"Ed... how is being a father?"
Drake Marshall leaned back slightly toward Euro, trying not to get off balance on the black horse Ghaleon gave him, before sending them through the portal to the Wild Lands. Edulcore was riding slightly behind him, enjoying the sight of vultures circling in the blue sky, over meadows in full bloom.
Ed spurred his brown mare toward Drake, to get to his side. "I have been with Eddie for just a couple of months. He grew in a fortress, without a mother figure, alongside people that usually first cut throaths, and then asks question. I am sorry, drake, but I am not the people that can answer your question."
Drake remained silent for a few minutes, looking at the distant forests on the slopes of the mountains, and at the shining river meandering across the plain. "Yet, how have been those two months?"
"Eh. Made me feel old. Made me feel proud everytime he did something new and intelligent. Made me feel frustrated everytime he didn't obey me. Why you ask?"
"I am going to be a father. I revealed it to Danny. I told him i was going to leave the team after this mission, to be with my woman and hopefully with the kid until my last day... that I though was coming near. Now that my healing powers have returned, and I am healthy again, the idea of being a father is something much more real... I mean, I don't know if I will remain healthy when we'll be back on earth, but at the least I have gained much more time for me... now I know I will see the kid growing..."
"If we'll return safely, Drake..."
"Yes, Ed, yes..."
On the bank of the river three men were pulling a net out of the water. One signed the two Vanguardians to stop.
"Aghal! Loorn sama deef tho?" asked loudly the oldest of the three fishermen.
falling down the sky, a black raven landed on the shoulder of Ed. "He's asking where are you going, Ed" said in English Nip the raven.
"Loola Marghut tuala plechs. Ogana shet, aghal!" continued the man.
"He's telling that further upstream the two tribes are making war, and no stranger would be allowed to pass" croaked the bird.
"Mhhh...." mumbled Euro, looking at Drake. The American whispered: "We need to find where the Blue Spire's cave is. Maybe these men can help us. Nip, ask them for hospitality".
"Loola rupth aghal totalla cashalk. Enaf pell?" said the bird. The two younger men jumped, hearing the bird talking their language. The oldest remained impassible. He nodded, and said: "Gu! Therra aghal tootal cashalk pu!" And with the hand signaled them to follow him.
"He said to follow him" explained the raven.
Euro got off the horse, and gestured the fishermen to put their net filled with fish above the animal.
In the distance, a wisp of smoke was marking their destination.
