by Ai Meléndez
He wasn’t entirely convinced Celeste and Shim wouldn’t still try to butt heads, but he hoped not – especially given how Celeste had been acting since they left Kami-Shi’s palace.
“So, how are we supposed to even find Ru-Kai’s temple? Does anyone even know where it is?” Shim asked.
“No, he’s kind of an enigma,” Mahnii said. “People see him all the time but no one really knows where he is.” Once he said it out loud, he realized how paradoxical it was. But it was still the truth. Once they found Ru-Kai, he decided then and there he was going to learn how he did that.
“I bet I could find him!” Celeste said in her typical brazen way.
“Why don’t we just ask around and gather information? Eventually we’ll know when we’re getting close and we’ll find it,” Mahnii said, instead of directly shutting her down.
The others shrugged, as no one had any better ideas.
The rest of the day, they didn’t encounter any villages. In fact, it was mostly just green hills and some flat plains.
Shim was telling Kah about the staff and how eager she was to demonstrate mastery with it, as well as her amazement at the mere fact she had received it from Kami-Shi in the first place. She had already decided to show her clan the staff once they were no longer traveling with Mahnii and Celeste.
Celeste had fallen silent again and therefore Mahnii did the same, though he kept watching her trying to assess what was going on. Something was definitely different.
The next day, a little before midday, they finally saw small buildings in the distance.
Now was their chance – assuming the villagers knew more about Ru-Kai than they did.
As they began making their way through the marketplace, Mahnii was listening for any conversations that could give them some clues.
Celeste was ogling a stand with supposed dragon bones. There was a huge variety, from tiny fangs to giant weapons carved from the material.
As soon as Mahnii noticed she had stopped, he grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her away. ‘Damn she is grounded!’
“Celeste, come on. We’re not here for shopping. We need to stay low, remember?” He smiled at the owner of the stand and once more attempted to drag Celeste back to their group.
Celeste just huffed. “We giants believe dragon stuff brings good luck, ya know!”
“And we have one. Your ginormous hammer you’re always swinging around. Come on,” Mahnii insisted.
Shim had her hands on her hips as Mahnii and Celeste got closer once more. She jabbed a thumb toward a small group of villagers talking. “Let’s go ask them if they know anything. Someone mentioned Ru-Kai’s name.”
Mahnii nodded and they moved toward the group.
“…there’s no way!” One of the men was saying. “Ru-Kai would never allow anything but peace here.”
“It is possible. Ru-Kai hasn’t been as around lately, you know,” said a woman.
“I just don’t believe it. There’s no way. I mean, it’s just so much destruction and damage. Maybe he’s just reserving his strength to take them on and come to the rescue!” the same man suggested, sounding hopeful.
“You’re delusional! Enamored with Ru-Kai. Seriously. Get it through your thick skull,” argued the woman.
“Enough,” said an older man. “Whether or not it’s true, we need to be taking precautions, not arguing about Ru-Kai’s whereabouts or involvement, or lack thereof.”
“I agree. We need to be arming ourselves!” said a sturdy man. “I have more than enough weapons to go around at my shop.”
“What are we supposed to do against a freaking dragon?” another woman asked.
“Well, if it’s a dragon problem ya got, I kin help,” Celeste said, butting into the conversation. A large grin filled her face as she slightly raised her hammer and tapped its rod against her shoulder.
“Not now, Celeste,” Mahnii shushed her. He focused on the group, who had all fallen silent and were simply staring at the odd companions. “Hi everyone. We couldn’t help noticing your conversation… we’re looking for any information you might have about Ru-Kai’s temple.” Mahnii smiled, trying to seem as friendly as possible.
The men and women glanced at each other, their faces shifting between the narrowed eyes and tight lips of skepticism to the soft smiles and gleams of curiosity.
It was the older man that spoke first. “What does a group of youth like you need to know about Ru-Kai’s temple?”
“We’re on a quest—” Celeste started.
“Yes, of our own affairs and we need to find it,” Mahnii finished, cutting Celeste off before she spilled too many details.
