Chronicles of Mandre

Chapter 1 - The Traveler from Zahnova

Chapter 1 - The Traveler from Zahnova

"How do you know that?" I asked, my voice hushed, too shocked to say anything else. I pulled my own stool over and sat, eyes fixed on my father.

"His father was a comrade of mine in the royal army. He looks very similar to his father, and he carry's his sword." I frowned as I remembered the flash of the blade from the entry.

"Speaking of that, we have to hide it somewhere." I grumbled, irritated that neither father or Kadir had thought to move it. "But, why is he here? What does he want from you?" I asked, glancing at the man on the table suspiciously. "Really father, we should get rid of him, he'll put us in danger!"

Father sighed and shook his head.

"We cannot, his father was a good friend of mine and I promised him I would help him and any of his family should they need it. As for what he wants, we wont know until he wakes." With that said my father stood, walking around the examination table. He guided me out, and back to the kitchen where Kadir was heaping the deer's innards into a ceramic bowl. he glanced up as we entered.

"I figured the dog would appreciate this much more than we would." He said, gesturing to the intestines and grey organs. Kadir loved dogs, but living in the desert it was hard to get your hands on anything but rabid mutts. The scruffy ball of endearment out side had probably stolen his heart.

I turned back as my father picked up the travellers belongings and followed him as he stowed them along with my bow.

"So, since this guys probably going to get us all killed, is there a name I should be calling him by? Any that you know of?" I asked, impatient. My father smiled and walked to the sitting room. He pulled a book from the shelf and perched himself in his arm chair.

"Once again, my dear, you'll have to wait and ask him yourself." I groaned in irritation and stomped away, down the hall and into my room. Throwing myself on my bed I stared up at the ceiling, taking a moment to let my muscles relax.

 -

I'm dozing when Kadir pokes his head in, knocking on the door frame to wake me.

"What?" I grumble, rubbing a hand over my face. Kadir laughs at my rumpled appearance and I throw a pillow at him. He easily dodgesit ab leans against the wall.

"I finished skinning the doe." He smiles, his usual kind and cheerful self. He holds up a thin bag, the shape of a rolled skin clear inside of it. "What to come down to the market with me?"

I smile and nod, sitting up and pulling on my boots, following Kadir out into the street.

-

The walk to market took nearly a half of an hour and by the time they arrived the sun was burning orange low on the horizon and gards were lighting tourches along the street. I glared as a guard passed, leeing at me. Kadir wrapped a arm around my shoulders and steered m away, approaching a stand tendered by an elderly man. Kadir and I both bow respectivley to him, repayed with an appreciative nod. I wonder off a Kadir sells the deer skin and smile when he buys a small bag of hard candies with a bronze coin. He splits it with me as we walk home.

Kadir is the first to notice the dogs abscense. We exchange a curious look and step inside to find the dog sitting next to the closed clinic door.A dish of water and a nest of old blankets are set out beside it. I roll my eyes. Any other family would make it sleep outside. I think to myself.