"Don't you turn your back on me! I'm talking to you…you second rate magician!" Cleao exclaimed and her bright eyes narrowed in anger.
Majic flinched, Oh boy, here we go again, he thought as he turned to Orphen to see his predicted retaliation.
Orphen turned around and glared at the fiery blonde. "Stop being a stubborn brat!" he exploded in irritation.
Cleao stood her ground, " I can't. It's my specialty, so deal with it!" she said in an icy voice and held Orphen's stare.
"Got that right," Orphen muttered under his breath, but apparently not soft enough.
" What did you say!" Cleao exclaimed and flicked her flowing blonde mane. She glared at the sorcerer, "I dare you to say that to my face! Well?"
There was a slight pause. "I said-" Orphen began after concocting a lie.
"Doesn't matter," Cleao interrupted hurriedly, " The point is that it isn't even dark yet! We should just keep going a bit more. Totokonta's only a few more days away. You're the one that's always pushing us to go further." No reply. " Orphen!" Cleao whined.
Orphen let out an exasperated sigh, "We're camping here for the night and that's final! If you're so eager to get home, go then!" He turned his back on her and got a fire started.
Cleao stared daggers at him, "Fine, I will!" She stalked off. "C'mon Leki!" she called out and the Wolven pup followed immediately.
Majic set down the backpack and looked at Cleao's retreating back, then to Orphen. "Umm… Master, don't you think that you should get her to come back?"
Orphen looked at Majic like he was speaking in another language, he hesitated, "She'll be fine. She has Leki with her." Majic nodded and proceeded to set up camp, starting by laying out the sleeping bags. Orphen looked towards the direction Cleao had gone. What am I going to do with you, he thought and shook his head.
"Stupid sorcerer," she muttered under her breath, "thinks he can tell me what to do. Who the hell does he think he is!" she continued as she released her pent up annoyance. "Some partner," she said aloud. Leki glanced up at her and gave her a questioning look. She smiled down at her companion, "Everything's ok Leki." Leki barked happily. They continued walking in the forest. Cleao stopped in her tracks, "Do you hear that? It sounds like a stream." Leki's ears perked up and he sniffed the air. He began walking in a different direction. Cleao followed. A few minutes later, they came to a small clearing in the trees and they both stopped before entering. Sitting by the stream was a young man. He had lustrous jet-black hair and he seemed well built from Cleao's point of view. He wore black leather pants that seemed to fit in all the right places and a white top. Cleao suddenly stopped staring at him and blushed. She looked down to see Leki's expectant face. She looked back up, but the guy was gone. I wonder where he went, she thought as she pushed away a small branch so that she could see better into the clearing.
" You know, it's inappropriate to spy on people," a husky voice said from behind her. Cleao froze in panic and Leki growled at the stranger protectively. She turned around to see dazzling chartreuse eyes staring into her own. He wore a pendant of a serpent wrapped around a jagged cross, reminding her of the pendant of the Tower of Fang. But this piece of jewelry enchanted her somehow. It was like it was drawing her in.
He smiled at her and she blushed a soft pink, "I-I'm sorry," she stuttered as she looked at the guy standing in front of her.
He smiled cheerfully, "No harm done. My name's Jeremy. Jeremy Verdhel," he held out his hand. Cleao shook his hand hesitantly, "Cleao."
"Does this Cleao have a last name?"
Cleao blushed a deeper shade of crimson, "Everlasting." Jeremy laughed at her heartily and Cleao relaxed a bit, his ease being contagious.
"Did you want to go to the stream?" he asked, Cleao nodding her head in reply. He led her into the clearing where his small camp was set up. She sat down by the stream and he sat a few feet away from her. Leki placed himself in Cleao's lap.
" This is Leki," Cleao gestured to the animal with her.
Jeremy nodded, "So, what brings you here?"
Cleao thought of what to say, I shouldn't tell him anything, he's a complete stranger! And I've already told him my name…"I um.. I'm traveling with friends," she replied after a moment. Jeremy smiled at her, feeling a renewed uncomfortable vibe in the air. Cleao managed to smiled back.
" Well, I'm here alone. I'm on my way to Totokonta actually," he stated as he shifted his sitting position.
Cleao's eyes widened, "Really? Me too!" she said in a more relaxed tone. "You should travel with us since we're all going in the same direction and all." Cleao's mouth shut instantly knowing she had said way too much. Orphen is going to kill me! she scolded herself. She returned her attention to Jeremy. There's something about him… she thought and tilted her head as she stared at him involuntarily. She smiled, " Why are you going to Totokonta anyway?" she continued as she scratched Leki on the head gently.
