Tales of the Five Nations 1-Scarblade

Chapter 5-All Revealed

Alban woke up first the next morning, which was quite unusual for her, sleeping in all the time. She got up and walked out of the tent to put on the long, heavy cloak. She tried putting the hood up with her now short hair, and she could feel the wind blowing across her neck with no dark brown hair to stop it.

She had another thought: wouldn't the people here notice their human clothes? The people here didn't wear clothes like this—especially jeans. T-shirts would be a bit unusual, but not as much as jeans. People in this world wore tunics, cloaks, and a type of pants a bit like really thick leggings, and sometimes people wore dresses when they didn't have anywhere to go that day.

Feris got up out of the tent, interrupting Alban's thoughts about clothing, and she turned around to face him. He was staring at her very different hair. "Sorry, you just look so much different now," he apologized.

"I know, it's...kind of weird. But I actually really enjoy it."

Changing the subject, Feris asked, "You really like that cloak too, don't you?"

"I do. But I like my books more than this cloak."

"You've always liked the books more than everything else."

"I don't like the books more than I like you," Alban said, but as soon as she realized what she had said, she awkwardly turned away as not to see Feris' face with whatever reaction there was.

Robert soon walked out of the tent, yawning. Everyone helped make a small breakfast, eating the rest of their food because they were quite hungry and would be by a tavern later anyway. They finished their breakfast and packed up their things, committed to get to Feris' parents' house. But, of course, Feris was the most ready to be there that night.

Before leaving, Alban put mud onto the space beside her eyes, enough to cover her two red Marks. That should cover identity just enough to get through a tavern—she hoped it would, at least.

They made their way down the stairs leading down the mountain into the popular road below with people bustling around everywhere, and Alban pulled her cloak further over head, uncomfortable with all of the travelers there. While going down the steep mountain, Alban whispered, "Before we get stuck with this problem later, I'll be called Roland around other people here, okay?"

"Good idea." Feris nodded, without looking at her.

Once they made it down the mountain, Robert said, "I think it's time we part ways, guys. I've got to get to Tabernam Street, and I know you all don't have enough food anymore food for three. I really would stay with you if I could. But it just wouldn't work out."

"Oh, no, you don't have to leave, Robert, we can stock up on food at the tavern," Alban offered with an eye roll from Feris. Alban kneeled down on her knees on the ground and Robert climbed onto her hand, bringing his tiny wings up to Alban and hugging her.

"Don't feel that you're obligated to leave."

"I don't. But I do know what's best for you all."

"Okay, just...don't tell anyone you saw us, okay? Everyone will know we're here if you tell, and that might stop us from saving the Fire Nation."

"Why would I ever tell?" Robert asked, hopping out of Alban's hand and walking up to Feris. He bent down to Robert's level and held out a hand, and Robert took it and started to shake hands as a good-bye.

"Farewell, knight. Do what Alban says, be reasonable, and responsible, or else she is going to smack you upside the head."

"I have no doubt I'll have to smack him upside the head once or twice," Alban agreed, crossing her arms and grinning a little.