Taste of Fire: The Truth
#5 of Taste of Fire
A slight breeze blew through the forest as Qagan and Teya worked their way by the cliff to the east. Qagans plan was to keep heading east until the cliff sank low enough before they could start heading north to the crater. If they traveled quickly they would head north a couple hours before the sun fell, but Teya's legs were too short for him to travel at a reasonable pace.
"This may take longer than I thought." Qagan whispered under his breath. Teya was fighting to catch her breath as she hurried to keep up with Qagan.
"Maybe we should take a break" Qagan said quietly as he slowed his pace. Teya sat behind him as he removed his pack and sat facing her. Qagan dug through the pack and pulled a small flask free of it. He passed it to Teya.
"Drink, I know fire types don't drink much so drink all you can now. We shouldn't stop every two hours." Qagan stated. Teya grabbed it and drank thirstily. Qagan looked off to the side as if looking for something. Teya stopped and handed back the flask.
"See something?" She queried. Qagan looked back to her and sipped at the water, his blue eyes pierced her.
"Not yet..." He whispered.
Teya looked confused. "Expecting someone?"
Qagan smiled at the question. "Always." He said simply.
Teya caught her breath and rubbed her legs with her claws.
"That must be an odd feeling." Teya said.
"You have no idea." Qagan chuckled. Teya smiled and giggled slightly. He looked back to the forest and scanned it again. "There's always something out there, sometimes with ill intentions. But I'm more worried about the Humans around this area." He explained. He looked back to Teya and noticed she was soothing her legs. "You'll get used to this before we're done." He said.
"Preferably sooner than later." She stated smiling. "I may have walked here but it was at a pace that suited me." They sat in silence for minutes before Qagan stood, he held out his paw to Teya.
"Come on, we still have far to go." Teya grabbed his paw and he pulled her to her feet.
Qagan was again leading Teya by the cliff which has become considerably lower to their level. The sun indicated late day and the wild forest animals had begun to quiet down and prepare for the night. Teya had followed Qagan all day without complaint after the last break, which had been five hours ago at least. She told Qagan she wouldn't need another break until they settled for the night. Qagan looked farther ahead; he could see the path to start heading north. "Looks like we're on schedule." He said.
Teya smiled. "Good news." She replied. "Maybe we should celebrate." She added sarcastically.
Qagan laughed. "I'll add five minutes to our next break."
"Ten minutes." She giggled. Qagan just shook his head and smiled widely. They walked silently until they reached the small ledge. Qagan gave Teya a boost over it and followed easily with a small jump.
"One more hour and we'll call it a day." Qagan promised. Teya nodded and started following him north.
"Homeward." She whispered to herself.
An hour had passed and Qagan proved his honesty by stopping and starting to set the camp. He set a circle of rocks for the fire and piled up some kindling.
"Would you mind?" Qagan asked as he gestured at the fire pit. Teya used her flamethrower ability and the fire was started in no time. "Thanks." He said graciously, giving a smile. "That is much easier than the other way." Teya smiled and watched him throw two pieces of wood on the blaze. He walked over and sat next to her. "You did well today Teya." He said as he watched the flames.
"Thanks, but I think you slowed down for me today." She replied.
Qagan smiled. "I didn't want to run you ragged on your first day; and besides it will be harder tomorrow. That's when we start going uphill." Qagan sighed. They both sat in silence for a couple minutes. Teya looked over to Qagan.
"Something on your mind?" She asked.
"Well." Qagan began. "I have a question out of curiosity and another that concerns this trip." Qagan lay down on his back looking to the stars.
"Shoot." Teya replied, thinking in advance as to what answers he may want.
"First, I just was wondering how old you were?" Qagan queried.
Teya looked to him. "I'm 12 years old." She replied simply. Qagan was silent for a moment.
"Shouldn't you have evolved by now?" He asked.
Teya blushed lightly and quickly turned to the fire so Qagan wouldn't see. "Um, well..." Teya stalled hoping the blow would be lighter. "I... Haven't been... mated." She stuttered. Her face was now a deeper red than it was usually. She was hot with embarrassment. Most Charmander were mated around the age of ten, especially children of the tribe leaders. Teya just wasn't necessarily fond of any of her kin in the crater simply because most of them felt they had a right to her. Her father was furious that she wouldn't mate one of them and often threatened her with physical violence.
"I'm sure there's a good reason." Qagan said. "Sometimes you must wait for the one you want." Teya was grateful that Qagan understood, mostly so she didn't have to explain it.
"Who did you mate Qagan?" Most Pokémon had to mate before evolution occurred, at least from what she had heard. "I haven't mated anyone." He replied. Teya was curious now; she had never heard a circumstance in which a Pokémon had evolved without a mating ritual of some kind.
"Then how did you evolve?" She asked.
"By some very unfortunate events when I was a Riolu that forced me to." He answered. He didn't seem to want to discuss those events, so Teya dropped it.
"What was the second question?" Teya asked, hoping it wouldn't be as awkward as the first. Qagan sat up and looked her in the eye.
"Tell me the truth." He said. Teya looked at him confused. "About the Crater. What's really happening?" Teya looked at him, unbelieving.
"I... um... what?" Qagan was unyielding in his stare, he knew. The story she gave Shokan, Qagan heard the whole story. "I... I can explain." Teya blundered.
"No fruit can grow in the Crater." Qagan said. "I'm sure the Char wouldn't fight over any fruit, Sacred or not." Qagan didn't look angry but he looked... Concentrated.
"I... I didn't think anyone would help me if I told them the truth."
Qagan was listening to her intently, like he was prying the truth from her lips. "My father has, stopped ruling..." She paused to look for the right word. "Justly. He is ordering our people to take land in and around the Crater from the non-Char tribes. Some opposed but were struck down by his power, executed." She whispered in shame. "Truth is I came looking for as much help as I could get, but after the first several Pokémon I asked it became clear I wouldn't find many to help us. He may not stop with just the crater but all areas around it. You're the only one I could get, I used the same story on others but the results were the same. None would help me." She looked to the ground ashamed of her lie to the only one to offer his help.
Even planning to tell him later didn't make her feel better, and she knew it shouldn't have. Qagan grabbed her claw in between both of his paws; he was trying to comfort her. Teya lifted her eyes to meet his.
"I understand." He said. "I want you to be honest with me, from now on." Teya nodded, amazed at how calm he was. "My mind has not changed, I will still help you." Teya's eyes welled up with tears.
"Really?" She asked unbelieving.
"Of course." He said with a smile. She smiled, and graced him with a kiss. Their lips were locked together, Qagan was caught off guard. The kiss lasted for a solid ten seconds, when Teya released him her face was deep red again.
"Sorry." She apologized quickly. Qagan sat with a small smile, if it weren't for his fur he would also be seen blushing.
"D-Don't be. Maybe you should get some sleep. I'll stand watch." Qagan stood up and walked over to the small pile of wood and tossed one on the fire. Teya lay down on her side and shut her eyes. Qagan looked over to her and a large smile spread on his face. "She is something." He thought to himself. "But far too young for me..." He looked to the stars. "Still nice to dream." He whispered to the darkness.