Ch5- The Organization of Totory
Cole groans and rolls over. Why him? The bed he is in is soft but holds no comfort for him. He wants to get out, but at the same time he doesnt want to move. He was starting to think that this was the most nightmarish hallucination that he has ever had, not that hes hallucinated before but if he had this one would probably be the worst. He wonders how many basket ball games hes missed by now.
Wriggling around Cole convinces himself to climb out of bed. The room hes in is about the size of an apartments room. Its not huge but its not a closet either. At the foot of the bed is a dresser and a pitcher of water next to a bowl. He stumbles over to the pitcher and takes a drink to rinse out his mouth. He goes to open the door but then turns around and crawls back into bed. It was better to be board than to risk meeting any weirdoes again.
His door creeks open and he groans. It was too late. He would be doomed to spend his time with these people until he recovered and woke up back home or they ended the show. Maybe if he was really rude or boring the viewings would go down and they would leave him alone. If this was a hallucination, he only had to wait. But what if he had to find something first in order for his mind to be brought back to reality? That would suck. It could take so long.
Padded footsteps purr along the carpeted floor as someone approaches his bed. The sound stops and someone leans over him. He reluctantly opens an eye to peer at who ever was there. A man leans over him with a full black beard. He opens his other eye.

Ahh. Youre awake. Im sorry for disturbing you, the man says. I was Ah well I I was just going to make sure you were alive. Thats all. Yep. Bye. The man quickly backs up and leaves the room. Cole slips out of bed and stumbles over to the door. He makes sure that the door is completely closed before he turns to get dressed. How convenient of these places that he keeps waking up in, having beds and clothes and all.
He goes to the closet to see what there was to wear. The clothes are very similar to the ones from before. The shirts are like long sleeved t-shirts but made out of a heavier cloth. Most of the shirts in the closet had embroidery around the collar and cuffs of the sleeves. He holds one up and flips it around. Then, he puts it on. He had chosen a red shirt with a medium amount of black embroidery.
His pants are dark brown. He slips on the almost tennis shoes from before that were still with him. He misses his actual shoes but the longing doesnt last long. Why should it? He should be free soon. Police would find him or he would wake up. Stomach growling, he heads to leave the room but finds that his door is locked. Let me out! he shouts as he bangs on the door. Nobody replies and he paces around the room
His stomach growled again and he looked to the door. If anybody walked through the door without food they would be given an elbow in the face. The window offers him no view of the world around him because there is something covering the window from the outside. He doesnt know how to open the window from the inside and after looking around the frame for a bit he deems it impossible. He doesnt know what time it is but since he can do little else he climbs back into bed.
The door creaks open and he jolts up and sees a face peering into his room. What do you want? He growls.
Im sorry. I just thought that you would be hungry, the boy says as he enters the room with a tray of food.
I was hungry two hours ago.
My apologies, you arrived at a weird time and they have just begun making dinner.
I dont care, just give me that food.
Yes sir. The boy walks over and hands the tray to Cole and then quickly backs away again so he is right next to the door.
Thanks for the food, Cole mumbles as he slurps up the stew.
Y-yes sir. The boy smiles. Cole huffs. When he is finished, Cole holds out the tray for the boy to grab.
When can I leave?
Youll have to talk to the ones in charge, Im only a serving boy. They are meeting tomorrow so they will probably talk to you then. The boy leaves the room and the door is shut behind him.
Cole lays back on the bed and sighs. Then he throws a pillow across the room. I dont want to be here anymore! He rolls over and punches the sheets, then he stands and knocks over the pitcher with the water in it. He looks at the water soaking into the floor and then chuckles. He steps into the puddle and then mostly dries his feet on the carpet around the puddle. He crouches down and pretends to dribble a ball in between his hands. He fakes left, sprints right, spins around an enemy defender to protect the ball, and then he shoots and scores. The game has just begun.
Sweat drips from his brow and he pants for breath. He won. See that coach? I can pass, run, and defend. That is why Im the star player. I know how this game works; anything you throw at me I can overcome.
Cole heads to where the water pitcher was and then remembers that he had broken it. He looks at the unbroken bowl. It had some water in it and he splashes it all on his face. It was cool and refreshing. He breathed a quick breath in and then went to look for a towel. He figures that if he cant find one he could just use a blanket or something. It would probably dry off before he had to use it again, if he had to use it again.
He finds a towel near where the bowl and pitcher were and dries off his face. He strips off his shirts and towels off the rest of himself as well. He goes to the closet again and puts on a clean shirt it is much like the one before but is blue-gray instead of red. He tosses it on and then paces around the room.
