Levint's Story

"Well, drunk is what happens when someone drinks too much liquor or ale. Normally the person speaks in a way that's hard to understand, can't walk straight, and and become annoying. Sometimes people can become violent, but they don't pose a threat cause they can't see straight." Levint tried explaining it without using too many large words. "Do you understand Melody?"

Melody didn't understand. She supposed she got the concept but one detail confused her. "Why would someone drink that stuff if it did that to them?" She sat down to get more comfortable while waiting for her answer.

"Well, there are a number of reasons why. Some people drink it to relax after work, some people drink to pass the time, some people drink to try to escape their past and some people drink to fit in. Drinking also happens to celebrate something like a wedding or a festival." Levint didn't know if Melody would understand, but he was more than happy to answer any questions she had to the best of his abilities.

Levint decided to sit down. Walking over to a bench, he quickly sat down and leaned forward to put his bag under the bench. He then pulled out an old tattered looking book and began to read. The title was worn away from the leather binding holding the book together.

Alexis had let the two walk ahead of him, and hung a bit back, taking his time looking around when the acolyte from before came up from behind him, "Excuse me, Sir."

Facing him, Alexis smiled, "Yes, what did the Elders say?"

Shifting uncomfortably, and nervously eying Alexis's heavy hammers, he refused to make eye contact as he answered. "Unfortunately, we have gotten message that one of the holy knights has abandoned the Church, and giving assistance of any kind to men of the Sword and Cloth has been forbidden until further notice."

His heart started to pound, but Alexis did his best to hold his composure. "One of my order left the church?" he asked trying to sound genuinely concerned, "Would you be able to provide any details about this man?"

Seeing that Alexis was not angry, the Acolyte relaxed a bit, and now looked at him directly. "They say that he was one of the seven. I heard a rumor that the seven rebelled, but the High Priests stopped them with God's power. Unfortunately they were sentenced to death, but one escaped through trickery of some sort."

"Is that so? I cannot believe that the seven would do such a thing, after everything they have done for us. It seems rather odd."

"That it does, but there is no mistaking the letter. I would be happy to show you if you if you would like."

"There is no need for that. I am sure that God will bring him Justice, Brother. One way or another." he answered quite sincerely. The whole story was a lie, but that did not surprise him one bit. If the Church let out what had really happened, he doubted that they would be left with a fraction of followers to pay their tithes. Alexis was used to the deceit that took place in the church. He was even a part of it for nearly his whole life. He rationalized the lying, stealing, and murder by saying that they were for the greater good, or that people would not understand that he was doing God's Will. But in his heart he had always knew that it was wrong, and had simply not admitted it to himself.

"I hope you understand our situation. There is nothing we can do."

a spike of anger shot through him hearing those last words, but it died down just as quickly as it came. there was plenty these men could do. They could obey God instead of the Church's orders, and help him and his companions. But he knew from experience that these people, most likely even the local Shepard were too subjugated to disobey orders. So instead he answered simply, "Yes, I understand, brother. What of my companions, are you able to help them at all?"

"Yes, we were only told to leave the men of your calling alone, but we would be happy to help them in any way we can." He smiled kindly.

"I am glad, please tell the elders and the Shepard that God will not forget their kindness. Peace be to you, brother." They hugged shortly, and Alexis turned to his companions. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to stay here, I have been called elsewhere." He lied, not wanting to tell them the real reason he was not staying. "But the people here will help you. If you earn your keep, they will let you stay as long as you need to."

Levint looked up from his book. "Maybe we could join you. I doubt the townsfolk are gonna be helpful after protecting that girl earlier. Any idea where you have to go?" Levint then put a bookmark in his book and put it back in his bag.

Ayaka couldn't resist approaching the small Kitox. Her small hand reached out to touch the Kitox's tail just as her father scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the nearby wagon.

"Daddy! I want to pet it! It's so cute!" Ayaka cried.

"You can't just walk away like that its not safe. Sit here with Amaya and wait. Keido, watch them." Arneth beckoned to his son before leaving to talk with his wife.

"Stay seated Ayaka!" Keido growled.

She was determined to pet the kitox and called out to it, "Hey! Over here! Let's be friends!"

Amaya had been asleep since they left the farm earlier that morning. Amaya sat up while rubbing her eyes and glared at Ayaka. Paiyaku approached the wagon and said, "Ayaka, you woke up your sister!"

"Look Amaya! A cute cat-fox!" She pulled her sister to the side of the wagon closest to the kitox and pointed.

Even Amaya was overwhelmed by the kitox and it wasn't long before both were shouting to get its attention.

Paiyaku leaned on the wagon, analyzing the field of crops across the road. He always sought new ways of making the farm more efficient. Keido was tending to the horse, feeding him snacks and petting him.

