Welcome to Boxer & Rice

► Chapter 01     Chapter 02     Chapter 03     Chapter 04     Chapter 05     Chapter 06     Chapter 07     Chapter 08     Chapter 09     Chapter 10     Chapter 11     Chapter 12:Epilogue A/N 1: Already after reading the beginning, almost all of you will ask why I needed to take these several characters from DBZ and put them into hell knows what. Yeah…the thing is that…I just felt like it. My story Come Together was a facet that needed exploring. I just had this crazy idea. Once again.

A/N 2: At first you might be confused by the amount of characters, but don’t get scared – just follow the plot. And here’s the information to help you, and soon you’ll see that the characters won’t be a problem.

Character – Description

1. Famua Delaros – Is the head of the party, the man who hired Gohan to protect him. Master sorcerer. Dark-eyed. Has long back hair. Looks over 30.

2. Foitimus – Hired Gohan by Delaros’ command, a businesslike man, a good warrior and a clever man. Is responsible for organizing Delaros’ protection. Middle-aged.

3. Athara – 19 years old. Long straight lavender hair to his waist, longish bangs, falling upon his forehead. Big, blue eyes. Lavender brows. Slim. High cheekbones.

4. Yakusho – A mage who likes Athara very much and tries to get his attention. Carries blue sign of Tarrus. Can use his short-sword pretty well, though isn’t skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Long golden hair, blue eyes. Memorable and handsome features.

5. Jahira – Mage (a woman). A rather chatty person. Carries black Tarrus sign on her forehead. Oval face, regular features, short red hair, green eyes, small, pointed nose, full lips, huge earrings. Always carries a dagger at her side and another in her brown knee-boots.

6. Darius – Master sorcerer. Good with his dagger. Has that strong authoritative air around him. Powerfully built, very tall. Dark complexion. Has short, dark-hair, big dark-eyes.

7. Kiasho – About 40. Master Sorcerer. Dark eyes, sharp, rough features, thin lips. Has a quite bossy character. Is quick to solve problems with violence. Always happy to get into a quarrel and gets annoyed easily.

8. Gohan Bardock – 24 years old. Son of a bankrupted Landlord, a freely hired mercenary. Has long, dark, hair a bit spiky hanging slightly past his shoulders (mostly wears hair-bands). High cheekbones. Regular features, big penetrating dark eyes. Well-built, muscular.

9. Tuch (1st troll) – green, ugly, but incredibly strong male

10. Yach (2nd troll) – green, ugly, but incredibly strong female

11. Wadra – Warrior (woman). Though quite attractive, completely lesbian, very rude, has no manners. Very good in a battle. Always carries two long swords on her back. Black-haired, tall and muscular.
12. Danira – Warrior (woman). Very attractive, bisexual (that causes problems with her lover, Wadra). Very good in a battle. Always carries a huge battleaxe on her back. Is black-haired, tall, very well-built and muscular. Blue, quite soft eyes.

***

The day had been pretty grim. The guy he had tried to rob in the bazaar noticed that and almost cut his head off. He ducked just in time to avoid his “unsuspecting” victim’s sword.

The dark, undistinguished man groaned before taking a good swig of some noxious brown liquid swirling within his filled mug.

Grimacing, he thought about how much he hated mages, especially their quick blasts and short but sharp edged daggers.

The man put the mug down and looked around the tavern. The tavern was very small. There were only several men left sitting at a few dirty wooden tables. The men weren’t worth robbing, and the other two who sat further away from everyone else were already being watched by his friend, Fatma, who was waiting for an opportunity to get closer to them and clean their pockets.

The man observed the waitress who was walking past and was taking a new mug of beer to one of the men in the corner. She was scary – a bush of dirty dark entangled hair on her head, two small beady eyes that seemed to look through you and past you, the face of a troll. Actually he had seen trolls that were prettier than her. The keeper should get a new waitress to either attract new clients or at least not scare off the existing ones.