This was boring. He stops and then decides to see what is all in the room. He finds outfits of all different sizes and styles in the closet and a dresser nearby. There is nothing under the bed and the windows are still inoperable as before.
Eventually he tiers of his pacing and lays back down in the bed. He will find out what is going on tomorrow or he would go insane. He tosses and turns but is eventually able to sleep.
Cole opens his eyes and blinks several times. It takes a moment for him to orient himself. A soft knock sounds at the door and Cole yells out, Unless you have food, will explain what is going on, or freeing me, go away! It must be morning, but it was hard to tell with the window covered.
I have been told to take you to the people in charge, the voice replies.
Finally. He quickly gets up and gets dressed. He tries the door and discovers that it is unlocked. A man dressed in a weird outfit is waiting just outside the door. The man is wearing blue and white striped tights and a blue jacket type thing. Cole didnt know what to make of him. He looked like some middle ages steward person.
Cole couldnt help himself, he started laughing. He holds his sides and tries to slow his mirth, but to no avail. The outfit was just too much. The man glares at him, and trying to hold onto a scrap of his dignity says, I am James Yale son of Drian Yale and a steward to the three Gilan of the Organization of Totory. Cole not only understand what he is talking about but laughs harder because of this mans speech.
You may call me James. Come and I will take you to those who can explain your situation. Cole follows him down the hall, trying to keep his laughter under control. They go down some stairs and James goes on about bedrooms on the second floor and meeting halls and other things but Cole just tones him out. They walk down some hallways and then James enters a door on their right. Cole walks in right behind him.
The room reminds Cole of the principles office, but it is the size of a forty kid classroom. There are three desks right across from the entrance and chairs are set up around the walls. There are men sitting behind the desks. They each have a robe on over their clothes and the robes are all a solid color, but different colors from each other. The man in the center is wearing red, on the left is blue, and the right man is wearing green.
The center man, the one in red, stands and waves his hand. The steward gives a slight bow and leaves. Cole sits down and sprawls out. The man in the red robe starts to say something to him but the man in blue tugs on his sleeve and shakes his head.
Red speaks, I am Tahool, captain of attack. The man in blue is Hallak, captain of defense, and the one in green is Jalfin, captain of health.
Right, Im never going to remember all of that so lets move on, Cole says. Why am I here and when do I get to go home?
Shut your mouth boy. We are the strongest members of The Organization of Totory.
Am I supposed to be impressed? Cole leans back in the chair and puts his arms up onto the backs of the chairs next to him.
Boy! We are the only people keeping you out of the dungeons at this moment because we believe that you arent working with Camus, but if you continue this path I will make sure you rot there and no one will ever hear of you!
Are you threatening me? Coles hands ball into fists and he gets ready to stand.
I am! Impudent fool! Red starts to come out from behind his desk and Cole stands. Before they could fight green and blue stand and hold them back from each other.
We dont have time to be fighting right now! Blue yells at Cole.
Think of your health. Green says to red.
Are you calling me old? Red shouts.
Yes, yes I am. Red glares at green. Green pulls him back to his desk. How about we all calm down?
Im calm. Red growls. He straightens his robe and sits back down behind his desk. Green and Blue follow suit.
Cole sits as well. What do you want? He asks.
We need your help, Blue says. An evil man is threatening our lands very existence.
What does that have to do with me? Cole asks.
Right now are forces are spread thin and our sources say that you have gone to a high school. Your knowledge will be helpful in our fight.
What if I dont agree to help? Whats in it for me?
We will use all of our resources and find a way to send you home. We can also promise you gold and other precious gems.
Works for me. Cole chuckles if this was a TV show they just told him he could get a cash prize if he did well. If this was a hallucination then either he found a way to wake up or it didnt matter.
So we have a deal?
Yes.
Well then, I hope you have a good night, hero.

Ch6- A Partner
First we should find you a partner for travel, Green says. You will have a lot less trouble if you have someone with you. Plus then they know the land and you dont have to waste time learning pathways and people.
Thats great, but I dont know enough people to choose a partner, Cole says.
Its alright. I have two people in mind already. We will handle everything. Then he walks over and opens the door. James, we are done with our meeting. Please escort our guest to the food chamber.
Yes sir. James bows and turns to Cole. Please follow me.
Cole stands and follows the steward. Through winding hallways he walks mindlessly. He simply puts one foot in front of the other.
