Barely a few moments after Djoser and the rest of the group rushed off to their next destination, the crowd that had gathered to see them off slowly began to disperse, going back to their daily routines and families and friends in the small, ragged town. Soon only the mayor and a few other officials were left, each giving their own comments on how they hoped the journey of Tao and his friends would fair. Each had their small doubts in their hearts, but in the end, they believed that their world WILL be freed, and prosperity brought back into their lives. Slowly they made their way back to their homes, the cold air blowing gently about them.
"But the girls...they're so young. How could they possibly take on such a dangerous and nearly impossible task of finding The Ones Who Are Blessed?" said the mayor's wife with worry, wringing her hands. "I should have insisted that they stay, or at least sent fighting men with them...."
"My dear, they'll be fine!" said Wu the mayor, lying a gently hand on his wife's shoulder. "I have much faith in them, and so should you." He turned to look at the few people walking with them. "So should ALL of you." he said meaningfully. The others slowly bowed their heads in agreement.
"Yes, well...I suppose." Lina sighed nervously. Although she and her husband weren't blessed with children of their own, she had taken cared of and watched over many children, from nieces and nephews to younger cousins, in her life to develop a strong maternal instinct toward the young. She had to admit, she was worried about the strange young girls. Somehow, she knew they weren't from anywhere around here, but...she felt as if she could trust them. Her mind then turned back to the many stories of The Ones Who Are Blessed she heard about even since she was a child, and how they had mysteriously disappeared. Could the girls really find them? Suddenly, she thought hard on what she had heard the goddesses looked like, then on the looks of the Jeneta and the other girls. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she continued to think on it. Come to think of it, there was something familiar about the girls...their looks and their mannerisms. Could it be....was there some sort of connection between them and the legendary goddesses who once defeated Kumraa? Or could they possibly be...?
The middle-aged woman shook her head in annoyance. No, there was no way, it was impossible. She pushed the thought out of her head as she, her husband, and the few with them walked on past the many houses and market stands to head back to their house. As they neared their house, the couple turned to bow their good-byes, and slowly entered their house. Immediately a sense of danger washed over them as they saw how dark their house was in the mid-morning.
"What...what is going on....?" But the older man barely had time to say more as suddenly, his wife screamed in terror, then was cut off with a muffling sound, as though something was put over her mouth.
"Lina!" screamed out Wu Zhang, stretching out his arms for his wife. He took a step forward, then tripped over something and landed hard on his side. When he painfully opened his eyes, he saw from a stream of bright light coming from a half-closed window to the side that it was the body of one of his house servants. "By the gods!" he gasped, and quickly got to his feet. When he did, he saw another two or three more bodies, each sprawled out on their stomachs as though they had tried to run but fell, with a wound on their back or side. His neck, still slightly swollen and throbbing with pain from his ordeal with Sabanti, felt like it was constricting around his throat, and he almost struggled for each breath.
Right then, a shadow passed across the light from the window, and Wu gasped in pure terror at what he saw. His wife, tears streaming down her face, was in the arms of a tall and dangerous looking man with grey-colored skin, black, wavy hair that reached to about slightly pass his shoulders, and numerous cuts and bruises across his face, some cuts still bleeding. He wore a general's armor, but instead of it being kept and polished, they were dull, battered and dented. His cape was nearly torn to shreds, but still fluttered about him with every move he made.
With a sneer, Zain moved a little closer to the older man, the sharp edge of a large knife across the woman's neck. A thin line of red spread across her neck, and she trembled violently. "Stay where you are, unless you want to take a last look at your precious wife alive." warned the grey-skinned man, pressing the knife closer.
"Please, not again, have mercy on us!" whimpered the old man, falling to his knees. "We know nothing, I swear!"
It took a moment for Zain to realize what the man was saying, and he narrowed his eyes curiously. "Again? What are you babbling about, foolish old man!" he growled out. But he shook his head when Wu was about to speak, and held the older woman even tighter as he glared down at him.
"I'm going to ask you once, and once only, old man." Zain said in a low, raspy voice. "Where has Djoser and the others gone? Tell me, and I might be generous enough to spare your lives....unlike these others here." He indicated with his head the bodies lying around them.
