Gaiagon

Chapter 14: Running Into Family

"Are we almost to the town yet?" Seth asked Sylva as they walked through the forest path. "Almost," Sylva replied. "And stop asking!" "Why don't we do something to pass the time?" Jeffry suggested. "Like what?" Seth asked. "Well, I have been meaning to ask," Jeffry began, turning to Fang. "What is like for you to finally be able to speak to us, even from afar?" "It really feels great," Fang answered. "You all grew up with a natural voice that you can project out of your mouths, but I grew up with an elevated mind, which hindered other abilities. My species is more clever and quick minded than most of you, but we can only talk to you through mental telepathy granted through physical contact. Now, I have my clever mind and a voice to go with it." "What do you mean 'more clever and quick minded'?" Jeffry asked. "Oh, it's nothing personal. That's just how the great he designed our species. It's just like how Sylva can absorb crystal energy. For your information, Gaiagon didn't always have these abilities."

"What do you mean?" Sylva asked as she looked back at Fang. "I don't know how I know this, it's probably because of my new 'Arch-Forgon' status, but Gaiagon didn't always have mental telepathy and Arch-Gaiagon forms." "Then how did they get this way?" Seth asked. "Let me think," Fang said, "if my sources are correct, meaning my new knowledge, then the great he granted these abilities to my species just like he did to the first Videuns. The knowledge is growing in my head like tree that just found its way out of the ground, so I don't know the details yet."

"That's ok. Look over there," Sylva said, pointing down the road. The city of Jakala was coming into view. From what Jeffry knew, Jakala is a trade city that was known for being a big merchant's hangout. People from around the world travel there to get the best deals and newest things. The Merchants there sold almost anything, from weapons and armor to animals and jewelry. The group had not planned to go there, but they needed a place to stay. They decided that going there was much better than sleep on the ground again, like they did the night before. Jakala was a better place to stay than expected. There were a lot of inns in the town, and competition for customers caused the inn keepers to drop prices. Seth, Jeffry, and Sylva had many options, ranging from very inexpensive small inns to luxurious expensive inns.

"What should we do about Fang and Onyx?" Seth asked. "It's fine in this town," Jeffry answered. "Jakala has so many people that come here, that pets are very common. We might even see scarier creatures here than Fang and Onyx combined. Plus, since Fang and Onyx are each only somewhat smaller than a horse, if we get a slightly more expensive room, they can sleep with us." "Perfect," Sylva said with joy, "then it is settled, Fang and Onyx will come into town with us!" "I just have to warn you all about one thing," Jeffry interrupted Sylva. "Not many creatures can talk like Fang can now. Sure, some people are used to the old Fang's method of talking, but hearing an animal talk normally like us might cause some suspicion. Fang, you will have to refrain from talking out loud." "I just got this ability..." Fang said in a sad voice. "But if it will keep us out of trouble, I'll try to keep things to myself."

The five went into the city and looked around for a good inn that would allow Onyx and Fang. Some of them even offered free stay for them with their own animal in back, but they turned them down, fearful that something might happen to them overnight. "How about this place?" Seth asked. Seth motioned them all to a building they hadn't approached yet. "Excuse me, sir," Seth asked the inn keeper, "do you allow animals that size in the rooms?" "Yes, we have a few rooms in back dedicated to the people who don't want to let their animals out of sight over night. Would you like them?" "How much are they?" "Well, if you wanted two rooms, one for you and your male friend over there and one for the lady, that would be about...fifteen silver a room." Seth turned to Jeffry and Sylva, who nodded back to him. "We will take them." "Very good, here you go." The inn keeper handed him two keys after Seth paid the money. "Will you be staying long tomorrow?" "I think we will check out in the morning." "Alright, then, have a nice day, and a pleasant night."