Outcasts Of Velrune Part 3

CHAPTER THREE.

Mrs. Ta.s.si bustled about the cafe setting up tables. "Sun will be comin' up soon."

"Yeah," murmured Eve. She sat in a chair, arms wrapped around her legs, her knees pulled up to her chest.

Mrs. Ta.s.si stopped for a moment. "I'm sure I can find someone to help out here for a few weeks."

Eve's mind wandered to some far off place. "I can't help him out there."

Mrs. Ta.s.si turned to face Eve. "I seem to recall a little girl who didn't want something to be found; her teeth bared, claws extended, ready to take on a whole horde of bandits." A little smirk, the one Eve had unknowingly copied over the years, formed on Mrs. Ta.s.si's lips. "I don't think the fact she might not be able to actually take them on ever entered her mind."

Eve looked up at Mrs. Ta.s.si. "I didn't know what I was doing."

"You knew you aimed to protect Max, no matter the cost." Mrs. Ta.s.si sat down in front of Eve. "And from what you said about that messenger, you may need to do it again." Mrs. Ta.s.si gently took one of Eve's hands. "What's stopping you?"

Eve started to whimper. She looked down at the floor. "n.o.body cares about the laws against the lacarna out here, but in the city I'll be watched wherever I go. To make it worse, Max is going to the Protector's Headquarters. I can't go there. I won't be able to help him, and when Max finds out that I'm the enemy; that Protectors don't a.s.sociate with lacarna..." Eve shook her head. "If I go, I'll only be sent away. It's easier to stay here. Then I won't have to see him when he finds out about the lacarna...about me."

Eve brought her tail around, tightly grabbed hold of it with her free hand, and softly cried. Mrs. Ta.s.si, still holding onto Eve's right hand, leaned over and put her arm around Eve's shoulders.

"Do you honestly think that boy would send you, his best friend, away?"

"He has to if he wants to become a Protector."

"Eve, I thought you had figured out by now that people always do what they want to. If anyone says someone made them, it's only because they were too weak to do anything else. Think about Max's father. Did you ever see him back down, even in the end? Then there is Chiron, who has cared for Max all these years. He certainly broke rules when he helped us adopt you, a lacarna.

Eve's ears perked up, she stifled a sob. "What does Mr. Penna have to do with me?"

"I don't know much, but he worked for the Protectors when he helped us get you out of that awful market. The rest you need to ask him about."

Eve slouched. "But, just because you guys broke the rules doesn't mean Max will. It's his dream to be like his father, to be a Protector."

"Don't you remember how well Max's father treated you? Max got to see that, and Mr. Penna has done everything to teach that boy how to make up his own mind about things. Max has also had you, Eve. He's seen someone first hand fight for what they believe in. He's even had a lacarnian risk her own safety for him. A thing like that is not easily dismissed. Can I promise you what Max will ultimately do? No, but he deserves a chance; the same chance you want for yourself. Until then, if you care about him that much, fight for him like you did all those years ago, no matter the cost."

Eve's voice steadied. "But, how am I even supposed to get into Moenia? A lacarnian can only enter with their owner."

"I'll transfer ownership to Mr. Penna or Max."

"No!" Eve bit her lip and looked down. "I mean, I've never belonged to anyone else." Eve stamped her foot and stared back at Mrs. Ta.s.si. "And I don't want to either! You're my mother."

Mrs. Ta.s.si let go of Eve's hand and stood up, smiling. "There's my girl. Eve, that piece of paper never legally made me your mother, only your owner, and you know it. Your father and I decided you'd be our daughter and not some slave. I tell you right now, as long as you'll have me, I'll be your mother whether I own you or not. Now, I'll take care of the details with Mr. Penna. You hurry up and go pack. There isn't much time."

Eve got up from the chair to walk towards her room. The sound of her mother's agitated voice stopped her. "Oh, and Eve, for goodness sakes, get rid of that mouse or take it with you. But whichever it is, don't you dare leave it here."

A smile formed once again on Eve's face. The anger in her mother's voice sounded a little too forced.

CHAPTER FOUR.

The first light of dawn had appeared in the eastern sky when Max and Mr. Penna arrived at the stable. Tyco was waiting for them next to his horse, his things already packed.

