KARLA Book One of Heart of Avandor Series

Chapter Twelve (Part 3)

"Jasper? Is that you?" Karla calls out attempting to push Dave out of the way so that she could see better. If she had the strength she would have ran to him. She hadn't realised until this point how much she had missed the man. But it was Desma that answered.

"Karla?"

"Yes its me."

"Oh thank goodness we found you," Karla could hear what sounded like relief in Desma's voice.

As they approached where Karla was sitting she could just make out Jasper and Desma shrouded in their cloak hoods. Karla watched as Jasper eyed off Dave suspiciously, where as Desma didn't seem to see him at all as she pushed pass him to embrace Karla in the biggest hug causing her to yelp.

"Careful, she's not well." Dave states laying a protective hand on Karla's shoulder. "I'm Dave and just who may you be?"

"I could ask you the same thing lad. We are with her. Well we would have been if she hadn't run off on us." Jasper looks at Karla with a look one would expect a disappointed father to give an errant child making Karla feel a little guilty. 

"Well regardless, did I hear you say something about going to Kaysia, because Karla here needs to get there as soon as possible."

"That is exactly where we were headed before she fled. So we would only be resuming our task of getting her safely to Kaysia." Desma had finally stopped hugging Karla but had not let go of her. Karla thought it may have been because she was afraid that she may run off again but given her current state there was no danger of that happening any time soon.

"Well, we have a problem good sir." Dave gives Jasper a look before scratching his head and looking like he was trying to think again.

"And what would that be lad?" Jasper puts his hands on his hips making it obvious that he wasn't in the mood for games.

"Have a look on the dock. But be careful." Dave absently points to the end of the street with his head and Karla watched as Jasper shakes his head and walks to the end of the street where he stops and quickly retraces his steps just like Dave had a little earlier. Karla thought she had even heard him curse.

"Jasper? What is it?" Desma finally let go of Karla and started to walk towards the dock only for Jasper to grab her by the arm to stop her and  turn her around pushing her back towards Karla.

"Night Crawlers? What are they doing here?"

"Well when this one here arrived at Rae she needed shelter as the ridge wolves had been around. My so called friend attached herself to her, in my absence." Dave frowned at Karla as if to apologise to which Karla smiled back. "I caught up and we came here. The healer said that we must get Karla to Kaysia as soon as possible Malika came back saying she had organise travel north just like I had. The only difference being what that it was the other ship in port which I was informed had to travel south. When asked, the captain said that Malika and her friends had paid him a lot of money to take them to Garion."

Desma gasps out loud bringing both hands to her mouth in obvious surprise. Jasper looked stone faced and pale like all the blood had drained from his face.

"That explains the night crawlers, but it doesn't explain what you are doing here." Jasper cocks an eyebrow at Dave. Karla had never seen Jasper so verbal before, that was usually Desma's job.

"Well Mya, the healer, realised what she was up to and concocted this plan of me getting Karla onto the correct boat whilst Malika thinks she is on hers until it was too late to turn around."

"Okay that makes sense, but why are you standing here?" Desma is again holding onto Karla and  stroking her leg which was somewhat comforting in all the chaos that was swirling around her.

"We hadn't counted on the night crawlers standing guard on the wharf. They are probably waiting for her." Dave was looking a little defeated.

"And they have her scent too so even if she got close they would know." Jasper started scratching his head too as though he was deep in thought.

Karla was getting frustrated. It was well and good to sit and listen to everyone else make decisions about her but she had come up with an idea that just may work with a little tweaking.

"Hey guys. I have an idea..." Karla begins trying to get their attention.

"That's good dear. Hush now." Desma pats Karla's knee like one would pat a dog. "Let the boys sort it out."

"Hang on. I may just die right here right now before you come up with something or worst still be found by the night crawlers or Malika who is due here any minute. At least you could listen to my plan." Karla pouted in an attempt to sway them to her cause.

"She is right." Dave winks at Karla. "The least we can do is listen. Malika is due through here any moment now. So, my damsel in distress, how are we going to rescue you this time?" Karla could see the surprise in Desma's face as though no one had ever told her what to do where as Jasper looked as though this was normal. Maybe Desma is always bossing him around chuckles Karla to herself. Karla reaches into the hidden pocket inside her cloak to reveal the plant that Malika had put in her saddle bag. Taking a deep breath Karla starts to explain her plan still worried if it was sound enough to go through with.

"According to Malika this deters ridge wolves. I think she said something about it hurting there heads. Just maybe it could work on night crawlers as well." Karla holds up the plant and waves it about.

"It could work, I suppose." Jasper rubs his chin. "Do you have a plan on how we will use that bit of bush lass?"

"This is tricky and it still requires the necessary sacrifice I'm afraid." Karla looks at Dave who huffs with disappointment. "We need to find someone who is willing to be me and go south. They would need to be in my cloak so as to have my scent to aid in convincing its me without uncovering me. Hopefully the night crawlers will then follow Dave onto the boat allowing you guys to smuggle me onto Storm Rider the ship going to Kaysia.

"I know some one who wants to go to Orae. They owe me a favour. Its a win, win, situation. I will be back." Before anyone could argue with him Dave had disappeared into the shadows of the town.

"And how do you plan on us smuggling you aboard?" Desma places her arms on her hips and looks at Karla with a questioning look.

"I think I know how. How do you feel about being wrapped up lass?"

"Huh?" Desma looks up at Jasper in shock. Karla was a little concerned as to how exactly did he plan on wrapping her up and was she going to be up to it given her current state, that being a little light headed and queasy.

"I have a spare cloaks packed. We could wrap you up like a rug and drape you over my saddle. A little like you are to heavy to carry. With your plant there hopefully it will mask your scent and we will be able to get through." Jasper reaches and grabs the plant from Karla. "Do you think you could stay still for a little while?"

"I don't think that will be a problem. Moving is a little difficult at the moment anyway."

"Good as soon as the lad gets back we go for it. It is almost first light and the boat won't wait. I hope your friend gets back soon." Jasper reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out the cloaks he mentioned. Karla really wasn't sure about being wrapped up and draped over a horse but she couldn't see any other way...