There was no need for the whole world to know what Kami-Shi had shared with them.
Shim had to catch herself as a snort escaped her and she stopped herself from laughing at the interaction between Mahnii and Celeste.
The man who had offered weapons to the group spoke next. “If you’re wanting to find Ru-Kai, travel further southeast. It’s rumored you can only find him in the more hidden regions of his territory where the hills begin the mountains and the trees grow closer together.”
Another paradox about Ru-Kai. Why did he keep his temple hidden and yet so freely travel among his people?
“Thanks,” said Mahnii as they moved elsewhere.
“Seriously,” said Shim, finally letting out her laughter. “You’re like Celeste’s mom.”
Mahnii glared at her slightly, though as he reflected, he could see it. Still, it was odd to hear that particular comparison. In his opinion, he was incredibly manly.
He glanced toward Kah, whose face was straight though his eyes were lit. Well, in comparison to the shirtless, muscularly defined, and far more serious Kah, he could also understand how Shim would see him as… less manly.
Mahnii grimaced then. He hoped she didn’t really see him that way. She was terrifying with her enormous confidence and don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks attitude, yet at the same time alluring.
He brushed that out of his mind for the moment. “Let’s keep moving. Maybe someone else can give us some more specific information.” Something more solid than rumor.
No one else in that village said much to them, however, so they moved on.
Over the next three days, they moved to a few different villages, not so far from each other, and had similar experiences.
Many were arguing about Ru-Kai, and no one seemed to actually know where his real temple was. Everyone had opinions or rumors but no actual facts.
They came to yet another village that wasn’t far from the others and they reached it just before dark. The marketplace was settling and everyone was making their way to the inns, the pubs, or to their homes for the night.
‘Perfect!’ thought Mahnii. In a pub or an inn, they might have better luck. In his experience, those who had come into his parent’s shop were fairly loose tongued after making their purchases and filling their bellies. Maybe it was feeling comfortable. Regardless, they had to be able to learn something.
The companions made their way to one of the larger inns, extremely grateful for the money Kami-Shi had provided them.
After the previous villages, Celeste and Shim had insisted they keep moving and make camp elsewhere since they had already spent some of their money on food and some on bribes for information. Further, Shim didn’t like staying in one spot too long in case people became suspicious or tried to mess with them while sleeping.
However, Mahnii realized, he hadn’t slept in a warm bed since he’d left his parents’ home. Celeste, Kah, and Shim might be used to the ground, but he was eager for a fluffy pillow and soft sheets.
This had to be a good sign!
The inn was loud with people shouting, laughing, singing, and some arguing. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, the flames within giving the room a soft glow. It was also filled with long rectangular wooden tables and benches. There was a long bar as well, behind which were two doors. Against the far wall on the opposite end from the entrance was a staircas
e leading to the upper level where the rooms were.
Mahnii, Celeste, Kah, and Shim all sat around the end of one of the tables after ordering food and drinks.
“We’re getting nowhere,” Kah said, glaring at Mahnii.
Mahnii sighed, slumping his face against his fist. “Well, let’s review. So far, we have southeast, hidden, either mountains or trees, or both, more south, or possibly in the center.”
“We’ve been through the middle of Ru-Kai’s territory plenty of times already. It’s not there,” said Shim.
“We should go east!” said Celeste.
“No, it probably is more south. Everyone knows the dragon-gods decided to be as separate from each other as possible,” said Mahnii.
“Only Cel-Lok,” pointed out Celeste, “Kami-Shi and Ru-Kai at leas’ get along,” she said with a shrug.
“Regardless, we need to make a decision because we can’t keep wasting time here. We need to get to Ru-Kai as soon as possible.”
“Again with the obvious,” said Kah as their food arrived and they began to eat.
“Well, Kah, since you obviously tend to know so much, do you have an opinion?” Mahnii asked.
Kah just shrugged. “I actually do agree we should go south.”
