Chapter 5: Reunion (Part 2)

On a peaceful, dusty road, an elderly man walked down the road with his two horses in tow, singing a happy tune to himself.

O Great Desert Breeze, ever blowing across the sands,

Bless the people of the villages with your cool touch

As the sun shines ever brighter for today,

May the beautiful blue skies watch overhead

Just then, a short young woman and a small fuzzy creature emerged from the shrubage lining the path. The small fuzzy creature, he recognized as Sorex. The girl, he did not.

"Evenin', Gran'pa Ken!" Sorex greeted the man.

"Ah, Sorex! How have you been?" the man responded back with a cheerful smile.

"Been doin' good!" the shrew turned towards the girl. "This 'ere little lady is lost, and I'm wonderin' if you could 'elp 'er."

Gran'pa Ken leaned a little bit forward and squinted his eyes, as if he had trouble hearing Sorex. "Hello there, young lady. You seem tired. Would you like to ride one of my horses?"

"No!" the girl snapped. "I don't wanna ride one of your stupid horses!"

Gran'pa Ken maintained his smile, but somewhere deep down inside, he felt unhappy that someone insulted his fine steeds. He curled one hand into a fist and cracked his knuckles with his other.

"Sorex?"

"Yes?"

"Please excuse me while I teach this young lady some proper manners."

"Yessir!" Sorex disappeared back into the dry, stout shrubs.

Avaron froze in fear, as she realized that she was about to be in a world of hurt. Her face sweated nervously, her feet turned cold. She fixed her nervous, fearful gaze on the elderly man, trying to force an apology out of her mouth.

Alas, it was too late, as Ken launched his fist at her.

She barely dodged the attack, running behind the horses to avoid him.

He tried again, but this time, Avaron dodged again successfully, and hopped onto one of the horses, whipping it's reins.

The horse reared up on it's hind legs, and burst forward with a rush of speed.

"Alright!" she cheered.

Her excitement changed into surprise when her ears detected the sound of another set of hooves galloping behind her.

Avaron yowled, and whipped the horse again, galloping down the road uncontrollably, with Ken following suit after her.