“Bu, remember who you’re with: your friends who love you. And we are all here to take care of you. Okay?”
“Bu worried about Kailey.”
“Why me?” I say. “Don’t you worry about me. I have my handy-dandy spade on my back, and am ready to use it if need be. How about we just watch each other’s back? Then we’ll be fine.” I take his hand in mine and squeeze it.
Conner comes over and clasps Bu’s other hand. We all enter town holding hands, and must look like the weirdest bunch around. I don’t care, though.
We continue walking through the town. Gunthreon enters a butcher shop while we all wait outside. When he finally emerges, he’s carrying a particularly large package wrapped in white butcher paper. It’s handed over to Lupa, who opens her pack and places it inside with her other goods. I must remember to ask her if her pack is secretly a never-ending abyss.
We all follow, and Conner points out a peculiar storefront with a picture of a giant mouse eating a particularly large piece of cheese, the words “The Big Cheese” carved into the cheddar.
“Shall we stop for a few nibbles?” Conner turns to Gunthreon who nods.
My stomach screams at the mention of food. “They better not just sell cheese here,” I yap. “I could use a nice, big, fat, juicy burger. Okay, maybe with cheese.”
Gunthreon peeks inside through the foggy window. “We could all use some nourishment right now,” he says. “And a tall glass of something bubbly.”
Lupa follows him inside, her head turning quickly to and fro. Most likely, she’s scanning the crowd, seeing if there’s any potential danger inside this dark and dingy establishment. I puff up my muscles and walk in with a gangster’s stride.
The “crowd,” I see, consists of two people. There’s one harmless elderly man and a haggard woman who could possibly be a call girl—make that woman, and seasoned at that, because she’s definitely got age on her side. Lupa quickly spots what she’s actually searching for. She practically flies toward the exit for the outhouse. Gunthreon grabs us a table and some chairs. He even finds a chair big enough for Bu to sit in comfortably.
The menu is written on slate on the wall in the sloppiest handwriting I’ve ever seen. The only thing I can somewhat read is some sort of steak and potatoes, and that sounds scrumptious to me, so I decide to go with it. If it’s close enough to cow I’ll eat it.
The waitress comes to our table after what seems like an eternity, and she’s not the most cordial. “What’dya all want?” she says, squinting and not even carrying a nice little pad to write on. I feel as though she’s not talking about food. She stares at us—at whom directly, I don’t know, because both of her glass eyes swivel in her head every which way at once.
Gunthreon says, “We’ll have some of your rosabread and olives to begin. Thank you, kind lady.”
“Uh-huh.” She eventually stops staring and walks away into the kitchen.
“Gunthreon, I have a question for you,” I say. “We’re on a search for these Higher Ones, and I don’t even know what they look like. Are they things, or people, or what?”
“I’ve seen them as floating, glowing balls of energy,” says Gunthreon, “but I have also heard people say that they take different forms. Neda has been a dragon, a tree, a dwarf, and even a greble, from what I’ve heard. Velopa has been mentioned as many a thing also. It all depends on the individual who finds them. The only thing I know for a fact is that you can feel their strong energy, even if you’re not an experienced reader, if you are within a certain distance of them. Again, whether the experience is good or bad depends on the individual.”
The waitress comes back and practically throws our food onto the table in front of Bu. His eyes swell, and I can see he wants to devour it all as much as I do. It smells delicious. We order our meals, and she leaves again.
Turns out rosabread is much like a sweet bread, but lighter and flaky, and the saltiness of the olives is the perfect complement. The spread that accompanies it is somewhat peppery, and also extremely tasty.
My stomach begs to eat the whole serving of bread, despite the other beings sitting here with me. Conner enjoys his portion as much as I did mine, and I sit and stare as he licks each finger, slowly, savoring every drop of olive juice. He catches me staring, and I cannot help but blush as I turn my head elsewhere.
“Wow, this is so good,” I mumble quickly. “I would think there’d be more people here, with such delicious food.”
“It’s probably the fact that the food here is not worth the danger,” says Gunthreon.
