4

Trying to prove something to someone is never a valid reason for doing anything.

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The moment Catori's parents came back from the Capital, she left the house. Not only did she want fresh air, but she needed human interaction other than her family.

Catori walked down to the old pond situated just behind the schoolyard, the usual hang-out spot for people her age.

Of course, they didn't work because their parents never let them. They can't leave either and no one wanted to get married yet.

So they all did the next best thing, went out from dusk until dawn, tell stories, drank stolen brandy from their parents' cupboards and goofed around, with the occasional destroying a few properties.

“Are you coming to the forbidden mountains with us?’’ Halona asked in a sing-song voice, as she danced around Catori.

“It’s called forbidden for a reason,” Catori informed her best friend, as she draped a slender arm across Halona’s shoulders.

There is a scoffing sound from behind Catori. “we all know that Catori will never tag along, she never broke any of the rules.” Calian, the Chief’s youngest son, said.

“Too much of a goodie two shoes aren’t ya.” He mocked after.

(And this is who my mother wants me to marry.”) Catori thought to herself.

Even though Calian is twenty-three years, he still acts like an adolescent boy with raging hormones.

Kateri hanging off his arms proves just that.

“Oh, come on, Catori, it will be fun. You never have fun with us.” Kateri gave Catori puppy eyes.

“Yeah, girl. Just this once.’’ Leona joined Kateri.

Kateri and Leona weren’t that much of a friend to Catori, but since they hung around Halona, they were friends by accusation.

“Does she even know what that is?” Meztli (pronounced Mays-lee) laughed.

Catori cast her eyes upon him, causing him to avert his grey eyes.

At one point the two could have been a couple, but Meztli wanted adventure, to chase skits and watch Desolation burn.

“You should just go home.” Calian nodded toward Catori’s house.

But Catori stood her ground, being as stubborn as ever.

She wanted to tell Halona about the strange dreams she had last night, thinking she could give her some insight.

After all, she was the one with the gift of foresight.

“Fine, I’ll tag along, but only to prove that I’m no chicken or a goodie, goodie.” Catori asserted.

Calian cracked a half-smile, “just don’t start crying when we get too high up.”

“And you better not cry when you get scared.” Catori shot back.

“What does the future hold for us?” Calian asked Halona as he ignored Catori.

“All is well.” Halona nodded.

At that, the six of them hiked up the small footpath one by one, until they got to the steep rocky trail of the snowy mountain.

Catori looked back now and then, afraid someone would see them.

Someone like her father.

“It’s not too late to turn back, you know?” Calian nodded in the village's direction.

Catori pushed past him, having to try her hardest to not fall over the face of the mountain.

Calian made a face but pressed on after her.

Not even twenty minutes of hiking and Catori was feeling hot, hungry, and tired.

The thing was, none of them thought about bringing food or any necessities, just thinking about adventure.

Catori looked around as a shiver ran down her spine. 

Fear pricked the back of her neck, making it feel as if hands were touching her.

It was as if they all could sense it as they looked around, then at each other. The feeling of being watched, maybe even followed.

Kateri held onto Calian tighter, but her face gave nothing away.

But Catori couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being stalked. 

She pulled her blue and white fur jacket closer.

Despite the snow, the mountain is surprisingly warm, which only Catori seemed to find odd.

She glanced around again, feeling eyes on her now.

Sure enough, Catori spotted a towering male far above them on the higher mountain.

He was striking, looked to be in his early twenties. Even from that distance, Catori could still make out his penetrating icy blue eyes peering at her.

But there was something unusual about him.

(Is he even human?’) Catori thought. 

Her mind drifting to the many stories the elders in the village have told.

Some about cannibal mountain men, or even about Dragon people.

(Could he be one of them?)

At that moment, he wasn’t looking in Catori’s direction. 

She used that as an opportunity to pull at Meztli’s sleeve, about to pull away his eyes follow hers.

“Scared, are ya?” Meztli tried, but his voice failed him as it broke. Not at all expecting to see a bulking male with a spear in hand, just leering at them.

Calian stepped forward after seeing Meztli and Catori momentarily pausing.

He gazed in the same direction as them. “Don’t tell me you two are scared? Watch this.” Calian smirked.

“Hey!” He called out, “I’m Chief Akara Stone’s son, Calian. Are you just going to stand there and watch us?” Calian finished with a smirk.

"See, he's harmless, that or just the mention of my father has him shaking in his boots," Calian said cockily.

Catori thought otherwise, Chief Akara's name only held weight in their Village, and even so, only a few feared him.

Sure, he was from a tribe of ruthless killers, but that was it. The only thing he did was wave his last name around, make everyone's life a living hell, and add unnecessary taxes.

"Must be one of those unintelligent mountain men, properly doesn't even understand a word I just said," Calian added. Surely he was only blabbing on to hide his own fear.

Catori could see his hands trembling and lower lip quiver.

At that moment, the male took a step, not a leap or a jump, but a simple step.

Dropping to where they were, landing perfectly on both feet without as much as a flinch.

Catori could hear Calian gulp while Meztli pushed her behind him.

Tilting her head, Catori studied him.

He had shoulder-length blue hair, with a lock falling over his forehead.

His icy blue eyes studied each one of them, his broad shoulders heaved with a sigh.

His face was drool-worthy, with a strong, masculine jaw, straight nose and dimpled chin.

He wore simple clothes, just a pair of blue jeans with an open leather vest that showed off his rock-hard and no shoes.

When his eyes met Catori’s, she felt a pang like she was going to faint. 

It felt as if she knew him somehow.

His eyes held recognition as well, as if Catori was a long last friend of his.

The towering man looked at Calian. A small smirk formed on his thick, red lips.

Calian took a step back. His bravery long gone.

"Stone's son, huh?" The man rubbed his chin.

"I have a bone to pick with that fool. Would you be kindest to inform him of my long overdue visit? Let him know that four of my people, me included, will spend a week, no make that two weeks. We will expect a warm and comfortable place to rest our heads, food and the best hospitality that Desolation offers." He put across.

Before he took his leave, he cupped Catori's face in his large hands, "and as for you, until we meet again, and until the moment is right."