Lone Warrior-Chapter 4: Caygans and Calgarians (Continued again and again)

The fire crackled, the leaves rustled, the breeze whispered, everything but humans speaking continued as if not interrupted. Then a huge laugh came from Martina. "The Prophecy of the Destined Three? Oh, please, don't you mean the Prophecy of Winnie the Poo?"
"I do not know who Winnie the Poo, a wonderful person I am sure, but this prophecy, I know, is not about him." shaharazhad replied calmly. "Until now, i have not known who it was about, but now, it is quite obvious. It refers to three people. And the only three people who even have the slightest chance is you."
"Look, We don't know anything about this world, I mean were from Vancouver, Canada. We're not going to be of much help..."
"Taledo, you have no idea what the prophecy is, how can you be so sure it is not about you and your friends?"
I had no answer to that.
Shaharazhad settled herself by the fire, looking completely at peace. While Doldi clasped the pitcher of water against her chest as if it were her child. "Sit" Shaharazhad said, feeding dried leaves into the fire. But these were not regular leaves. when caught fire, they released a fresh scent and a cloud of sweet smelling silver smoke. "I heard this prophecy when I was 14, at my coming of age ceremony. And I am telling you this now, for you will play a great part in the story this prophecy tells."
She closed her eyes and recited from memory, "Beware of dangers to be faced, for in the end th wind shall save. Three of which the job shall be to bring the destined to the destiny."
"Wow..." I breathed.
"But...but..." Martina stuttered, "that doesn't necessarily mean we're the three in the prophecy."
"Martina, you can keep telling yourself that if you wish, but it isn't going to change anything, the prophecy couldn't be any clearer if it had used your names. You are the only hope. The only hope for people that he really can be defeated."
"Wait a second," I said, "Whose 'he'?"

Lone Warrior- Chapter 4:Caygans and Calgarians (Continued)

I blinked. How could someone be angry for 200 years? How could someone even be alive for that long? And the same question kept popping up, what is a Caygan? Was it a type of creature? A place or a race of people? Solan seemed desperate to go to a 'Caygan Camp'. That suggests that Caygans are a race not an object or a location. But if Shaharazhad's mother was at a Caygan Camp, then perhaps Shaharazhad had also been at such a place. Martina appeared not to have heard anything. Megan rolled over in her bed, her eyelids opening slowly, then sitting up. The door to the caravan opened and Doldi popped her head in, "Ah! Good, you're awake! The three of you had best get out here. Oh, and Shaharazhad dear, they're is a rider here to see you. Says her name is Ticara."
"Yes, I was expecting her. In fact she is late. I'll go see her now." Shaharazhad stood and left the caravan, followed by Doldi. Shrugging her shoulders and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Megan left as well.
By the time Martina and I were out by the fire with Doldi and Megan, Shaharazhad had already disappeared into the trees. "I don't understand," Martina whispered into my ear.
"Don't understand what?"
"Why Doldi and Dornen are helping us. They don't know anything about us. It just doesn't make any sense," she replied.
"Well, maybe they don't care." I answered.
Megan, who until now, had been silent and staring at the fire as if the heat pained her, spoke up. "Gypsies are very spiritual. Maybe they're helping us because, I don't know, a prophecy or something has foretold it."
"A prophecy?" Martina guffawed, "You're joking, right? Why would they're be a prophecy about us? We're just normal teenagers."
"Well, excuse me," Megan said defensively, "but what has happened to us so far hasn't exactly been 'normal'."
I had to admit she was right. I think Martina thought so to because she suddenly became very interesting in the tin cup of water she was holding.
"What are you girls talking about?" Doldi inquired, puring water from a pitcher.
"Oh we were talking about prophecies ans stuff," I blurted without thinking.
My friends sent me warning look to late. Doldi dropped the pitcher and Dornen's pipe almost fell into the fire as he let go of it in shock. The silence afterward was almost unbearable. "Pr...prophecies?" Dornen finally stuttered.
"Umm...yeah..." I answered, unsure of myself.
Shaharazhad appeared at that moment, a frown creasing her forehead as she saw the dropped pitcher and Doldi's look of shock. "What's wrong?
"I just said we were talking about prophecies" I answered quietly.
Shaharazhad did not react by dropping a things, but her frown did deepen. "Ah...I see you will need a briefing."
"A briefing?" Martina murmured.
"Yes, about the Prophecy of the Destined Three."

