EXPEDITION: An Unmatched Fanfiction

Chapter Eight: The Wolf's Skin

The young girl put her dagger away, but it was not a clear sign of whether she trusted Sinbad or not. He knew he still had to tread carefully if he did not want to be attacked again, as he had no intention of fighting this young girl any more. Looking into her eyes, he saw into her soul, and he saw the fear of a little girl trapped in a confusing world.

"I can explain why I am here," Sinbad started, and he began to tell of his journey. He regaled her with his eloquent words, starting from the Caliph's command for him, to the countless riches they acquired, then a sudden turn for the worse as they were dragged through a smoky portal. He painted a detailed portrait of King Arthur, and expressed his fright when they first met and battled one another. He elucidated his knowledge on "the source," and how it must be found and destroyed before the troubles these portals bring it too overwhelming to handle. He then took her with him on the boat, placing her in his shoes as he attempted to escape the unidentified flying vessel in the sky, and how he was transported into these woods by a strange magic man.

The fear in the girl's eyes faded slightly, and flickers of wonder danced around her irises. She was enamored by Sinbad's masterful storytelling, and almost forgot the darkness of her own existence for a split second. His tales were like music, as if we was composing a Greek epic right in front of her. However, it did not last long. Once he was finished, she was thrust back into her own reality, but she did recognize something strikingly familiar in the man's story.

"You said you were teleported by black smoke?" she asked. "I think I had the same thing happen to me?"

"You are certain? Whatever this source is, it is spreading at an alarming rate."

"Yes, I was in town...um...assisting a merchant, and this black smoke came over my eyes. Soon, it started going into my lungs. I couldn't stop coughing, and I passed out. When I woke up, I was in this forest, and I haven't been able to find a way out."

Sinbad's countenance deepened with concern. "How many moons have passed since your transportation?"

"Cool it with the fancy talk, guy," the girl sardonically responded.

"Excuse me?"

"Only a few days," she went on, ignoring Sinbad's interjection. "As you can tell, I can manage myself out here quite fine. I'm still trying to find some sort of town, though. At least I can find out where I am and get back home."

"Indeed," Sinbad said. "I believe we should journey together." The girl shot him a skeptical gaze. "The way I interpret it, King Arthur has the compass which leads the way to the source. I have no clue in the world as to where he was teleported to, but if I can traverse back to England, I can get the direction from Merlin again and find the source before it causes any more damage. I doubtless imagine King Arthur is there anymore, but I have seen much stranger things."

"As long as I can get back home, I don't care what you do."

"Well, I think it will be vastly easier to travel as a pair in these woods than individually. After all, with the source throwing everyone around, who knows what monstrosities we may have to face."

"I get your point," the girl said with a dash of cynicism, as if she only partially believed what she was saying. "I'm not much for working with other people, but I guess I can do it this time."

So, the two trekked eastward. As they walked, Sinbad took the time to embrace the woodsy environment surrounding them. The forest was blooming with an abundance of trees and plants, all sprouting joyously with life. The wind blowing through the gaps in the greenery created a layer of soothing harmonies, a symphony created by nature. There were a copious number of tall trees, each with branches reaching out as if they were stretching after a long nap. Most of these trees were bursting with different shades of green, each shade brighter and more vibrant than the last. He noticed some shaped like droplets of water, with symmetrical veins budding from the midrib. Some of the trees had white buds with beautiful yellow and pink dots bunched close together, with white stamens poking out like little hairs. There were even a few leaves he noticed that were shaped like hearts. These ones had a soft red tint which made the leaves appear as if they were glowing, radiating brightly amongst their green backdrop.