Fan Fiction ❯ The Keeper of the Orbs ❯ Vanity vs. Bravery ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter Eleven

Vanity vs. Bravery

 

The hustle and bustle of the town Dasic made Sala sick. She detested humans more than she had ever thought possible. The people in her village had slaughter any hopes she may have had of ever liking humans even a little bit. Kale scratched behind his ear and shrugged. He wasn't very fond of humans either but they needed to have a good rest.

 

"C'mon." he said. "Let's just check into an inn."

 

Sala nodded agreement. The two Draegans moved through the crowd slowly. There was no need to draw unnecessary attention to themselves. At the Water Nymph Inn, Sala and Kale made arrangements for a room. Sala went into the tavern and Kale went to get them dinner. They'd been on the road for nearly four days without a decent rest.

 

Kale carried their mugs of Dasic wine to their table. Sala took her mug and took a long pull of the alcoholic draught. Kale watched her from over the rim of his own mug. A tiny smile played at his lips as he watched her guzzle it down.

 

"Slow down, baby." he said softly. "You'll get drunk again and we don't want that."

 

Sala stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut it!" she growled.

 

A young lady brought their food and scurried off into the crowded room. Sala picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of grilled fish. She ate hungrily, ignoring Kale's slight smile. A middle aged man with a balding head came up to their table. Sala saw Kale withdraw a small knife out of nowhere. He kept it hidden from view under the table.

 

Sala cleared her throat. "Yes?" she asked kindly.

 

"Sala?" he asked. "A man named Sathin had a messaged delivered here about two days ago."

 

He pulled out a crisp envelope and lay in on the dark wood table. Sala glanced at Kale. He cocked an eyebrow at her. Sala thanked the old barkeep and took up the letter. Her eyes scanned her grandfather's tight, shaky handwriting. A slow tune rose in her throat as she read the letter and soon words began to flow past her lips. When she was done with the letter, she passed it to Kale.

 

Sala,

 

Please forgive me for writing so soon. I am only worried about your well-being, child. Four nights have passed since you and Kale left our village. People continue to die and I fear that I, too, have contracted the disease plaguing us. Sala, my dear child, fear not for my life. If I go, I go knowing that you will avenge me. Be safe, dear child.

 

Kale, peace to you my boy. Protect my granddaughter with your life. Please bring her home to me safe. I have only one wish before this illness claims my life, should you not retrieve all of the Orbs in time, is to see that Sala is safe and happy in the life that I have bestowed upon her.

 

Sala, please forgive me for all that I have done to you my child. Come home to me soon, Singer of Night and Day Who Brings Life With One Word of Song from Her Voice. Peace be with you my children and my ancestors protect and guide your every move.

 

Love and Wisdom,

Sathin, the Wise One

 

 

Kale closed the letter and glanced at Sala. Her eyes glistened with unbidden tears. A shadow loomed behind him and Kale whirled on the man behind him. Dagger point at his throat, a young, human male with long, brown hair smiled at Kale. Sala was on her feet, reaching for her companion.

 

"No." she said flatly.

 

Kale sheathed his dagger. The young man smiled more broadly as he looked at Sala. Kale shoved him away when he released him. Sala sat back down as twiddled her fork in her plate. Kale sat back down and still the human stayed where he stood.

 

"Yes?" Sala finally asked in an edgy tone.

 

"My lady," he said, giving a sweeping bow. "I couldn't help but hear your lovely singing from across the tavern."

 

Sala smiled slightly. "Thank you." she said.

 

"Who the hell are you?!" Kale demanded.

 

"Forgive me." the young man said. "I am Frax from the Southern region of Dazib."

 

"Sala." she said. "And this is my comrade, Kale."

 

Frax nodded to Kale. The Draegan male glowered at the handsome human before him. Who in the seven hells of Ravika did he think he was?! Sala took another long pull from wine mug. Frax continued to stand behind Kale.

 

Sala looked up at him and sighed heavily. "Would you like to sit down?" she finally asked.

 

"Yes, milady." he said, quickly seating himself beside her.

 

A tiny creature with blond hair and grey skin moved near Frax's knees. Kale leapt back at the sight of the horrid creature. Frax let out a bark of laughter at the sight of Kale's reaction to his strange servant.

 

"What in hell is it?" he asked.

 

Frax coughed as he tried to stop laughing. "My servant." he said simply. "He's a Giggat."

 

Sala offered him a tiny smile when she caught sight of the creature. "Please take a seat." she said.

 

The Giggat stammered and looked to his master. Frax gave a curt nod. When the creature had sat down in beside Kale, Sala ordered more wine for herself, beers for Kale and Frax, and a plate of food and brandy for the Giggat.

 

As the ghastly creature ate his meal, Frax rambled on about himself. Kale clawed at the table and chugged down beers. Sala listened in half-hearted interest. She caught sight of the tiny creature's gaze upon her and smiled at him.

 

"What is your name?" she asked the Giggat suddenly, interrupting Frax in the middle of his story.

 

The Giggat choked on his bowl of blueberries and cream. "M-m-me, milady?" he stammered.

 

"Yes." Sala said softly.

 

"I a-a-am Yent, lady." he said.

 

Sala nodded. "Nice to meet you Yent." she said.

 

"Yes," Kale slurred. "It's really to bad that you're stuck with such a prick like Frax here."

 

Frax glared at the Draegan male. Sala engaged him in conversation to divert any type of trouble that her friend may have hopes of stirring up. While Frax continued to talk loudly and proudly about himself, Yent watched Sala and Kale.

 

"You know what?" Yent asked Kale in a whisper.

 

"No, what?" Kale asked.

 

"My M-m-master thinks he's in love with your lady." Yent said.

 

"Really?" Kale slurred.

 

Yent nodded. "Yes." he said. "However, my M-m-master h-h-has a weakness when it c-c-comes to d-d-dealing with women like L-l-lady Sala."

 

Kale cocked an eyebrow in question.

 

"He's such a coward when someone challenges him for any reason." Yent said.

 

"Oh?" Kale asked, taking a long pull from his mug and slamming it on the table.

 

Yent nodded and continued his meal which the Lady Sala had so generously provided for him. There was no way in the seven hells that he would allow an unworthy man like his master to claim her as his own. Yent smiled into his glass of brandy. He'd soon have a thought to laugh at as he fell off to sleep at night.