“Huh? There’s no danger—”
Just then, the elderly man attacks Bu from behind with a mace-like object. Bu’s quickness saves him, and he suffers only a brush to the shoulder as Lupa draws a rather sharp garden spade against the man’s throat, forcing him down on the floor. I glance at Conner, and he, too, is amazed by Lupa’s speed. I shove the last piece of bread in my mouth.
“You attempt that again and you are dead!” yells Lupa. “You should be ashamed of yourself.” She lets up on her grip.
In an old, tired voice, he grunts, “Why are you here?” The man sits up on the floor. “You know I had to.”
“Well, he was with us! Couldn’t you see he’s civilized?”
“Yes, but you know I had to, as keeper.”
I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I try to pretend like I do, giving this man my toughest badass poker face.
Lupa moves away, and Gunthreon stands over the man. “If you were wise, you would give us information.”
“What do you want?” he responds with a snarl.
“What is the current situation in Socola?” asks Gunthreon. “We are a party in need of any information you may have on Neda. That is all.”
The gears churn in the old man’s head for what seems an eternity, until he apparently decides it is information he can provide. “As far as Neda, we, on the outskirts, have our own scouts searching. The mooncats have recently received some word of a higher power, I believe. We here are also in search of Velopa.”
“Thank you, keeper. We have no quarrel with you,” says Gunthreon. “We’d like the rest of our food, and we will leave you peacefully.”
The waitress appears with a helper, and they both carry huge trays of food to our table. She lays them down far more gently than she did the bread, and the food before me makes me want to shed a tear. My steak, whatever it may be, is dripping blood-red, salty juice into the spiced potatoes, which still simmer on my plate. Everyone at the table holds their breath at the spectacular spread.
Bu also ordered a steak, his raw, but he ordered some sort of giant vegetable patty, too, which I must try. He lets me take a slice—since I keep staring at it—and I place it on an extra plate next to mine, since there’s no room on my own. I gorge on the steak, lost in my own little culinary amusement park. A greble army could march in right now, and I wouldn’t even know move a muscle—except to bring my fork to my mouth.
After my steak, I decide to try the vegetable patty and see that the portion Bu gave me is much smaller than I thought. He’s already finished his own portion.
As we eat, with a full mouth, I say, “So why is that guy called ‘keeper’? Keeper of what?” I only dribble a little.
Gunthreon replies, “Keeper for the mooncats. They have several spies around, keeping a watch on the outskirts. The mooncats are not very trusting of outsiders like ourselves. They pay the keepers in many ways—sometimes gold, jewels, or even sex.”
“Oh.” I peer out the window, and I can guess where Socola starts because, about a half mile from us, the skies suddenly seem to turn an ominous black. I turn back to eat my last bite of the vegetable patty and discover it’s gone. I frown at Bu, but he’s engulfed in his own merriment from the food he frantically shovels into his mouth. Oooh, I wonder if they have dessert, I think.
Just as I’m about to ask, Gunthreon says, “We must go now. Finish up your last bites, please.” Bu’s hands move the fastest I ha
ve ever seen, and he swallows everything in front of him in one mouthful.
Gunthreon pays the waitress and nods at the keeper, who actually nods back. We head onward.
Chapter 36
Seductive
The walk to Socola is one of absolute silence. My travel companions, I’m beginning to feel, are extremely nervous, the fear thickening each of their energy fields. I even catch Bu crying a few times. My energy reaches to his and I softly touch it, stroking it, and willing some happiness from him. He glances at me briefly as he continues walking, and takes a deep breath. As we approach Socola, I break the silence.
“Gunthreon, how can Socola have no sun?” I question. “How can it be that the sky turns dark right where their lands begin?”
