The Catalyst
Chapter Twelve
“Jade…Jade…” My name continued to echo back at me while the world rocked and shook lightly. With subtle movements, my eyes eventually were open and wide.
I jerked straight up and looked around. Somehow I was on Orion’s back and in front of him the Immortal walked swiftly with reins in hand.
“I was so positive I had just been holding Orion’s reins and walking…I was just walking…” I held my finger to my lip, which I had already begun to chew on gently.
“You fell asleep while walking and nearly ran into a tree. I thought it best to allow you some peace after your prior ordeal.”
“Prior ordeal?” I blinked several times, trying to come up with something that could in anyway be considered an “ordeal.” Ehh, at least as of today…or yesterday.
“Yes, after falling from a forty foot tree trying to appease the appetite of this horse.”
I distinctly noticed his irate emphasis on the word horse, but chose to dwell on that later, as the more pressing matter of how he always seemed to know everything was yet again becoming problematic.
“How did you know about that?”
“When you have lived as long as I, you find information is far easier to acquire.”
I dropped my brow into a firm line, my arms crossed loosely against my chest. “You’re completely bypassing my question…” I leaned forward, an earnest expression on my face, “please, just answer me straight for once.”
His pace faltered for a split second, which I hardly would have noticed had I not been so intent on his graceful figure. I quickly deleted my mind’s content and went back to pursuing my original point. “So?”
He released a cursory sigh, “I had the pleasure of having Caleb literally trip into camp…though I must admit I was the one who tripped him.” A, rather strange to see, wry grin appeared at the corner of his half hidden mouth.
“Why?”
“He seemed to be stalking the area, so I merely took the opportunity.”
I could still hear the odd little smirk in his generally smooth, calm voice and while I would normally find his recent behavior childish, a part of me really wished I could have seen Caleb fall flat on his face.
While casually pondering how Caleb may have appeared, I found myself slipping back into a weary sleep.
“Do not sleep again, please.”
Mildly startled to hear the Immortal’s voice so sudden and close; I carefully turned to my left and saw him walking slowly beside Orion, reign still in hand. His expressions had returned to normal, though as he glanced towards my direction, there was a little hint of something different…nervousness?.
“We shall be in town very shortly. It would not be prudent if you were to sleep again.”
He returned to the front of our small procession, a confused and curious quirk spread to my brow and lips.
“Um, so, uh…should I pull my hood up then?”
“Yes, though we will stop on the outskirts of the gate. I would prefer it if Orion stayed there, our combined presence will be enough of a surprise.”
“Wait...why?”
He remained silent and though I hadn’t been with him long, I was quickly learning that he was likely never to answer. I had prepared to slump in my seat when Orion abruptly stopped. Looking up I saw an almost canopy-like haven which led to a large opening, where a few shuffling people could be seen back in the distance.
“Is that the town?” The question escaped more like an anxious exhale.
The Immortal’s head bobbed gently in response and without pause he began walking towards the door-less threshold, leaving the worn reins on the dusty path we had come upon.
“Hey?” I nearly jabbed my ankle into Orion’s muscular side when he nickered lightly, alerting me to the Immortal’s outstretched hand supposedly meaning that I was meant to stay.
“Tie up the horse out of direct sight, then come and meet me.”
“But how will I find you?”
“I won’t be far in. You’ll see me, I assure you.”
His long fingers gripped the lengthy hood at his back, swiftly maneuvering his hair beneath the fabric and the scooped opening came to rest elegantly atop his head. That unnervingly inhuman way of his to do…well, anything was certainly hard to not gawk at like an utter moron.
I slipped off Orion’s back, rather nicely I thought, though I could see a mocking glimmer in his eye that may have told differently. Yanking somewhat vengefully on the reins, in order to tug at his bridle, I started to pull him over to a berry and grass strewn flock of brush so that he could at least avoid the undoubtedly festering temptations of taunting others while we were away.
“I wonder if there are vampires in this world. The Immortal sort of reminds me of…” I stopped mid-sentence while wrapping the leather straps around a large tree. Lightly scoffing I began to tie a very constricting knot. “I really have started to go crazy or something. Vampires don’t exist, they defy any possible logic! Then again…I haven’t seen the Immortal eat at all or actually sleep or bathe or drink…or…” I noticed outside my trailing verbal thought process that I had begun lightly stroking Orion’s head, from the tip of his soft ear to the strong bulging velvet cheeks at his muzzle. Oddly enough, he hadn’t bitten my hand or eaten my hair. His piercing blue eyes were in fact closed, and for a single fleeting moment, I believed that this absurd and obnoxious “horse” actually purred. Which I don't think is even possible.
I jerked back at the thought and action only to smack my head against the tall oak-like tree I had apparently been leaning against, the quite thoroughly tied knot in my free hand.
