In Search of You

Chapter 7

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Story co-authored by @strangegrounds

CHAPTER 7

Astrid prepared herself for yet another long trek through the wilderness. Quil asked her to stay with several warriors while he oversaw the entire camp packing and discussed with the elders the route they will take back to their tribe. By exactly noon, judging from the position of the sun in the sky, all of them started to walk. By Astrid’s estimate, there were a total of about a hundred people more or less.

Several burly warriors were in the front of this little procession led by his brother Khan. The elders, women and children were in the middle. The servants of Quil’s tribe were in the back of the line along with the tents and other possessions. There were a few more warriors after the possessions and the servants. Quil and Astrid were the very last in line. Astrid wondered about this for she knew that Quil was king—the leader of his tribe. Shouldn’t he be up front with the warriors?

“For now, we walk. When we go to the base of the mountains, that’s where we’ll find the danores,” Quil told Astrid, snapping her out of her thoughts. “What are danores?” she asked. Quil frowned as though searching for words. “There isn’t an exact translation to your language because they don’t exist in your world. They are winged, scaly creatures that are four to five times bigger than a human,” Quil explained, waving his hand through the air.

“Err. Kinda like dragons?” she suggested. Quil’s frown deepened. I have spent three years of my life in your world and I am not familiar with these... dragons.”

“Dragons are mythological creatures that are similar to what you described. But here they’re real. I’m excited to see one!” Astrid gushed. Quil’s frown vanished and a smile took its place. Again, Astrid’s heart stopped for a second when she saw that smile. She resisted the urge to giggle when she beheld his dimples.

Astrid shook her head and forced herself to keep calm and focused. “I guess I’m stuck here for a year, huh? Maybe you should start teaching me your language so I can understand your people... Assuming I stay with you, right? Will your people accept me?” Astrid asked. Her insecurities and fears crept up on her. What if Quil’s people labelled her as a witch or something? What if they won’t let her stay and cast her out in this godforsaken world?

“No, Astridwith my people. They are very much fascinated with you. They haven’t met anyone like me in a long, long time. And about the language, sure. I’ll teach you,” he answered. This was what he generally believed. But he thought that there may still be some of his people who’ll think she’s a bad omen from the gods and that she should be left to fend for herself.

Quil sighed at this. At times like this, it was hard to be King. He dreaded the moment he’d finally be home and the discussion with the elders will start. He didn’t want to think about their decision about Astrid for he had a niggling feeling he wouldn’t like it.

As King, his word was law but still dissent could arise within his people if he didn’t follow the word of the elders. For now, Quil decided not to worry about something which might never happen. For now, he’ll try and enjoy the rest of the day and look forward to finally coming home.

Throughout the rest of the day, Quil pointed at random objects and told Astrid the translation. She was a bit slow with grasping all the words and she can’t get the accent right but she was glad to learn. Also, she just wanted to hear the beautiful words of Quil’s native tongue. It was like that time she took French lessons just so she could hear her professor speak the beautiful, lilting language.