Rayman: Promises to the North 3

Rayman: Promises to the North

Chapter 3: Small Lights on the Way...
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As Illiad walked a few feet behind the limbless Hero of Light, her face sustained a deep sadness; a sadness that only such a young child could show. She kept wiping at her eyes every now and then, releasing a quiet sniff as well.

Rayman glanced back at the little girl every few minutes. It was almost like he could feel the worry radiating off of the small animal.

He sighed and glanced up at the sky. It looked like the sun would be setting in less then three hours.

Well...so much for covering much ground today. I must`ve slept all through the day.

Rayman glanced back at Illiad once again, a bright smile forming over his face. He was trying to think of something to pick up the child`s gloomy mood.

" Hey," Rayman started, a small chuckle escaping his lips. " How loud was I snoring when I was asleep?"

Illiad glanced up at him for just a moment, her large eyes taking on a slightly lighter tone. Rayman smiled even more brightly when he thought that he had saw the little girl`s mouth almost curve into a grin.

Suddenly, the small animal`s face broke out into a smile, her large ears perking up.

" Really, really loud," she murmured, letting out a tiny, child-like giggle.

Rayman breathed a sigh of satisfactory, very pleased with himself for finally getting the young girl to smile. Letting out a chuckle, he looked back at her once again.

" You know...that`s Polokus` doing," Rayman laughed. " He just thinks that it`s hilarious to hear obnoxious snoring..."

Illiad`s eyes almost instantly brightened when hearing the name of the mighty spirit. They were glossy, almost as if she was excited.

" Polokus! I actually remember him!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together in delight. The gloomy, timid little creature was now starting to get a skip to her walk, and a smile across her face.

" That`s great, Illiad!" Rayman cried. " See? You`re already beginning to remember things. You`re gonna be just fine, I know you are."

Illiad gazed at the limbless being, the smile still bright on her little face.

" Really, Rayman...? You really think I`m gonna remember everyone again?" Illiad asked, her eyes wide with happiness...and a glint of hope.

The Guardian nodded. " I`m sure you will."

The small, long-eared animal ran up in front of Rayman, her tail swishing excitedly behind her. She stopped and truly looked into his dark eyes for the first time without being frightened of him.

" Promise?" She asked, a small, childish smile plastered upon her cheeks.

" I`ll shake on it," Rayman said, holding out his right hand. With absolutely no sign of the timid nature that Illiad had earlier, she reached out and grabbed his hand, shaking it enthusiastically.

After the girl had finally let go of Rayman`s hand, they began walking forward once again, the sun slowly setting on the horizon.

The air was growing colder as the darkness began to creep in. Rayman felt a shiver pass through his body from the frigid air. He could see Illiad walking with her arms crossed; obviously her clothes were not proving to be the warmest.

Rayman knew that they were soon to approach a small town. They had just made their way out of Clearleaf Forest.

Illiad`s teeth chattered as the wind savagely blew, tearing through her thin clothing. It was truly proving to be a bitterly chilling night; this was definitely not weather that even the Hero of Light would enjoy sleeping in.

Rayman normally didn`t mind falling asleep on the ground, but he knew that Illiad probably wouldn`t be able to get a single wink of rest in the harsh, gusty conditions that were developing within the atmosphere of the area.

The Guardian could begin to see small lights that were not so far away. They were getting quite close to town now.

Rayman turned and looked down when he had felt a light tap on the shoulder, Illiad was looking up at him, a worn out expression on the little animal`s face.

" Are we gonna sleep out here...?" She asked, a tiny whine to her tone.

Rayman shook his head. There was absolutely no way that he was going to make a small child sleep out in the cold.

" Naw. See those lights up ahead? We`re probably gonna find an Inn for the night and rest up there. The Teensie folk have all sorts of em' around here, so we shouldn`t have a problem finding one," Rayman answered, looking ahead at the small buildings and lights that were slowly approaching with each step.

" Rayman..." Illiad piped up. " What`s a Inn?"

The limbless creature couldn`t help but laugh quietly to himself. It was obvious that a creature as young as Illiad still had a lot to learn.

" An Inn is basically like a hotel. The only difference is that you`re staying in someone else`s house with them. It`s more homey then a hotel, ya know?" He explained.

" Will they get mad if you snore too loud?" Illiad asked, quite seriously for such a rediculous question.

Rayman laughed. " Well...I guess they might." He then shook his head, grinning impishly.

" Nah, I`m just kidding."