Chapter 18
We gathered our stuff and headed towards the edge of the village. I watched as Manlan blew through a copper whistle and then with a glow his hypograph appeared. I could feel my eyes widen as the hypograph just materialized out of nowhere,
"That's how you use it," Manlan said after he ruffed the feather of his hypograph,
"How does that work exactly?" I questioned,
"Magic," Manlan clarified as he strapped his bag on the hypograph's saddle,
"What…. Just magic, just magic," I asked as the hypograph stretched,
"Yup," said Manlan
I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head as I questioned Manlan as I put my backpack on. "You don't know how it works…. Do you?"
"Cooperfire, are you ready?" Manlan shouted, deflecting my question. I grumbled a little, wanting to know more.
"One second," Cooperfire said.
"Come on, Cooperfire we are behind schedule," Manlan growled as he tapped his foot.
"Coming, coming," Cooperfire shouted as he trotted up on a large blue Mechanostrider.
"Okay, Ava you can put your bag on Ohtar's saddle for now," Manlan said as he held out his hand for my bag. I didn't want to burden him with my stuff,
"No, its fine I got it," I protested
"Ava, give me your bag," Manlan argued
"No really I got it," I continued to protest
"Ava," Manlan grumbled.
"Manlan, I can carry it," I argued.
"Give me your bag" Manlan commanded.
"But-" I whinged
"Give…Me.. Your Bag" Manlan growled
"..Fine" I sighed in defeat as I slid my bag off my shoulders and handed it to Manlan. I reluctantly let go on my bag as Manlan took it
"Thank you," Manlan grumbled as he tied my bag to Ohtar's saddle. I felt guilty as Ohtar stuffled in place adjusting to the weight. Manlan pulled himself onto Ohtar and motioned for me to get on behind him,
"Lass wait!" Sully called out.
"Yes, Sully? What do you need?" I asked as I saw Sully running up to us with something in his hand.
"Here, I got Amber to clean it for you," said Sully as he handed me a dagger.
"Oh thank y-" I started until I was interrupted.
"Hey! That was supposed to stay in my pocket, Sully!" Manlan shouted as he tried to take the dagger from me.
"Ava, found it, let her have it. You always say it's a good idea for any class especially if there is a mage or priest. You always tell the spellcasters to have something to protect yourself because you never know when your mana will run out. A staff can only do so much, right," Sully challenged as he snatched the dagger from me and headled it just out of Malans reach
"She's not a spellcaster," said Manlan swatted at Sully
"What if her sword breaks, what if she's separated from Ari when it does happen. I quite remember you saying "always think about the what if, but don't let it consume you" right?" Sully clarified as he waved the dagger in Manlans face
"Sully's right, she will not always have us or Ari by her side to protect her. I've only known her for one day, and I can tell that she's the tip to see something and go check it out," Cooperfire reasoned
"Gee thanks," I grumbled
"I would get that sword looked at though. There's no tell what that thing has been through" Sully said
"Yes, Sully," I added as I knelt down to give Sully a hug. I could feel him sigh as he gave me a squeeze and said
"Stay safe Lass, I don't think your parents could live with themselves if you got hurt…. I couldn't live with myself. You are important to a lot of people, don't forget that. Keep Ari safe and okay, I know you'll find him, you're a good tracker. It will be tough but your stronger than you give yourself credit for," Sully encouraged as he let go of me and he smiled,
"I'll let your parents know that you are with Manlan okay. I'll handle your fathers wrath," said Sully
"Are you sure that's a good idea" I asked
"It will be fine… It will be fine" Sully chuckled as he gave me the dagger that I found from the camp. I looked down at the dagger and unwrapped it from its cloth bindings, it had a shine … It was clean. The carvings were more clear. I brought the dagger closer to the stream of sunlight. The carving was of what looked like a crow with arrows, I could not tell if the arrows were piercing the crow like if a hunter was shooting the crow, or if the arrows were just surrounding the crow. I turned over the dagger to see what looked like a rune for life at the base of the dagger but it was upside down. The rest of the carvings were just straight lines to what I assumed to hold venom or poison. I wrapped it back up in the cloth that I took from home then climbed onto Ohtar's saddle behind Manlan. And we started for the Lorewalker's house.
We walked along the path that seemed well traveled. I watched as the bamboo leaves fluttered and danced in the light wind that rushed through the forest. Throughout the bamboo forest there were some large trees. Trees that look like what my brother and my father explained the trees looked like in Gilneas. Large dark oak trees that scraped the skies, the trees were covered in light green moss. The air started to get heavier as we went deeper into the mixed forest. I turned my head when I heard some rustling from the bushes. Then a frog jumped out with a loud scratch. My hold on Manlan grew tighter as I squeaked,
"It was just a frog, nothing to worry about," Manlan said softly as he patted my arms that were wrapped around him.
Othar didn't even flinch and just continued as if nothing had happened. Ari was too focused on what was in the air to notice. Copperfire and his Mecastrider were the only ones that seemed to flinch other than me.
We walked for a few hours when I saw a stone wall that was covered in moss. The stone had blue roofing with lanterns that were light. The air seemed to get heavier as we walked closer. There was a light buzzing in the air but it seemed to grow louder and louder…. And closer,
"Oh no, not again," Copperfire grumbles as he takes out a knife.