"I....I'm not sure, I swear to you!" Wu whimpered. "All I know is that their next journey is taking them almost half way around the world! The map showed them that after they found the third medallion...."
"They found the third medallion?" Zain's eyes narrowed dangerously at the mention of this. Damn, he was too late! He had wanted to beat them to it, but he had taken too long in traveling here by foot.....traveling by foot and living off the land like some animal! But he couldn't risk anyone trailing or finding him, especially Kumraa, who he was sure was looking for him now. He shook his head again, trying to clear his thoughts. He had no time to waste now thinking about that or any other trivial things. He was close to them, he could feel it. With a snarl, he pushed the older woman away from him, and as she fell on the floor, he glared at Wu Zhang with menacing eyes.
"Get me a horse, and show me which way they went..NOW! Fortune has smiled on your this day, don't make me have to change its mind." With a grateful whimper, the husband and wife got up on their feet and hurried out to the back, willing to do anything to ensure their lives. As they left, Zain balled his hands into tight fists as he breathed hard. This was the closest he had been to the group in days, and there was no way he was going to let the get away. They will pay for the humiliation he had suffered in their hands, one way or another. He will get back his position and honor with Kumraa, even if he had to die in the process. He had risked too much to be beaten by a group of children, of all things! He would show them, and he would make sure that Djoser died a slow and painful death. With that thought, the former general turned on his heel and hurried out to the back, intent on letting nothing stand in his way.
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Her heart beating loudly with excitement, Jeneta rode as fast as she could on her horse to keep up with Djoser and Tao. Hope filled her as she thought of how soon they would get the fourth medallion, after that, the final one. She did not mind helping the people of this world, but deep inside, she missed her own world, her own family and friends she grew up with. Her longing for her home went deep, but every time it did, she thought of her friends here...Prya, Angeni, Heather, and Ling, and it made her feel much less lonely. Then of course, there was her growing feelings for Djoser. What if when she had to leave, she'd never see him again? Jeneta didn't want to think about that, but she knew that one day, it will come up and they will have to be parted.
But she didn't let that bother her now, as she and the rest of the traveling group rode long and hard across the mountainous terrain. Soon, the mid-morning gave way to early noon, and slowly the rocks and shrubs of the mountainous roads gave way to soft and grassy terrain, similar to a savannah, except that the grass was a more brownish color. Short, odd-shaped trees grew sparsely around the area, and white and tanned-colored creatures, looking very much like antelopes...except they had three black-colored horns, jumped up and down in excitement in the grasses. Birds of all sizes, shapes, and colors flew and swooped all over the sky, each singing and cawing in their own languages and styles. A few feet away, a small lake shimmered in the bright light of the sun, as though beckoning to the animals of the land for a drink of water. A chilly air blew through the land though, and Jeneta knew that within weeks it should be Winter, and the animals would soon hibernate.
Suddenly, a medium-sized farming house came into view in the horizon, and with a knowing smile, Djoser headed in that direction, Tao following after. The rest followed, and within minutes, they stopped in front of a house that looked to be made of thick red, wood and about two stories high and split level. A long fence was built around the house, going to the back, almost as thought it was designed to keep something inside rather than outside. A dark brown-colored barn was a few feet to the side, as well as a storage house for food and grain. All was quiet in the area, and for a moment, Jeneta and the girls thought there was no one there. Djoser quietly slipped off his horse, walked up to the front double doors, and knocked loudly.
The doors opened second later, and a short, middle-aged man stepped outside. He was completely bald, but had a long, salt and pepper beard that grew half-way past his chest. He walked out slowly with a walking cane, and when he spoke, Djoser answered back in a language Jeneta heard Tao and Hun Li spoke, and the man smiled broadly and bowed his head.
"Tao, who's that?" asked Ling, her curiosity getting the better of her as she moved her horse up next to him.
The young man smiled, understanding of why Djoser brought them here dawning on him. "That, my friend, is Lamas, an old man who used to live in our city, but came all the way out here to live. It's been years since anyone has seen him, and I thought he was dead...but apparently not."
