Wow! Thanks for all the reviews! It's nice to know that people enjoy my characters and their stories =) Sorry for such a late update! Life has been interesting to say the least…. Hopefully updates should be more regular this May and June!

Caravan Tale

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"Hey you two, how long do you plan on sleeping!?"

Lora wriggled in her blanket and opened her eyes to see Lulie peeking in, "What time is it?"

Lulie opened the canopy more so the sunshine was brighter in the wagon, "You've slept through half the morning! Come out quick to see Sheula!"

Lora hopped up remembering the events of last night. She looked down to see Tobias snuggling with Mog. She nudged the both of them, "Wake up or you won't get any breakfast."

Tobias groaned and sat up wearily, "I'll be out in a minute."

Lora fixed her hair a bit and then headed over to the morning fire.

The Fum caravan was all smiles sitting around the fire, watching Sheula eating some porridge. Lora sat down and joined them, "I'm glad to see you are doing well Sheula."

Sheula looked up and smiled, "I don't know how to thank you. I thought I was going to be lost in all of that darkness and pain."

"You don't need to. How is your arm?"

Sheula raised her arm and made a fist a couple times, "It hurts like hell."

Lora nodded, "It will take a long time to heal. I'm not even sure if it will ever fully heal."

Sheula looked at the faded purple scar on her arm, "It will get better. I'm just happy to still be alive."

"Well that's good to hear." Tobias joined in as he helped himself to some porridge. "I don't think Jake would have survived either if you were still so sick."

At that comment Sheula blushed and Jake quickly looked away. Lora nudged Tobias in the rib cage. He had no tact for such things. He looked at Lora and mouthed 'What?' at her. Lora just shook her head. Andy collected the dirty dishes while Jake and Sheula became more composed. Lulie was still smiling, "I take it you are travelling to Marr's Pass as well?"

Lora nodded, "Yes. It's our last stop before Cedon."

Lulie clapped her hands, "We should travel together! It can get so boring travelling with just yourself sometimes!"

Lora was surprised by Lulie's proposition. "I'm not sure it would be good for your caravan."

Jake looked up at Lora, "Why, because you're a selkie? I used to think like that Lora, but you're caravan has done so much for us. We would all be happy if you and Tobias would accompany us."

Lora looked at Tobias for help but he was smiling and nodding his head. Lora sighed, "Fine then. We can travel together to Marr's Pass."

Lulie cheered and the caravans began to pack up for their travels.

Lora and Tobias walked along the road with Lulie and Andy. Jake rode in the wagon with the recovering Sheula. For a few hours they exchanged stories about their homes and proper farming techniques. It wasn't until they had stopped by a creek to water the papoapamuses that the real conversation started. The group was sitting together and Lora had her toes dipping into the cold creek water, "In your travels this year, has there been anything odd happening besides the miasma?"

Andy looked over at Lora, "Yes there has! Our first stop was at Daemon's court. It was completely littered with monsters than in years past. I wasn't sure we were going to make it."

Jake piped in also, "We've also seen many monsters on the road. We ran into the Marr's Pass caravan and they claimed to have killed over 200 in their travels this year, just on the roads."

Lora nodded, "Yes we have heard similar stories from the Alfitarian caravan and the village of Pora. Have you heard of anything from Pora by any chance? I know that village is near Fum."

Jake shook his head, "No, we haven't heard any news for a couple of weeks now."

"I'm sure once we get to Marr's Pass we will be able to find out though." Lulie added hopefully.

Tobias sighed. He really hoped Kima and Jasper were doing alright. It had been so long since he had heard from them. The group continued talking about the strange events, but couldn't come to any conclusions. Once the papoapamuses were quenched, the two caravans headed on their way again.

Tobias decided to change the topic once they started walking again, "So why did you elbow me this morning Lora?"

Lora looked at Tobias in disbelief, "You're not very good with romantics are you? I suspect Jake and Sheula have feelings for one another."

"Well I knew that, but what's wrong with giving them a little push?"

Lora was about to answer when Lulie interrupted, "They've been sweet on each other since they were kids. Both are scared to admit it. They're not scared about fighting monsters, but they're afraid of their own feelings!" Lulie began to laugh, "I think it's a good idea you did that Tobias, now they can't ignore it."

Tobias smiled and looked back at Lora, "See Lulie agrees with me!"

Lora just shook her head; she wasn't very good with matters of the heart either. Lulie then ran over to Andy's side and held his hand as they walked. Lora smiled at the site of them. Lulie and Andy were a good fit to each other. They were both so excitable and nosy. Then Lora began to remember when she felt like that once, but she quickly shook her head to forget about it.

Mog flew over to Lora's side, "We're out of striped apples, kupo."

Lora chuckled and let him plop into her arms, "Then we'll just have to get some more at Marr's."

Mog pouted but was enjoying being in Lora's arms. She had always held him like that since he was little. Her warmth and heart beat put him into a deep sleep. A few minutes later Lora looked down at Mog and shook her head, "All you do is eat and sleep, but I wouldn't change you for the world."

Lulie peeked over Lora's shoulder, "Oh Mog is so cute!"

"He's usually our chalice bearer, but he mainly spends his time sleeping or eating."

Lulie laughed, "I've always suggested one for our caravan, but no one ever listens."

Lora looked around, "Where's Tobias?"

"Oh, he and Andy went in our wagon to talk with Jake."

Lora smirked, "It's probably refreshing for him to be around some guys."

Lulie giggled, "I think he's perfectly happy being with you. So how long have you two been together?"

Lora felt her heart rise to her throat, "T-together!? We're just friends. He's just helping me collect myrrh this year and I can give him safe passage."

Lulie nodded her head, "Ah, I see now. Well, good luck with that." Lulie winked at Lora, she knew better than that.

The two caravans had a good meal together that night with the Fum caravan pampering Sheula until she was ready to smack someone, "I'm not that sick!"

Lora laughed, "Hey do any of you play instruments?"

Lulie jumped up, "Yes! We have drums and a flute; let's celebrate our last night together!"

Lulie and Andy ran to the wagon and rummaged through their belongings until the instruments were discovered. Lora grabbed her bangles from her wagon. Lulie began to play her flute and Tobias started a beat on the drums. Andy walked over to Lora and held out his hand, "My lady?"

Lora laughed and took his hand. Once the melody was in place, they began to dance together. Andy jigged around the fire with Lora following him adding her own Selkic moves. Everyone was laughing and clapping. Jake soon joined the two and pulled Sheula with him. She was a little wobbly at first but got into the swing of things. Eventually Lulie stopped playing and joined the rest. Tobias continued with the beat, and watched everyone dance. Lora twirled in front of him, teasing for him to get up and dance. Tobias just shook his head and smiled, he had to keep the beat. Tobias began to drum faster and faster. Lora was spinning and hopping trying to keep up with the beat until it stopped. Everyone plopped down out of breath but continued laughing. Lora sat down next to Tobias, "Trying to kill us?"

Tobias smiled, "No just testing see how fast you all could go."

That night the group decided to sleep out under the stars, except Jake and Sheula. They went back into the wagon. Lulie and Lora giggled while Tobias and Andy snickered. No one slept that much, not wanting to waste time before they would part from each other at Marr's Pass tomorrow.

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