After suspiciously observing his mug he sipped from it again. He didn’t like mages. And he didn’t like sorcerers. But he hated mages more – with sorcerers at least it was a bit easier – if one was noticed, one still had enough time to knock them off balance before they gathered their power. Then there was enough time to collect everything they had on them and run as fast as one could. Or kill them.

Mages on the other hand… There were several essential differences between mages and sorcerers: mages were usually far better trained for hand-to-hand combat, and their magic was based more on violence and physical damage and consisted of combat spells: blasts, bolts and explosions. Mages were always ready to slit one’s throat or explode one’s head. Although, they didn’t wield as much magical power as sorcerers did.

And then there were the sorcerers, who were usually less skilled in wielding weapons. Their magic was based more on creation and consisted of nature spells: healing, searching, transforming and creating. As this kind of magic required more skill and power to master it, it took longer to gather power for it.

Luckily, mages and sorcerers didn’t exactly like each other. They didn’t fight openly but there was enough mistrust from both sides which kept them all busy. There were rumors that it all started because long ago, they all couldn’t decide which God was better, but nobody knew for true. Though, now the God for both sides was one: Tarrus. He had never seen mages and sorcerers clash because of him. There were several groups that worshipped one God or another besides Tarrus, but this one was the main.

Not that he cared, anyway.

After the failed attempt in the bazaar he went to the town center to try to filch something from the people passing by. No success there either. Actually he had to scurry away after he had seen Gohan Bardock passing by. Luckily the bastard hadn’t notice him – he seemed to be in a hurry. Gohan once told him that if he ever saw him trying to rob someone again, he was going to get the stuffing knocked out of him.

Gohan Bardock was a person one didn’t want to have any trouble with. He learned this about a year ago, after trying to rob the man. Gohan broke two of his ribs, broke his left leg, smashed his nose and knocked out three of his teeth. Not counting all the other bruises that took over four months to heal.

Gohan was the man whom one wanted to keep at his side. Be it friend or foe. And Gohan had many of them, friends and foes. Sadly, he didn’t know this then, when he’d just arrived in this city. Had he known this, he wouldn’t have even touched Gohan Bardock with a ten foot pole.

Gohan was the son of a bankrupted Landlord, Kakarott Bardock. A professional soldier and mercenary for hire. He served a brief time working in the city’s watch, but then got into an argument with his corrupted commander. There was a huge blow-up, Gohan left the watch, but the commander didn’t stay in his warm seat either. There were several tries to gun Gohan down, but the man was much better at gunning someone down, and after several months of near misses everything calmed down.

Gohan Bardock was the man one had to watch out for.

“Fucking town…” the man sipped his warm slipslop. He put his goblet down. His eyes widened at the familiar visage he saw after lowering the goblet. Then darkness welcomed him.

Gohan cursed while shaking his aching fist. “Never learns,” he cursed, kicking the unconscious man in the ribs after that one slid down under the table from out of his seat. Gohan rubbed his fist again then grabbed the goblet that was left standing on the table and swallowed the rest of the swill inside it in one gulp. A second later he sprayed it on the floor. “What muck is this?!” he wiped his mouth distastefully, slamming the goblet down noisily onto the table.

Gohan brushed his long dark brown coat away and, sheathing the sword onto his side, plopped down into a free seat at the next table. He thought about ordering something to drink but decided that it might cause his sudden death; he still could feel the taste of that vile liquid in his mouth the guy had been drinking. Then he leaned his elbows on the table and absentmindedly ruffled his fingers through his long black hair.

So far the day had been pretty interesting. Earlier that morning a very expensive coat wearing man approached him and asked if he needed some money. Sure he needed. He always did.

The job seemed to be simple enough – he needed to convoy some wealthy travelers to Angus city. Although, the way was long and treacherous, but he had convoyed people and also traveled to Angus on his own plenty of times, thus it was a usual task. He took the proposal on. So, he spent all day running around, buying supplies and getting ready for the journey. Sure he saw the thief in the city centre; he simply didn’t have the time to knock the stuffing out of the thief then. But he always kept his promises. Or at least he tried to.

