Fun Summer

Socohtoa

Tale had only rode a horse at fairs. So she found herself having to share a horse with Zoran, whilst Birchwood grudgingly shared one with Atea. They all rode through green meadows and dirt paths.

Birchwood had drilled the plan into them over and over till Tale felt sick.

"We're going to meet an old friend of our father's. The ONLY friend with common sense. His name is Socohtoa. He can help us." and on and on about where they were going. 

Tale grudgingly held her hands around Zoran's waist. Eventually, feeling tired, she lay her head on his back. Zoran turned to look at her.

"What ugly?" he didn't attempt to move her position.

"Tired, shut up." she sighed, to tired to argue. Zoran didn't pursue the conversation, and turned his head back to the front.

Birchwood watched the two as he listened to Atea's heartbeat against his own back. He turned slowly to see her watching the landscape absently.

'It's a little too quiet...' he thought.

No sooner than he thought that, a whirling spin of dark blue appeared on the path.

Zoran's horse reared, and Tale held onto Zoran with all her might.

When the figure slowed, it was quite a sight.

Dark blue robes, the same colour as Tale's skirt. Like a ninja, only the eyes were the visible facial features; the rest was hidden under a silky scarf/turban of dark blue. Beads of lilac, purple and silvery colours hung from everywhere, clicking together harmoniously. The feet were covered with sandals of straw.

The figure stared at them from dark royal purple, beautiful eyes. Whoever it was, began running at immense speed to a forest beside the path, before stopping to stare once more at them.

Birchwood hesitantly turned the horse towards the figure, who nodded at his actions. The figure then sped into the trees.

"Hey bro, do we follow?" asked Zoran.

"Well, whoever it is...they could help us. They might know Noah and Gaia's location." sighed Birchwood with such elegance, it made Atea's heart flutter.

They began clopping through the woods, the horses seeming quite at home amongst the trees.

The figure stayed within their sight, often stopping to look back at them and to give them time to catch up.

Eventually, the figure led them to a sweet looking cottage. It lay nestled amongst long fallen trees, overgrown shrubs and wild flowers along with fallen leaves.

Dismounting their horses, the company followed the ninja like figure, who darted to and fro towards the cottage.

The door opened wide. An old man beamed at the figure, then his eyes led to the company.

"My My!!! Azure, you've brought guests!!! Come on in!!!" the old man ushered in the four after the ninja, and led them to a sweet little fire place with a set of table and chairs, along a comfy sofa with bookshelves lining the walls.

The figure now named Azure, darted into the rafters of dark above.

Tale and Atea sat on the sofa, whilst Zoran sat at the table and Birchwood shook the old man's hand.

"I'm Birchwood. Mage of Summer. This is my brother Zoran, summer itself, Tale, a human girl and Atea, a maid. We were on our way-"

"To rescue this lovely human child's brother, yes," the old man smiled warmly at Birchwood, "sit down son, you came to see me right?"

Birchwood looked surprised. "Socohtoa lives further on-"

"Go that way, you'll only find a charred pile of wood. My house got burnt down by Ghasts."

Something about the word Ghast, made everyone besides Tale pale.

"Ghasts-"

"That's not important son, sit down," the old man gestured to the table, and Birchwood sat respectfully, "that's the reason why I sent Azure to see you. Thought I'd move further down; it's safer." beamed the old man, before motioning to the rafters.

Azure leapt silently to the floor. He scampered off and began 'making' cups of hot tea from thin air. His hands moved elegantly and silently. Something about his quiet demeanour reminded Tale of Birchwood, except Azure seemed more close mouthed.

Tale then realised, the three other men were talking in hushed whispers. Azure gestured for the cups to settled by their hands, which all lay folded on the table. 

The other two flew to Atea and Tale.

"Thank you." they chorused. Azure stared silently with purple eyes, before leaping back into the rafters.

"Why won't they let us on in it?" asked Tale quietly to Atea. Atea pulled a face.

"Because we are girls. Duh. Sexist idiots..." muttered Atea crankily staring lasers into Birchwood's head.

To Tale's astonishment, Birchwood turned slowly to Atea, his eyes full of rage. Tale gulped and looked away, but Atea stared nonchalantly into his eyes. When she was sure he'd turned back, Tale sighed and looked towards Atea.

"What was that?"

"Whenever I am within 5 metres of Birchwood, he can hear my thoughts." Atea replied cheerfully.

Tale gaped at her. "And what were you thinking...?"

Atea began humming and ignored the question.

Finally, the three men got up an shook hands. The girls followed suit, and Tale whispered to Zoran; "Only Peter Pan shakes hands like a good little boy."

Zoran's face turned red, and hissed "Wait till we get outside you ugly girly girl."

Socahtoa smiled at their teasing, and then spoke loudly.

"There is a lot you need to also know. But I shan't discuss them now Birchwood and Zoran. You have no time, if you wish to save Zeke, Noah and Gaia. So in my stead, seeing as I'm old and frail," he motioned to the roof and Azure slowly emerged "Azure will come with you."

Azure didn't seem to like this, and grasped Sochotoa's hand and shook his hand quickly. Socohtoa patted his hand reassuringly.

"My boy, it'll be alright. You are the Mage of Summer Skies. You'll be perfectly safe."

"The Mage of Summer Skies???" Gasped Birchwood, before kneeling before Azure, "I am honoured."

Azure fled from the cottage, leaving everyone baffled and Socohtoa laughing heartily.

"Azure is not really my son. But I've raised him since he was a baby. He's incredibly shy and close-mouthed. He hates attention, so please, treat as an equal, not a higher ranking man."

Birchwood nodded earnestly and gestured for everyone to follow likewise.

When they were all back on the road after  Socohtoa waved them goodbye, Azure maintained a large distance between them and himself. He darted at lightning speed, stopping every now and then like before.

Birchwood tried talking to him. "So Azure, we'll-"

"You'll...be going...to Mount.Aosky. That's...where..." his voice was mellow, sombre but heavy with sweetness. It matched Azure's distant, silent nature and appearance. He still hadn't removed his robes, turbans or scarves, leaving his thin, pale and long fingers and his eyes framed with beautiful eyelashes to suffice Tale's mental idea of his appearance.

"Yeah, that's where Zeke is." replied Zoran and he squinted at Azure. "Aren't you hot in all of that by the way?"

Azure quickly darted away in silence. Zoran snorted. Birchwood smiled faintly. Atea giggled (earning a 'look' from Birchwood) and Tale looked in wonder at the sky.

'Zeke, wait for me little brother.'