The Journey, Warrior

Chapter 4, Colkeeth

Nekonata, Kristolia and Santaya packed up and continued their journey to Colkeeth. Nekonata was at a loss as to why Loki flew off the way he did and decided he would confront Loki when he showed his face again. They were now only 2 or 3 days away from the port town. Nekonata had decided he would maintain his story of being a Priest. Under his travelling cloak, he still wore his armour, his trusty sword still sheathed at his waist.

Children were playing in a nearby field, Nekonata stopped and watched them for a moment, Santaya and Kristolia sat down at his feet, their tails wagging wanting to run off and join the children. As Nekonata watched he noticed a young girl walking on top of a narrow jagged wall, her balance wavering every now and then. One of the boys inside the field kicked a pig's bladder at her. It hit the girl in the face, knocking her off balance and causing her to fall. Before Nekonata had even realised he was moving he had caught the young girl an inch or so from the ground, a jagged stone just millimetres away from her eyes. Nekonata still shocked from how fast he had moved lifted the young girl up and sat her on the wall.

"Are you ok?" He asked her softly, the young girl stunned just nodded her head. Nekonata moved to walk away, as all the boys who were playing in the field ran up to him and surrounded him.

"Wow, that was amazing!" One of the boys said.

"You moved so fast you were just a blur," said another

The boy who originally kicked the pig's bladder at the girl decided he would kick the ball at Kristolia, Nekonata spun on his heel unsheathed his blade in one fluid moment slashing the bladder in half before it made contact with the wolf's face. Nekonata leapt over the wall sheathing his blade and stormed towards the boy.

"Who do you think you are Boy?" The boy slowly started to walk backwards. "No point in running from me boy! I will catch you before you say your own name!"

The boy turned and ran "Mal.." Nekonata ran forward and grabbed the boy by his shirt collar "Colm" The boy finished, then noticing his legs were longer on the floor.

"Don't you EVER aim anything at my girls!" Nekonata growled pointing at the wolves. "You are lucky I don't let them eat you!" He said staring menacingly into the boy's eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I won't do it again I promise!" The boy started to cry as he wet himself.

Nekonata put him down on the floor. "Now go say sorry to the girl you hit, it best be heartfelt or the wolves will get you!"

Santaya and Kristolia stood and growled flashing their teeth at Malcolm.

Nekonata turned to walk away, "Come on girls." He called over his shoulder.

Nekonata glanced back to see Malcolm had hugged the girl and apologized. He was confused at his new found speed. He tightened his cloak around him and continued to walk on, the girls by his feet.

"We are coming into town now girls," Nekonata said looking down at his companions. "We don't want any trouble while we are here. Please stay by my side."

They slowly turned the corner of the cobbled road and there before them was a huge iron portcullis fully drawn into the archway and watchtowers, there were four guards wearing dull grey armour, they had long spears in their hands and short swords at their waists. Nekonata slowly walked up to them, all four guards drew their spears and crossed them over.

"Who are you and what's your business?" One of them said looking at the wolves.

"I'm a Priest, travelling this way and that," He said calmly

"Those animals... they are wolves?"

"They are, and tame at that, I've had and trained them since they were cubs."

"They will cause no trouble?" The guard asked looking nervous

"As long as no one tries to harm me, there will be no trouble, that I can guarantee you," Nekonata said calmly

The guards withdrew their spears and let him pass "No trouble!" The guard said to him with an attempted stern look. Santaya growled at him flashing her teeth, and the guard jumped. Nekonata nodded and smiled.

Loki flew as fast as he could. High up in the sky just below the clouds, he could see a Swallow flying towards him. Loki dropped his flight path so he was level to meet the small bird.

"Meera I see you" He called out. Meera the swallow slowed down and Loki swiftly met her.

"He has reached Colkeeth unharmed..." She said out of breath

"Thank you Meera, you go home and rest, take care" Loki replied and flew off.

The weather started to change, there was static in the clouds, the sky started to go dark and rumbles could be heard in the distance. Loki saw Colkeeth and dove straight for the port town, as he got closer he saw Santaya and Kristolia drinking from a small fountain. Nekonata was buying a horse. Kristolia looked up and saw Loki approaching, bouncing on her front paws, tail wagging. Santaya followed her sister's gaze and soon her tail was wagging also. Loki spread his wings out to slow his descent and landed softly on Santaya's back. Kristolia bounced up and licked the raven's face.

Nekonata turned around and saw Loki, he gave the raven a stern look, "Kristolia sit, be calm" He said quietly to the excited wolf. "You're scaring the horse!"

Nekonata placed the saddle on the stallion and fastened it. He slowly and carefully attached his supplies to the saddle and climbed up. He kicked the horse into a slow trot, his wolf companions walked either side of him, and Loki flew up to land on Nekonata' shoulder.

"Edena Village you must go" Loki whispered into his ear in a serious voice...

Nekonata looked at the raven from the corner of his eye and nodded. He patted his horse on the neck, "I name you Kimbo." He said quietly.

They slowly moved their way through Colkeeth and headed out through the north entrance. Once they were out of the way of the farmlands Nekonata grabbed the raven from his shoulder, and held him firmly so he couldn't fly away and far enough away from his face.

"Why the hell did you fly off like that?" Nekonata asked.

The raven looked at him calmly and replied, "Sent message, message important."

"Who to? What message?" Nekonata asked confused,

"Go Edena Village, find out," Loki replied nipping at Nekonata's finger. Nekonata yelped and let
go, and Loki casually flew back to his perch on the shoulder of Nekonata.