OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

5. THE GEMSTONE

CHAPTER 5

The sun still felt warm as it began its slow descent beyond this mighty city, its vast buildings filled the skyline, and not least a large tower, climbing towards the Gods.

I followed him, towards a remote part of the city, not far from where the fog appeared.

The streets became narrower, as were the houses, each attached together in long rows of two on either side. They seemed abandoned.

As my eyes adjusted to the dark corridors, Jake, the man's name I heard back in the woods, walked ahead in silence. We finally turned a narrow sharp corner, halting in front of the tiniest of doors.

He turned the door knob and crouched as he entered. I pauzed as I watched him almost dissappear within, turning half way with a wry smile on his face. "Don't worry, Its bigger in the inside." He said

I hesitated before entering, as my nostrils picked up multiple smells, from within, old furniture and the scent of more humans inside.

I crouched low, my hands touched the ground as to allow my horns to fit through first, then slouched towards the floor, and almost had to crawl to get in.

I clenched my fist with apprehension, maybe I was walking into another trap, and
Perhaps I'd deserve it for being so gullible of late.

With my knee and one hand firmly touching the cold floor, I was now wholly inside. Even before I raised my head , the dazzling brilliant blue light, was bouncing and dancing off all the surfaces.

I finally pinpointed the sourse, squinting at the brilliance emanating from the table, where two people sat. As I inspected the room further, to my surprise...Jake was correct, it was bigger on the inside.

The high ceiling of timber beams under bamboo, had a musty smell of stale mold. With only one small window by the door, and the lacking of essentials, meant its habitants were only temporary.

The two figures got up from their table as Jake lit a candle.

The first to introduce her self stood up, her large blue stone necklace hugging close to her chest.

"My name is Parissa ." She said, a genuine smile warming her face, before turning her head towards the other female.

" I believe you know my niece, Nara, and of course you have already met Jake here."She said, gesturing towards the man with the scar.

"Nice to meet you." Nara replied, nervously. She had striking yet softer facial features, as the blue light graced her bright eyes, a radiant contrast to her older, and darker aunt.

"I'm Norak from Tavronia, a village farthest to the north." I said, as the words unsettled me.

"Whose home is this?" I said, curiously.

She sighed." It once belonged to a great man, missing several years ago."

"And where is your other companion? I believe you called it Pet!" I continued , referring to the creature from the woods.

"Oh, my Pet! That foolish thing, he only came to the city seeking to punish some wicked people... That's all!" She said, almost spitting out the last words .

Parissa sighed. "Well I don't see how I blame him really. And why would anyone want to harm my beautiful niece, anyway?" She said, frowning.

"Thank goodness to our kind Jake who rescued her and kept her safe!" She continued, giving Nara a wry smile.
Nara turned away masking a smile.

"And here we are, searching the whole city for him, only to stumble upon you, right in the midst of battle!"

I turned to face Jake. "Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?" My words snapped, as the memory still fresh from the woods.