On the Road Again.

[shawncameron]

“Killian you’re worse then a woman.” Xicon was shaking his head in disbelief as he finished loading his brother’s second trunk. “Three women.” His sister added as she pulled up the third and last trunk for Xicon to muscle into place. Killian was behind them a smile from ear to ear on his face as his shoulders shook in silent laughter. “Now that’s not fair, that third one is all presents for you and the rest of the family.” That made Larina pose and smile in excitement wile Xicon continued to shake his head, “but what about the other two?” Killian just smiled more evilly before turning around at an approaching familiar sound.

“Killian!” Corana dove at him wrapping her thin arms tightly around his waist and squeezing tightly, “I don’t want you to go please! Please stay here…” Killian placed a hand gently on her head, stroking her smooth hair sighing, “come now kitten, you knew I was going.” She squeezed tighter though making Killian flinch and clench his teeth at the pain in his ribs, though he did not push her away. “I know but, but…” she shook her head making the Harper clench his jaw tighter, “I don’t want you to go…” Killian continued to stroke her head gently mouthing at whom ever might be looking in that directions, ‘help me.’ The pain was evident in his face he just hoped someone would be coming down soon… they where still waiting for Apricus.

There where ten wagons in the caravan with 12 women and 25 men in all, all of which where running around like so many scuttle bugs trying to get everything organized.

[E]

Apri walked out of the doors to the hall and down the steps, long skirt swishing around her ankles and her knitted coat keeping the rest of her warm. Unlike Killian, she was able to carry all of her belongings even with as weak as she was; Killian’s guitar slung across her back and a medium sized bag held in her arms. Her long, curly hair was in two braids with a small stocking cap on top to keep the cold wind off her ears.

With all the commotion that was happening at the group of wagons, it was a miracle that Corana was there wreaking havoc or Apri would have never found them. Walking quickly over to them, she instantly noticed the look on Killian’s face. Pressing her lips against a smile at the child who was unknowingly causing so much pain in her own disress, Apri put down her bag and put her hands on her hips.

“Corana, what’s wrong?” she asked even though she had a good feeling she already knew.

[shawncameron]

Hearing the voice of Apricus Killian sighed and Corana let go. But Killian didn’t have any time to rub his sore ribs as the girl turned her arms wide to hug Apricus and repeat her plea. Killian reached out just in time placing his hand on her shoulder to stop her and then her head to keep her there. Luckily it worked, though it made Xicon look from Apricus to Killian to the girl only to shrug and approach the female Harper. “let me get those for you.” He bent down and picked up her luggage before she could protest and took it to the wagon as Corana rubbed the few tears from her eyes. “Your going too Apricus? You both… both going to leave me here…”

Killian sighed and though he smiled and waved a greeting to Apricus he turned his attention back to the girl kneeling down with a grown and a flinch as he ruffled her hair. “Now don’t be like that Corana we are coming back, we will be back before you know it.” The little girl hiccupped and wrapped her arms around him again this time, gratefully, around his neck. “But… but…” she stuttered and Killian closed his eyes, “here now kitten you know we could never leave you. And just to make sure we come back, you can keep my stick.”

[E]

Apri was thankful as Killian caught the girl before the hug was bestowed. Smiling at Corana she spoke softly, “Its okay Corana… We will be back… This is our home…” Seeing Xicon move for her bag, she tried to beat him to it, but to no avail. Standing again, she pursed her lips at the tall man but her attention was brought back to Corana and Killian now kneeling on the ground.

Watching the two on the ground, she wished that there was something more that she could do. Unfortunately, Apri was out of words and ideas. Hearing that Killian would be leaving his stick, her eyebrows raised a little as she wondered how he would get around without it. She had never seen him without the giant thing.

[shawncameron]

“but… but Killian…” the little girl didn’t know what to say as she loosned her grip again, but Killian just smiled. “I can find a new one on the road, none as good as this one so you can be sure I will come back for it… you’ll take care of it won’t you?” the little girl nodded not realizing that he could not see her as she hugged him one more time before taking the stick and turning quickly toward Apricus. Killian had to duck quickly almost laying on the ground as the staff brushed the hair on the top of his head in the girl’s excitement.

“Look Apricus! Now you have to come back!” she spoke as though the woman had not seen the whole thing as Killian stood slowly and a bit clumsily behind her. He was already missing the staff though he would not regret giving it too her. Corana held the stick, twice the size she was to her chest hugging it tightly as she turned again, and again Killian had to narrowly dodge it. His senses where good but how many times would he have to do that? He laughed ruffling the girl’s hair again.

