“Most Humans are.” Ezra yawned. “Madaria only had small pockets of Humans living within it before the Queen drove out the Elves.”
Amri wondered if her parents were from Esper, or if they were the few who had called Madaria their home. The conversation slowed and Miri left to collect breakfast for everyone. Browen disappeared to find more firewood for them to cook with, while Ezra and Ralis took down the tents, leaving Amri to rest a little more before they started the day.
Miri had collected a couple of rabbits and carefully skinned them, a process that made Browen nearly vomit, before she cooked them over the newly envigorated fire. They ate the cooked rabbit along with the remaining berries and greens that Miri had collected the night before. Shortly after they set out, this time with more direction.
They moved quickly as they left the mountains and the foothills behind them, always moving in a southeast ward direction. Summer had superseded spring and the days were gradually becoming longer and warmer as they travelled. Each day was much the same as the last. They focused on moving forward, with the occasional break for meals and rest. The group had gotten into a rhythm and even Ezra was complaining less about the constant walking as they became used to the activity. They kept far away from roads or any signs of civilization, even as their need for a map became apparent. Whenever the conversation came up, Miri was always quick to shoot it down and remind everyone about what had happened at Snow’s End. Days turned into weeks and everyone became frustrated with their aimless walking, with only a general direction to guide them to Esper.
It was nearing nightfall, and everyone was feeling tired from a long and frustrating day of walking, when Miri paused abruptly and looked around. Her hand was ready at the hilt of her short sword as she listened to the sounds of the woods.
“Do you hear that?” She asked.
Everyone shook their heads and Amri answered. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“I hear voices… and music?” Miri bit her lower lip anxiously. “We should go around and put some distance between us and them.”
“No, I’m exhausted.” Ezra whined. “You said that we would be stopping within the hour.”
“They could be soldiers.” Miri cautioned. “It is not worth the risk because you are tired.”
“I don’t hear anything.” Browen said as he strained to hear what had made them stop.
“I sometimes forget that Elves have superior hearing.” Miri whispered mostly to herself.
“You said you heard music, maybe it isn’t soldiers.” Ralis smiled. “From the soldier’s we’ve met they didn’t seem like the kind to play music.”
“They could be fellow travelers.” Amri pointed out. “And if they’re also avoiding the roads then they might also be potential allies.”
“Maybe they have a map we could have, or at least they can tell us if we’re going in the right direction.” Ezra grumbled as she crossed her arms.
“We almost lost everything at Snow’s End.” Miri whimpered as she fell back to her usual defense. “If something happens to us Madaria is lost.”
“Miri, you and I are the best at getting in and out of places unnoticed. What if we scout it out and see if they’re friendly?” Amri offered.
“Yes, then we’ll all be happy.” Ezra agreed with a nod and promptly took a seat on a nearby log.
“But…” Miri hesitated.
“We won’t be far. If you get into trouble yell and we’ll be there for you.” Ralis rested a comforting hand on Miri’s shoulder making her blush nervously.
“Alright.” She conceded.
Together Miri and Amri snuck deeper into the darkened woods. They had put some distance between themselves and the others when Amri started to hear the sounds that had caught Miri’s attention. It sounded nothing like soldiers. There was laughter, conversation, and an array of musical instruments working together to compose a lively tune made for dancing.
They followed the sounds and the glow of a massive bonfire caught Amri’s eye as she spotted the clearing where the festivities were being held. The pair kept to the tree line as they peeked at the scene beyond, their eyes widened with wonder at the sight.
The clearing was huge and at its center was a massive bonfire that roared at the heavens. Around it was a crowd of interesting looking people, all dressed in colourful clothes as they danced, drank, ate and laughed amongst each other. Beside the fire, the band played an array of instruments that Amri did not know the names of, but the sound made her long to join the fray.
A large smile had spread across Amri’s face as she took in the colourful sights and sounds. It reminded her a great deal of the markets of Verta during festival season. These were no soldiers, yet she shared Miri’s caution. Curious as to who these people truly were, her eyes moved across the scene searching for a reason to avoid the festivities.
Positioned in a circle around the bonfire was a large caravan of wagons that would have made for comfortable homes. They were painted in bright colours and most had artistically styled writing on the side that Amri could not read, having never learned. Each home had been decorated to the individual tastes of the one who owned it. Some had little more than sparse paint on the sides while others had magnificent art pieces painted on the sides. Of the more spectacular wagons some had windchimes, decorative ornaments and other bobbles attached to their wooden frames. Most of the residence seemed to be around the fire but one wagon had a light flickering inside and another rocked steadily from side to side.
The circle of wagons broke briefly, and there the horses that pulled the caravans rested. They had a small water and food trough set up for them and their reigns had been tied to the nearby trees. Beside them were a pair of open wagons that were filled with boxes and wooden supplies partially covered by a heavy canvas tarp. Next to them Amri’s eyes fell on several caged wagons, with cold iron bars. She frowned at the sight and gestured for Miri to follow as she skirted around the clearing to investigate further.