"The stable master has Starlight saddled up for you, Max. I'll help you get your gear fastened. As for you, Mr. Penna, he has a couple of horses for you to choose from. He's in the back of the stable."

Max walked up to Starlight. "I sure hope Starlight will be okay. I've never taken her on such a long ride before."

Mr. Penna laughed. "She will be fine, Max. She has seen far more country than you can even imagine. After all, she was the one that brought your father here so many years ago." Mr. Penna turned and started for the stable. "Now, I shall go and see what our fine stable master, Hektor, has for me."

While Mr. Penna sought out Hektor, Max inspected Starlight. He never grew tired of looking at her. Her coat was pitch black. Here and there she had small white circular patches. From those circles, thin, short strips of white hair stretched out in various directions. These patches closely resembled the stars shining in the night; thus her name, Starlight. Her coat, well groomed over the years, still held a beautiful shine. Max had a feeling Hektor loved her as much as he did.

Tyco helped Max fasten his bedroll and traveling pack onto Starlight's back. He brought the most basic of necessities. Max was tightening the last strap when Mr. Penna came out of the stables riding a rather plain looking brown mare.

Tyco furrowed his eyebrows. "I've never seen that horse before."

Mr. Penna chuckled. "She belongs to a merchant in Moenia. The mare injured her leg when he was here a few months back. He left her with Hektor to mend. Hektor took good care of her and now she's ready to be returned to the merchant. Seeing how we are going to Moenia, I volunteered to deliver her."

Tyco grimaced. "In other words, you got a free ride."

Mr. Penna winked at Max. "Precisely."

Tyco mounted his own horse, Teak, a large brown stallion with a white blaze of hair on his head. Max could only imagine the foals he and Starlight might have because the two would not have anything to do with one another.

Tyco gripped Teak's reins. "Well, are we ready then?"

Max's gaze wandered up the street. "Yeah, I guess so."

Tyco, impatient, chided him. "Then you might want to try getting on the horse. We'll move quicker that way."

"Yeah, okay."

Max mounted Starlight and moved her beside the other two. They faced out towards the open countryside. The morning dew sparkled in the sunlight, but Max sat unaware of its beauty.

"I thought she would at least come and say goodbye."

Tyco nodded his head. "Good. It's just as well that she didn't."

Max looked oddly at Tyco. "What do you mean by that?"

"You'll see soon enough. Besides, it's time we got moving."

Tyco nudged Teak with his heels.

"But..."

Mr. Penna smiled. "Do not worry about it, Maxwell. Tyco likes things neat and orderly. We both know that is not exactly Evangeline's style."

Mr. Penna followed Tyco. Max didn't feel that's what Tyco meant, but he wasn't going to contradict Mr. Penna. Instead he leaned forward in the saddle, preparing to follow the others, when he heard someone call his name from behind. Turning, he saw Eve running up the street towards them.

"Hey, Maxy! Wait up!"

Max turned Starlight around, a smile forming on his lips as he also saw Mrs. Ta.s.si running a good distance behind Eve. Max laughed at the sight. He had yet to meet anyone who could keep up with Eve when she was in a hurry. Eve reached Max in no time, not even winded by the run.

"What's the big idea, trying to leave before I could get here?"

Max felt a little ashamed that he had thought she wouldn't come and say goodbye. "I thought you might have had more important things to do than to see me off."

Eve grinned slyly. "You bet I did, but then I figured as helpless as you are there was no telling whether you'd ever make it back alive or not. So, I figured I had better get my last goodbye in while I had a chance."

Tyco and Mr. Penna had heard the commotion and came up behind Max. Mr. Penna nodded at the bedroll and backpack Eve had slung behind her.

"Good morning, Miss Evangeline. I see you have decided to come along with us after all."

"Yep!"

Max had not expected that. He had missed the backpack when she arrived. He only knew that last night she certainly did not want to go. Now he was confused, which happened a lot around Eve.

"I thought you only came to see us off."

Eve swung the backpack down to the ground. "You really aren't very observant, are you? Worse yet, it's not even dark this time."

