A short one for now. I've been busy lately. I'm getting busier too xx. Well, here ya go!
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Hurrying up the corridor with Kaorin in my arms, I couldn't help but think about leaving Jahlo to whatever awaited her. Sure, she was an Immortal, but that didn't mean she was actually immortal. I shook my head to clear it. I needed to concentrate. Kaorin was the priority now. We needed to get out and give her the antidote. I scurried after Shihu-Danhu as fast as my tired legs could carry me. I felt like death. It wasn't easy to carry someone for a multitude of hours through dangerous situations. My legs felt like they would give out at any moment. It seemed to take much longer to exit than it took to enter. It seemed like an eternity until the light at the end of the tunnel reached my eyes. I forced my legs to run that much faster to reach this beacon of hope. The small shadow of Shihu-Danhu passed in front of the light moments before I, carrying Kaorin, emerged also. Panting, I drew up beside the anxious midget.
"Make the damn stuff!", I huffed out.
"Yea, yea. Gimme a second.", he said while sloshing the grass and blood around inside the vial.
The formerly red blood turned a deep purple with the introduction of the leaf. Shihu-Danhu unstoppered the vial lifted it to me. I took the tiny glass and laid Kaorin prone upon the ground. Kneeling, I tipped the liquid into her mouth. I manually tilted her head back to make sure she swallowed it.
"That's it?", I asked.
"That's it. Any moment now she should be ok. That's what I hear at least.", the little man responded.
I sighed. I expected the serum to work, but that was simply because Jahlo said it would. I wouldn't have believed Shihu if he had been the only one to put forth this plan of action. I studied Shihu-Danhu's tiny features. His ears were wickedly pointed and stuck out from his head like rear view mirrors. The large head had equally large eyes. Soft, cute brown eyes. His straw blond hair was tied back in a small knot. His features betrayed his alien nature. But what was he?
"Shihu, I may sound like a moron for saying this, but...what race are you?", yea, I sounded like a bonafide nincompoop.
"Wow! You must be from far away! I'm a Taru-taru. Most people just call us Tarus.", he responded kindly.
Taru-taru. It was a seemingly odd name for a race. Yet, it all seemed to make sense. His name bore a resemblace to the race title. Nothing too out of the ordinary. I'd seen worse. Suddenly, a moaning interrupted my reverie.
"Uhh...god, my head hurts. Mr. Prior what happened?", Kaorin was sitting up, squinting and holding her head with her right hand.
I stood my aching body up.
"I'll explain later. We have to get going"
"But"
"Please. Kaorin.", I pleaded politely. She smiled and took a few unstable steps. I expected as much. I reached my arm around her and steadied her walking. She looked up at me with eyes weeping tears. Her formerly beautiful brown ovals were crossed with red veins in the white. Inflammed and sore, she managed a small smile. Cute as ever, dispite the torment. We walked. Shihu-Danhu didn't speak. This made me curious. He was usually talking his head off at the slightest oppertunity. Very unlike him to be silent. I didn't wish to bother the Taru, so I simply held onto Kaorin and followed him into the forest. The walk was long, yet uneventful. I was able to study the local wildlife closely as we made the trek towards Al Zhabi. A major species in these forests were a sort of light pink bird with a gigantic bill. They fluttered a few feet above the ground on small, circular wings. Another, more amazing creature, was what I learned later to be called a marid. They were tusked mammals that stood about as tall as two humans. A long trunk was slung between two giant, ivory tusks and it stared as we passed with red, beady eyes.
We passed a few other travellers along the way also. One humanoid man was dressed from head to toe in gleaming white armour. Resting upon his head was what looked to be a circlet made up of shining stones. His sword clattered against his armour as he trudged by us with a curt nod of his head. Another passed by us moment later. A Taru-taru by his looks, he ran by without a word. He was dressed totally in leathery brown with a pineal hat atop his large head. By then the giant, white gates of Al Zhabi loomed before us. Me and Kaorin stood in awe at it's grandeur. Shihu-Danhu stood too, but not in awe.
"What's the matter, little one?", Kaorin asked, still weak from fatigue.
Shihu stood with his head bowed. "I saw...prisoners in Mamook. They looked like you Miss Kaorin...Could they be..", he never finished.
Kaorin gasped and I was fully taken unawares.
"We have to go back.", I stated, trying my damndest to stay calm.
"Wha..what did...", Kaorin tried to sputter out.
"We can't go back. The Mamools have secured their defences by now...it would be impossible.", Shihu sighed, defeated.
"Were...were...they..", Kaorin continued, practically hyperventilating.
I hated to admit it, but Shihu-Danhu was right. The Mamools were smart. But why didn't he tell us earlier. I kept this to myself. I didn't want poor Kaorin to be any more distraught.
"Why didn't you say anything!", she blurted out. Her face was flushed in anger. All her weakness was overcome by concern for her friends. One in particular, of course.
"Well, I didn't want you to worry..considering your condition and all..", Shihu tapped his fingers together.
"I don't care! We have to make sure they're ok!", she was on the warpath now.
"We can't get in! We'd just be on a suicide mission! I'm sure they'll be ok. Rarely do they ever kill prisoners.", Shihu-Danhu said angrily. It was odd to hear him yell, considering his voice was like 50 decibels higher than mine.
Kaorin huffed. She acted nothing like the sick, weak girl she was three minutes ago. "Kaorin, let's just...", I began, but her eyes quickly welled up with tears. Crying, she ran through the pearly gates into the city and disappeared around the side of a building.
I glared at Shihu. I was displeased, but what could we do? I left him standing there as I jogged after Kaorin. I'd simply explain that everything would be ok. Blah Blah Blah. You know how it works. It usually does work too. It had to work.
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! Might be a bit on next update. I'm busy and well, I'll try my best!
-peace-