"Oh, I just like to travel. I get so restless at home," Jeremy gave Cleao a sheepish grin. But before Cleao could ask where his home was, they were suddenly interrupted.
" Cleao! Cleao, where are you!" Majic could be heard not that far away.
" Your friend?" Jeremy asked and Cleao nodded. Leki got up and disappeared into the bushes, off to fetch Majic, no doubt. A moment later, both Majic and Leki appeared in the clearing. Majic stopped in his tracks when he saw Cleao's company.
"Oh… hi," Majic said in an unsure voice. Cleao made the necessary introductions. She looked back at the young apprentice, " So Cranky-ancelo sent you to come and get me," she said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Majic nodded slowly. Cleao stood up and turned to her newfound friend, " Well, I have to go before he gets even more mad. You're welcome to join us." She picked Leki up and held him gingerly as he licked her face in affection.
"He is?" Majic asked Cleao, looking confused and unsure.
"Your Master won't mind," Cleao quipped, but both knew he would go off the handle.
"Master?" Jeremy asked, his turn to be confused.
"He's a silly sorcerer," Cleao explained, "Will you be joining us?"
Jeremy shook his head, " Thanks, but I'll be staying here a few more days. I want to enjoy nature," he smiled at them, " I'll just see you in Totokonta."
" OK, see you then," Cleao smiled.
"It was nice to meet you," Majic added politely. He and Cleao turned to leave.
" Bye," Jeremy called out to them just as they left the clearing. Everything is going according to plan, he thought to himself and smiled.
The trio ate in silence. Cleao and Orphen hadn't spoken to each other since they had gotten back and there hadn't been any mention of Jeremy. Cleao had made Majic promise that he wouldn't say a word, otherwise he'd get a good beating. And he took Cleao's bluff.
Cleao sighed and glanced at Orphen, who seemed to be lost in thought. She gave a small smile to Majic and her azure eyes sparkled mischievously. Majic knew what was coming next. Cleao stopped eating and gave a small yell of disgust, " Uh! I can't take this anymore!" she spat out what little food she had in her mouth. Cleao's outburst roused Orphen from his trance. "It's disgusting! Who cooked this!" she continued.
"I did. If you don't like it, don't eat it," Orphen retorted coldly. Majic bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. It always was entertaining to watch Cleao and Orphen argue. Cleao put her bowl down next to her, " Figures."
"And what is that supposed to mean!" Orphen exclaimed angrily.
" Well, it means that it explains the horrid taste of this poor excuse for food. What else is it meant to mean?" Cleao flicked her hair and paused for the needed effect, "Mediocre cook, mediocre magician."
Orphen gritted his teeth and glared at the blonde on the other side of the fire. The bright flames danced in her eyes, but he continued to glare at her no matter how beautiful she looked at that moment. " What on earth did I do to deserve such a selfish and ungrateful pest!" he said and shook his head in dismay.
Cleao gave Orphen an I-can't-believe-you-just-said-that look, " Yeah well…" she tried to think of a comeback, but nothing came to mind, so she just settled for sticking her tongue out at him. She turned away and Orphen couldn't help but smile. Cleao quickly finished the remains of her dinner and got ready for bed. "Goodnight, Majic," she called out pleasantly. She got under the covers of the sleeping bag and Leki placed himself next to her. Cleao gave him a goodnight kiss on the head.
Majic cleared the dinnerware, " Goodnight, Cleao," he replied.
Orphen looked up at the stars that were like minuscule candles that burned in the darkness of the night sky. Orphen then looked back at Cleao, who had her back turned to him. "Goodnight, Cleao," he whispered softly and his words were carried into the night by a cool breeze.
" Guys! Wait up!" Majic yelled out to them. It was early in the morning and they were already back on the road. It was a bright sunny day and birds in the trees chirped their songs to entertain the travelers. Majic shifted the bag on his back and stopped to catch his breath. Orphen and Cleao turned around. Cleao looked at Majic in annoyance and stormed up to him. Majic widened his eyes in fright. Cleao in a bad mood was never ever good. He shut his eyes, anticipating Cleao's rage, " I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll stop complaining! The bag isn't even that heavy!" the words rushed out of his mouth. Then he felt the weight of the bag lifted off his shoulders. He opened his eyes to see Cleao walking away.
" Hurry up, Majic," she said over her shoulder.
Majic slowly jogged to catch up to them, feeling a lot better without the extra baggage. " Thanks, Cleao, " he said as he walked beside her. She gave him a sidelong glance and smiled. Her smiles were always contagious, so he couldn't help but smile back. Cleao took a few more steps to walk beside Orphen, who was always walking ahead of them. He topped in front of him and blocked his path, Orphen almost walked into her.
