Kandoria

“Foster’s the name,” the tall slender man said from the shadows; he held a gloved hand out to Daj. “I think finding a camp for the night would be a grand idea,” he stated, handing Daj a set of reins belonging to a black dale. “He’s a fine ride and can carry his weight in gold,” Foster chuckled. “He’s a beaut,” Daj grinned, swinging expertly up into the saddle; he patted the dale on the neck. “This is some kind of fantasy, eh?” Daj asked his guide. “You are quick to figure things out.” Foster made a clicking sound with his mouth and lightly kicked the flanks of his mount. “This is an integration of real and unreal.” “What kind of an answer is that?” Daj flicked the reins. “Is this really happening or not?” Foster chuckled again, “tutal ~ friend, what is happening to you right now is real, created between the two of us,” he continued. “For you it is, as if, far away or long forgotten thoughts have come to life and for me it is as if I conduct a dream.” “So — this is akin to an interactive movie.” Scents of moist soil and horse sweat filled his nostrils. Daj pushed his Barmah off his head letting the string hold it around his neck, and glanced around at the leaves growing on the knobby shaped branches of the trees, they appeared to change color in the shadowy coolness of the woods, adding ambience to this mystery. “Va ~ yes,” Foster answered. “You’re not human,” Daj shifted in the saddle and stared at Foster’s gray-blue skin and sparkling eyes. Just a story he thought. “It is not a story, I am Targian.” Foster bowed his head to Daj. Startled at hearing this being’s voice in his head, Daj remained silent while a slow acceptance of his situation settled in his mind. The two rode through one forest trail after another, crossing creeks and ambling through rocky pathways, stopping only long enough to stretch. They rode on until dusk, when the path opened up to a small glade. “This shall be a good place to rest,” Foster said. He dismounted, feeling every bit saddle sore. Daj laughed, “A might long being in the saddle, when one hasn’t ridden for awhile.” He let out a grunt as his feet hit the ground. Daj unsaddled and set the horses to feed on the dark, lush grass, he had blankets and cooking utensil unpacked when Foster returned with wood for a fire. The men ate dried fruits and drank an herb tea Foster brewed. Daj’s mouth tingled with sweetness. “What do you call this?” He held up his cup to Foster, who was lying on a blanket on his side, one hand holding up his head, the other playing with a twig. The fire shadowed his face, adding new dimensions to his fine-featured looks. “It is cu,” Foster tossed the stick into the fire. “It shall give you strength to meet your battles.” Daj gazed into eyes that danced with the flames, “do you know of my colleagues?” he asked. “Va, they are well.” Abruptly, blue smoke billowed from the fire, forming a cloud around them. Daj waved his hands back and forth in front of his face and tried not to breath. His eyes watered and he tried to stand up, instead he doubled over with laughter. He fell back onto his sleeping roll. “I’ll be gob smacked, that’s bottler smoke. There will be a need to get me some of that.” He lay back down, hands behind his head, looking up at the stars through blurry eyes, wondering if he should trust what was happening, it felt way to good. Turning his head, he could see Foster lying on his back, hands behind his head also, grinning from ear to ear, this caused another rumble of laughter to escape him, and he returned his gaze to the sky, “Foster why do the stars look so different tonight?” He chuckled not daring to look at him. Foster let a moment slip by before he answered, “Because we are in my galaxy.” Daj yawned, “Your galaxy?” “Va, we arrived here shortly after we met,” Foster let out a small laugh, he chewed on a piece of grass, grinning foolishly. “Arrived?” Daj sat up and removed his vest, laid back down tucking it under his head. “You are on my home planet, Targ. Remember the corridor as it began to change?” “Yes,” Daj mumbled. “That was when you stepped into my ship and when we reached the mouth of the glade — that is when we stepped out.” Daj looked over at his companion through half lidded eyes. “Well if that doesn’t take the roo by the balls.” The two of them exchanged grins and gazed at the stars until sleep beckoned them.