The Lost Voices (OLD VERSION - New Version to Come)

CHAPTER 10... THREADS (PART 2)

Journal Entry 60: Words

8-22-1620 A.R.

Location: The Mergin Express, Terrarin   

Eventually, noon passed them by and Zoey was hilariously attempting to lay in Malien's lap. He kept scratching her ears and teasing her as he kissed her nose. Occasionally, Xiajem caught Malien sneaking Zoey tiny pieces of cheese, which she went nuts over and they both laughed. 

The four of them were also eating small snacks Malien had bought from a passing attendant and joking about how fast Ytrieda could read.

Malien shook his head. "Honestly, if I went at that rate, I could put a library in my head."

"Who says I haven't?" Ytrieda broke open another peanut.

"Your head's too full of 'how to slouch properly' and 'how to glare at puppies,' and...stuff..." Malien trailed off, clearly trying to think of something else.

Ytrieda smirked. "What sort of stuff, hmm? I'm dying to know."

"Just stuff, y'know, useless information." Malien chuckled at his own stupid response.

"Have you even read a book Malien?" Xiajem tried to hold her laugh in, but couldn't when Jack shook his head at the question.

Malien laughed and punched Jack's arm. "You ass."

Some more laughs escaped them, and Xiajem couldn't help asking. "Okay, this is a bit random, but can you name one thing you've done that's funny, yet also unexpected?"

"Hmm..." Ytrieda thought about the question, but quickly smirked and shook her head.

Xiajem nudged her mentor. "You have something, come on." Malien and Jack leaned in, and for a second, Ytrieda actually gave in to a bit of peer pressure.

She looked into her lap and let out a tiny laugh. "When I was younger, before my mother passed and before I received tutoring in magic...I did ballet."

"No." Malien smiled as he squinted at her. "Really?" Ytrieda nodded with the tiniest air of pride. "Never would've pegged ya for a dancer." Jack shook his head before pointing between himself and Ytrieda. Malien shrugged, but explained. "Eh, he's not a terrible partner." The gear-head raised an eyebrow at Malien. "Okay, suave, prove it."

Then, as Jack started to stand, the train lurched forward at an unusually faster speed and the gear-head nearly fell. Each of them appeared confused and many other passengers around them noticed the fluctuation as well.

"Should we be going this fast?" Xiajem wondered if she just wasn't used to trains yet. 

Yet, at the same time, she could feel the shift in the air. Everyone probably could.

"No." Ytrieda's eyes swiftly turned to a cobalt blue with stitches of black. She then leaned out of her seat and scanned the end of their car that faced the train's front. "There's a lot of people coming from the front." Then, with a serious look at Xiajem, Ytrieda told her, "Quick, go to the other end, and be ready." As if recalling a memory, Xiajem's mentor stared into her. "Show them a warrior, Impatran. I know you hate remembering the Monks, but I can't watch both sides alone." Xiajem nodded at her grave tone and Ytrieda pointed at Malien next. "Stay here. I know you can fight, but we can't risk Jack reopening that wound. Protect him." Malien hesitated, but agreed. "Also, sorry I didn't mention it, but we're an engine car." She pointed at a locked hatch next to them, which Xiajem hadn't noticed until now. "If someone's taking control of the train, they'll need it. So, if they get past us, you both need to protect this spot." Then, as she looked at Jack, she only nodded and he nodded back. To the rest of them, she ordered, "Go now."