Max's face flushed red. "Now wait..." but before he could finish Mrs. Ta.s.si arrived, somewhat out of breath. Tyco used the opening to speak.

"I'm glad you could make it in time to say goodbye, Evangeline. Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say, you won't be able to go with us since the only horses Hektor has left need to stay here for the villagers."

Eve shrugged, unconcerned. "That's okay, Tyco. I can walk."

Tyco snorted. "Walk! It's over a week's time, even by horseback, to the capital."

Eve got annoyed. "Unless you plan on riding full out the whole way, I'll have no trouble keeping up."

Mr. Penna broke in before things could go further. "I'm sure you can, Evangeline. Besides, you can ride with Maxwell for at least part of the trip. Starlight will hardly notice the difference."

Eve perked back up. "That sounds great, Mr. Penna." Eve narrowed her eyes at Max. "At least someone doesn't think I weigh too much."

Max threw his arms up. "You were crouched on my chest!"

Having finally caught her breath, Mrs. Ta.s.si said. "Well, now that that's settled, you'd best be on your way."

Behind them Tyco turned Teak back around and start off again, but not before Max saw the agitation in his face. He wondered why it bothered Tyco so much that Eve decided to join them.

Oh well, maybe he's just grumpy in the mornings. I know I prefer to sleep in.

Max reached down and helped Eve up behind him. She squeezed tight against his back, surprising him. Usually she left a little s.p.a.ce between them, but that was without the packs strapped on Starlight. Max felt a little awkward and caught a funny grin on Mrs. Ta.s.si's face. He looked away and she cleared her throat.

"Well, now that you two are comfy, I brought a little of my cooking for you."

She reached into the basket she had been carrying and brought out a cloth bundle. Max took the bundle and pa.s.sed it under his nose.

"They're biscuits I made this morning. Since they're fresh, they'll be good until you reach Moenia. Be sure to save them until you get close. Trust me, after a few days of those travel rations you'll be ready for some of my biscuits."

"Okay, Mrs. Ta.s.si, we'll wait. Thank you."

Max put the bundle in one of the side packs fastened to Starlight.

"You'd better. Now," Mrs. Ta.s.si held out her hand, "that will be one silver piece."

Max jerked straight which caused him to b.u.mp Eve who shoved him back. "A silver piece?"

Mrs. Ta.s.si stifled a laugh and did her best to act serious. "You didn't think those were free, did you? I do run a cafe, after all. Can't just be giving food away."

Max's shoulders sagged. "But a whole silver piece. Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"Just think of it as back pay for all the food you've helped yourself to over the years. With you taking off across the dead lands, who knows when I'd ever get my due."

"But..."

By this time, Mr. Penna had begun to laugh so heartily he needed to grab his saddle horn to keep from falling off the horse. "Just pay her, Maxwell. You are not going to win against Mrs. Ta.s.si."

Max knew Mr. Penna was right. He gave in and dug one of the few silver coins he had out of his pocket.

"Okay, here you go."

"Thank you, Max." Mrs. Ta.s.si took the coin and put it in her ap.r.o.n pocket. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached back in the basket and pulled out a smaller bundle. "This is for you, Eve."

Eve reached down and took the bundle from Mrs. Ta.s.si. She peeped under the wrappings and giggled a moment before a more contemplative look appeared. "Thank you, Mother."

Mrs. Ta.s.si smiled brightly at Eve. "You're welcome."

Max tried to turn around to face Eve but with her so close behind him he couldn't. "What is it? When did you start calling Mrs. Ta.s.si Mother?"

Eve put the bundle in her pocket. "It's none of your business. Let's get going."

Eve kicked her heels into Starlight, who jolted forward at a fast trot. Max quickly faced forward to steady himself, but shouted back at Eve.

"I'm starting to think it was a mistake asking you along."

Eve laughed merrily. "And just think, it's only the first day."

Max shook his head as he got Starlight to slow down. His thoughts swirled around the adventure ahead while Eve strained to hear the conversation between Mr. Penna and Mrs. Ta.s.si back at the stable.

"Do not worry, Mrs. Ta.s.si. I will wait as long as possible to tell him about Evangeline's papers. He won't like it at first, but I think he will understand soon enough. He is much like his father."