TO FIND A MAGE: PART TWO

We made it through Ansdel without encountering any umbra, but the had started making funny sounds on our way into Ansdel.

Just as we hit the outskirts on the other side of town, the truck had died, much to our misfortune. Rafael looked over the truck and had determined that the alternator had gone out and quite smokingly, too.

“We are going to have to see if anyone can tow us into town, and, from there, I can fix the truck in about an hour.” Rafael relayed the information to me.

Rafael got out from under the hood and started making calls. Eventually he has someone on their way to bring us back to the auto store in Ansdel.

I was grateful that it was a decent temperature as we said in the truck and waited.

* * *

We finally got back on the road by sunset and decided to drive until it got dark.

“So, where are we going to stop, now that we are well past Ansdel?” THe concern in my tone was impossible to miss.

“We are stopping in another town, real small, called Oyun. There should be umbra there, but, if we don’t get out of the truck, we should be able to rest and leave when the sun comes up.”

“What do we do, if they don’t leave us alone?”

“We fight until we are safe, as we usually do.”

“I will just have to go out on a limb and trust that we won’t be eaten in our sleep.”

I got more and more nervous on the way to Oyun. I wondered where all the umbra would be. I was scanning back and forth, the whole way, and I didn’t see a single one. I finally came to the realization that if there were no visible umbra, then they must be stalkers, remaining unseen. The thought of so many stalkers made me shiver.

“Where are all the umbra?” I pushed myself to ask.

“I haven’t seen any, or any stalkers either.”

“You can see stalkers?”

“You can see them when you are familiar with their habits. One day you will see them, too.”

“So, the coast is clean?”

“That would seem to be the case.”

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Fires were the only thing I could see as you drove into Oyun. Not a single building was missed. People were on the main road fighting with various weapons, while others were feeding the flames.

“They are cleansing the town, that is why we saw no umbra. The umbra were drawn by the scent of so many people. For the people who don’t have weapons, fire is the only way they can protect themselves.” Rafael looked over to me. “We have to help them.”

Rafael and I got out of the truck and got ready and wasted no time in joining the town to slaughter the umbra. The town had shown that they have done something like this before because as soon as we were near the people our integration into their formation was fluid. We had each other’s backs and blind spots. Most of the umbra were killed waiting for the fires to die down, but what was left of the umbra was enough to keep us all on alert. We also had to offer protection to those using fire to burn away the remaining groups of umbra. The slaughter ended with Rafel and I killing the largest of the flesh mounds.

The townspeople motioned for us to follow when the last of the flames were put out.

“We are headed to the bunker, it’s much safer there.”

Rafael and I followed them through the no burned down town to a large, grey entrance with stairs going underground.

“Is it okay for us to stay the night?” Rafael asked, as we entered.

“Yes, that would be safest for all of us.” The man who told us to follow answered Rafael. “Let me introduce you to our fighters.”

We followed the man to the small circle of people we were just fighting with. “I am Norin, and I serve as the leader for our people. This is Ayo.”

Ayo waved, and I saw his bright, blonde hair and his honeyed skin.

“This is Faelyn.”

Faelyn was seemingly shy, as she blushed I couldn’t help but stare at her beautiful, bright, and very yellow eyes. She finally caught me staring and looked away in embarrassment. I also took the time to notice her long, white hair that fell past her shoulders.

“And this is Kotoba.” Norin’s voice pulled me from looking at Faelyn to look at Kotoba, who had a smirk on his face, showing himself off.

I quickly was over introductions and followed Faelyn, as she was walking into a room with kitchen appliances and folding chairs.

“Hey,” I accidently startled her. “I wanted to tell you that you are cute and that I love your eyes.”

Faelyn went back and closed the door. “Be careful talking about my eyes, it could be dangerous, for both of us.”

“I am sorry. I really didn’t know.”

“Thank you for calling me cute, though. I am glad you like my eyes because the people here don’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it means that I have been tainted with umbra blood.”

“How?”

“I was bitten by a wolven stalker.”

I looked Faelyn over in astonishment. Rafael had taught me that if I should ever be tainted that I would die, and he left it at that. I still couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her gorgeous eyes.

“What are you looking at?” She asked in a soft tone.

“I am looking at you, Faelyn. I can’t see anything to segregate you for, you’re still a person and not an umbra.”

“Oh, I… Isn’t it time to rest?”

“I honestly forgot. I will get out of your hair, now.”

I left the room, closed the door behind me, and then I searched for Rafael.