All Things New: Chapter Twenty-Five

More of Artham's cat allergy! Yay!

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: THROUGH THE LAND OF CURSED CATS

“ACHOOO!”

Donovan jumped as Artham sneezed. “You know, I should be used to your sneezin’ by now, but it’s so loud it still scares me.”

Artham laughed as he pulled out a handkerchief to blow his red nose.

“Sorry Don, but these cats and me don’t get along very well.”

Darian smiled at the head of the group. “Allergic, ay Artham?”

“I’d say,” Donovan muttered, who was trying to enjoy the interesting landscape Torrborro had to offer. The cat themed architecture was especially interesting.

“How long are we staying here, Darian?” Artham asked, before promptly sneezing again.

“Only passing through, lad, no need to worry. We won’t be here much longer.”

“Good, cause Artham is likely to blow out his brains he sneezes so loud,” Donovan teased, and the whole group laughed.

Darian suggested they go through a neighborhood to avoid any passing cats, and it was a shortcut. Being that Darian decided to travel low profile, he had abandoned the thought of a carriage. So, a shorter way was welcomed by all. As they walked down the neighborhood street, Artham noticed a young boy, perhaps six or seven, playing outside with a wooden sword.

“Aha!” The boy declared, “I shall vanquish thee, thou villainous miscreants! Allow me to introduce you to my shining steel!”

With that, the boy fought his imaginary foes (to Artham it looked like dancing).

“Gammon!” a woman called from the front porch. “Come inside, love. It’s time for lunch!”

“Yes, Mama!” the boy called, but he froze when he saw the three strangers walking past his house. He pointed his wooden sword tip at them and asked, “Art thou friend or foe?”

Artham felt inclined to speak to this boy, so he stopped and walked a few paces towards him, answering as he went, “Don’t worry, lad. We are friends. Now, who are the enemies you are vanquishing?”

“Ah!” The boy smiled, pleased to see someone take an interest in his little game. “I am fighting Wanderers of the Woes! Papa says they are very dangerous.”

Artham grimly nodded. “Very dangerous indeed, boy. Be careful the games you play, lest they become reality one day,” and then, in a lighter tone, he added, “and keep your sword tip higher, feet wider, and your confidence brighter.”

With that, Artham jogged to meet up with Darian and Donovan, leaving the young boy, Gammon, running inside to meet his mother, and tell her all about the strange man he met and how high he would keep his sword point on his next battle.

Darian led the two young men through many twists and turns that day. Artham wondered where in the world Darian was going, if he even knew where. But, when he started down an alley, Artham voiced his concern.

“Darian, I do trust you, but what in the world are you doing going down an alley?”

Darian paused and looked back, his grey hair shining in the moonlight. “Lads, we are going north. I need to get you to the Ice Prairies, then you will catch a boat, Artham, and get back home, wherever that is. The journey is ending. And I am happy to say it went smoother than I expected. Almost too smooth,” he mused.

“But father,” Donovan said, “that doesn’t answer the question: How are we going to get north in an alley way?”

Darian smiled mysteriously.

“Down this alley, is a Strander tunnel. It will lead us to the Ice Prairies.”

Artham and Donovan let a wave of shock rush through them. They were going to walk underground all the way to the Ice Prairies?! The little boy in both of them rose up, and they grinned at each other.

“Well lads, no time to waste,” Darian said, lifting a hatch that the boys hadn’t noticed before. “After you.”

“Race ya,” Donovan cried, dodging for the tunnel.

“Hey!” Artham exclaimed, laughing and he followed his friend with a speed that carried him to the hatch first.

Darian laughed. “Be careful on the way down! I don’t want anything bad to happen to either of ya!”

Artham and Donovan passed beyond his sight as they went into the darkness of the tunnel. Darian looked around him. He was leaving Torrborro. He was happy but also concerned. Why had this quest been going so smoothly? Why didn’t he get attacked like he did so many other times? Why were the Stranders keeping at bay? Why did the pirates behave themselves? And why did some people look at Artham with a strange look in their eyes?

Darian sighed before descending into the darkness, where his son lit a torch, and the long walk north began.

“No more sneezing down here,” Artham said, grinning.

“Aye! At least I don’t have to worry about jumping ten feet in the air anymore,” Donovan said, socking Artham in the arm.

Artham laughed. “Let’s get going.”

I had to bring in Gammon! I believe he was from Torrborro, and I think Artham would be like twelve years older than him. I needed him to be older, because uh....well....you'll just have to wait and see....