Firewind

Chapter 29-Althaea

Surprisingly, everyone except Stor decided to come. We left early the next morning, checking and double-checking that we had more than enough food to make the trek across the desert. As per Stor's request, I promised him that I would make sure Kathra made it home safely.

The journey was quite uneventful and we made it to the village of Aniath in excellent time. The suns were beginning to make their descent as we arrived at the edge of the village and to the Inn.

"You live there?" Zander asked in awe.

"Yes," Kathra said, trying not to look at the Inn. "Can we just stay somewhere else?"

"Is there another place in Aniath," Enialis asked raising his eyebrows.

"No."

"But your uncle wanted us to take you home," I said.

"I know. I just," Kathra sighed.

She looked out towards the desert. She seemed to be struggling internally with what she wanted and what everyone else wanted.

"What do you want?" I asked gently.

"I want to see the world," she said.

"Then, by all means, feel free to come along," I smiled at her.

"Where are we going to stay then?" Zander asked.

"We could always stay in the woods to avoid seeing Kathra's parents," Enialis offered. "If that's what you want."

"It's your call Kathra."

"We also need more food," I added.

"If you guys could just wait outside here," Kathra finally said. "I'll go get enough food to get us to the next village from the Inn's kitchen."

"What if you get caught?" Zander asked, frowning.

"I should be fine. I know the routines of everyone."

With that, she disappeared through the doorway of the Inn.

I was surprised that Enialis had decided to come along to Aniath. He had said he was going east as well. I thought since we had met other people also willing to go with me, that he would go his own way. He hadn't even mentioned it the other day that we had discussed who was going where. He just showed up at the east side of the oasis at dawn with his staff and his pack strung across his back. I frowned at him and he shrugged. He ran his fingers through his curly dark hair. It was a nervous habit he had.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear: "You didn't honestly think that you were leaving without me did you?"

"You just didn't mention it," I said, frowning again. "It's not like you are very vocal about what your plans are."

"Why are you frowning?" he asked but didn't give me time to answer. "Do you not want me to come? Besides, you're too beautiful to be frowning."

He winked at me and I felt myself blush. I turned my attention to the desert. Now it was my turn to run my fingers through my hair.

"No, it's fine."

Pleased with my answer, Enialis joined Zander and Stor who were chatting of to the side. Kathra came out of the oasis rubbing her eyes. She looked like she had hardly slept a wink.

"Enialis is coming?" she asked. She yawned into the back of her hand and dropped her pack at her feet.

"Apparently," I answered. I guess I wasn't the only one surprised at this news.

Now Kathra came out of the Inn and joined us, her shoulders drooping but her arms full of food. She smiled weakly and looked more upset than she had upon leaving. She had loaves of bread, skins of water, dried meat and fruit and even a small pot of soup that looked fresh off the stove.

"Where did you get the soup?" Zander asked. He looked at the pot suspiciously but also like he desperately wanted to eat it all down to the last drop.

"My Para, he saw me," she answered, looking down.

"He let you go?" I asked.

"He said if he can't stop me he might as well help me. He promised not to tell Madara if I left. I told him about my Okur trying to save Mei. He wishes he could meet all of you but for now, he trusts that I'm in good hands."

"But what about your Uncle?" Zander asked.

"I promised I would make sure Kathra would get home safely," I answered, "but I never said I'd leave her there. Besides, she can make her own choices."

"Yes, I can," Kathra said. "I appreciate the concern but my uncle doesn't have the final say on what I do and don't do."

"Let's just stop arguing and find a place to stay," Enialis cut in. "How's that sound?"

We eventually decided on camping out in the forest, despite Scymitar's whines that he deserved to sleep on a comfortable bed. He also complained about how the cold made his wings droopy and that he wouldn't be able to fly properly for at least a week. We all just laughed at him because he hadn't flown since we left the oasis. We had taken turns carrying him on our shoulders. Except for Enialis of course, since Scymitar didn't trust him for a second.

Even though the small branches and twigs Zander and I collected were damp, Enialis got the fire started with ease. Soon we had a blazing, toasty fire to curl up beside. Kathra fell asleep almost immediately under her blanket with Scymitar dozing peacefully at her side.

We had all had good helpings of the fresh bread and soup courtesy of her father. It was the best meal we'd all had in a while. We chatted a little bit in hushed tones, Zander and I recounting stories from our childhoods and Enialis listening quietly. It was nice to have normal temperatures to sleep in, even if the village of Aniath had partial desert weather.

Enialis kept the fire going well into the night after we had fallen asleep and he had taken the watch. Zander and I had insisted it wasn't necessary and that we all needed the sleep but being the stubbron person he was, Enialis stayed up anyways.

I woke up the next morning energized and full of hope. We left Aniath and were finally on our way to the next village, one step closer to the village of Yan and the Vard.