Everyone paused as a large shadow fell over them and a deep, smooth voice asked, “Are y’all involved with the dragon-gods?”
Chapter 12
“That’s none of your—” Mahnii started, then stopped as he looked up at the man who had spoken. Only it wasn’t a man. Well not a human one anyway. His jaw dropped as he took in the towering figure.
‘By the dragon gods,’ he thought. The figure had a huge frame with square features and bulging muscles. Long fur covered his forearms, chest, legs and fluffy tufts surrounded his shoulders like a fur coat. Most distinct were his ears which were pointed with furry tufts. Was this a lycan?!
“Yep! We are!” Celeste said before Mahnii could finish his statement. “Do ya know anythin’ ‘bout Ru-Kai?” She grinned.
Mahnii coughed and clamped his jaw shut when Shim elbowed him. He had forgotten he was gaping. He glanced toward Celeste. Was she nuts? Wait, he already knew the answer to that.
The lycan dropped his arms, which had been crossed, and shook his head. “Sorry for interrupting… it’s just, I overheard your conversation and I was hoping you might allow me to join you. He nodded his head slightly. “I am Ri Kuu, proud son of the Lycan Tribe of Blalou.”
Well, that confirmed it at least. Mahnii had never even been near the nonhuman territories, let alone imagined ever seeing a lycan. Seeing a dragon-god was one thing. But most of the nonhumans kept to themselves. What was a lycan doing so far from his own territory in the first place?
Before Mahnii could say anything, Celeste boisterously answered. “Sure! Of course ya kin join us!”
“What?” Mahnii coughed again. “Celeste, our group is kind of unstable as it is.”
Kah and Shim were nodding. For once they were all in agreement – except Celeste, apparently.
It was not in their best interest to add yet another unpredictable person they didn’t even know to their group, Mahnii thought. Especially one that wasn’t even human!
Celeste just grinned. “When are ya gonna learn I kin handle anythin’ tha’ comes our way,” she said to Mahnii. She looked toward the lycan again, “Don’ ya worry, Ri Kuu.”
“Great!” Ri Kuu said, moving to sit beside Celeste at the table. “In that case, you all can just call me Kuu. Truly, it must be fate that I found you all. This is going to be huge, I just know it!”
Celeste shifted to make more room. “I’m Celeste,” she said proudly, then pointed to each of the others, “tha’s Mahnii, Kah, an’ Shim. They’re twins… an’ necromancers.”
“Look, we’re pretty tired and need to rest for tomorrow,” said Mahnii, interrupting Celeste from telling the entire inn their life stories – she was fairly loud, which was saying something given the noise around the rest of the room.
“Of course!” said Ri Kuu, “I’ll be ready first thing in the morning.” As he stood and turned toward to leave the inn, Mahnii noticed a long furry tail swish behind Kuu’s legs.
As soon as he was gone, Shim was the first to speak. “Now you’ve done it. This is not a good idea.”
“What?” said Celeste, “It’ll be fine.” She shrugged, continuing to eat as if nothing had happened.
It was too late to take it back now anyway, so they finished eating and headed to the rooms they had borrowed for the night to sleep.
Mahnii laid awake trying to think of a way to get out of journeying forward with a lycan, but he couldn’t come up with anything before he drifted off.
The next morning, Ri Kuu was already waiting for them outside the inn.
“Good morning!” he exclaimed eagerly, jumping toward them as soon as they were out the door.
‘Oh great,’ thought Mahnii. Was he this cheery all the time? Then again, it reminded him of Celeste. He just hoped this Ri Kuu had more sense.
“I hope you’re all well rested,” said Kuu. “I have something that will be of help.” He stepped back, moving toward a huge wagon which was being pulled by a wolf so large it was eye level with Kah and Shim from all fours.
Mahnii gawked, glancing between Kah and Shim to see if they were as shocked as himself. They seemed unfazed. ‘Well they have magic!’ he justified to himself.