This time, though, it was less work than usual – the group he was going with, had already provided the necessary essentials for themselves without his assistance, which meant they were well-informed and knew pretty well what and how much they needed while journeying to Angus. Good. Less work for him.

He had asked who he was going to convoy. He was told some surname, but he didn’t know it, besides, he supposed that whoever was traveling, didn’t want to be recognized for the sake of safety. He was told that the man he was going to convoy was a serious businessman who had an important deal awaiting him in Angus, and that lately he’d received several nasty threats from his enemies. Everything sounded rather fishy. But he was promised very good pay.

He was also notified that the group would consist of fifteen people. He thought that, keeping in mind how dangerous the way to Angus was, it might not be large enough, but the man assured him that there would be several mages too, so he agreed.

***

The morning was cold and misty, with all the signs of unavoidable rain later. It was early morning, not even four o’clock, but the docks were already busy; men were preparing their boats, some were already leaving for fishery; ships docked; freight loaded and unloaded; passengers gathered; fish and other sea goods were being sold.

Heaving beneath his huge bags, Gohan passed through his own vaporous breath. He wrapped himself even tighter in his leather coat. He stepped onto the dock and turned toward a ship named “Alora”. The ship was one of the biggest ones he had ever seen travel to Angus and it was quite new. Whoever hired him – had plenty of money to retain such an expensive ship.

Gohan reached the ladder to the ship. He wondered if everyone had gathered; he chose to get there a half hour earlier than arranged. A person could view so many interesting and newsworthy things when arriving earlier than expected…

He climbed up the ladder, but then was stopped by a burly man. After declaring his name he was allowed to come on board. Jumping off the ladder to the deck, Gohan surveyed the ship. As it still was dark and there were only several torches at the broadsides and the mast, he couldn’t see much, except a captain’s bridge and the wheel.

“I’ll show you to your cabin.”

Gohan turned around to see a young woman standing at his side. It was clear that she was one of the mages he was told about: she had a faint black sign of Tarrus on her forehead; the sign of a skillful mage.

Usually, here, in Vartua, mages didn’t “advertise” themselves so openly – nobody liked mages here. Five years ago the local mage-school tried to overrule the current governor and introduce their order… Let’s say that now an average Vartuan would at least glare at any passing mage. And yes, of course, the castle that served as a school for the mages had been torn apart stone by stone.

In this case, Gohan was sure that she knew how to beat the unwelcome attention off. She must have enough of it and not only for being a mage. She was pretty: oval face, regular features, short red hair, green eyes, small, pointed nose, full lips, huge earrings. Huge bust. He could imagine that underneath the triam’s leathern breeches there were nice long legs. And a sharp dagger at her side. He suspected that she had one more somewhere in her brown knee-boots. Just like he used to carry the entire time in his.

He followed the red-haired woman down to the cabins.

“Has everyone gathered?” he asked, putting his things on an empty and seemingly hard bed.

“No, not yet,” the mage shook her head. She leaned on the wall near the door to watch him unpack his stuff. “We are still waiting for Famua Delaros, Darius, Kiasho and Athara. They wanted to see the city. They’ll all come together.”

“Ah.” He knew who Famua Delaros was – he was here to convoy the businessman, but he had no idea who the other three were.

The mage smiled. “Darius and Kiasho are sorcerers,” she said after seeing a silent question on Gohan’s face. “Both Elite.”

“Oh.” Sorcerers? Master Sorcerers? Two in one company?

The mage shrugged. “This Delaros is really concerned about his wellbeing. Athara…well…” The woman faltered. “I’m not sure whether he’s mage or sorcerer. Or maybe he’s neither. He doesn’t talk much. And doesn’t do much either. It’s not very clear what function he fulfills,” she shrugged again, hiding a short smile.

