Thanks, SariBous!
Chapther 7 - A Childhood Companion
Someone has come for him....
Y'ato felt the scent of the creature. It reminded him of something, that he could not remember. The scent was pleasant in a strange way.. As the creature took a step forward, Y'ato crwaled into the deepest corner of the room and squeezed to the wall. He wanted to scream, but his lips were shut. He wanted to run, but he couldn't move a muscle. He felt the creature moving towards him.
Y'ato felt the power of the creature, it's strength was ineffable, but somehow he felt that the creature was not here to harm him. As the creature took another step, Y'ato could finally make out it's face.
It was dark blue, with a littlw white circle on the belly. It had huge wings and a small razor sharp beak. As the creature opened his glowing eyes, Y'ato remembered, what it was.. Then he fell unconscious and remembered no more...
***
The first thing Y'ato felt was a warm breeze. It was like medicine for his shreded skin. He took a deep breath and was surprised to find the air clean. He opened his eyes. The sun blinded him, but he regained his sight soon. Y'ato looked around him. He could see the remains of a small bonfire, there was still some smoke coming out of the live coal. Y'ato found himself laying on a big blanket of thick leather, covered with two warm sheets. He tried to stand up and stretch his muscles, but he couldn't as he felt too weak.
After all this time, Y'ato felt calm. He couldn't remember, how he got here. The last things he could remember were the deep blue eyes of the creature. He didn't know, for how long he stayed on those blankets, looking at the sky, at the trees, at the fresh, damp summer grass. He breathed the fresh air and it seemed that his body relaxed more and more with every breath. Soon, Y'ato fell asleep.
Y'ato woke up as he felt the scent of freshly cooked meat. He opened his eyes, and saw another person at the bonfire, that was lit again. The person was wearing a leather robe, and a thick hood, which didn't reveal his face. He had a couple of sacks and a small rusty sword, tied to his belt. The man was holding four trouts, pinned on a stick over the bonfire. Y'ato saw the blue bird that he saw in the cave. It was much more beautiful in daylight. Y'ato recognized it. It was a thunderbird. They were known for their glowing blue eyes and great strength.
When the man saw Y'ato waking up, he put the trouts on the grass and took his hood off.
"Nice to see you awake again, my friend"
Y'ato couldn't believe his eyes. It was Zaleh! Y'ato knew Zaleh from the first days in his life. They used to be best friends, when he was young. They have encountered lots of childhood adventures together, but Y'ato haven't seen him since... He couldn't even remember the last time he saw him.
"Are you alright, Y'ato? You seem a little pale.. Here, have some food. You need to regain your strength. You won't survive in here, if you're weak."
"Zaleh. Zaleh! Wh.. What happened? How did you find me? Wh.."
"Don't waste your breath, my friend. Eat the fish, you must regain your strength for the journey. We're not safe here."
"Why? What's wrong, Zaleh?"
"Bountyhunters. You're a wanted man, Y'ato... A
very wanted man."
Next up -
38_98, of course!