Return...
7: Sharn "So, what do we do now?" I asked, unable to comprehend the fact that the hundred-year curse on Fang had just been broken, with my help. I gazed about, taking it all in; it was a peaceful place; a village, even. Grinning, a very excited Fang put his arm around me and said, "We cruise the town." We strolled along the road, which was dazzling. All around us were brilliant flowers, emerald trees, and all sorts of other plant life. Eventually, I asked, "Is there a place nearby where we can get some food?" Fang nodded, his hair sweeping in the fresh wind. My hair flew about my shoulders, kindling itself at my waist. "Sure; there's a place in the town ahead that has a great steakhouse." "Great," I exclaimed, walking faster. Up above us, the sky stretched on and on, the sun behind us, blaring brightly. We came up to a small town on the edge of rolling hillsides, bathed in warm sunlight. It was very peaceful. Out of pure curiosity, I tapped Fang and asked, "Where are we?" "Sharn, a small town ruled by the sister of Emerald, whose name is Jupiter." Of course, I didn't understand a word of what he had said; casting him a small glance, we continued in to Sharn. Fang lead the way to the steakhouse, although getting there was quite hard; everyone was glaring at us. As we walked on, I noticed a small green cottage with white trim, rising over the flat surface of the town. Out in the yard, there stood a young boy, looking about the age of thirteen. He spotted Fang out in the crowd (though probably very easily, since we were being carefully avoided by the townsfolk) and waved. "Cody, it's you!!" The boy yelled, getting Fang's attention. He ran up to us, his hair flying up over his forehead. Strange, but he looked familiar. "Brian, good to see you," Fang exclaimed, resting a graceful hand on Brian's shoulder. "How's your mum?" Brian grew sad and turned away. "She-She's dead. Talon killed her," he answered, eyes filling with hidden tears. Fang lowered his eyes, taking his hand away from Brian. "Well, you don't have to worry about that bastard Talon anymore; I killed him." He said. Brian turned back to us, face lighting up. He embraced Fang, drew back, and looked at me curiously. "Are you another werewolf?" Brian asked me, cocking his head at my odd hair. I laughed lightly, shaking my head. "No, I'm an Earth Guardian. My name's Keara; 'Cody' here is a friend," I replied, looking at Fang questioningly. He winked. Brian sighed, looked down at his watch and said, "I've got to go to work." He gazed back and forth between us, bright eyes surveying. "Listen, can I see you later?" Fang shrugged, grinning. "Sure, why not?" Smiling, Brian ran from us, waving goodbye over his shoulder. When he had vanished from sight, in to the bustling swarm of people, I turned to Fang. "What was that all about, Cody?" I inquired. "Brian's an old friend of mine, and Cody was my human name when I came here." I nodded, finally understanding one of his explanations. We started out for the revered steakhouse that Fang had raved so much about, and I remembered how long it had been since I had eaten anything but berries. As we walked, I glanced over at Fang surreptitiously. He had the hand farthest from me in his pocket, but the other one dangled freely by his side. For a brief moment, I thought of taking it in my own, but something stopped me. I can't say now exactly what it was, but I was afraid somehow of making any moves toward him. Maybe that came from many long years of being totally alone. In any case, what ever it was, it was not bothering Fang, as far as I could tell. He smiled and pointed out interesting things, looking with curiosity in shop windows. Amazing, for how mature I had thought that Fang was before, he now seemed like a small child, always keeping his cool, even though he secretly wondered. I laughed, joining him in another conversation, like the ones we had had so long ago.
