Chapter 17

Creepy was my first thought. But then, I didn't really know much about that world so I shouldn't be judgy before I got to learn more about their perspective and the reasons why they believed what they did, right? So I asked. Disturbing was my thought after that and this time it was justified and not biased so bear with me. Because I swear, I tried.

We had made at stop at...to be fair all parts of the forest looked pretty similar so I couldn't be able to tell you even if there was sign with the particular name. She was chewing on the end of what smelled like mintroot and with the other slim end sticking out her mouth, she kinda looked like Lucky Luke with wheat straw.

"You do know we have supplies, you are the one that prepared them actually" She didn't look up from what she was doing nor did she break concentration.

"Huh?" She asked absentmindedly while she kept threading the vines into something I couldn't precisely name at the moment. This whole trip felt so random in its entirety and I knew we were still in the beginning but it definitely didn't feel like an adventure about a prophecy.

"I'm just saying, you're so hungry you're chewing grass" Her finger stilled and my grin blossomed on my lips at managing to make her falter but she kept working the next moment.

"It's mintroot, smartass." Technically I already guessed that so it was still my win. "And it helps me think." She seemed to consider something before she reached into that small pouch she had, took out multiple similar roots and offered them to me.

"No thanks. I have a strictly non-grass diet" She looked at me deadpan.

"It shows. Just thought it might help with your whole situation" Her smile was fakely sweet so I knew I was walking into a trap but I still asked.

"What situation?"

"The thoughtless type" She looked self-satisfied and that smugness prompted me to try and best her in this game with a thought that should have probably been kept to myself.

"If it makes me think like a Keeper, no thank you" She flinched. I cursed myself internally. She returned to her work in silence and I looked at the forest surrounding us in awkwardness.

"It makes sense, you know. The whole keeping the portals and the Ark Gate closed. It keeps us safe" She sounded resigned. I didn't like that one bit.

"Just because it makes sense, it doesn't mean it's right. You don't even know what could be in the other Shards or better yet, past the Gate. Why should it be something bad? Is your Shard bad?" I challenged.

"You don't know what you're talking about" She mumbled.

"Then tell me. Sure, I met some crazy stuff at the Frozen Wastes but I also met Lainax and you all seemed to love him before finding out where he's from" My wolf was currently sulking and hunting away his hurt over the sudden cold shoulder he was receiving from Toliz after she found out he is from the Frozen Wastes. She sighed but stayed silent once again. It was like she was contemplating what she could or should say.

"We need to keep moving. The light won't last long and we need to reach the meeting point in time" I was frustrated that she was avoiding my questions but she looked uncomfortable so I decided to let it go for now.

"What are we even supposed to be doing anyway?"

"Nothing major" The bitterness in her voice at that admission wasn't something you could easily miss. "We will just go drop off some supplies to the portal patrol" She examined her work underneath the sunlight but I was too distracted by what she said to pay attention to the finished project.

"That's it? All this talk about the prophecy and the destiny and the haste to do what was right for this?" This was so disappointing and underwhelming. I didn't know if I should feel relieved that I wouldn't take part in trying to seal the portal or bummed that I wouldn't get to see it up close or do something of importance.

"Did you expect them to trust you with more?" Her voice was cold and even more bitter but even as she looked into my eyes, she gave me the impression that she was seeing her own reflection in them. I opened my mouth to say something but I was interrupted by the weird sensation of having something being put on my head. It covered my eyes and it was snug on my ears but when I tried to tug at it to look, she pressed it even harder on my head. "It suits you"

"The smile in your voice makes me have my doubts" When she let me lift it enough to be able to see, I met her serious emerald eyes. She was very close.

"Don't take it off" I nodded to show I understood. I didn't last much, however.

The material was very weird as it made me itchy but hurt me at the same time. Everytime I tried to adjust it or lift it a bit, she would slap my hands like a disappointed mother.

"It smells like something died in here"

"If you go on like this, something will" I was starting to get convinced that she was doing this to torture me seeing as I could see no other reason in wearing the plant hat apart from being a source of entertainment. That is, until the weird and unique creatures of this place started to make their appearance.

"And as I was starting to wonder, how would the day get worse?" I grumbled and looked around for something to fight them. I had no idea what could keep them away, however. They weren't entirely animals neither entirely plants. A very interesting and fascinating combination of the two. Chameleons that sprouted actual flowers, foxes with rose thorns on their backs, birds with long tails that looked like vines. I went to pick up a rock, Toliz moved like lightning and grabbed my hand. I looked up at her and she moved her head in the negative. "Look, I know you guys are pro Nature or whatever but we are gonna be nature foil" Her grip tightened.

"Don't look them in the eyes. Try to maintain a sure and nonchalant walk so that nothing seems amiss. Try to blend with the environment" Her voice was grave.

"How the hell am I supposed-" I could see them reacting to my voice with the corner of my eye and snapped my mouth shut. Toliz's eyes pleaded with me to trust her, so I did. It worked for a little while but then something like a monkey jumped from its branch and got ready to attack us. Toliz raised her arm immediately and the small, purple bracelet on her wrist shone brilliantly shaping some kind of rune on the face of the animal. It got thwarted immediately. The next time, it was my hat that protected me, losing some of its life in the process. I was utterly amazed. She turned to look at me and smiled widely.

"Thistle. Smells so bad that most animals won't dare come close but weave it right and those who do, will be met with a nasty surprise"

"Thank you and...sorry for doubting you" I picked up the hat and took it off to touch to my chest and bow. It was a cowboy hat after all so I had to match the cheesy. "Ma Lady"

"Put it back on you idiot!" I wasn't fast enough and let's say a monkey out there had had a taste of my butt and liked it enough to try and brave my magic smelly hat even after I put it properly on. I decided to next time, ask her how she made them. Hers seemed to burn much more quickly and easily too and now that I knew where to look, I could see the scratches and marks on her fingertips from braiding the thorny parts.

"So...turns out, every place has its dangers and bad things, huh?" I wanted to show her she had been right but her look was lost when she replied.

"Yeah..." She looked ahead for some long moments. "The Gate is there for a reason" Before I could comment on her half-assed and lame response, we came across the true horrors of that Shard.