Lone Warrior-Chapter 4: Caygans and Calgarians

Megan was muttering in her sleep as usual. Something about buttering Romania, but apart from that I was unable to understand anything. Afternoon light poured through the parted curtains of the caravan and onto the small table at which Martina was sitting at. She was consulting a map and taking notes. Martina's favourite things. I could hear Shaharazhad and Solan talking in the bed at the back of the caravan.I strained to her them over the sound of Martina cursing herself if she made a spelling mistake. "Solan, you can't come to the cay...."
Martina pounded her hand against the wood of the table and let out an exasperated sigh.
"But we're getting married!" Solan cried.
Shaharazhad hushed him."That doesn't matter to mother. She would not allow a non-Caygan in her camp."
"But why?" Solan was pleading now, sounding like a small child being denied the thrill of a lolly-pop.
Caygan? What on earth is a Caygan? I'd have to ask Martina. Moving from my spying spot,I seated myself across from her at the table. "Martina..."
"Shiek!" She yelled.
I sighed. Ever since Martina found out about the ZELDA video games, she's been using Zelda's doppelganger as a swear.
"Martina, Do you know what a Caygan is?" I asked
"Hmm? A Caygan?" Martina muttered, not taking her eyes off her work.
"Yes, a Caygan" I repeated.
'Ah...somebody from Calgary?"
I frowned, "No, no I really don't think..."
"No, people from Calgary are called Calgarians, and besides..."
And of she went debating with herself whether or not a person's city is also their nationality.
I zoned out halfway through and concentrated once again on Solan and Shaharazhad's conversation.
"Mother doesn't even approve of the marriage. How can you expect her to like you?" Shaharazhad's voice sounded almost cold.
"Oh, thanks" Solan muttered sarcastically.
"Look, she's been bitter ever since..." Shaharazhad faltered, and lowered her voice. "Ever since..."
I couldn't make out what she said, to me it sounded like "Trust your son", but I figured that was wrong.
"Oh" Solan raised his voice, "So she's been angry for over 200 years?"

TO BE CONTINUED...

Lone Warrior-Chapter 3: Doldi (Countinued 5 Times)

Doldi pointed towards a large caravan painted bright oranges and yellows. "Oh..." Martina faltered. "You're a..."
"A GYPSY! THAT'S RIGHT! But don't tell anyone."
My friends and I exchanged glances. Whatever we were thinking wasn't very flattering for Doldi. The caravan was parked,(Is parked the right word?) in a small clearing over-flowing with pink flowers. There was a campfire just outside the caravan with three of the most unlikely people hunched around it. One of them was an old man smoking a pipe. Sitting next to him on the left was a young man of perhaps 25. On the right there was was had to be the most beautiful young lady I had ever seen. Long red hair tumbled down her shoulders and her silver eyes flashed in the sun. "Dornen!" Doldi called to the old man.
"Aye? What ya want woman?" the man rasped
"Don't ya go taking that tone with me! We got visitors Dornen, visitors!"
Dornen set his pipe down and rearranged a green woolly hat on his head. "Visitors? We ain't had visitors since the Outbreak!"
"Oh, good deduction Dornen. We got visitors, so you gotta get rid of that pipe!"
Dornen grumbled something that sounded like, "Old bag."
Doldi smacked him in the head, then turning, she greeted the young lady. "Shaharazhad! I didn't notice ya there."
Shahrazhad gracefully stood up and bowed her head. "Good to see you Doldi."
"Who are these lovely young ladies?" The young man asked, standing up and slipping his arm around Shaharazhad's waist. "I'm Solan, Doldi's son."
I nodded.
"And this is my fiancee" he added, gesturing towards Shahrazhad.
"I am Shaharazhad Moonriiys" The lady said putting out her hand.
Megan froze, her hand half extended towards Shaharazhad. Uneasy thoughts seemed to swirl between the two of them. "Well!" I broke the silence, "I'm Taledo, Taledo Trayk."
"Nice to meet you Taledo" Shahrazhad said, not taking her eyes off Megan.
"I'm Martina Vantucket" Martina stated.
Shaharzhad nodded, "And this is...?"
"I'm Megan" Megan squeaked.
Shaharazhad's suspicious gaze raked over all of us. "Megan, Martina and Taledo" she muttered. "Megan Moonrayse, Martina Vantucket and Taledo Trayk."
It was only after did I realize that Megan had not given her last name.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Lone Warrior-Chapter 3: Doldi-Continued (Again and Again and Again)

