Lost in the past

Chapter 2Episode 2

The two of them are on a dirt road, heading south, towards the sea. Celestia had said that the kingdom of the anthro beings lies to the south. It is on an island far out at sea, and the journey will be difficult, as Celestia also mentioned.

"How much further is it? We've been walking in the same direction for hours. Not a house or settlement in sight. We should set up camp before the sun goes down," Florianus said and stopped. Celestia just kept walking.

"Listen, I can walk for a long time without taking a break. But you humans are really weak, you know that?"

"Please, let's find somewhere to sleep. It's dangerous at night and we can't see anything," said Florianus, out of breath.

"All right, then we'll take a break. But I'll decide where. Let's head towards the water, there's a lake back there."

"A break at last," said Florianus.

Celestia and Florianus reached the lake and began to look for firewood. Florianus made a fire, as he had learned from his father, and started fishing. He caught three fish: a pike and two perch, which he then fried.

"Here, Celestia, take two fish. I'll only take one," Florianus said and handed her the fish.

Celestia looked at him, puzzled. "Are you sure you don't want the other one?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll be fine. I'm not that hungry either." There was silence at first, and they ate their fish.

"Hey Celestia, I have a question. How did you get here if your home is so far away?" asked Florianus.

"My tribe wanted me to marry the prince from another tribe so that they could live in peace and stop fighting. I fled because I didn't want to get married, and now I'm here. I actually wanted to go to the mountains to the mountain creatures, but you see what happened. I found you by chance and I'm going to help you sort everything out. What does it have to do with the blue mark on your hand?"

"Oh, that doesn't sound so nice, being forced. But I know that from my country too. Marriage is chosen by the parents and then you get married as soon as you can have children. Annoying, I know, but there's not much you can do about it. It was different with my parents; they let me choose. Unfortunately, I don't know what it has to do with the triangle on my hand. My grandpa said that the man with the triangle on his hand would find a wife and unite the two realms. But my grandpa had dementia and was just talking garbage, I think. He used to fight against you and got hurt. Maybe that's the reason for his dislike," Florianus said as he took off his shoes and put them near the fire to dry.

"Uhm, okay. Well, I don't think there's such a thing as a legend. But the old people in the village tell similar stories: a boy from the human kingdom and an anthro being are supposed to come together, end the wars and bring peace to the land. But well, they're probably full of dementia or whatever," Celestia said and laughed briefly.

"You know, Celestia, I think you're really nice and I'm glad you're helping me and not killing me like I thought at first. I really wouldn't know what to do without your help. Just thank you," Florianus said and looked at Celestia trustingly.

"Uhm, eh, well thanks for the words. I don't know what to say in response," Celestia said, clutching her head and unsure of how to continue. She was beginning to think that Florianus wasn't as evil as everyone had said about humans after all.

"Well, we should get to sleep. Good night," Florianus said, lying down and closing his eyes. It was a little cold outside. The fire warmed a little, but not enough. Celestia was shivering, and Florianus noticed. He put his jacket over her. Celestia smiled and fell asleep peacefully. It was now morning, the air was a little damp and gray clouds drifted over the land.

"Good morning, Celestia. Time to get up. We'll catch some fish and fry them, then we'll set off," said Florianus, preparing the fishing rod.

"Yes, let me sleep, it's still early," she said and pulled her jacket over her face. But Florianus immediately pulled it down.

"Come on, you sleepyhead, let's get some food," Florianus said.

"Nahhh, alright, but only because I'm hungry," Celestia said and got up. They both went to the lake, caught two fish and fried them. Then they ate.

"Well, we should get going slowly. I suppose the weather will change quickly to thunderstorms or something like that. You can tell by the black clouds piling up at the top," Florianus said and set off slowly. Celestia walked along.

"Okay, I hope we find a town quickly before we get wet," Celestia said.

"Don't worry, we'll probably make it. Let's just keep going down the road and we'll definitely arrive at a town or village," said Florianus. They both walked along the road for about an hour and did indeed see a small town. But then the weather changed and it started raining cats and dogs. They both got soaking wet.

"Celestia, hurry to the town," Florianus said and ran with Celestia.

"Faster, I don't want my fur to get wet," said Celestia, running faster than Florianus, as she is a tigress.

"Why are you so fast?" asked Florianus. They both reached the city gate and ran to the nearest inn. They went inside. It was nicely furnished, but the man was angry.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE? YOU'RE WET AND MAKING EVERYTHING DIRTY!" shouted the innkeeper.

"Hey, we're paying too. We just want a room," said Florianus and took a gold coin out of his pocket. He showed it to the innkeeper, who now became a little calmer.

"Hmm, all right, but only for one day. You've already made enough mess. Go up the corridor, there's a free room on the right," said the innkeeper. He gave Florianus the room key and waited until they were both in the room, saying to himself: "Everything's going according to plan." The innkeeper went behind the counter and looked at the real, bound innkeeper.

"Celestia, I'd be in favor of you sleeping on the bed and me sleeping on the floor. I have no problem with that. I'll go wash up and clean up," Florianus said. He went into the bathroom and locked the door. Then there was a knock at the door. It was the owner of the inn. Just as Florianus had finished, he went to the door with just a towel around his waist and opened it. The innkeeper brought a tray with food and drinks.

"Here, for you lovebirds. There's beer and juicy grilled meat for the gentleman, and raw meat and tiger mother's milk for the tiger lady," said the innkeeper, grinning mischievously. "Looks like you two had a good time."

"Ehm, thanks for the food and drink. Have a good evening," said Florianus. He locked the door and went to Celestia. "Here, this is what the innkeeper gave us. There's raw meat and tiger's milk for you."

"Give me that, I used to love it as a child. Our mother always gave it to us when it was cold," Celestia said and drank it down immediately.

"Not so hastily. We don't know what's in the milk. The innkeeper doesn't seem normal to me," said Florianus.

"Yes, let me drink," said Celestia. Meanwhile, the innkeeper stood at the bar and muttered to himself, "This is about to be fun, the love potion is going to cause chaos..."

To be continued.