In the dark, in a swirl of strong heated and throbbing discomfort, time meant little. At least it had for a long while. Till he was prickling at ears to the sound of something approaching. Pulling himself out of whatever sweat slogged delirium was happily making his body its playground, to listen.
Eventually forcing his will to invoke standing. A hard feat when legs were like goop and the wall was only so steady. Still, he got up and glared the way he could tell the sounds were coming from. Footsteps. A few of them and… cart wheels.
Well, then… that lucky sort of fate was true then. Because he was certain that no other time would someone be wandering this damnable place at all. It took all of a few minutes before torch light was coming around a bend and one could see a rickety old cart being managed by that of a long eared fellow. Pulled along by a mule, the second light fell close enough to potentially illuminate him; Arc frowned. Feeling that means of guilt cause he was highly considering reverting to his smallest form to be ignored and yet…
Gods be damned, he had no idea what the hell was wrong with him lately. “Cúnamh, le do thoil.” Wow, the hoarshness that came from his own through was something else, but the elven man’s ears lifted. High to show he had heard and tightened grip on that of his reins. Approaching to where light covered and the man’s bright golden gaze was pressed onto him. “Le grásta Gaia, an féidir leat cúnamh a thairiscint?”
It was a good thing apparently the elven language didn’t die or change too terribly much. The man’s face twitched naturally out of suspicion but he was hardly one to be cowed currently. Turning to point a bit down the way, “Tá ceann eile. A bhean óg daonna, tá tailte na n-áitritheoirí sléibhe buailte le deamhan. Bhí rith uafásach aici agus bhí sí in ann cúnamh a úsáid i ndáiríre. Ní mholfainn dul níos faide a dhuine uasail, go hionraic.”
He was stopped. Fully and giving the eye that was fairly suspicious. “You speak elvish well… I don’t think I’ve heard a monster speak so clearly in such ways.”
Arc offered a waned smile, “I don’t think the eloquent tongue would form so well on that in which is monsterous or treacherous. I was a traveller in the lands and well, there is certainly more refugees coming, if they are lucky. But right now, a bit of aid and warning to the Queen may not be unfavourable, sir.” He tipped his head, seeing his gaze lingering and he shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry about myself. I doubt there is much to save but the young woman,” She had better at least be grateful for this, “Is vital to keep alive. Please… sir.”
Calia did not know if she’d slept or not, how long.. hours, days? Time truly had no meaning when you were deep in the belly of the mountains. So far away from sun and sky, away from the beautiful green fir trees that made up the forests. She may have even been dreaming of them, walking barefoot across the forest floor where she felt the most like herself, instead of the empty alien thing she was now. Wishing there was a good cool breeze to ease the heat of the sun, only to realize as she shifted that there was no sun here in the darkness. Apparently all those many beatings and days of travel just kept piling on and taking their toll when you didn’t have a little spark of healing magic inside.
Suspecting she for certain had a fever now, though glad she was at least awake, Calia’s awareness slowly opened up to the quiet sounds of a conversation. All garbled and strange at first, until she realized it was that slip of language Archimedes would occasionally slip into. Unable to catch even a single familiar word until another spoke in the familiar common. Elvish, was it? Well, no wonder she didn’t have recognition for it. There were already so few elves in Caeldalmor, and it wasn’t as if they spoke the old tongues very often these days anyway.
Shifting to put on her armor with hands that were way too shaky, the motions slowed as she eavesdropped on the exchange. He’d dropped his thick accent again, though that wasn’t the part that gave her pause. Vital to keep her alive, was it? Payback for painting him a hero to the villagers, no doubt. Regardless, once she managed to have her dented armor back in place and her feet back under her again, she approached their quiet conversation.
Blessed be the light! A warm welcomed glow after being stuck in the dark for who knew how long! A mule, cart, golden eyed elf and… a hand reached out, plucking fingers gently at the sleeve of her unwanted demon escort, where there was very clear markings of blood, gore and punctures that she’d not realized he still sustained. Expecting by now any wounds he’d received would’ve surely been on their way to healed.
Calia didn’t say anything though, simply that questioning shift of her features without actually expecting any sort of reply. Mostly because it took all her energy just to stand and walk herself in a straight enough line in the first place, she didn’t have anything left for being vocal!
The older elf wasn’t about to drop the suspicious looks. A wise sort. Probably had been in this place more than a few times and a part of him was somewhat curious as to why. It certainly wasn’t to find wayward travellers, that much was certain. Not with how that gaze was leaning on caution rather than good fate. So he likely knew the dangers that existed in this place and personally, the choice to speak in the elvish tongue had done well to affirm that right now he wasn’t a massive threat.
It was also clear that the elven man may have wanted to ask his own questions. But dared not too. Likely not out of polite decline but something more. Maybe not wanting to hear their absurd reasons.
With the sound of something walking, the man lifted the torch light enough to cast its glow towards the ghastly sight that was Calia. Silent like the grave but alive. Again, luck was favouring and fickle all at the same time. Stealing a look at the man, he seemed to be a bit more surprised to see a human. Almost as if believing that this was some ruse that had been created by them. Though what sort of idiot would put together a ruse in this damn place! It clearly had little traffic to do something worthwhile.
“One shouldn’t enter a tunnel without a light source at least.” The man pointed out. Bluntly.
“Did. But, alas,” It startled him that Calia had even reached out at all. Let along pulling at a sleeve to look at what was there. And in turn, he gave had to withhold the withering look he wanted to give back. “As you may see, my state is less than kind.” Arc brushed absently at throat, feeling its scratch in deep displeasure. But offering his look to the man once more. Using the arm that was certainly in a less than lovely shape to show, “Ran into some ghastly looking things that had more legs than anything ought too.”
“Dryders.” He stated so simply, then tsked. In such a way that honestly, Arc could have laughed. It was that pitying sort of sound that seemed to acknowledge that things were perfectly grim. “Ghastly creatures, and…” the man leaned his chin up, “Then what.”
“I made an unwanted friend and they decided to give me a taste of what they could do. Or offer.” Lips curled into a feigned weak smile. But moved hand to reach and push Calia forward. “If… you would, sir? At least help her.”
Lingering then, the man hummed. Eyeing Calia in the same sort of not too trusting way but there was clearly some sympathy there. “How long has it been since you ran into them creatures?” Arc shrugged. Actually that was true, he had no idea. “Well,… I guess collecting mushrooms might need to wait. Especially if you’ve angered a dryder nest.”
Slowly he set the reins to be wrapped around a small handle on the front of the cart. Making way to step down and approach. Raising torch light once more and, “If you can get into the back of the cart, we can held back. Might take a couple hours, but better than staying in the dark. Though, you’ll forgive me, lad if you die, I just roll your corpse out without a second thought.”
That actually made him chuckle, “Would you be so kind.” Just that something about this man drew a stop. A blink and, “Something sir?”
His gaze was staring right at him. Then to ears as if he needed confirmation for what he was seeing was real. Well, it wasn’t entirely but that wasn’t the point here. “Odd coloured eyes you have. Haven’t seen an elf with violet eyes for many years. Not since well…” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Well, long. Longer than a hundred years at least. You’ve must have been travelling for a while.”
Arc blinked and shortly shrugged. “Tend to lose time after a while.”
“Hmm, true. Welp, toddle up to the cart and we’ll get Mizzy May to turn around to head back out. Sound good? I’ll drop the two of you off, if you both live that long, at Emerson Groove. You ought to talk to the botanist there to get all healed up. Again… if you live that long.”
The way the two of them looked at her, she must’ve appeared in a right state of hellish decline. Dried blood in ebony black hair, not doubt still having scratches and bruises head to toe. Everything she wore likely needed to be repaired or replaced at this point.
In any other situation, she might’ve put up a fuss at Arc pushing her forward like some dimwitted damsel, but with the luck she’d been having lately with being far too blunt for people’s liking or simply saying the worst possible thing, Calia decided it was best not to talk at all. To follow the demon’s lead and play the part of pitiful miss… honestly, she was far too tired to put up a fight anyway. Frustrated to be faced once again with just how fragile a mortal body could be.
Not that Calia had a lot of experience with violent fights before. Only, injuries never did feel as bad as they did now.
Soon finding herself furrowing her brow, realizing in the moment that the way they spoke of Arc’s injuries that it was likely he was full of poison. Deliriously wondering if she’d been aware of that before, or if it was only dawning on her now that the dryder male might’ve had a bit of venom to him. Not surprised that the demon never mentioned any sort of pain or suffering, as… well. It’s not like she was complaining about her own, now was she. Quiet stubbornness seemed to fuel them both.
Drawing her attention too towards violet eyes, something she hadn’t known was a rare occurrence for an elf. Seemed it was so rare it actually hadn’t been seen in a long, long time! Perhaps not since the tunnels were more active!
“Have… you seen a chestnut mare?” she deemed to ask, finding her own voice a bit dry a croaky, though not nearly as rough sounding as the demon’s. Shifting to do as instructed to climb into he back of the wagon. Huffing once or twice at the difficulty in doing such a simple thing until she landed on her ass with a heavy thump and a pained hiss.
“I lost her when dryder attacked. She’s a good smart girl, she’s sure to be tucked away somewhere safe.”
He stepped back. Hugging the wall as tightly as he could to allow the man –after Calia ever so ceremoniously- got in and flopped on her rear end, he was a little bit distracted by the eye colour comment. Not sure what the hell that meant but apparently it was enough to stand out. Which could be a problem? Actually, he wasn’t sure. Just that it might make him seem like he was from somewhere else that elves could have been.
What the hell it meant, no clue. And clearly he was not about to ask either. Thankfully the guy didn’t seem privy to the idea of talking theatrics and tales anyways. Busy taking hold of the mule’s harness to start making the tight turn around.
“A mare? In here?” The man asked and gave what was clearly a very pointed glance around to be sure they both understood where here was. “I can’t say I have. Most animals stay clear of these types of places cause they stink of all sorts of bad things. Threats. Predators. Unnaturals.”
Arc hummed and only found the man throwing a look at Calia when she said that she’d lost Mercy during the attack. Or when mister dryder face decided he wanted to wine and dine her to the point of being a host for spider babies! There was some horrors in this world that really never needed to exist, now wasn’t there.
It took a long moment before the cart, beast of burden and man were situated back the way they had come. With the older man looking at him next with a slow and obvious visual point that he was to do the same as Calia. Hop onto the back to be trucked out of this place.
Idly he clenched fist on both hands. Settling that there was no obvious way of declining the travel anyways. So with more of a laborious effort, he got up there. And sat down. Using the small railing to brace weight and thump head into the side for support. Sighing and sort of just accepting the ride now. So quick to change gears and, “Name? Elder?”
“Tarron.” He stated but then seemed to think a bit further. “Ebonglade.” Arc felt like that was supposed to be important but couldn’t place it. Merely tilted his head to look at the elder man with a sort of quizzical hold. “Hmm, you weren’t born in the elven lands then.”
Shoulders shrugged again, before; “You may need to forgive me Elder Tarron, my head is foggy and my wits are less than entertaining.”
Tarron seemed to accept this with no problem. Giving the reins a bit of insistence to get said Mizzy May moving along. “If you brought a horse down here and it escaped. Hopefully it managed to keep going along the tunnels. If it is smart as you said, then I’m sure someone may have seen it on the other side.” The man looked at them both and Arc had contently settled for now to let himself lull into a seemingly content existence. Although he was aware, almost half expecting Calia to lunge at him now that his guard was clearly less effective. Even if she looked just as terrible as he felt! “The boy said you’re from Caeldalmor? Refugees, that daemon’s have attacked… is this true?”
Calia could likely praise Mercy’s fae-touched seeming luck for hours, confident even now that the horse would turn up somewhere alright. No way to know for certain and yet she had full belief in it’s truth. Finding comfort in it even when she settled and slumped in her awkward seat, to rest her eyes closed again and simply listen to the conversation between the two. With Arc once being an elf and clearly appearing as simple and as safe as one without those twisted horns of his, he was surely better to chat with the man. While she might’ve been a Princess of Caeldalmor with a mighty education to match, the notable elven kingdom in the mountains wasn’t more than a few facts listed out in some old lesson. No nobles from their kingdom had visited during Calia’s lifetime, at least not when she was old enough to have memory.
Until this elder by name of Tarron Ebonglade turned his question towards her, rousing her from her slothlike slumping and giving a slight frown.
Calia was at a crossroads again. It’d be easy to pretend she was no one. But the demon had already made mention of a need to see the queen, and Calia had no intent on making herself a liar. She’d stated to him and to the villagers as well that she’d seek aide from the Elven Queen, so it must be done. At the very least she could ensure that anyone who made it through the mountains could have somewhere safe to make a new home, and this queen could prepare his kingdom in a way Caeldalmor hadn’t been given the chance.
“A sorcerer unleashed the hoard into the capitol city, killing the majority of the royal family and everything else that had a life and soul,” she revealed grimly. “He’s taken them northward, though I don’t know why. It’d be folly to assume he won’t make attempts to strike other kingdoms.”
There was a long pregnant pause after Calia stated that a crazed idiot had unleashed a hoard of demons into the no longer standing capitol. Whatever Tarron was thinking, it was probably set on something between idle disbelief, concern and pity. If he was to guess but he was only peeking out the corner of his eye at the elder man. Then at the strangely less wrathful Calia –guessing her head must have been bludgeoned hard enough that she wasn’t a feisty murder kitten currently.
The sound of only the wheels and the mule’s footsteps were their ambience. Maybe a bit of low hissing from the oil in the torch but otherwise, it was a strained silence.
It went on so long that eventually he couldn’t hold the means of merely peeking but turned to be nearly full on staring at the silent elder. Noting that his brows of peppered gray were tightly knotted. Looking like they might start to pucker a dimple into his head! Or a hole was going to open up there, it was uncertain what would entirely happen.
“A hoard. Well… that’s no easy feat. Must have found something that helped do that.” Tarron was keeping his golden gaze forward. “Hearing about one or two demons appearing every so often is nothing too foreboding, depending on how strong they are. But a hoard, well…” He clicked his tongue and Arc had to resist smirking then. “I am sure the queen will be very interested in hearing such things, she might even have a plan in mind on how to help or react.”
That… well that was curious. Enough that Arc was putting tongue to waggle. “How does one have a plan to do such things already preemptively ready?”
Tarron was eyeing him from the corner of said gaze and had he been anyone else, he might have actually cowered at it. However, he just sort of owlishly blinked. Waiting. Looking maybe a bit naïve in this regard, “As I said, a demon or a few appearing is nothing new. It just becomes a problem when they are strong. No place has ever been perfectly free from the demonic touch and the queen has certainly seen the fall of a few good people because of such meddling creatures.” Arc must have still looked confused because the man offered, “It might be helpful if you want to look into it. Just ask around in Emerson Groove about the Bloodworth’s and Silverstone’s family, and listen to them talk about history.”
Brows furrowed now on his own head. “Okay…”
“It might help. Or it just might educate you.”
“If I make it that long.” Arc offered with a sheepish grin, “You promised to roll me off the cart if I died, so I’m still holding you to that, Elder Tarron.”
That got a strange smirk on the man’s face and it seemed more than enough for Arc to just huddle into himself.
Help with unleashing a hoard indeed. That help was sitting there in the back of the cart, now glad she looked so beaten to hell and back cause it helped masked that grimace on her face. Calia knew her magic was powerful… maybe she’d never tested the actual full limits to see how much, gods knew she didn’t even know what a limit looked like. There were things she could do with such an ease that it was frightening enough that she never wanted anyone to know she could do them at all. Especially with the way her father felt about magic users. She’d have been sent far, far away to be controlled and minded by a bunch of old, pervert wizards.
Now she was realizing that likely would’ve been the best thing. Cause she helped fuel the very thing he’d been afraid of. Whatever Derrick had found in the mountain caves had given him everything he needed to steal her magic and use it for fuck knew what.
Though with the scope of the conversation, Calia soon found herself very interested too in how this elven queen might actually have specific plans in mind for dealing with a demon hoard. As if the woman had already needed to do so before! Rousing her to twist and attempt to be a more lively part of the conversation to learn what she could. For if she wanted to track down Derrick and get her magic returned, perhaps these tips and tricks used in the past were exactly things she needed now.
