Chap. 17
“Oh, YoKo, it is absolutely so hot here! Are we at the city yet?” complained Serenity who was sitting on Arabella and fanning herself with a large leaf.
Be patient, Serenity. We’re almost there.
“How far?”
Not too far, I hope, complained Esmera from above. Anyone who was to glance up at Esmera would take her for a bird, or a hazy black dot. Serenity looked up at Esmera and saw her flying in circles above her.
Why aren’t you flying ahead? Questioned Serenity. She knew it was a bore for Esmera to stay at the same pace as Yoko and herself.
Because if anything happens, and I’m not there to help, then I can never forgive myself.
But YoKo’s here.
I know, but still.
Where do you think Jason and Shinku are? Murmured Serenity, thinking back on their ambush.
Hopefully okay. Is the necklace still bright? That’s the only hope we can hang onto that Jason and maybe Shinku are alive.
Serenity pulled the necklace out so it was in front of her face. She looked down only to find that it glowed brighter than before.
Yup, he’s fine for now.
That’s good, murmured Esmera. She dearly missed Shinku, as he was the only dragon she had ever seen before.
The day dragged on as Esmera flew overhead, Serenity riding slowly on the back of Arabella, and YoKo slowly trotting beside her. They walked mile after mile, only stopping if Serenity or Esmera got tired, but not YoKo. She seemed okay in the scorching weather.
Serenity trotted ahead and all of a sudden, it had gotten cooler. “Why is that?” Serenity asked.
The Kothari are the second highest mountains in Alercaria. They cast a lot of shade once you enter the right area. It should become easier to get to Cesitia after this, YoKo explained.
Cesitia was very small, and the population was very low, but it was an essential stop before going around the Kothari Mountains. The group needed to get food, supplies, and some water to make sure that they would survive going to around.
They arrived in Cesitia during mid-afternoon. Since there weren’t any trees or a forest around, Esmera was told to hide toward the bottom of the Kothari while Serenity went in, YoKo hiding in her bag. People in Cesitia were superstitious, and rumor had it that a white fox only brought trouble.
Serenity rode into Cesitia with YoKo in her bag. Children crowded around her and Arabella, wanting to get a closer look. Serenity rode ahead, with YoKo telling her direction in her head so nobody would hear. Turn right, she instructed.
Serenity obeyed and came to a market where merchants were selling all types of things. Serenity got off Arabella and tied her to a post. Then she slung her bag, which included YoKo, and started to walk around. YoKo told Serenity in her mind that they need non-perishable foods and some boots for Serenity. Serenity walked past a group of old men, but didn’t pay attention to them. As she walked by, Serenity caught part of their conversation.
“So, what are they going to do here?”
“I don’t know, but by the looks of it, I’m thinking they’re blocking the way around the Kothari Mountains. They could be there be accident, or they are here with a purpose. I don’t know, and I don’t want to get involved with it,” said one of the old men.
Go and ask them what they’re talking about, YoKo ordered.
Why?
It might be important.
Serenity walked over to the group and asked, “Hi, may I ask what you are talking about?”
An old man with a cane looked up at her. “We, that is, me and my friends, were discussing how the road around the Kothari is blocked by Rellark’s men.”
Panic hit Serenity. Rellark? Why is Rellark here? Serenity asked.
Relax, Serenity, it isn’t Rellark. It is merely his soldiers. Ask why they are here.
Serenity gulped. “Excuse me, why exactly are they here?”
“We don’t know, exactly. They could be there to look for someone, or they are just there by accident. But I do know this. No one is going through them, at least not for a month and a half. After that, they will leave.”
I bet Rellark somehow found out that we are going to Mirthira, and he sent his men to block the easiest road to prevent us from going around there, muttered YoKo.
Can we stay here until they leave?
Not unless we want to give up on Jason. I doubt the Malks will be keeping him alive for much longer.
Then what can we do? Panicked Serenity.
We have to go though it, instead of around it.
But Jason said that road is really hard and dangerous. And it just might be a trap. Maybe more of Rellark’s men are waiting at the top, waiting for us so they can ambush us.
I agree with you. Normally, I wouldn’t take the risk with the leader of the rebels, but it’s a chance I have to take now, to help Jason.
Serenity nodded, still thinking it over. “Yes,” she mouthed to her bag, where YoKo was poking her head out to get some fresh air.
YoKo helped Serenity buy all the other supplies and more, as they just had a change of plans. Serenity told the news to Esmera, who was scared to go through the Kothari.
That night, Serenity, YoKo, and Esmera slept close to the Kothari. They woke up, ate breakfast, and packed all their things to use for the journey. YoKo guessed the journey would take them about two weeks if everything went smoothly.
They walked for about ten minutes, when they stopped at a base of a rock. Overlooking the group were the giant and dangerous Kothari Mountains.
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