19 The Quest

After winding through the village streets they arrived back at the carriage and the stable hand was sitting in the passenger seat his wide brimmed hat was pulled over his face so that one couldn't tell he was dozing off in the early morning sun.

Sionna spoke to Caith in an attempt to wake him.

"Do you need me to carry anything else?" And at her words the man stood up immediately.

"I was watching the carriage for you, the boss man is still asleep so I don't know if he wants to buy it yet. And the ferrier is coming at noon to look at the horse's hoof." He rattled on while pulled his hat back to expose his sleep eyes.

"Thank you," was all Caith said and opened the carriage to pull out a chest.

"Do you want to carry one?" He asked Sionna who smiled and nodded. And he handed her one and took another.

The chest looked very big in her arms compared to Caith's and Umuriro's. Yet she held it just as easily as the giant men. Being a shapeshifter she naturally had more strength then any normal person her size.

"Thank you for your work," Caith said nodding to the man and they both headed back into the village.

The stable hand started to wonder if they were bandits or robber and that's why they had so much stuff they were willing to sell. Or maybe they were expecting a baby and needed money. He thought about the silver rings on their fingers, then again, why would he make a pregnant woman carry a heavy chest. 'An odd couple indeed' he thought to himself sitting back down. Eventually he lowered his hat, and let sleep take over him.

They arrived back in the blacksmiths shop, Umuriro was hammering away at some metal over near the fire. Various weapons were shrewd across the shop that weren't there before. Caith set his chest down on a table and spun around heading for the door. Not even speaking a word to Umuriro.

Sionna wanted to question him, to find out more, yet he was so focused on his task he didn't seem to notice either of them. Finally she gave up and followed Caith.

"Do you know fire magic?" She asked Caith as he reached down to take the chest from her.

"Naturally, not as good as my father but I know the basics of it." He said straightening up and walking toward something, yet she wants sure of what.

"Can you teach me?"

"It's not that simple, you need to have the ability to control magic in your blood. Or you need a staff with a fire crystal." Then he shook his head as if having a conversation with himself. "You also need to control your mind before you can control your magic. My father always said nothing good comes from magic and loose minds."

"Are you saying I have a loose mind?" She questioned him a smiling playing on her lips.

"Not at all, yours seems very intact." He said looking down at her and smiling. "It's just never quiet, I don't know if I have ever met someone who think as much as you do."

"I am sorry, your travel partner isn't empty minded. How troublesome." At her words Caith laughed a hardy laugh. His deep voice almost made the ground below him rumble. It was the first time she had really seen him laugh and it made her smile. Then she caught a glimpse of the glowing symbol on his arm and her heart sunk a little bit. 'If he had the ability to use magic could he undo the curse. Is she always going to be bound to him by it?'

Hearing her thoughts Caith stopped laughing and his tone got serious again.

"I don't know how to undo the curse, but I wish I could. It's very dark magic something I am not familiar with. However I do know someone who could help up. That way, hopefully, you will have your freedom again." He stopped walking and looked down at her as he spoke, his demeanor very serious.

"Who is going to help us break the curse?" Caith couldn't help but be amazed by her dazzling emerald eyes in the sunlight. He almost forgot what he wanted to say.

"My father." He replied finally turning away from her. "Let's hurry up and sell everything so that we can so we can start searching for him soon."

"Do you not know where he is?" She asked chasing after him but he didn't reply only quickened his pace. 'This man is driving me crazy.' She thought hurrying after him.