Caidoz

Chapter 15

   My excitement spills over me like water over a blockade. I was terrified that the Crab would be released. However my fear turned to confusion when nothing happened. I then realized, my energy flow was so low that it was impossible. I am free! No more fear that it will take over! This is wonderful! I laughed, spinning around in a circle. I allowed my emotions to go haywire. Happiness, excitement, curiosity, and peace. Then I felt an jealousy from the Crab, it turned my emotions in the opposite direction with a mental pincer and then drew back inside its shell cage. Hate, fear, greed, and envy. I then felt sick with my new freedom and saw that I had enjoyed the stability of holding back. I silently thanked the Crab for that enlightenment. However, it did nothing for my dizziness. "What's with you?" Procyon asked.
   "Nothing." I managed to gasp.
   "You happy or something?"
   "You would say that." I said. I suspected the Crab's strike was still affecting my real emotions. He looked at me, exasperated.
   "Now what did I do?!"
   "You need some manners." I said. I felt this to be my own words, and agreed instantly with myself. The grey haired boy was often selfish and unpolite.
   "Manners? Hmm." He felt silent in thought. While we walked, the silver point had grew more into view. Soon, more things became visable. The red roof shingles on buildings, brick chimneys, and... I couldn't believe my eyes. A floating ship with circular masts that seemed to connect. I stared, opened mouth at the strange contraption. "What in Caidoz is that?!" Procyon looked to where I pointed.
   "What? Oh, that's an airship."
   "I had figured out it was a ship, but air, and what does that say?!" I pointed at an approaching sign with strange scrawled marks.
   "You can't read Simehian?! Oh boy..."
   "Is there something wrong with that?"
   "Everyone knows at least this language by age six. Gender makes no difference, everyone is knowledgeable. Do not show this to everyone!" I tried to make fists as I usually would have when frustrated. Rules, rules, rules. Don't do this, don't do that. I exclamationed at the pain I felt at the action. "Ahhhiss!"
   He studied my wrists.
    "Oh dog it, I almost forgot, hide your wrists behind the folds of your dress until we find a clothing shop and buy you some mittens or gloves or something. Don't show weakness in this town nor any of Simeh's towns. The people will use you and take advantage of you. If they saw, they would grab you by your injury and force information out of you."
   "What information?"
   "Information which all are suspected of but no one has. A really rather silly thing." He stopped and stared ahead. That was the end of that conversation. The town was now almost in full view. I heard the rumbling of distant conversations. The same intriguing smell of oil and strange fumes. I disliked it particularly for a reason which was beyond my understanding. Finially, I had my first glimse of the other world. The buildings were tall and squeezed against each other with the red shingles I seen when we were farther away, upon a curved coblestone street that turned as it stretched onward. Store signs dangled on well oiled chains, promoting the business on neat wooden slabs, again written in the same untelliable scrawl. People of all races walked scatteredly, most in large groups but there was the recent lone individual who strode forth alone. Different flashes of colors were scattered around the entrance which had an iron post hammered into the only spot not covered by the rough cobblestone that seemed to be the most used materials.

