Chapter 9:

Kai-Ryon and Sahna slowly made their way towards the city of Augé, through the valley pass. It's high green hills and embankments flowing with *Muntok flowers, gently moving to the rhythem of the wind. Sahna was her usual bouncy and childish self, sniffing all the different coloured muntok flowers as they passed them. *SNIFF* "Now dat smell reminds me of ........." Kai-Ryon paused and glanced back, Sahna was kneeling by the side of the pebbled road with her nose in a flower. He sighed, "Sahna, we don't have time for this. We need to keep moving or do want to sleep out here tonight. No shelter and no Food?" He turned his eyes toward the end of the valley pass. "Sahna, are you listening to me?" Sahna waved her hand toward the direct of Kai-Ryon and without looking at him replied, "Me hear ya! Chill! Didn't tink we were in dat much of a rush." She stood up slowly, her back still arched toward the flowers. She turned her head and looked at Kai-Ryon and sighed. "Kai a' was thinkin', could we ...." Sahna's voice trailed off as she lowered her eyes.

"What Sahna? What do you want? Sahna" Kai-Ryon turned fully around so he was facing toward Sahna and looked at her, a touch of concern shadowing his brow for a split second. "No it ok, me just thinkin' stupid thoughts. Nawt to be worried 'bout! Let's git goin', I think it gonna rain again soon an' ya know 'ow much me hates the rain!" A forced smile spread across her face. She started to walk toward Kai-Ryon, picking up speed as she came close to him. She didn't want him to see the expression on her face; a sad and lonely expression, which only appears when she thinks about her home and family. "Sahna, hey wait!" Kai-Ryon went to place a hand on her should as she approached, but she quickly dodged it and sprinted passed him at speed. "Sahna, you're acting strange. Now what's wrong?" He asked in a authoritarian voice. "It's nothin'. Come on, ay' see dat city place up 'head!" She waved her hand for him to follow.

"Sahna, what is wrong with you? What has made you act this way?" Kai-Ryon thought. He figured he shouldn't press the issue considering what happened last time he tried to do something similar. It was a mistake he decided he wouldn't soon repeat. He stared at Sahna for a moment, then  proceeded to follow her. 

The city of Augé was looming close, the roof tops could be seen glimmering in the distance. Sahna and Kai-Ryon were travelling unusually quiet, not looking or speaking to each other. Finally, Kai-Ryon sighed loudly, "Okay you, what's wrong. You are not acting like your usual ann ..." *Cough* Kai-Ryon, stopped himself from calling her annoying and then continued. "You're not acting like yourself! If this continues, I might have to do something drastic, like smile!" He turned and looked at her. Sahna clentched her mouth together trying not to laugh, but the resistance was futile. Suddenly, her mouth opened and she burst into laughter, "You smile, na dat would be somethin'!" She looked at him and smiled, "A' know! I'll stop bein' a droopy draws n' act like me-self agin!" She replied as she bound foward on all fours. "Cam' on, I thought ya were in a hurry!" She shouted back at Kai-Ryon. Kai-Ryon nodded and began to pick up his pace to keep up with her.

They were now only moments away from entering the Rune City of Augé .......