Chapter 78: A Cup Of Menja


    After almost forcing Markeye into the room, I watched his eyes fall on Kara. I could hear the gasp from him, and I could see the blush starting to stain her face. I signaled to Arrentia, but Markeye rounded on me and then went to one knee; oh great, what the fuck was this about?


    Before I couldugh, I flipped down the sses just in time to prevent blindness. I had a bad habit of not wearing them inside out of habit, even though they were clear and I could see through them as if they were there. Hey, old habits die hard, but I watch Markeye fill out, and I felt a slight change in myself.


    Suddenly, I could feel them all as Markeye''s magic joined the others. Inside of me, I could feel the different magics and strengths, almost like individual people. The feeling almost made me stumble forward, but Arrentia was there with a hand on my arm, steadying me.


    Finally, the light faded, and Markeye stood up, younger and more fit than ever. I smiled at him, and he bowed his head and then waited. Oh, shit, I guess that was our cue to leave; I let Arrentia lead me out of the room, and I closed the door behind us.


    "Are you okay? What happened just now?"


    "Hmm, seems I no longer need to activate my right hand to get the new evolution myself, but I really hope it''s not like that every time."


    <em>''That was your first time feeling all the magic inside of your body. Up until now, you have been using the magic on at a time to make new spells. It will be challenging the first couple of times, but you will get used to it just like anything else.'' Gripton.</em>


    Good enough for me; this was a lot more convenient anyways; having to activate each one was a pain, and to activate a lot of them left me defenseless. I took a deep breath in; now, it was time to do something that I was trying to put off.


    "Where is she, Arrentia?"


    "I think Mishka is with grandpa right now."


    "Breth? Why him of all people?"


    "Grandfather is ancient and wise; he has also had more loss the all the tribe, but he always remains the strongest. Mesh asked Breth to talk with her until you were ready."


    "You guys are all too good to me. I will head back to the third wagon and go find them, but while I am talking with Mishka, I need you to gather the wives and my generals; we have some serious nning to do after this."


    Arrentia leaned into me and kissed me before turning to leave. I waited till she was out of sight and then put my hand to my face. I knew I needed to go see Mishka, so, even with a rock in my stomach, I forced my body to move and exit the back of the House-Wagon.


    It was still morning, and the grass off to the side of the road still had its dew on the west side; the sun had already cooked it off the east side. I stepped down and started my walk to the third wagon. In truth, I had only been inside the House-Wagon and the cksmith wagon at the end of our train.


    The air was brisk, so I wimped out halfway to the back and magic''d some sleeve on my t-shirt. The sun was warm, but there was a slight breeze, making it a bit nippily out. I wonder, where were we on this? Lower, higher, or in the middle? Would we get snow here?


    Suddenly I found myself walking up the stair, and then I was on the top patio of the third wagon. I must have auto-piloted here while lost in thought. This top area was smaller than the House-Wagon''s patio, but it was still a nice area.


    "Hyde!"


    My blood froze solid in my veins at the sounds of Mishka''s voice. Nothing could prepare me for this, and I couldn''t even move my body; I was a coward. All my bravado, and now I was frozen in ce.


    A warm hand touched my arm and turned me around. Mishka''s smiling face was looking up at me. Smiling? Was I missing something here?


    "Come and sit down, you look confused, and I know why."


    Mishka led me over to a table that Breth was sitting at in his human form; for some reason, now he looked more like an elf of middle earth rather than...a bear? The way each person evolved was mind-boggling, to say the least, and none of it really made sense. Trying to understand it would just give me a headache.


    "Wee, Hyde, would you like a cup of Menja?"


    "Hey, Breth. Sure, why not; what is it?"


    "A hot drink that soothes you over time, but also gives you energy."


    I was thankful for the momentary distraction, but I turned to Mishka, and she was still smiling. Was there something I was missing?


    "I know you expected me to be in tears right now, but you talked to Mesh and the others; we expected this from the beginning. Our people have been buried in our minds the moment the humans took them. Even then, you still tried with all your minimal power at the time, bringing us here and took revenge for our people. I am proud to know that my husband is such a man, and I never ever dreamed I would be able to say these words before I met you."


    I still had a hard time understanding how they had already resigned their people to death. I got it now after Blood Lake, but my brain stalled on somethings still. I stood up and took Mishka into my arms, holding her close to me.


    "Let''s keep working together, make the world a safe ce for our kids to..."


    Dammit! When did I lift my sunsses again!