Journey of the Horn

Chapter 8

We left the tree about a hour later and walked to the front gates where two guards stood. They stood in front of the gates to where we couldn't get in. "Halt, who goes there!?" Himi puffs out his chest and walks up to them all puffed out. "Himilayan Yowskavich sergeant in training, now let us through." The two guards just laugh at his stance and words "You, a sergeant? You'll be lucky if you make it past that and make it a day as a real sergeant." I could see Himi deflate at their words. Himi isn't short but short for a satyr. He stands at 6'3". I come up to them a bit in a tiff. "Excuse me gentlemen but this fine young man here just so happens to be my best friend, no my brother. And if you ever talk to him like that again I will make sure of it that you pay what you owe." I say still sounding polite with my hands behind my back. "Oh yeah and what gives you the authority?" I give them a sassy yet shocked expression. "Oh I'm sorry. Did I forget to introduce myself? Sorry I am Nubian Dungbrong, your prince." You could almost physically see them turn white as they move out of the way. "Oh sorry sir, it won't happen again sir." They say as they open the gate. "Good, why thank you men. At ease." As we walk through the gates to the summer palace city.

There were people dancing in the streets and nothing was closed. Here it was summer and spring all year round. We don't have autum here. While at the winter palace it is winter all the time. Many were happier than a daisy on the sunniest day in the meadow. We went to a street vendor that sold our sought after beverage. We bought three bottles about the size of a wine bottle. Himi opened the first one and the smell of berries drifted passed our noses like incense. He started to drink the first bottle as we continued to walk. We came across a man sitting in the square playing Bongos. He had long white dreadlocks that went down the length of his back, dark sunglasses so dark you couldn't see his eyes, and wore a colorful and loose fitting hat over his horns as he played. Himi and I started dancing to his playing, I eventually joined in on my Tin Whistle but continued to dance a mixture of Irish step and Ballet. Once we stopped playing the man spoke in a gruff, gravelly voice. "Well, it's nice to hear that someone still appreciates music around here." I can't help but smile. "Yes sir, prince Nubian Dungbrong." I reply offering out my hand for him to shake. He takes it a bit shaky himself "Well if it isn't a prince. I heard the golden dragons have been spotted." He says shaking my hand. "Yes sir they have." I reply trying not to sound terrified. He leans in closer and whispers in my ear. "Good luck." Before giving me a toothless smile. I just give him a nervous smile as I say "thank you." He lets go of my hand as I stand up straight once more and continue walking.

Although it seemed like it, the summer palace was not the party city of Kiltmemborn. No that title belonged to a town almost bordering the eastern coast line called Shelimoria. The name means shore side dancer. The people that live or even visit there party almost the whole time they are there. The streets constantly lined with lights, dancing people, music playing, and some people in such a stupor they topple over into the street. But they all laugh as other people help them to their feet, take the drink from their hand and send them home or to a hotel. But here many of the stores and vendors close for the night at about 12 o'clock midnight. Once they did Himi and I decided to start and head back that way we could take our time and play around along the way.

I was ahead of Himi when I felt a sharp cold hit my back. I turned around with a look of fake rage. "Oh it is on now!" I yell at him as I bend to create a snow ball. I threw it at him hitting him in the face so hard it made him fall to the ground. He just laughed and got back up and threw one right back at me. We were there for at least a hour and a half throwing snowballs at each other till one of us gave up. Eventually though...we saw the sun starting to rise.