The smell of food awakens him and his stomach rumbles. His mouth starts to water as he picks up on the sent of bacon. He can also smell something that might be pancakes, but he isnt sure.
The steward walks through a set of double doors and Cole is surrounded by noise. It is like his high school cafeteria. People sit and talk as they eat or walk between five rows of three tables. A young women walks up to them. She has blonde hair that is in a braid straight down her back. Her eyes are dark blue and she has cherry red lips. Cole swallows. Her shirt is loose and she has on shorts.
Good evening, James. This must be Cole. She turns to him and holds out her hand. Its good to meet you. Im called Kallie.
Cole takes her hand and asks, how do you know my name? He notices that she smelled nice.
Oh thats easy. The captains announced it and said that youd be needing a partner for travel.
They didnt know that I would agree, why announce it?
They wanted us to know before hand. If you hadnt agreed nobody would ever see you and so it wouldnt matter.
Thats comforting.
Kallie laughs. Come on in and eat. It is a bit crowded right now because the captains have asked for all the spare agents to return for new assignments.
What do you do for the organization?
Im a member of the green team. I can cook and my specialty is information gathering. Get into this line. Im sitting over there with the serious looking guy. Come on over once you get food.
Okay. Cole stands in line and is served pancakes, eggs, bacon and milk. He gets out of line and heads over to where Kallie is. He realizes that James had left him sometime, but he doesnt think much of it.
Kallie waves at him as he gets closer to her table and then he notices the person next to her. They are wrapped in a cloak and a hood is pulled up shadowing their face.
Cole, this is Yuith. Hes a member of the red team, Kallie introduces them.
Nice to meet you, Cole says as he sits.
All people bleed, the man says
Um... yes they do. Cole agrees and slides away a little bit.
Oh dont mind Yuith, Kallie says. Hes always like that. Hes really serious and will say random things at the weirdest moments, but hes strong and does care.
Dont tell him everything. He could be a spy.
He isnt a spy silly. Hes already been tested. Kallie giggles.
You never know.
The captains would never let a spy get away.
Not any spy that they know about at least.
Yeah, anyway, Kallie turns back to Cole, do you like the food?
Its good, Cole takes his last bite of pancakes and starts to focus solely on the eggs.
Im glad you like it. Kallie stand suddenly. Oh no! I forgot about the meeting! She runs off with a smile and a wave.
I had best be going as well, Yuith says as he stands.
Cole says, Alright. It was nice meeting you two.
Im afraid I can not return the sentiment. Yuith walks off and Cole finishes the rest of his meal alone. Yuith and Kallie seemed like an odd pair of people to be hanging out with each other. When he is finished with his meal he follows some other people and puts his tray down to be washed. Then, he heads out the door he entered through.
He looks up and down the hallway to try to find what seemed familiar to him. Both directions look about the same. The walls are brick with square windows every few feet. The ground is smooth brick with long hallway rugs running up and down the way. Covered lanterns hang in between the windows.
Walking down to the right Cole thinks that hes made the right choice in direction. He seems to remember this hall and the number of doors. After a little while though he isnt so sure. All these halls look the same. He looks out of the window but it offers no clues about his current position or where his room was.
The outside looks nice though. The grass is a little greener here than the plains that he was in and the trees were a little larger and stood straighter. There was a wall surrounding the building that he was in and it appeared to go all the way around. He could see some people moving about the grounds. He watches for a moment more before turning again to look for his room. He wanders down another hall. He could have sworn that they had taken a left and then a right to get to the cafeteria, but he followed the hallway the opposite way, which should have led him back, and couldnt find the captains door.
He turns again to head back and try to start over. The steward is coming down the hallway in the direction Cole is headed and walks up to him.
What are you doing here? James asks
Im just getting familiar with the layout of the building, Cole says.
Okay, do you have a certain place you want to see, perhaps the gardens, the kitchen, or maybe you would rather see the weapons room?
You have a weapons room? Take me there.
Alright.
James leads him down the hallway in the direction Cole was headed before he turned around. He takes several turns and then they head outside. James walks quickly and they enter a second smaller building.
This building was brick just like the other one but directly inside of it were weapons of all different types. They were hung on the walls or on racks. The weapon room split up into three other rooms. In these three rooms are dirt floors with a stone pathways around the edges. In the room on the right Cole can hear the sound of clashing metal and when he peeks inside he sees two men fighting with swords. Clearing his throat, James pulls Cole back into the moment.
All of these weapons are for members of The Organization of Totory to fight with and since you have agreed to help us you are free to use them as well.
Wow.