Peeking from the flickering shadows cast by the massive bonfire, she paused before the first cage. It had a slumbering beast with bright yellow fur and a mane of fluffy hair around its head. It almost looked like one of the stray cats that often wandered Verta’s streets but was large enough to be ridden. One look at the creature’s massive paws and sharp looking claws made Amri relieved for the bars that separated it from her. Whatever the creature was, it was undeniably a deadly predator.
The next cage over housed a creature she did recognize. A large brown bear was curled up for the night, its body laid out comfortably on the hay floor of its cage. Amri had never seen one alive or up close before. It almost looked cuddly as it slumbered, but the stories she had overheard about hunters facing such creatures reminded her how deadly such a beast could be.
Miri looked around nervously as they passed the third and empty animal cage. She seemed to share Amri’s confusion as to why anyone would want to keep such dangerous creatures so close. But aside from their odd pets, Amri could see no reason as to why they should not, at least try, speaking with the travelers. She was about to whisper her thoughts to Miri when they encountered another of the caravan wagons.
This wagon looked a little different from the others and Amri crept closer to investigate it. The structure had a covered roof and some wooden side paneling, however the door to the wagon was made of iron bars and had a massive lock on it. Curling around the top of the wagon was a line of bars that acted like a window. A wash of dread poured over Amri. She moved even closer to try and peek through the door.
“Fire… Fire Dancer? I think that is what this says.” Miri whispered as she looked at the decorative paint that marked the sides of the half-caged wagon.
Amri squinted into the dark. It was hard to see through the gloom, but she thought she could make out a modest best built into the wall. Something moved in the shadows and Amri had to smo
ther a gasp as she saw a woman about her age locked inside. With only the flickering bonfire as light, she noticed a pair of horns protruding from the woman’s head and a lengthy tail that flicked around her as she sat on a bed. Amri felt horrified at what she was seeing, the woman was clearly a half Na’tyr like Ralis and she had been locked in a cage.
“Miri, there’s someone in there.” Amri whispered quietly to her friend. “We have to help her.”
“What if they see us?” Miri countered.
Amri wasn’t listening as she carefully snuck up the wooden steps to the heavy padlock and pulled her lockpicks from her bag. The movement at the door seemed to have caught the half Na’tyr woman’s attention and she stood up from the bed with concern.
“Excuse me, what are you doing?” She asked, her voice firm and confident.
“We’re getting you out of here.” Amri answered while she fit her picks into the large lock and felt around inside for the pins.
“Amri are you sure about this?” Miri whispered, now standing beside Amri as she worked.
Amri gave Miri a glare. “Yes, we have to help.”
“Wait, you’re rescuing me?” The woman asked with surprise, then giggled. “Ok.”
The lock clicked free much faster than Amri had been expecting and in seconds the door was open. Amri and Miri stood aside as the woman stepped from the shadowy interior of the wagon. She had tan skin and yellow eyes that reflected light, like cat eyes. Her dark auburn hair was long on one side of her head, the other side had been shaved with delicate shapes carved into the remaining fuzz of hair. From her temple a pair of dark red horns, much larger than Ralis’s, curled up and over her head. Her exposed ear was pierced all the way around and on her left shoulder was a tattoo of a stylized dragon breathing fire. She wore a tight-fitting brown corset top and lengthy brown fingerless gloves that went up to her elbows. Her laced up boots went up past her knees and behind her flicked a long whip like red tail excitedly.
“What now?” She asked with a laugh.
“Our friends are waiting for us in the woods, we’ll take you to them.” Amri had decided that if these people thought locking up anyone was an acceptable thing to do, she didn’t want anything to do with them. “My name is Amri by the way.”
“Raigh.” She answered as she followed Amri into the shadows of the woods. “It’s not far is it?”
“My name is Miri Cavadash and our friends are nearby.” Miri confirmed as she followed behind Raigh.
“All right.” Raigh replied with a laugh.
As Amri led the way back to their friends she could not help but feel that something was off and yet she struggled to put her finger on it. The lock had opened way too easily and Raigh seemed to be having fun in the escape. It wasn’t the attitude Amri expected from someone who had only seconds ago been held captive.
“You should know Raigh, one of our number is a half Na’tyr like you and when people see him for the first time, they… they get...” Miri struggled to describe Ralis’s natural ability with a blush.
“They become charmed; they don’t act like themselves around him. But it wears off eventually.” Amri finished.
“Really? I’ve never heard of that before.” Raigh answered.
It wasn’t much further before they rejoined the others, still waiting patiently between the shadows of the trees. Browen sighed in relief as he saw them return and everyone blinked in surprise as Raigh joined them.
“Everyone this is Raigh, she was being imprisoned by the group we were scouting.” Amri answered the question in her friend’s eyes.
“I am also known as The Sensational Raigh, Fire Dancer Extraordinaire. Pleasure to meet you all.” She introduced herself with an overzealous bow and a laugh.
“Lord Browen Serrelli.” The young noble responded with a formal bow of his own.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be using your full name anymore.” Amri whispered to Browen while giving him a slight nudge.
“Sorry, habit.” He blushed as he whispered back.
