Spiras chapter 4

          I ate a few slices of old bread for breakfast, before heading out to feed the animals. The aged wooden beams creaked as I went in the barn. We were having a good season for hay, and had plenty to last us through fall. As I carried a clump pf hay to one of the cow pens, Knat spoke up.

          The barn isn't strong enough to last through another windstorm. Get someone to strengthen it.

          After feeding the rest of the animals in a rush, I ran out to the field where my mother and Myrtle were working. I waited for my mother to finish weeding a sunflower patch before speaking up. 

          "Knat thinks the barn isn't strong enough, mother."

          "Who's Knat?"

          "Oh- Knat is my spira. He says he doesn't specialize in much, but can do some heat things."

          "So you've been introduced? May I meet him?" She said.

          I realized Knat was there after my mother. He had toned down his appearance somewhat, now not on fire. He stood up on his hind legs and gave what was certainly a bow, "It is nice to meet you."

          My mother smiled and gave a little bow back, "Good to meet you too! Robei, why don't you two head into town to pick up something I bought for you at Steven's. Think of it as a late birthday gift."

          I thanked my mother before heading to Steven's store. It was a old building, painted in vibrant cracked red paint. The squat building was in the center of town, nearby the main road to Khine. The store mainly sold souvenirs for tourists, though it also carried luxury items. Steven himself was a man who, despite being quite old, was full of energy. He was a short man who had worked all his life to live in comfort, but he still worked anyways. One of his sons greeted me when I entered the store.

          "Robei! Quite the person of the day, aren't you? Plenty of talk you know. But I doubt you're interested in that. What is your reason for visiting?"

          "My mother said she bought something for me," I said.

          "Ah, yes! Very nice, what she bought for you. Highest quality, as always," He called to the back of the store, "father, Robei is here for her order!"

          Steven came out of the store room carrying a box. He handed the box to me, "This has been pre-paid, don't worry. Have a good day and thank you for your service!" He said with a smile.

          After leaving the store, I looked in the box. Inside was a very neatly woven pouch, made from green silk. It was very soft to my touch and had a strap for the shoulder. I didn't really have anything to put in it, so I put in the gem. It was a smug fit, as the pouch was probably meant to hold coins or other small things. But it worked.

          

          When I returned, my mother was out in the barn, talking to Curier the Carpenter. 

          "Hey Robei! It looks like you were right. Seems the wood's getting old in the beams. Curier says we were pretty lucky to have noticed before something collapsed," My mother said.

          "Great, mother. Thank you for the gift. It's wonderful."

          "I thought you might like it."

          Something was moving in the forest. That night, I was stargazing beside the fireside when I saw something flicker in the corner of my eyes. It wasn't a definite shape, and was probably a stray cat, but I had to check it out to be sure.
          I left the warm stone plates of the fireplace for the dark forest. A owl hooted as I checked around the undergrowth, so far it was safe. I sudden change of temperature alerted me that Knat had appeared next to me, treading on four legs.
          Something is here. I see it.

          "I don't see anything. Where is it?" I asked as he poked around the bushes, searching for whatever had passed through here like a dog.

          Suddenly, Knat sharply turned and arched his back up like a cat. He let out a screech that was almost too high pitched for me to hear before fading. It's here, was all I heard from him.

          I didn't see anything for a moment. Everything was dark in the woods, but then I spotted areas where the dark managed to be darker then dark, and shifting. The light was changing, and as I looked up I saw the moon was being covered by a dark mass in front of me. I took a step back, cautiously. But I didn't hear anything. It was like a cloud of shapeless night, not making a noise as it crept closer. A wind took up. It was only a small breeze at first, but slowly grew into a gale as the darkness was carving itself into another shape. It slowly took form as a great beast, and I realized it must have been a monster spira. Giant spiras that tended to want to wreak destruction on humans rather then bond. I knew I was in danger as the shape formed itself. It was a  large beast that towered over me and a few trees. It's glowing green eyes were the size of soup serving bowls and it's pure white coat was speckled with red dots like fresh blood on new snow. The beast had teeth, giant ones like stalagmites, white against it's black gums. The spira's huge paws were the size of tables while it's claws were bigger, curving upwards and ending in a sharp point, digging into the dirt. Around it's neck was a ribbon of paper, marked with strange symbols. The creature was wearing a seal like first prize ribbon at a fair.

          I felt my knees shaking in fear of this massive monster. Even Knat hid when he saw it, so surely I was doomed? If he couldn't stand up to it, there was no way I could. The beast stood still for a minute, while I was too scared to move, afraid I might make it attack. But then, catching me by surprise, the beast didn't attack. Instead, it spoke.

          It's voice was not a scratchy, harsh voice. Instead, it had the clear voice of a young woman speaking as if she was talking to a young child, "I am Salmon. Perhaps you wish to explain yourself. Perhaps you don't. But don't worry about either option, because I'm not going to listen to a fiend like you."

           I was confused. Certainly I had never done anything that could offend this mysterious spira? I had never met her! Unless she was bonded with one of the citizens of Reiba who didn't like me taking Knat before their child could... But that was ridiculous! This spira was too dangerous for anyone to handle. She was huge and lethal. If you bonded with a monster like her, you'd die within a week!

           "I-I'm sorry, but do you know who you're talking too? I haven't done anything."

           Salmon closed her eyes as she thought, "Yes. You look certainly are the one. You reek of guiltiness and fear. I have a very sharp nose, as you should know."

           "I don't know what you're talking about! Please, go," I tried waving her off. Like that would work.

           Salmon growled quietly, "Why would I be wrong? Don't lie to me, Thales. I've known you your entire life."

          "My name isn't Thales! It's Robei!"

           Salmon leaped up from her sitting position. The earth rumbled as she landed on the ground. Her teeth bared, drooling on the ground. Salmon threw her paws at me at such a speed that I didn't see anything. All I knew was that my head hurt and something warm was by my leg. A pile of blood was gathering by my side. I didn't feel the pain. All the while I could distantly hear Salmon's voice singing merrily, "I found you, Thales! I told you so!"