“This is my companion, Chew,” said Kuu, rubbing the giant wolf’s head and scratching behind its ears. “He will help us move through the realm faster than merely on foot.” He paused, turning his gaze back toward the rest of the group. “You all can put your belongings in the wagon as well. Chew can handle it.”
After all, they were carrying everything Kami-Shi had given them in sacks over their shoulders.
The wolf whined and licked Kuu, though he looked utterly terrifying when he turned his attention to Mahnii and the others. At least Mahnii thought so.
He gulped, trying to pull himself together. “Right. Of course he will,” he managed. He hoped Kuu didn’t have any more human-sized surprises for them.
Celeste left her hammer and sack at the entrance of the inn. She moved toward Chew, bending to sniff him and then grinned as she grabbed his snout and planted a loud kiss on his face. “Hi, Chew,” she said, “I’m Celeste.” She nuzzled his forehead with her nose. “We’re gonna be even better friends than you an’ Kuu,” she whispered mischievously.
Chew wagged his tail, licking Celeste’s cheek.
Mahnii just sighed, giving up. There was just no making Celeste see anything different. In her mind, she really was able to conquer anyone and anything.
Kah and Shim shrugged and began loading their sacks into the wagon. Celeste moved toward the entrance of the inn once more and reached for her hammer and sack.
Mahnii was still standing there, processing. He looked at Celeste when he heard a soft sigh escape her.
She had stopped just by the inn’s entrance, her face having fallen and her eyes looked distant.
“Celeste, are you okay?” Mahnii asked, moving closer to her.
She met his eyes and smiled, then nodded. “Yea, I’m fine,” she said, just like all the times he had asked before since they left Kami-Shi’s palace.
He frowned, not buying it. Maybe she had so eagerly accepted Ri Kuu’s joining them as a distraction?
Whatever was bothering her, she was obviously trying to hide it.
“I don’t believe you,” said Mahnii.
She waved a hand, slinging her sack and hammer over her shoulder. “I was jus’ thinkin’ bout somethin’. Don’ worry! I’m fine.” She grinned, moving back toward Ri Kuu’s wagon and putting her hammer and sack inside.
“C’m on, Mahnii! Let’s go,” she waved at him.
Mahnii watched her a moment, then finally put his sack in the wagon as well. “Alright,” he said, complying.
Once all the supplies were in the wagon, the group began climbing in as
well, Ri Kuu and Celeste near the front to give directions to Chew.
Mahnii was the last one. As he started to climb in, he paused as he heard two men leaving the inn behind them.
“It’s true. I saw it myself. That’s why I’m here as opposed to my home village. I barely made it out alive. In fact, I might be the only one from my village remaining,” one of them said.
“I just can’t believe it. It doesn’t make sense,” said the other one. “I mean, why would the dragons be attacking? Especially here – in Ru-Kai’s realm? They’re normally nowhere near the human territories and especially not this far south.”
“I don’t know. All I know is, they are. They’re hunting villages and burning them to the ground along with all of the people that live there. Like I said, I was lucky to escape with my life.”
“But why did you come here? Won’t the dragon have followed?”
“Mahnii! Get in, we’re waiting on you,” said Shim, bringing his attention away from the conversation he had been eavesdropping on.
“Oh, sorry,” he said, climbing in. “Shim, didn’t you hear what they were talking about?” he asked as he sat beside her.
She frowned.
“Dragon attacks and villages being burned? People dying? If we’re travelling out in the open, we’re in danger. Plus, what about all the villagers? I feel like we should try to learn more or do something. With your staff and Celeste’s strength—”
Shim sighed. “Yes, I’ve heard the talk of it. While you were busy asking about Ru-Kai’s temple, I was listening to other conversations in the other villages we’ve passed through. It’s just talk for now. The actual villages that have been attacked have only been a scattered few and Ru-Kai is taking care of it.”
“Besides, Kami-Shi was pretty specific about what we need to do. We can’t be getting distracted with local problems. We have our own journey. So, let’s just focus on finding Ru-Kai’s temple. Even with magic and strength, we need to talk to someone way more powerful than us before we confront a rampant dragon.”