“And how did you get into this light stroll?” Gohan interested. He didn’t miss the short smile the mage let slip past her lips. Without unpacking, he put one of his bags into a small closet.

“The same as you or everyone else here,” she grinned. “Needed some money. I’m a good companion. I have been accompanying them for two weeks now.”

“Where is Delaros from?” Gohan asked, sitting up on the bed. The bed appeared to be really hard, just as he had predicted.

“He hired me in Otosawa. I had to leave on the same day; I asked around, but I can’t say exactly where from he is. I don’t even know where he is heading – Delaros only says the closest city he wants to reach. As said, he’s obsessed with his safety.”

The mage’s eyes slid over Gohan whose dark cape now was hanging on a chair next to the bed. The man was something to look at: tall, muscular, with long raven hair that was pulled up into a high, spiky ponytail. The face was quite handsome, with sharp, easily memorable features. Big, penetrative and dark eyes seemed to stop on every detail and take it into consideration. And she knew that they did – though quite young, Gohan already had a reputation that reached beyond his city.

She grinned as Gohan caught her wandering eyes on him. The man’s brow rose. “I suppose, if we are going to be stuck together, I at least should know your name,” Gohan said then.

“Jahira,” the mage nodded, introducing herself.

Gohan nodded. “Some hot tea around here?” he looked at the mage. The cold morning air was still clinging to his body, the ship’s warmer one not doing much to get rid of it.

This time Jahira’s brow rose. “What do you take me for? Your maid? There’s a kitchen several meters away – go there.”

Gohan chuckled. “Fine.” He got up and followed the mage who started leading him deeper into the ship. “Where are the others?” he asked while walking through an empty corridor.

“Sleeping,” Jahira said while they were going past several cabin doors, then Jahira opened a heavy door, and Gohan was hit by a warm whiff. He closed the door behind him and surveyed the kitchen. A huge pot was boiling on a stove, the steam rising to the ceiling.

He went to the table after the mage motioned to it. There were several mugs standing on it. Gohan took one and went to the boiling pot.

Jahira leaned toward one of the cupboards to take some tea for Gohan then they sat down at the table.

“So as soon as those four are here, we are away?” he asked, trying his hot tea. To his surprise he had to agree that it was quite nice.

The mage nodded. She leaned back on the backrest. She yawned loudly.

“Where are Darius, Kiasho and Athara from?” Gohan asked. If he was going to work together with this group, he’d better know them.

Jahira shook her head. “Don’t know; they were already with Delaros when I joined them.”

“Have you seen them use their powers?”

“Only Darius. He’s really powerful. Once he stopped a river when we needed to cross it. And he’s not too bad with his dagger either.”

“And Athara with Kiasho?” Gohan asked.

Jahira shrugged. “Kiasho…” there a dark shadow appeared on her features. She sighed. “He rather reminds me more of an assassin than a sorcerer, but I have seen the silver Tarrus sign on his forehead… He really is a sorcerer, Elite. I saw him slaughter five men in a row when we were attacked in the Abyss of Gods. With his bare hands. My advice,” she seriously looked at Gohan, “don’t pester him – he’s always happy to get into a quarrel and he gets annoyed easily.

“Athara… He’s quite young for this journey…” she yawned. “Haven’t seen him doing anything yet. She chuckled then. “Though, there might be another reason why Delaros keeps him at his side… They seem to be on quite familiar terms with each other…”

Gohan’s brow rose questionably.

“You’ll see after you meet Athara…” the mage chuckled.

“Who attacked you in the Abyss of Gods?” Gohan interested.

“Just some raiders,” Jahira answered. “None of them escaped alive. Delaros is quite…” she trailed off, “vindictive…”

“Why has Delaros gone to the city with only three men?” Gohan asked. He thought it was a very illogical thing to do: at first the man hired plenty of people to keep him safe then wandered through the city looking for trouble.

