Nentarli [COMPLETE]

~ Six ~

The minutes ticked by while we sat watching Merkell pace along the edge of the lake. We couldn't tell exactly what he was doing in the dark. We tried a few games of I-Spy but it was too dark and we were barely concentrating in light of what was happening. All of a sudden I got that feeling of being watched, I was about to warn Emy and shout Merkell when-

"This isn't a time for games, ladies."

A tall figure in a long, brown coat strode out from between the trees. The hood of the coat was up and it covered their face, the voice was deep and unfamiliar, and I wondered immediately if it was one of the guys from outside of the party. We screamed, standing up quickly and backing away from the stranger. I pushed Emy behind me, knowing he'd have to get through me first and that would give her time to get away.

"Jeez, calm down! If I thought you were going to be this jumpy I wouldn't have disguised myself."

The figure pulled his hood down to reveal his face, it was Sam, or Kayle as he was apparently called, but he sounded different. The strange clothes made him look different, like he had aged a few years since the last time we saw him.

Emy cursed from behind me and stomped up to him, when she got within arms reach she punched him in the shoulder. He didn't expect it and stumbled back a step. Emy was shouting at him before he had the chance to recover.

"I don't care who you really are or your part in all of this, that was such a horrible, stupid thing to do! You idiot!" She all but screamed the last part at him.

He looked alarmed at her reaction, Merkell had rejoined us by this point; instead of intervening he stood with me and watched amiably.

"Calm down, Emily, it was a bit of fun, I apologise for scaring you." Kayle said in the most sincere tone I'd ever heard him use.

This silenced Emy, he had never apologised for anything before and would normally laugh everything off. Kayle finally noticed Merkell stood next to me, he did the most unexpected thing and bowed to him. Merkell nodded his head in response, as though it was normal.

"I do not think that was a wise way to announce yourself, Kayle," he stated, beckoning us all back to where the bags were.

"I should have thought it through better, I know." He actually looked sorry when he spoke.

"Yes, you should have but it is done now, I think you'll have a nice little bruise to remind you for next time."

Merkell grinned, reaching into his bag he pulled out an apple.

"Have you eaten?" He threw the apple to Kayle.

"Not since this morning, I should have taken more food with me," he replied. "Thank you," he added before biting into the apple.

Merkell was silent until he finished it.

"I take it you didn't encounter any trouble on the other side, you arrived back earlier than expected."

Merkell glanced at the lake again. I figured that must have been where the crossing point was, but I couldn't understand where, all I could see was water.

"No, there was no trouble, quite a few more people on the roads than usual but none to be concerned about. They also remembered the way back sooner than we thought and insisted I turn back to meet up with you."

He glanced at Emy as he finished but she was too busy looking down at her feet. I could tell she was trying to keep herself under control. He glanced at me and I gave him a small smile to show that I wasn't angry.

"Perhaps, I should explain to Kayle why the two of you reacted the way you did," Merkell said in a slow, calming tone.

He relayed everything to Kayle, every detail we had told him about the two men from the party.