Chapter 30

Saying Goodbye

Three days later, Jake was taking a small break from his current work. Standing in one of the fields, he took aim at a piece wood twenty feet away, holding his breath and steadying his aim further before pulling the trigger.

With barely a sound at all, a bolt was fired and struck the wood near the centre. Jake narrowed his eyes as he examined the result, and then reloaded his new weapon, a small hand crossbow.

Repeating the process, he adjusted his aim slightly and fired a second bolt at the wood, this time striking almost perfectly in the middle.

"Not bad." he heard a familiar voice commented behind him. "Seems like you're almost as good with that as your gun."

"They aren't that different, Amber." Jake answered with a smile, turning to face the marine iguana. "It's still just point and shoot."

"Still, that is not as easy as you make it seem." Amber said smiling. "But where did you get it from? The crossbow that the tiefling used was larger than that one. Don't tell me Loki made it."

"No, of course not. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think he's got a real talent for smithing, but he didn't make this. No, Ragnir gave it to me after he overheard me and Loki discussing a new weapon."

"I see, well that's great, and something that I didn't expect. Honestly, I thought you would get yourself some kind of melee weapon, but this is good too."

"Oh, I'm getting a melee weapon too, it's just not done yet." Jake looked back at the village. "The thing is, though, that I'm not sure what kind of weapon it will be."

"No? After Loki had you borrow and try my swords, I thought that you'd get something similar."

"So did I, but after you left for guard duty, he spent the rest of the day borrowing the weapons of everyone else for me to try as well."

"Everyone? Even my brother's sword?"

"Yeah, but that didn't work out for me. I could barely lift that thing with both hands. Don't know what I was expecting though, but Tyroth wields that sword as easily as you do one of yours, so I guess I thought it was lighter than it actually was."

"Well, he is super strong, being a dragon and all. But, yeah, it does look like it weighs nothing when he wields it."

"Anyway, Loki has been working on it for two days now, but he won't let me see what it is yet. I guess he wants to surprise me."

"Now I'm really curious." Amber said, thinking for a moment. "Wonder if I could find out somehow."

"Please, Amber, just let it be. We'll all see once he's done."

"I know, but maybe I just want to be able to hold it over your head." Amber giggled.

"You can be such a tease sometimes, you know that, right?" Jake chuckled, shaking his head a bit.

"Come on, let's at least go and ask him how it's going." Amber said, taking Jakes hand and tugging him along.

Elsewhere in the village, near the coast, the captured slavers had been placed in the remains of one of the burnt out houses, cages and all. The ruin offered some basic protection against weather and wind, and after some quick repairs, it was even adequate. Not necessarily comfortable, but it was meant to be a prison, of sorts.

Neither the inmates, nor the inhabitants of the village, were very happy with the arrangement, but they had to deal with it all the same. As Tyroth had ordered, there were at least four people guarding the prisoners around the clock, which even he contributed to as well.

The biggest issues, however, were feeding the prisoners, as the majority didn't think they deserved the food they got, and allowing them to use the latrines, for obvious reasons.

As Sarah and Monalisa were escorting one of the slavers to the latrine, the human tried to run away as soon as he saw an opening. Sarah merely sighed at the attempt and was about to run after the significantly slower human, but in the end she didn't need to.

As the slaver rounded the corner of another house, he came to a dead stop, with his head inside of Sharky's large, tooth-filled mouth.

Holding up his hands in surrender, the slaver carefully removed his head from the shark's mouth, and calmly walked back to Sarah and Monalisa, pale as a sheet.

"Thanks for the assist, Sharky." Monalisa said.

"No problem, but if you really want to thank me, how about whipping up some mouthwash? These guys taste horrible."

"They could actually go with a proper bath of some sort." said Sarah. "As a matter of fact, so could we. I really miss that hot-spring we used to have."

"You're not the only one." said Monalisa. "And once winter gets here, washing and bathing is going to get even harder."

"Can't you ask Donnie to invent something? He's pretty smart." Sharky suggested.

"I'll talk with him once my shift is over, but I wouldn't hold my breath. There is only so much we can do without the right resources."

Over by the inn, Sephie had just delivered a basket full of potatoes to Louie. As she was about to leave, she was approached by the orc Kala, the acting leader of the group.

"Hey!" the orc called out.

"Oh, hi, Kala. Everything okay?" Sephie said.

"Can't complain. Feeling better than I have in a long time."

"You and the other orcs do look a lot healthier than when you first arrived."

"Your doctor worked wonders on us. But I don't really understand how he works. First, he cuts and stitch and what more, and then he had your dark haired human woman heal us with magic, but only a little. Then he's checked up on us every day, and let the same human heal us a little more every other day. Why not heal us completely at once?"