“Ezra.” She wrapped her arms behind her back, concealing the tattoo that now marked her.
“I’m Ralis.” His eyes were wide as he looked at the other half Na’tyr in awe.
“You’re supposed to be the charming one, right? You don’t seem so charming.” Raigh teased.
Amri blinked in surprise, it was rare that someone was unaffected by the charms of Ralis. Then again, the Na’tyr at Snow’s End seemed unaffected, perhaps half Na’tyr weren’t either.
Ralis was taken aback by the comment before stepping up to the challenge by taking her hand in his and bowing low. “Allow me to start again. My name is Ralis and it is a pleasure to meet you Raigh.” He then kissed the back of her hand and gave her a seductive wink as he stood again.
Miri looked away with a frown as Ralis showed off.
“Ok maybe you’re a little bit charming.” Raigh giggled.
“You were locked in a cage?” Ezra asked, her voice laced with the same questioning suspicion that Amri had started to feel.
“Hm? Oh that… I suppose it did look like I was locked in a cage, didn’t it?” Raigh laughed again as she ran her fingers through the long side of her hair. “Thanks for being my saviours and all, but I should probably be getting back.”
“Why would you want to return?” Miri gasped.
“I thought that lock was too easy.” Amri frowned in realization.
“No, no, that was really impressive. No one’s ever picked a lock for me before.” Raigh smiled. “But truthfully it’s a fake lock, I could open it at any time.”
“I do not understand, why would you choose to be locked in a cage?” Miri questioned.
“Protection mostly, I’m sure Mr. Charming here would understand.” Raigh crossed her arms even as she continued to smile cheekily. “Well I was going to bed, but there is nothing like a jailbreak to wake you up, I’m wired. Want to come back with me? It looked like the party was still going strong when we left. Saviours drink for free.” She winked at Miri and Amri.
“I would love to. I have so many questions, I’ve never met another half Na’tyr before.” Ralis beamed. His eyes were locked on Raigh and she smiled excitedly back at him.
“Is it safe?” Miri asked, still looking a little confused.
“We’re a carnival troupe, all freaks are welcome, even Elves.” Raigh teased. “You coming or not?”
“I do not think you understand.” Miri hesitated. “My people are hunted.”
“Oh yeah, us half Na’tyr have it so good I sometimes forget.” Raigh sneered sarcastically. “Of course you’ll be fine, no friends of the Queen here. We actually already have an Elf in our troupe, you should talk to them.”
“It would be a nice change of pace.” Ralis pushed, clearly eager to go.
“I suppose one night will not hurt.” Miri replied quietly.
“Good, we can chat next to the fire.” Raigh laughed as she turned back towards the massive camp. “The guys are going to love this.”
Chapter Four
Browen
They could hear the camp long before they saw it. Raigh moved like someone who was used to being watched and entered the camp with her arms spread as if for applause. Her tail flicked playfully to either side as her hips swayed. Browen kept close to Amri as they stepped from the shadows and became surrounded by the parked caravans. Everything was a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds. Everywhere he looked there was something interesting to see. He had heard of travelling carnivals before, but he knew little more than rumors as they never dared visit the capital. His father had referred to them as travelling criminals and seemed intent on exterminating them, but they always seemed out of reach. If they were friendly, Browen could think of no better group to travel to Esper with.
The carnival troupe was a colourful sight gathered around a roaring
bonfire. While most of those who were gathered were Human or Orc, Browen noticed a few other races that he had only ever read about in his books. They had been laughing and dancing to the music, but when they noticed Raigh and her guests arrive they paused. The troupe bore a collection of both friendly smiles and distrustful scowls. Although Raigh did not seem bothered as she walked towards them.
“Miss me?” She asked.
“I thought you went to bed?” Jeered a large green skinned male Orc with muscles larger than Browen had ever seen and his whole body covered in black tattoos.
“I did.” Raigh shot back then stuck her tongue out.
“Who are they?” Asked a very skinny man with a shaved head and his own impressive collection of colourful tattoos all across his body. He picked his teeth with a knife and had a belt of a dozen more around his waist.
“You’ll never guess.” Laughed Raigh. “They thought that they were rescuing me. They picked the lock on my door and helped me escape into the woods.”
The tone shifted immediately and most of the carnival troupe joined in with Raigh’s amused laughter. Only a handful maintained their suspicious stares.
“But the woods are so dangerous!” One of the musicians laughed. “The carnival is the safest place for freaks like Raigh to be.”
Ralis frowned at the comment but when Raigh noticed she bumped her shoulder into his and said. “They say it with love, we’re all freaks here.” Then addressing the group around the fire. “You better not have packed up the good ale yet, I promised my Heroes drinks.”
It was then that the entire carnival troupe noticed Ralis and paused what they were doing to stare at him. Browen recognized the effects of his half Na’tyr charm, it was always a little uncanny to see it happen to others. Ralis blushed as the crowd looked up at him in awe.
“Huh, they weren’t lying. You really are charming.” Raigh laughed also realizing what was happening, before clapping her hands loudly at the troupe. “Snap out of it.”
Sunken Wind Page 4