“How difficult is it to get audience with the Queen herself? She ought to hear this news first hand as soon as possible. That sorcerer isn’t traveling by normal means, and he could be staging some new plot in a new place at any moment.”
“Queen Ashera generally is easy to speak with. She holds an open audience every few weeks but to seek a private one, I would suspect it is a little more difficult. Not terribly hard but I can’t say I know all the going’s on for royalty.” Tarron offered freely without any sort of hesitation, “You’d just have to speak to her Mage Advisor first. As he often precedes the means of what goes to her in the way of private matters.”
With the way it sounded about the woman having a plan for demons already, all Calia had to do was mention the state of things and she would be whisked inside with no more than an afterimage of herself standing where she had been.
“You’d have to travel to the heart of the land. To the capitol where the mage and elemental towers are. Quite the sight and quite the travel. By cart or mount alone would take an average person a week. By foot, obviously longer. It’s quite the distance. Shrouded protectively as one might guess. But, seems like you might be doing that regardless after you’ve been mended too. Unless you also got some dryder poison then you might be lucky to live.”
“Queen Ashera,” she murmured. Now there was a name to this mysterious queen that she of only by her gentle reputation. At least there was solace to take in that, that the woman was notable for her kindness and her temperament. Maybe that would somehow lessen the horror of Calia’s truths, for she doubt she could just walk into the woman’s court and only tell her part of the story. Calia knew enough about magic to know that details were often important.
She might have existed without rules and limits, but most did not.
With another grimace she lift her hands upend her palms, likely looking from an outside perspective that she was pondering whether or not she’d been poisoned herself. Realizing there that it wasn’t Knight Calia who would have to enter the court, but Princess Calia. A title that had once upon a time been meaningless in the wake of three elder siblings who’d came before her. Now it was weighted heavily with responsibility and an obligation that she felt so woefully unprepared for. She didn’t want to be the one. Yet, right now there was no one else.
Calia would need mending, a bath, new clothes… she’d have to shake off this state of wild, frenzied survival to fight for what her people needed in a completely different sort of way. She could not even give those villagers a sense of peace, so this was going to be impossible. Calia was only ever likable when she was in a tavern tipsy and flirting!
And she had to get through a Mage first. Calia was going to have to shrink herself down to something acceptable to some elven spellcaster who had enough age, skill, and influence to be egotistical about it.
“Thank you for your help, Elder Tarron. It’s come at an auspicious time,” she finally said, dropping her hands onto her lap before curling her arms around herself. Trying to gain some control of her expression again, because hoo boy, THAT was going to get her in trouble too.
Eventually turning her sight to warily peer at Archimedes, for the demon had gone so unusually quiet that she was almost concerned he’d actually been poisoned to the point of it being a real issue. He was likely imagining hopping off at the first bar full of pretty tavern maids he found, without a damn care in the world.
“That’s usually when help seems to come. At the most fortunate of times.” Tarron replied seemingly knowing that the timing of his arrival and their fate had been successfully planned. And if the truth was there were demon folk wandering around with some new warlock of a dangerous degree that had fled to the north; then it was wise that they seek assistance.
Because for something to be that devastating to the mountain kingdom, then it was best to alert the others. And thankfully the elven kingdom had not fallen to the bitch Imperial Queen. Which that could be revealed to the girl by that of the proper channels.
As if he was aware that she was staring at the elven male, “He’s not dead yet. Seems to be sleeping.” Which surprisingly, Arc was. Potentially still entertaining thoughts of pretty tavern maids and whatever the hell else came in the form of a demon of his caliber. “A word, dame. Be wary of your companion. Those eyes… they be heralds to danger I fear in our elven lands.”
So Arc was beset badly by the poison. Calia knew damn well he wouldn’t dare risk letting his guard down near her, so afraid that she was going to stab him again within a moments notice. Her own fault truly, because she did take motions to set that fear in his mind, didn’t she! Weirdly, it worried her to know he was not infallible, when it should’ve been a relief to know that he could be killed at all.
Just for a sense of being sure, Calia reached out a hand to hover near his forehead, testing for heat of a fever in him too, only to find it futile when she was too over warm herself. He’d be fine and off menacing someone else before long, regardless. Retreating back to herself to glance up at the elder elf as he spoke to her.
“I’m afraid the herald of danger here is me,” she answered with a self deprecating grin, and all too much truth. “Is the color so rare there is old superstitious to it? The way people to used to say a child might be a changeling if their eyes shifted color as they grew?”
It appeared the boy was trying well enough to stave out the poison from the spider creature. Clearly knowing something himself for to keep the wounds bleeding might be one of the few reasons they were still alive. Rather than letting the toxin fester in that of body like some rotting milk. However, he personally didn’t know any young elves that would know about dryders to the same effect, which either meant this young one was adept at knowing old knowledge out of curiosity, or there was something else to him.
Whatever it was, it brought a justifiable leeriness to Tarron. Watching between forward facing looks to keep them walking along these mushroom scavenging tunnel ways, as the girl seemed to be attempting to decide if the sleeping one was hot. Likely good to know for Calia that the elf kid wasn’t suddenly looking at her, just huddled up as he could be trying to rest in-between discomfort.
It seemed like a fair moment to give her warning that might be wise to know. “I don’t know if that’s believable considering the state that you look to be in.” Tarron’s voice may have been implying he was suspicious if she earned such bruising and battering because of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or because of the sleeping youth.
Listening to her as she spoke about changelings and eyes before he smirked a little. “Not quite. Violet eyes were belonging for a time to a powerful house of mages, here in our elven lands. The former Mage Advisor actually to a younger Queen Ashera. Our eye colours are typically a way for people to know what line we hail from. Or our surnames.” Which it hadn’t gone by him that the boy hadn’t seemed to know the Ebonglade name. Nor did he give his own, which was already a sort of red flag.
“Violet eyes haven’t been seen in well… if I were to venture a proper guess, probably around a hundred fifty years to you human folk. A drop in a bucket for an elf, but still. To have a strong mage family line just disappear was strange enough, and now your poisoned companion has the similar colour. You may get some uneasy sorts in the elven lands. I won’t say too much, but… there’s a reason I said ask about the names Bloodworth and Silverstone. Particularly Silverstone. The old Mage Advisor was Atticus Silverstone. A skilled mage in his own right, but he had two children in his blended family that were particularly powerful mages. You just might get some knock back if people think there is association to old tales and ghost stories.”
“He’s saved my life more than once now, though I think he is starting to wish he hadn’t,” Calia explained to that suspicious look. Not that she needed to or even wanted to defend the demon – he was still a grade A asshole of the highest caliber – but there were things she was starting to understand about him now, even if she wasn’t about to forgive him for things he’d done. In all fairness Calia herself was not except from her own wrongs and sins. Hundreds of lives whose blood were now on her hands.
Still, this elder was offering information that actually captured her interesting and added new potential clues that very well could be related to the slumbering demon in ways that the elf might not even realize. If Archimedes was once a mortal elf, with eyes reminiscent to a mage bloodline that hadn’t been see well over a century… that didn’t feel like a coincidental drop in the bucket. It practically reeked of fate and destiny. The sort of thing written about when the world was still teeming with magic.
“I still hold fast that the bigger worry will be me, but I shall take this warning to heart. It’s not likely he’ll continue to travel with me once we reach your kingdom, anyway. We share fondness of a horse and not much else.”
Calia, though… she’d not hesitate to look into those families. Even disregarding Arc’s potential ties to them, for her own curiosity’s sake, the idea of a family of mages was interesting. Mages were so rare in Caeldalmor that there were no known family bloodlines of them. Not even her own family had a history of them, she herself was an anomaly of strangeness. Gifted in a way that was far too different from the skills of mages.
“People don’t save others for fun, from my history. Or make it a habit of more than once if they didn’t share some sort of compassion outside of just a common pet.” Tarron suggested like he knew anything between their dynamic. He didn’t, but for her to express there had been life saving in more of a plural sense, it deemed to him that it wasn’t done simply because of a whim. Or a passing chance.
However, he couldn’t confirm that a hundred percent either.
Merely grunting at the suggestion the girl was more of a troublemaker than what was potentially suspicious but he wasn’t here to dole out life lessons. Leaving the girl to rest or exist as best she could while they travelled.
Leaving the other to sleep in their travels. One that took as Tarron stated, a few hours before there was a noticeable breech of bright clean light in a steadily growing larger hole. Approaching it second by second till eventually they were out into the aromatic fresh forested air. Giant redwood trees stood massively tall all around them. Their roots and floor covered in thick bushes and ferns that only a clear worn path indicated the way one would come to the tunnel. Aptly still used by the way the path remained unhindered by overgrowth. A slight mist hung in the air as somewhere beyond the high emeralds of canopy tops was there a clouds. Freshly cleansed of their rain having dropped to the earth.
“Hrm…” Scrunching more into himself before a curse passed lips, Arc blinked and squinted into the suddenly very bright world. Then squeezing lids tightly closed, almost disappointed that he had survived or was mad about the ride being not nearly that comfortable. Taking added seconds to properly start opening and considering the surroundings.
Feeling… a strange sense of nostalgia pressing on his head to a point that if he wasn’t careful, he was going to start hissing about the pain bursting like a bloody kaleidoscope in his skull. “H…how far are we from… Emerson Groove?”
“Twenty minutes.”
“Thrilling…” Tears budded at lashline, loathing how much that damn well hurt to have something trying to press at the pain of memories.
A pet was likely a good way to describe her. An unruly, unwanted pet that Archimedes thought was going to be an entertainment and turned out to be a nightmare instead. He’d honestly cared a lot more about the horse than her, and in her opinion there was a bigger chance he was just keeping her alive to care for the chestnut mare than any sort of real compassion on his part.
Things she didn’t need to tell this suspicious elder, however. Doubting he’d be happy to know he might just be right on the money about this stranger being a problem. He was a demon after all.
When conversation tapered off, Calia herself roosted to an uncomfortable position, eventually falling victim to more napping of her own. With the boring walls of the tunnels and the gentle rocking of the cart, there wasn’t much else to do to help ignore the pain in her head. Better to sleep while she had the chance, especially now that she knew she was doomed to wake again.
It was the fresh air first that roused her to wakefulness. Catching wind of it before they’d even hit the edge of the tunnel where light could start pouring in. Immediately having a sense of sudden excitement, despite all of the terror that’d happened to her… for this was something new! An entire kingdom she had never seen before. After being stuck in the mountain for so long, what a welcomed feeling to have sunlight on her skin again.
“Holy shit,” she exclaimed with a breath, the moment her eyes were able to adjust to the full light of day. Instead of being singularly lush with shades of green and the greyish bark of the fir trees in Caeldalmor, these trees were the biggest, thickest, tallest trees she had ever seen in her life. Giant red columns that expanded outwards big enough to carve a house of the trunk of them if someone so desired. So stunning a view, Calia had forgotten all about her lingering aches and pains to lean over the edge of the cart to brush her hand against the bark and ferns as they past.
Damn, how she missed trees so much. What she wouldn’t give to never live in a home of stone ever again.
It was quite vibrant by comparison to the deep dark dank tunnel of boring blandness that offered nothing interesting or incredibly dangerous. He’d just prefer that this place didn’t try to reach into his skull to grab fistfuls of memories that were not going to come without blinding to black out pain. Forcing himself to focus more on the fact that the air was so crisp and fresh that if you breathed in too quickly, it would be sharp and force a coughing fit.
In turn, this amount of light really articulated what sort of ghastly state they were in. Tarron was all clean, pristine and looked like he was fresh from the linens himself. Then Calia looked like an armoured nightmare with blood caked in her dark hair and features seemingly have long since lost any sort of suggestion that she could have been noble. More fitting for a wild witch now more than ever. He wasn’t any better, a bloody mess that streaked arm, fingers, clothing. If it weren’t for the holes in his arm, one may have thought he beat someone three shades of stupid!
Well… he kinda did. But less stupid and more roasted dead.
Add on that he felt a lot nastier than he originally thought, not sure if it was the fresh air, his head or the toxin but he was pretty sure throwing up was not the choice he wanted to commit to either. Checking mouth to be sure it wasn’t thickening up with saliva to tell him, too damn bad, guts ahoy!
At least someone seemed thrilled. Calia in her unholy image at least seemed to be pleased to be in a place catering that of many trees and greenery. It was probably the first time since they had been unfortunately stuck together that she looked genuinely pleased. Who knew that cat’s arse of a face could extrude anything more than a glowering pucker. For now, he’d let the cart to its gentle rocking so he wasn’t looking at the world too much. Listening till there was telling sounds of camaraderie and the smell of wood fires burning.
A town in the midst of a tight cluster of redwoods. Nestle neat and cozy like they were forever protected from the outside world. Content in Gaia’s ever green bosom; Tarron seemed to be leading them along without a singular care to pause. Allowing a cartside view of the stone and wooden houses to be their focal view. With all sorts of elves peeking back in reply before intrigue likely would spark at the fact that Tarron had come back with more than mushrooms!
Eventually the cart slowed when they were noticeably brought to a squat, half buried stone house that had made its placement successfully under one of the large red wood roots that had come out of the soil. With moss growing in place where mortar had fused the house together; the front door was half sunken into the ground. “The botanist is there. Best be checking in with her to assure you two aren’t carrying any parasites and are healthy enough to be considered living.”
Arc blinked a few times and realized that this was Tarron’s polite way of saying, get the hell off.
With a great deal more effort than it ought to have taken, he scooted his butt to the edge of the cart. Dangling legs a moment before taking that daring push off to test whether legs or not were going to wibble wobble like a new born calf!
They certainly wobbled but he managed to stay upright. Combing hair back some to look around slowly. Purposefully so, as he could hear someone clattering around inside with a very obvious pungent stink coming out the open door. It smelt like a weasel’s burnt ass, if he had to describe it but, he turned to look at Tarron. “Thank you Elder Tarron.”
“Don’t thank me. This was the easy part. I fear you two will certainly have more cut out for you than you may know what to do with.” Arc wasn’t sure if that was a threat or a warning. Deciding he didn’t want to put the brain power into figuring it out. “Once your handled, there’s a small inn down the way. I’d make use of a bath service if you don’t want to frighten people.”
Arc hummed at that. A bath would be good. Especially if it was for two. Or three, “Noted. Still, Gaia’s thanks Elder Tarron.” The older elf hummed. Skepticism ever present but didn’t seem like he was about to offer more than he had. Instead, Arc looked at madam frightful and just pointed at the door.
He didn’t need a healer or botanist in the means of the elven world. He’d just need to eat something and maybe chuck back a few bullshit elixir’s of promised antidotes to clear out the remains in his system.
She’d followed the lead of climb out of the cart, in some ways seeming to have an easier time of shifting around compared to the demon, and then being a lot worse for wear once she was actually wavering on her feet. Likely it was a good thing she couldn’t see herself just yet, Calia had just enough vanity to be horrified about looking like a deranged bloody hedge witch.
For the kind Elder Tarron she gave a salute of fingers as her thanks, finding Arc’s words of gratitude plenty of enough even if hearing him being pleasant felt like such a strange thing. Only to turn and find the demon pointing at the building and staring at her as if she were meant to start marching immediately. Catching her off guard enough that she straightened with a peculiar glance in his direction again, before she did exactly as instructed.
He clearly needed a healer more than she did. That poison had him acting bizarre.
As Calia approached the cobbled together house tucked so safely underneath the massive root of the tree, the strange scents grew stronger, unpleasant but familiar in an almost comforting way. Those that used herbalism for their healing arts tended to have a find collection of interesting plants, so Calia was almost excited to see just what might be inside the place of an elven healer, when elves were tied as close to nature almost as much as the fae.
It took a couple steps down to approach the sunken open doorway, Calia coming to stand maybe a step inside with a sudden fear of intruding into someone else’s space. Clearing her throat as she peered around.
“Greetings…?” she called out tepidly, glad that her voice didn’t sound as weak as it had earlier, but still dry and uncomfortable.