"I can't answer that, but I'm sure James has his reasons, and everyone here trust him with our lives."

"I can see why." Kala said. "Anyway, I'm looking for Tyroth. Have you seen him?"

"Not recently, no. But, if I were to guess, I'd say that he's back at Dragon Hall, in his study. That's where he usually is when he's not busy elsewhere. If I may ask, what do you want with him? Maybe I can help."

"I don't know about that. You see, I'm going to ask to become his wife."

Sephie just stared at the red-head orc, the completely casual way that Kala said that sentence, combined with what she said, caused the gecko to freeze in place for a brief moment while she struggled to process what she had just heard.

"I-I'm sorry, you what?! His wife?!"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Kala asked with a genuinely concerned and confused tone.

"Well, yes. I am his wife. I mean, we haven't had a proper wedding or anything, but we are mates for life. We got kids together."

"And he can't have more than one wife or mate?"

"I suppose he technically could, but that's not how we do things here."

"You don't? Huh, I always thought everyone had multiple partners, just like us. It was actually very common for our chieftains to have several, and I can't remember any Great Khan that didn't."

"Then I understand where you're coming from. And while I can't speak for the rest of the country, we don't do multiple partners."

"I understand, and I meant no offence. I just wanted to repay him for allowing us to stay here."

"I'm sure there are other ways, if you now feel that you have to repay him, but that's a discussion for another time."

"What about concub-"

"Another time!" Sephie interrupted. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

A few minutes later, Sephie walked into Dragon Hall, heading straight to the study. As she opened the door, she almost collided with Mialeth, the oldest of the elves, who was just about to leave.

"Oh, my apologies. I did not mean to startle you." the dark haired elf said.

"It's okay, I think we both got the same scare." said Sephie. "But what are you doing here?"

"I was simply discussing a few things with Tyroth."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will not bother either of you." Mialeth said and bowed her head. "Farewell, my lady."

As Mialeth left, Sephie entered the study, closing the door behind her as she saw Tyroth sitting by the desk, working on something as usual, though he did look up as she entered.

"Please tell me she didn't want to be your wife too." Sephie said.

"'Too'? What have I missed now?" Tyroth asked with a raised eye-ridge, and was given a quick summery of Sephie's encounter with Kala. "Ah, now it makes sense, and no, Mialeth didn't come here to offer herself."

"Okay, well that's a load off my shoulders." Sephie sighed in relief. "I'm not used to this kind of thing."

"Other people finding me attractive?" Tyroth asked.

"Yeah, but don't get me wrong, hun, you've always been attractive, both as a human and a dragon, but after we mutated, I haven't really had to 'compete' with others, for obvious reasons."

Tyroth shook his head and chuckled.

"You will never have to 'compete' with anyone, love." he said. "That incident with April turning into a dragon mutant should have taught you that I won't willingly go for other women."

"I know, but I guess Kala just caught me off guard, and made it clear to me that people of this world actually might fall in love with us, even though we are mutants."

"True, but I don't think there was much love in her intentions, sounds more like a way of showing her loyalty. Either way, I'm not going to have more than one woman in my life." Tyroth said, giving Sephie a smile and a wink, and she couldn't help but giggle a little.

"So, what was Mialeth doing here then?" she then asked.

"I asked around among the newcomers, the elves and orcs, and she had a little experience with enchanting, so I asked her to share that with me."

"That's good. Did it give you any answers?"

"A few, but there are still many things that I'm missing. She had only just started learning the skill before she was taken. Still, I got a few theories that I'm going to try later."

"I sure hope that you figure this out soon." Sephie said as she walked over to Tyroth's side and placed her hand on his shoulder. "You're already working so hard, hun, you deserve to be able to take a break sometime."

"I know, but it will have to wait for now." Tyroth sighed. "This is too important to postpone. We will need this things before winter comes. But I reckon Leo should have more time to help me with my other duties soon."

"Since Karai is leaving to make her report soon, right?" Sephie asked, and Tyroth nodded. "He's almost been glued to her side for these last couple of days. I get that he's been doing his job as a sort of liaison, but I bet he's been enjoying it as well. Just hope that he hasn't gone too far."

"He listened to your advice, love, and I'm sure he has followed them."

"Yeah, I think you're right. But when is Karai leaving exactly?"

"From what I heard, later this afternoon."

"That soon? I thought she'd stay at least a few days longer. Wonder how Leo will handle her leaving."

"I'm honestly more concerned with what her superiors will think of us when they get her report. But there's not much we can do about it. I just hope that we've made a good impression."

"I don't think we have to worry about that." Sephie said with a smile.

Later that same day, just like Tyroth had said, the time for Karai to return home had arrived, and as she was preparing to leave, she was approached by Leonardo.

"I see that it is time." the turtle said.

