Strangers in the Woods.

It was strange sleeping in a bed having grown use to sleeping on the ground . When I wake up Elias is on one side of the bed sleeping peacefully having been afraid to leave us alone and to my other side the little girl clings to my arm snoring lightly. Her short black hair is fanned against the sheet and she whimpers every now and then.

"You poor baby", I whisper moving her bangs gently from her little face. I know the journey will be more difficult with a toddler but there is no where else for her to go. Before we leave town today I'll need to get her some proper clothes and a warm traveling cloak since it wouldn't be long till fall arrives. I slide my arm from the little girls tight grasp and sit up to add another stick of wood to the fire and to make some porridge for breakfast for the girl and I.

I look over at Elias who sits up rubbing his eyes and yawning. "How are you on tablets", I ask him in concern.

He waves a hand to signal me not to worry about it. "I've still got a vial and a half. The witch I saw for the concealment ring had some so I bought them from her", he informs me before dropping a tablet in a canteen and shaking it up and taking a long drink. I stir the porridge adding a little sugar before removing it from the fire to cool.

"I was thinking it would be quicker and easier for us now if we get a wagon and two horses from here in town. We will need to release the horses anyways why not take two of them and a carriage to haul our supplies and have a comfortable sleeping arrangement for the little girl," I tell him scooping out a bowl full for the little girl before waking her up and bringing her to the table.

She bounces on the seat in excitement and I begin to feed her. She finishes the food quickly and reaches for more so I scoop some more into the bowl as she eats happily.

"I'll go get a carriage and some horses and have them hitched up and ready. You finish up here and then we will meet up to get some supplies loaded", he says touching my shoulder before leaving.

"What to call you little one", I ask the little girl as she babbles around excitedly. Luna eats her porridge I placed in a bowl on the floor for her and wags her tail in delight. The little girl runs to me and lifts her arms to me wanting up. I pick her up and she puts her arms around me in a hug. Her large blue eyes blink up at me as she babbles happily. "How about I call you Sky, your eyes remind me of a summer sky", I tell her and she just giggles. I'll take that as a sign of approval I guess.

I clean the inn room back up and put out the fire before pulling our packs on my shoulder and taking Sky's hand. Luna follows happily having a full tummy. As promised Elias has a carriage hitched up to two large palomino colored halflinger horses. I sit the packs in the carriage and then walk into the market building taking a sack of beans, two more canteens, two changes of clothes for Sky, three large blankets, two fifty pound sacks of oats for us and the horses.

Having a decent amount of supplies loaded in and underneath the carriage I go back for one more thing. In the back part of the building were a few toys and I grab two cloth dolls and hand them to Sky who hugs them both tightly grinning happily. A smile form's on my lips watching the little girls glee and it makes everything seem a bit more hopeful than before.

"I think that has everything we will need loaded Elias", I tell him sitting the girl in the carriage who sits down and plays with her dolls. "Come on Luna", I call and she jumps into the carriage sitting beside Sky. "Would you want me to drive the carriage, I think I can do it", I offer but he quickly declines.

"The horses are a little stubborn so its probably best I drive. I think we can probably travel for about 5 hours before taking a break if you're okay with that", Elias says climbing onto the drivers bench. I climb into the carriage and open the window that lays behind the driver for communication purposes.

With in the first hour of the trip Luna and Sky are sleeping peacefully. "That didn't take long", Elias comments sparing a brief glance behind him. I laugh softly in agreement

"I guess being a passenger is very draining", I reply sarcastically. He just laughs and keeps his eyes on the road.

Three hours later we come to a sudden stop. I look out of the window to see a man standing in the path blocking us. He looks the same height as Elias but his shoulders much broader being a much stockier build. His hair is long and wild falling all the way to his shoulders.

"Stay in the carriage I'll take care of this", Elias assures me jumping to the ground.

"Was it you blood sucker, did you put my pack in a trance?" the wild haired man growls. "I dont know if you're stupid but we're in a time of peace and attacking our settlement goes against the governing laws of peace the kingdoms have intact", he assures taking a threatening step forward.

"We've done your village no harm Dog, we are on our way to figure out who did the same thing to my traveling companions home town as well", Elias says his voice lowering threateningly.

"Don't call me a dog you filthy blood sucker", the long haired man says pulling out a knife pointing it angrily at Elias. "Why would I believe the words of filthy vampires anyways", he says taking a stance to fight Elias. I get out of the carriage shutting the door quickly and walking to Elias side .

"I told you to stay in the carriage", he says angrily glaring at me before turning his focus back to the other man.

"He's not lying, I'm from the Sun Kingdom my home village was in a trance but the people who lived around the palace were slaughtered", I explain hoping to avoid any needless bloodshed.

"Last I checked the sun kingdom didn't exactly take in vampires", the other man laughs. I slip off the ring and my appearance changes back to my old self.

"I'm not a vampire", I respond calmly and Elias stands in front of me protectively while the other man stares at us in confusion.