WE STOPPED at the narrow path in between two stalls, stepped in it and got welcomed by a woman who was leaning on the wall of the store. She was holding a match stick and stuck it in between her teeth, having no care to whoever sees her at that position.
"Estra!" Gudan called, causing the woman to look in our way and fix her posture. She also trashed the stick away from her and smiled as she walked towards us.
"Gudan! Good to see that you have arrived. I was waiting for quite a long time for you," she said as she eyed us one by one. I stared at her, inspecting. She was beautiful but she was all soiled up from head to toe. It was never appropriate for a lady to be like that. Even her attitude is that of a man, very unlady-like. Her hair was tied up using a single strand of a cloth.
"My
"What does our look mean, Gudan?" Sevasti said, teasing the man."What is? You were looking at me as if to tell me that I have feelings for that woman!""Why? Was there none, Gudan?" I teased him as Sevasti did earlier."Nothing!""The way you look at her earlier, I can visibly see the sparks in your eyes. Like the shining of the stars in the night," I said while grinning widely at him before I averted my gaze to Sevasti. "Come, My Man," I said in a soft and tender voice as I pulled him away from there."It was not the truth, Aliara! Take back what you said! That was ridiculous!" he said as we walked away from him while he stay in place, bothered. I just pay him no mind and continued
AFTERNOON HAD come like lightning. I never noticed the time had passed. Me and Sevasti are at a hill not far from Gudan's house. From here, I can see the mountains and the village from down the hill.We are the only ones here, sitting on the ground that was given color by the bountiful green grasses that grow, leaning on the large trunk of the tree that was hanging low not far from the ground. It was the one that gave us shade, protecting us from the sun. Sevasti was laying down while his head rested on my lap as I was looking at him who was playing with my hands. Staring at every line, trailing it ever so softly, seemingly memorizing it."Are you counting the calluses on my hand?" I asked in a humorous manner. There was never a callus on my hand, but it was rough given the training I did for the past years prior to the five years we ha
I immediately walked towards them, Sevasti was behind me as I walked."Five silver coins for the information you wanted to know," said one of them.They never noticed I was approaching them so when I held the shoulder of the one in the middle, shock was written on his face when they landed their eyes on me. But that was just for a second when they suddenly grinned when they stared at me with their hungry eyes."Aliara!" said Gudan. His face lit up when he realized it was me. "Sevasti!" he added, looking at Sevasti. My sight never missed the reddening of his cheek and the blood that was spilled on his lips."What can I do for this beautiful lady in front of me?" said the one whom I held shoulder. He was smiling with malicious intent in
RIDING A horse, we started our journey going to Prahara, where Mikhel was currently residing. We rented two horses from Gudan's acquaintance. He was riding solo on one of the horses while Sevasti and I were together on the other one. He was behind me as he was the one who had the lead, controlling the horse.We slowed the phase of the horse when we happened to pass by a small town here in Widolla. There, Vivi flew towards us and settled at Gudan's shoulder, perhaps tired of flying around since earlier this afternoon.The town was simple and most of the places were full of grown trees. Creatures passing by were turning their heads on us.Sevasti placed his hand on my stomach, looking protective as if someone was going to steal me from him. I just smiled at him and slightly leaned on his chest.I looked at the sky which was nearly dark before turning my gaze to Gudan. Good thing we got here earlier before dark. This was the second town we have passed
SEVASTI STOPPED the horse that we were riding as we finally approached the entrance of the third town. The surroundings were now covered in darkness and the only thing that gave light to the path was the torches and lamps from the nearby houses in our sight.We slowly let our horses walk as we look for a house to rent. Moments later, we stopped by the house made of concrete. It was a long one and had four doors on it. On the upper part of the house, there were four round lanterns to give light to the vicinity of the house. Those lanterns were also the reason why we knew that this was a rented house.Sevasti preceded to unmount the horse as he stood beside it and helped me down. He held both of my waist while I held on his broad shoulders. He did not even flinch as he carried me down the horse.I smiled at his actions. With the lead of the horse on my grip, I held the horse in place for a moment, Gudan mirrored my actions as we patiently waited for Sevasti to fin
"HURRY, Vivi. We are going to talk for a while," said Sevasti as he scooped my pet on my shoulder and took a few steps away from us."Can I know where we can find the man, Miss?" Gudan said, catching the attention of the lady.The woman smiled again and immediately nodded. "You can see him here later because he will be the one who will deliver the dried animal skin to us," she even looked at the surroundings, looking for something. "I think it will be now," she added so I looked around the place, mirroring her.I nodded at Gudan and left him there as I went where Sevasti was to move away from the store. I held him on the arm where Vivi was resting and pulled it towards me."Seems like Mikhel is already at this place, Vivi. Go and help us find him," I commanded."Indeed, My Lady! Indeed!" he said as he flew away from us. I just watched him fly above the market in circles."Be alert too, Sevasti. Tell me if you have seen any sign of him," I sa
He was carrying a sack that was made of cloth. I took my knife out of its pocket and took a turn to the path I knew he would not see me. I get behind him and slash the sack that was in his back without him noticing me.His steps continued as the stuff from the sack flowed out and he halted when he realized it. I did not move from where I stood since I slashed his sack, he saw me standing right here. I welcomed him with a sweet smile on my face as he looked at me, confusion was written on his face that eventually turned into shock.He took a few steps back, released the sack in his hands. He did not waste any time and ran away speedily. He passed through the narrow streets of the market, in between the stores that were innocently built there. My whistle was immediately heard by Vivi. I nodded at him so he quickly followed where Mikhel went and ran to.I also ran in that direction, circling around the market like I am so familiar with it I can walk in it wit
WE ARE currently walking around the marketplace to search for Mikhel. I know he was not that far from here.Vivi caught my attention when he went back after being gone for a while, going on our way."I saw the traitor! I saw the traitor!" he said as he flew around above us. After saying that, he flew away again towards the direction he led us.Three of us looked at each other and ran towards the directions where Vivi flew. We followed him until we were outside the market, onto the farther side where we could see some bamboo trees surrounding us until it became more visible."There he is!" Gudan said, pointing towards the man. And in that direction, I saw Mikhel running fastly away from us.There are no other creatures there aside from us so the noise we made echoed through the whole place, the sound the bamboo made as we passed by it and our steps were all over the place. The man continued to run, never turning his head back.'Run fast