Chapter 3

The Stranger

As we neared the stranger we noticed that the being walked hunched over like an Ogress. I have not seen one up close but had heard terrible things about them. I have heard that they eat people in one bite, and they only drink human blood. Also they have long sharp teeth that can bite through anything that they want to. Their jaw power is twenty time ours.
What do you think that is? It resembles an Ogress don’t you think? I thought to Eldon to afraid to speak out loud and not wanting the other two to know that I am afraid.
I am unsure of what it is, but I am sure that it is not an Ogress. If it was, it would have turned to us by now to see if we are friend or foe. He though back in a mocking tone, telling me that he detected the hint of fear in my voice. But at that moment something strange happened, the being just stopped. It stood there for a few long moments without any movement. Then it turned and looked right at us.
I told you that I thought it was an Ogress. But no you wouldn’t listen to me. What are we going to do now? You know how mean they can get.
Yes I know. But I still have my doubts. He thought then turned to Torin and Quentin. “I want you two to be on guard. I do not know what is up ahead of us. It may or may not be very pleasant. Do either of you know how to use your weapons to any extent?
“Yes.” They both said in unison.
“Good, and as for you.” He said turning to me, “Keep quiet Alana. That is all I need, is the law on our trail as well.” Eldon told me. That was going to be the hard part; I can only stay quite for so long. I had no time to change; we were too close to the being.
But can I fight? I thought
Sorry, not this time. But I promise there will be another time that I can use your skill, just not right now.
Why can’t I fight? You know as well as I, that if this is in fact an Ogress then you will need all the power that you can get. You also know that I am by far more powerful than those two put together.
Yes I know, but that is the problem. We don’t want them to know how good you are; do we? He was now using a tone that I knew all to well. It was the one of “drop the subject NOW”.
Fine, I will not fight this time. But you can count on me fighting the next battle. That is a promise. I always liked to have the last word and he had just gotten used to it. He will mostly stop after I say something like that.
I had put my cloak on; as the dark neared it brought with it the cold night air, which I did enjoy very much. The stars that looked so beautiful the night before did not accompany the moon that already shown brightly on this night.
We are approaching at an increasingly faster pace than before and Torin grasped me tight as if to protect me from the thing that we neared. All that is running through my mind right now is how little he knows of my fighting ability and that I am by far the best with a sword next to Eldon among all of us, and I also have my daggers that I like to use, which I am very good with as well. Even though I am good I have really been working with a sword. I am almost as good as Eldon, but it would be almost insurmountable. Besides, I like him protecting me, because then I do not have to fight. I can save my strength for when I really need it.
Now that we are almost on top of the being I can sense that there is no threat. I think Eldon could see it in my eyes when he looked over at Torin and me.
Now what are you thinking? he asked just to confirm what he already knew from my eyes.
I really don’t think that there is any threat in this begin. That is all that it is…a begin. But you know that I have been wrong before. So you do what you want. I do keep getting the picture of fur and claws though if that will help you any.
I will stay on my guard just in case and hope that you are right.
As will I…hope that is. I caught myself.
As we came up behind the stranger I could tell it was a man. Though I had never met this man I felt like I knew him like I knew Eldon, Torin or even Quentin, there was something familiar about him, like I had seen him in a dream that I could not place.
It is but a man. I though to Eldon. I know that sounds weird and that is the last thing that we thought that it would be but, that is all this is.
You are sure?
Yes. But still be careful, you know how they can be when they think that they are in danger or just in a bad mood. I thought jokingly to take some of the tension out of the air.
Don’t worry I will.
When we rode up beside him; Eldon gets down greeting him. He was the same height as Eldon; he lifted the hood of his cloak and pushes it back onto his shoulders, revealing a face that was surprisingly handsome.
He had ear length wavy brown hair, and his eyes were pulling me in; they were a cool hazel color, though they are more blue then gray. Looking at me I meet his eyes, it seems like time stands still for the quick seconds in which our eyes are connected. Although he can not see my face it is like he had placed my eyes, only my eyes.
Walking over to Jadis he takes my hand, giving it a quick kiss. It is as if he had the same power that I have, being able to see inside the person; knowing that I was female like I knew that he was male before seeing his face. It is then that Torin can’t hold it in any longer.
“What do you think that you are doing!” Torin yells as he jumps off the horse. “Are you really that stupid that you wouldn’t realize that when someone has a cloak on they don’t want your attention!”
“Torin, that is enough!” Eldon said sternly, which shocks Torin.
“I was just trying to put this person in there place. It seems to me that he needs it.”
“Well you may leave that job to me. When I need your help I will tell you.” Eldon voice was calmer now and you can tell that he was trying not to let his temper get out of hand.
By now it is getting very hard for me not to break into the conversation. I just had to voice my opinion. Do you know how hard it is to stay quiet right now? I am this close to saying something.
I know you just have to keep that mouth quiet a little longer. We can’t risk this, we don’t know who this is. For all we know it could be someone that knows us and doesn’t like us.
Well I have to do something.
Don’t do anything stupid! he said in a warning tone.
I untied the string to my cloak, push it off my shoulders, and let it fall to Jadis’s saddle.
The stranger quickly said, “I’m very sorry I had no idea.”
