Makiya

18. Where are the horses?

“And what would the name of this little black-good-for-obvious-nothing pretending to be high-and-mighty sent by the great King Goodlie to do what he’s best at-nothing?” Galera continued to try to insult Andrey.

“Now, now… well... whatever.” the old geezer tried to stop them from fighting, but in the end just gave up.

One of the shady figures behind there stood a bit to the side. Andrey didn’t manage to focus on each individual enough, therefore he failed to notice that it appeared to be a woman. Not any woman, actually. 

“Andrey Makiya. From Earth.” the boy replied to his challenger.

“Earth?” a visible confusion was on everyone’s face. One of the voices chuckled, it was exactly the woman. Only then did Andrey notice there was a female amongst them. 

“Dea’n’ha, may I know what’s so funny?” Galera turned to the female.

“Galera, you shouldn’t mess with the boy. Don’t get us all in trouble!” she warned and walked towards Andrey lowering her hoodie. She stood by him and caught him by the hand, Dea out of the sky suddenly landing on Andrey’s shoulder standing between Dea’n’ha and him. “Besides, I kinda like the boy. He’s also not to be underestimated.”

The big and masculine Galera backed out a few steps with a visible surprise on his face.

“Isn’t he too young for you?” he joked

“What, now you’re trying to insult me too?” Dea’n’ha quickly replied.

“Wait, so you’re a mage too?” Galera asked Andrey

“I wouldn’t call myself a mage.”

“He’s still learning” Dea’n’ha added.

“ What, don’t you learn for like ever-and-forever-and-ever-and-till the oceans fall a-part-till-the-world-dies-away?” Galera asked in his very quick talking phase.

“Truth is…” Dea’n’ha sighed “You shouldn’t really pay much attention to Galera or in any way think that he is trying to actually insult you. He’s a bit weird, in fact just loves to mess around and fight with people.” she explained to Andrey and let go of his hand. 

“Now, now, I won’t force you, but how about now that it’s come to this you all introduce yourselves to each other.” the old man spoke.

“You already know Dea’n’ha and Galera …” he waited a few seconds and continued after a sigh “ made quite the first impression. So the others, please speak your names.”

The other tall figure spoke really silently “I am Garo. Just Garo. I come from…” everyone turned towards him in expectation for him to finish, but awkwardly the weak wind was the only sound coming out. Just as Andrey was about to ask if he would continue, Garo said “Princepsius.”

“Ah! So you’re from the capital. Nice to meet you!” Andrey smiled at the tall man, who just took off his hoodie. He was bald and really didn’t show any emotion. He had black eyes, a wide jaw and the best definition that came to the young man’s mind was “what a stone face”. Andrey felt as if Garo had some social skills issue, therefore acted nicer than even he expected. It was just the kind of emotion Garo would make you feel. It’s as if you must be kind.

“The name’s Rang Wares. All ladies in Irisvil await my return. If there’s a beautiful lady she’s staring at me before I even spot her. That’s how my life goes. When there’s bad guys I just make sure they don’t touch what’s mine and everything’s running smooth and niiiiceee.” The last figure spoke with a cocky voice. As he revealed his face Rang pointed at himself multiple times. 

“So you’re the party-guy here?” Andrey asked.

“You could say so!” Rang replied in a cheerful voice, but added in a low-shady one “But a job is a job, maaaan…”

Rang was shorter than the other two big guys but still taller than Andrey. He had somewhat average looks, but had those really sharp eyes, like a snake. The young boy wondered what ladies liked so much about it, but he was too naive to think twice, that perhaps Rang only wished ladies liked him. His chestnut long straight hair was obviously taken with care, though. He apparently did try to impress the ladies. 

Andrey took a minute to look through everybody’s equipment. 

Galera was covered in chainmail and had a greatsword. 

Rang too was equipped with chainmail armor but wielded a longsword and a bow on his back.

Dea’n’ha apparently didn’t seem to carry any weapons. It wasn’t really very visible what she had as the cloak had her entirely covered. Typical for a mage. Andrey thought.

