Chapter 20

The festival of fire was successful and fun. Everyone was allowed to play fun games and make new friends. Laura introduced me to some of her friends who had lived in this clan all their lives. They were all nice to me. I had adapted to this type of life where unlike my life in the Palace, I had to wake up very early and most times it was not voluntarily. Here, I had to go hunting with the men to hunt for food even though women didn't ordinarily go hunting. It all happened because I had the skills and so I went hunting with the men. The king had me in great esteem and called me special. I didn't know if going hunting as a woman was special but I did know that I enjoyed being here and never regretted it for one day. The king believed that I had brought favor upon the clan and that the town would prosper because I was here. I didn't know why he said those words but he believed them so I might as well. The people of Stormclaw were my family now and I wouldn't let anything hurt them, not if I could help it. Most times, I missed my mother and the girls. I always thought about those times we all spent together. Our days together were beautiful and I wished them peace and happiness. I never liked thinking about Lucas, I was just glad that I had left the Palace for him and would never set my eyes on him again. Very early the next morning after the festival of fire, when everyone was still drunk from Last night's joy, I tiptoed out of the Clan. I was on a journey to find out where my father's clan was and to hear the whole story about him and his inheritance. It was still very much dark but I moved out courageously, this time from the North hoping I would get back before anyone notices that I wasn't in my chambers. I set out with some water to quench my thirst when I would eventually get thirsty and some biscuits to eat when I'm hungry. I had planned that in 2 hours, I'd be back to Stormclaw. I didn't know if that was possible but I was going to do my best. I didn't have the time to walk so I ran. I ran through the forest and rested a little while on rocks and fallen trees. I prayed I wouldn't encounter any wild animals either because I wasn't there to fight. I passed the river the first time and then the second, third. I believed I was getting there when I heard a familiar voice scream my name. I stopped on my tracks. 'Who must be that?" I pondered. 'Hello." I said. 'Naomi." The familiar voice called out again. 'Who are you?" I asked and there was no reply. Suddenly, there was a shout of someone in pain. I moved closer knowing for a fact that an animal would never call my name. I slowly walked to see who it was and was suddenly dragged down into a sitting position. 'Mascot? You followed me?" I inquired from him. He just stood there moping at me and asking me to shut up. 'Shhh." He held his finger up to his mouth but I was too surprised to close my mouth. 'What? What are you doing here?" I asked him, totally shocked. 'I should be asking you that." He said to me in a whisper. 'Why are you here, all alone?" 'You shouldn't be here. No no. You shouldn't. You need to go back to your clan." I said to him, We were hidden under a bunch of leaves that acted as a covering. 'Don't speak too loudly." He urged me while still looking around like he was afraid a creature would pop up and attack us. I kept mute for the moment. That was when it came to our notice that we were actually too close to each other. 'Emm.. sorry about that." I tried to move back a little. 'No, no. We should stay close together." He moved me back to my initial position covering the space between us again. He seemed to be enjoying the moment as he smiled down at me. 'I think I need to be on my way." I announced to him after seconds had passed. 'You don't need to come with me. I'll be fine." 'Remember, I'm your guardian." He announced. I paused for a minute. What did he mean by that? My guardian? 'I'm going with you wherever you go." He insisted. 'No." I stood up in a haste. ' Go back, please. Laura would be searching all over for you." I explained to him but he was too stubborn. I couldn't waste the little time I had, explaining to a full grown man why he shouldn't come with me. 'Where are you heading to?" He asked me when we resumed walking. I kept quiet because I didn't know if I could trust him. The plan was never to let anyone know what I was up to. 'How did you get to follow me?" I asked him. 'Well, I just did." He answered but I wasn't satisfied with his response. This meant that I had to be careful because Mascot or anyone could be trailing me. 'Tell me where you're going to, you never know I can help you get there faster." He was right. Instead of walking blindly, with Mascot I could easily get to my destination with no much struggle. I couldn't tell him everything about myself but I knew I should at least give him part of the truth which would make him trust me. 'Well, I'm in search of my father's Clan." I simply said. 'Will you help me find it?" I knew he was waiting for more information but I didn't say another word." 'Your father's Clan?" He asked and I nodded. 'Come on, Naomi. This isn't enough information and you know it. How can I help you when you don't even consider your friend, even to share your problems with me." 'I'm sorry, this is all I can tell you for now. The name of the Clan is Shadowcrest. Do you know of any Clan named that?" 'Shadowcrest, Shadowcrest.. hmm.. that name rings a bell." Mascot closed his eyes, in order to remember. 'Try to remember." I urged him. The weather was turning dark and cloudy and I was scared that it would rain when I hadn't gotten to my destination. We walked slowly down the dense foliage, as if walking slowly would aid Mascot's memory. 'We should find shelter. I think it's about to rain." I suggested and immediately, a loud lightning struck followed by a thunderstorm. 'Here." Mascot pointed out an opening in the trees to me. We ran towards it as the rain started to pour down. It was a cave, we climbed to the top hoping that nobody lived there and no wild animal was in. When we entered, though cold we received some reprieve from the rain and we didn't see anyone so we made ourselves comfortable. Suddenly, Mascot started laughing as the rain started to pour down even more heavily. 'Thank goodness I'm here with you." He said and I affirmed. I was truly glad that I had someone I could trust supporting me. It was truly heartwarming.