At The Heart of Tale Kingdoms (COMPLETED)

6.2 ING IX

The next afternoon he found Nerti waiting for him outside the crater's entrance, petting her jaguars, it was the day he had proposed for the pink city tour. She wore a black thin furred robe over a matching leather shirt band and trousers ensemble that left her collarbones exposed.

Ing found himself admiring her graceful neck. Just as he had first seen her at the dome crater, all cloudy thoughts disappeared. Even notions of the colorless woman and the pending journey faded as he watched her silently until she felt his stare.

"Jemedari, the boy, Ye Li, told them I should be here at noon. Am I too early?" she asked with a smile.

"No, not all. It's perfect. Will your pets be coming along?" He pointed at the six large cats around her.

"They are not pets. They are my companions. Would you mind if they did?"

"No, not all. You have a lot of companions." She smiled again and a twinkle appeared in her eyes.

"I hate to be alone."

"You wouldn't be." Ing responded rather quickly, "I will be your guide" he added.

She let out a chuckle that was as brightening as a baby's laugh.

"Okay then, off they go." She caught the eyes of the animals and as if something was passed, they went the opposite way.

"I truly didn't mind."

"Well now their gone. They will tour by themselves... And don't worry their harmless." She moved closer and examined his face.

"Jemedari, are you well? Does something worry you?"

"Why ask?" he asked her, surprised at the girl's manner. He had heard rumors that the Darkese were studied sorcerers but didn't know they could read minds.

"Your face, it's different from that I saw last." He smiled in return.

"It's nothing severe or important," he dismissed, "should we start at the flower gardens." She nodded gleeful.

"Before we start, Jemedari, can I ask you to not introduce me to those we meet on the way. Nothing to offend the people of Aset but I already look foreign thus it would mean lengthy conversation about the dark lands every after five steps and I would truly prefer to enjoy the sites of your blossoming city." Ing bowed his head.

"Of course. Besides not many stop to talk to me." she laughed at that.

He led her through the copper bridge over the newly named Qxol river that passed through the city. The bridge joined the way from the palaces to the wild gardens.

"I heard you made the Yellow city richer than the Pink of the emperor when you passed through. You gave them too much gold, Nerti." The darkese turned to him, shocked with a gentle remorse.

"We wouldn't dare. It's just that they were so kind and we already had plenty. I would never intend to ruin your economy, I thought they would use it as curving marble. In the dark lands, we don't use it as money because it is plenty, instead we trade with shells. And I foolishly thought it was the same here." Ing felt like he had attacked her.

"It's nothing to worry about. There is no need to apologize. We have already collected it." Her smile rushed back and Ing relaxed.

They walked from the gardens to the glowing stones and the theatre houses for sites were plenty in the pink city. However strange, he failed to pay attention to the things he showed.