193 ARRIVING AT MISTY MOUNTAINS (1/2)

AFTER two hours of travelling, the flying car being driven by Black landed on a forest clearing.  The forest was on a mountain range bordering the countries of Castille and Gaul.  The range consisted of tall mountains which easily served as a barrier-like existence between the two countries.

Because this mountain range was the natural habitat for a lot of wild beasts, not many people crossed it.  Most people used the sea route, it's much faster and safer.  That's the reason why Clay picked this place as their base.  One more reason was because the upper half of this mountain range was always covered by mist.

That's why the people named it – the Misty Mountains.

This mist was another layer of protection for them.  And it had been doing its job well enough for the past five months.

Clay walked out of the flying contraption.  He let out a relieved breath.  He was finally out of the blasted contraption.  He could feel his stomach churning.  If they traveled inside that flying contraption for another hour or so, he might truly vomit his guts out while that thing was still moving.  Which would not only annoy the owner of the said flying contraption, it would also make him look like a total lame-ass.

How could he make himself look uncool, especially in front of Aurum?

Wait-  what did Aurum have to with that?  He scratched his head in annoyance.  He's becoming weirder and weirder by the minute.

Black and Aurum also went out of the flying car.  Aurum turned the car back into its capsule form and put it inside her space ring.  She looked around and couldn't really tell much of anything because of the mist.  She could only make out the silhouette of trees.

”This place looks creepy,” Black said.  ”Black doesn't like it here.”

Well, creepy was an apt description.  Aurum thought so too.

Clay turned to the two, his face already a lot better than when he was still inside the flying car.  He patted Black's head.  ”I'm sorry, Black.  This was the best thing we could come up with under the circumstance we're in.”

Black looked up at Clay who was smiling apologetically at him.  He suddenly felt guilty for complaining.  ”Sorry, Clay.  Black wasn't trying to insult your place.”

Clay chuckled when he saw Black's downcast expression.  ”It's okay.  Don't be sad.  I'm not mad.”

Black looked up.  ”Really?”

”Really.”

After hearing that, Black was revitalized once again.  ”Okay!”

Looking at the interaction between the two, Aurum realized just how good Clay was in handling kids.  Probably because he had a little sister and mostly because of his experience at the orphanage.  He'd definitely make a great father.  Wait- what the heck was she suddenly thinking?  She shook her head.  Her brain must have been suddenly filled with water from all these fog around.

”Is your place near here?” she just asked.

”Yes.  We just have to climb up for a bit,” Clay answered.  ”Let's go.  I'll lead the way.”

Clay walked forward.  Aurum looked at his back and she suddenly remembered the blushing face he made earlier.  Somehow, she wanted to see that face again.  A teasing smile appeared on her lips.  She walked towards him and then hugged his arm.  Completely forgetting what her mother said about acting like a real lady.  She visibly felt his whole body stiffened.

”W-what are you doing?” Clay asked, and then he almost wanted to kick himself.  What was he stuttering for?