Chapter 8.9

A light breeze, barely more than a puff of wind, touched the two as they looked at each other. It was Kitashi who spoke first.

“Are you okay Jaala?”

“Yes, quite, my friend.” The answer was direct and his face was once again enigmatic.

Kitashi sensed there was more that was not being spoken but he was reluctant to try and surface the issue, or perhaps too tired, or too hungry. So instead, with a sad smile he said, “Let’s make camp and eat then.” It was spoken as much as a request as anything.

“Excellent idea,” Jaala said and beginning to move forward continued, “If I could suggest moving down the trail just a bit first though. Eating at the sight of a battle is never a good idea if one can help it.”

A sad smile crossed Kitashi’s face as he nodded and fell in step. The obsidian blade was sheathed and slung across Kitashi’s back. Neither said a word about it again.

They found a suitable camp site no more than a mile down the trail. For their meal they prepared the last of their bacon and supplemented it with a few handfuls of berries and such they had been able to gather during the day. It wasn’t much and both of them ate in relative silence. There was no tension between them, which was interesting to say the least, especially in view of what had transpired. Perhaps they were too tired from the exertions from the last few days. One cannot be sure. We do know though that the meal was not soon finished when they both had fallen asleep right where they sat. A gentle breeze caressed them and enrobed them in warmth.

Jaala woke the following day with the sun high in the sky. He blinked, coming awake slowly, in that extreme comfort that can only come from a well deserved long nights sleep on a good bed. He relished the warmth and comfort as he idly studied the leaves in the trees moving in the gentle breeze above. It took several minutes for him to wake even a bit more.

Something was wrong, but how could it be? This morning was too perfect, and all he wanted to do was curl up and go back to sleep, just for a bit. He tried to shake himself awake, like when he had bad dreams as a child. Warm air flowed all around him though urging him to relax. He breathed it in and felt sleep overcoming him again. He smiled as he found himself falling asleep again in spite of himself.

This was when he heard Kitashi speaking to him, barely louder than a whisper.

~ by ridgewalker on October 19, 2009.