The Guardians of Celesk

Chapter 25: A Mysterious Encounter

Chenari was completely wrapped up in her furry companion, and the feeling was mutual. Most who adopt dogs later in life had issues developing trust, but her medium sized assistant followed her everywhere and when Chenari lay down to sleep, she would find her pet draped across her feet and warming her toes. Artreide thought this was a great part of her training and development; Bohina thought it was just great in general. As she aged, they both worried about her social development living so deeply and so isolated in the trough of the mountains. At times, when they felt it was safe, they would venture to the nearest town on market day for supplies and trade. However, this was only the briefest of interactions between merchants and her family. Occasionally, she would play the odd game with some of the town children though they often regarded her as a little odd: the cultural interloper upsetting their desperate village harmony if the game strayed too long. Chenari had learned to mask her abilities, as Bohina appropriately warned her, though she stood out anyway. To blend in more, they decided to take their new dog with them on this fine market day.

"What do you think they will have fresh this month? Candied plums?" Chenari asked.

"Perhaps Cha- Cha," Artreide said.

"And what about books? Do you think they'll have some books?" Bohina laughed. "Perhaps, Cha-Cha."

"I wish you would both stop calling me that."

"I'm sorry. I cannot help it. It just rolls right off the tongue." Artreide nodded his head and checked his bag. He needed more seed for the next harvest, but he thought he would also buy something nice for Chenari.

They neared the town and were met with a convoy of eager villagers, merchants, and farmers all rolling along in their wagons and trajucts; many of the poorer citizens were holding baskets and walking up to the town gate. As they approached the main entrance, both eyed the security posted on the door. None of the guards recognised them which was how they would like things to remain. They were on familiar terms with some of the merchants, but they tried not to frequent the markets too often. As far as the townsfolk were concerned, they were migrant farmers from further north and that was the rumour they would like to keep. Chenari was more than eager to try the new candied plums that were on offer, however she also needed to haggle the shopkeeper almost mercilessly before finding a fair price. Artreide was willing to put her up for town governor at this stage. After she bid the keeper a good day, she peeled off to join some other children playing a game of skip stones, the whole time trying to balance a plum on a stick in the other. The whole time, her new companion would sit and watch each game in earnest. Artreide and Bohina also split up in search of other goods: Artreide was after more harvest seeds, and Bohina needed a good sharpening stone and a few bow strings. During all this activity, they failed to observe a distant figure watching them closely; their gaze firmly narrowing on Chenari as she managed to hide her disappointment at losing the first round. They continued to watch her, studying her face in earnest. While she was separated from her elders, there were far too many people around to intervene. They would simply have to bide their time.

The rest of the day went like most of their other market days. They would promise each other just a quick bite to eat before heading back home. The problem was that this often turned into a splendid feast with a few generous serves of wine to give them a nice mellow glow before they made the journey back. On this occasion, Chenari interrupted, "Why do you two drink that stuff anyway? It smells terrible."

"Not to us, it doesn't."

"Well, it's a perfectly terrible waste of grapes and oranges."

"Again, I would disagree," said Bohina.