The Journey, Warrior

Chapter 9, Tarasque

Nekonata looked up again and noticed they were coming up to a stone-walled entrance, there were walls all around Edena Village, this Village was ready and fully equipped for a war or a siege. The walls were immense and made of carved white bricks.

"The white bricks come from Termini Cliffs," Tyler commented. "They are carved from giant boulders. It was said long ago that they were a cure for a Dragon if they were not well. The dragons would apparently heat the boulders with there their fire and then crush them into smaller portions so as to eat them if you ask me it just tastes of tangy chalk."

Nekonata laughed out loud, "You've tried to eat one of these bricks?"

Tyler smiled, "No, Master Vivi dared me to lick one once." Tyler also started laughing.

They both entered the Village and came into a small square, there was a towering statue of a huge man in fine armour in the middle.

"My Father, Dade" Tyler said, "He was the Chief of this Village, he passed away from a fall at the Termini Cliffs three years ago."

"I'm sorry." Replied Nekonata. He could hear hooves clacking against the cobbled street, they were gaining quickly. A man, riding the blackest horse Nekonata had ever seen was, was fast approaching. He wore blue robes and held an azure staff in his hand. The Rider stopped, his mount reared and thrust its legs into the air, the man patted the horse and stroked his mane, the horse quickly calmed down.

"Well met young man. I see you like my horse!" The man said with a laugh to Nekonata whose eyes had been transfixed to the house. "His name is Malhela"

Nekonata looked up at the man, "Who are you?"

The man paused. "My name is Vivi, I looked after you when you were a child."

.Nekonata looked to the floor. "You did?"

"You will remember, Child. In time you will remember."

"Why can't I remember you, or anyone else I've met from the past?" Nekonata asked.

Vivi looked at him and smiled. "We don't know, that is my honest answer, you were with me learning the law and physics of sorcery, and you passed out... When you woke up you didn't remember anything at all... Then the next night you disappeared. It has been 15 years since anyone has seen you."

Nekonata looked around, his mind was still blank. He was trying to remember. He looked at Vivi, confused. Nekonata raised his hand, palm facing upwards, "Fajro" He muttered and a ball of fire appeared in his hand.

"I don't know how I can do it, I just do it... Is this good or is it bad? I don't know."

Nekonata closed his hand into a fist and the ball of fire disappeared. Vivi put his hand on Nekonata's shoulder. "It's a good thing that just means it will come back to you when you're ready, don't try to rush it," Vivi said with a smile... "Now come introduce me to your friends."

Nekonata smiled, "This is Santaya and Kristolia, their parents were sadly killed protecting them from a bear when they were cubs, and this is Kimbo."

"These are some fine wolves you have, very strong, very loyal, with eagerness to prove themselves." Vivi knelt on the floor and stroked the wolves. "Your horse, you got him from Colkeeth?" Nekonata nodded. "I am surprised this horse was in Colkeeth at all. This breed of horse is reared by mine cousin's family. It is a strong-willed mount, a direct descendant I sense. I must send a message to mine cousin to find out more, very interesting, yes very interesting indeed."

"You know all that from just looking at the horse?" Nekonata asked.

Vivi smiled again, "Look at Malhela and then look at Kimbo. They are both alike. They have the same muscle structure, they are the same height. These are just two of the factors that I know they come from the same stock." Vivi paused, he looked to his left and saw a Swallow sitting in the tree waiting for him. Vivi smiled again and raised his arm. The Swallow flew over and landed on his hand. "This is Meera the Swallow Nekonata. She is a shapeshifter, and a messenger for me."

"Hello and well met Meera the swallow," Nekonata said gently bowing his head.

A loud tweety kind of laugh came from Meera and Nekonata looked at Vivi confused. Meera looked at Vivi and spoke in a language that he didn't recognise.

"Meera is laughing Nekonata. She says it is funny that someone who outranks her has bowed his head to hear." Vivi said translating.

"I outrank her? What the-? How do I? What do you mean I outrank you?" Nekonata asked totally perplexed.

"That is a story for another time, my friend." Vivi listened to Meera as she started to speak again.

"The king now has an alliance with the Humarf's and is trying to reach an agreement with the Dwarves, it is I suppose a good job that the dwarves are stubborn. Although I'm worried that the south will fall at the king's feet."

Nekonata listened, "The South, are you talking about Camp Calorn and Ibalize?" Vivi nodded. "But aren't they sacred people? Ibalize is a church isn't it?"

"Sadly it is no more, the king destroyed it five years ago because he heard rumours that rebels were hiding there."

Nekonata noticed a woman with orange hair walking towards Vivi, turned following Nekonata' gaze.

"This is Tarasque's mother Cristina."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Nekonata said taking her hand and kissing it.

"It's an honour to meet you, Sir, I must apologise for my rudeness." Cristina turned to Vivi, "Its Tarasque, something is happening, she has started speaking in her sleep."

"Let's go, at once." Vivi started walking. "Michael, take the horses to my stables."

A young lad quickly walked forward taking hold of the reins. Nekonata patted Kimbo on the neck and quickly turned to follow Vivi, as always the girls were following at his side. Vivi looked very concerned as he rushed through Edena to get to Tarasque.

"What happened to Tarasque? Who is she?"

"Tarasque came to us two months after you left, her mother brought her here on a horse-drawn cart. She was full fever and had frequent shaking fits. I did the best I could, I reduced her temperature and managed to stop the fits, but I could not get her out of this coma. I am at a loss, I've tried to enter her consciousness but failed and I don't understand why."

Vivi had taken them to the church and then walked down the side and went through a side door. They followed a long corridor lit by flame lamps. Moments later they had entered the nurse's quarters. They walked down to the end of the long corridor and entered a room that was elaborately designed. It was a room fit for a queen. On a cot of straw lay young girl with orange hair, her skin as white as snow. On her left arm, there was what looked like a dragon drawn on to her, coiled around her left wrist. Nekonata moved closer, it was the girl from his dream! She started muttering and Vivi pushed him to the side, he leaned in close to try to hear what she was saying.

"I can't make it out." Vivi leaned in even closer. "Luno? Luno what?"