The mage shortly smiled. “Athara wanted to see the city. Delaros thought that while they are new in the city, several hours would do no harm. And you know – less people, less attention.”

Gohan nodded. So Delaros fulfilled Athara’s wish. Interesting.

“I was told we had a pair of trolls with us,” he said then.

Jahira nodded. “Yes. I still wonder why they went together. Especially having in mind that these two are the brightest I have ever met.”

“Something more I need to know?” Gohan put his empty mug back on the table.

“Nah,” the mage waved off. “Everything else you’ll spot as soon as you have the opportunity to chat with them. It’s quite an interesting team. Or I should say a “crew” now,” she chuckled.

Gohan pushed his chair back. “Then thank you for your hospitality. Now I’ll excuse myself and join the other wise people who are sleeping.”

***

He slept pretty well. The bunk was hard but it wasn’t too bad. It was about ten o’clock when he woke up. They had left the harbor already – he could feel a light sway.

Some water had passed from the last time he had been on the sea. He liked the sea. The other times he had been in the open, the sea was benevolent. He had endured several light storms, but that only added to his excitement.

After washing his face in a small bowl with cold water, he quickly dressed, tied his hair up and went up to the deck.

Only the gray sea and sky around. It was drizzling. The captain was standing at the wheel, while several sailors busied themselves with ropes and sails. Gohan angled his head to look at the yardarm: the weather wasn’t good – it was windy and sprinkling, but it suited for the journey – the ship was at full sail. He couldn’t see anyone in the observation turret, but probably it was because of the weather; whoever was sitting there, didn’t want to get wet and was tightly sticking in the basket.

“Ah, finally up?”

Gohan turned around to see a grinning Foitimus, the middle-aged man who was responsible for organizing Delaros’ protection, and who came over to him in the city and hired him by the order of Delaros.

Gohan nodded, accepting the greeting. Foitimus approached him.

“Go have your breakfast,” the older man motioned back to the stairs. “Then you’ll meet the other members of our humble group. Though, probably half of them will still be in the kitchen.” The gray-haired man then faltered. “A word of caution: hold your tongue near Kiasho – he’s very hot-spirited. And don’t look at Wadra’s friend, or she might cut your balls off. That woman is real trouble. Both of them,” he shook his head.

Again Kiasho. The chatty mage, Jahira, didn’t waste words, it seems. Gohan shortly nodded and went downstairs.

Six pairs of eyes rose to meet him after he entered the dusky kitchen. He knew why they all were here – it was warm and dry in the room. He also knew another a very good reason – food. Even though breakfast had surely ended, and lunch was still a great deal away, two separately sitting trolls were stuffing their greenish faces with two huge portions of fried chicken and potatoes. He felt rather surprised – it appeared that the trolls were a pair – one female and a male. Usually female trolls sat at home, in their burrows, gathered food and looked after their cubs. Not this one apparently: this female had a huge club at one side of her waist and a long blade at another.

“Hey, Gohan,” Jahira motioned for the mercenary. The red-haired mage patted a free place next to her. “This is Gohan,” she turned to the others, “our new comrade.”

“Danira,” a huge woman that sat opposite the mage raised her free hand. She gulped half of the mead she was drinking down.

Gohan had to agree that she was very attractive. Although, she was very well-built and muscular, but her blue, quite soft eyes, and long dark hair were really worth paying attention. Especially the heavy battleaxe on her back.

“Hey, pretty boy, watch your eyes,” the woman, who sat besides Danira, snorted while fidgeting with one of the swords’ handles on her back. She matched and even surpassed her friend in size.

Ah. So those two must be the trouble Foitimus mentioned. A pair of lesbians. Not that he cared.

“I’m Kiasho,” the sorcerer that was sitting alone at a separate table nodded at Gohan. He was wearing a black cape with a hood and Gohan couldn’t see his face well. “That rude bitch is Wadra,” he motioned to Danira’s friend.

Wadra snorted. “You wish, you old pimp.”

