Chapter 9
Skylar

As we walked further into the village I was lost in thought. Of my life before this mess. Of Andrew being wanted. Of my power. Of Andrew being wanted. Of our journey to come. And did I mention Andrew being wanted? I couldn't get that out of my head. I couldn't focus on any other thing. Only that. What could he have done? I was so lost in my thoughts, I ran into a wall. Andrew chuckled as I rubbed my forehead. "Not funny," I grumbled. "Yes, it is," he replied simply. I narrowed my eyes, but I didn't say another word until he talked first. "We need to get some supplies before we head into the forest. I expect we'll be there for a good month at least..." "A MONTH?!" I cut in. He gave me a "you didn't know that" look. "Yes, Skylar, a month. So we will need some provisions. You know, food wise at least. Start out with some water but you should be able to get us the rest." I closed my eyes. If his plan for me to use this "water in the air thing" doesn't work, then I don't know what will happen to us. "You brought money, I hope." He looked at me incredulously. "Yes, Skylar, I brought money. I'm not the idiot you think I am." I kept my personal opinion of that to myself.
As we approached the entrance to the village market, we were forced to a halt by one of the people. The woman had the looks of a toad, but with a slight resemblance to a cat. Not a pretty face but quite interesting of one. She wore a simple patchwork dress of many different colors of fabric throughout the skirt. The boddess of the dress was an astounding form of red, the color of the sun on its final peak of sunset, or its early morning rise. Such an outfit did not seem to go with her face, but it worked nonetheless. She was complaining to a man I assumed her husband and took a sudden halt in the path. Her head was lolling about, making quite funny of a scene, while she made no effort to hide her words. "How could you gamble away a month's worth of coin on some stupid bet? It's downright foolish and I won't tolerate a fool in my household, no sir! I leave the only place I knew of as home to wed you, but you act as though my sacrifice was nothing but a freedom wish! Well I'll tell you now, dear, that I do not intend to stay here if this is what will become of me! We shall be lucky to get by this week, let alone any more than that." She went on and on about this, never seeming to notice the growing crowd. I took cognizance of Andrew's increasing discomfort, and was about to urge him forth, when he barged his way into the budding battle between the two companions and admonished them, "Do you not see what you are bringing upon yourselves here?" He started, "You might as well be telling everyone here that you couldn't care less for each other by placing it upon yourselves to have your quarrel in public like this, causing the flow of people throughout the village to halt and watch you banter on like politicians. Have you no respect for one another, or is this something you wish for the world to know? For I think this matter is not one of the people as a whole, but rather just you two." The woman blushed and the man scowled, "An' just who do you think you are?" Andrew didn't answer, but he narrowed his eyes and didn't waver. The man grunted, and gently grabbed his wife's hand and led her away from the still silent masses. As Andrew started to approach me again, one of the men in the audience came up to him. The man wore simple black pants, a crisp white tunic, and brown leather shoes. He told Andrew his name was Alan and said, "We must thank you for that intervention. The last time this happened those two wouldn't leave until someone bribed them away. Thanks to you they will hopefully stop this pointless bantering and continue on like newlyweds should. Please, come sup with me and my family tonight. I can tell your weary from your travels and we have always taken it to ourselves to welcome helpful travelers into our households" Andrew visibly pondered this while I waited. Hopefully I was invited too. He seemed to be thinking that as well. "If you don't mind sir, I have another with me for this journey and I do not wish to leave her outside alone." The man looked stricken, "Of course not! No lady would ever... Should ever be left out to dry. If you wish to get her I shall wait." "No need," Andrew said beckoning to me, "She's right here." I walked up and inclined my head towards the man. The customs of these people were strange to me. The women were treated as if they could do no physical labor, only cook and clean. And wear dresses. This was strange because where I used to live, this was not the case, and I was not used to having them look at me strangely for wearing pants instead of a skirt. I guess every place has their own customs. Many of which are different. I could see Alan's mind reeling. I was lucky enough to have been clean and free of the unmistakable smell of flesh from my little run, but I knew that he didn't want anyone to give a certain impression onto his family. Yet he consented, and we headed onward to his house.
On the way to Alan's home, I asked Andrew what had bothered him so much about that couples fight. His face went rigid and his voice was guarded when he replied, "I have my reasons and I am not inclined to share them. Sorry Skylar but this is my choice and you can't bend it any other way." His response had filled my head throughout the entire walk. What had I done to force him to guard his tongue so much? Was this another family matter? You know one day he better tell me about all this. I'm following him into a giant forest for crying out loud!