Whatever Arc was up too, it seemed it was not to follow her even remotely. The second Calia properly advanced to the sunken stony house, he turned and was making his way to the suggested inn. Far too distracted now with the idea of hot water and potentially pretty elven women! Needing nothing else to be so beckoning.
The house itself upon first internal glance was properly something from some wicked old tales of forest hags and mystical woodland creatures. A massive skull sat upon the wall. Shed of skin and portraying grand ivory bleached horns with a face that did much the same. Adorned with some strange arrangement of sewn together dried leaves and flowers. As walls seemed to be curiously sporting little invasive tendrils of roots that may have been either trying to keep the house together to pulling it further into the dirt.
That a few steps further, the place was wide open. A floor may have been possibly stone at some point but now was generally dirt. Moss and something vaguely like clovers. Soft to walk on, as a woman was currently arranging one of her wooden shelves that was so full of various vials, bottles and oddities that the attempts of putting one more thing on them may has well break the whole structure. “Come in, come in,” her voice was heavily accented. Similar to that of Arc’s, seemingly to be an older generation vernacular while the woman with hair so wild and thick turned. Looking like she had a mane rather than hair at all, bright blue almost white eyes were presented no sooner upon Calia.
And her heavily freckled face withered immediately upon seeing the woman. Hastily shoving that of item into the shelf with careless abandonment so she might hitch her bohemian robe to scurry right over. “Oh dear, yah be lookin’ more than simply peaky, child.” Long spindly fingers reached out to motion that Calia was to come in all the more promptly. To sit on a rickety wooden chair as nearby a cauldron over open flame was busy bubbling. Making the ladle left in it, dance.
“It’s been a bit of years since I’ve seen a human, let alone one that be lookin’ like she fought death to barely win. Tell me child, what ails yah the most. We best be fixin’ it first. Yes, love. Best we do that.”
Calia found herself almost compelled to peek and snoop and explore this interesting little hobble of a home, which honestly was a sort of relief in itself as she was finally feeling something other than that melancholy numbness that had plagued her since breaking out of her own castle dungeon. It may have just been that everything here was just so wildly different than what she was used to, that it was strong enough to lure her out of that vicious singular focus.
Although, she wasn’t sure if she trusted this rickety ass looking chair. Even when she did as the woman asked and crossed the room to slowly lower herself into the seat, Calia was worried that the blasted thing might buckled under the weight of tallness and armor.
“I suppose my brains might be leaking out the back of my head,” she answered, without having to even think about what the worst of her injuries were. That one was definitely the top of the list, as she still couldn’t quite see straight without everything taking on a wiggling movement. Everything else could easily be ignored!
“Do the other mountain clans not come through anymore for trade or visits?” she asked curiously. Calia knew that Caeldalmor had become a bit closed off and reclusive, though she never really knew the entirety of why having first too young to know anything, and then not exactly involved in the governance of the kingdom when she wasn’t even close to being Heir. In fact, she found it incredibly odd that the tunnels had come to be so abandoned in the first place.
If the woman was about to show further concern, it was the casual mention as the girl sat down about the potential of brains leaking out the backside of her skull. Springing the woodland woman into action. Whisking around on bare feet to sink tender fingers through that blood crusted dark nest that was due for a good scrub and wash. Perhaps more than twice. Gingerly moving hair aside to find where the seam of a busted line had cracked open, the elven woman clicked her tongue in a obvious disapproving fashion.
“Head injuries are quite dangerous,” She stated but seemed to think about the woman’s state of attire. “Though as a fighter, I am sure that be nothin’ new expressed.” The elven healer still stated what she needed too. Declaring the facts of the matter before retrieving fingers, “Yah’ve got certainly a nice tear in the back of yer scalp. It’ll need to be cleansed properly but that may be a might bit hard to do with yer current state.” She motioned to suggest that Calia was dirty. A not so obvious news flash.
“I be thinkin’ yah need to scrub first. Usually such things be done at the inn but with that crack in yer noggin’, be best if yah do so here. It’ll be a few minutes, I’ll boil some water and set the tub to be fit with things to scrub even yer bones neatly clean. Then ol’ Amaris can set to fixin’ that head of yers and whatever ails yah, A chuisle.”
Setting herself a few steps away but never asking Calia to stand up currently, Amaris was prompt to getting to the hearth. Setting a new pot of water to be made as a curious contraption of a bamboo pipe was pulled. Spilling cold water from somewhere above into the pot. Setting it to fill while a second fire contained in the heat of a hearth was struck to life.
“Hmm, I ain’t be hearin’ of many sorts of travellers from the mountain clans for a good many years. The tunnels now be fraught with dangerous sort of beings that cause more problems than what it be worth. Rumours alone that the little post town inside be housing ghastly spirit collectors and all mercy means of other terrors. Only the foolish now wander too deep or those who be feelin’ they got enough wits to combat what ever faeish abominations linger.”
Amaris glanced at her, “Yah be comin’ through such a place, I reckon by the question? Likely be explaining why yah be lookin’ like the dogs dinner after chewin’, hmm?”
Calia had to bite her tongue to keep from cursing a string of words at the gentle prodding, plenty used to the pain and ache by now, but not when someone was doing a little prodding! Vaguely realizing that Archimedes never followed her inside – he’d basically dumped her there and ran off. As to be expected, Calia supposed. There was no reason from them to stick with each other, as he’d made it very clear that their singular attempt at a contract was more than enough trouble for him.
She didn’t like that it made her uneasy, though. That for some annoying reason she was concerned about him not properly tending to his own wounds. Honestly, if he dropped dead in the street it’d be better for everyone!
The woman pointing out that Calia was a hot mess of grime brought her back to the present, glancing down at her dented armor and stained clothing with a frown of her own. That waterfall was the last time she’d washed up and it wasn’t exactly a bath. So with all of the scuffles she’d been in and the time traveling… gods be damned, it’d prolly been two weeks or more since she had an actual bath. Calia probably smelled like a rotting goat!
Good gods, no wonder everyone was wary around her, she was a walking visual nightmare! One of those undead soldiers from her storybooks! A frustrated and very embarrassed tinge of red crossed her cheeks, but she started the process of loosening up and removing her armor regardless.
“I think I saw one of the spirit collectors at the Post. It was… well, I can see why people are avoiding the tunnels if they are so overrun. A particularly persistent man spider thing thought I might make a good wife and he is to thank for the crack in my skull,” she muttered, setting her chest plate aside and finding everything underneath wasn’t looking much better. Or smelling any better! Causing her to let out a heavy flustered sigh.
“…I am going to need clothes. I’ve got a little coin if you have something here? If not, I think maybe I ought to go fetch something before attempting any baths.”
Amaris didn’t seem to particular be bothered with the girl stripping away that of her armour. Rather she may be grateful the girl was doing so instead of having her do it. Settling for mentally deciding what sort of herbs and things ought to be thrown into the boiling water to assure that both the young human woman was cleansed. And properly scrubbed though something about the idea of giving her a pinecone in the means of scrubbing was only comical to her. Doubtful it would be appreciated but witchhazel itself would be a welcomed addition to help the girl. Something fresh and clean and great at scrubbing with a nice minty tingle after.
Plus, she looked as though she could use a harder cleanser anyways.
“Oh those nasty things are best seen from afar. They be a coagulation of lost souls that materialize into some ghastly appearin’ ball of bloody worms. Able to use the people they eat to add to their collection and steal recent memories to either lure others to them or taunt.” Amaris frowned, “Yah best be considerin’ yer stars to be lucky. Seein’ them things is always a risk. But—” the mane crowned elf stepped over to the bamboo shoot to close it, throwing in a few items into the water to boil at the same time. Her lips pursed into a frown, “Yah ran into a dryder. I ain’t one to say yah ought to be glad it wanted to mate with yah rather than put yah into a nest. Them drow folk used to be half decent before they decided they wanted to be more than what they were. Unfortunate really.”
True though, that the girl was alive with only a banged up skull instead of being dinner for such a twisted creature. Or mate.
It may be a good idea for her to organize the little lass a bit of a good fortune talisman. It sounded like she needed one.
“Hmm, ah, yah don’t be worryin’ about such things A chuisle. Ain’t me first time havin’ a dirty and busted little miss or mister at me door. I’ve got a bit of clothin’ but they may be a bit short. Cannot say it’s common that a fair lady yer height comes wanderin’ through. But we’ll make do with it. Yah be savin’ yer coin to give to Ferrin, the clothier later. As I suspect yah may wish to be burning the articles of clothing yah possess now. Can’t be too sure what sort of vermin be clingin’ unseen.”
She offered a winsome smile, deep and genuine to the very bone. Then pointed, “Just beyond there, is a privacy screen. Keep yer modesty about yah, as don’t need no pryin’ eyes peepin’ on through to get a gander at yah. There be a tub there as well, with one of these fella’s.” She patted the bamboo shoot, “If yah pull it down, cold water will fill the tub. Put some in and I’ll bring over the pot of hot water shortly. Yah be needin’ no worries here, love. Ol’ Amaris got yah covered.”
Lucky hmn? Luck was not on Calia’s side. Likely the only reason she was still alive was because she was just that stubborn. Both a boon and a flaw, depending on whom one asked! These tidbits of information about the dryders at least piqued Calia’s curiosity, enough to casually toss it into her mess of useless knowledge. Pondering that whomever those drow were, they were probably the sorts that liked meddling with magic in ways that was only trouble. Maybe even the kind that had made magic such a difficult subject in her mountain home.
…at least until she gave a sudden horrified look at the thought of critters in her clothes! Imagining too easily, a bunch of little beetle Archimedes or wriggling parasitic worms crawling all up inside her linens! The thought was enough to make her skin prickle with goosebumps!
“Thank you, Madam Amaris,” came her genuine reply as she rose to her feet, having paid attention enough to catch the woman’s name, still scrunching up her shoulders with the idea of being covered in bugs. The few bits of armor she’d manage to remove so far she bundled up in her arms to take with her, as to not leave a mess in her wake inside this woman’s home.
Behind the small screen she found the tub there and a little tool where she set down her things. Examining the strange bamboo pipe with interest to tug it and start the means of filling the tub. Brilliant! Her castle home had running waters, but only for the kitchens down on the ground floors that had direct access to the well pumps. This was such a neat little device for a small cozy home. Calia took no time at all the shed off the rest of her armor and the majority of her clothes, leaving nothing left but the tunic. The princess was not so shy about her physical self, but she didn’t know this woman and wasn’t about to find out the hard way about cultural modesty! Waiting until the hot water was ready before she’d get into the actual bath.
“…elves have long lives and long memories, yes? Do you know the reason why your own kingdom became more isolated from the others? It seems so strange that travel just… stopped. Beasts in the tunnels couldn’t disrupt things that badly, could they?”
It wasn’t terribly long before she was carrying the hot pot full of fragrant waters around the privacy screen. Seeing the girl standing there in her tunic looking like she was one step away from being properly a cute tall urchin. Only that she wasted personally no time in dumping the pot into the tub. Where water that had originally been clear was more of a hazy green that was due to the variety of things tossed in. Though pleasant to the nose, the pot was promptly set aside.
Where Amaris pulled out from her robe a few long and thing vials. Pulling corks out with a satisfactory pop, before pouring some additional things into the water. Promptly putting them aside so she could bend down and start swishing her hand through to mix everything all together and see how the water felt. If it needed more heat or not, “We do. Be a curse sometimes.” Amaris suggested with the whole long lives and long memories. Just that the girl was clearly curious to why on earth they were so separated from the world.
“Well, now. We be only halted by tunnels to Caeldalmor, but we aren’t entirely landlocked either. Down closer to the south, we are that of a peninsula, so ocean covers many areas down there. But to the northwest, just a bit of a curve around the mountain range, is a road that leads towards the Imperial Lands, however, we have no interest being involved with the twelve Kingdoms. Not with that wicked witch that calls herself Imperial Highness, Queen Heirra. A real monster that woman is. Taking over lands like they were collectibles.” Amaris was scowling at the very mention and was stopping herself from spitting in turn. “We as distant fae, the sylvan blood have no interest in getting meddled up with a twisted magic user like that. It’s said she uses black magic and has ties to things that are best left alone.”
Standing up seeming to find the waters suitable, “We do more of our business tradin’ with the east side of our lands. A small cluster of nameless kingdoms. But as for Caeldalmor? I believe the tunnels may just be it, but I can’t be sayin’ entirely either.” Shoulders shrugged, “Come now, get yerself into that of the waters and we’ll get yah smellin’ clean and feelin’ less like the backend of a pig sty.”
Then the elven lands were far larger than Calia had even knew. Listening to the woman Amaris go on to mention an entire peninsula that she didn’t even know existed, and a road around the mountains that went on to a place called the Imperial Lands. This was now the second time she was hearing mention of a Mad Queen, someone who truly must’ve been a terror of a ruler to have a reputation both with demons and now here with the common folk of the elven kingdom.
What had her parents been thinking to isolate Caeldalmor so much from the greater world? Although, she guessed she couldn’t blame her father now that she thought about it. It was more likely her grandfather, or even great grandfather that had started the seclusion. Trying to remember her history lessons for anything that might’ve been notable besides the war of the mountain clans that led to the creation of Caeldalmor in the first place. The battle with ice giants coming down from the mountain cliffs. None of this really explained anything, and now her parents were gone and she couldn’t ask.
With fresh beckoning Calia went ahead to step into the bath, glad to find that it was comfortably warm. Waiting to pull off her tunic until she was nearly seated just, not so much for her own modesty but because she was a little worried she’d be covered in even more ghastly bruises. Tossing the tunic aside with the rest of her gear before promptly sliding down under the water to fully submerge herself. Holding breath and remaining there until the burning in her scalp wound was more than she could bear. Popping back up with a hiss of breath and a bit of pained wincing.
At least it smelled wonderful. Of fresh herbs and deep wooded forests, something familiar and comforting even despite the awkward situation.
“I used to think being solitary was the best thing. Not to say I hated being around people, I like company, but it’s quiet and serene. Peaceful. Caeldalmor was certainly peaceful itself… only now that isolation seems to be damning.”
In the meantime of letting the girl get into the tub, she personally went to collect a small stool. To set up at the head of the tub, so she could kneel on it. Intending to help the youth scrub her dark locks free of blood and to take a better look at her head at the same time. “Water’s be fine?” Asking to make doubly sure. Certainly getting a sightful that the girl had played with things that were none too kind.
She was battered and looked truly as though she may have taken up a hobby of rolling through thorn bushes than anything else. Something that left marks by the leagues.
“Solitary is good in doses. Too long and things tend to get muddled. Mortals aren’t made to be singular beings, by populace or singularities. And when they do, they turn different. Become less of what they were and more wild. Feral and quick to lashin’ at others. I be not knowin’ the details fully to why Edelgrand and Caeldalmor no longer share much besides plagued tunnels, but they be reasons not privy or needed to a lady that makes things better with natural resources.”
Amaris lightly tapped the top of her head, “Yah be tellin’ me if it too much, lass. But after this, yah ought to feel a might bit better. It shant take too long either. Ten minutes if we be lucky, fifteen if not so. Regardless, her head and body be needin’ some rest. Yah be stayin’ in Emerson Groove I take it for some time then? At least a day or two to recuperate. We might not be sharin’ roots often with that of the round ears but we welcome all sorts here.”
There were more questions now swimming around in Calia’s head than could ever be answered by a humble botanist. Of history and kingdoms, monsters and magic. Things she honestly had never had a care about before, as… well, what need did she have for that information? All Calia had ever wanted was her simple life living with her family. She was genuinely happy there, even despite having to hide such a big part of herself. She’d been safe and loved by the few people that mattered, entertained with her own interests, and had no ambitions for anything more.
Pooling the greenish herbed water into her palms, she frowned down at the faint flicker of her own reflection. Feeling that twist of sadness and grief trying to claw it’s way out of the coffin she’d buried it in. She’d now made it past that phase of stoic rage and violence, where all she wanted was to see everything burned. Even that vicious voice inside her had seemed to simmer down and leave her be for the time being. Eventually, though, she was going to have to face what her potential future could look like. If she was so damned determined to survive and live her life, she needed to know what she was living for.
