to the ground. One where we can be safe, and have rrom to build." She was being distractable for some reason which is usually out of her character. "I just want you to tell him that we found it. We found it a few months ago and secretly have begun constructing a fortress there. It's called Project Kianu, named for my father. I just want Hugo to know that I'll be working there until its done and after that I'm going back to Dunan. I have... work there. Thank you in advance." She said. Tears began to well in her eyes but she shrugged them off quickly. It was almost like she knew that this was the last time she would be seeing her son and couldn't force herself to say goodbye.