Chapter 35 - The Caravan (1/2)
Lydis quickly dozed off in the back of the car, Valfafer curled up in her legs. Through the little window at the top the blazing sun intensified.
The car came to a sudden stop, Lydis was knocked over by the jolt. She opened her eyes but the world around her was dark and ominous, the sounds from the other cars gone.
”Valfafer, Valfafer!” Lydis shook him awake.
”Huh- what?”
”I want you to find my bag. It slid away from me earlier when we stopped.”
”Go get it yourself.”
”Oh? Now you're barking back at me?” Valfafer realized what he had said and quickly went to rub against Lydis's leg.
”I didn't mean it! I'll look for it right away master!” Valfafer sped away from Lydis, searching the massive car for his master's bag. Lydis sat back down. As she tilted her head upwards, she saw the small window. It barely let in any moonlight but Lydis definitely knew that it wasn't daytime from it. A soft scratching noise drew her gaze to the left.
Scrrch, shhh, scrrch shhh.
Little patters of small claws against the metal floor rang throughout the car. Quick little taps that seemed to drag something behind it.
”Master!” Valfafer rounded the corner of a large crate, Lydis's bag in his mouth. Even without light Lydis knew that Valfafer's tail nub would be wagging like crazy. He finally reached Lydis and dropped the bag's handle. Panting slightly Valfafer was looking for a head pat. He had to squeeze through two crates and drag it all the way around. It was a lot of work!
Lydis bent down to pick up her bag. As she rose Valfafer whined a little.
*sigh* ”Fine.” Lydis bent back down and rubbed Valfafer behind the ears, her fingers rubbing on his head. Valfafer had his mouth open, his lips spread open in a smile, his tail nub wagging wildly. ”Good work dog.” Lydis stopped and sat back down with her bag in her lap. Seeing as how his job was done Valfafer scampered off to explore the rest of the car. In her bag she had only taken the bare minimum with her.
Inside was a pair of working clothes. Sturdy and easy to move in. One pair of casual clothes. They were for use every other day. Kyle's knife. The brass knuckles and six small black blades. The blades were from the Blood Wolf Variant she fought in the forest. Although Valeri had suspicions on how Lydis found them while looking for Valfafer she still agreed and let one of the other soldiers turn them into blades.
Though they were small, only about six inches long, they were very sharp. It had taken the weapons smith months to complete all six. Pounding the claw again and again. Heating and cooling, melting and reforming. Sometimes Lydis would go in to see how they were doing only to be ushered out quickly. They felt incredibly light and sturdy. Just enough weight to put a comforting feel in her hand.
She continued to shift through her bag. A few days-worth of provisions, a large water jug, the bracelet Valeri gave Lydis, a flashlight and a few treats for Valfafer. As Lydis was rummaging for the flashlight her hands touched something smooth. Like silk, her fingers traced over the intricate wiring and the slight indents where it would it pop out.
She closed her hands around it and pulled out a small orb, about the size of a tennis ball.
”Ui!”
The little ball rolled in her hand and rolled upright, four little legs popped out from under it. The head clicked open and the robot's little head stared at Lydis.
”Hello master Lydis.” Lydis was a bit shocked. Ui was Nova's modified scouting bot. It had it's own personality and was smart enough to make rational decisions.
”Did you sneak in here with me Ui?”
”No. Master Nova asked me to come with you. He was worried you would get lonely. I'm also here to monitor you in case if anyone bullies you. Should anyone do so…” A small compartment on Ui's left side popped open and a little laser shot out of it, melting a small hole into the crate behind Lydis.
”Oh, you're so precious!” Lydis rubbed her cheek on Ui. The little laser retracted and the Ui unrolled it's body. The tail rolled off, wings unfolded themselves and Ui's spider legs were replaced with four legs with small claws.
”Master Nova said this form was the best for accompanying you.” Ui looked like a small dragon with a sleek and slim body. About a foot long from head to the tip of it's tail. The red eyes on it's head glowed slightly in the dark.
Lydis raised her hand and Ui walked along it, resting on her shoulder.
”So this is what Nova was doing to you a few months back. Not only are you highly intelligent you can even change your forms! I was wondering what he was doing when I didn't see you for a while.” Lydis poked at Ui's wings. ”Can you actually fly?”
”I will attempt to.” Ui bent it's knees and pushed off from Lydis, wings spread out on both sides.
*Clink!*
Ui fell to the floor.
”It seems master Nova flawed in my new design…” Ui got up and shook it's body, readjusting it's wings and stretching it's tail.
”I think you should try flapping them.” Lydis was smiling a bit. Although Ui was very intelligent, it didn't know everything. Even simple things.
”I will attempt another try.” Ui climbed back onto Lydis's shoulder and this time it began to flap it's wings vigorously. Ui jumped into the dark. Lydis waited for another crash sound but only a low hum filled the car.
”Ui?” The humming got closer and eventually Lydis could see Ui's red eyes ahead of her. Flying in an eight shaped loop.
”Master Lydis. It seems that I am able to fly after all. I will record this into my memory.” Ui came and landed on Lydis's knee. ”Is there anything I can assist you with?”
”Actually yeah. Fly up to that small window and check the outside. You should have night lenses installed.”
”Yes master.” Ui flew off from Lydis's knee and slowly went up to the window. At the same time Valfafer had come back from exploring the rest of the car. He looked up at Ui and watched as the little robot landed on the small ledge.