"What the hell are you doing!" he exclaimed, taking a step back.
She held the backpack out to him, " It's heavy. Carry it," she answered flatly. Orphen clenched his hands and stared at her in indignation. "Please," she added hastily with a quick flash of her innocent smile. Orphen let out an audible sigh and took the bag from her hands. He slung it over his shoulder and let Cleao lead the way.
" Hurry up then. We don't have all day! Mariabella's birthday is just around the corner and we don't want to be late, " she yelled behind her. Leki trotting beside her happily.
Orphen walked side by side with his apprentice, " Was Cleao born like this?" It was more of a rhetorical question than anything else.
Majic nodded as he smirked, " But you gotta love her for who she is. I couldn't imagine her any other way," he continued to his Master.
Orphen replied with one of his rare smiles, " As soon as we get to Totokonta, we can start your lessons again. We can start off with a few more incantations, and then get straight to healing. Sound good?" he asked and he got his answer in Majic's eager eyes.
"That'd be great, Master!"
"Quit your yappin' and get moving! The sooner we get home, the more shopping I can do!" Cleao bellowed.
"Yes ma'am," Orphen's voice dripped with sarcasm and Majic grinned. If looks could kill, Orphen would be dead with the way that Cleao was staring at him.
"Stop being aggravating Krylancelo. I don't have time," she snapped.
"Big words, Cleao," he laughed.
"Oh… would you like me to bring the conversation down to your level?" she asked in mock concern. Orphen stopped laughing, but at the same time, Majic started.
"She got you there, master," Majic chuckled and Cleao grinned proudly.
"Majic," Orphen warned.
"We're stopping at the next town. I need a warm bath and I need to go shopping for Mariabella's present, " Cleao announced and stroked Leki who was in her arms, as they continued their journey.
" We are, are we?" Orphen questioned.
" That's what I said, wasn't it? Or are you deaf?" she answered. Cleao stared off into the distance as she continued walking, "I wonder if Jeremy will be there…" she trailed off in a half whisper. But it was loud enough to be heard by her friends.
" Who's Jeremy?" Orphen asked in interest.
Cleao turned rosy pink, " No one you would know," she replied in a dismissive tone.
Orphen turned to Majic, "Well?"
Majic looked unsure. He turned to Cleao to see her making a you-are-so-dead-if-you-tell signs behind Orphen's back. Then he turned to Orphen who was staring at him with a stern, yet expectant look. "Umm… well… he's just a guy we met yesterday. I found Cleao with him," he winced when he saw Cleao give him a deadly stare.
Orphen turned to face Cleao, anger in his eyes, " You were with a stranger! Why didn't you tell me!"
" You're not the boss of me!" Cleao exhaled, "Take a chill pill, you need to learn to relax, Krylancelo."
"Don't-"
"I'm in no mood to argue right now. Maybe later, OK?" Cleao cut him off and ended the discussion.
" You can be so infuriating, you know that?" Orphen stated.
She smiled at him, " But you and Majic love me anyway," she joked to lighten the mood. Silence washed over the group as they continued their journey back to Totokonta.
They stopped at the next town where Cleao got the warm shower she had been wanting. The following morning, she dragged Majic and Orphen around town searching for the perfect present to give to her sister. Finally, she bought a pale blue summer dress that fell just above the knees. It had spaghetti straps and a vague, white floral print along one side. It was the kind of dress that would show off Mariabella's curves. She's gonna love it, Cleao thought excitedly as they left the store. " On to Totokonta!" she exclaimed cheerfully and Leki barked in response.
" It's still early, but we may as well keep moving then. We'll travel for a few hours, then camp for the night. We'll be in Totokonta by midday tomorrow," Orphen discussed their itinerary.
"Great!" Cleao grinned.
Orphen gazed at her in shock, "So, you have no problem with my plan?"
Cleao shook her head.
Majic looked just as shocked as Orphen, " Wow… that's a first."
"There's a first time for everything," Cleao replied.
With less than 24 hours to her hometown, Cleao was just bursting with excitement and energy. It'll be good to see Mariabella and Mother again. No matter how much fun I have traveling, I always miss home… even if most of the time I actually hate it there… Cleao thought to herself. She grinned, I can't wait to go shopping with Mariabella! We have so much catching up to do! she added silently.
Majic gave her a lopsided gaze, "I wonder what she's grinning about, " he said to Orphen.
Orphen shrugged, " Probably thinking of all of the food that will be prepared for the celebration." Majic smiled, It'll be good to be back home. He was soon lost in his own thoughts as the day wore on.