I nodded as if to say it was all right, and I proceeded to putting the cloak back around me. Eldon, who had put his hand over his face and shook his head for a moment, gave me a look that often meant that I had done something terribly wrong. Like that! What are you thinking?
I had to put him into his place in my own way.
Do you not have a brain in your head? I told you not to do anything stupid.
Since when did you become the person that told me what to do?
As soon as we left the castle I took on the responsibility.
Well you can stop anytime, I don’t need it.
Alright if you are going to be stubborn about it…
I am. He knew that there was no point in arguing any further and just gave up.
The man then said looking at Eldon, “My name is Rostlyn. I am from the town of Aaron.”
Eldon, simply told Rostlyn, “I will slit your throat if you do what you just did again. Do I make myself clear?”
Rostlyn got this scared expression on his face as he said, “As clear as the clearest lake.”
Eldon then introduced us all except me of course. He could not think of a name for me right then so he left me out. I guess that he thought that I had done enough damage for one night.
Eldon then said pointing at Rostlyn “You, you can use Torin’s horse.” Torin gave Rostlyn a long cold glare. Rostlyn shrugged back; I glanced at him without him knowing. He looks so hurt and confused. I feel sorry for him.
A few hours later we came to the town. It was so dark that we could not see ten feet in front of us. No one could really see anything, let alone me. I am going to go change back into a dress. I grabbed a dress out of my bag and tucked it under my cloak.
Good idea…in fact it is the first one yet. Eldon said sarcastically.
You know, you are not as funny as you think you are. I joke back.
We walked into the tavern, Eldon’s idea of course, but Torin had agreed with him. I went around the back of the building to change. Once I was done and looked halfway chaste, I disappeared then reappeared by the horses so that I could put the clothes away. I walk in, and the first thing I see is Rostlyn looking at me. He could not look away; it is almost like he was held captive in my gaze. Pausing slightly I think, Look at our newest follower. I glanced at Eldon and he was looking at Rostlyn. I came to the table, and he stood with a shocked look on his face. It was polite to stand when a lady comes and goes from a table. Torin on the other hand just nodded to greet me to the table.
Then Eldon introduced me to Rostlyn, “Rostlyn this is Alana, my sister. It was her hand that you kissed.” Rostlyn looked in amazement.
He then stammered. “You, you were the one that was wearing the men’s clothes? But why?”
“Because she felt like it! Why else would she do it? It wasn’t because she wanted to get killed.” Torin said, with that tone in his voice.
I glared at Torin, “Why do you have to be so mean!”
Torin sat back in his chair and glared at me with an anxious look. I looked at Rostlyn, and smiled.
“He did not mean it.” I said to Rostlyn.
You are doing to again. Eldon’s voice rang into my head.
What?
Not being what you really are…a girl.
Woman…and stay out of this.
Alright…your funeral.
Oh…you…are just jealous.
Think what you will. I know what you are doing.
Fine…you just keep thinking that. I ended the conversation like usual.
Rostlyn shrugged and said, “It won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last. Don’t worry about it.” He sighed.
“What can I get for you folks?” Came a voice from behind me. Quickly turning I see the waiter standing there. His hair is long and looks like it hasn’t been washed or combed in weeks. His pushed in face and bulging eyes are a common trait of the neiny. He is wearing a light green shirt that is torn in many places and pants that are in the same condition. His jagged green-yellow teeth are extruding from his mouth because of the way he is grinning at us.
“I’ll have just a Dwafen Mix.” I told him.
“Tall or short?” he asks as I watch him make a mental note of my order.
“Short for now.”
“I’ll have the same in tall.” Eldon announced.
“Do you have Blood Puppies here?” Rostlyn asks.
“Yes…is that what you want?”
“Please,” Rostlyn answers back, “could I have that in a tall as well?” the waiter nods and looks at Quentin who shakes his head telling the waiter that he doesn’t want anything.
“I will have the Dragon scale ail.” Torin finally said.
“All right…you want that in short right?”
“Why would I, I think that I can handle a tall!” Torin takes offence to the remark.
“Calm down, I was just sayin’ that no one has ever been able to finish a tall before.”
“Why?” I ask before Torin was able to get anything else out.
“Most of the time it sends them straight back to their mommy’s. It is that strong. I tell you what no man is stupid enough to have it twice.”
“I see.” I remark
“I still want it.” Torin said letting go of some of the attitude he had earlier.
“That is fine with me. I am just here to get your drinks. You sure that you don’t want anything?” he asks looking at Quentin.
“Yes…well do you have just water?”
“Yes I can get you a glass of that if that is what you really want.” The waiter is nicer than anyone that had ever waited on us before.
“Thank you.” Quentin said graciously.
We all sat and talked for some time about anything that came to mind. We left the tavern to find an inn; we found one and slept till morning, which was a few hours later.
The next morning as we left town Eldon told Rostlyn one thing, “You may ride along with us, if you would like to, I have no problem with it. But you will stay away from my sister!”
Rostlyn nodded and thanked him, Torin was not so happy; he didn’t like Rostlyn for some reason. It was bugging me because I couldn’t figure out way. There was nothing wrong with him that I could see inside or out, I have that ability, although I do not like it at times. I can see how a person is even before I meet them, I must have been a little off on Torin, I didn’t detect the temper that he had, it is often hard to tell how much of a temper that a human has. They all have so much of it. Eldon however does not have this ability.