Silence ruled Stonewood Forest. Trees were knocked over. Soil and rock upturned. In the hole, a light blue head popped out. Nova scanned the area. She carefully emerged. Warbles soon followed.
Razz fluttered out. He laid himself on the ground. His feathers are back to their normal state. His eyes lowered. "All clear."
The white Starbird followed. Everyone groaned. Once the Starbirds laid down, they all began to slide off. SkekOk stumbled and tried not to kiss the ground. SkekZok grumbled about his robe. SkekEkt silently slid off, his hands shaking. Ghost and SkekMal stayed on a moment longer, staring at the chest. As for Hup, he sat down on the nearest tree stump.
"Well." Ghost said. "I think we should head back to my place. I know the nearest path."
SkekSo groaned. He rubbed his claws along his temples. "Why, pray tell,should we do that?"
Ghost's eyes hardened. "I have some gear and armor that should help us out of our predicament." She boldly took a few steps to the Emperor. Everyone was holding their breath around her. Her ears flicked up. Her head held high. "May I remind you that we now are dealing with a deity that has the power of Darkness, let alone can control the Darkening. If you want to argue like this as a mere childling fine! But I will not let anyone else die while we're together!"
SkekSo growled. Then, SkekVar stepped in. His large bulk gets between his leader and Ghost. The Hunter eyed them both wearily. "Emperor. I hate to admit it, but she's right. We're at a disadvantage. Our only chance is to regroup and come up with a better plan."
SkekSo was silent. "Fine...Only because I've had a long, near death flight. I'm not in the mood for anything else to go wrong."
After some time walking down a path, they managed to find Ghost's secret home. Everyone gathered some food and began to settle down. Ghost took a moment to eat before she began to work on some robes. Her fingers weave through the cloth. The feathers stitched in place with a steel needle. She ignored the stares from everyone as she focused on her tasks. Her pack began to fill with ropes made from Arathim silk. Several weapons. A map of Thra. She nearly jumped when SkekVar touched the robe she was working on.
"Is this...What you've been working on all this time?" The General asked. "You seem to be wasting time by fighting dummies. Though it seemed close to being life-like."
Ghost froze. Her ears flicked up. "Wait...How do you know about those?"
SkekVar blinked. His mouth tightened. He tried to focus on something that would take the subject off what he said. Then, the General found it. Trembling white hands. Wait, is that frost underneath her fingers? "You're getting the shakes again. I think you need to take it easy."
Ghost looked down. He was right. Her hands were vibrating. Almost up to the point where her hands were unable to hold the needle properly. Her chest felt tight and weird. "I'll-I'll be fine. I just need to finish this." Before she could protest any further, SkekVar gently pulled her work away from her and set it on a nearby table. Then Ghost was picked up. Her cheeks flushed at this. It hasn't been done since she was a childling.
"You need to stop."
"Why? Afraid of losing your pet?"
A heavy thickness filled the house. Everyone stared at the duo. SkekTek and SkekEkt nervously watched. SkekSo raised a brow in intrigue. Rian and Gurjin readied their swords. Hup's face soured. Even SkekMal and the Fizzgigs gave a low growl. However, SkekVar's eyes were filled with genuine sorrow. A want that he couldn't name. "No…You…just…wouldn't be able to help anyone if it gets out of hand." The general set her down with ease.
Ghost took a deep breath. Giving herself a moment to calm down even further. "Very well then. I'll…sit outside before I resume." With that, she walked out with Orchid and Razz following her. Grumble trailed behind. She soon sat on a rock. She let out a huge sigh. "Curse it all. I thought I outgrown it by now."
Lazuli let go of Ghost's back. He slithered to the front. "Mistress…What are the shakes? All I could feel was your fears."
Ghost took a deep breath. "It's something I've had since I was a childling. Mostly when I'm frightened of something, my body starts to shake. It's a warning that my heart is in distress." She looked at her hand. The hand vibrated. Ghost made an effort to form a fist. She took a few deep breaths to settle down.
"What do you mean that you 'outgrown' them?" Lazul asked.
"As I got older, I was over things that scared me. Even I began to rely on medicine less." Ghost bowed her head. "But then…Mira…" Ghost's eyes water. She felt something snuggle against her face. In the corner of her orange eye was Orchid. The Threader rubbed against her cheek. She smiled. "Thank you, Orchid." After some time, Ghost started to feel better. She got up slowly. Her feet grew steady as she reached for the house. Her ears caught the planning.