Amused, Danira snickered then swallowed the rest of her drink.

“Tuch,” the male troll munched out, not raising his eyes from his plate.

“Yach,” the female troll looked at Gohan then came back to stuffing her face with fried potatoes.

“Pleased to meet you all,” Gohan plopped at Jahira’s side, where he considered being the safest for his health.

“Where did you get the food from?” Gohan asked the male troll. There was an unwritten rule: never ask or touch a troll female while her mate was around. Nonobservance of this rule could cause very serious brain damage or, in the best case, an instant death.

Kiasho chuckled. “Guess whose share they are eating…” He started cleaning his fingernails with one of his daggers.

Gohan heard his stomach make a loud complaint. Damn trolls.

“The second portion belongs to Athara,” the red-haired mage chuckled. “He has seasickness. Poor boy…” she clinked her mug loudly to Wadra’s. Both females laughed and drank to this.

“Don’t sleep so long next time,” Kiasho was picking his teeth with the same dagger. “Try that pot,” he pointed with the dagger, not looking at Gohan. “Might be something left.”

“You are in a good mood today, Kiasho,” Wadra commented, putting her empty mug down on the table.

“Sure I am,” Kiasho nodded, a feeble light lighting his smirk. “Loved the city. Especially the brothels.”

While checking the pots, Gohan noticed the three Human females roll their eyes.

“Your dick will kill you one day,” Wadra said, getting up to get more mead. She had also grabbed her friend’s mug.

Kiasho smirked again. “Would consider myself lucky.”

“With a venereal disease…” Gohan heard Jahira mutter into her mug.

Kiasho extended his left leg, putting it on the nearest bench and blocking the way for Wadra. “I think you’ve had enough, my refined lady,” he looked up at Wadra, and Gohan had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the man’s eyes for the first time. He didn’t like at all what he saw there: two black charcoals seemed to burn right through one’s body and mind. Kiasho seemed to be a bit over forty, and his face completely matched the eyes: sharp, rough features, thin lips. Gohan knew the type. If there was no real need, he tried not to pester them. Deadly dangerous. Those were the words that best fit this man.

Gohan watched the bulky woman and the sorcerer’s conflict with huge interest. She didn’t seem to be the type that yielded easily.

“Fuck you, shit eating bastard,” Wadra spat.

From the corner of his eye, Gohan watched Wadra turn around and return to her place at her friend’s side, loudly slamming the empty mugs down on the table. The woman silently cursed under her breath once again.

“Hey, found some!” Gohan rubbed his palms happily.

“I suggest you start eating, before those two rock heads noticed the food,” Kiasho leaned his back comfortably on the backrest. He tossed an almost clean spoon to Gohan.

Gohan realized that the sorcerer was being completely serious. He grabbed the spoon in the midair and looked around for water, intending to wash it. But, after noticing the male troll getting up from his place, decided not to bother. He quickly wiped the spoon into his skirt and started shoveling the pilaf into his mouth.

“You learn fast,” Kiasho commented, smirking. He sheathed his dagger at his waist, under the cape.

“That’s why I stay alive,” Gohan answered with his mouth full.

“Good thinking,” Kiasho nodded.

Two minutes later, the pot was empty, and Gohan came back to his seat next to Jahira. He observed the people at the three tables again. An interesting company to say the least. And that was only the half of it…

After chatting with Jahira and Kiasho for some time, he started feeling weighed down, the hot and comfortable kitchen air hunching him down on the bench, making him pleasantly sleepy and unwary.

Gohan excused himself and went upstairs, to the deck to get some fresh air. It was still drizzling, but the wind had calmed down a bit. He leaned on the broadside to look at the gray sea. It was misty – he could hardly see farther than one kilometer. It seemed that they are swimming towards nothing. It was going to take about twenty days to get to Jahuda free port, and then about fifteen days more on horses to travel to Angus.

