The Leo's Ruby

Chapter 2

         We appeared in the middle of a forest. The clouds were also gathering in a way that suggested rain was coming. There was also no sign of humans since there weren't even telephone lines to be seen.

        "Where are we?" Leo asked. It wasn't like the forest that was only a few miles from the school.

          "Do I look like a gps to you?" I said.

          "No." He said. "But I think you have better direction sense than me."
   
           "You finally admitted how superior I am to you."

          "Of course you aren't. I'm ten times better looking."

          "Looks aren't everything since you have to follow me." I said despite not knowing what fresh new heck I had been placed in.

       I walked ahead and went further into the trees as it started to rain.

          We came into a clearing. A man with walnut colored skin stood before us. He wasn't wet despite not having an umbrella and it seemed the rain bounced away from him. He pulled out a silver pocket watch from the breast pocket of his black suit and glanced at it.

          "Good. You both made it in time." He said.

          "In time for what?" Leo spoke up.

           "To save the princess." He said as if it was as normal as going to school.

           "You mean those royals from the UK?" I asked. He looked at me like I grew a tail. It wouldn't be the first time I said something strange.

        "No, the royal princess of Calatran, Olivia Dryfus and her father Isaiah Dryfus. You know the ones with their castle in River country?" He said.

           "Yeah never heard of her, him or that country." Leo said as he scratched his head. His brown hair glistening in the afternoon sun. I almost drooled. He was torture.

           "Really? They did say you all were from another world...no matter, your quest is to save her from assassins. We already know they will attack two months from today. You have one month to travel from the east to the west of this nation."

           "Um what?" I asked incredulously. "I can hardly save myself."

          "But you all are the ones sent to save her! Please don't doubt yourselves. She possesses the key to get you back to your world." He urged handing us a huge box. It contained two huge bookbags and two weapons. They were gauntlets and a lance. It was perfect for my size with a green handle.

        "Well, how do we use these?" Leo asked.. The man smiled paitiently.

        "Don't worry, I'll be your trainer. We will practice for two weeks before you set out. There's a nice open area in the mountains that I train in all the time. It's only a few hours from here." He said.

           "That sounds like a lot of walking." I complained softly to Leo.

          "Loosen up. This is your chance to lose some weight." He said.

          "I'm well aware of of being size 16." I glared.

          The man broke our stare/glaring contest.

           "We should go now. My name is Richard Thomas. I'm an air and fire mage tasked with training the new chosen ones." He said as he led us into the forest, opposite of where we came in from.
   
              He walked pretty fast for a middle aged man. I was struggling to keep up while Leo was right beside him, speaking amicably. They introduced each other and me.

            "Mr. Thomas, where are you from?" He asked.

           "I'm from Terenville. It's a small city in the middle of the kingdom. Where do you all come from? You named a place called the UK."

           "No, we're from America or more specifically Oklahoma." Leo replied.

         "The names you give your cities are quite strange. We usually name our cities off of elements and natural processes due to these elements. Like Terenville is named after teren which means earth." Mr. Thomas said thoughtfully. He seemed trustworthy. He hadn't attempted to kill us yet.

          We came to the foot of the mountain. It had gray rocks jutting each way. And at the very top there was alot of fog due to the rain, so I had no idea just how big it was.

      There was a single path going upward. It winded up steeply.

           "Rubes, just imagine yourself in your new smaller clothes. You may become hotter than even me." Leo whispered as we came to a stop. I shot a quick glare before noticing the smile Mr.Thomas gave us.

          "It's always nice to see young love." He said. My cheeks flushed crimson. This man must be senile if he thought this was "young love." Leo just insulted me. There's no way it was out of love.

         "We almost were." Leo admitted quietly. I was shocked he still remembered that. I was sure he had a new girlfriend and couldn't be bothered with his hefty ex.

      He stopped talking to me and became cold. His guilt must be coming back. I almost felt bad.

        We walked the steep path in silence. It took a whole hour. I probably lost ten pounds worth of sweat. Even Leo was showing signs of wear.

          "What a nice, refreshing walk." Mr. Thomas commented. I deadpanned.

            "What sort of middle aged man are you?" Leo said.

             "I'm a fit fifty." He joked. I was surprised. He must have found the fountain of youth.

             "I wish to grow up like you, sir." Leo said as he bowed to Mr. Thomas who laughed in return.

            "I don't think you want to." He said. He changed the subject rather quickly. "I think it's time to take a breather. Here's some food. We'll begin in seven hours. I suggest you get some rest."

           He snapped his fingers and food appeared. Trail mix and a cold cut sandwich. Healthy people trash came from nowhere. If I didn't know any better I'd say I was in heck.

         I ate the food since it was better than nothing.

            He snapped again and sleeping bags appeared.

           "How did you do that?" I asked.

          "Is there no magic like apparations in your America?" He said.

           "Magic isn't really accessible in our world." Leo said. "But wow magic, I've landed in a fairytale." His eyes twinkling. He's so childish.

          "Your world sounds more like the fairy tale." Mr. Thomas mused.