"It seems that we'll have to go through the forest to make it to Ha'rar," Ordon said. "For now, let's make sure we've reached an area where everyone can take cover. As well as food for travel."
"That's going to be hard with these scaly giants behind us." Gurjin's voice dripped with both sarcasm and venom. Growls followed.
Ghost opened the door. All eyes on her. She could feel Lazuli taking some of her anxiety and fear. Her head held high. She walked in with ease. Her eyes met with SkekMal's. He seemed a bit agitated. She cleared her throat. "I think we should gather whatever we can. We can forage as we walk."
"That is if the Darkening hasn't corrupted it any further," Rian said.
"Let's just go already!" SkekSo growled. "We're already burning daylight." He marched past the others. His black robe flapped as he put on a renewed speed.
Ghost sighed. "I'll pack the tools." She walked over to her workshop desk. She noticed SkekLach and SkekEkt eyeing the menacing figure nervously. Ghost simply shrugged, but something about those reactions made her suspicious. Ghost picked up a satchel and began to put items away. When she reached for a rope with a grappling hook, SkekTek was soon beside her.
The Scientist pointed at the rope. The material was thick and shiny. "Is that made from Arathim silk?"
Ghost nodded. "I've heard so many stories about how the silk is strong. So, I collected some and tested how much weight it could handle…I thought it would allow you…" Her throat tightened with each word. Her mouth was dry. Her arms ached. "Well. Can't dwell on that now. Let's get this all put away." She hurriedly gathered the rope and other necessities from the table into her pack. Her shoulder picked up a light tap. She turned to SkekEkt who looked disheveled and frightened. "Now's not the time to stay here."
"Ghost's right." Ordon said. His eyes focused on the sky. "We have to keep moving. There's no telling when Murkon will come back."
In one flourish, everyone was soon out the door. The Crystal Starbird flew low since it wasn't able to shrink down the same way Astrid did. For a long time, no one uttered a word. They would stop a moment or two to check the map to make sure they were going the right way. SkekMal would take a moment to climb the trees on the Emperor's command to see if Murkon was close by. Nothing to report so far, but the silence made everyone uneasy. SkekEkt being the worst. His frightened state would cause him to cling to SkekAyuk at every twig snap or bush rustle. It didn't help that all the slaves huddled around SkekTek for fear of the monster being close by.
The suns began to set. The greens and yellows in the forest began to take on subtle hues of blue and umber. Suddenly, a faint melody rose in the air. The slaves began to raise their heads. Noses twitched. SkekEkt even calmed slightly. The Flower Weaver grunted a few times and tapped on SkekTek's shoulder.
"What?!" SkekTek asked. He glanced at them with annoyance. His mind tried to tune out Sidetec's squawking and Nova sat there quietly, no doubt tired from her dangerous tricks. He took note of the pointing in the air. He looked around. Nothing. However, he found the songs of Podlings. "Is it the music that's got your attention?"
Deet flicked her ears. Sweet melodies filled her ears. "What a wonderful tune! Hup, I didn't know Podlings could make such wonderful music."
Hup smiled proudly. Then, he took note of SkekEkt giving off an entranced look. He tilted his head in surprise. He walked over and tapped SkekEkt's shoulder. He gestured and pointed to the direction of the tavern. SkekEkt was silent at first, then nodded.
Ghost smiled. "That's one of the many things you can love about Podling music. It's sweet and simple. Something that eases the madness of everything."
"Too bad they're a bunch of whiners that can only-" SkekAyuk was caught off as a clump of dirt hit his face. He stared in shock. Then, he melted at Ghost's hardened glare.
"Don't not speak ill, Gourmand." Ghost hissed. Her eyes had a dangerous glow that made her more menacing than normal. Her ears flicked up dangerously. Even her posture made The Gourmand nervous. "They were kind enough to help you in the kitchen. Even when you get mean with them. Yet you've not once, ONCE, bothered to thank them. Not ONLY that, but I saw how you were mere seconds from hitting SkekEkt everytime he got close to you!" She marched over to SkekEkt. She grabbed his hand and led him away from the Gourmand. Ghost glanced over at the slaves. They seemed a bit dazed. "Come on…I'll show you where that noise is coming from." She continued walking with Hup and Deet behind them. The slaves soon followed, much to SkekTek's relief.
