~ Yet time does not stays still - II ~

Xi Ken was still inside the mud house, probably resting, when Wersi Wa, came out of the breakfast hall, marching forward with a measured grace, his hair color, which was a dark shade of green, flashing in the strong sun glare.

His face was pulled into a rather stern stiffness which scared me, but I carefully kept up the pretense of being unaffected by him.

Hummer and Ser Vor were following him out, more like pacifying his mood before he left with the envoy. They seem to be working hard with their sweet talk. Although, Ser Vor was professional and kept the buttering to a minimal, just enough to not damage their relationship.

"When Ken and I visit the Supreme Chanter, we will make sure to bring a gift for him, so if his underling could tell me what sort of present his master likes, it would be very considerate."

To Ser Vor's pleasant request, I watched Wersi Wa becoming thoughtful, but rather than describing an answer, he just nodded and said, "Presumptions."

Ser Vor smiled, until a laugh boomed out of his mouth, he patted the younger Wersi Wa and both him and his disciple saw the guest off.

Wersi Wa rode a very famous phoenix according to Hummer, so I was also quite enchanted with the red feathered huge bird that had long tails and just the right amount of size to be passed off as majestic. The giant claws were big enough to cage my person, no less claw out a strike that can kill anyone in one go, a direct KO.

I realized that reading fantasy plots had made me immune to such random beasts and people, even the green hair of Wersi Wa and the pink hair of that Rai Xo weren't able to shock me. And knowing that these old custom folks didn't colour their hairs, the strange natural heredity actually amused me instead.

This place/planet had four races... somehow even that did not make me anxious. What made me anxious was instead my fate, like what was I supposed do to here, wasn't looking for a way to go back home my only task? Then why did it feel like I was integrating into their society with each day as we got closer to Xi Ken's place. Now Xi Ken even had some interest in me, and I too, wasn't really opposed to his thinking. A person like him was both beautiful and powerful, tell me who wouldn't want to have some sort of relationship with such person. I did not think I loved him, attraction was there, but I wasn't in love with that guy, yet... I couldn't help but like his character, he was just, reasonable, warm and very comfortable to be around, like not all the time, because something about him always made me weary at times, but he was better than all the people I had met until now. He even promised me to look for a way back home, which was the icing on the cake.

The phoenix raced ahead on its two legs and after exiting the small village's premises, it sprang up and unfolded it's wings, the length span huge enough to cast a shadow on the sandy soil below, huge enough to cover a few houses.

A shrill scream escaped its beak and I watched as Wersi Wa left us alone, his envoy also no longer around. Where did that man go? It was for the first time I was meeting such a person whose presence was so low-key, I hadn't even seen his features nor his bearing. It was as if a shadow had dissipated without us knowing.

"Where is that envoy?" I asked Hummer, since Ser Vor had taken his leave and I couldn't find him. And hummer... seems to have been waiting for me to return to his side.

Hummer looked up at the direction where Wersi Wa had flew to, "I really believe that the envoy was what you call a 'shadow slave', they are basically used by high status members to protect themselves. In this case the envoy was the shadow slave."

"Is it a real person?" I was curious, even if the entire slave system irked me the wrong way, having slaves was a bit... appalling.

"No," Hummer laughed, "they are energies given shape, they have 1/10th of the power their masters have, that is why they are called 'shadow' slaves, you can give them any form, any status, any gender, many use such tricks. They are handy, since you can also make them do your chores, retain their memory, see from their eyes, make them your spies, destroy them when their work is done. They aren't real people, only a stagnant energy shell, so it is easy to use them."

"But I never see Xi Zuen or Zuen Vor use it, how come this is the first time I am seeing one?"

Hummer shrugged, "It depends upon your preference, my master doesn't desire any such shadow slave to protect him or do his work, instead he makes me do his work... so."

I grinned, "Work hard then."

He coughed, "My master can be very stubborn with his mentality, anyway, are you doing okay now, yesterday you were in bad shape."

"I am fine," I even jumped a bit and punched the air to show I was doing great, "I was just a bit fearful since I haven't ever gotten in touch with such evil before."

"Yeah I can understand, I believe you have never crossed the border of Zor En, so you aren't familiar with the dangers..."

I nodded, I didn't have the guts to tell him I wasn't one of them anyway, such horror movie stuff wasn't in my league from the start.

"Also, my master today was a bit frustrated, not only today, since yesterday night, seems like he and Ink master Zuen Ken had a fight on something, I don't know," Hummer spoke, the least bit surprised, "They are often like this, disagree on many things which I never understand why, so maybe we could leave both of them be and take a tour of this village? I want to show you something."

Although I had realized why the two masters had a spat, I was too timid to go and clarify things to Hummer or even his master, in the first place it didn't seem like I could meddle. "I will just inform Xi Zuen about this, then we can leave."

Hummer huffed, rolling his eyes at me, "We can't tell any of them, they would forbid it, we are visiting on our own accord."

"Forbid it?" I was startled, "Just what do you want to show me?"

He smiled, his lips curving up like a cat's, "Aren't you curious to see why the people of this town rarely come out of their homes?"

"Well... yes," I did had noticed that all of them were somewhat fearful of something, even that couple who let us in.

"Doesn't this place also seem a bit... peculiar?"

I gulped, "What are you getting at?"

He did not reply, "Just come with me, I know what is wrong and why they are letting us stay here free of cost, well almost free of cost."

I hesitated a bit, wondering whether it was okay to leave Xi Ken's side like this, he had warned me ahead of time, and if I did not follow his guidance, won't I be in danger?

"You are too thoughtful!" Hummer slapped my back almost knocking me down, his thick palms heavy and strong. "You are too dependent on your master, you also need to explore, and don't forget I am still here with you. Also, aren't your skills very good?"

I sighed, "If I get reprimanded then all blame will be pushed on you, don't forget that."

He did not mind being the master planner, "Come with me, it will be interesting."