If you need any help just grab any of the warriors in the building, theyll know what to do.
Right.
I must be going. Please enjoy yourself.
Bye. Cole looks at the weapons. There are swords, spears, clubs, and other things that he didnt recognize. Thinking that swords are cool, Cole walked over to where the swords are. He doesnt know why there are so many different types. A sword is a sword, he thought. He reaches out to grab one and someone yells at him.
You there! What do you think youre doing? They cry.
Just grabbing a sword, Cole says in his no-duh voice.
You cant grab just any sword. With your untrained hands youll die before you even get to fight anyone.
Yeah right. Cole sneers.
Its true. I can tell just by looking at you that you have never held a sword before, but you do seem well conditioned. The man strokes his beard.
I condition all the time for practice. Now go away, youre annoying.
Be careful, Im Vlaid the weapons master. I make sure all the weapons dont fall into the wrong hands. His eyes go dark.
What ever.
You seem interested in the weapons though, so Im willing to put your impoliteness aside and teach you how to wield a sword.
No thanks. I was just checking things out. Cole turns and walks away.
Thats too bad, the man sighs. Its been awhile since Ive seen such promising potential.
Cole ignores him and heads outside. Once outside, Cole walks around near the wall. He was right about his guess earlier, the wall does go all the way around. Cole walks through the grounds and enjoys the fresh air. Cole remembers when the basketball team went on a team picnic in the park. The park had a pond and they had started tossing each other in until coach got mad at them.
He chuckles and kicks up a rock that was in his path. He wishes that he had a basketball. Some hallucination, he couldnt even do what he loved the most. He sighs and then begins to head inside. Before he gets there he remembers that he doesnt know how to get to his room, or anywhere really.
This place was so boring. It was probably lunch time and so far Cole had only made a deal about defeating some dude with a partner. He wonders how they will choose his partner. Maybe they would have a competition or something. If they did, hopes that he can watch.
Blue is in front of him in the gardens. Hes bending down looking at a flower and it looks likes hes taking notes. Cole walks past him and doesnt say anything. Blue stands up and sees Cole. Cole, was it? He asks.
Yes, Cole answers and turns around.
Ah good. How are you getting on?
Im board.
Well we cant have that. Blue chuckles. How about you come with me to hear an agents report. Itll be good for you to hear about the world around you.
Sure. Cole shrugs. Why not?
Blue takes him by the arm and leads him inside once more. Blue walks straight and enters a room through an entirely blue door. Inside sits a man, who looked like a stereotypical western United States farmer. He had on overalls, boots, and a wide brimmed hat. Cole thought that the only thing he needed was a piece of hay or wheat or something to chew on.
The man stands as Blue and Cole enters. Its good ta see ya, Hallak. Its been a while, the man drawls.
Cole smiles and sits down in a seat on the side of the room next to the desk.
Its a pleasure to see you as well, Gavin. I trust youve been well? Hallak says.
I have. He nods his head. The droughts been ah little tough, but Ill pull through. Always have.
Thats good. This here is Cole, hes a new comer and is here to learn.
So tats the Cole feller Ive been hearing bout. Well, sir, its nice ta meet ya.
Anyway lets move this meeting on, I still have others I need to talk with.
Right ya are.
How are we faring on the northern front?
Honestly not so well. Ive had at least ten deserters and the ____ kingdom is getting restless. Ive got word Camus is stirn them up.
Thats no good.
Tis not good at all, Gavin takes off his hat. Truth be told I had a run in with one of Camuss goons the other day. Ya know wha? Hes employing kids now. Met the sweetest little girl, but she had already been corrupted. There was aint no way I could tell er other ways
What have we come to? Hallak shakes his head and sighs. That man must be stopped. Hallak clenches his fists. Sorry for my rage. Thank you for youre report, Gavin.
Any time.
You are excused. Hallak stands and opens the door. James please escort Cole to the eating area for lunch and then to his room. He will have a partner by dinner.
Cole stands and follows James out the door. Sitting in that meeting wasnt really worth his time, but he guesses that its better than walking around outside. Now he could eat some lunch.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There will be a contest to see who travels with Cole! Jalfin announces. First combat skill, next knowledge of the land, and finally cooking.
Let the contests begin! Tahool shouts.
After the first two contests only Kallie and Yuith are still in the running.

Yuith held up his whisk. Prepare yourself.
Im already prepared, Kallie said.
