Branley And The Land Of Cors

Chapter 10

The first rays of the sun emerged from behind the mountain frame and gently touched the ground on which the two boys were resting. Irritated by the sudden amount of light Kyne pressed his hands on his eyes and with a slight groan he slowly sat up. His eyes laid on the sleeping figure of his friend beside him. He thought it a shame to wake him, he had had trouble sleeping for the past few days, this was the first time he looked like he was actually getting some rest. But it couldn't be helped.

"Bran."Kyne said in a soft whisper while shaking Branley lightly with his hands. "We have to get going."

Only muffled noises were heard in response and Kyne let out a scoff accidentally.The situation was nothing but amusing.

He slowly stood up with a grin of mischief covering his face. He tiptoed away from Branley and grabbed the bladder he had filled with water the previous night and then towered above his sleeping friend, he slowly opened the lid and covered his lips with his hand like a little kid so the sound of his laughter would not ruin his masterful plan.

And just like that Branley woke up full of panic and confusion, drenched to the bone like a cat.

"You complete arse!" Branley yelled when he finally realized what was going on. "Look at me you idiot I'm soaking wet!"

"Yes that was my intention." Kyne clapped back looking all smug over his accomplishment.

"I'll show you intention." the other said and shot up from the ground. Branley raised his hand towards Kyne and whispered "mû."

"No Branley don't-" Kyne was cut off by water splashing him in the face out of thin air. Branley was the one laughing now.

"Very funny mister 'I can control the elements.'" Kyne retorted.

"You knew you were getting yourself into an unfair fight don't go whining now."Branley said smiling. "Either way take your clothes off so I can dry them."

Kyne seemed flustered by the sudden request and paused for a moment.

"And make it quick we don't have all day." Branley continued.

And so Kyne did as he was told, and his tunic and trousers were now on the ground.

Branley also took his own clothes off in spite the tingling feeling in his stomach telling him that all this sudden exposure was not sitting right with him, but reminded himself that he knew Kyne since he was but an infant, and right now those were the only clothes the owned.

So he raised his hand towards the clothes and whispered "elil", his eyes flushed red and a small breeze came surrounding them. In only a few seconds they were as good as dry.

Branley could not only control the elements as they were, but also everything that was made and forged by them, and that meant almost every living and tangible thing, even the human body at times if he concentrated enough to hear the water running through it, he was one with every part of nature, even its darkest parts.

"Let's go now. Get your things." Kyne said when the were done dressing themselves.

"Do you even know which way is west?" The raven haired boy asked ironically. He knew that Kyne was like a walking compass, not only because the better half of him was a lynx, an animal that lived its life in solidarity and so needed to operate on their own while knowing their environment, but also because his father was a chief and all the maps the village owned rested in his study.

"Just follow me you stupid bird."

And so their journey begun, a long a painful one, a terrifying and amazing one. But whatever else it was, it was a journey to be sure, and so that meant patience was essential to the road ahead, because it is in journeying that people find or lose themselves. And the two boys did not know it now, but both things would be true. They would find and they would lose. But if you asked them now they would probably tell you it was all worth it in the end.

Probably.