I saw most people dressed in an attire similar to Procyon's. They all seemed to be suited for travel, and the same things was seen everywhere. Satchels, durable jackets, strong boots, and, though in many different styles, the aviator's goggles worn on heads and fancy top hats. This fact did not really strike me as odd, but the last item they all seemed to have in the millions. Weapons. Knifes, daggers, swords, maces, pointed staffs, bows, a strange contraption with a silver like curved edge containing a handle, and lots more which came in the dozens. They were at waists, chests, ankles, backs, shoulders, thighs, and even some on the hands. We walked through the town and Procyon never placed a glance at me. Never gave any indication that he who I was. Placing my inquiry on how the man had looked at me on the way, I understood why I received the stares. My white dress, though rather dirty from our adventure in the forest, was simple and for the regular occasion of a party.  Nothing like the people had probably ever seen in their life. I turned my head forward, but I saw the Constellermation had left my line of sight in the large crowd. My heart throbbed in my chest painfully. "Procyon?! Where are you?!" Scanning around the area, I saw no trace of the boy. My heart jumped into my throat. "PROCYON?!" A small eldery man tumbled on top of me. I rocked backward, only just managing to stay up.
   "Pardon, my good lady. I do not feel myself today. Please excuse my clumsiness." I only nodded, looking for my companion. Where is he?! The small man had gotten off me and walked past me at a slight hurried pace.  A loud growl came from behind and I turned to see Procyon looking menacingly at the previous man with a horrific look on his face, blocking his way. "Return what you took."
   "I haven't the faintest clue what you are speaking of."
   "Return it!" He shouted. "I have seen you do thus trick to many." The man squinted up at him. I was completely confused. The man couldn't have taken any of my possessions because I didn't recall possessing anything.
   "You are addled, please move."
   "Ah, have it your way." Procyon unsheathed his daggers, which seemed to flash in the bright sunlight. My eyes widened. I knew he was actually going to use them if he wished. I took a step forward to stop him, but I was too late. The small man shierked and ran off, dropping something with a clatter on the ground. Procyon glowered at the faint shadow as it ran into a looming, dark alley. Then, he knelt down and picked up the dropped item. For the first time since we entered town, he acknowledged me, covering the distance with a few strides. He pulls on my hands with a tug that pains my wrist slightly. He raises it up and placed the dropped thing in my palm as he uncupped his hand. "I believes this belongs to you, Princess." I dropped my eyes to see my mother's gift of a silver heart necklace. I jerked my hand to my neck, but nothing was there. I realized this was the only thing I had other than my dress from Caidoz and instantly the trinklet became a priceless jewel.
  
   "You must be careful Cancer, there are many dissatifactory people in this town and every town." Blue eyes with the green ring studied me. I felt myself growing angry. Why had he left me alone in a town I had no idea about!?
   "Where were you?!"
   "Don't worry, I was keeping an eye on you."
   "So you left on purpose?!" Procyon flinced at my words. "Why?!" I asked. "You aren't... actually...ashamed of how I look, right?"
   "No... no. It's just.. I will call too much attention to myself if I am seen with you." His words stab me like a knife.
   "Oh. Okay. Yes, you're completely right. Go." I point away from myself. He read my face.
   "I'm going to make sure no one robs you again."
   "You stopped him on time. You can do whatever you please. Don't stop yourself."
   "What if they hurt you this time? What if they see your hidden wrists? I will stay with you." I saw that he was only try to make up for what he said.
   "Which way?"
    "It's been a while since I came to this town, but there should be a clothing store nearby." I try to put my necklace on but my splints make it difficult for me. That and the chain was broken. I sighed, tucking  the pendent firmly in my right cast wrappings and followed my companion clously.  He scouts around, checking the signs above our heads. Quite soon, he indicates to a building with large windows showing the latest trends. I go in quickly to avoid any more attention. The room was rather large with green woven rugs and scarlet painted walls that gave a friendly tone. There were cherry wood shelves that contained flowing colors, and weapons. Near this, there was three green curtain dressing rooms with long beautiful drapes. In one corner, there was another wooden door that lead to behind a wooden counter. Stiff metal models that were shined to perfection, displayed fancy clothes that appeared to be for modern day use. I never had to worry about money. Never had to be concerned about spending anything. However, now I had nothing, what would I pay? I was about to point this out to Procyon when I saw him pull out a small black purse. He dipped his hand inside and brought out what seemed to small different sized gears. "What are those?"
   "They are segears, Simehian currency. The small brass ones are called labrious. Nenos are second in value to labriouses and are the ones made of bronze. Then there's the slithvers, see those few silver ones over there, and they are only second in highest value to dyralens. If you noticed, I don't seem to have any other type of segears. This is because as the highest valued, dyralens are particularly hard for me to come by."
I listened closely to his words. "Eight labrious to a neno, twenty four to a slithver, and fifty six slithvers to a dyralen."
"I think I understand now." I said. He started looking around the wide room and came to a broad wooden counter. A strange machine with odd brass buttons and a small window facing the other way sat upon it. A bell rang near my ears, and I jumped with surprise. "I have to stop doing that." I said crossly. I looked to see Procyon again pulling the long rope string that rang the bell.