Sighing casually, I brushed off the ideas for later contemplation, as it was surely to invade my mind again. Pulling my hair over my shoulder I did my best to tuck it back behind the heavy cloak. It felt odd to have the equally heavy and smooth hood draped over my head, a bit of material drooping slightly over my forehead. Inwardly I wished I looked even a small portion as good as the Immortal did. However I knew it wasn’t so. The quickly brushing thought pushed against old wounds; I vehemently shook my head before taking a confident step forward.
“Ahhh, finally.” A smile danced on my face, my eyes pulling in a bit at the sun’s bright glare.
The area was actually rather bereft of people or anything really. It seemed to be one of those ignored edges of a town that only the lowest, creepiest, and most repugnant of citizens hung around. Out of the corner of my eye an old looking man stood with his long beard nearly touching the ground and a corny, eccentric grin beneath that hairy exterior. His fingers were all covered in what seemed to be thimbles and a rather large, pigeon-like bird was nesting on his haphazard scalp. Part of me wanted to go over and just stare at him for hours, but another was screaming ‘WARNING! WARNING! STRANGER DANGER!’ I managed to tear my eyes from the odd hobo creature and began to search for the Immortal’s deep blue cloak.
Not much further than a few yards from the opening I spotted his silken hair hanging along his back, apparently he took the opportunity to have his hood down in this shadow-ensconced area. Inhaling strongly, I headed to his side where I stopped and, with a sarcastic tone, spoke to him without even a glance towards his person. “Thanks ever so much for leaving me with a moron in the middle of nowhere; a nowhere I am stranger to.”
“I knew you would be fine.” His eyes also stayed away from my face. A part of me had wished he would acknowledge my existence along with his. I gently bit my lip when I saw an older man slowly step into my view. ‘My view’ being a mere six inches from my face.
His completely bald head and complexion was rather off-putting, considering he had to be well over 100 years old; I had never seen so many wrinkles on a human being before! It seemed unnatural.
I retracted from his uncomfortable stare and foul breath, though he managed to stay just as close somehow.
“Her eyes are odd.”
I blinked rapidly at his sudden statement.
The elderly man went back to his original place, in the shadow of the building we stood behind. Likely why I didn’t see him when I first came to the Immortal’s side.
“Her eyes are of little consequence. Is there anything that can be done?” The Immortal’s voice was soft but slightly urgent sounding. However, I had to admit I hadn’t the slightest idea what he was talking about.
“Perhaps, perhaps.” He stroked his narrow chin. “Let me see the wound.”
The Immortal abruptly grabbed my bandaged forearm and pulled up the sleeves, revealing the bloodied white dressing, now a bit frayed from my recent tree plunging activity. Gently but incredibly fast, the old man removed the wrappings, revealing a deep, bodily fluid dried gash from which purple, blue, and red spread out along my skin like a rabid disease seeking new prey. It looked far worse than the last time I saw it, and oddly I felt nothing to suggest it was any worse at all.
His large, bony fingers probed along my evidentially festering wound, while sudden nips and bites of pain would hit me, occasionally causing me to twitch in his hold. I could feel my face scrunch up at the sharp sensations.
The Immortal lightly squeezed my corresponding shoulder. I had momentarily been happy for the attempt at comfort until I saw the small man pull out a small, slender knife. I flinched back hastily but found myself met with the Immortal’s force of strength. My eyes followed as the blade made a careful incision into my discolored forearm, but from the wound, rather than crimson blood, a bubbly blue liquid seeped. Small burns began working their way through the ill flesh, the sharp bites of which sent my nerves in a frenzy beneath my skin. Writhing reflexively from the shock and pain, I jumped back, keeping my arm at a distance, and rammed into the Immortal who still kept me from running away.
“What the h-hell is happening!?” I inhaled sharply through my teeth as the pain started to subside.
Calming heat was flowing through my shoulders, which were held in the Immortal’s firm grasp. He must have been removing my pain all this time. I wanted to thank him, although I was a little more disturbed about why my arm seemed to no longer be an arm.
The thin man came out of the building’s shadow while cleaning his blade. “The poison is far more potent than I would have expected.” His stern brown eyes turned to my own, “you’re lucky you had two magic wielding Immortals with you, girl.”
My brain hardly registered his reference to me as ‘girl’, a title I would generally be rather peeved by, and instead my eyes vaguely gazed over the man, then turned to the ground, wrapped deep in thought. Before I had a chance to return to reality and voice anything, my arm was being re-bandaged with clean white dressings. Once the ends were tied, blue and red fluids had already begun to seep through the fabric. I had wanted to examine it myself but my sleeve was quickly pulled down for me.
I thrust a puzzled glare at the Immortal, but his attention was already with the elderly gentleman again. My ears were more curious than my eyes at the moment, so I also came back to the grouping.
“I can have the mage prepared by late this evening, after the festival has begun. We needn’t attract any extra attention towards you two. Although…” he paused briefly, “there is a chance you’ll be far less recognized seeing as a few years back a new tradition was initiated.”
“And what’s that?” My voice flowed out on its own.
“Ah, wearing blackened hair pieces, girlie. True, they are mostly crude and noticeable but it’s a good cover. Yes, I had nearly forgotten about it.”