"Why is he walking with that cane? Is he crippled, what happened...?" Angeni's question was cut off as Djoser and the old man came forward towards them. With a surprise, she noted that he wasn't crippled, and walked perfectly fine. She was about to point that out, when the man stopped in front of them and looked at them vacantly. When Angeni looked closer and saw how clouded his eyes were, she then understood why he walked with the cane; he was blind.
Tao slipped off his horse and waited while the other girls did the same. When they were off, three stable boys rushed out from inside of the house and cautiously took the reigns of the horses, leading them to the back of the house. When they were gone, the old, blinded man nodded his head, his stare as vacant as before. "Ahhh, and you must be the friends my old friend Djoser, who used to visit me as a child, has told me about." He stepped up to Jeneta first, closed his eyes and sniffed. "Yes, you're Jeneta, the kind-hearted, yet very brave one."
The dark-skinned girl's eyes widened with astonishment, but before she could say anything, Lamas had moved on. "Ahh, and Heather, with a great mind." he said as he took in a deep breath. At the blonde girl's surprised expression, he moved to the next. "Angeni, the intuitive one who can feel danger at any moment..." He turned to the next girl and sniffed. "Sweet and gentle Prya, I welcome you." The Indian girl blushed, and he turned to the last one. "Ahhh, Ling, with her fighting spirit. It is a pleasure." The Chinese girl crossed her arms over her chest and raised her brow, but said nothing.
He smiled and turned to Tao. "It's been a very long time Tao. I am very sorry to hear about your sister." At those words, the young man bowed his head and thanked him.
"Wait a minute, how did you...I mean, how were you able to...?" Heather looked at the man with complete puzzlement.
"My child, everyone has their own auras, presence, and smell that is unique to them." he smiled. "Besides, Djoser has just told me about every one of you, I was able to figure out who you were." Lamas chuckled softly.
"Well, then, now that the introductions are over, I supposed we should get to the reasons you have come here. You have a need to travel a great distance, yes?" The blind man turned to where Djoser stood behind him.
"Yes, that's why I have come to you for help..." Djoser then went on to explain the mission the girls were on, and how the map had shown them that the next medallion was so far away. When he had finished, Lamas nodded his head in understanding.
"I see now, it is true what I've heard. Well, we shouldn't delay any longer. Kumraa's evil spreads with each passing day. Come, follow me." The old man turned and walked to the back of the house where there was a large holding pen, his walking stick tapping lightly on the ground.
Almost in anticipation, the girls followed, wondering what they were about to see. They did not have long to wait. The moment they reached the back of the house, they stopped dead in their tracks at the amazing sight that greeted them.
Walking serenely amongst themselves in the large backyard used for a holding pen, were at least eight or nine of the most beautiful creatures they had ever seen. They almost resembled the legendary creatures called griffins they had read so much about in stories, but these ones were gentle-looking, as griffins were often said to be fierce. Cream-colored, soft-looking feathers covered their whole bodies, and their tails were long and resembled a horse's. They were also very large, about nearly three times the size of a regular horse. Their four feet were black and resembled an eagle's with talons, but looked to be filed down with use and wear, as well as from the care of the stable hands. Large, gentle eyes peered at them from feather covered faces, and their beaks were black and resembled an eagle's, but looked no more dangerous than a baby bird's. The plumes on top of their head stuck straight up in to the air, giving them a sort of mohawk style. Soft whistles and chirps came from their throats, and when they spread their wings, it was as though they were in the presence of kings instead of creatures, just for the sheer size of them.
"They're....they're beautiful!" breathed out Prya, her hands clasped in front of her in wonder.
"Yes, aren't they?" smiled Lamas with a wistful look on his face, almost as though he were remembering better times in his youth.
"But how can they get us where we need to go?" asked Jeneta. She eyed the creatures warily.
The blind man chucked deep in his throat. "Child, they are called avilares, and they are very important to travel here. You see, they are very fast creatures and can travel great distances within a very short period of time. By what Djoser has told me, the country you are headed to is called Bhunatha. Normally by horse and boat travel, you would get there in about two or three months. With these beautiful creatures, you'll be there within two days."
"Wow, really?" said Angeni, her eyes wide. She had always loved birds and their ability to fly. Excitedly she turned to look at them, then back at Lamas. "Can we...I mean, will they hurt us?"
