Blaekerian: An Epic Fantasy Novel (In Progress)

Another Beginning

"What do you want?" Cheruffi demanded, breaking the brief silence that had fallen over the little antique shop. His voice was gruff and he meant it to be. He didn't want to admit that this woman had something on them. Though she clearly did.

Jauntice Beladosa hummed and glanced around the shop. Her lips pouting like she was deeply contemplating endless options. She turned back to Cheruffi and looked into his eyes.

"I want to go with you." Cheruffi felt his pulse skip a beat.

"Of all the cockamamie ideas, why?" he said. "Balghr's breath! This is not going to be a sightseeing vacation, this is a serious matter. Bigger things are stake than your desire to travel!" He felt his face getting hot and his fists clenching unbidden.

"Of course I understand that." She said. "And I'm prepared to help you in any way I can on the journey." The blond woman was smiling up at him like it was already a decided matter. Cheruffi's fists clenched tighter and knew if he held on much longer he would probably break skin with his claw like nails.

"We're leaving?" Reyloriel said, her voice small and fragile.

Cheruffi turned and knelt to the girl he had already travelled far with. He knew they had a much farther journey ahead and that it probably wasn't going to be an easy one.

"Yes," He said softly.

"But why?" Her voice was catching, near tears. "We've already come so far. Can't we just stay here and hide away? I promise I won't go outside anymore." Her eyes were hopeful and longing. Longing to stay where she felt safe. The ifrit's own voice felt choked.

"We must go because you're important. More important than most people. More important than almost anyone. If we stay, terrible things would happen. We have to get to someone who can help you understand how to control your abilities."

Her eyes finally did fill with tears. She angrily wiped them away as soon as they came though, as if she was angry she could have allowed herself to show any such weakness.

"But I don't want this thing. I just want to stay here in this weird shop and not go anywhere and do anything else dangerous."

"Again, with the insults." Zivar chided softly. He'd come round to Jauntice and cut her bonds, and was leading her to the back room, probably to give the ifrit and the girl some space. Even to the gnarmoc it was clear that the the woman would accompany them. Cheruffi had only just noticed, he was preoccupied. The back door shut with a small click.

Reyloriel came to him and hugged tightly, like he was her last hold on the world. He hugged her back.

She shouldn't have to do this. I shouldn't have to do this. Why am I doing this? Why do I care what happens to this kid? Her arms were so tight on his sides, her small head on his chest, her eyes clenched shut. She whispered.

"Love you, Cherry." Cheruffi felt his arms go weaker and a small smile came to his face. Maybe that's why.

"You too, kid." He hugged her back. "And I'm not going to let anything happen to you out there. And when this is all over we can come back here or anywhere you want and we won't have to leave ever again."

"Promise?" She spoke muffled into his chest.

"Yep." They held there for another minute or so before she slowly pulled away.

"Oh, fine then." She said, wiping away a stray tear. "Can't let you become a big crybaby, can I?" Cheruffi laughed.

"That's right. Can't let that happen." She smiled sweetly at him.

On the floor, papers were still strewn about. There were a couple pages that were filled with symbols that were presumably in another language but the vast majority of which were the maps that Reyloriel had seen quickly when she had gone through the bag earlier. She knelt down, grabbed a handful and inspected them.

"So where are we going?" She asked.

"Let's go get the others and I'll tell you all at once. I don't feel like repeating myself."