Meanwhile Arneth and his wife were in a nearby store buying groceries and whatever else they needed. As they exited the store Yuuka had her arm hooked around Arneth's and had her head resting on his upper arm.

Melody watched Levint and Alexis, curious about what they were thinking. "I don't want to just stay here. I thought we were all going to travel together." When she heard something calling her, her ear twitched up. She turned to the girl and stared questioningly. Melody suddenly felt rather scared, not knowing how to react to the children calling for her. While keeping an eye on them she backed up to be under the bench that Levint was sitting on.

Keido, having more of a connection with animals and non-human species, could tell his little sisters had frightened the Kitox and tried to calm her.

"Forgive my sisters, friend. They won't hurt you, but I'm sure someone of so unique a race as yours doesn't want to be the patronized plaything of children. What is your name? Mine's Keido and the those two are Amaya and Ayaka."

"HI! The two girls called to the Kitox.

Levint got off the bench and sat on floor close to Melody to try to comfort her. "Well Melody, we can't force the Alexsis to travel with us, but you and I can still travel together." Looking up, he noticed a teenager and two young girl approach the bench and speak to Melody. "Is there something we can help you with?"

Keido looked up to Levint and said, "Oh, nothing. I'm just apologizing for my sisters. They seem to have frightened your friend. I noticed you aren't from around here so I didn't want your friend's first impression to be frightening."

Paiyaku approached the wagon and kept an eye on Keido.

"Stop bothering them." He called to Keido.

Melody was still a little scared but she calmed herself down and came out from under the bench.
"I'm Melody." She stated calmly. She had Levint and Alexis with her now so knew better than to run away as she normally would have done. Then again, that one sentence was all she could manage to say.

Ayaka climbed out of the wagon and carefully approached Melody.

"You're english is the best I've heard from a Kitox." Keido admired.

"Mel-o-dy" Ayaka slowly pronounced as she reached her hand out to pet Melody.

"Be nice Ayaka." Paiyaku said as caught up to her.

"Where are you from Meldy?" Ayama asked.

Levint scooted over slightly to keep Melody safe. These kids seemed nice enough but after seeing the town turn on her, he want to make sure she would be alright. After the town alomst broke out into a riot, he didn't trust anyone in town fully. He didn't really want to stay in town long and he knew after defending the girl, it would be hard buying provisions from the local shop keepers.

"Was it you guys that the town's been talking about? I heard there were thieves in town and everyone tried to throw them out. You're newcomers so you didn't know how quick to assume these people are." Paiyaku said as he looked back to the town.

Keido added, "if you guys need anything just let us know. It's not our custom for throwing visitors out and letting them starve."

Ayaka softly rested her small hand on Melody's head. She sat down in the dirt and watched melody with fascination.

"Melody, you should come home with me." She suggested.

Well, the town was only calling them thieves. He expected much worse from the town. He was expecting the town to call them murderers, bandits and such. "I'm fine thank you. I have enough provisions to last me 3 days." He then watched the girl place her hand on Melody. He expected Melody to run away like she almost did when they first met.

"If there is anything you need, don't bother with anyone in town they are suspicious of visitors, at least Kitox visitors, which is terribly rude. Just talk to us, we're going to be in town for the whole day." Paiyaku added.

Amaya couldn't stand her little sister getting so close to Melody. She too climbed down from the wagon and slowly approached Melody. She had never seen a Kitox before, nor had Ayaka, and found it nearly impossible not to hug Melody. Although it was easier for her than for Ayaka who hadn't grasped that Melody wasn't an animal, but a person. She thought Melody was the pet of the strangers her brothers were talking to.

"Mister, where did you find Melody?" Ayaka asked Levint.

"Well, she sort of fell on me after I got up from resting under a tree. It was a bit of a surprise to be honest." It was funny, a few hours ago, he was resting under a shady tree and now he was in a church in a town where the villagers probably want to kill them. What a day it had been.

Melody wasn't fond of being picked up, but she was able to ignore that detail when she realized how the boy was talking like he knew something. Like he knew about her species. ...He knew what species she was, at least, that was something she didn't know.

"Is 'kitox' the name of Melody's species? Do kitox's speak like Melody does? Do kitox's travel in packs or families?" She had so many questions about herself that she hardly noticed that she was speaking in third person again. It must have been because of how touchy-feely the sisters were being. Normally she might have run before getting the chance to speak with them, but Levint and Alexis where there so she held her ground.

"A Kitox lived on our farm once, but that was before Keido, Amaya, or Ayaka were born." Paiyaku said.

"I've met Kitox people only a few times. They all seemed to travel in groups, a few families, but that could have been a unique group. I don't know that much about your species, but I always try to show respect to any unique race of people I come across." Keido added.

"She's so cute!" Ayaka cheered as she tried to pick up Melody and put her on her lap.

"Girls, you need to get back outside and in the wagon," Arneth called to Amaya and Ayaka from outside the church.