The Legend of Ajira

By Allison Nelson

Chapter 15: Firelad and Moonsliver

Taryngoth was everything Kark had said it would be, and more. What she had seen as she stepped through the portal was only the beginning. As they walked toward the beautiful town, they spotted a large, healthy-looking apothecary called "Firelad's Potions". Ajira did not have a chance to go in there presently, though her heart sorely wanted to. Who knew what magical secrets lay deep within the apothecary? Ajira's heart saddened as she thought of her mom. Where was she? She hadn't been seen in over a week, unusual for one of her usual ventures. For all she knew, she could be dead, too, just like her dad. Tears begun to well up again in her swollen red eyes.

If only Estella could see this… she thought sorrowfully. It would be so amazing to her, to visit another world. Wonder what she'd think of Kark? Would she think him nice? A joke? A fraud? Too good for her daughter? Would she hold him in the highest regard, or look scornfully upon him with a glaring eye? She probably wouldn't believe Kark when he stated that he was an angel. Or would she? She wondered if Stella know this "Firelad". He might have worked with her in the Tower of Sorcery, or maybe even began his training with her. Who knew? Who could ever know? She probably wouldn't ever see her mom again…

Ajira gasped a little, sobbing, fighting back tears as hard as she could. She had been dragged all too quickly into a surreal quest, a quest across the land to battle some unknown darkness that was supposedly infecting the world, and even though she had said that she was ready, she wasn't truthfully sure that she actually was. What if she failed? What would happen then?

"Kark?" she asked, almost silently.

His strong voice returned beside her. "Yes?"

"What happens if I fail? How do you--how do I--know if I am ready for this mission or not?"

"Look at me." said Kark, turning her around to face him. "I wasn't there when this prophecy was made, but I've heard enough about it to know that you are definitely the one. The first time I saw you, I knew that you were the right one. Think back on the last few days…you've been through a lot."

Ajira did as Kark had said, stopping for a moment to review everything that had happened to her since she was kidnapped. Her house was burned, she woke up in Ashlander camp, met the Ashkhan, saw her parents, ate a magical breakfast (this was when she first discovered her parents were gone), overheard two elves talking about the prophecy, figured out she was the subject of it, met Kark, found out he was an angel, fell in love…wow! Now that she thought of it, that was a lot of things to happen to her in just a few days! She had not thought of it before, but now that she really took a moment to think, it was a little overwhelming. It had all happened so fast…

Regaining her composure, Ajira and Kark continued on through the town, passing several other shops and taverns as they went. She failed to notice many of them as she passed, but another caught her eye. The sign had a moon and a star engraved on the wooden sign hanging above the door, and the words "Moonsliver Weaponry" were imprinted in fancy script. Ajira stopped again to wonder in awe. She knew she had heard of that name before, she just couldn't remember where…

Breaking her out of her thoughts was Kark, with a light tap on her shoulder. "Would you like to go inside, check it out? A hero needs a good weapon too, you know!"

The rising bubble of excitement within her had burst. "I'd love to!" she screamed, running inside. Kark followed after her at a walk, shaking his head.

The inside of Moonsliver was intricate as much as it was beautiful. Innumerable rugs overlapped and lined the floor. Maybe there wasn't even a floor; Ajira couldn't tell because of the rugs completely covering it. All sorts of fantastical items hung on the walls, shiny display cases, and a few things hung from the ceiling. There was a claymore here, a shiny saber there, weapons of all sorts, shapes, and sizes in the small but beautiful shop. Ajira could only stare in awe. She didn't know where to start.

Kark came in after her. He had been to this store many times before; in fact, he had also purchased his first weapon here. In fact, he still carried it, but he kept it concealed away as he had never had need to use it. It was a strong ivory long bow, and though Kark had never needed to use it, it was a source of great pride to him. He still polished it excessively every day. The beautiful bow used gleaming green glass arrows, each deadly point as sharp as a thorn. Kark kept his arrows sharp as well, cleaning and sharpening them daily.

But yet, something wasn't right. Kark could feel it all over, from the tips of his furry ears to the last claw on his foot. Something was not right about this shop, and having been here so many times before, he should know.

Ajira had always thought of Kark as a high authority figure that would show her the way to go. He was an angel, after all. That is why Ajira could not believe her eyes when Kark took up his giant ivory bow and shot the storekeeper in the head.