Zel checked the map again, being careful to match up the landmarks with the layout on the map. It had been a few days since they had left Sairaag, and Xeros had still not shown up. Sylpheel's innocent question had resulted in some rather unusual circumstances. Firia had turned around, slapped Xeros upside the head and then fainted, nearly dropping little Val on the ground. It had taken several hours to waken her.
Xeros had turned bright red with fury and embarressment, and disappeared. Hours later, they had found him perched on top of the town's church steeply swearing loud enough that they could hear him for several blocks in any direction. Nothing they could say lured him away from his perch, so they left him to follow whenever he wanted.
"OH HO HO HO HO HO!" Zel gritted his teeth, hearing that annoying laugh again. Nahga had bumped into them on their way out of Sairaag.
"And what are you doing, cousin?"
"Checking to make sure we're on the right track, hooters." The old nickname came easily from his lips, having called her hooters for over fifteen years.
"Don't call me that reprehensible name. I am the Great Nahga!"
"Your birth name is Gracia, hooters."
"My name is Nahga! FREEZE ARROW!"
Zel easily dodged the clumsy magical attack. Amelia looked up from where she was playing with little Valtiera.
"Big sister Gracia?"
"Yes little sister Amelia?"
"Why did you change your name?"
"It seemed appropriate."
"Mr. Zelgadis, are you sure we're cousins?"
"Yes!" Zel's voice was harsh and abrupt as he stalked off to the other side of the camp and down the side of the hill.
He
was concerned
why was his
grandson
so mad
so annoyed
too many people
too many
emotions
bombarding
from
all sides
to
be sure why
Those ones
Naga and Amelia
were descendents
of his?
...
Naga ...
...
...
Eeeww.
Elkin gave his wings a few more flaps to maintain speed, then glided along on a particularly steady current of warm air. How wonderfully freeing it was to assume this form, so savage a creature their father had been ... A pity that none of their other siblings could ever feel this firsthand. Only Titavi and himself had this ability, a gift from their father.
He had never begrudged the fact that his mother had remarried less than a year after his father's death. His father had been old, and the last of his line. The death had been peaceful, and long expected.
Now, where was it that he was supposed to meet up with Zel? What was that? His eyes narrowed as he scanned the ground below him. White, puffy things ... Sheep!