chapter 4 Ilorn
I walked through the crowds quickly blending in with the mass of people. If I took my hood off I would stand out and be chased down by the guards. I didn't have the feathers of a Phoenix and my skin would give away that I wasn't even human. But the longer I stayed in the open the more conspicuous a cloaked person would look. I had to find a break in the crowd in an area that no guards would see. I searched for ten minutes before I saw my chance.
I slipped between a woman with children in tow and a man walking behind them. Right before I reached the nearby alley I heard footsteps right next to me. My hearing was impeccable but for some reason I heard the quiet and quick footsteps too late. I turned my head just as a brightly colored Phoenix girl barreled into me from the side. The impact sent us both flying and the boy behind her stopped and stared in surprise.
When I finally caught my breath I sat up and looked at the two Phoenix that had sent me flying. The girl was a little short and skinny but I could tell even she could put up a fight. She has mostly bright red feathers with a few blue and green ones, her skin was white with black stripes under her green eyes. She sat gasping for air as I stared looking bewildered.
The boy held out his hands to both of us. He was more solid in build. If I'd been hit by him I'd still be sprawled out on the ground gasping for air. His feathers and skin were black but his eyes were a deep blue that it was almost like seeing the ocean in them. He was also taller than me by a head whereas the girl was shorter by a head.
"Hey sorry bud we meant no harm. We were just having a little race to the market. Are you okay?" The boy said with a slight look of concern.
"If anything you should be asking if I'm okay! It was like hitting a rock! What in the world dude." the girl's face was slightly red from gasping for air and she was now rubbing her side where she had hit the ground.
"I'm so sorry I didn't see you coming, or hear you for that matter." I puzzled at this for a few moments
"That's my sister! Light as a feather!" He picked her up around the waist and she struggled helplessly.
"Hey put me down! I'm not a rag doll!" He did eventually put her down.
"Anyway I'm sorry for getting in your way " I held out my hand for them to shake but when the girl took my hand she stared down at the bit of skin on my wrist that showed from my sleeve. I knew suddenly that she had seen the sun shine off a few of my scales when she looked up at me shocked. Her companion didn't seem to notice.
She smiled at me and seemed much more curious. "So what brings you here?"
"I was headed to the market but got lost" I laughed nervously "but I'm also here to see the healer"
"That's where we are going we can show you around if ya want" she was practically jumping with excitement.
"Uhm" I looked around " I guess that'd be useful, thanks!" I chuckled. The boy seemed confused and just stared at the girl.
"By the way you can call me Luca and this " she gestured toward the boy " is Darian, my brother." I looked between the two with a skeptical face. They looked nothing alike. But I let that slide.
"Now let's go! Move it ya big lugs" she dragged us along after her and I had to hold my hood up so it didn't fall down.
As we made our way through the marketplace I noticed that they bought mostly stones, herbs and spices, powders and other things that I couldn't name. I helped them carry them after Darian had started scolding me. As we walked along the rows of stalls, I looked for the one thing that I needed. I finally found the Nightshade at a herbs stall that mostly had toxic plants.
Darian looked at me skeptically "you could kill a werewolf with that stuff. What are you gonna do with it?"
"It may be toxic but it can also be medicinal " I grumbled
I heard the faintest whisper from Luca, "Only to certain species." She was wide eyes as she watched me pay for a jar.
"When are we going to the seer?" I asked pretending I hadn't heard her.
"Well we have everything now" Darian looked over the necessities and sighed. Then they both started to lead the way out of the market.
When we reached the edge of the market and the square we passed a group of soldiers and I saw one of the soldiers step in Luca's way making her stumble and drop what she was carrying. She grumbled and glared at the grinning soldier as she bent to pick up her items, but the soldier put his foot on one of the jars as her hand landed on it preventing her from picking it up. She stood up her face bright red with fury.
"Can I have my wolfsbane?" She practically growled out the question.
"Maybe if you earn it" he smiled cruelly
"How would I do that?" She snapped
"Oh a feisty one" he laughed " why don't you give me a kiss" he went to grab her but she punched him in the jaw knocking him out with one punch.
Darian, the other soldiers, a crowd and I all stood staring as she picked up the jar and started walking again. I turned to Darian as we followed and whispered.
"I'm scared now"
"Apparently she's been gentle in our fights" he looked at me wide eyed.
Eventually they led me to what could only be described as a shack. Why would a seer live in a run down shack? It looked as if it was about to collapse. I looked on puzzled as they pried open the door which had apparently according to them been locked in order to force them to get the supplies.
They led me inside and I was shocked to find that the inside was a drastic change from what had looked like a shack outside. Inside it looked like a normal house. as I looked around I heard an old woman cackling and I looked down at a short and seemingly decrepit old woman. Her milky eyes made her look blind but she seemed to be able to see just fine.
"The look on your face is priceless, " she laughed. Then she made her way over to a seat at the cluttered table where we had dumped the bought supplies.
As she sorted through the supplies with the other two and placed them in their correct spot and every now and then she would smack their hand away from a powder or plant.
"I've been expecting you Ilorn" she said without looking "I know what you need and I am willing to help, but you must do something for me instead. This favor will involve you staying here for a time though." The other two looked shocked
"Where will he sleep!? There is barely enough room for both of us!" Darian shouted
"Oh quiet down you'll just have to make it work" she dismissed them with a wave of her hand. For some reason I wondered if they slept in a bed together. But I shook away the thought as the seer kept talking.
"Besides winter is coming and more bodies makes more heat. You'll survive in your sleep that way" she shook her head at their odd looks.
"Why must I stay here?" I asked and it seemed as though a shadow passed over her face for a moment but then it was gone in an instant.
"You'll see" she smiled.
"I'll trust you seer"
"Call me Sparrow " she shook her head looking annoyed.
"Alright Sparrow "
"But you must show them your true self so that they may help you as well" she gestured at the others and suddenly I was scared, but she seemed to sense it.
"Don't worry they won't kill you they only try to kill each other, I swear they fight like two bulls in a China closet" she fussed as one of them almost dropped a jar.
"Why do I have to?"
"Do you want help or not?" She glared at me and I stared back.