Gohan turned his head to the side where suddenly the sounds of vomiting were heard. There was a man bending over the broadside. The man seemed to be trying to get rid of all his entrails. Gohan was surprised by long lavender hair that was rippling in the wind behind the man’s back. He had never seen hair of such a color before. Gohan shortly wondered, but the tortured sounds, which the figure was making, clearly belonged to a man.

Gohan approached the man. “Hey, try this,” he fondled a small bag of herbs he took just in case of really bad weather. He decided that the seasick man must be the one Jahira mentioned. “Make some tea. Should help.”

The man gagged again then turned his pale face to look at Gohan. He then looked at the bag Gohan was holding. “And who are you?” he then asked, blinking his big blue eyes at Gohan who was staring at his face.

“Gohan,” Gohan introduced himself after he overcame the surprise. “And you probably are Athara?” he asked, taking in Athara’s appearance, remembering everything Jahira said. The mage had been right so far– if Athara was useless as a fighting unit, he could presume too as to why Delaros was keeping this young man at his side. In his entire life he had never seen anything so pretty.

Athara weakly nodded before turning back to the sea and doubling over once again. Gohan took a hold of that lavender mane of hair to prevent him from slipping forward. He loved how the silken hair felt in his palm. He held it until the younger man’s body ceased being rocked.

“Hate the sea. Just hate it,” Athara weakly breathed out after the spasm was gone.

Reluctantly, Gohan let the long hair slide back onto Athara’s back. “Love it. Damn love it,” he laughed. “Don’t worry, will pass after several days or so,” he added.

Athara groaned. He leaned his forehead on the broadside.

“Try the tea,” Gohan handed the small bag to Athara again. “You’ll feel much better.”

“Anything… ” Athara moaned silently again, reaching his hand to take the bag.

“Athara?”

Gohan and Athara turned around to see a gold-haired man walk over to them. His long hair was swaying in the wind, and Gohan presumed that he was either sorcerer or mage – they liked their hair long and untied – they probably knew some spell to keep lice out of their long hair. Though, he still wasn’t sure about Athara’s occupation.

“Why are you in the open?” the gold-haired man asked Athara, blocking the view from Gohan.

Athara looked at him sideways. “Because I’m trying to get rid of everything I ate yesterday. And the day before yesterday, and the day before the day before yesterday.”

Gohan saw the golden-haired man’s deep blue eyes soften. The gold-haired man was rated a first class mage – he was wearing a light blue Tarrus’ sign on his forehead. It was just plainly rude how the man wedged in between him and Athara, but he decided to let it slip for now: he didn’t know this man, besides that light blue Tarrus sign between his sapphire eyes was a good put-off for anyone.

Then he man extended his palm to Gohan. “Yakusho,” the man introduced himself, not leaving his position next to Athara.

“Gohan,” Gohan shook the golden-haired mage’s hand.

“Athara, you’ll have to go back to your cabin,” Yakusho let go of Gohan’s hand and turned back to Athara.

“No,” Athara simply answered, brushing over his forehead to wipe the cold sweat away. He had had enough of his cabin – he felt like suffocating in there.

“Athara…” the golden-haired mage leaned on the broadside.

“No,” Athara repeated firmly, shaking his head, immediately regretting this as, in answer to the sudden movement, his body rocked with a spasm. He quickly bent over the broadside, this time Yakusho grabbing his lavender hair to prevent it from sliding to Athara’s front.

“Make him some tea,” Gohan squeezed the bag into Yakusho’s hand. He grew tired of holding it the entire time. “It will help.”

Yakusho observed the bag in his hand suspiciously. “Thanks,” he then muttered. “Stay with him,” he suddenly said to Gohan who had already wanted to walk away.

Gohan opened his mouth, but didn’t get a chance to say anything – there was a swish of golden hair and Yakusho was gone. Gohan turned back to observe the heaving Athara’s back. He hadn’t been hired to baby-sit this youngster. Though, it wasn’t that he had better things to do right now, besides the youngster was really pretty. So he just retreated back, sat up on a wooden box, wrapped himself in his coat and watched that long lavender hair fly in the wind.