My brow quirked both at his returned, slightly altered and more annoying, reference of ‘girlie’ along with the very idea of them not knowing what a wig was. “You mean wigs?”
The Immortal waved off my comment when the man looked at me with confusion.
“That is all good.” He replied to the old stranger. “My friend here needed to acquire a few things in town as it is, so time shouldn’t be an issue. Please have your apprentice find me when you are ready.”
They each nodded to the other and the thin, old creature slipped into the blackness.
“He’s agile for such an elderly man.” I placed my hands to my hips as I watched him vanish.
“Jade.”
“Hmm?” I turned to face him.
“Here is some money, please do not cause any trouble. The villagers should be setting up for the festival about now, so you will not likely bring attention to yourself.”
My lips pursed at his accusation. “I won’t cause trouble.”
He appeared to roll his eyes, but on coming lanterns caused the area to glimmer oddly, so I may have imagined it. Maybe.
I lightly shrugged beneath my cloak and went to head into town, leaving the Immortal at my back. Some part of me had simply assumed he would be joining me while I shopped, except that was really a silly idea. He wouldn’t show himself in such a way just for me.
People had started hustling about all over; this festival looked to be a big deal. It sort of reminded me of a carnival with those myriad stalls and vendors, the little shows and acts going on every which way you looked. I giggled as a playfully disguised group danced around a few small children who kept trying to steal their well-painted masks.
At times I thought I caught eyes on me, watching the stranger covered with a deep green cloak. I tried to make sure my face remained hidden from view, while still attempting to watch the festivities.
In a less busy area of town, an odd but enticing store caused me to stop my wanderings. The front window was littered with several different objects, all rare looking and odd or unique and beautiful, and although I likely couldn’t afford anything, I wanted to explore it.
The place wasn’t huge, but decent and simply covered with all sorts of things from food to weapons and clothing to furniture. I ran interested fingers gently along the cool steel of a sword as I passed an aisle. Luckily no one else had ventured in, however I also couldn’t spot a clerk, not that I was overly upset to be alone to search on by myself, undisturbed. I enjoyed being on my own; it was familiar.
Fidgeting clumsily with a large blade, I thought I heard someone in the store. Embarrassed to be caught, I hurriedly replaced the sword as best as I could and slyly checked the front area only to find no one at all.
“Strange.”
I returned to my sporadic pursuing, this time glancing in awe at the intricate jewelry beneath a glass cover near the back of the shop. A sudden gasp sounded from near where I was, along with a piece of furniture falling over. My heartbeat quickened, curiosity and worry churned inside me as I took a few steps towards the owner’s door at the back wall. I reached out with uncertainty for the handle, when it pulled open on its own and a young, attractive, sandy haired man stepped out, straightening his shirt as he went.
“Oh I’m so sorry...I-I was just..uhh…” I had begun backing up and, without noticing the man’s warning, fell into a large container of furs.
“Are you alright miss?!” His hand reached in to help me out, and I hesitantly accepted. As I was pulled up I felt my hood slip from my head.
He immediately released his grasp and took a step back, eyes wide and mouth agape.
Seeing his gaze grow, the realization I was no longer shrouded from view as I was supposed to be at all times, jerked me straight and I quickly groped for the hood, yanking it down over my hair and features. “I-I-I…um, I’m sorry for spying, I-I was just, uhh” I exhaled nervously. “Please excuse me!” I turned to dash out of the small store, but before I made a step my wrist was captured.
“Wait, please.” His eyes looked far more nervous then I felt, nevertheless his grip was unyielding and strong. “What are you?”
I blinked several times, pondering over an answer to such an odd question, gradually allowing my rapid breathing to calm.
“I uhh, I don’t really know how to answer something like that,” my internal monologue blurted mid-response, “uhm, I-I’m a human…I think?”
The young man released his grip and shook his head in confusion. “You…think?”
My relinquished arm drew up to my chest, where I held it with my other hand. “Uh, yeah. I’m sort of new here.”
“Well,” he puffed a sigh, still puzzled fingers scratched lightly at the scruff of his neck. “Hi then, I guess. I’m Kaiden, this is my father’s shop, and I’m in charge during the festival.”
“Oh, um, hello Kaiden.” I let a small smile slip onto my face.
He released a long breath, ran all those fidgety fingers through his rather tussled hair, and then finally dropped a hand to the small counter to his right.
“So, madam, is there something I can get for you?”
I looked him over cautiously, but his demeanor was fairly calm and easy, not at all threatening. My posture straightened and I lowered my arms, carefully I pulled up the hood a bit back to where I had originally had it placed and could see better.
“Um, my name is Jade. I was looking for several things actually.”
“Jade? Interesting sort of name. Well, we have any and every thing here, just tell me what you are looking for and I can help you find it.” He let a kind, welcoming grin spread across his lightly angular features.
A similar smile danced on my own face in reply. “Then I suggest we get started.”
