Guardian

Iza remained motionless for a long while, as the others fidgeted, not knowing what to anticipate, before he beckoned them over to him. That was totally unexpected as they were ready to run back down the hill, and prayed it was not the enemy after all.

As they filed in at his side, being as quiet as possible, fear written in their faces, he pointed down between a gap in a few leafy trees. What they all saw when they reached the spot Iza was directing to, was baffling, a relief to their pounding hearts, but baffling.

It seemed like some scene from a children's movie that had just come to life in front of them. Because down below, on the edge of a great open field, incredibly, was a village of green, grassy huts like you would expect to find in a jungle, all of them supported by bamboo-like poles several yards into the air.

This is not what perplexed them to widen their eyes. It was its inhabitants. A tangled mess of these small, half human, half two legged horse-like creatures which were running with amazing speed in any direction they found themselves facing. Bumping into each other heedlessly and confused. Their bright colored jackets, each blending with a different hue, mixed in and out of each other like a flashing rainbow.

"The drulkin must have passed through leaving the poor things in an uproar." Iza said, turning to the others.

"What are they? Luke asked amazed, "They’re so cute."

He only shook his head. "I do not know their names, nor do I know what land they come from." Iza's body was tense and rushed as he feared the prospect of Maldroc’s soldiers coming upon them at any moment and not knowing how close he was to the sorcerer’s domain. He looked down at Luke, then Billy.

"We must find out where we are as soon as possible."

Billy glanced back at Iza and shrugged his shoulders, "What do you want me to do about it?" Thinking he already knew what he was implying.

"I think these creatures seem harmless enough. Someone should go down and ask them what the name of this land is, and I believe you and Luke would prove to be good candidates. I think if I showed myself the way I am, it would just provoke their uproar and make things worse, than if you two went."

Luke glanced at Billy, thinking that it just might be fun to get involved with these adorable things. "Why not," she said, fearing nothing. She grabbed his reluctant hand and dragged him down the hill along with her, before he could think otherwise.

Iza and Zac moved down with them to watch their progress and stopped when they had a wide view of the village and the area below.

The two made their way down through the rocky ledge, being careful not to slip on its surface where underground springs leaked out some moisture and wet the rock in places where a greasy moss grew in clumps, making it treacherous if stepped upon. The thicker forest thinned to younger trees as they progressed downward letting a few more of the sun’s rays through.

Eventually they made it to the edge of where the trees and brush ended all together at the base of the knoll. It then turned into an immense, golden plain as long as the eyes could see, the thick growth of straw sweeping out for miles, upon miles, until it met with the edge of the horizon and fell out of sight into the deep south.

Here they noticed, where it was blocked from their view of the trees on the knoll, a long flowing river winding around the outer borders of the village, it then snaked its sparkling waters southward to disappear deep into the plains.

They watched the incredible horse-man things for a while before making a move to try and greet one.

Billy could see them much better from this stand point and saw that the larger beasts held these huge naked bellies on them, their jackets too small to cover them over, looking as if they enjoyed a frequent mug of beer and it bounced heavily up and down and side to side, making it very difficult for the bigger guys to keep their balance as they continued to run in disarray. The younger ones, skinny with underdeveloped stomachs, ran like the wind only to stop short in their tracks for an instance, then proceeded to run once more, and what seemed incredible to Billy was that they apparently seemed to fall into some kind of sleep or trance while standing. Their heads just flopping to one side, arms limp, and breathed as if in slumber, then just as suddenly, awakened and darted off. This was something Billy felt strange, but in a way, comical and he couldn't help but crack a smile.