With a signal from the judge Yuith and Kallie begin to cook. Yuith starts off showing his magic skills by grabbing all the ingredients he needs. Kallie, undeterred, walks quickly to get her ingredients and carries them back to her cooking spot. She quickly pours, dumps, and mixes her ingredients. Yuith follows suit. He tastes the mix as he goes along. Kallie tastes nothing, knowing with a certainty that her cooking is good.
Why dont you just give up? Everyone knows that my cooking is far superior to yours, Kallie calls from her station.
It is simple really. I dont want you to be the one who travels with Cole, Yuith replies.
Whats that supposed to mean? Besides, he has nothing to with cooking skill.
Exactly what it sounds like and maybe he doesnt, but I have magic.
Whatever, youre still beat.
We shall see.
Kallie turns her back to him and stirs her mixture more quickly. She reaches for spices on the counter next to her and carefully pours in the amounts that match whatever recipe is in her head. Yuith follows a recipe book that Kallie had said that he could use. She had handed it to him with a laugh and told him that he would need all the help he could get.
They go on for an hour with batter flying and taunts being thrown. Until finally they put their spoons and spatulas down on the counter and the batter in the oven. Yuith stands still and waits patiently while Kallie tries not to jump up and down with excitement.
Their meals, when done, are dished and served and then they leave to let the judges taste and judge. They sit down on their separate chairs and wait for the final vote. Kallie bounces up and down and drums her fingers. Yuith closes his eyes and takes a nap. Finally, a bell rings, summoning them back into the dining room.
We had better see what their vote is, Yuith states as he yawns and opens an eye.
You might as well stay here, magician. There is no way you will win, Kallie grins. Your magic is great, but your cooking skills are lacking.
We will see.
They walk quickly both arriving at the same time. The judges stand and tell them to be seated. They both sit and face the judges. The Second judge, Gaven, stands and clears his throat.
As you both know we can only have one of you travel with Cole because we are short in staff. After carefully observing your creations and then tasting them it is obvious to us who shall travel with him. He clears his throat again and looks at his fellow judges, who nod at him. Kallie leans forward and prepares to leap from her chair. We have decided that Yuith will travel with Cole. Kallie leaps from her chair, but not in the celebration that she was expecting.
How could you send him? She cries. I know the layout of the land better than almost anyone and theres no doubt that Im a better cook.
But you cant fight, Tahool says. There will be many dangers along the way and you just dont have the skill to protect him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lunch is good, but not great. Cole was hoping that he would see Kallie but he didnt. James leads him to his room and hands him a bag. This is a travel bag. Pack what ever you think you will need or want in here for your trip.
Thanks, Cole says. He grabs the bag and closes his door. The bag is a bit like his duffle bag for basket ball but it is only cloth and is a tasteless brown color, not like his cool black duffle bag with a basketball logo on it back home.
He starts to look at all the clothes to see what he would like to pack. He hopes that this adventure wouldnt take too long. He needed to hold a basketball in his hands again soon or he thinks hell go insane. He hears someone call from outside his door, Good night hero.

Ch7- Yuith
Cole glares through the door to who ever was interrupting his sleep. He had spent the rest of the afternoon packing, stopped for dinner, went to some meeting thing that he didn't even know what was going on in it, and then finally crawled into bed. He had kept tossing and turning and couldn't seem to get his thoughts to stop running in circles.
He stumbles out of bed and calls to the disturber of his sleep, "I'm coming." Blurry eyed he grabs the first shirt he finds and gets dressed. He pulls open the door and sees a dirty blonde haired boy. He yawns. "What do you want?"
"Sir I've been asked to escort you to the dinning hall for breakfast and then take you to the stables."
"Fine." As the boy leads Cole he notices that he has begun to recognize where things are.
"It must be nice to be trusted by the captains."
"It's nothing really."
"Yes it is. Are you a famous hero in disguise?"
"No."
"Of course you would say that if you were a hero."
"I'd also say it if I wasn't." The boy was obviously not listening and starts talking about different heroes.
"Perhaps you are Knight Dale, who vanquished the army of the south in one blow or maybe you are strong and clever Tristan, who could make anyone believe anything. Even more amazing would be if you were Lord Cale, who was able to inspire everyone around him. He was invited to the kings court but turned it down. Hes so modest."
"I'm none of those." Cole, realizing that the boy wouldn't listen to him, stops trying to interrupt him. The boy continues on about different heroes and their great deeds.
They enter the cafeteria and Cole scans the area for Kallie. He doesn't see her and continues to get breakfast. The boy stays by his side and occasionally looks up at him in admiration.
