Chapter 4.6

Katashi sensed that if he told the man they must take their own separate paths to Blathan that this would simply entail the man following him for the whole journey there.  He would find this distasteful and quite possibly unwise.  Better to keep things as they were and make their way towards the city.

“You simply see a reflection of the training I received from men much greater than myself.  Come let us continue on our way.”

Jaala regained his jovial bearing and they set out on the path for the mountain city.  Once again he began his rhythmic banter and as before Katashi allowed it to calm and wash over him.  Perhaps he does this to dull my senses, Katashi thought.  But no, I feel more alert than normal, it almost as if he brings me to a higher state of readiness.  Katashi looked sidelong at his companion wondering if this was done on purpose.

Neither sought to stop for a meal by implicit agreement, keeping a strong pace throughout the day.  Another day at this pace and we may reach the Borderlands by sunset tomorrow, marvelled Katashi.  As the sun started to move low towards the horizon.  They had come a long way and at a break in Jaala’s singsong monologue, Katashi asked if he would mind if they stopped for him to say his evening prayer and then set up camp.

“Jaala?” Katashi inquired and then he saw them too.  Scattered on and about the path up ahead were the bodies of several men.  He noted their boots, the same boots that he had seen from hiding this morning.

~ by beinnsgriob on June 8, 2008.