The small band walked over to the nearby tavern. Rian soon joined the group. His hand on his sword. Before long, they were surrounded by joyful music. Podlings playing on their flutes. Drums banging with more gusto than they would normally be done in the castle. All the slaves took in the view. Each one was awestruck by the colorful display and the sweet smell of Podling food. Even SkekEkt started to calm down, tapping his foot to the merry tunes.
In a matter of minutes, Ghost, the Flower Weaver and Earth Croaker were able to go through the door, but Felidawn stayed outside due to her size. Podlings gathered. Some of them were very familiar. Ghost's eyes went bright. A smile on her face. "Brun! Zaza!" She leaped up to hug her elderly Podling friends.
"Ghost!" Brun cried. He hugged her back. Before long all the other Podlings in the tavern all began to swarm around Ghost. Hugging the white Gelfling in pure joy. Even Hup joined in. Razz came flying in and chirped happily at the whole thing. The Bladewing even enjoyed being petted by pudgy fingers. The slave nervously watched the Podlings. Arms tucked to their torsos.
"Friend Ghost," Razz chirped. "Are Podlings this lively?"
Ghost laughed. "Lively doesn't begin to describe it." Her smile beamed with greatness. She turned to the nearest Podling server. "Can we have a few drinks please?"
"Sing!" Zaza said. She began to tell the others in a form of Podling language.
Deet glanced up. "What are they saying, Ghost?"
"They want me to sing." Ghost translated. She squawked as she was lifted up from her spot and taken to the stage. "I used to sing with them whenever I got the chance. I thought of making some musical songs in the castle."
"Oh I remember that!" Rian said. "The Ornamentalist would be too busy to hear any of your songs. Then, he'd always listen to Chamberlain's claim that they were useless."
Hup raspberries. The whole tavern laughed. Even the Flowerweaver chuckled a bit. SkekEkt merely looked away in shame.
"Well, how about a small break then." Deet said. "We've been walking for quite some time and it's getting dark out. Ghost, why don't you sing?" She soon joined in the chant. "Sing! Sing!"
"Mistress," Lazul opened his eye. "Is singing really necessary? What good will it do?"
The Podlings shriek. One of them climbed up the stage to ready a spoon. Ghost stopped him quickly. One hand holding the arm.
She waved her arms. "It's ok! It's ok!" In one smooth motion, she held up Lazul. "This is Lazul. He's helping me with the monsters outside." Her hand gestured to each of her friends. "This is Hup. Most of you know Rian." She ignored Brun's comment. "That's Deet. Razz. And…" She had to give herself a moment to think. Oh right…I didn't give them yet… Her blue eye focused on the Flowerweaver. A drum was nearby. If anything the armored creature resembled one with the bulk. Her orange eye landed on the Earth Croaker and Felidawn. The blue creature had the similar color as that of Cerebrite, one of SkekShod's favorite gemstones. Felidawn seemed to have a spark. Before she could consider, the names flowed out of her mouth. "Drum, Spark and Cerebrite."
The slaves looked on confused. The Flowerweaver pointed at himself. Ghost nodded. "Yes. From now on, you'll be known as Drum."
Before she could give an explanation, the Podlings continued for a demand of a song. Ghost sighed. The white Gelfling raised her hands in surrender. "Alright. Alright. I'll sing." Cheers erupted and everyone hushed down. She took a deep breath. Her eyes closed as she tried to think of a simple song. Then, it finally happened.
"Oh darling. How I long for you. Your heart is what I need to know. For it's one thing that is true. No bones or death breaks apart. The stars are our song and you're my soul. I want you to know that I've loved you from the start. Be mine forever and I'll be your twilight." Her song was joined by flutes and lutes. The sweet words brought tears to anyone who heard it. The sorrow. The longing. The desire to be close to the one that makes you whole. When the song was over, everyone cheered.
Hup and Deet clapped enthusiastically. Rian helped Cerebrite clap his mole-like claws together. Drum mimicked, slowly but faster as he enjoyed it. Spark merely watched in awe. Gurjin and Ordon both moved past the feline creature to obtain a seat. SkekEkt was on the verge of tears and only smiled for the first time since his capture.
—-
Just a breather here. Ghost is really trying to keep her feelings in check. Warning for the next chapter: Character death on the way!