“Gather Up! We head out in Five Minuets!” the call came from the front as the people began to take their positions. Killian sighed bending to hug the girl one more time as she sniffed rubbing her eyes. “All right Kitten we need to go now you be good promise?” she nodded with Killian’s hand still on her head. Smiling he wiped a tear form her cheek and closed his fist around it, “and no more of these.” She shook her head and stepped back as the Harper moved for his position on the back wagon.

“Come on Apricus you can sit hear by me!” Larina was waving her feet dangling off the back of the wagon as she sat on top of Killians trunks. Killian stood next too it his hand on the side so he could feel it move as Xicon made his way to the front for some quick words with the leader.

[E]

Apri smiled sorrowfully as the little girl backed away from the caravan, stick held close to her body. It really was a sight to see one so small holding something so large as if her life depended on it.

Hearing the call to gather up, Apri followed the Killian to the back of one of the large wagons where she spotted Larina. “Thank you.” she said softly in response to the offer as she climbed up into the wagon. The smell of runners and the hide of the wagon covers was strong bringing back a few memories.

Positioning herself so that her back end was in the dip between two of Killian’s chests, she crossed her legs on top of the back one. She’d lost one too many shoes with her feet dangling before and old habits were hard to break. Looking down at Killian she frowned slightly.

“Are you walking?”

[shawncameron]

Killian listened as Apricus found her seat, the sounds and the smells bring back there own set of memories as he listened to the different dialects and accents of the other travelers. He was startled out of his thoughts by her question and tilling his head slightly he smiled up in her direction, “for a wile, I’ve been in bed for far too long.” His head turned a little more at the sound of approaching feet as Xicon came back something in hand.

“We’re finely heading out…” as though his words where a signal the cart under his hand rattled into movement and Killian took up the pace next too it stumbling on a few bumps and dips. “Your going to get yourself hurt again before we even get there…” Larina rolled her eyes in exasperation and Xicon handed him the thing he was carrying. “I saw you giving that stick of yours away… such a romantic…” Killian wrapped his hands around a rough staff, not as tall as his other one and a bit thicker but relatively straight.

He nodded his thanks to his brother but turned his face back to Apricus, “see,” he held up the new staff, “I’ll be fine. And you, you’ll be fine right where you are. No walking for you.” He shook his finger at her before he tripped again barely catching himself and putting his staff down tapping the ground as he waked and avoiding the bumps this time.

Behind them Corana was running after them, stumbling over the staff but refusing to let it go, “Apricus!!!” she ran huffing and puffing holding a red flower up to the female Harper, “you take care of Killian he is still hurt!!!” she spoke as though she had not just hurt him herself, which she still didn’t realize she did. Killian just laughed, let Apricus handle this one.

[E]

Apri’s body moved with the wagon without the slightest jerk, everything falling into well-practiced place. It had been a while, eight years to be exact, but even eight years cannot wipe out eleven years of traveling and living in such a caravan. Noticing the new stick Xicon handed to Killian, her eyebrows raised wondering where they had an extra stick lying about. It seemed slightly odd to her.

Hearing Killian’s words, she laughed. “No, no walking for me.” she agreed, “and you watch where your going.”

A shout caught her attention and she looked down at the sprinting form of Corana, stick in one hand and flower in another. Hearing her words, Apri blushed slightly as she doubled over her legs with easy flexibility to reach down and gently clasp the flower.

“Thank You Corana, and don’t you worry... I’ll keep not only one eye on him, but both… I’ll return him to you safe and sound… That is a promise…”

[shawncameron]

Corana stopped running to wave her whole body going into the motion until she was called back by her mother. Beside the caravan Killian arched an eyebrow at the young woman, “what did she give you?” but more importantly, “and Xicon,” the man who was walking slightly behind them just said “Hmm?” but Killian heard and, still using the stick spoke straight ahead so as not to break his concentration. “Who gave you the stick?” that made Xicon laugh, “well the wagon master is new, taking over for his father, the old man refuses to retire altogether though and he had a spare… speaking of which I had better get to the front all business you know.” He waved at each of the girls and patted Killian on the back before jogging forward.