“Well, in the beginning,” says Gunthreon, “Velopa and Neda worked together by defining the lands harmoniously, yet making each one unique, and all the while having fun with it. This was when the good lands, like Meadow’s Edge, were formed. But once the arguing began, things changed, and we got places like Gernwood, where Bu lives. Each land we travel to can have its own fauna or animals, or, like Socola, have its own moon. Renhala is like a giant puzzle—all the pieces are different, but they fit together to form one giant, awe-inspiring picture.” He smiles. “It’s such a magical place, and this is why we have to protect it. And by protecting Renhala, we protect Abscondia. We must have Velopa withdraw its troops from Abscondia.”
The sky is black and the coolness of night lingers in the air as nameless bugs buzz and chirp. The only difference between a real nightfall in my realm and this is that there are no stars. There is a moon, though, and it is huge—a ginormous, breathtaking moon. I feel like, if I keep walking, I’ll be able to walk right up to it and put my hand on it. There’s no man in the moon, but definitely craters, holding secrets of their own. The moon shines upon the endless expanse of forest beneath it. I hope to see light somewhere, possibly lights from a town or even a campfire, but there is nothing—just blackness. A big, black, flying bug lands on my chest and clicks loudly at me while trying to pierce through my thick sweatshirt with a long straw-like beak.
Lupa quickly swats it off with a stick. “Damn bloodsuckers!” My eyes open widely at her. She says, “Broofwings. Just don’t let them touch your skin, please. They’re like giant, nasty fleas to the mooncats—and are especially dangerous to us humans.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Just do as I say!” she replies, and catches up to Gunthreon.
Bu walks right next to me, and every time I move, he moves with me.
“Bu, sorry, but I need some space. You’re gonna trample me.”
“Sorry, Kailey. Bu scared.”
“Yeah, big fella, I know,” I say. “We’re here with you so don’t—,” I hear something rustle in fallen leaves, and I jump, “—be scared,” I say, gathering myself. I soon find myself walking closer to Conner.
He looks at me. “Kailey, sorry, but I need some space.”
I stick my tongue out at him in the dark. “So, who are we supposed to meet? How do we know where to find them?” I want this over and done.
“They know we’re here. We have to wait for them to come to us,” says Gunthreon. He seems sure of himself, which is slightly comforting. Lupa walks right next to him, holding his arm a bit tight.
Before we have a chance to take another step, I hear more rustling. Gunthreon turns toward the rustling sounds.
“We come in peace. We are here to speak to your alpha cat,” he states. “Can you tell me who currently holds this position? It would be greatly appreciated if we can address him correctly.” Gunthreon faces forward, but I know he sees nothing. I turn away from the moon so that I can see better. It’s like when you glance at the sun, and it leaves that splotch in your eyesight, and you can’t see anything because your eyes are so dilated.
Blocking the moon helps slightly, and I see something coming toward us ever so slowly. Bu does his owl-head thing to look in the direction of the creature and it growls, slightly.
“Hello,” says Gunthreon. “We bring no danger with us. Do not fear our greble if you mean no foul play. I am Gunthreon, and this is Lupa.” He tries raising the arm to which Lupa hangs on with a death grip. “Conner, Bu, and Kailey. I ask your name.”
The creature comes closer, and as it does, I can see that it’s about the size of an oversized puma or jaguar. As it slinks toward us, it begins to talk, its voice rich and full of seduction. I find myself so enraptured, I don’t even hear the words being spoken. The sound is thick and soft, and I feel like I could reach out and stroke the velvet-like words. Once it comes into full view, its slick, gray fur is even more alluring than its voice. I imagine the creature brushing against me with the full length of its body, adding its scent to my own, and it makes me want to nuzzle my face against its neck and breathe in its savageness. When I reach to its energy I recognize it as cautious, yet intrigued, and a bit of regality flows along the edges, almost making one feel small in its presence. This creature is absolutely magnificent.
“Kailey, don’t.” This is Gunthreon, and he sounds a bit further away from me than I remember him being.
“I am Nayla,” speaks the cat. “It seems as though your Kailey has never met one of our kind.” The sound of my own name rolling off her tongue wakes me from my trance, and I realize that I am standing within five feet of this awesome creature. If I would close the gap between us, I could touch and embrace it.