"How far until your house now?" Megan whined, inspecting a scratch on her knee.
"Just a bit longer Miss Impatient" replied Doldi, pushing a strand of gray hair out of her eyes.
Megan snorted. "We've been walking for an hour, and she says I'm impatient! The nerve!"
"Hush!" Doldi muttered
"Well, excuse me."
"Hush!" Doldi seethed, pointing through the bushes.
I peered through the brush to see a large stone gate with four...soldiers stationed just outside it. "What in the world..." I mumbled in amazement.
"The Border gaurds" said Doldi
"That is the bracken border?" replied Martina.
"Aye" she said, "This is going to be tricky nobne ofyou have Broch passes I assume? No, I didn't think so. Well here goes!"
Doldi grabbed my arm and pulled us through the thicket to the gate.
"Well hello there Mrs. D, what can I do for you?" said a gaurd mockingly.
"Just the usual Elfredge. I don't converse with blockheads unless I absolutely have to."
I grinned, "Good one" I thought.
Elfredge's sneer faltered for a moment then came back in place. "And who are these lovely ladies?"
"Just a...a...a Taledo and Martina are my neices"
"I see. But what about her?" he said, gesturing towards Megan.
"Megan is Shaharazhad's cousin."
"Who the heck is Shaharazhad" Megan muttered, "If I am to be her cousin, I should know who she is."
"Where are their Broch passes Mrs. D?" Elfredge asked smugly.
"Caygans don't need Broch passes, so that has Megan covered. And Martina and Taledo, well..um..you see...the thing is..."
Elfredge raised his eyebrows.
"Oh elfredge!" Megan cried, "It was horrible! The bandits were upon us in seconds and they took our Broch passes! I was so scared! We didn't have a strong man like you to protect us!"
She began bawling...fake bawling.
Her tears seem to shake Elfridge, he handed her a handkerchief. "Well, i don't like to see such beautiful young ladies cry. You may go past. But don't you worry Miss. Megan, i will catch these bandits myself!"
Megan smiled and batted her eyelashes, "I feel so much better now, thank you."
Hurridly we passed through the gate. As soon as we got out of ear-shot, I hugged Megan. "That was amazing! You could have gotten any lead like that!"
"It was nothing, simple acting tactics."
We laughed.
"Oy! In case any of you are interested...we're here."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Lone Warrior-Chapter 3: Doldi-Continued (Againand Again

"The Bracken Border?" Megan asked dubiosly.
"Yeah, you is on the she-she people side" Doldi replied.
"The she-she side?" Martina said.
"Aye, that's where the castle is and all the legal rubbish."
"Where are we?" I said.
"I told you! Didn't I tell you?"
Megan nodded her head furiously.
"You is on the wrong side of the Bracken Border!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know...but WHERE are we. Like, WHERE is this Bracken Border. Which province?" I said very slowly, hoping Doldi would understand me.
"Province?" Doldi repeated stupidly, "What in the name of Epsicron is a province?"
"Okay, I give up." I muttered.
Megan nudged me ans stepped forwards. "Doldi, what is an Epsicron?"
Doldi cast a sympathetic glance in my direction. "You poor dears!" she clucked. "You must be having a hard day if you don't know where you live."
"What are you talking about?" I retorted, "Megan asked you what an Epsicron is, not...not whether or not we're having a bad day!"
"I did very well answer your friend's question Miss Cranky-Potts." Doldi said.
I raised my eyebrows. "So what is an Epsicron?"
Doldi sighed dramatically. "It's were you are Honey-bun, Epsicron is here. Epsicron is the ground beneath your feet. The sky above your head, the trees around you."
"Which continent?" Martina interjected.
"Continent? Now you is making no sense either! Look, what you three need is a little nap and a bowl of my vegetable soup. Now come on, it's a long walk to my house and I don't want any complaining the whole way!" she commanded.
"But we have a party tonight at Lauren's house and our parents will be getting worried. We've been here for almost an hour and a half alrea..."
"AH!" Doldi interrupted, "That, is a complaint."
She was already halfway up the hill when she turned. "Oh, and there haven't been any parties 'round 'ere since the Outbreak-and that was ages ago."
None of us asked what the Outbreak was. we just followed Doldi up the hill to her house.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Lone Warrior:Chapter 3-Doldi: Continued (Again)

Martina pinched my arm-hard. "Well, are you going to tell her?" she asked.
"What?" I startled.
Martina sighed. Oblivious to me they had been having a conversation with the old lady, while I had been thinking over the whole-pinch-yourself-out-of-a-dream tactic. "Doldi was asking you what your name was" Megan chimed in.
"Doldi...who the hell is Doldi" I thought.
At least I thought I thought that. In fact, I had just blurted it out in, unfortunately, a rather loud voice. Everyone froze. Oliver took the opportunity to start chasing his tail and a poor little gray mouse-like animal. 'I'm Doldi" The lady said with a flourish of her hand. "Uh...nice to meet you Doldi, I'm Taledo".
"Lovely, lovely. Well, I best be off! Husband and son to cook for and neither of 'em have had any lunch! So, may the power of The Creator be with you always. Well, I doubt it will be with you ALWAYS, but at least for right now!"
Doldi turned and began to trudge off up a grassy hill to the left of us.
"Wait! Where are we?" I called.
Doldi stopped and turned around. "Huh?"
"Where are we?" Martina repeated, "Burnaby? Victoria?"
Doldi laughed and grinned toothily. "You is on the wrong side of the bracken border!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

P.S. I am very sorry I wrote Taledo swearing but it seemed like the right thing at that very moment for her to say. My parents will have my head! Well, thanks...Elanor