Garo had a cuirass and a spear. He seemed to have something else on his back underneath the cloak, but Andrey couldn’t figure out what it could have been.

“Fine, fine, lets all work together nicely.” the Polkas said in a bored voice. “Now let’s go!”

The old man jumped on the cart full of gold with a very happy look on his face.

What was the real question is what would move the cart?

“Where are the horses?” Andrey asked in visible confusion.

“You’re the horse!” Galera quickly pointed at Andrey and both he and Rang started laughing ridiculously. 

“I’ll be the horse, actually!” Dea’n’ha replied with a small chuckle.

“What?!” Andrey stood there shocked for a second as he pulled his opened jaw forward.

“I’ll just use magic to move the cart faster and mask the gold” she explained.

“Oh… I still tend to forget this world has magic.” Andrey lowered his head in disappointment. 

“Look at the good-for-nothing-outta-the-world-black-dressed-super-hero-wannabe-costume-dude not knowing how anything works! You slept in a cage till now?” Galera joked in his typical extreme fast pace talking voice.

“Just ignore him. Try to hide the fact you’re not from this place. It’ll cause commotion and confusion.” Dea’n’ha spoke to Andrey through Dea. 

Not failing to notice the slight blue light from Dea’n’ha’s eyes, Rang quickly yelled “That’s cheating!”

“Hahaha, want me to bash you for not being born with a gift?” Dea’n’ha joked at Rang as he quickly put a hand on his face.

“I’m born with a gift like none other is! I’m …” he waited for a few seconds to add tension and finished “handsome.” making everyone burst in laughter.

“What!? Oh, you’d never understand!” Rang turned away and simply put on his hoodie back.

Where do we all sit? Andrey wondered after exploring the cart and the lack of space on it. 

As they were about to depart, Dea’n’ha cast a spell and the carpets which covered the gold extended. The way those carpets enveloped the wooden cart not only completely covered the gold, but also took form around the sides of it for everyone to sit down. 

“Mr Reven, can I kindly ask you to sit a bit to the side so I can stay in front. I need to be able to navigate properly.” Dea’n’ha asked with her magically convincing beautiful voice.

Andrey was amazed by how this voice resonated with his heart so much that no matter the situation it always made him experience some kind of calm feeling deep down.

“Oh, of course, dear. Sorry. Let me move those old bones.” Polkas said as he moved a bit to the side, making enough space for Dea’n’ha to sit there and take the center position.

Everyone sat on the protruding carpets, which were really comfortable, actually.

Not even cars were so comfortable.

While Galera and Rang were talking random stories about ladies, parties, and other adventures, Andrey focused his mind and closed his eyes.

“Is it working?” a voice talked inside Dea’n’ha causing her to lose control of the cart for a second from surprise. She recognized the voice.

“Yes, it is.” she smiled joyfully. “How does it feel?” she asked.

“It’s kind of weird as I feel as if an invisible connection to Dea and then that connection I have to as if with my two hands redirect it in a certain angle so it would reach you. It’s weird.” Andrey managed to explain his first attempt at achieving telepathy.

Dea’n’ha turned around and looked at him. He was with his arms and legs crossed. His body curled in the black cloak making the black blades on his back stick out underneath the white cross.

“Back at the rendezvous point, I expected you would be surprised to see me. How come you weren’t?” Dea’n’ha asked, unable to withhold her curiosity.

“Earlier I got into a fight and when you talked to me I felt your energy and kind of tried to lock on it. Concentrate on that feeling and keep it. So I kind of could barely, but feel you.”

“I’m amazed. You have great concentration, haven’t you?” 

“Well, I played lots of chess with Nyadzel.” Andrey laughed telepathically but dropped a quick smile.

“Yeah, I saw the chessboard and the black and white chairs. Pretty Nyadzel-like.”

“Indeed it is. Do you know where he is?” Andrey asked.

“Hmm… He should be at Frosthornis.” 

“The king sent you to him, right?” Dea’n’ha asked, but there was no reply.

She raised an eyebrow in question.

“Andrey?” she asked as she realized that the connection had been cut off.

She turned around to see him…