“Where are you from?” he then asked after he grew bored from looking at Athara’s back. He saw it tense.

“Sorry, but I don’t feel like chatting right now,” Athara groaned, leaning against the broadside. “Later.”

Gohan crossed his arms over his chest. The young man was very beautiful, seemed to be delicate even, and he, the same as the red-haired mage, thought that he knew why Delaros kept him at his side. Though, it was only a presumption. And Yakusho… Yakusho gave the impression of a jealous boyfriend. Though, it might be that Yakusho was only fulfilling Delaros’ orders. But that was really unlikely – Yakusho took that conversation of his and Athara’s too personally. Like a possessive lover would.

“Hey, pretty boy, feeling better?” Wadra flung the door to the deck open. “Your fuckboy is fixing some herbs for you; the whole kitchen stinks.”

For a moment Athara’s pale face painted deep red. He flashed his blue eyes at Wadra. “I told you – stop talking like this!” he glared.

Wadra snickered. “I’d stop, but I just love to see your pretty face frayed.” She walked over to Gohan and plopped next to him on a heavy crate. “Besides, I don’t have anything better to do. Would go fuck with Danira, but she’s still pretty pissed about that incident with Ramus.”

Athara rolled his eyes and turned back to the sea. “Your own fault,” he muttered. “The guy only looked at her.”

Wadra shrugged at Athara’s back. She didn’t see a big difference between looking and touching. She also didn’t see a big difference between two and five while counting.

Gohan and Wadra turned to the steps on the stairs to look at Yakusho who was holding a metal mug in his hand. Wadra scrunched her nose. She could already scent the unpleasant smell of the tea.

“Here,” Yakusho handed the mug to Athara. “Kiasho tested it – it holds no dangerous herbs, and it should really work.”

Gohan’s brow rose. They thought he might want to try to poison Athara. People were paranoid here.

Athara sighed, reaching for the mug. “Whatever. I’d rather be dead than endure this any longer.” He took the mug in his hands. “Hot. For God’s sake…” the lavender-haired man scrunched his nose. “I’m afraid to think what it’s made of…”

And you have every right to be, thought Gohan, hiding his smile, while watching Athara drink. The tea mainly consisted of camel ordure. But it always worked.

***

Gohan spent the next two days becoming familiar with the members of their small group and tried to get as much sleep as he could. As he was usually very busy, he wanted to take full advantage of this opportunity.

***

A/N 3: Information on Mages and sorcerers:

Mages:
Usually are better trained for hand-to-hand combat. Their magic is more based on violence and physical damage: blasts, bolts (combat spells).

Sorcerers:
Usually are less skilled in wielding weapons. Their magic is more based on creation: healing, searching, transforming, creating (nature spells). As this kind of magic requires more skill and power to master it, it takes longer to gather power for it.

A/N 4: The signs on Mages’ and Sorcerers’ foreheads.

The only difference between Tarrus’ signs on mages’ and sorcerers’ foreheads is that the signs on mages’ foreheads are not so clearly seen. The sign is inborn. Usually it isn’t seen. It appears while increasing one’s power.
Signs on sorcerers’ and mages’ foreheads:
The green sign of Tarrus – have novice mages and several low level sorcerers (very rare)
The brown sign of Tarrus – have novice sorcerers, or advanced mages
The black sign of Tarrus – have advanced sorcerers, or skillful mages
The blue sign of Tarrus – have skillful sorcerers, or first-class rated mages
The silver sign of Tarrus – have only Elite/Master sorcerers and several powerful Elite/Master mages (very rare) ► Chapter 01     Chapter 02     Chapter 03     Chapter 04     Chapter 05     Chapter 06     Chapter 07     Chapter 08     Chapter 09     Chapter 10     Chapter 11     Chapter 12:Epilogue