Princess Cari The Right Side Of Pubove Part Five

The Tree Of Slumber

“Now for the final tree!” Oran declared when they were about to set off. They had spent a couple of days recovery. Now that they had recovered, they were all itching to get back on the road. They just could not wait to get this one over and get to the next land.

They all climbed into the carriage for the last time and was off and they landed on the land below before they even had time to register. It seemed that black unicorns were the fastest unicorns in the land. When their hooves touched the ground they were greeted by Count Ardulac.

“It's to give him back his unicorns.” the Chronicler said as she got out.

They took their things and said their goodbyes. They waited until they had flown away until they turned back and then looked at the map, knowing that from now on they were going on foot.

“We need to get here.” she said as she pointed to a large town. “It's a large town called Karisnow.”

“I've heard about that place, it's said that all those that go there never come out.” Kir said.

“Well, it's about time to find out.”

They then got to their feet and walked on and on. On the way the Chronicler and Kir had to take turns to carry Oran, it was one of the smaller moments that they were reminded just of how old she truly was. She even slept some of the times that she was. She would be able to walk a bit more and then she would get tired and Kir or the Chronicler would pick her up and carry her and for a while she would fall asleep.

They then stopped for lunch. They eat, even-though they had become aware of their supplies beginning to run low they eat what they knew hat they could. Kir and the Chronicler cooked some meat and then they eat some of that. They then cleaned the pots and then packed up and were on their way.

“After this, I would like to go home for a bit.” she said.

“Alright, but I will have to say this, whatever your worried about we will be sorted out.” she said.

Cari looked down and nodded.

“Also, we need to get to the nearest market. All our supplies are running low and some of them have started to turn.” she said.

“Agreed. Although, I think that I am going to have to go out on a hunt. We need more money too.” she said.

“By the way, what's your real name? I mean Chronicler isn't your real name right?”

“Yes, you are right, however I do not think that I should ell you my name just yet. After all, now is not the time.” she said.

Cari nodded, knowing that she would know the time. As Oran became tired and the Chronicler picked her up.

They did not get there until the following day and after a rough but a long night's sleep. However they all was hit by a grim scent. They came closer and closer and the scent had become stronger and stronger. They soon found out why. They could see that the food out on the marketplace were all off and urine and dung littered all around. They could even see that everyone around all had their eyes closed and they spotted that they were all thin and some were so thin, that they could see their skeletons were far too visible.

Cari walked up to one of then and checked their pulse.

“Alive.” she said.

“It seems like every one in this place is asleep.”

“What the hell?”

“It must be the tree.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because not all foes can be killed.”

“Like you?” Cari asked.

“Like me.” she agreed.

“Looks like we know-Oran!”

They turned around to see that Oran was on the floor and spotted that the girl had collapsed. Her face was grazed slightly. They could see that her breathing became slow and deep. Scar placed a hand on her forehead.

“She's not running a fever but I don't know if she's going to be okay.” she said.

“Well, physically she will be, but once we destroy the tree the spell over her will be broken.” she said.

“So we need to go as soon as possible.” Ryo said.

“Well that's obvious.” Kir said. “Also I think that I will say to guard the girl.”

Nodding, knowing they were right they turned. Scar smiled at her, she had come a long way since they had found her on the Queendom Isles. She felt a swell of pride in her heart for her. They must have agreed, after all, even if she was not a normal girl, she was still just a girl. A girl that Scar could have easily think of as a little sister.

They walked away to the heart of the town, after all that was where it would most likely be. As they walked on and on they started to feel more and more tired. Their eyelids started to feel heavier and heavier. Their walking became like that of a drunk. They all balled up their fists and dug their nails onto their palms to keep themselves away as their eyes started to blur.

Just take a nap. Come on you have time. Just sleep and you'll wake up so refreshed. Come on! You will be better focus. Their thoughts told them.

They could feel their eyes started to roll up. Then Ryo fell and even-though he hit his head his eyelids did not even open once. He was out cold and he was not waking up until that tree went up in flames.

They did not want to leave him, but they knew that if they stopped now, then they would fall asleep and never wake up. They soon came to cherry blossom tree with a deep crimson bark. They were about to light a fire until both the Chronicler and Scar fell leaving Cari to burn the thing down before she joined her friends.

She fired her arrow at it. Her blurred vision made her miss once. She stumbled slightly as she walked closer. She fired another arrow and her left eyelid fell as she fired another and it also missed. She walked on and as she closed her eyes she fired another arrow. This hit and she picked up a rock and slid it along the metal and the sparks hit the bark and started to catch fire as she collapsed in slumber.

The fire started to spread and rose up. Soon they all woke up in a pile of ashes. As did everyone else.

“Wha' 'appened to Dremare's gift?” one asked.

“Who's Dremare?” Scar asked as she stirred.

“The goddess of dreams and visions.”

“That seems to be the second time that an evil tree came from a god. How every suspect.” she said.

“Maybe, maybe they're not.” Cari commented as her throat became dry. She wiped away the ash off her.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Ryo asked.

She let out a long sigh.

“Well I've been having this reoccurring dream where demons are wearing masks of our gods. Then I raise my crossbow up to them and I arm the bow with the weapon of the demon king and fire at them.” she said.

The Chronicler raised er eyebrow at that.

“That sounds strange.” Ryo said.

“Maybe the demons are masquerading as our gods to make it easier for people to accept the tress.” Kir suggested.

“Maybe...”