After he is done eating the boy takes him outside to the stables on the side of the front lawn. He enters and he sees Green and the man that was with Kallie the first day that he went to the cafeteria. He still has his hood up but it is pushed back a little compared to where it was before and Cole could tell that he did indeed have a face. His nose was soft and round and Cole thinks that his eyes are dark blue, but it is hard to tell when his face is in shadow. Kallie is behind Green. She has her arms crossed and glowers at Green every once in a while.
"Whats going on?" Cole asks.
"You're leaving for victory," Green says.
"What?"
"We don't have time to waste. Yuith here is your partner; both of your horses are tied up outside and have already been saddled and packed."
"Whoa, slow down. I'm leaving already; with him?"
"Yes. We do not have time to waste, good luck." Cole is pushed outside and led over his horse. Kallie leaves without a word and Yuith mounts his horse. "What are you waiting for?"
"Nothing." Cole gets up onto his horse and Yuith starts to leave. Their pack horse follows him and Cole looks down at his horse. Why wasn't this stupid beast following Yuith. He snaps the reins as he has seen cowboys do in the movies and the horse tosses its head, but begins to walk. Green looks a little worried about his riding skills. He calls out a good luck.
Cole lift a hand to wave and starts to wobble in the saddle. He quickly straightens and grasps the pommel of the saddle. Riding is dangerous. Why couldn't they just drive? He guessed that they had some theme for the TV show or his brain wanted to make things very difficult. Which was a weird thought now that he thinks about it. It was more the chemicals and less his brain.
The horses plod along at a steady pace and Cole tries to start a conversation, "So, uh, when did you learn how to ride?"
"When I was five."
"That's cool. What are some of your hobbies?"
"Hobbies?"
"What do you like to do in your free time?"
"This and that. I like to be alone."
"Great. I like to play basketball we have a great team this year. I also hang out with my friends all the time."
"What is basketball?"
"You don't know!?" Cole stares at him in shock. "It is like the greatest sport ever. We have competitions and everything."
"Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop. The game is played on a court, and there is a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two main sections by the mid-court line. Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can no longer have possession of the ball in the area in back of the line. If it does, the defense is awarded the ball. The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling.
When a team makes a basket, they score two points, unless the basket is made outside of the three-point arc, then the basket is worth three points, after a basket is made the ball goes to the other team. If the score is tied at the end of the game, then overtime is played until someone wins.
The game begins with one player from either team at center court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing player, there are other ways for a team to get the ball.
One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation." Cole continues his explanation about basketball and what he usually plays and everything else that he can think of.
"... and so basketball is awesome." Cole finishes up.
"Did you have that rehearsed?" Yuith asks.
"No, but our coach will make us run if we forget a rule when he would ask about it randomly."
"So yes."
"I said no, and when are we eating I'm hungry?"
We just left the main building an hour ago. We are not eating so soon.
"You're so stingy."
"Stingy I am not, but I do know how to save out food so it will last us until we get to the next town."
Cole sticks his tongue out. He was hungry now so they should eat. He at least wanted a snack. He wishes that he had gotten someone else as his partner. How did they even decide? He really wishes that he was partnered with Kallie. She was happy, nice, and pretty.
Cole's legs are sore and he wants to get down and stretch. Except he doesn't know how to stop the horse and he's pretty sure that even if he did know Yuith wouldn't wait for him. He didn't even know what he was doing out here. The captains had promised him a way home but so had the man that he had met the one day. He couldn't remember the guys name. Too bad. Cole thinks that he would much rather take him up on his offer then these captains.
Thundering down the path a lone rider draws closer to them. Yuith pulls his cloak tighter as they pass. Cole stares openly. Its the first person hes seen all day that wasn't a member of the Organization. They had a dark brown cloak on so he couldn't see much of them. He was starting to wonder if wearing cloaks was normal. Of course, what was normal in this place?
"Hey, Yuith, why do you always wear a cloak?"
"I don't always wear one. I don't need to be seen by a lot of people, its a pain."
"You've always been wearing one when I see you."
"Hm." Yuith doesn't elaborate and Cole doesn't press him.
Yuith does eventually stop for lunch, even though Cole feels as if it should be dinner time. Yuith dismounts and moves to the side of the road. They eat chicken sandwiches and some apple sauce. Cole spends a lot of his time eating standing up and pacing around. His legs slowly wake and he can now feel his toes. Yuith doesn't say anything about his behavior.
They mount once again. Heading towards the east, they push the horses a little faster this time, or at least Yuith does and Cole is forced to keep up. He thinks that hes finally getting the hang of this riding business. It was a good thing too, because it seems that they will be riding a lot.
