Heed My Warnings and Survive (Second Draft)

Chapter Twenty-One

Once again we returned to our forest, which felt more like home than anywhere had since our village with my shop. I did enjoy being in the forest. In a weird adventure sort of way, which I had never thought possible, but I had been surprised by many many things since I left my home near seven months ago. We had been on the road more than half of the year.

We had set up camp near a small lake. Looking back now if I had remembered where we were, and what lake we were camped next to, I would have run as fast as I could. But alas I had gotten too used to safety, and comfort.

That night we were just starting to settle down when the Shizreen emerged. I straightened up.

“Kiara, Finley,” I said, getting their attention. They looked over.

“What are they?” Kiara asked cautiously, drawing her sword along with Finley.

“ Shizreen. They tempt you, draw you into the water,”

“And?”

“Drown you.” Kiara backed up.

“But they can’t do anything now right? Because we’re aware of what they can do,” Kiara asked, her voice shaking. I shook my head.

“Sorry Kiara, that’s not how it works. They can enchant anyone,”

“How do we get out of this than?”

“Well it depends. They’re harmless sometimes, but I’d say we should just go.” I turned, and picked my bag up off the ground. Kiara, and Finley followed suit.

“Draven, where are you going,” Kiara’s voice said from behind me. I turned slowly. One of the Shizreen had copied her voice. I turned back, and began walking. “Draven?” The Shizreen said again, anguish in the voice it was using. I squeezed my eyes shut, and continued walking.

“Kiara? Are you leaving me?” My voice rang out now, sounding broken, and weak. Kiara turned back, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

“Kiara, that’s not me,” I said quickly. She looked over at me. I held my hand out. She began to walk over to me, but once again my voice was used.

“Kiara, Finley help me please,” The Shizreen cried out. My voice was now luring the both of them.

“Finley Kiara its not me,”

“He’s lying to you,” The Shizreen said in a calming voice.

“Draven,” the other one called. “The water is warm, much better than the brisk air. Come join me.” she held out her hands. I stumbled a bit. Trying to decide which direction to go. The Shizreen were beginning to convince us to follow them.

“Don’t follow them, what are you thinking? You’re going to drown.” someone called from a place I couldn’t find. The trance shattered for all three of us, and I dashed to my friends.

“Are you two ok?” I asked. They both nodded. I glared at the Shizreen. Kiara drew her bow, and shot a warning shot at them. The Shizreen hissed, and dived back into the lake.

“Who was that voice just now?” Kiara asked. I looked around.

“I don’t know,”

“Oh it was only me.” we turned to see an unpleasant sight emerging from the bushes. It was Felix.

“What are you doing here?” Finley asked. Felix smirked.

“Well a little birdie told me that you’re smitten with my baby sister.” Finley raised an eyebrow.

“I truly have no idea who you’re talking about.” Felix chuckled.

“Oh you know, my little sister Imelda.” Finley raised his eyebrows.

“Your Imelda’s brother?” He questioned. Felix nodded.

“Indeed. Would you like proof?” Finley furrowed his brows. Felix smirked once again. “Oh baby sister, it’s safe now,”

“Honestly Felix, I don’t need your protecting, I’m a butcher who always car-” she stopped as she noticed us. “Oh. What are you three doing here?” she asked all of us, but she only had eyes for Finley.

“Just traveling,” Finley replied.

“Wait one moment,” Kiara said indignantly. “This dirt dag is your brother?” She exclaimed. Imelda looked shocked.

“Dirt bag?” Kiara stood up straight.

“He stole my ring, then after he found out tried to flirt with me, and didn’t stop until I threatened him with an arrow to the throat.” Imelda turned to her brother, and slapped him in the face.

“Felix, you told me you gave thieving up, and I believed it.” Felix held up his hands.

“I did, this all happened before I told you.” Imelda narrowed her eyes at him. “Please trust me? I don’t wanna go home to father being disappointed because I “Stole” something.” Imelda rolled her eyes.

“Fine.” she turned back to us. “Anyway. Where are you headed?” She asked. The three of us shrugged.

“Nowhere in particular, just traveling,” I said.

“Well perhaps you’d like to come with us. We’re traveling to Telanda. I’ve been asked to butcher the prized cows for the cooks.” Finley smiled.

“That’s great. You must be incredible.” Imelda’s cheeks dawned a light blush.

“Not particularly, they’re probably just short handed,” She said. Felix scoffed.

“Come along now sister, your talents are incredible.” Imelda gave him a look.

“Butchering doesn’t take much talent,” she said. Felix shook his head.

“My dear little sister. I’m supposed to be the liar in this family,” he said as if she were a small child. Imelda gave him a deadpan look. “Sorry sorry sorry,” He said, putting his hands up defensively, whilst laughing. Imelda shook her head.

“As much as we’d like to travel with you, I think it’d be safer not to,” I said. “Not only would Kiara nearly kill your brother, but Zander is still out there.” Imelda nodded.

“Very well then, I hope to see you again, perhaps when I’m not accompanied by this imbecile,” she said with a small smile.

“Farewell,” Finley said with an exaggerated bow. Imelda rolled her eyes.

“Farewell,” she replied, and they disappeared into the bushes.

“Shall we continue away from this lake?” Finley asked. I nodded. We gathered our things, and left.

The next few days of traveling were awful, the weather was getting colder, and the terrain of this place was rough, and rocky, and we had to stop often to remove stones from our boots, not to mention our food was running low already, as was our water.

“Draven, I gotta take a break. I’m exhausted,” Finley said, plopping onto the ground. I nodded, joining him on the ground. We rested for a few hours before continuing our trek.