“It all burns like hell, but I’ll be alright,” she answered first. Perfectly used to having someone tend to her as one of royal blood, so that at least was not so awkward. “I’ll stay for the night at the recommended Inn, but I shouldn’t linger longer. I have to seek an audience with your Queen, as hopefully there will be others making their way here through the tunnels. You may be very busy in coming weeks, I’m sorry.”
“At least it burns, means that yah be havin’ feelin’ still in yer noggin’. A good thing.” Amaris laughed and gingerly smoothed hands along the sides of the youth’s head. Pulling a comb out of some pocket on her person, to spool up the black tresses to start lightly picking out the clotted dried blood as not to ruin such hair. It was such a lovely colour that it ought to be tended too and the girl could use the time to soothe in the waters. Refreshing and likely needing a good dousing after to make sure any and all grim had been washed away.
Using the long tail of the comb to lightly pick, the statement of how the girl best no linger paired with more passing through, Amaris hummed. “Then I be busy. Not so terrible, makin’ sure the lot of them be mended too. Busy hands keep the devil at bay.” She wasn’t going to ask about why a round ear needed to see that of Queen Ashera, but it was clearly important. “Yah be likely finding the fair queen in good spirits too. She welcomed that of her newest grandchild a few weeks back and has been lavishly over spoilin’ the little potato since. Making her jubilant more than usual. And there be a wagon cart that travels from here to the capitol every few days. It makes stops however at other little collections of villages and towns. A wee better than walkin’ it, especially alone.”
Amaris sighed, “Pretty lass like yerself, being alone even in Edelguard, still unwise. We’ve got particular creatures that appear at dusk to dawn, that can be less than friendly. Cute as a bugs ear but dangerous little tricky things. Best to travel at least with another to ensure yer safety. Even if yah be built like a brick shit house, love.”
Well, there was a comment that had Calia bursting into a sudden laugh, lifting her arms from the water to stretch out in front of her as if this was the first time she had even seen herself. Being so tall tended to come with the illusion of bigness, though Calia wasn’t the slender lanky sort either. She’d never been interested in the sort of training that pumped up one’s muscles to big meaty lumps as there was more to combat than brute force, but the strength was there obvious beneath the layers of dirt.
She was a wildling girl that ran barefoot through meadows and climbed the side of mountains, one needed the stamina for such things.
“I don’t really have anyone to travel with,” she admitted. The demon out of the picture again meant she was solitary as she should be. Which was the best for everyone, as Calia’s curse was bound to strike everyone within arm’s reach of her. Beasts running out of the forest, a hailstorm of falling rocks… plants were liable to come alive at the side of the road to start chomping at her heels with the rate of disasters that kept coming. It was exhausting enough worrying about herself, she didn’t need any more people to look out for. After all, she’d failed at that already.
“I’ll be careful, though. Keep to popular roads and avoid offers from strangers that seem too good to be true. Hitch a ride on that wagon, even, the second I come across it.”
Leaving the girl to her giggles, all it took was after a moment to be told she didn’t have anyone to travel with. “Yah be goin’ to the inn, yah’ll be findin’ the tender eye lads givin’ yah the up and down. Intrigue rampant and shortly one or three be comin’ to see if yah need a guide. Yah might be taller than most, but that ain’t been nuff’ to tame the younglin’s around here. And I mean what I say, being a woman who wanders these woods, things yah thing be nothin’ be much more of a problem.”
Amaris sighed and temporarily rinsed what bits she had gotten free from the bloody clump. The water after this was guna be brown, surely. “It ain’t a terrible thing to have someone keepin’ an eye on yer back while yah keep an eye on theirs. Being solitude is not somethin’ to do like knittin’, precious. Even if it is yer default, this world be unknown. I ain’t sayin’ things to be offensive, but Edelguard is not yer lands. A good partner would wise. Yah made it this far, ain’t cha?”
The elven woman clearly thought highly of Calia by the way she spoke. Not disregarding that the girl could defend herself but being alone often could get one in trouble. And no one would hear them after they were all gobbled up.
“I be bettin’ on my shiniest dollar, yah have three offers when yah head to the inn. Just don’t be takin’ the first two because they got pretty faces. Them typically the naïve ones that wouldn’t know the difference from a hole in the ground to a hole in a tree. Be eager, and wastin’ yer efforts having to damsel them. But as long as yah take care, that’s all I be askin’. Yah seem more than capable, I just be hatin’ the idea that yah be alone. It’s the old elf in me, yah’ll have to pardon my mother hen-ness.”
This was quite the amusing conversation for such a range of reasons. The woman’s suggestion of Calia taking advantage of flirty young men to use as her personal guides and guardians had her giving such a cheeky grin, that it was good she wasn’t facing the elder! She sure didn’t need some dimwitted idiot trying to posture and preen about how he could protect her in these dangerous foreign lands… but company of a completely different nature did sound appealing. To spend an evening curled up with someone and not feel like she was some sort of abomination and plague to the world. To actually feel wanted at least for a couple short hours.
…the question was whether or not she could allow herself to do so. Somehow it still felt wrong seeking any fraction of joy.
“I don’t mind the mother henning,” Calia admitted softly, finally taking some responsibility in washing her own self with some acquired soap and a rag. Guessing by the time she was done, this water would be as black as her own hair. “Meeting one with kind intentions is always a blessing. I’m not so sure I’ll find a worthy travel companion, but I’ll at least try to be open to one.”
That was the most Calia could promise the elder, in any case. While she didn’t want travel companions, there was no sense in disregarding the woman’s advice when given in earnest. It’d be in her own best interests too to keep a keen eye out for people that could be helpful. Silently wishing it didn’t feel like she was suddenly adhering to Archimedes’ criticism of her and changing her tune. She wasn’t avoiding asking for help because she was too stuck up to accept it! Her avoidances had previously been for good reason!
“Well I’ll be keepin’ it to a modest degree regardless. Ain’t no reason for me to get all fluffed up when I am sure yer very capable and have had yer own means of dealin’ with sorts that were attemptin’ to be all they ain’t.” Amaris chuckled softly, offering the girl a rag and soap when sought after. Repeating the action of picking at her hair gingerly. Giving it a swish and then repeating. Making headway certainly while giving that cut time to breath in open air.
It was from what she could see, thankfully very superficial. Not bone cracked, but it did need to be mended shut. Ebbing a bit of blood was good, it kept the wound clean.
“Tryin’ is all one can ask. Maybe yah’ll be lucky enough to find someone that knows their grit. Just be sure to take care of yerself. In the end, all we got is ourselves.” Whether Amaris knew her words were right or wrong, she didn’t give more justification to that.
They’d be in here for a bit till she hear the sound of footfalls, “Yah keep washing up, dear. I be as quick as a rattle and shake.” Needing to attend to the next customer. Giving Calia time to pause and think, or wash up the last bit and seem ready to escape to a bucket of water to wash the grime off officially. Allowing Amaris time to come back in about five minutes with a sort of shake to her head.
“Stubborn men, I be swearin’.” Her eyes glittered softly in their bright paleness, “Yah said yah ran into that of a dryder that didn’t take swell care of yah, hmm? Either that dryder was done peeved off to attack another or yah had a companion who be dumb as a bag of rocks.” Her lips pulled and she was clearly amused and annoyed all at once. At the situation, not at the girl. “Daverne just popped in looking for some antidote to give a stupid elf in the inn, apparently none the brightest if he didn’t come here like yer wise self. Dryder poison don’t make blood clotting very easy and can certainly cause some bad effects on ones lungs and heart. He be stupid lucky that it wasn’t more than what it sounds like.”
The elven woman sighed, “Men be a particular level of stupid, I be swearin’. Lucky Daverne knew to pop over and grab some antidote. Alas, pardon my quick step out. I brought yah some trousers and a long tunic top to help with the means of clothing. Gave Daverne the heads up too that yah be stoppin’ over after. He be preppin’ to make sure yah have something good in yer belly. Just toss him a coin and he’d be happy as sin.”
In the woman’s absence, Calia made quick work of scrubbing, scrubbing, scrubbing until her skin was practically red for it but it did the work well. All the dried blood, dirt, sweat, and ick came away in the herbal waters and it truly felt as if she’d washed away some of the foulness and the fog that’d been eating away at her brain in the past weeks as well. She’d finished her rinsing in the fresh bucket and had wrapped herself neatly in a fluffy towel by the time Amaris had returned. Still in the process of trying to towel dry her hair as the woman fussed about the stubbornness of men.
“Hmn, that one would be the reason I am not presently the mother of baby spiders,” she confessed, and it was clear by her tone that she agreed the ‘elf’ in question was a monumental idiot. “Can’t tell him anything, he always thinks it’s an abuse or an insult. Or an attempt to be difficult and stubborn and…”
She let out a frustrated sigh. It didn’t matter! Neither of them were likely to change their opinions any time soon, and they’d now parted ways once again. Aside her joining at the Inn, tomorrow would be the last she saw of Archimedes and good riddance.
Although, Calia might make sure that antidote actually did it’s job on him. He might need a bath of the stuff.
Accepting the fresh clothing gladly, it only took a few moments for her to pull them on. Feeling a lot more like a living person again now that she was actually clean, refreshed, and wearing proper clothes. Granted, Amaris hadn’t been wrong in the sizing. The trousers were a bit tight in the hips and a little short in the legs. At least the tunic fit well and hung in a way that was comfortable without being too small or too loose in the wrong places. Calia didn’t bother putting her boots back on, or her armor, deeming them worthy of a little wash and care later in the evening when she had idle time. Not so sure the chest plate was going to do her any good now with the dent in it, anyway.
There seemed to be a question budding on Amaris’ tongue but it wasn’t given life. Simply humming instead, “Dryder’s aren’t gentle folk. Lad ought to be praisin’ that of Gaia for decidin’ that he wasn’t brimmin’ with the poison. Granted, he’d probably be long dead if that were the case.” She said with a sense of sympathy but was still shaking her head at the whole stubborn part. Baffled to the idea that he had not come here to seek out some remedy rather than letting such a thing make ones insides a tourist attraction.
Though in seconds it was clear that the young lady was not fond of the elf, added on by how she spoke. It was evidently they had some colourful history and seemingly answered that unspoken question.
Kneading her hands through a towel and deciding that she was going to have to scrub the tub just to be sure no dirt decided to stick around, Amaris had given Calia privacy to change into the new clothing. Looking at the not so little miss when she came back out into the main portion of the hut. Eyeing what she was carrying and, “Head on over to the inn, get yerself some dinner, hmm. And a good bed. Yah look better certainly but I doubt yah would convince any livin’ dead yah ain’t one of them thus far.” Chuckling at her own joke, “Stop by in the morning before you decide to go anywhere. We’ll check that sealed up head wound and maybe give yah a few goodies to take for the road. Better being safe than sorry, certainly.”
Calia knew that Arc’s survival was more likely due to being a demon and having a strength and speed of healing with a faster rate than most things could kill. Though, it must’ve been a shit ton of venomous poison to manage to get him into such a state at all. She’d seem some of the holes and state of his clothes. It surely was a concerning amount!
She wasn’t worried about this though. It was stupid to worry about him.
“Thank you again, for your care, Madam Amaris. I’m feeling closer to myself,” she mused with a warm smile, bundling her things up neatly so they’d easy to take along with her. “Until the morning.”
A simple goodbye was all that was necessary, especially seeing as she was instructed to return come the morning. Something Calia would be sure to do, if at least to ease the woman’s mind. Now that she was here in this village, where demons were not bursting in through the gates, she ought to take the opportunity to gear herself back up properly. Everything she’d gathered before was still with Mercy, and well… even if Calia had faith the mare would be okay, that didn’t mean she’d miraculously find the girl just wandering the streets, either!
With fresh instructions to where the Inn resided, Calia took herself on down the dirt road in this village of Emerson Groove, full of all sorts of wonderment and admiration for the copse of giant redwood trees and the greenery all around. The ground wasn’t wet, but with the mist she could still smell the rains that’d come through. Such a blissful, calming thing to soothe her raging spirit. It didn’t ease the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, but at least it was a moment to appreciate something truly beautiful.
Once she’d found the Inn she entered the place with a sense of wary trepidation, not so much because she was the witch princess or a terror to plague the land… this time she stood out for entirely different reasons. A barefoot foreigner, a stranger. One that was practically out of breath just from a simple walk from the botanist to here. With the loss of blood, ache in her body, and the sudden realization that Calia couldn’t remember the last time she ate, it was a damn miracle she was still on her feet.
Her appearance was apparently expected. Because a few of the locals that frequented the place for meals, turned in their seats. All sorts of attentions were present for all of two minutes, then the ones that weren’t that interested promptly turned back to what they were doing. Most conversing and the few that kept staring were likely the sorts that Amaris told Calia to be on alert for. Because there was certainly eyes of young men that were suddenly very intrigued to a pretty woman in their neck of the woods.
An exotic sort seeing as she wasn’t elf and well, clearly she wasn’t geared to the nines or dressed like it either.
It took all of two snapping flips of a dish towel that had them properly turning their stares away and an older elf, looking perfectly fit to give them a run for their money. Wondering if the vermin in the form of mice were worse than the vermin of young men that had about as much sense as a dull axe. He muttered something clearly to be a curse of sorts, before flinging the towel over shoulder. Smoothing finger tips down dark brown goatee while eyes of reddish brown considered her. “Come have yourself a seat, miss. Amaris told me you’d be coming over shortly.” Evidently this was Daverne, as he pointed to a smaller table that wasn’t in the clear path of the front door and was seemingly protected from the vultures that were curious eyeballs.
“You look as though you could use a bit of protein to liven up your bones, mmm. Got a bit of roasted boar on the spit, if you want a slice of that. With some greens and a bread. Nothing fancy but better than a kick in the rump. Or if you want to be out of sight for a bit, I’ve got a room settled aside so you could get a bit of peace of mind. You just let me know what you need, in any capacity.”
Unlike the last two times Calia had walked into a tavern, the first being freshly awoken in hell, and the second still being just as bitter… this felt much closer to normal. Not dressed in full gear ready to do battle walking into a situation of people scared and ill at east. Just plain everyday Calia… minus the glamours she’d use to make herself forgettable, so perhaps there was just the tiniest bit of shyness to what otherwise would be easy charm.
“Madam Amaris suggested I get to know a few locals, so the table will be just right, thank you,” she answered with a muted smile. Already stepping toward the offered table to tuck her things out of the way under her chosen seat and sitting down. Glancing about the place with obvious interest and being ever so slightly annoyed that Archimedes wasn’t somewhere she could eyeball him. She didn’t want to talk to him, she just wanted to be sure he wasn’t dead on the floor.
“I could definitely use a full meal and a good hefty drink,” she told him, taking note of the interesting eye color, seeming to remember in the moment that the color of eyes here was a special thing to elven families and culture. Idly wondering if it became super specific to tints and shades. It surely wasn’t something of note in Caeldalmor, because you could throw a rock and hit another women with blackish hair and green eyes, and piss off her identical sister!
“In fact, if you have a full bottle of something cheap and strong I am inclined to be drunk enough to forget my own name if at all possible,” she suggested, finally opening up to a full broad grin.
Easily Daverne offered a free and pleasant smile when she expressed that she had been encouraged to mill amongst the locals. Of course he didn’t see a reason to shame such an idea but, “Just be ready to get some eyes and a few bold ones coming up to you. It’s not often we have new faces around here and well,” He didn’t need to point considering the three boys that were lurking at their own table reminding him of baby chickens all curious about the world, were right there. Showing that they were enthralled, wondering and not so bold as of yet. Needing time to work up the courage to come over, or egg one of their fellows on.
She looked more than capable of handling herself but that wouldn’t be in his interest to let the girl be beset upon by dogs thinking they were wolves.
“How about a drink?” Daverne pointed to his head, “A head wound won’t do to well if your nursing a hangover, and I’m not too inclined on getting Amaris wicked side. She might figure out a way to turn people into toads if she got a chance out of sheer annoyance. But a drink I can do.” He wasn’t going to say no but at least hint a limit.