“Kailey.” It’s Gunthreon again, and he slowly pulls me away. He turns back to Nayla. “You know this is meant as no disrespect to you, but as an acknowledgment of your great power.” He walks backwards slowly, pulling me with him.
Nayla’s voice creeps up into my ears again: “Understood.” She sits on her hind legs, just watching us. Bu looks away, pretending he doesn’t even see the giant cat in front of us.
“She’s absolutely stunning,” I say. Nayla purrs loudly.
“Yes, Kailey, she is. Just stay back here with Lupa.” Gunthreon hands me over to Lupa.
Nayla’s voice is soothing and warm: “It is mating season, you know. It would be smart to keep a watch on such a lovely girl.” I want to run to her and kiss her forehead and scratch behind her ears.
After getting a glance from Gunthreon, Conner speaks to Nayla. He tells Nayla we mean no harm, and he asks of her alpha male.
“Yes, of course. It is Michel,” says Nayla.
“May we speak with him directly?” Gunthreon talks with a bit of sternness in his voice.
“If you let me smell her.” This catches me off guard. She was definitely staring at me when she said that.
“If you promise not to harm her.”
“Well, you come in peace, so I have no reason to, right?” says Nayla. Gunthreon frowns, but must agree with her.
Lupa holds onto my arm firmly and doesn’t let go. If anything, she tightens her grip as Nayla moves forward. I also sense that Bu has moved forward, despite his fear of her. Nayla moves in very stealthily and brings her face up to mine. I close my eyes and feel a tingling sensation all over my body, making my hairs stand on end. She sniffs me all over and lingers in certain places, making the energy in me wake from its lumbering sleep. My monk’s spade is warm, and she steps away from it.
“Keep her at bay, or I might need to defend myself, and that could get ugly, no matter how pretty she is. I feel her power,” says Nayla.
Lupa speaks in my ear. “Kailey, relax, please.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me that? Geez. I’m fine, really I am,” I say.
Nayla stops directly over my backpack and takes several deep breaths. She seems satisfied, and purrs again. “She smells divine. Michel would love her.”
“You know we must take that as a threat, Nayla,” states Gunthreon. “We would like to speak to him if he is available. We have let you do as you like, now return the favor.”
“No need for hostility, Gunthreon. You know what we are. I shall carry your request. You may tr
avel ahead and take shelter until you hear from us again. Goodnight, lovely one.” This, again, is meant for my ears. My arm hurts from Lupa’s grip.
Nayla turns and begins walking away, but then she stops and turns her head back to us. “Better keep that small one in your pack, because she may seem a little too appetizing to some of my friends.” With this, she sprints away into the darkness.
As she leaves I spring back to my usual self—unfazed by giant cats. I immediately take my pack off my back and open it to find a certain woodsprite huddled up in a ball, shaking with fright. “Please, oh please, don’t let them eat me!”
“Jenna! What are you doing?!” I shout. “That was so stupid.”
Gunthreon, infuriated, marches over, and I wince as he reaches for my bag. “How dare you!” he blurts. “I have a mind to leave you on a silver platter skewered with some vegetables!” He pulls her out by her stringy hair.
“Owww! Put me down!” She tries to scratch him, but cannot reach his hand or arm.
“You shall not jeopardize our mission here. Go home!”
I try to reach out for her, because at this point, I’m afraid Gunthreon may dropkick her. I get a hold of her and take her in my hands.
“Let me talk to her. Alone,” I request, my mother hen instinct kicking in.
“Fine, but hurry it up,” grumbles Gunthreon. “We must move forward.”
I carry Jenna away from the group. “Jenna, why are you here?” I say.
Jenna has tears in her eyes. “Why does he hate me so much? He doesn’t even know me.”
“I don’t really know. You haven’t answered my question.”
“You seemed like you could be my friend. I don’t really have many friends,” she says. “I also thought that maybe I could talk to him.” She points to Conner. “Sorry I ate your vegetable patty.”
I laugh. “That was you, huh? I was gonna blame Bu.”
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