Yuith slows his horse and falls back so he is next to Cole. "Ahead of us lies a farming town. We will be staying with a member of the Organization there. Be careful what you say from now on, there are spies everywhere."
"Okay," Cole answers. Yuith rides ahead again and falls into his place in front of Cole. This was such a weird place. Cloaks, spies, and robe wearing old men. How in the world would he get away?
He could worry about that later, he could see the town ahead. The buildings are log cabins like the pictures of pioneer homes that he has seen in textbooks. Fields surround the town. Men are bent over in the fields and some women are gathered by a well.
Yuith leads the way to a home on the other side of town and dismounts. Cole gets off of his horse as well. After knocking on the door he is greeted by a older lady. He leads her over to Cole.
"Ina, this is Cole. Cole, Ina. I'm tying up the horses," Yuith says and then grabs the reigns and leads the horses around the side of the house and disappears around the side.
"So you're Cole? Its nice to meet you. This is my home, come on in." Cole follows Ina inside. Her home has wooden floors and is furnished casually. His footsteps clomp over the floor as he follows her to a guest room. "Your room is here. Go ahead and freshen and feel free to look around town. Dinner will be in three hours."
"Thanks." Cole looks around the room and then heads to the bathroom down the hall. He washes his face and hands and then heads outside. Ina waves to him as he leaves.
Cole kicks up a rock and heads out to look around. The village is made up of mostly small houses that are much like Inas in size and shape. Cole wanders down the dusty streets and some people wave to him. He ignores them. Who do they think they are waving to the basketballs star player and he didn't even know them. Then, he sighs. He isn't the star player to them. They were probably just trying to be nice. He shakes his head. They should stop trying and leave him alone.
He arrives in front of a larger building. Laughter and peoples conversations spill through the door and windows and he heads inside. The doors open and the noise of people crowded into a warm room surrounds him. It draws him in. He weaves through the men and women and walks up to the counter on the side of the room. The man behind the counter greets him. "What can I get for you? As you can see you came during our dinner rush, but we can get your food pretty quickly. Most people are here to gossip anyway."
"I'm actually just passing through and was looking around town."
"Alright. You can take a seat if you want."
"Thanks." The man had said that he could take a seat, but the only open seats were next to people and Cole didn't want to sit down next to someone random. He thanks the man for his time and then leaves.
Shadows begin to grow long and Coles stomach growls. He wanders back in the direction of Ina's house. If only he knew where it was exactly, wandering took way too long.
Eventually he finds it. Yuith is standing outside the door. Cole waves. "Hey."
"Don't hey me," Yuith tells him. "You should be more concerned about where you are and who can hear you."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say teach."
"Come, Yuith opens the door, and don't call me teach.'
"Alright. Cole snickers and follows him inside. They head to the dinning room. Ina is finishing setting up the table when they enter. A pot of soup is on the table. Cole seats himself and Yuith thanks Ina for the food and then follows suit. Ina dishes up the two of them and then herself. She sits down and they begin eating.
Potato soup with no meat. It had to be just potatoes. Cole is glad that they were finally eating but he wishes that they could have some meat with it. He gets seconds and then thirds.
He rubs his stomach, now he was full. He heads up to bed.
"Good Night hero," Ina says.

ch8- Second Day
Cole rolls out of bed and bends his back. It pops several times. He goes downstairs to get some breakfast. Ina is in the kitchen cooking. "Good morning," she greets him. "Breakfast will be done soon. Please go outside to the back and get some eggs. The basket is right there."
"Fine." Cole grabs the basket and then heads outside and towards the chicken coop. The chickens are clucking and wandering around their run. Cole enters their pen and then he goes into the coop. There are some empty nests and some with eggs and some with chickens in them. Cole plugs his nose and quickly grabs the eggs from the unguarded nests.
His long strides take him back to the house in a short time and he puts the basket down and then heads to the bathroom to wash his hands. He hears Ina call a thank you after him. She better be thankful, he thinks.
He washes his hands and then enters the kitchen once more. The food looks done and so he sits down. He wonders where Yuith is but doesnt have to wonder long. Yuith enters in through the front door and wishes Cole good morning. "Good morning to you as well, Mr. cloak," Cole answers back.
Suddenly he is face first on the floor. It had felt as if he had been pushed off of his chair, but no one was close enough that they could have pushed him. He stands up and brushes himself off. Neither Yuith nor Ina asked if he needed help. They stood silently as he stood.