It seemed that there was some similarities in that regard to her and the elven man that had been shooed away after a bath to rest. Not that he looked particularly thrilled at the prospect of being denied a simple pleasure –suggesting that after the day he’d had, surely pickling his liver ought to be a reward. One that wasn’t abided and well, he’d be taking dinner over to the other anyways shortly. “Elven wine, sound good? I suppose you haven’t had any before and it’ll be a treat. Not too hard here but you know, enough to make your tastebuds dance.” His gaze shifted and noticed the elven youth with shimmery white long hair seemingly getting all ready to try his luck.
Till he got a look from Daverne. Sitting down. It was too soon to bombard the lady when she needed a bit of food and her drink firstly! “Give me a few moments and I’ll get you all served up. You just let me know if you need anything else at all. Names Daverne.”
The cheeky sort of smile she gave at the warning that she’d be set upon by others was a dead giveaway that she was well used to such attention. Calia had a lot of things to be frustrated and insecure about, but she was well aware that she’d inherited her mother’s pretty face if not her petite stature. In fact flirting with boys was right up there in her list of favorite interests right along side riding horses and swinging a sword.
“I think I’d like that. A first try for elven wine, then. It better be as good as promised, though, or you’ll owe me a free drink!” she suggested with a gentle tease. A bottle to knock her ass off her feet so she could dreamlessly sleep the night away would’ve been better, but Calia wasn’t about to cause a problem or these people by being the latest hot mess in town. Supposing if she did want to see if anyone was worth keeping her company for the evening, it was better not to do so recklessly drunk and waking up in the morning with even more regrets than she had already.
“I am Calia,” she gave her name freely, minus the title and flair. “I’ll let the madam know you’ve done your best to keep me out of trouble.”
“Ah, well now I will aim to be sure that you enjoy your first glass. Just don’t come waggling a finger at me later if you suddenly are driven mad by a need for another and another. My warnings only come the first time, not the last.” Daverne grinned mightily. Showing off the whites with a easiest that not all inn keepers or tavern owners possessed. While being in possession of a strong stink eye when necessary. Rarely having to raise his voice to those who might need it.
A look was typically enough.
With a wink and a mock bow to the fact that Calia would inform Amaris that she had been well tended too, the man slipped back behind that of the doorway. Only that his head poked back out barely seconds after and was saying something to the three that were clearly waiting for their chance. The dark chestnut one in particular sitting between the other two, looked properly intimidated. Leaving Daverne to slowly slide away.
There was idle chatter particularly in the sylvan tongue. Accents of both a more polished upper class modesty and one that echoed similarly to both Amaris and Arc’s own. Seemingly providing that there were a few diversities of elves in the place, though no one seemed to really mind.
In turn, the three were sucking their shoulders up. Nestling close to talk strategies about their newest interest, allowing a chance for the mood of the very place to feel, calm. Comfortable. Unaffected by the outside world and able to recluse in a sense that nothing ever was terrible here.
A few minutes were had before Daverne reappeared. Carrying two plates in particular. One set to the counter as he went about the means of grabbing a dark green liquor bottle and poured a generous amount into the modest glass. Certainly no wine stem by any means, but good enough to hold the drink. So he could take glass in one hand and plate with the balance of cutlery in the other. Moving around the counter to bring the young miss her meal with a flair that was purposefully done to inspire the lift in mood.
“Savour it, for it’ll be the only one after all.” Daverne offered her a gentle pat the shoulder, “But food, you can have seconds if you wish.” A squeeze ended the touch and he was stepping back over to pick up the other plate pausing only a few seconds. So he could point, “Varian, Roy and Reece,” he stated to Calia while pointing respectful to the three boys. The white haired one being Varian, the dark chestnut as Roy and the light mop of lavender being Reece. “In case they get bold while I check in on the other guest. Just give them a toss if they start getting all full of themselves.”
Despite the fact she was currently under a microscope, it was at least the sort of attention she didn’t mind at all. Finally having a chance to sit somewhere in the company of people, listening to normal conversation – even if she didn’t always understand the language – it brought her into a space of familiar calm. Something she hadn’t realized she needed so badly, to be somewhere there was no expectations on her. Somewhere safe, peaceful, and uneventful.
It gave her a chance to realize just how exhausted she truly was… and starving too, for when Daverne reappeared with a plate of food that smelled better than any royal banquet she’d been forced to attend, she doubted she’d have smelled anything better. Not hesitating a second to pick up a fork to scoop up a bite (with proper elegance of course, she WAS a princess with proper etiquette and not a cave troll) giving a soft sound of appreciation and a sigh of relief.
“You are a prince amongst elves, Daverne, thank you!” she chirped her appreciation for the meal, a cheeky bit of playfulness that in itself felt comforting to actually share. Giving the trio he now named for her a fleeting glance, quick and practiced. Almost daring them to attempt to shoot their shots. For Calia was not an easily dazzled miss, more akin to a wild horse than any delicate young maiden.
Setting the attention back to her meal itself, for even after a few quick bites she was certain she’d want a second plate. Pausing long enough to have a recommended sip of the wine to wash it down, with plans to indeed savour it if it were all she could have. Heaving another deep breathed sigh when it turned out to be pleasantly sweet, but still strong enough to give that subtle warmth in her stomach.
They were akin to corvids. Watching that of the new lady with interest and watching the way Daverne had gone because apparently they were still young enough to know when and where to avoid that of a particularly watchful elder! Muttering and putting plans together to decide whom was going to be bold enough to try their hand first at this new mesmerizing prospect.
Taking turns assessing what she was doing.
Eating.
Drinking.
The obvious of things and yet treating it as though it were truly something worth every bit of scrutiny. Eventually with another look the way Daverne had gone and yet to return from, it seemed Roy took the chance to push the chair out first. Glancing between his fellows a moment but stepped out. Prepping himself, smoothing hands through hair and took a few noticeable gulps of air. Nevermind that the two companions were seemingly unconvinced at whatever it was Roy was about to do.
Pushing that of chair in, the elven male took a few steps forward. Paused, look back for encouragement and dared to go forward.
Leading up to lightly bow at his center and, “Evening young miss.” His yellow gold eyes sparkled with untamed innocence, “We couldn’t help by notice that you are all alone, and myself and my companions were wondering if you would like to share a table?”
Calia was not surprised that this one was the one to be brave enough to try his luck first, he had an air of mischief about him that she could recognize in a heartbeat. Taking a moment while she chewed and swallowed, with a press of her hand to her mouth in that oh so coy way to consider exactly how she wanted to spend her evening.
In the back of her mind there was still this strong sense of guilt. That any sort of joy, happiness, or even a smidge of something nice was spitting in the face of everyone that could no longer have these moments. Until she made some sort of progress on her mission, she didn’t deserve an ounce of peace.
…yet she was also so desperate to feel something other than despair and anger. She was alive. Stubborn spite had gotten her this far, but there was no way it could carry her the full distance. That resentment and bitterness had poisoned so many interactions she’d had since stumbling out of that cursed cave in a haze. Would she really keep letting it poison her until there was nothing left of her true self? Hadn’t enough been stolen from her already?
When that vicious inner voice didn’t pipe in with something mean and nasty Calia made her decision.
Blooming easily into a smile, to rest her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand.
“I’m not sure. I’ve been warned already not to let myself get charmed by those with smooth words. But I wouldn’t mind the company if you promise not to tease me too terribly? I’ve never been to these lands before, it’s all very new!”
Eyes widened somewhat when she spoke up, indicating uncertainty and it was instinctive that he looked backwards to those of his little grouping of friends. As if they would have rallying abilities but when the young miss expressed that she was told not to be swayed by smooth words, he offered her a roguish grin. “If you think that is smooth, then I really have nothing to fear.” Roy uttered and was internally patting himself on the back.
After all, this whole interaction of trying to talk to the fairer sex was still new in the means of not just going around teasing them and pulling on pigtails. “Oh we won’t tease, promise. We are just a bit interested to have a new face here. Especially a really pretty one.”
Lowly he gave a motion of hand to indicate they were invited to share a table.
Reece certainly wasted no time or energy to spring up. Nearly tripping over the chair as if it were some sort of mad horse that couldn’t be broken. Almost falling flat on his face while Varian just held a sort of cool embarrassment at having to be privy about it at all.
If anyone ever reeked of virginity, it might have been these three.
Roy took the moment to steal another two chairs to sit around that of the table, and helped himself to the middle on. Leaving the other two plenty open for butts to park and they would certainly do so. Smoothing hair back off his shoulder, Varian tipped his head softly but was showing he might be a bit too shy yet to really speak up. A listener over a talker. Whilst Reece sprang and turned his chair backwards to straddle. Really trying to play up the part of macho dude even if he was showing self confidence with the fact his face was still speckled generously with boyish freckles.
“Hi! Thanks for letting us take a seat!” Reece voiced and Varian just nodded. “You’re one hell of a pretty round ear, never seen one before. All we ever heard was they weren’t nearly as pretty as elf girls.”
Roy balked and shook his head, elbowing Reece for his terrible attempt at conversation. Sighing momentarily and, “I think you might be teasing us by the end of this, miss. Hopefully at least we can provide some entertainment.”
Oh this was an absolute disaster… for them, anyway! The game was now afoot, heralded by the way she suddenly burst into an amused round of laughter. No pretenses or bullshit would be needed here. Pretty as they were in their own right, they hadn’t a clue of what they were doing. Endearing, but Calia was not about to spend the night with those she could easily eat alive.
She didn’t mind being the damsel they practiced on, though. Happy to help bolster confidence and have a good time doing so.
“I guess it is nice to know I won’t be traveling your lands making people cringe at the sight of me,” she did take the opportunity to tease as expected. Promptly returning to that of her meal, now to enjoy prolonging it with the means of conversation.
“What do you wish to know then, now meeting your very first round eared mountain girl?” she asked with all curiosity. “My first impressions so far have been intriguing. I’ve never seen trees reach so high into the sky before. I didn’t even know there were forests on this side of the mountain. From what I read, it only described an elven city cut straight into the cliffs by the sea.”
To them, hearing the sound of laughter may have been a bolster. Rather than her just getting frustrated and all disgusted with their lack of charisma that had yet to come in. Although Varian looked fit like he wanted to die at any second with how this was already going so well, the other two weren’t nearly as bothered. Rather they were seemingly rallying at the means of being encouraged and her talking at all. “No cringing. Unless they are blind or have terrible taste.” Roy supplied helpfully pointing out that surely anyone would have been dumbstruck by her.
They had been. And clearly they had expert taste that others would naturally agree with. Their delight was so bright that they hadn’t seemed to notice that Daverne had come back.
Giving them that watchful eye that only went noticed by one. The white haired one slightly sinking into chair but offered his attention no less.
“Anything!” Reece stated bluntly, leaning forward. “We were all convinced that most of the round ears were out in the twelve kingdoms or sheltered off beyond the mountains. All cradled like.”
“She just said she was a mountain girl,” Varian mumbled just barely audible with a look that expressed that Reece ought to start paying attention. Rather than obviously giving Calia them cow eyes that were liable to roll out of his head. “Don’t you think that was where she came from.”
“Oh, yeah. Suppose.”
Not about to be defeated or sidetracked, Roy leaned forward. Crossing arms on the table and hummed listening to Calia express that she had been led to believe they were on a cliffside right to the sea. “Oh you’re talking over by Sensita, down by the south west. Lots of cliffsides and its one terrible step to fall fifty feet straight down into jagged rocks that stick out of the sea.” Roy nodded, “Not the same area. We’re in the Tree heart, mostly a lot of Sel elves live up here and a few of the Qualn elves.”
“Sel means high and qualn means sea.” Reece offered to explain with a boyish grin. “I mean as far as we’ve ever been told, the mountain region was no more than a bunch of clans of humans. Not much else really, so you could tell us whatever and we’d be all ears.” Finding his twist of joke humorous enough that Roy at least shared a bit of the laugh with it.
At least they didn’t seem bothered by too terribly much. Engaged in the matter, till there was another presence that pulled attention. They’d already seen the other elf that had been sporting some rather bloody attire when they first came in. Just now the strangely taller elven man had reappeared, just less dressed in that of former bloody attired. Clothed from the waist down and arm looking like a sickly pockmarked horror show with black veins showing and seeping slightly. Although the man seemed to consider them with a dull attention, to the boys, he didn’t seem very approachable.
Setting down a plate that had been brought to him, empty now, but perhaps to Calia, there may have been a studious look that could have had Arc repaying the very same thing she had pulled on him the first night they had under contract. To ruin her evening with the three boys.
“Tá sé ag stánadh.” Varian muttered and the other two nodded. At least with Roy seeming like he might be ready to get uppity, the dark navy haired elf turned away. Uninterested and muttered something low to that of Daverne. With the keeper nodding in reply, only to scoop away the plate and coin that had been patted onto the bar.
Leaving no sooner the way he had come out, for Reece to audibly exhale. Then shake his head, “Thought we were guna have to deal with something. But seems like good fortune. Don’t worry, most elves are as moody or well… whatever that guy is. So, tell us about where you came from!”
While they volleyed their conversation back and forth with each other, Calia took another sip of the sweet elven wine, full of nothing but a relaxed amusement. Picking up as many details as she could that might be useful to remember. By appearances and behavior they felt about the same age as her, barely young twenties. Though, she wasn’t sure how that might work out with elven ages. They could easily be older or younger than her, and she’d have not known the difference. Calia herself tended to leave people believing she was older than her own twenty and two years.
Now she knew the one city she learned about was called Sensita and this area where Emerson Groove resided was all the Tree Heart. Meaning the elven kingdom was much larger than she could have imagined. Certainly larger than her own small kingdom, where it only took a few days of travel from border to border. There were high elves and sea elves, to go along with drow that made bad choices to become dryders.
Of course, leave it to Archimedes to make a dramatic entrance. The trio were immediately on edge in an awkward sort of way, that she supposed she could understand. With that nasty looking wound and grim expression, he didn’t seem at all like the big-mouthed saucy demon that’d annoyed and menaced her. Now he actually looked closer to being that very demon.
Calia fully expected him to create and issue now and get his well earned revenge. Waited for it with her own breath held for him to toss out some wild story about her, maybe even shove his fist through someone’s chest and start the horror all over again.
But he didn’t. Which of course was a relief, but it did leave her watching him walk out with a soft furrowing brow of concern. He’d really been that injured, then, to not even have the will to harass her.
“I hail from Caeldalmor,” she finally answered once the room was clear and everyone settled back to breathing again. “It’s the largest mountain valley that I’m aware of, and is- …was the only kingdom with a titled king. The other clans have chieftains and lairds, nobility and the like, but are still tribal like the old world. Too busy being mad at each other for some slight or another to be willing to unite under one banner.”
There was evidently some sort of aura that the foreign elf had brought to the tavern, seemingly only Daverne that wasn’t affected by it. Likely because the man had seen his fair share of all sorts and had been the one that went to Amaris to get some stuff for the stubborn youth. Though it might have been some of his demonic aura that was slipping out from the constructed ruse of looking hornless, fangless and clawless. Where this had been a perfect chance for Arc to decidedly return the oh so tender favour of giving Calia something to be frustrated over.
To make up some contrite story or even use her own about being pregnant as a way to create horror. Only that the demon didn’t even bother. He just considered her. Her companions, making them turn to bated breath and paid Daverne. Leaving without some sort of rebuttal or move to making impish bastard.
He didn’t even take a stab to comment on how Calia was wearing clothing that didn’t fit her and missing her shoes. Just, nothing.
Not that the three actual elven boys seemed to care. Actually they were relieved that nothing happened and while Roy may have thought about being all defensive in the lady’s honour, it didn’t come to that. Leaving them now to return to the calm that was their original conversation with Reece inciting for her to regale them as eager minds. Clearly she would because the statement of where she hailed from and how their hierarchy worked, they all looked positively baffled and intrigued.
“How many clans are there?” Roy asked.
Reece grinned, “I bet there is quite the different variety of herbs and minerals found there.” Seeming interested in what sort of spoils would naturally grow, as Varian played the part of rapt nodding soul. They were her rapt little audience more than ever, apparently easily swayed away from their original intention to see if she might be interested in one of them at all. Easily distracted apparently.
