Birdsong - Chapter 4

It was midday and they had walked since dawn. Matt had tried to make his new companion speak but he didn't get anywhere. This Velcan guy, creature in human for, answered questions without extra details and did not show any interest in prolonging the conversation. Also, if he looked into its eyes for too long he felt dizzy.

It walked beside him in its dirty, torn clothes not wearing a shirt under its jacket, showing off a super skinny body (you could see his ribs clearly). It wore no shoes and carried only one bag over his shoulder. I wonder what's in it. Matt had asked but hadn't gotten any answer. Thinking about it, he hadn't gotten any answers when asking something personal. Well, they are known for not being friendly and they never talk to strangers. So why is he traveling with me? "Because this task will bring you to my homeland." I'm stuck and have no answers or anywhere else to go. With his mood growing darker for every moment and his stomach growling he made a decision.

"We stay here."

Velcan answered with a nod, stopped and waited for orders. Matt frowned. Can't he do anything by himself? He left the road and sat down with the back to a rock. From his rucksack he brought out a limp of bread and hard cheese and a water bag. He started to eat. Velcan sat down on the ground opposite him and took out an apple from its bag.

"Is that all? You're not going to eat anything else?" Matt asked.

"This is all I have."

Jeez. He's not at all prepared. What was he thinking? That we would sleep on feather pillows and have food brought to us? Everybody knows there are many too few inns along this route.

"Take this", Matt tossed him half of the limp, "but you owe me."

"Thank you."

That was it. No explanation to anything.

"What the hell is wrong with you! You look like some scum from the streets, not how I remember your kind, and you got nothing with you! What, didn't 'the Elder' tell you to wear decent clothes? That you actually have to eat? I let you follow me and now I'm starting to regret it. Give me a reason why I wouldn't leave you right here! And don't you dare pull that crap about my future. I go where I want to and your homeland is the last place I'd ever visit! And how in the name of the goddess can you know what my task will be? Your folk live on the other side of this world. Answer me!"

Velcan looked at him, a bit confused.

"I already told you, I can't tell you anything until you accepted you task." When these words didn't do anything to calm Matt down Velcan continued. "The Elder told me not to say anything else but that what I've already told you. Me answering this question is already speaking more than I should, not to mention all of your other meaningless questions. I'm here to do a job, nothing more."

"So I'm just a job", Matt surprised over the disappointment in his voice. In a worse mood than ever. Sarcastically he added "This is going to be fun."

They ate in silence. The sun still shone warm despite the summer singing on its last verse. Soon the two travellers fell asleep.

~

Velcan opened his eyes. The sky was clouded. The human, Matt, slept. How long had gone? He sat up and looked around. Something was wrong, he could sense it. He crept over to Matt.

"Wake up. Something is wrong."

"Hrmm..."

Velcan kept his voice down. "Matt! Now! Danger!"

"What... Where?" Suddenly awake the human sat up, dagger in his hand and reaching for his sword.

"I don't know", Velcan said. "But something woke me up."

"Thanks. That helps a lot. I can't see anything, or hear anything for that matter. Please don't wake me up next time you have a nightmare."

Velcan looked at Matt. Why don't he understand? Can't he feel it? But the human just went back to sleep. Irritated Velcan stood up and looked around. Everything seemed normal. Quiet. The Great East Road was deserted. They had to move on.

Matt just snoozed on and Velcan felt an urged to kick him. You aren't supposed to harm him.He sighed.

"Matt, wake up. We've slept for too long"

This time Matt woke up, obviously irritated with Velcan. To Velcan's great relief they soon were on their way. They walked without talking. The sun set but they didn't stop. What kind of behavior is this? Humans. I don't understand them. Everything they do is absurd. What have we to gain on walking in the night? We might loose the road, and for sure we're tired in the morning. Daylight has always been better for travelling than star shine. Lost in his thoughts he almost were 10 meters past Matt before he realized the human had stopped. Curious he looked back.

"We stop here. Let's make camp over there." Matt pointed towards some trees.

Velcan nodded, relieved they didn't have to walk any further.

"You can have the first watch."

Again he nodded, sat himself down by the fire. When the human had fallen asleep he took out a blue stone, the same color as his eyes, and held it in his hands. He closed his eyes and imagined himself back home. He whispered "Sun and moon. Lakes and forests. Bring me home." Then he kissed the stone and opened his eyes. The fire inside them was burning.

His surroundings looked different. It was like looking at two worlds at the same time overlapping each other. He could still see the fire and Matt sleeping, but there were also high trees with houses high up in the crowns. Lanterns that hung everywhere burned with blue flames. Birds flew around and streams with clear water found their ways between the rocks and trees. Velcan opened his mind a little further, letting the fire inside him burn a little brighter. Sounds were added to the picture. Songs, laughs, rippling water and flapping wings.

"I see you have used the Home Stone. What do you have to report?"

The voice echoed with immense power inside his head.

"I found the human. We're travelling along the Great East Rode and will reach The Forsaken Kingdom in 14 days."

"Good. You have done excellent."

"Thank you, my lord."

"When reaching The Forsaken Kingdom, there is one person you need to find. This human is to be found near the king himself. You'll know her when you see her. Her powers can't be hidden from us. Then let me talk to her, she is to be trusted, but don't under any circumstances let her follow you. That's all."

Velcan let the vision disappear. The fire inside him grew smaller, until it was just a spark. Matt was still asleep. The night went on, without incidents. And when dawn came they left.

~

"They were here."

The tall man dressed in black leather and a long cape mounted his horse. He looked down the Great East Road and smiled.

"Let's see what you are made of, little thief."