The Book of Lasrin

Chapter Two: Unsettled

It is about 9:30…

When we finally stopped for the night we were tired and wet. It had rained most of the day so the land under foot was mushy and soggy. Dew had soon socked into the groups soft leather boots and their feet making for a slimy, pruney feeling. But nothing could have killed the girl’s excitement. They bounced and weaved as they made their way to a cave.  When they got there i went to look for fire wood and Arianna set up the sleeping bags and set out our packs to dry.

I skip in holding a bundle of wood and leaves under my shirt to keep it dry. I had found some mostly dry stuff under the leaf litter that stood feet thick in some places. I drop it in a pile and began setting it up as the boys come in and sit against one wall. I take a moment to scowl at them before using my flint and steel that I produce out of one pocket.  It takes several try’s to light the pile of damp wood because my pants were also not dry. The rain had spared nothing.

Arianna takes out a small pan, vegetables, meat and some spices. Putting it all in together over the fire it was soon producing tantalizing aromas that wafted up and out replacing the musty smell of the cave.  The boys come and sit around the fire with us and although they say nothing I know they were talking using mind-speak. I can tell from experience and observation- there heads tilted towards each other slightly, a faraway look in their eyes, as if they are deep in thought. Isaac smiles a bit presumably at something Liam said.  Liam giggles!

“What was that?” I ask.

“Hmm?” they say snapping to attention. Their eyes focus on us and there noises twitch with the smell of cooking food as if just noticing it.

“You were giggling!” Arianna accuses, pointing.

“I most certainly was not!” Liam protested, “It would be undignified for a man of my years.”

“Then what was that noise?” I ask, amused.

“Chortling.” Liam says firmly. We all laugh and the tension seems to leave with the smoke. Arianna dishes out four portions and we all dig in, hungry after out long trek.  No one talks whiles there’s still food so it’s not until all of the food -including the sauce, wiped up with bread- was gone that the maps were unrolled and talk began.

“Now were … here…” I said pointing, “So that means we traveled about 15 miles today. So we need to go 4 more traveling across Myst so we’ll be …here on the edge of Capybara. Then we’ll rest for maybe two hours and carry out the mission. You,” she points at Liam and Isaac, “will stay at our camp between Capybara and Myst and wait for us there.” I conclude, pointing and then rolling up the map.

“But were supposed to keep you safe! How can we do that if were waiting at camp?” protested Isaac.

Explain my genius to them Birth-mate. I ask Arianna using mind-speak after sending her pictures out of my mind: us setting out, the boys sitting in a camp restlessly, the sun passing over head, us returning.

Happily Birth-mate. She replies.

“If were gone more than four hours then you come find us. We’ll leave marks on our path.” Arianna explains. “Also it’s our mission. We don’t need boys to save us! Not that we’ll need any saving.” she added.

“In four hours you could be killed!” Liam rages.

“And you heard the Master!” Isaac pointed out. “Were to come and protect you!”

“This way if we don’t come you’ll be our backup. Like our secret weapon. Like an ambush! No one will think you’ll be coming so they won’t expect it! Plus we should get a chance to do this ourselves.” I argue. I can tell the boys are swaying.

“Please? Everyone else gets a chance- and were the best!” I implore desperately before they can harden there resolve and our chance slips away. Me and Airanna widen our eyes and clasp our hands in front of us.

“Well… promise you’ll be safe?” Isaac asked.

“And take no chances-” continued Liam

“And be back before four hours pass-”

“And if you hear something come back straight away-”

“And-” I cut Isaac and Liam off before they could forbid us from going at all- not that that would have stopped us, mind- but they were acting like mother hens!

“Of course!” Me and Arianna chorus, beaming at the boys. “Thank you!” we add for extra measure. The boys confer for a second with mind-speak before nodding several times and gave us what they thought was a smile. It was more like their lips were twitching, but hey they seemed preoccupied so I didn’t push it.

“Sure…” Isaac says off-handedly. He suddenly seems very interested in the spot above my head. “You said something about going threw Mytst? Its dangerous; the mist is so thick you cant see the tip of your nose.”

“And when you inhale it, it messes with your brain,” adds Liam. “Makes you argue and forget why your there. You see things when no ones there, hear things, when nothings there to make sound. It’s not safe.”

“We’ll tie ourselves together so we wont be separated. And we’ll cross fast enough, that the mist won’t do any damage.” I assure them though they still look dubious. “We can’t waste time going around; we’ll have to chance it.”

“Weeeeell…” Arianna says looking at me questioningly.

“It’s going to be a short night and long day so good night boys.” I take Arianna’s hand and led her over to where she had set up our nest of furs. The boys had made one similar and now Isaac slept curled up around Liam as I stood for watch, pacing the cave opening, straining my eyes against the dark.

I had insisted that I stand watch because it would make it more my own mission. I wanted to protect myself and I didn’t want to be leaning on anyone –except Arianna- else for help. Part of the problem was my pride, I had been told on multiple occasions. I believed I didn’t need anyone or anything. I squat in the middle of the cave opening staring at the small animals twitter and chirping to each other and the plants swaying. There’s nothing odd about this but something was off. I lick my finger and hold it out of the shade of the cave. Then I realized it. There wasn’t a breeze.