Where exactly was Arc going, too, Calia wondered. Oozing out poison freely like that, and walking around shirtless in the village. Shouldn’t he stay in bed and actually get the rest he needed? He couldn’t possibly be out looking for women when he seemed far too grim to even expel the energy into charming one, let alone whole song and dance of a proper romping!
She had to mentally shake her head to try and dislodge her thoughts from him. It didn’t matter what that demon was up to. Calia was not his keeper!
Returning her full attention to the three young men who were by far, much more friendly companionship, especially now that they were more interested in the knowledge and stories she could share than being awkwardly flirtatious. Allowing her to slip even further into a comfortable ease.
“Dozens? Hundreds more likely. There’s many valleys scattered throughout the peaks, some even in villages direct on the snowy cliffs. I only know of them through my studies or when clans came through to Caeldalmor during trade seasons,” she answered to Roy first before turning to match the freckled Reese’s grin.
“Mining isn’t much done anymore, but there are so many old mine shafts and caves that you could spend a lifetime exploring through them. Caeldalmor is much more notable for the thick forests of firs and juniper, old growth ones that have been going strong for centuries without being cut or cleared. I’ve traveled all of kingdom, yet there were sections I wouldn’t dare go because they belonged to the fae and the creatures within.”
It was apparently super mind blowing to hear that there was such an potentially extensive set of clans that were as high as the peaks. Villages throughout the place they had never seen before but putting their imaginations to the test. Willing thoughts to make them come to life. Idly making some chatter to another in their native tongue but it wasn’t difficult to see that they were simply in earnest awe at such things. Likely because learning about such a place wasn’t on their radar till this evening.
Then as she fluidly adapted to speak on Reece’s wonderment, it only furthered their innocence. Boys offering big eyes and alert ears. Especially at the mention of fae creatures, “I didn’t think any other place besides here and the enchanted forest in the Imperial Lands, even had faes.” Roy awed openly, stroking his hairless chin.
“I wonder if your fae lands have the fae saplings.” Varian was mostly just muttering to himself but after a moment just sort of sucked into himself to provide internal monologue of wonder.
“And you left all that to come here? Seems like you might be the adventuring sort then,” Roy motioned onwards seemingly to try and fathom a reason why she would come this far into their own lands. “It truly does sound like our lands are quite not what either of us expected. I mean, I’ve always just assumed the mountain kingdom was just a bunch of barbarians running around with sticks and logs to whap each other with. No offense.”
Varian nodded but then pushed up from his seat. “Apologies, it is getting late and I must attend to my studies now.” It seemed that at least one of them wasn’t about to throw their hat any longer into the ring and was intending to slip away. Nodding to Calia politely then put down a coin, “For Daverne.”
“Alright. We’ll just have to regale you later, Varian.” Reece smirked, seemingly more confident now that there was only two of them instead of three.
Calia gave Varien a salute of her fingers as a polite goodbye, curious about his abrupt need to depart, but seeing as he was the quiet one of this little trio, not that surprised. Her own curiosity had been piqued now too through simple statements, so as she finished up what was on her plate, Calia was leaning on the table herself, all too eager to share even more information.
“I didn’t know that other places didn’t have fae woods! Are they not common through the world at large?” While she knew magic was waning in the world, since these modern days it wasn’t so common to see mages, witches, or strange creatures the way it once was, she hadn’t thought the fae were a rare occurrence. Assuming that might like everyone else, they’d have enclaves and little entrances to their realms from anywhere. Especially with how easy it was to find faerie circle rings or other fae-touched places.
Of course to be called an adventurer, there was that brief moment of her frown and twist of mouth. Choosing carefully how she wished to respond, because it was awfully nice getting to have this simple light hearted conversation without reality crashing down around her.
“Some of the clans are indeed savage warrior clans,” she answered instead of commenting on the other part. “Caeldalmor itself was once home to many warring clans because my– …before one of the old clan lairds united all the banners under a single crown. It’d been peaceful and prosperous since.”
“Not at all. Maybe back before most of us were alive, the fae woods were far more common. But that was likely when elves themselves were still considered part of the fae and had more access to the realm.” The blond offered something that Roy was easily nodding too. Apparently this was common information to them. Likely taught as basic education because their roots had originally been fae and now they weren’t nearly as so. Due to history and the difference between them and such.
It was a long topic that likely wouldn’t be covered by themselves. As that hadn’t been their goal this evening. “Most fae places now that are here in our realm are few and far between. And they are pretty dangerous to enter because fae are typically beings that take none to kindly to outsiders. One has to be pretty enchanting and invoke a sort of awe in them to avoid being killed or duped by them. Most are tricksters by nature.” Roy added on with a slight shrug. Preferring not to really get into long dead ancestors and relations in that regard.
Instead finding that there was a moment that the woman was being careful about her next reply. About that of the lands she hailed from and the people that were actually somewhat barbaric in some clans. Drawing a sort of gentle awe and seemingly the two missed her near slip of words.
“That’s amazing. That one… laird that united all the banners must have been one hell of a person to do so. It’s hard enough uniting a town under one policy, I couldn’t imagine an entire kingdom.” They shared a look between another as Reece expressed his earnest surprise at all this.
“I’ve never even seen a true fae before, maybe a creature once or twice. But it was just as taboo to wander near their woods in Caeldalmor cause you were likely not to ever come back.”
Calia might’ve been one that like to bend and break rules, someone who pushed limits and boundaries where she could… but she wasn’t stupid! She’d never gone out seeking danger or a fight. The fae were near kin to demons in that they couldn’t really be trusted. So strange and alien to the mortal realm that to assume their intentions was a fast way to get yourself snatched away or killed.
Of course, Calia ended up cursed anyway. With her luck she’d meet a fae and end up double cursed.
“It was generations back for me, perhaps not so many for an elf,” she continued with a soft laugh. “A particularly harsh winter had blocked off every pass out of the valley. Hunting and gathering was how most tribes fed their people and they’d follow the herds of deer or moose. But being trapped in the valley, they’d over hunted all the herds, the rivers and lakes were frozen over. The one laird managed to gather the struggling clans and brought them to the mountainside where there was enough shelter for all, warm springs that didn’t freeze, and food harvested out of the caves. That place eventually became the capitol.”
Her ancestor had been a clever man, capable and strong. Someone that knew how to speak to the people in a way that inspired them and gave hope and comfort. Something to be admired for sure, as Calia herself didn’t inherit a single ounce of those good traits. Her eldest brother was strong and wise, the perfect heir to their kingdom to continue the traditions. Her older sister had been kind and gentle, someone that people gravitated towards and loved. Her other brother… well, he was a troublemaker like herself, but at least he was charming and funny!
Now Caeldalmor was stuck with Calia, and she was doing a grand job of fucking everything up.
“Well if you want to ever see one potentially close, there are a few that wander around here at night. Just know that they look absolutely adorable but they are terrible little beasts.” The dark haired one commented but offered bit of further insight. “They are invisible usually during the day, but they are called grinning cats.”
“They’re smart and can speak. If they offer to trade riddles, if you impress them they will give you one of their whiskers that allows you to use a spell called misty step at least once. But you have to impress them and like any cat well—” Shoulders shrugged on Reece as he offered the little bit of information but thankfully slipped away from it.
The pair of them newly interested in learning about Caeldalmor seeing as this was information that never came from their own teachers. Likely because they didn’t know and if they did, no one was talking about it. Gingerly rapt when she explained how one man had tamed the men and women of the mountain mostly to work in unison. To combine to save themselves from what they had over hunted and the seclusion that was brought upon by deep winter.
The two boys looked positively in awe and muttered a few things to another. Reciting something privately that apparently was quite useful to them before ultimately, “And you’ve come here in the end. Then you must be traveling our realm.” Roy stated and puffed up slightly, “While we don’t have nearly as harsh of winters, perhaps we could be of service to you?”
Calia listened with interest, but the more she heard about these ‘adorable’ little critters the more she seemed doubtful and dubious. Giving a bit of a pah sound, not so much because she didn’t believe they were indeed cute and dangerous, but because she was not likely to fall prey to something so obviously meant as a trap for foolish souls.
She liked animals, but she wasn’t about to get herself killed trying to befriend on – tricksy fae or not! Not to mention she was terrible at riddles.
“It’s unfortunate that I’m not here to travel for pleasure,” she admitted, moving on from the topic of mischievous fae back to her grim reality. The Madam Amaris insisted that Calia attempt to find herself traveling companions, and Calia had said she’d be open to the possibility. But as she glanced between the pair – neither of them really filled her with any sense of confidence. She’d be more likely trapped protecting the two of them from getting into all sorts of trouble, even if they did know the area far better than her.
“I need to make my way to Queen Ashera to discuss the trouble in Caeldalmor. Unless the two of you are crafty with travel portals or know the Queen personally, I am not certain how you can help.” She soften the statement with a smile and a gentle shrug of her shoulders. “Although your company here now has been greatly appreciated. I’ve not had a good evening in a long while.”
They were likely just trying to jump the gun as it were. Knowing that since the young woman was an obvious foreigner who had just indulged their curiosities about the place she had called home; paired with the fact that they made it clear they thought her to be easy on the eyes to embolden their attempt at being suave; of course Roy attempted this means of trying to imply they could help her.
They were locals. Elves on top of it and knew the lands that had been their homes for however long. Plus it was always the sort of gentlemanly behaviour to try and help those in need. Clearly she was one if she didn’t know Edelguard as she stated. Being new to the place, what sort of young helpful men would they be if they didn’t offer.
Never mind that Reece had never left Emerson Groove before besides to learn some herbalist information and Roy was more prone to having confidence in theory rather than practice.
Her statement that she wasn’t here for pleasure did mollify their expressions slightly. Only perking when she mentioned needing to see the grand queen.
It was like she was posing an adventure tale in front of them. Like the scene had been set perfectly. A beautiful stranger enters a unknown bar, needing aid of two or more helpful strangers to begin the epic quest of discovery, grandeur and heroic feats that were only ever detailed in passionate successful glory between the pages. “Ah, no.” Roy rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “Can’t say we are any sort of mages that can open portals.”
“Or know the queen personally.” The other added on tapping his finger to his chin like that action was going to help at all. Yet she gave them vain hope. Mentioning that their company had been appreciated and in turn, it was a good evening. “I mean, we can always figure out some way to be of help. Even if it’s just helping you navigate the lands.” Reece looked hopeful. His intentions so notably pure and innocent that surely he didn’t realize that they would likely be more of a hindrance than aid.
However Roy leaned forward and offered his best roguish grin that wasn’t nearly as dazzling as he thought it was. Lack of practice and experience really was shown. “Unless you want to try making this evening even more enjoyable in other ways? I’d be more than overjoyed in that regard too.”
They were sweet. Full of all kinds of awe and excitement, innocent hope and interest in what surely sounded like a grand adventure. Calia couldn’t help but smile broadly, even if it did cause this awful twist in the empty cavity of her heart. Recognizing herself – at least who she was months ago, before everything had taken a horrible turn. When she’d spent all of her free time sneaking off to visit every corner of Caeldalmor just to flirt with strangers and listen to stories. To visit places new or familiar, then return back to her home where she’d argue with her father or fuss at her mother and tease her siblings about whatever caught her fancy.
She couldn’t take that away from them. Let them hold onto believing the world was full of endless possibilities and that they could do as they pleased. Here where it was safe and cozy and beautiful.
“If I find I need assistance you two will surely be the first I ask,” she stated easily. A gentle refusal as she pushed her empty plate aside and picked up her glass to finish off her drink. Pausing only long enough to give Roy a well obvious look over, with a sort of wicked grin to follow.
“A proposition, gentle sir? Have you not been told to be wary of pretty strangers? Besides, there is only one of me and two of you. That seems unfair odds.”
Unfair for them, but well. She didn’t dare so say!
There was a bright brimming of hopeful eagerness to hear that if she needed assistance, they would be the very top of her list. Certainly not having any disfavor to the idea that they were going to be given such an honour. Beaming easily as they shared a look that was hardly discreet. As though they had hit an unspoken jackpot that only needed a bit more coaxed to be won.
Which apparently, Roy would try in a different way.
Where his grin was gentle and now impish when he shrugged, “I have been. But you know what they say, what mom and dad don’t like, is usually where the fun is.” He gave a raised brow for effect to see if that would have anything before glancing at Reece at this unfairness.
One that Reece seemed to be prompt at returning. Once more having a visual conversation that was nearly as loud as if they were saying it. Now the chips were down on just whom was really going to succeed here.
Having Roy easily chuckle, “I mean, there is only one of you and two of us. Which is all the more reason why we leave it to the young lady’s preference. A gentlemanly sort of action.”
Reece squinted but brushed hair out of his face. “I suppose that is one way of looking at it. Two is better than three and one is certainly better than two.” The blond shrugged indifferently as he was truly trying to play up that he was so unbothered at all that he was clearly the more level headed of the duo. “You can say you caught us both by attention when you came in, it’s hard not to see a pretty face when it’s absolutely radiant.”
Calia laughed again, not unkindly either. What girl didn’t love being the center of attention to two young men that were trying oh so very hard to be the one to win favor. She was just young enough that the temptation to taunt and tease them into full on bickering over her was strong. But thankfully for them, she was old enough – and experienced enough – to know when, where, and whom that might just be a bad idea with.
“To be honest, as much as I would love to see you both wrestling for my affection, I don’t wish to get in between friends.”
…actually, Calia would love being in between friends, but she doubted these two would handle such a suggestion without fainting themselves dead away the second they got her naked! Which really had her trying to hold back a giggle and more asinine grinning.
“You’ll forgive me if I’m content with just the conversation?” she asked in all earnest, as she really wasn’t out here to break the hearts or egos of anyone. She’d left enough damages behind her already. “Let me leave Emerson Groove knowing I’ve made friends and am still welcomed to return.”
They glared at another for a hot second. Spurred by the words of love to see them doing so but calmed momentarily when Calia expressed her lack of desire to put them at odds with another. Because vying for a new pretty lady’s attention was not worth jeopardizing a friendship that was aged and weathered like well loved leather. Although they still were shooting daggers at another in boyish competition, Reece was the first to sigh.
Then shrug. “I suppose, we cannot push anymore than merely let you know that we are both equally interested in earning such affections.” A good part of it was likely due to Calia being pretty. Another have was her being exotic and the third portion was highly because being with a foreigner as their first conquest into adulthood would surely be a topic and a very interesting tale for the future. A start to notches on bedposts.
“I suppose,” Roy crossed his arms looking like he was still thinking of ways to pull Calia’s whim to his side. “Just don’t feel shy about approaching one of us later, hmm?” He dared and was rewarded with a glare that could have melted steel from Reece. “That goes double if you want to return. You know what they say, the heart grows fonder with distance.” He gave her a winsome grin in hopes to earn some points and Reece grumbled.
“Then to conversation.” Added the one being miffed at his lack of spontaneity at uttering such nonsense, “Let it be enjoyable this evening.”
“Oh, I can promise I’m not shy when the mood strikes,” she alluded. Being unable to resist setting a salacious seed of thought in their heads. Let them have wild fantasies about her and what wicked tawdry things she might do. It’d be nice knowing someone somewhere was thinking about her in a pleasant sense instead of as some hateful murderous wench. If she could not be forgotten with glamours, then being a fond memory as a mysterious alluring stranger was at least a good way to leave.
With the following conversations, she was sure to keep things light and focused more on asking them questions about themselves and the life they lived. Occasionally telling her own silly stories that weren’t too overly personal or liable to set her thinking about things that’d sour her mood. Glad to forget for bit of whom she was and where she was headed.
Calia even taught them a common simple game to be played with hands alone, knowing full well that they’d see the usefulness of it when it came to chatting with future ladies. For it was such a safe and easy excuse to grab and touch. To be innocent for a little harmless entertainment or an excuse to be flirtatious when one wasn’t so good with charming words. Perhaps they’d make good use of it, so if she did ever one day return they wouldn’t be so ridiculously bumbling and might be worth a kiss or two.
At some point the evening had properly turned into night. With an open heavens filled with glittering gems deemed stars and a moon somewhere obscured by the canopies of the massive red woods. Only offering peeks of silvered light to spread across the forested floor. The inn had certainly become more of a hotspot after a while. Not so rowdy that those who wanted to converse had to scream to be heard, but certainly more involved.