"No, go right ahead, they won't hurt you. They're well trained." the blind man nodded.
With an excited squeal, the girls rushed through the small gate to pet and get to know the beautiful animals. They cautiously walked up to them first, then feeling braver, they each approached one and started stroking their soft down feathers and beaks. Ling giggled as one of the avilares caressed her cheek with his beak and gently nibbled her ear.
After a few minutes, Djoser and Tao came up to them, a soft smile on their faces at how much the girls were enjoying them. "Come on, we should head off soon." said Djoser. While the girls were admiring the creatures, he had gotten the supplies and things they would need for their trip, and he and Tao quickly attached them to the side of the saddles on the creatures the stable hands had already put on them.
"Do we each get one, or..." Before Jeneta could even finish her question, a sharp, flashing object flew straight through the air with a whirring sound and stabbed deep into the ground right in front of her. The girl gasped in horror and surprise, then turned to look at a figure walking calmly towards them, hands balled into fists. For just a moment, she and the other girls stared in complete disbelief as the figure walked closer and closer. When he was in plain view, there was no denying who it was.
"Zain!" gasped out Heather in fright, taking a few steps back and bumping into one of the avilares.
"That's right fools, now prepare to die!" the man growled out, a sneer on his lips.
"Who are you, what are you doing here?" yelled out Lamas, stepping in front of him.
"Shut up!" A blast of energy erupted from Zain's hand, and it struck Lamas right in the middle of his chest, knocking him out and leaving him crumpled on the ground. Immediately the flying creatures became panicked and began to whistle and screech loudly.
"Quick, get on them, hurry!" yelled out Djoser. He reached to his side and drew out his sword, and with a yell, rushed forward and engaged in a fierce sword fight with the grey-skinned man.
"Go, go, go!" shouted Tao. Quickly he helped Ling and Prya onto the back of one creature. He then slapped the creature's hind and watched in satisfaction as she spread her wings wide and soared high into the air. Prya, unused to flying, gave a short, frightened scream as the creature flew higher and higher, and Ling hung onto the reigns with a death grip, going pale. Next, Tao rushed Angeni and Heather onto the next avilari and nodded as Heather expertly took the reigns, having had horse riding lessons before, and coaxed the creature into flying high and away. Angeni looked back down nervously for a moment, then wrapped her arms tight around Heather's waist, trying not to be frightened.
"Djoser!" cried out Jeneta, confused as to what to do next. She didn't want to leave him there alone to fight Zain, but she knew she couldn't risk staying here and Zain's men coming to help him! With a growl, Tao was about to rush in and help the taller dark-skinned man, when Djoser, after having just flipped over Zain's head and landed expertly behind him, raised his hand into the air and yelled out an incantation. A blast of energy shot out his hand and struck the man in the chest, knocking him away a few feet. Not waiting to see if Zain was knocked out or not, Djoser turned and ran quickly. When he came up next to Jeneta, he grabbed her around the waist as he dashed by.
"You won't get away, I won't let you!" yelled out Zain in rage as he jumped up on his feet.
But Djoser was paying no attention as he leapt high into the air, Jeneta still in his arms, and landed on the first creature in front of him. The animal squawked loudly, his wings flapping, and when Jeneta was seated in front of him and he grabbed the reigns, Djoser pulled hard, letting the creature know he wanted him in the air right away. Right next to them, Tao landed on his own animal and laughed with excitement as the animal crouched, then leapt away high into the air. With a gasp, Jeneta closed her eyes and felt her stomach drop away from her as she rose higher and higher into the blue and endless sky. The wind blew fiercely through her hair and roared in her ears. She dared herself to open her eyes moments later, and looked to see the others not far ahead of them. The farm house growing smaller and smaller with each second and flap of the creature's wing.
I can't believe it! We're...we're flying! Jeneta thought with glee as her heart pounded fiercely in her chest. The last thing she saw before closing her eyes again was Zain and his rage-filled face staring up at them, his body shaking with anger and frustration. But she didn't even let that get her spirit down. They were on their way to find another medallion, and Zain would be far, far behind them!
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To Be Continued....
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