War of Praisers

Chapter 14:

We land just outside a small Australian village, if that's what you want to call it. The village had about 35 individual houses, each had a decent amount of space. Each house was different, there where farmhouses, villas, mansion, and others. The land is a decent mix of forest and sand. The trees line the rim of the beach and the thickness of the forest spreads out the further it heads inland.

"Why are we here?" Gloria asks Yakov from her spot at the back of the plane, while I followed him out of the cockpit. He was directing me where we should go.

"To see a friend."

"We're not here to socialize Lord Oskana." Gloria responds sarcastically and I wanted to smack her for her disrespect. Yakov on the other hand chuckles.

"I am afraid the time for socializing has come to a pause."

I could just imagine the sight of us roaming the small village, one man in blue pajamas being flanked by four in matching suits and one in black leggings and shirt, barefoot.

My black hair sticks to the back of my neck from the heat, it doesn't help that I am wearing all black.

"Do you know where we are going?" Robin asks Yakov, his eyes darting around the village nervously.

"Half-half." He responds.

"What does that mean?" Grace asks almost rather rudely. I restrain myself from smacking her, hard.

"I know where he lives just not exactly." He doesn't seem fazed by her tone.

"Why?" I question this time, trying to make sure no one else gets the chance to speak to him disrespectfully.

"Because he doesn't like visitors."

"Then how do you know he will appreciate us coming?" I continue with the questions.

"I guess we will have to find out."

We pass a group of people with surfboards heading to the beach, and they give us weird looks but smile at us none the less.

"Wait here." He approaches the group of surfers and I follow him.

The group of five stop when they realize us approaching.

A chorus of 'G'days' and 'Hellos' greet us. Yakov replies to their greetings as I just nod at the girl who approached me while the others stayed with Yakov. Her hair was dyed light blue and matched her eyes. She was also very short, almost as short as me and it gave me some comfort. I was never self-conscious of my height but sometimes I feel inferior when others tower over me.

"Hi." Her Australian accent was cheerful and friendly.

"Pleasure." Her grin smile doesn't falter at my abrupt greeting.

"I like your hair, I was thinking of dying my hair that colour but then I decided on blue but I think next time I'll do black. Its very inspiring."

I am at loss for words. That was very random and unexpected.

"Can I braid your hair out of your face, it would be much more comfortable."

She doesn't wait for my answer but spins me around so my back is facing her and I feel the light tug at my hair. I don't have any energy to object and just let her. I instantly feel relieved as the air blows on my sweaty back, now that my hair is out of the way.

She keeps chatting as she plays with my hair, commenting about it or about other completely unrelated things. As she does, I watch the group Yakov was still talking to. He seemed so out of place, not just that he was in pajamas, but his posture was formal and he spoke so formally. My eyes travel to Ewan and the others and they stood out even more. Looking like they just walked out of battle in their white suits and their posture indicating they where ready for another. Ewan was the only one though who would have a chance in battle, though Robin and the girls still stood ready. They did learn self defence and the basic combat skills but that isn't what they where mostly trained for.