Keeping Daverne busy and an additional staff that was a petite elven woman that swept through the crowd handing out orders when they were ready to be served.
Eventually even that would slow and there would only be a few stragglers remaining. To the point that Daverne was eventually making rounds and suggesting those who were locals ought to find their own bed to hang their figurative hats at. No doubt ending up at their table to give the two boys a look that was both slightly amused they had managed not to bungle up their theatrics with Calia and partially that same stare that implied the night was over. He, for one, wanted to shut the doors and call the night finished. As he too had to return to the rinse and repeat of waking and prepping the next day. And their prolonged need to talk was more than enough reason to keep him up to all hours of the night.
Still Roy ambled. Expressing that he would return come the morning to at least give Calia a bit of a run down of what she might need in the way of aid. For Reece to jump aboard and express he was a great haggler if she needed one.
Regardles, Daverne was shooing them out. About to take them by their long ears if necessary. Letting them get in a few additional good nights before pushing the door closed so he wouldn’t have to give them a reason to be encouraged to try just a little bit longer.
Stepping up to start turning chairs over to sit on the tables to allow for ease of sweeping. One might have been able to be convinced that the night wasn’t so terrible when nothing had proven to be wanting to kill, smash, maim or eat anyone!
How nice it was to spend a day being herself, perhaps not wholly herself seeing as she was missing such a vital piece, but as close to the real Calia as she could be. To laugh and smile, tease and flirt. Have a good meal and be surrounded by people without having to be anything more than just a pretty stranger in the crowd. The only thing that might’ve made it better was a handsome stranger that wasn’t as green as a fresh sapling, but by the time the stars were out, Calia was well into being thoroughly tired and hadn’t the energy to use charm of her own.
By the time Daverne was shooing people out of the place, Calia should’ve been heading to a room herself to actually rest. Only with every form that left the Inn, she was shooting curious glances at the doors waiting for a singular one to return. Not quite aware she was even doing so, in fact, still telling herself it was simply because she didn’t want to end a good night and risk laying down to a sleep full of nightmares.
At once point, when she was no longer being chattered at by over eager boys, she’d rest her head on the table, meaning to only take a moment to relieve the strain on her eyes. Too stubborn still to admit that a broken human body needed actual rest and couldn’t just keep going at the speed of light every hour of the day!
Half the room was already put up by the time Daverne seemed to notice Calia’s lingering. With broom in hand and dustpan pushed aside as not to trip over, he set the cleaning implement aside. Not needing to be entirely up to date to know when someone was actively avoiding the means of letting their body properly recuperate in a far better place.
At his age, with his experience, these things were as obvious as knowing the sun was hot and the sky was blue.
And even just seeing her hunched over was enough to make his own neck ache! With due care, he stepped over. Lightly knocking on the table to rouse her, “Why don’t I walk you over to your room, Calia? You’ll find that it has a better sleeping surface than a generating a kink in your neck. And I don’t think you wanna find out why Amaris is a botanist instead of a masseuse. Unless you like finding out which way your neck can turn and hurt at the same time without actually falling off your shoulders.” He gave her a gentle smile, offering a hand in case she needed a bit of help standing up.
She’d bolted upright, startled by the knocking on the table, to sit there with a blearly-eyed owlish blink before melting into a more sheepish expression. Glancing around first at the empty place, not wanting to admit the who she was looking for before she finally just sighed and gave Daverne and embarrassed sort of smile.
“I can handle a certain amount of abuse, but I suppose I don’t want to test my luck with the woman,” she acquised. Accepting his hand with all the grace as a princess should to bring herself to her feet. Thankfully not weeble-wobbling like a tower of blocks about to fall over, only displaying that weary tiredness she could no longer deny.
With a quick crouch, she gathered up her thing that were tucked safely away under the table. Holding them in arms when she righted herself again, along with a slow release of a sigh and a nod to signal she was ready to be whisked off to bed without giving a tantrum about it.
“Did he ever return?” she deemed to query. “That idiot full of poison?”
“Trust me from history, she’ll fix you up real good in any other situation but you let her try to massage out any kinks and you’d be praying to become paralyzed just to stop the pain.” Daverne laughed at his own knowledge. “She’d be great to send off to someone you don’t like, if you want them to hurt a little.” It was maybe a bit evident that Amaris and Daverne had history in the way old friends did. Likely because they grew up near each other if not their entirely lives thus far.
“Pretty sure she’d make a grown general cry if she had a chance to work out any problematic kinks.” As she gathered up her items after accepting the means to stand; he righted a few of the chairs onto the table.
Not entirely aware of what Calia was so hesitant about, only that after a moment when she seemed ready to be led down the hallway to the limited rooms; he gave her a befuddled blink. Thankfully she clarified and he hummed. “Yeah, a while ago. Took the side entry back inside, said he just needed to walk less he worry about his legs falling off or something.” Daverne didn’t exactly look to dig down into that one, “If he took what Amaris gave, he ought to be fine come the morning. Or dead, not sure which yet.” It didn’t seem to bother Daverne to be cryptic.
Likely because he didn’t think the latter was going to be the end result anyways. “Toddle along this way,” A gentle beckoning of fingers indicated for her to toddle as he lead themselves down the short L shaped hallway. Past the counter but around a corner to no more than a handful of rooms. Most of the doors were open to show vacancies, save one on the very end that was clearly where said idiot full of poison was; and her own was closer to the entry of the hallway. “Nothing fancy but a good bed that isn’t straw. I’ll bring you over a pitcher of water and a glass if you need water throughout the night, alright.”
Well. Good. Archimedes wasn’t off menacing the village or dead in a ditch somewhere. Calia could push that demon right out of her head.
She also kept it in mind that Amaris was someone to send people too for torturous care, something that did bring a sort of mischievous smile to her tired features, even if she didn’t make comment about it. It was always fun learning interesting things about people, despite how Calia seemed to be so reclusive and hesitant to engage too closely. She was one to listen and remember those details.
Even paying attention too on how many people were staying at the Inn tonight and taking notice of just which door belonged to her unwanted demon acquaintance. For no real reason other than being aware – in case she heard screaming or other salacious activities that’d force her to come busting in with the threatening stabbing, or dragging a pillow of her ears to muffle out the sounds. Really, she’d rather it be neither one!
“At this point even a bed of straw would’ve been a blessing, so I am more than delighted to have something even better,” she responded with an open smile. Stepping into the room with that same quick examination of the space and setting her things aside to smooth her hands down hips. Already thinking how nice it would be to lay down, while somehow dreading it at the same time. Wondering when doing normal human things was going to stop feeling so strange, or she was always going to feel like this. Like some sort of odd apparition just pretending to be a living person.
“Thank you, Daverne. Have a good rest.”
Easily the elder elf smiled at the idea that having an unintentional upgrade from straw to feathers, he chuckled. Nodding and surely knowing that she could use the soft surface to regain a bit of strength. And to let her head rest on something that wasn’t a stone floor or worse. “Rest well,” He replied easily enough and would only return to bring said pitcher of water and glass for her in the night.
After that, the inn itself was comfortably quiet. Minus the telling sounds of sweeping in the main portion. But that eventually ended as well. No more than crackling hissing of wicks on candles added ambience to the humble establishment.
It would only pick up closer to the break of light. With both renewed inn owner once more repeating his daily grind, just surprising to him, with additional help.
Where the elf in question had gone, appeared to be no more than getting new simple attire. With the other stuff effectively ruined by blood stains, holes and grime; the damnable stuff had been graciously thrown out. If not burned for the safety of all, the other guest that had been deemed the stupid one had proven his night and supplies of sour tasting drinks to ebb out the means of unwanted toxin, proved Amaris was good at her work. Never mind the whole added layer of demonology that made one harder to kill. Even if there were points that maybe it would have been easier to die and just revive in the hellish underbelly of the fiery inferno that was well… hell.
It was unusual to receive assistance but surprisingly, when the larger elf wasn’t fit with sweats, poison and a general displeasure to life; his mood was far more akin to jovial and bright. A large difference but being relieved of poison would do that.
Having helped set the seating area back to a state where chairs were on the floor, they shared a bit of conversation. Particularly Arc asking about the general state of Edelguard and information that was seemingly innocent. Just what was what, who was whom. General political affairs and overall getting an understanding of things that were both useful and avoiding anything that could trigger painful discomfort.
Daverne stood, nursing a cup of the first batch of dark drink. As the other was seated at a round table, grazing on the bits of offered leftovers. Just the ham had been thrown into a skillet to refry and bread this morning had been generously laid with a fresh egg from the local hens that ran around, popping out eggs where ever the hell they wanted. “Well if you are looking to head that far out, then I would suggest sticking to the main road.” The elder elf commented whilst Arc looked thoughtful. Contemplating his options of travel in the realm of some ancient part of his being, “It’s a bit of a walk down to the seaside but heard its worth a look.”
“A port town?” Arc asked as his own plans included well… travel. To leave this damnable place and honestly, if he could go further than this cluster of lands, then all the better. And honestly, he was eager to find different places for new entertainment.
“Not terribly large but there are ships that come in and out from Isyn’s.” The larger of sea side towns, which was good to know. “You thinking of head down that way.”
Brows lifted, shoulders shrugged. “Ain’t no reason, I ain’t ought to. Lookin’ to check out roots that be still wrapped about that of one’s leg but ain’t had the chance to go diggin’ into it.” Playing it off that he was invested in looking at old Qualn history.
Calia slept hard and deep – which wasn’t to say she didn’t dream, because there was surely a lot of that in the form of uncomfortable visions of things that made a right blur of the past and the present to create an eerie dreamscape of truth and lies. Happy moments of being young and silly, flirting around with an older boy she had no business in pursuing. Weird whatifs of sitting on a throne made of bones, a gown of dripping blood in a large empty throne room devoid of any sort of warmth and light. Of the deep dark fir forests where the canopy was so thick no light could come down even during the broad day, where she could hear the whispers of her name to come back. Come home.
Despite it all she slept well late into the morning, rousing only because her stomach was demanding a meal. Finding that as she sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes, physically she felt worlds better. A little scratched, a little bruised, but much stronger than she had in awhile. Mentally was still left to be determined. That ache in her soul was ever present and her grief still monumental. All she could do for now was take it one single step, one single day at a time. Perhaps along the way she’ll find something worth grasping onto again.
As for the deplorable state of her things, there was a bit of soft cursing as she untangled the lot. A little bit of ripping and tying of her original clothing made for a temporary way to carry her dented up armor without being cumbersome. Knotting it with her sword for the ease of bringing it with her downstairs. She counted what little coinage she had… not a lot but enough to get herself a decent bag and some clothing that actually fit. Repairing her armor would have to wait until she was in a larger city, where there were enough job opportunities to help pay what it was worth.
When she did finally make it down the stairs to join the rest of the living, that air of being shrunken into herself and directionless was gone, replaced by a far more confident young woman with a full agenda on the mind.
There was some business by the time she had come back to life. A few people sitting around the open area having decided that their morning was to have some food made not by their own hands. And of course, Daverne was well underway working. So when she came around the corner looking far more bright eyed and bushy tailed, he greeted her pleasantly.
“Seems a good rest is exactly what you needed.” The man’s smile brightened considerably, but then looked at her state of items collected. “I take it you’ll be off as well this morning then? You ought to have something to eat at least before heading out and your two dedicated lovers of the evening had stopped in to see if you were awake. I think only Roy is still around, Reece had work to do with his teacher. So just in case, you might run into one eager boy. As fair warning.”
Archimedes was pushed out of her mind, quite deliberately in fact, for now that she knew he was fine, Calia was content to resume her very solitary new life. Beaming a charming smile at Daverne’s greeting with one cheery of her own, laughing immediately at the warning that she was likely to be chased around town by a boy wishing to be her next lover.
“At least one is easier to manage than all three, I may have to be less pretty today and see if that helps. Take on a snarly scowl and hunched shoulders until I’m more crone than maiden.” All taken with a grain of salt, of course, as she really had no reason to be rude to them unless they gave her one. She might be blunt in stressful situations and forget herself here and there, but she had no want to be mean until someone attacked her first.
Then she’d gleefully show them all the ways they could fuck right off.
Setting her things aside, Calia slipped into one of the bar seats, sliding a hefty coin atop the counter for her room and her meals. More than ready for a proper breakfast, and spending her time waiting for that plate by combing her hair back with her hands and attempting to get it braided up into it’s usual circlet so it’d be well out of her way.
“Which way is it to see the clothier Ferrin?” she deemed to asked when Daverne reappeared. “It’s about time I set myself back to looking like a human woman again and not some cave troll in stolen clothes.”
“I don’t know if that would deter them or encourage them at this rate. Young men that have yet to really know the sting or understand of rejection may be willing to put up with everything and anything. Plus, I do believe even if you tried, it wouldn’t work to make you look more like a crone, Calia.” Daverne said this all authentically. Sure she might be able to handle herself but there was only so much one could do about their looks and right now, she was this mountain beauty that had come from the tunnels all glorious and triumphant.
It wasn’t even a secret at this point that she had been attacked by a dryder, due to well, people talking. And Amaris having no reason to deny it either.
She was making herself a little fable right in town and no one was upset about it. Rather intrigued, adding on their own embellishments as well. As was natural.
Giving the counter a quick wipe before she sat, he was prompt on the means of looking at said coin. Using it for purpose to hasten his steps to the back to gather up a better meal than he had thrown together this morning for the singular entity. Fresh eggs still being the leader in this meal, but there was now potato hacked up into a fried cut up large cubes and strips of the ham still fried. Looking more put together as he returned to set it down before her.
And scooped the coin to make sure it was properly shooed away into his pocket. Looking at her and rolling his eyes at her commentary. “See my previous reply.” To her cave troll remark, “He’s just over the way. Right at the end before you leave through the main road. Says Clothier right on the top. Hard to miss. I’m sure he might have something that is suitable to give you comfort and ease for travel.”
“All of this flattery is going to make me one of those vain heartbreakers. I’m not sure I have the time,” she answered quick with another grin. Calia knew she was pretty, but they really were exaggerating.. or more likely just taken with her because she was different and new. Not something for her to take offense about, only that… she really didn’t have the time. She might not be going at her mission like a mindless rage fueled zombie anymore, but she was still a woman of singular focus. Unless a good man fell into her lap at a convenient time, she didn’t have much attention to spare.
Hungry as she was, she ate her breakfast quickly, appreciating that it was more than a few scraps of something as it would surely sustain her well thru out the day. Thinking in the back of her mind that she ought to get some food for the road as well, unless she were to purchase a new bow for hunting. Frustrated that she lost what little gear she had when Mercy ran off, and then sad all over again that her one true and faithful companion was gone. Not dead, just gone. Hopefully to have stumbled across some friendly farmers that’d treat her well and give her lots of apples.
With her breakfast polished off, Calia gave Daverne a friendly goodbye, perhaps more a flourish than it needed to be, but she quite liked the man and had she not other more important things to do he was far closer to one she’d enjoy having a tryst with, even if he were a bit older.
…she really hadn’t learned her lesson about older men at all. Damn that dream!
Calia took to leaving the Inn with a long stride and an even longer mental list. First to visit Amaris as she’d told the woman she would, then it would be off to the clothier to get herself a decent pair of trousers that we’re liable to split up the ass the second she got into a fight.
Daverne had said that Roy was lurking around and the second the youth caught the means that the inn door was opening to have the mountain dame appearing, he wasted little time in rushing over. Nearly toppling over someone else in the process but apologized in a departing fashion. Not about to risk lingering to repeat the phrase over and over again. “Hey!” Calling in case she decided she didn’t see him, the elven man quickly closed the gap.
Trying desperately hard not to look the part of eager pup that had simply been waiting for her to appear. Surely he had other things to do but there was nothing so much the case that had emboldened him and fairly as stated the night prior, now it was only him.
The other two lucked out and it was only fair that he reap the rewards, no?
“Morning! I was starting to worry you might have snuck out before morning light!”