"Lets eat. I'm hungry," Cole says.
"I;m in agreement. Ina, will you please dish us up some of your wonderful breakfast?" Yuith asks.
"Of, course," Ina says. Just like dinner she dishes them up and then herself and then they all eat. The eggs are good, but Cole really enjoys the sausage that was on the table.
When he is finished eating he burps and rubs his mouth. "Thanks for the food," he says to Ina.
"You're" welcome.
Yuith stands and says, "I'll go get the horses ready we should be on our way soon. Ina, if you could give us some lunch please and thank you for letting us stay."
"No, thank you. You wouldn't believe how lonely it can be around here. Good luck you two." Ina stands and heads to a different part of the house. Yuith heads outside and Cole stands too.
"Don't worry about me," he says. "I know just what I'm going to do." He looks around at the empty room and slams his fist on the table. Then, he heads back to the room he was staying in. He gathers up his things and stuffs them all in his bag.
Sunlight shines into his face as he steps outside. He puts his hand up and then heads over to where Yuith and the horses are. He puts his bag on the ground and Yuith picks it up and ties it onto the horse. Yuith mounts and then starts to head off.
"Wait, we're leaving already?" Cole quickly clambers up the saddle and onto the back of his horse. He flicks the reigns and is off following Yuith to where ever Yuith was headed. "Where are we going?"
"We must stop Camus and fix what he has done. We are going to the mountains where he was last seen. It'll only take two more days to get there."
"Two more days?!"
"Yes."
Ug. Cole groans. He didn't know if he could last two more days riding on a horse and only stopping once and a while. He slumps down as much as he could on the horse and sighed.
Blazing sun shone down on the pair of riders as they went on their journey. "I'm thirsty," Cole complains for the fifth time in an hour.
"Then drink something," Yuith replies.
"But my water is warm."
"It's still water."
"Nooo." Cole slumps down on his horse and wipes his forehead. How could Yuith stand to wear that cloak in this heat?
"We'll be stopping as soon as we reach the river up ahead. There we can eat."
"A river? Yes. Lets go." Cole perks up and tries to tell his horse to go faster. The horse doesn't listen to him and continues plodding along. Ug. Cole throws his hands up. "How long will it take us to get there?"
"Thirty more minutes."
"Half an hour? I'm going to melt before we get there."
"You'll be fine."
"No..." Cole trails off. He's had teachers like Yuith. They're the ones that wont listen to anything you have to say. Doing your homework and not talking in class are the most important to them. Everything else doesn't matter.
Cole has the feeling that traveling with Yuith will be one of the hardest things that he will ever half to do. Whatever or whoever was causing this, must be laughing at the situation that he was in now.
When they finally reach the river, Cole half jumps half falls from the saddle as he tries to get to the water. Yuith follows him down to the river with his canteen in hand and fills it up. Cole, shoes and socks off, walks back to his horse to get his canteen so he could do the same. The water feels really good and Cole can't help but sigh in pleasure. Yuith stood waiting for him to come out. Cole invites him in but Yuith shakes his head and walks a little ways off.
Cole sticks his tongue out at Yuith. His foot slips on a rock and he lands straight into the water. He pulls himself out of the water, picks up the dastardly rock that had dared to trip him, and throws it as hard as he can down stream.
He climbs out of the water and shakes his head to dislodge some of the water from his hair. He takes off his shirt and wrings it out. He puts it back on and then lays down on the grass. The sun is strong enough that he should dry quickly.
He goes up to Yuith who is eating a sandwich and holds out his hand. Yuith grabs a sandwich and places it into his hand. Cole devours the food and then asks for another.
Cole is mostly dry when he finishes off the last sandwich and Yuith stands to get ready to go. Cole watches Yuith prepare the horses and stands and stretches as Yuith mounts and gives him a look to tell him to hurry up. Cole walks gingerly, as his legs were quite stiff and a little sore.
He mounts his horse and Yuith moves off. Cole is grateful that he's dry now. He can't imagine what it would be like to ride a horse with wet pants.
At camp that night Yuith approached him and tossed some cloth at him.
"What the-?" Cole holds up the thing Yuith had thrown at him and discovered that it was a cloak. It was like the one Yuith wore all the time. It has a clasp in front to keep it on and a large hood that would fall just above his eyes. The cloak is light brown and smells fresh, but it's worn on the edges so Cole knows that it's not new. "Why do I need this?" Cole asks. Yuith doesn't answer and Cole grunts. He'd hold onto it for now.

Ch 9-