The Vagrants

Chapter 6

MAIKKI

The five of us walked through the forest, searching for a place to stay. We all had new weapons -apart from Evelyn, of course- to help attack our way through anything necessary. The crossbow felt unnatural in my hands, but the way Evelyn put it, it would seem like something I'm used to doing. She is a very good Combatant. She knows how to fight, she knows how to aim, she knows how to put weaponry in many different ways even if it's something she doesn't normally do ( like putting it in the words of a Sage), and best of all she knows how to help other people be good at those things too.

My bag felt like a rock. No, not that heavy, more like a pebble. It was filled with different types of books like novels, guides, atlases, and information on the Curtain. In it was also food, drinks , a sleeping bag, clothes, and any other thing essential. I'm only used to carrying that weight because I normally carry a lot of things when I go to school. Sometimes I even offer to carry other people's things for them as well as my own.

By now it was nearly evening and we still haven't stopped moving. We all put on an extra layer of clothing to keep ourselves warm against the icy winds blowing our direction. "This is a good place to settle." Cameron was the only person actually checking to see if any where was good to stay. There was a big clearing in the middle where we could sleep, and there was another path the on the other side so we could keep walking any time. We all placed our bags down on the ground.

"I'll start a fire" Marnie suggested. She went off collecting sticks and stones. Six minutes later we had a big flame to keep us warm. "How did you get it done so quick?" Evelyn asked. Marnie looked at her then waved something in the air. Soon enough I realised it was matches. We all took out food and had a bite. Surprisingly they actually cooked the poor bird Evelyn shot down. Everyone else but me had a taste of it, all saying the end result wasn't so bad. It didn't matter to me whether they liked it or not, nothing would change my mind on how cruel that seemed.

Jefferson came by and sat down across me. "So, Maikki, how are feeling about this quest. I'm starting to get used to this sword." I sighed "I'm okay and all, but I don't think I should be the one going with everyone. Angelie would have been a better choice. I was only chosen because of my eye colour and relation to Tanya." I expected Jefferson to start this long lecture about how self-doubt isn't a good thing, but instead he came on very soft. "Hey, they didn't choose you because of your ancestor. Stadran looked passed your appearance and saw the intelligence behind those turquoise eyes of yours. You're here because you were the perfect choice for a Sage. Angelie would have been good, but she doesn't have that same modesty and politeness that you have. So don't tell me otherwise." I thanked him before walking off with something I got out from my bag.

"Hey, Evelyn." Evelyn looked up at me then to my arms behind my back. She nodded towards my hands then asked "What are you holding." I took it from behind my back then held it in front of Evelyn. It was a big slice of chocolate cake with little weapons made of fondant decorating the top. In the spare hour we had before leaving I visited the baker and bought some cake for Evelyn's birthday.

I saw a sparkle in her eyes as she looked up at my face. I sat down beside her on a log she found and handed her the cake. "How did you know? I mean, not even my brother remembered." Wow. Even her brother didn't remember, and I knew. "I saw that your symbol was inked on freshly and you get it done on your 14th birthday, so... That's how I figured it out. Who's your brother? Just wondering." She went quiet as if she wasn't going to tell me anything. But she did answer "Jason Nightbrane. He's a Sage as well." I'm pretty sure I've heard of him before. He was one of the top students in his age group. "Does he have really dark brown hair with kind of grassy green eyes? 'Cause if he does, then I've seen him around." Evelyn nodded in response then thanked me for the cake "Thanks again for even noticing my birthday. No one really cares about it." I smiled at her "No problem. Now I got a note up here about July 13" I tapped the side of my head then walked away.

I watched Evelyn eating gratefully from my sleeping bag until Marnie, Cameron, and Jefferson came over to me. "Why did you give Evelyn a piece of cake? Not that it's bad or anything, she just looks so happy and we were wondering what the occasion was." Cameron questioned. I shifted my position so I was facing them. "It's her birthday today and I figured it out one way or another and decided to get her something. I feel kinda bad for her, no one cared about it and her brother didn't even remember." I told them. They looked surprised then went to gather paper, pens, and anything colourful to make a card for Evelyn. I stared after them as they handed it to her. Evelyn leaned to the right to see past Marnie then smiled at me, knowing I told them it was her birthday. I nodded in response then went under my sleeping bag.

It was getting late but it was hard to sleep. I heard someone get up then walk in the other direction. There was a few mumbled words then silence. I thought about what might happen when we keep moving. Will we be attacked? I know most of us will be a bit nervous when first using our weapons, we might even forget how to use it in the middle of battle. If that does happen, what if a monster gets us from the back? That will be one less person on the quest... I knew I was wrong. Monsters that live within one kilometre squared of the Curtain only attacks from 9:00am - 5:00pm. All the monsters of different places have various attacking times because they know their own weaknesses. I lay on my back, facing the stars until sleep finally washed over me.