A Tail and Chains

Chapter 4: Lela

     The walk back to Upo took longer then Lela had estimated. Even though Shula wouldn't admit it, she was in a lot of pain. Lela could tell just by looking at Shula when she needed to stop and rest but since Shula wouldn't let them stop on her account, Lela had to come up with excuses for them to stop. 

     "Stopping again?" Shula slowly sat down on a dead tree trunk.

     "Um... yeah. My feet are killing me." Lela sat down next to Shula and removed her shoes. " I should've worn different shoes." She messaged her feet.

     Shula snorted indignantly.

     Lela could tell Shula was getting frustrated with the continuous stopping but she didn't know what else she could do. Until Shula's wounds were properly taken care of Lela knew that Shula was in danger of passing out, or worse. Lela started twirling her one of her pigtails. She was worried about Shula. Lela combed her hand through her hair, the town was only half a mile away and she had no idea how she was going to get Shula anywhere without being noticed.  She couldn't just walk into town with a Trivalian. Unless....

     "Um, Shula?"

     At first Shula didn't respond she just stared out towards the setting sun. Lela was about going to try again when Shula looked over at her, "Yes?"

     "Well, I was just thinking about Upo... and well I... what I'm trying to say is... well you cant just walk into town without going unnoticed."

     "I know." Lela looked at Shula in surprise. "What? Its obvious. Any suggestions?"

     " Actually yes," Lela blushed, "but I don't think you'll like it."

     Shula's ears flicked uncertainly. "Go on."

     "Well," Lela's face was burning. " I was just at the capitol and... um... one of the capitol's main industries is-"

     "Slave trading." Shula's ears were plastered against her skull angrily. She spat on the ground as if evening saying the word 'slave' left a sour taste in her mouth. "Curse them."

     Lela wasn't sure who the 'them' was that Shula was talking about but she felt sure it had to do with the slave traders. Lela couldn't explain why, but for some reason after Shula had said that she had felt dirty inside, like Shula was talking about her specifically. How could someone have so much hate inside of them.. She looked down at the chain chaffing Shula's leg sadly; it was causing a giant purple and red bruise to form visibly form under her fur.  She felt horrible about her plan now, Shula had just escaped being a slave and now Lela wanted to suggest Shula pretend to be her slave. She shook her head; she would just have to think of something else.

     "Well?" Shula tilted her head.

     "Never mind. We'll just sneak into town after dark."

     Shula frowned. "Do you really think that'll work?" Lela shrugged; Shula gave her a scrutinizing stare. " I thought you might suggest I pretend to be your slave. It would definitely make sense." 

     At first Lela was speechless, she was always caught off guard when Shula sentence's contained more than two words."Really!" Lela stared at Shula in surprise. "Well, I was going to say that but I didn't want to offend you."

     A strange silence fell over the two. Shula was staring at the tiny sliver of sun still visible over the horizon. The sky was turning dark purple with stars speckling it like tiny diamonds. The three moons were full that night and they were starting to cast strange but beautiful shadows over the landscape. Lela sighed. She looked over at Shula and wondered what was going through Shula's mind.

     Shula noticed that Lela was looking at her. "What?"

    "You're so brave."

    Shula let out a skeptical laugh. "Excuse me?" Shula's eyes were glowing bright green from reflecting the moonlight. For a moment Lela felt fear rising throughout her body as she remembered the stories of monsters that hunted in the night; the only thing visible, their glowing eyes.

     "You risked everything and ran away from the only life you've ever known. I.... I could never do that no matter what the reasons." Lela looked down at her feet. "I don't know much about you but I admire you, Shula."

    Shula looked down. "I didn't have a choice; I made a promise."

     Lela looked up, interested. She really wanted to know more but she didn't want to over step her bounds and accidently offend Shula. Instead, she slipped her shoes back on. If they didn't take another break the two of them would make it to Upo before dinner time. She stood and stretched. Lela picked up her basket of groceries and started to walk down the road.

     Shula lightly tapped Lela's shoulder. Lela jumped and turned to see Shula holding out her hand. "Allow me." When Lela just looked at her Shula elaborated with a bow. "Your faithful servant."

     "No, I thought we were just going to sneak in after dark." Lela's grip subconsciously tightened on the basket handle.

     "We did?" Shula extended her arm a little bit further. "I don't recall."

     Lela sighed, she felt like she was doing something wrong by doing this. She didn't want to make Shula do anything she didn't want to. She reluctantly handed Shula the basket. Shula nodded her had in thanks and gestured for Lela to lead the way. Lela still wasn't thrilled with the idea but she lead the way.

   "What will I say about your wounds?"

     Shula shrugged. "You'll think of something." She wasn't limping as badly, which Lela thought was mostly due to the rest they had taken.

     "I guess I will. "Lela looked over at Shula and saw a new light in her eyes; Shula's eyes shone with trust. "I guess I will."