Superstitions

Chapter 12: Uncle Belzie

"Are you sure we went the right way?" Danny asked, raising his eyebrow.

"I don't know, we should be there by now," Sam answered thoughtfully. She looked around again but still saw nothing. Only trees, more trees and dusty road. Sam sighed, they were on the road for so long without a single break. It was getting dark, damn it.

"Aren't you hungry?" She asked.

Danny looked back at her with a smirk.

"Nah, that's fine. I am used to long travels. Sometimes I spent several days on a ride to some distant place. Other unlucky ones had to go on their feet, though. Pitiful view."

"But don't you have anything to travel faster in the future?"

"Humans have, but we don't. We are a little old fashioned, I must admit, everything made by your kind is thought to be a pathetic attempt to defend themselves. I find humans quite creative, you indeed compensate your lack of power with your resourcefulness. That's why I studied all that stuff."

"So...you don't have anything against humans."

Danny hummed. "Well, how to put it...I never was assigned on missions against your kin. Father told me that it was because he wanted me to be a surprise shall the need arise, but I think he just kept all the fun to himself," he noticed Sam's wide eyes. "I'm not saying that I find slaughtering of humans funny," Danny added seriously, "I'm saying that he found it entertaining. My point is that the only humans I met before coming here were Jazz and her family. So, I guess I can say that my experience with them is pleasant enough. Why do you ask, though?"

"Just curious," Sam's stomach rumbled. "And to distract myself," she deadpanned.

Danny chuckled at the remark. He came to like her sarcastical sense of humor. To say honestly, Danny was hungry as well, but he was very good at hiding his discomfort. The only thing he dreamed about at the moment was a tavern with warm food and sweet wine. Wine...he really missed its taste. All he drank here was some vital product humans call beer. Maybe those weren't the best examples of that drink, but Danny didn't like it nevertheless.

"Look!" Sam suddenly said.

Danny looked where she was pointing and his eyes widened as well. He saw a line of smoke coming from behind the trees.

"How is this possible?" He mumbled. "There aren't any cities close, right?"

"No, there aren't," Sam responded. "Probably a campfire."

Danny grinned. "Let's say hello, then."

"But what if this is Inquisition?" She asked worriedly, but Phantom only snorted.

"What are they going to do? Give me a shower of holy water? They may be following us, but I have a new appearance and you should just hide your face."

Sam nodded and pulled the hood over her head.

Danny turned the colt towards the line between the trees instead of searching for the road towards the source of the smoke. After ducking after a few branches and receiving a small scratch, Phantom growled from exasperation. He started to hate the nature already. Why not, the hate was obviously mutual. Then he stopped abruptly, before a small wisp of air escaped his mouth and his eyes widened. He knew who he sensed just now. Sam noticed his discomfort.

"Danny, you alright?" She asked, shaking his shoulder slightly.

"How is that possible?" Danny murmured, before looking up at her, "Yes, I'm fine, Sam. Just...we are about to have real company."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, look, you don't want to provoke that guy. Try to be polite and let me talk, alright?"