Chapter 16
Standing before Cili was a female humanoid lizard. She was a little shorter then she was and had light green skin. She had three fingered hands similar to a mudokon but with claws instead of nails. She also sported a three foot long tail and walked on her three clawed toes, which were similar to bird feet (more like dinosaur feet). Her yellow eyes regarded her with a firm yet gentle look.
"How..." Cili said, "how did you know my name?"
"I knew it the moment you entered the mist." Ishtar explained, "It's a spell of mine really, it lets me eavesdrop on those who come to my little island, so I can decide whether or not to meet them personally. So tell me, what is it that brought you here?"
"Oh Odd, It's a long story and I'm running out of time."
"Hmmm one of those huh? In that case..." suddenly Ishtar put her hand on Cili's forehead, "Just relax"
Cili suddenly saw her entire life flash before her eyes, and she staggered in shock.
"Sorry," Ishtar said as she removed her hand, "I'm not quite used to reading only parts of someone's mind."
"You not? So your still..."
"A novice? To my superiors yes, but that doesn't mean I can't help you save your mate."
"How old are you exactly?"
Ishtar winced slightly at the question, "I'd rather you not go there, lets just say I am older then you could possibly comprehend."
"Fair enough"
"Anyway, if I read you mate's symptoms right, he doesn't have much time left at all, so we should leave now."
"Thank you!" Cili said with tears in her eyes, greatly relieved.
"It's my job." Ishtar said with a slight shrug and with a wave of her hand, the remaining mist disappeared. They could now see Dragadon dozing nearby. With a mischievous grin Ishtar walked up to her, and 'summoned' a bucket of ice water which she promptly dumped on Dragadon's head.
"Arrrgggghhhh!" Dragadon woke up with a start, "Ishtar why must you always do things like that to me!?"
"Because it's fun." Ishtar smirked, Cili was giggling, "Besides I haven't seen you in an eon. Could you please shrink yourself? I don't want you to give the villagers a heartattack."
"So you are going to help? That's great." Dragadon said as she shrunk down. Cili felt something shift on her shoulder and she remembered the 'Mindcaller'.
"Sorry little one." Cili said as she gently picked it up and put it on the ground, "You can't come with us."
With a definent squawk it flew up and landed on her shoulder again.
"Looks like he has chosen you to be his companion." Ishtar laughed.
"Huh?" Cili said puzzled.
"Mindcallers tend bond themselves to someone they deem worthy." Dragadon explained, "So your stuck with him."
"Well I hope Abe doesn't mind an odd pet." Cili sighed.
"I'm sure he won't. Just warn people not to lie around him, cause Mindcallers react violently to liars." Ishtar said, "Gather around, and here we go..."
After a few quick hand gestures from Ishtar, Cili again found herself sounded by darkness...
Chapter 17
Like before the darkness was gone in only a few seconds, and Cili found herself back in her village. There were a few odd looks at the two quests she brought back with her. She saw Arc run up to her.
*Moon Child! Thank Odd thee are here, Abe has started to slip fast!* Arc said with panic in his voice.
"Oh no!" Cili said taking off as fast as she could go.
"Looks like I got here just in time." Ishtar said as she followed her, Dragadon following close behind.
Cili literally ran over Alf when she run into her hut where Abe was. When she got to him, she saw how terrible Abe looked. He was very pale and thin, his eyes had sunken in his sockets and his breathing was swallow and raspy.
"Abe," Cili said as she held his hand, "hold on, please hold on just a little longer."
"Oy! This is worse then I thought." Ishtar said as she came into the room. "Sorry, but everyone must leave, even you Cili."
"WHAT!?" Alf, Cili, and Munch cried.
"Sorry but what I'm about to do you are not allowed to see, now OUT!"
"Come on Cili," Alf said gently as he gently guided Cili away as they left the room, "leave her to her work."
The wait was agonizing. Cili was constantly pacing and fidgeting, and getting on everyone's nerves.
"For crying out loud Cili, your making a trench in the ground." Munch said.
"I'm sorry, I can't help it. I'm worried." Cili said stopping.
*We all are.* Arc said comfortingly,*Thee needs to be patient. Good things take time.*
The little Mindcaller squawked at her as if in agreement, then nuzzled her cheek comfortingly. "I think I'll call you Squawks." Cili said with a weak laugh as she stroked its neck.
"Done." Ishtar said with a smug look on her face as she came out.
"Is he.." Cili started.
"He is just fine. A little weak, but that will pass. You can see him now if you like." as Cili ran up she stop her a moment a whispered to her, "By the way, I 'fixed' something else on him as well. I shouldn't have but considering what I learned about what happened to your kind I figured it shouldn't hurt."
"What are you talking about?" Cili whispered back.
"You'll see soon enough." Ishtar said with a mischievous smile, "Anyway I have to get back, you take care now. And feel free to visit at anytime." with that Ishtar disappeared.
"Thank you Ishtar." Cili said as she went in and found Abe sitting up and looking much better then before.
"Cili." Abe said the they embraced.
"I'm so glad you are well again, how do you feel?" Cili asked.
"A little weak. But much better then before. I do feel that there's something different about me though."
"Well, we will figure that out later. Right now lets just get you 100 percent again."
"Well right now I don't mind just holding you."
Cili just sighed in agreement.
Epilogue
Abe leaned on the window sill, watching the morning sun raise. It's been a nearly year since he was healed by Ishtar and the events of the recent months still puzzled him. He felt a mixture of joy, shock, and relief.
"Aaabbbbeeee!" he heard Cili call to him sweetly.
"Yes love?" he answered turning around.
"Someone is awake and wants to see you." Cili said as she walked into the room. In her arms was a small grayish blue child, their son, HIS son.
"So the little guy finally decided to wake up?" he said as he took the little one into his arms. Their son had yellow eyes just like Abe and he was looking up at him with a happy smile on his face. "We need a name for him."
"Hmmm, how about Omi?" Cili said at that point the little one gave a happy squeal.
"You like that name huh? Omi it is then." Abe laughed as Cili wrapped her arms around him. Then he turned serious a moment, "You know, I'm still having trouble believing this has happened."
"So am I. But that doesn't matter now does it? We BOTH have what we always wanted."
"Yes," Abe said with a content sigh, "Yes we do..."
Fin? I don't think so. Next in the series is "Mark of a Killer"
|