Two Taken

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

- the journey

Something's not right

"You're telling me that you were attacked by The Watchers, managed to escape, and turned into a horse?"

Lemon nodded, his hands cupped around steaming herbal tea and his body warmed by the fire. After getting away from The Watchers, they had found the trelian's campsite easily and had immediately been recognized by one of the spies in the group. He had suddenly changed back into himself as soon as he realized they would be safe, and Lemon was informed that this was, in fact, trelian shapeshifting. He didn't know what else it could be, and begrudgingly accepted that he was not a waterlene after a shocking smack on the head from a trifle annoyed Fox. He would never think of himself as a bratty trelian, though, and swore to himself never to shapeshift again.

The sun had set soon after they arrived at the campsite, and had been given two extra sets of warmer clothing. They were now all huddled around the flames on thick logs, as night had fallen and their breaths came out frosty. The fire's embers glowed and drifted like fireflies as the interrogation continued. The leader of the group, Pansy, was keen on learning all of the details.

Tems sibling, Crocus, eyed Lemon in amazement. Tem and Pansy sat side by side on the log beside the one Lemon and Fox were on, their purple dreadlocks swaying like dead snakes. "Your shapeshifting came out at just the right moment. Usually when you first get your abilities, they are unpredictable and need a lot of training. You must have a lot of natural power... after getting that sucker tamed, it could overthrow St-ar himself!"

The other trelians chuckled at the comment. From being in their twenties to their forties, they already lost their genders, and the group of ten looked quite strange to Lemon and Fox. They wore simple and overused clothing for camouflage, but with vivid hair, fingernails, eyes, teeth, and in some cases, skin. They were of all different shapes and sizes, a few sporting horns or antlers or whiskers or feathers or scales, others tails of different animals peeking out from under their fur coats. The scars and grime made their strange beauty a bit grotesque, and Lemon was unsure what to make of them.

Lemon raised his chipped blue mug to his lips to drink the last bit of tea, then met their eyes solemnly. There was one detail left.

"I'm so sorry, but... Grati didn't make it." He wondered why they hadn't asked him before. Fox sniffled beside him.

Lemon was shocked, but said nothing. They seemed nice... but acted sort of strange. Oh well, he thought. This is what my wretched life has come to, I guess. Might as well make the most of these weird-looking 'elementals.'

A tall trelian with spiky green hair and lips to match leaned towards them.

"How are the driys doing? Have they made themselves less stupid-looking now?"

Lemon bristled. How dare tee use that insult! He opened his mouth to snap at the green trelian, but a round one with pointy antlers glared at greenie.

"Moose, no need to be rude." Tee turned towards them. "Now that we have asked you all of our questions, you can ask some of yours."

Moose mumbled something under tems breath.

"Where are we going?" Lemon asked.

Pansy and Crocus exchanged glances. "We're headed towards the king's lair, because we believe to have found an opening through the border into the next mai, underneath the castle," Crocus explained. "We should be there in a week's time. We'll be off bright and early tomorrow morning."

A few trelians groaned in mock protest. Lemon yawned.

"Y'all seem tired. Better get to bed. We can answer your questions tomorrow. We've prepared a separate tent for you." Pansy pointed to a small grey tent under the looming shadow of a willow tree. With that, tee got up and the fireside discussion was over.