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Chapter 21: Eldion Learns the Truth
After travelling some distance from Alnoc's north gate, Casser flicked Noha's reins and the carabao turned left from the main road. They followed a dirt road leading downwards until they reached a pond under the canopy of trees. Casser got off the cart and removed Noha's yoke. He then led Noha down to the pond where she could cool off and eat the reeds that grew plentifully in the water.
Eldion watched as Noha flicked her ears, enjoying the water, "Carabaos really like the water, don't they?" asked Eldion.
"Noha needs to cool off every now and then or she might collapse from the heat and the exertion," Wen explained. "I guess there are no carabaos where you're from," she commented.
"No carabaos? Where did you come from?" asked Casser, overhearing Wen and Eldion's conversation.
Eldion did not know what to say and looked at Wen for help.
"Dagos," said Wen abruptly.
Casser whistled. "Whew! That's quite a long way from here. I can't imagine why
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Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 22: Alnoc Forest
Lankko washed his muddied face in the shallows and wondered if it was true what the old women of Alnoc said about the mud's beneficial properties. He rubbed his face, concentrating in the areas under his eyes and the corners of his mouth and asked himself, 'Can mud really lift your mood in the direst of situations?' Seeing his reflection on the water, he shrugged and proceeded to wash his body.As Lankko washed himself calmly, Enzir peeled off his clothes that had all been covered with mud when he climbed up the banks of the river. He dipped his clothes repeatedly in the water and waited until the currents of the river washed off the mud. He then hung his clothes to dry and proceeded to wash off the mud off his hair and face.When the two men had finished and their clothes had sufficiently dried under the sun, they sat under the shade and rested. Enzir's sword lay on the grass with his sash while Lankko's small bott
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 23: The Traveler's Inn
Noha plodded on the road after being refreshed by her dip in the pond and her lunch of reeds and water plants. She made satisfied grunts and flicked her ears happily. Casser chewed on some peanuts to pass the time while making sure that Noha did not pull the cart over potholes or large rocks.Wen was satisfied with their progress and hoped that they would reach the travelers' inn soon so that they could rest early. She kept watch behind them to make sure that no one was following. She had always been cautious and would listen for any sound of galloping horses or carriage wheels. Fortunately, they only passed a few farmers and merchants on the road who, like them, were already late in coming out of Alnoc.Wen looked at Casser who had just finished snacking on his peanuts and was whistling softly. It was a particularly jolly tune that was always well received at Thunka's. Casser had played along with Mira's request to get out of Alnoc and avoid the soldiers, but Wen did not know how long
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 24: Neto and Leita
Bed assignments settled, the three went back downstairs to have their dinner. Roma approached them and served hot chicken broth.After a while, Roma led a man and a woman to the next table. They had just arrived at the inn and Roma likewise served them their dinner.The man had a thin beard and wore a brown leather coat over his white shirt. The woman who sat at the table with him wore similar attire and had large earrings that glistened with the lamps on the table. Her hair was tied into a tight bun. Both wore snakeskin belts which at once caught Casser's attention."Going to Alnoc?" The man asked Casser."No, just left Alnoc this morning," replied Casser."I'm Neto, by the way, and this is my wife, Leita." Leita bowed her head when she was introduced."I'm Casser and these are Wen and Eldion." Casser replied while his companions smiled at the couple."You came from Alnoc? We were supposed to get in the city earlier, but the gates we
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 25: Thunka Remembers
The red lanterns that surrounded the Entertainment Palace were all lit, shedding rays of red light on the pathways that all led to the main octagonal structure. They drew in Thunka's customers, mostly wealthy traders who came to Alnoc from different cities of Sendorra. Thunka's servants were all busy pouring wine on seemingly bottomless glasses and filling platters with sumptuous servings of roasted chicken and beef. Glass bowls were laden with fruits that came in from local traders and merchant ships. Everything glittered under the colored lamps of the palace and the richest customers displayed the full splendor of their gold jewels and gem-studded attire.Merry music from the small gongs and the bamboo flute intermingled with the laughter and the noisy chatter from customers who were busy talking with their favorite performers from Thunka's troupe. Lounging on her usual seat and watching everything that was happening around her was Thunka, glamorously dressed in finest silk
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 26: Thunka Gets a Visit
Thunka thought about these events that happened after she woke up in her private room and felt her anger return. She was further incensed upon her discovery that her feather bag was also missing. As if to taunt her, Mira put her empty diamond jar in its place. Thunka felt her face grow hot and had a servant fan her more vigorously. When she had sufficiently calmed down, she reclined comfortably and watched her dancers perform.Suddenly, Thunka saw soldiers in black uniform block her view of the performance. She was about to shout angrily when she noticed the Imperial insignia of the soldiers."Jal Dalik, I was wondering when you would visit," said Thunka, raising a hand to the newcomer."Thunka," said Dalik as she kissed Thunka's hand. "Lovely as ever."Thunka had her servants prepare a seat for the Emperor's general and had the finest wine served to him. Dalik eyed Thunka with interest and asked, "How are you, my old friend?""As you can see, I've
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 27: A Moonlight Chase
Casser clicked his tongue repeatedly and flicked the reins to get Noha to go faster. Noha protested and looked behind her at Casser as if to say that she was already going as fast as she could. She brayed and snorted, then continued to plod along the moonlit road. Eldion looked repeatedly outside and expected the soldiers or the magic hunters to come out of the inn anytime. He wondered whether it was wise to use Noha to escape the soldiers or if they would be better off on foot.Wen could not believe how slow Noha was going and was thinking of just telling Casser that they leave Noha and the cart. She fidgeted with her hands and shifted in her seat as she kept looking behind them. She wished that she had a mantle of invisibility at that moment to hide their escape from their pursuers.Casser led Noha to the right side of the main road and then down a dirt road that was partially obstructed by shrubs. Eldion heard shouts from behind them and saw one of the soldiers look out of the windo
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 28: Lankko Finds Shelter
The ground had become softer and wetter the more that Lankko walked on as he followed Mira's scent. Lankko took the lead while Enzir followed closely behind him. Soon, the landscape changed as more mangroves grew on the water and Enzir could see the moon mirrored on the watery surface of the swamp.Lankko held the chicken that was the mankora on the crook of his arm. The chicken clucked and Lankko stroked its feathers until it calmed down and was able to sleep. He cooed at the chicken as if singing a lullaby. When Lankko lifted his head, he saw that Mira's trail was leading them westwards over the vast wetlands that bordered Alnoc forest. Lankko walked on wondering when the effects of the magic elixir were going to wear off and what they would do when it did. He only had one full bottle of magic elixir left in his pocket and knew that he would need to make more of it if they were to track Mira. The problem would be where he could get the magical artifacts from which he could
Journey Through the Shadow Realms Chapter 29: Stories of Alanca
"The story of Alanca is as old as the temple ruins that lay across the vast swamplands to the north of Alnoc." Enzir remembered his father telling him the story when he was still a boy.There once was a king who ruled over the lands that included the Alnoc and extending northwards up to the Kanima Mountains. Alnoc fortress did not exist then and the king lived in a large stone palace that was built on a flat piece of land just across the swamp. Most of the king's subjects were fishermen who earned their living by fishing in the rough seas of the Corian. There were still no large merchant ships and the boats were a lot smaller and could only carry up to three fishermen and their catch.However, the kingdom became known for its beautiful stone sculptures that rivaled even the decorations in the palaces of Lazar. It was said that Alnoc's guild of sculptors became so skilled in their art that the master sculptors could create statues that could come to life. The king loved
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