We entered Alan's home and immediately two girls wearing beautiful light pink dresses with lace on the skirt, ran up to him and climbed on top of his back. He laughed merrily before exclaiming, "Girls, girls, calm down! You'll scare the guests." They seemed to notice us for the first time. I noted that they spent more time examining my clothes than anything else. The older of the two came forward. "I'm Calissa. And this is my sister Hallie." They both curtsied and Hallie gave a small, shy smile, "I just turned six yesterday!" Calissa laughed and told her, "Yes, as you have told us all many times. In other news I'm thirteen this coming month." I laughed softly and said, "Well it's wonderful to meet you. I'm Skylar and this is..." Andrew interrupted me, "Sir, do you have suggestions for shops where we could buy provisions. We must venture forth to the road again soon." I gave Andrew a puzzled look while Alan thought. "Well, the man Grandof has always been a fair merchant. I would start there. He sells items from food and drink, to clothing and medicine product. Surely you could find what you need there."
"Thank you, sir," Andrew said, "This will help immensely. Is there a certain time we should be back? I'd like to get our supplies tonight."
"We will eat around seven, so please return by six-forty."
"Of course. Skylar? Do you want to come?" I was about to answer "yes" when Hallie squealed, "Oh please, please, stay with us! I'd like to get to know you. And you're so much fun." I raised my eyebrows and glanced at her father. I could see him fighting indecision. Andrew cut in, "Sorry Hallie but I just remembered that I need her to help me get what we need. You'll still see her later."
Hallie looked upset but thoughtful. "Ok. But you have to play later!" Alan gave her a reprimanding look, "Now Hallie..." "It's okay, sir. I don't mind. As long as you don't, that is." I looked at him with raised eyebrows. He bit his lip. "Oh alright. Just be respectful Hallie." "I will! Come back soon Skylar!" I smiled and said we would. I don't think she heard the "we".

"So Hallie seems to like you." Andrew said. I shrugged, "Alan doesn't though." He laughed, "I'm sorry I got you into that. But at least we have shelter for the night." I breathed in, deeply, "Yeah."
We continued walking in silence until we reached Grandof's shop. The building was a simple structure with a light-tinted roof and brick house foundation. There were a few windows on the upper and lower levels but thick so not easily broken. Andrew and I walked through the front door and saw a tall man, (quite large I must add) with a bushy, unkempt black beard, with a wooden spoon in his hand, yelling at a customer, "I don't care if you thought a bug in my shop, there are none in here! And if you start yapping about the town that absurd lie then..." He made an insane gesture about where that man could stuff his spoon. I have never had so much trouble trying not to laugh in my life!
Once the customer left the man faced us and said, "Sorry 'bout that. That man comes in here every week to stir up trouble. So, my name's Grandof. How may I be of service?"
Andrew took charge again. Which was good because I really didn't think I could speak without laughing right now. My ribs had most likely already cracked from that insane gesture Grandof made. "We are just passing through, but we needed provisions and such. You were recommended as a fair merchant so we thought to come to you before any others."
Grandof scratched at his chin (but how he managed with that beard I will never know) and replied, "Yeah, I get a lot of travelers in here. Not normally 'round this time but..." His voice faded, then came back more excited than before, "I do have just the things! You lookin' for food or clothing or medicine?"
Andrew seemed to think something about this man was amusing. "Just food and water canisters, that's all."
"Yes, yes, very well then. How much food and number of canisters?"
Andrew had to think about this one. He knit his eyebrows together as if this was the hardest question in the world, but he had no answer so he wanted to appear like he knew it, even when he didn't. "Two canisters and..." He did some mental math, "a month's worth of food."
Grandof raised his eyebrows. "That lot won't come cheap, I hope you know. But as long as you can pay, I shall have no trouble getting those for you. Let's say... Ten crowns."
Andrew pulled out his bag and counted, then handed to coins to Grandof. Then he inquired, "That certainly seems cheaper than I thought it would be. Are you positive on this?"
Grandof winked and said, "Anything for you. Andrew." I felt my eyes go wide. Andrew had never told this man his name. Apparently Andrew was having similar thoughts and as soon as the food and canisters arrived he mumbled, "Good night." Grandof just smiled and waved him on. He didn't once remove his gaze from me.