Cairon Story

"His destiny was to lead him over very different and unexpected pathways." (pg. 53)

Cairon shooed away the few greenskins that remained in his tent. It was just about dark and he was tired of explaining things to them. He needed rest, but for some reason he just couldn't fall asleep. He waited in silence for a few moments, just to make sure all the greenskins had gone into their tents. After all the noise had died down, he quietly shuffled out of the tent and, as soon as he got out of hearing range, he began to gallop away. The Greenskins village grew smaller and smaller until it could not be seen anymore by Cairon. For days he ran, on and on, without rest. Over mountains, through rivers and dense forests. All of which would fall prey to the Nothing overnight. Though he was old, his endurance was in marvelous shape. Most likely because he was half-horse. Only on the fifth day of traveling did he decide to stop.

Cairon knelt down in the tall grass end took in a deep breath. He set his hat down on the ground next to him so the wind could flow through his hair. In the distance Cairon could hear voices, and they seemed to be getting closer and closer to where he had positioned himself. "The Best thing to do would be to investigate..." he said reaching into his beard and pulling out a small map. Examining the map closely, he located the area he was in. He thought for a minute. "Now, if I'm here..." he said pointing to the spot on the map "...Then who's... over there? Who could the people be? There is no nearby village! Uncharted..."  He shook his head, rolling the map back up and stuffing it back into his beard. His map was incorrect, and that infuriated him. As quickly as he possibly could, he began to charge in the general direction of the voices.

That very same morning Ildikó had awoken and rubbed her eyes. Groggily, she hopped out of bed, dressed, and went outside of her small tent. She was a girl around Atreyu's age from a warrior village. She had always been interested in combat ever since she was born. "Illy!~" a cheery voice cried out, breaking the early morning silence "Finally you are up! We have all been waiting! Come along now!" Ildikó waved her hand a few times, grabbed her bow and arrow from the ground, and hopped on her horse. She was so out of it today. She rode a long, a large party behind her. The sun was beginning to get hot and many had started to perspire, but the group kept on going.

Suddenly she spotted someone, or something, in the distance charging towards them. Everything happened so fast, as it always did when her tribe hunted. They all raised their bows which were loaded with the sharpest of arrows. Before they could do anything a loud yell rang through the air, frightening most of the warriors and causing them to drop all their weapons. It appeared as if a centaur was charging towards them.

"Don't Shoot!" he shouted quickly coming got a halt "I come in peace!" Everyone looked about clearly confused. "I would just like to know...where is this!?" Most of the warriors had figured he wasn't worth it and left. The only ones who remained were Ildikó and three guards. She looked at the man curiously.

"Are you sure you've never heard of us?" she asked tilting her head to the side.

"Positive..." he said taking in a deep breath.

She thought for a moment then smiled. "Come with me..." she said turning her horse around and galloping back towards her village. Cairon followed Ildikó and her guards all the way there.

Cairon remained in the warrior village teaching, and learning, from Ildikó. Ildikó was the daughter Cairon never had, and he cherished that. They have continued their happy life ever since. Even though most of them knew the nothing would get to them eventually, they didn't care. Yes, Cairon did fix his map. He drew a very accurate picture, for how small it was. Underneath he wrote "Home".