Zaiyoz

Chapter 8

“Danger,” Azajji whispered to me. However, I ignored the warning.

I wanted to know who lived here in spite of my reluctance at first. Then I found myself walking toward the log cabin. Its roof was made of logs as well that the dwelling appeared sturdy. Maybe it was to protect the resident or residents from beasts in the area. Now I wondered what beasts or monsters were around here.

I was going to peer secretly at the window, which had a heavy black curtain, when the door suddenly opened. A middle-aged woman, with dark hair up to her shoulders, came out of it. She was startled to see me but was quick to smile upon seeing I didn’t look threatening.

“Good evening, young man. How may I help you?”

“Danger,” Azajji whispered once again.

I paid no heed, looking at the owner of the cabin. “Greetings!” I couldn’t say anything more than that though. I wondered what the danger was. The woman looked harmless.

I slowly moved away from the window, not seeing anything inside but the lamp light on the table. I guess it was her dining table because there were prepared food and plates near it.

“Are you lost? Why don’t you come in?” She invited me after dropping a bag of something in the corner.

However, I didn’t miss that the bag was kind of bloody. I could smell the metallic scent in the air, in fact. Despite my being left with a bit of my powers, I was still sensitive to anything that the wind carries. As it happened, small beasts suddenly appeared to tear the bag apart and ate whatever meat was in there. It made me slightly scrunch up my nose as the smell became stronger and undeniable.

“I have dinner ready. Why don’t you eat with me?” she added with a kind smile on her red lips. Her black eyes shone with positivity. I couldn’t sense any magic in her, so she was definitely a human being.

Well, I guess there was no harm in eating with her, was there? So I just disregarded Azajji’s warning. I was indeed hungry after walking for hours. And maybe it was alright to spend a night here before I’d go somewhere else at the break of day.

I went inside first when she gestured for me to enter ahead of her with a smile. I heard her lock the door while I looked around. It was pretty bright inside and quiet. I could scent the inviting and mouth-watering food on the table. It had two plates ready.

“You have company, madam?” I was looking for that other human being inside the cabin.

“Ah, I am alone here but I always put two plates on the table to not feel so lonely, you know?” She gave me a tight smile and gestured for me to sit.

Across the dining table was the kitchen and to the left was a room, which seemed to take more space than the overall area of the small living room, dining area and kitchen. I just guessed she might have her washroom inside.

She took my sling bag and put it on a chair next to me. Then she took the seat to my right, pushing the bowl of delicious-looking meat.

“Eat. Don’t be shy,” she said.

“What’s your name, by the way?” I reminded myself to know her name this time, unlike what I did with the old man.

“You can call me Cannia. And you are?”

“Uh… Shamaro.” It came out of my mouth before I realized it. Was it Azajji making me say it? I could feel my wind stir in my head.

“Nice to meet you, Shamaro. Now, eat,” she said.

I hesitated for a moment. “May I use your washroom please?” I was unsettled for something I didn’t know.

“Of course. To the left, at the end of the hall, just across the kitchen.” She smiled tightly.

I stood up, excusing myself. I walked but came back to take my sling bag to her surprise. I thought she was about to pick it up. She smiled though and nodded to me.

I could hear some muffled scream. It appeared to be far away. It couldn’t be here, could it? Maybe it was somewhere outside.

After looking over my shoulder, I carefully opened the door. It was so dark that I couldn’t see anything. I needed some time to adjust my vision in the dark but it looked like I had no time for that when I felt something hard hit the back of my head. I groaned and felt myself falling while my eyes started to close. But I could feel myself roll down the stairs.

“Danger,” Azajji said again.

I regretted why I didn’t pay any heed to my wind’s warning. I lost consciousness when I hit the bottom. It was no concrete floor. And it was the last thing that was registered in my brain.

***

I had no idea how long I was out. It was still dark around me and I could feel the damp earth surrounding me. I was grateful enough I was still alive.

A groan escaped from my mouth when I felt the pain in the back of my head. I reached for it to massage it, finding it was a bit bloody. At least my wound clotted faster than ordinary human being. It must be because of Azajji’s power, protecting me from any more harm while I was out.

I sighed and sat up. Then I heard a muffled scream again. It was from a girl, to my right. I found her gagged and tied.

“Ho s**t!”

“Uh… uh…” she said.

I looked up and could barely make out the long flight of stairs. Why wasn’t I bound and gagged? Maybe because I was out? But I did lose my sling bag, I noticed. I couldn’t find it anywhere near me. Most of my gems were there, as well as a couple of clothing and a pair of boots.

The girl beside me, perhaps a few years older than me, moved her bare feet. I could understand she wanted to be unbound. Since Azajji didn’t whisper “danger” at the moment, I removed the cloth that bound her mouth.

“Thank you!” she said breathlessly.

I also removed the rope around her ankles and her arms that were bound behind her back.

“Oh, thank you so much!” she said again, feeling relieved.

I could make out that she had dark hair and eyes. Well, it was dark anyway. And that was all I could see. But I noted her simple pants and blouse.

“How were you captured and why?” I asked.

“I can ask you the same,” she shot back softly, trying to not be heard by the woman upstairs. Well, I guess she couldn’t hear us since we were down the basement, which I could prettily guess.

“Oh, well… I was passing by and I saw this cabin. I thought I’d check it out,” I recounted to her.

“Same.”

“Where are you from? What’s your name?”

“I think we should remain strangers. Just to be on the safe side, you know?” she suggested with a shrug.

“Well, I guess I can agree with you.” I nodded. I liked her style though. I put my arms around my knees, still watching her. “How long have you been here?”

“A few days, I guess. I don’t know. I lost track of time here.”

“That’s sad,” I said.

“You don’t sound sad.”

I smiled. “You want to escape, of course.”

“That’s a no brainer!” she hissed. Well, so much for her being grateful to me. She had a temper. Clearly. I watched her stand up. “I suggest we do that now.”

“Why did she keep us here anyway?” I asked, standing up, too. I was a bit dizzy but it was manageable. It wouldn’t take long and I’d be totally fine. It was the second time I was knocked unconscious. First was when I was training with the palace guards. Shamaro managed to knock me out. I thought and was afraid for a moment he was going be punished then. But my father told me I had to watch out such attack next time. Just that I was being careless a while ago, so Cannia got me here now.

Lessons learned, I must not enter some stranger’s house and just listen to Azajji from now on. Although Azajji mostly says “Danger” everytime.

“Why else? We’re her food!” my co-prisoner revealed.

“What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Did she really imply that Cannia is a cannibal?

I suddenly felt the chill run down my spine and shivered a little. I recalled the meat she wanted me to eat earlier. So, that was a person? I began to gag that I covered my mouth.

The girl looked at me, sizing me up. “Don’t tell me you ate the food she gave you?” She wanted to confirm.

I readily shook my head, still covering my mouth. “No!” I coughed, thankful enough that my stomach was empty.

She sighed. “Good for you.”

I whipped my head in her direction again. “You did?” I asked in disbelief.

“I had no idea, that’s why.”

I stepped back, hearing that “danger” word from Azajji. Again. I cussed in my head.

The girl gave me a crazy smile. That was when I realized she had jagged, sharp teeth.

“You can’t definitely eat me!” I warned her, shaking a hand in front of her face but not close enough for her to grab it and have a taste.

Why does every creature I meet want to eat me? I thought miserably.