Beside Apricus Larina was swinging her feet looking at the ground as it sped under her, sighing she smiled over at Apricus, “that was offly nice of her… Killian, I think that girl has a crush on you…” Killian sighed shaking his head that was an understatement he just hoped she would grow out of it soon. The young girl looked from her brother to Apricus and back and grinning evilly lunged forward jumping off the caravan before jogging back up beside Killian “well I’m sure they have some work for me too do, catch you latter.” She waved winking at Apricus before running off after Xicon, leaving the two alone at the back of the wagon train.

[E]

Apri listened to the words exchanged between the siblings each in turn, slightly confused by each. Her mind was more on the feel of the wagon beneath her and the flower in her hand. Where had Corana found a flower when the land was covered in ice? This confused Apri to the point that old memories were not, at the moment, being brought up by the familiarity of the caravan.

It took a moment for Apri to realize that Larina had left before she turned to Killian again. Watching him a moment, she decided that she might as well get comfortable, it would be a long ride. Taking his guitar carefully from around her shoulders she set it in a similar crevasse between trunks to that she now sat in. Years of trial and error had taught her these were the safest places in the wagons.

“A flower… Killian… Where did Corana get a flower?” she asked, finally answering Killian’s question he had posed a while ago. Apri found herself looking at him expectantly as if he held all the answers to the confusing little girl.

[shawncameron]

“ah…” that was interesting, Killian ran his hand though his hair before answering but when he did he was smiling sweetly. “She picked it of coarse.” He laughed considering letting her fathom at the possibilities but in the end decided not to. “We grow flowers every winter… Corana hates winter because it kills all of the flowers so we put up a little garden in her room where she can grow her own turn round.”

He pulsed over this for a moment, she never liked to pick her flowers until the end of winter, “what color is it Milady?”

[E]

Ah, well that made sense. Apri couldn’t blame the little girl for not liking winter. Everything about Corana made Apri smile and she found this as another one to add to her list. Hearing the question posed to her, she frowned wondering why the color would matter.

“Red… A very pretty red one I might add, although I do not know what kind… I never was good at the name of plants…” she said thoughtfully, rotating the stem of the flower in her hand so she could study every aspect of the little gift.

[shawncameron]

Killian looked up sharply, surprised at first but then relaxing as he ran his hand though his hair again, “that is very interesting… did you know Red is her favorite color? Her second is gray…” he picked up a lock of his hair laughing and then dropped it again. “When she was little she used to ask me about all of the different colors and what they meant… well I had a hard time answering those as you can imagine.”

He shrugged it away he had been only 8 when he went blind after all, “but I managed to find a hide for her at one of the gathers and she spent the next month reciting all of the different meanings behind the colors… red is love, trust, and deep friendship, not like Pink which is casual friendship and pupy love as she put it.” He laughed again shaking his head but keeping his pace with the wagon in smooth measured steps. He was quiet for a little wile before asking, “what is your favorite color Milady?”

[E]

Apri brought her legs up so that she could wrap her arms around them, resting her head upon her knees as her body matched the easy rocking of the wagon. Hearing his question, she thought for several moments on it, leaving another small gap of silence before finding the answer she thought best fit.

“When you were little… Did you ever escape away into the night… Maybe to some nearby field or orchard?... Do you remember how the moon, in all its glory… would paint the world… Not quite silver… not quite gray… but something in between?... if you closed your eyes you’d wonder if what you saw was truly real… and it didn’t happen every night… just enough to tease your senses… That color… That in-between color cast by the moon… I’d have to say that is my favorite color…”

Apri let her answer have some time for Killian to think about before mirroring the question back to him. “And you?... What is your color?”

[shawncameron]

Killian thought about her answer… letting it sink in. that was not what he had expected… blue, or red or one of those maybe but not that, he tried to remember what that looked like because he had frequently escaped out in the night, usually to the black diamond beaches of Ista, but he could not remember for the life of him what it looked like.., the way the moon reflected off of the back stones which seemed only to absorb the light, giving none back.

His thoughts where broken by the repeat of his own question and he smiled. “now that is an interesting question… to be honest it used to be black, like onyx and black diamonds but after this happened,” he waved his hand in front of his face indicating his blindness. “It has become brown… like the ground and the tree trunks… earth tones, colors people take for granted. Ha.” He laughed running his hand though his hair yet again resting it on the back of his neck, “I’m afraid it isn’t nearly as poetic as yours… it must be beautiful…”