"It is." Karai answered factually as she packed the last of her equipment.

"Would you mind if I follow you to the edge of the village?"

"Not at all."

With her bag all packed, she and Leonardo walked through the village together, and Karai let her eyes sweep the surroundings as the walked, taking one final look at the village not only for her report, but for her own memories. Her stay there had been pleasant, and a part of her was a little sad to have to leave, but she had to, as it was her duty to report back.

"So, I have to ask…" Leonardo said as they walked. "How will your report affect us?"

"Based on what I've seen and experienced so far, you have nothing to worry about. I can confirm that you are not a threat to us. I will explain that you are simply people that want to live your lives, and not involve yourselves in politics if you can avoid it."

"That's a relief. I would hate if we were to become the cause of a war or something."

"That could have been a possibility, had the circumstances been different. But as it is now, I am certain that that will not happen. Though I fear that I might be disciplined by my master once I've given my report, as you discovered me."

"It was not our intention to get you into trouble." Leonardo clarified.

"I know, but don't worry about it, I'll be fine."

"Who is your master anyway? I don't think you've mentioned them by name while you've been here."

"No, I haven't." Karai said, thinking for a moment whether she should tell him or not. "I guess it matters little, but my master is also the emperor, and my father, Oroku Saki."

"The Shredder?!" Leonardo exclaimed in shock, and Karai was almost equally shocked by his reaction.

"You know my father's moniker from the battlefields?" she asked.

"In a way, I suppose." Leonardo began. "Just like there was a Karai in our world, there was a Saki as well, and… well, in short, he was our mortal enemy. By his choice, mind you, not ours."

"I believe you, and I hope that you believe me that my father will not be your enemy."

"Trust me, I want to, but I can't deny that it's a little difficult when the Saki we knew have spent nearly twenty years trying to kill me and my family. I know that it wasn't your father, but this is a weird situation all the same for me. Just like with you."

"Speaking of which. I am no fool, Leonardo."

"What do you mean by that?" the turtle asked, both of them stopping.

"I've seen how you look at me at times, and it is no secret to me that you had feelings for my counterpart."

"Okay, let me stop you right there." Leonardo said calmly. "My relation with our Karai was… complicated, to say the least. Yes, I had feelings for the other Karai, something I've only recently realised, and meeting you have caused them to resurface and stir. Most importantly, I had a duty towards her, and towards Kemeko, a duty to help them live a good life. However, I failed Karai, I failed to protect her, and thus I also failed Kemeko. There is a lot more to tell, at a later time.

Regardless, I do no intend to in any way try and use you to replace her. I simply need time to process my feelings, to truly accept that you are not her. I apologise if you have taken offence to anything that I've said or done, none have been intended."

For a moment, Karai stood silent, as if contemplating Leonardo's words.

"Very well, I accept your apology, and your words. And I thank you for being honest with me." she said, bowing slightly at the turtle, who returned the bow.

"There are many things in our pasts that we have yet to tell you, or anyone else in this world, because of the personal nature of the events. In time, maybe we will tell these to those we trust."

"I understand."

The duo then continued their walk, mostly in silence, until the reached the edge of the village a few minutes later.

"Well, I guess this is it then." Leonardo said. "What's next for you then?"

"From here, I'll travel southwards for two days, partway along the coast. There is a small bay there, where the crew and ship that carried me here are waiting to bring me home, as part of their assignment. From there, it will take a few more days before we reach the shores of Kiosho again."

"Quite the trip you have ahead of you. I wish you safe travels."

"Thank you." Karai said with a small smile. "And I will pray for a bountiful harvest for you, among other things."

"Before you leave, there is one final thing I want to tell you." Leonardo began, clearing his throat a bit. "Once you've delivered your report, if you ever get the opportunity, you are more than welcome to return here, both as our guest, and as a friend."

Karai looked at Leonardo as he extended his hand to her, and she smiled as she shook it.

"I would like that." she said.

With their goodbyes said, Karai started walking at a higher pace, with Leonardo following her with his eyes as she got closer and closer to the southern horizon.

As Leonardo stood there, Kemeko eventually came by and stood by his side for a while, also following Karai with her gaze.

"Hey, Dad?" she asked after a while. "Was she much like my mother?"

"Quite a lot, yes, Lotus. Both have the same inner strength and strong dedication, but she was also rather different from your mother in a few ways." Leonardo started. "I think… I think this is how your mother might have become if she had been in another ninja clan than the Foot."

"Wow. I know you have told me a lot about my mother, but after seeing Karai here, I think I finally understand, really understand, how my mother used to be. Makes me wish even more that I got to meet her."

"You and me both, Kemeko. You and me both..."

Just a follow up to what happened last time, but it was still more difficult to put together than I thought it would be.
Still, hoping to get the ball rolling again soon.