Like a wolf darting out the bushes! If Calia hadn’t been aware of him lurking around outside, he might’ve actually startled her running up on a mission of his own. Nearly trampling another villager and almost out of breath. He was going to make some other girl’s heart all a flutter with that sort of enthusiasm one day. For now, though, Calia just laughed and adjusted the bundle of gear in her arms.
“To the contrary, I slept in later than I wanted. I guess I needed the rest,” she admitted. Giving him a sort of examining look before curiosity finally got the better of her. “How old are you, exactly… it’s so difficult to tell with elves, you might just be a grizzled old man with a handsome face.”
It seemed that was the theme of her morning. Better to focus on that than the other ominous visions in her dream. Bone thrones and blood dresses and talking woods. All nonsense, but Calia had a vivid enough imagination to conjure up all sorts of meaning in this new life of hers.
So easily, so effortlessly there came a earnest grin. Mentally grateful that she hadn’t called out his apparent motion to get across the way to address and greet her. Sure he wasn’t able to come up with a good enough excuse as to why he did what he did. But instead shrugged, an action that was seemingly very common with him. Idly letting his gaze venture around that of her being to mostly linger on that of her carried articles.
Considering a moment to think of a way to offer or ask if she would like his assistance to do so without sounding like he didn’t think she could handle it. Thus far, Calia had proven clearly that she was beyond capable of doing much and not so dainty and eye batting as the elven feminine sort. It was a challenge for him, one that made him all the more enthusiastic to try and unravel without offense.
Although the way those green eyes were plastered onto him, Roy felt his own face. Worried that some breakfast had been steadily hanging! Just that well, she asked him a question. One that was so not what he expected that it drew a sort of bumbling blinking. “You think I’m handsome?” Of course that was the part he got stuck on firstly.
Needing a second to refocus and then motioned that he would help her if she would like. “Where are you headed this morning?” Roy asked, “And well I tend to forget that humans tend to live much shorter lives. But in the terms of numbers that may be understandable for yourself, around a hundred. Elves are generally adults at that age.” He offered her and puffed his chest up, “So it would be I believe equal to your standards of eighteen to twenty. Which means I am an adult and you don’t need to worry about feeling strange about well… perhaps something fun in the future.”
There was no hiding the surprise on her face! No reason to hide it either, as it wasn’t such an offensive look, and really her lack of knowledge about elves was to be expected. Still, Calia was a very mature twenty and two, while he was a very immature century. There were many women who loved an innocent young man and getting that chance to be a precious memory of a first, or simply enjoying the enthusiasm of inexperience… Calia was not that woman! She was not about to be the wicked witch that deflowered virgin sacrifices!
And that thought alone was enough to launch her into another round of laughter.
“Your confidence is admirable, though do keep in mind I am well travelled. I can find a handsome face in any village, you might want to work on being able to offer more if you’re going to win the heart of any maiden.” she tried to advise, still plenty fine with being his practice dame for the short amount of time it would take for her to leave.
For the moment she was walking her way back to Amaris’ cozy little home under the root of the great redwood.
“Did you win the coin toss with the other two, then? Or are you sneaking your chance while they’re not looking?”
If he was about to find offense to the way she laughed, the memo had not been received. Merely he grinned and kept the means of waiting. Evidently she wasn’t about to hand over anything she was carrying nor was he about to enforce she ought too.
“I mean, wouldn’t well travelled just mean you have experience that I lack?” He gave her a look that was hardly deterred by her suggestion that he had to work on being able to win such affections. If he were to look at it, she could teach him a hell of a lot and still feel accomplished, no? “I mean I do appreciate being called handsome but I doubt that is enough to win over anyone. So I have my tenacious efforts and well,” it seemed after a moment he realized where they were heading. Unbothered by it, maybe a bit curious.
Amaris’ place was always that sort of oddity that had anyone curious about it. Expecting a witch to come out of the sunken house rather than a bright beaming dame with wild hair and a general lack of being sly or coy behind her words.
Pressing a hand to his chest no sooner when she asked if he won a coin toss or stealing his chance. “I mean I can’t be held responsible if they have other things to do and I don’t honestly think Varian was that interested in the first place. He’s a gentle soul that is easy to intimidate after all and Reece is just well, spirited. But has to work on learning his means of work to be a vital part of society. I’ve already done my part, so I think it’s only fair that one of us tries at all. The worse you can say is no, as well, I would assume since you entertained our whims last night that there isn’t a Missus Calia somewhere that is anxiously waiting for her to return.”
Indicating that he doubted she had another around that might incline her to say more than no. “And fairly, I think my ambition should count for something too. Right?”
Experience that he lacked, indeed. Calia’s response to that was a wickedly amused look and a flicker of lashes. As she had been the wildling daughter who hit her puberty years running and started chasing boys the very moment she understood what they were good for! Not at all the sort of behavior that was appropriate for a young woman OR one of royal blood. If anyone had remembered her face, she’d be known as the Whore of Caeldalmor by now.
It did give her a moment of pause when he’d mentioned whether or not she had someone back home waiting for her. Obviously not. Obviously never. The closest she had come to having a relationship with someone had been Derrick, before he’d decided that power was more important than common sense. She’d been sixteen and never really realized up until this very moment that she’d never let someone else see her or know her. Every tryst she’d had since there had been a glamour that made her nothing more than a fond memory of a stranger.
Calia was absolutely not going to change that any time soon, at least not with this one. Teach him how to use his own dick and then go SURPRISE, murderous witch princess with a lust for revenge! It was laughable and horrifying all at once.
“I suppose it depends on what your ambition actually is,” she countered thoughtfully. “To learn something new? The charming of a foreign girl for bragging rights? Finding love and an admirable wife? You might want to know what my own ambitious are, Roy of Emerson Groove. You might come to discover I am not a woman to be chased, but a dragon to be feared.”
Of course, all of this was said with good humor and only the slightest bit of subtle warning. Letting him stew on it and think carefully if he really did want to spend his efforts chasing after her when they could be put elsewhere to much more success. Approaching the home of the Madam Amaris to rapt her knuckles against the wood to announce her arrival, not wanting to go bursting in if she was not yet ready for visitors.
There was something to the way she looked at him. Feeling almost delightfully dangerous. Akin to maybe what a prey felt under a hunter’s gaze but rather than fear it, he found himself thrilled instead. These were actions not seen in his little world and thus far, were new. Exciting and elicited stronger intrigue than anything smart.
Yet, she also was proving that she was not so easily won by simply a handsome face, as she said in a few sheltered words. Instead questioning him just what his ambitions were. At first, his initial reaction was to just scoff. To fluff up like some prize bird and claim he could be whatever she wanted. What would give him the winning answer and yet, she had more questions for him to ponder. Dulling him into a thoughtful silence. “Hmm.” Humming about it to show he was actually taking into consideration what had been said with grace rather than knee jerking lack of wit. Allowing them to walk the distance to Amaris’ and where door was rapt by knuckles.
“Come in,” The call from the other side spoke and he took the opportunity to be gentlemanly. Stepping to open so Calia could enter first and foremost.
To hear the trailing commentary, “Maybe I need more time to think about it all, never having been asked such a depth of a question before.” Coming in behind that of herself to the familiar abode that was thankfully not smelling of burning weeds this time, “But I would say I don’t think you are a dragon.”
The choice of wording and their entrance was truly something the fates had to be trying to smash together at this rate. That two particular entities were not getting, because Roy’s word choice not only got a curious look from Amaris, but a sort of bemused and promptly wiped away smirk from the only other person in the last while that Calia had called herself a dragon too. “Who be a dragon now?” Amaris asked looking perplexed as she was making busy work with binding away former injuries. “Ah be pardonin’ love, just another client that be needin’ just a prompt check over. Seemin’ as yah be sharin’ reasons for such wounds.”
“Aon trioblóid.” Arc gave them both a look over but seemed to be keeping that method of nothing saying or provoking anything.
Roy took stock a moment before sort of repeating the motion of squinting. “All is well, Amaris?”
“Well look at yah now, Roy. Doggin’ after the pretty lady, if I knew yah were present any where, I ought to have made a bet that ye’d be the one attemptin’ to swoon favour.” Amaris scoffed merrily, “I told yah, Calia. Yah draw some eyes of the younglin’s. Tis a bet I think I would have won and mightily large one at that. Hmm.” She reached over to grab a small pair of scissors to finalize the means of cutting the bandage. “Now give it a few minutes to assure it be set right. In the mean time, yah can help this old flittin’ woman with managin’ a few things that be needin’ to find homes upon higher shelves than I can reach, whilst I be dealin’ with the lovely dame and apparently her additional escort that thinkin’ he has shots when he barely sees past his nose.”
Roy turned slightly red at that as Arc stood up properly. “As yah be wishin’, Elder Amaris.” He got up and sidestepped. Pointedly now ignoring the two that entered without a second thought.
“Come, sit down now, dear. Let’s check yer noggin’ over and be sure that it’s find enough for yah next rumble with somethin’ that needs a good thwartin’.”
What a moment to be running into the demon again! Could it even be coincidence at this point, walking into the place with such a statement with the man who’d gotten to see first hand what a dragon Calia could be! Even she could feel the bright burn in her features, though she couldn’t understand what the hell for. She didn’t exaggerate these warnings. Never did she lie about who she was and what she could do. And while there was no reason for Roy to ever see the full scope of violence she could inflict, she’d most certainly eat him up alive if she ever decided to give in to his pursual. Calia would crush his ego and his spirit and never even on purpose. It’d simply be because she wasn’t a sweet delicate little miss that shrank herself so her man could feel more of a man.
“We were discussing how I am not the sort of maiden he is used to chasing,” stated Calia, moving over to the chair gestured at and taking a slow, poised seat. All straight backed and oddly demure, simply because she was now set a bit off kilter. Not realizing the way she held her bundle of things in her hands and rest on her lap might be perceived as her clinging them as a shield.
She did realize that having braided her hair it’d be difficult for the woman to do a proper examination, so she released her things long enough to reach up and start loosening up the circle to set the ebony length free again.
“Well, a pup may never know unless they try. Even the wee ones gotta try to pick up a bone that be three times larger than them before they realize they never be havin’ a chance.” Amaris chuckled brilliantly as she gave Roy a look over. Watching the man’s face suddenly fill with blood as he was picking up the no so subtle statement she was laying down. Indicating that Roy was far too young to know how to handle a lady such as Calia. As Calia had been a lot more politely trying to say.
“I am starting to feel as though I’m being ganged up on and not even being considered that I might know what I am doing.”
“Yah don’t, buachaill. But it be cute I supposin’ that yah think yah do. Calia is attemptin’ to break it easy to yah but akin to that same pup, yah got rocks in yer head. Stubborn, thick and blockin’ yer view to realize that yer chance was never one in hell.” Amaris looked at the same mountain girl then hummed her appreciation that she was undoing her hair. “I’ll put it back up for yah in a moment, love.” Only that her gaze shifted to point to that of a few things, “If yah wouldn’t be mindin’, Arc. Be puttin’ them things along there and there.” She pointed to show the taller shelves that were absent of too much clutter.
Where demon disguised as elf obliged without complaint.
“Now, unless yah here to start drawin’ up water from well nearby for a good hour, Roy. I best be sendin’ yah off before yer pride be hurtin’ so bad yah won’t be knowin’ what to do to the next pretty little doe, besides cryin’ into her blouse.”
His mouth opened, shut and repeated two more times. “Go on, off with yah. A good fellow be knowin’ when to skidaddle and Calia here be a busy lass shortly with needs to move on.”
“I… hmm.” He huffed a bit but looked like he wasn’t knowing how to exactly confront the topic without adhering to that of Amaris pointing jests. “When you are ready to leave, Calia. I’ll be sure to see you off.” He decided and gave a hesitant back step. Nodding once, then again before turning to leave out the door.
“Be leavin’ the door open, it gets mighty hot in here when the brew is on!” Calling after so the door wasn’t sealed up, Amaris giggled. “Ah to be so young once more and effortlessly foolish while thinkin’ yer a shark when really yah be a goldfish in a pond. Now, how be yer head? No knockin’ and rattlin’ it about when yer be shakin’ it at youngster’s behaviours?” She paused a moment only to consider the task promptly done, “Thank yah, now yah just need to give me a moment. Only two hands and more customers than I be knowin’ what to do with. It’s a terrible delight.”
He just hummed and looked more involved with considering the various items on the shelves.
Great gods above, Calia almost felt bad for the boy with the way Amaris was so ruthless! Right there with an audience too, no less. Not about to chime in and try to defend his poor innocent heart, lest she be the next one to get such a set down. Likely with a biting tongue more vicious than Archimedes himself – who was being so strangely quiet and obedient to the elder woman. Where was that politesse when Calia could’ve used a more gentle touch?
“I was trying not to squash him like a bug under a boot,” she did deem to say once Roy was well out of earshot. Both amused and still a little horrified on his behalf. Bending forward to tuck her things out of the way under her chair so she wouldn’t have to hold the awkward bundle the entire time.
“He and his friends were interested in being a help for me,” Calia finally said with a sigh, trying her best to ignore the demon being there at all. As she’d promised him, as long as he left her be, she had no reason to bother him either. The silence and the ignoring was just fine with her. “They’re honestly more likely to get themselves killed than be any use. I get into enough trouble on my own, and the three of them would be thrice the problem.”
“…I did remain open to the possibility of help, though, as you suggested,” she pointed out, leaning to cast the elder woman a cheeky sort of smile. “Do I get a treat for that?”
That got a strong laugh out of Amaris. Deep, warm and a bit infectious in the right crowd. Needing to spare a moment so she wasn’t tugging on the girls nice clean black tresses. So she could smooth hands down her front and pick along pockets without a second thought about her house being occupied by a subtle sort of tension that wasn’t about to be mentioned less it spur a fight between the two it was prickling between. Gathering her wits back, to clear her throat. “Tis not a bug either, my dear. But sometimes when they be young as that, yah cannot use subtle hints to get the point across. He is tenderfoot. Barely enough hair on his chin to be deemed a man and yet, a man no less. However, with the art of givin’ damsels and warriors alike,” She referenced both with a look to Calia, “One cannot pussyfoot around it either. Less you be havin’ a doggin’ boy at yer heels, suddenly screamin’ because he did not realize that the lady that walks into danger like it is a daily occurrence may have been too late.”
Indicating the way she handled it was for the benefit. And it was her who said it all, so it would maintain Calia’s image in Roy’s eyes. Rather than his ego and pride being bruised by her.
As fingers smoothed politely to find the spot where head had been tended to the day prior, Amaris hummed and smirked. “Then yah met both Reece and Varian. The lot grew up as one practically. Different families but brothers in sense. Throw a stone in town and many could tell yah tales of them being needin’ pamperin’ nappies. Or what terror they had done out of boredom. And yes, they may be curious but yah be wise. They could help but no further than the boundary of Emerson Groove. They barely can tie their own shoes, I wouldn’t think them to be helpful goin’ to that of the queen. Less they be distracted by pretty women there.”
No less, she seen the girl giving her a cheeky grin about how she had been open minded to help. And asking for a treat, “Ah, well now. May not be a dragoness, but surely a fine little cat that knows when she has done well deservin’ such things.” Hands patted her head, “Aye, aye. I had been organizin’ yah a little gift bag with things of use for yer travels. Some basic sauves and tinctures that will work in a moment’s notice. A few bug deterrents and a couple other goodies yah can figure out with that smart head of yers. Plus, a bag. So yah won’t be luggin’ yer gear around as such.” Pointing to the way her items were sorted currently.
“Yer head be as fine as it can be. Try not to pound liquor for a week at most, less you wanna be stumblin’ and reopenin’ the wound. But clean it nightly and if possible keep it protected. Otherwise yah be havin’ a clean bill of health, Calia.” Fingers moved, “And I be putting yer hair back in a pretty little functional style so it can be out of yer eyes. After that, yah should be good to tarry on.”
There was comfort in knowing her instincts we correct about the trio. Perfectly lovely boys that had no business getting involved in what Calia would be up to. Likely to have every bit of their spirits crushed into dust if they had to experience what Calia had gone through in the past weeks. Demons and monsters and so many dead. To have someone you’re talking to be gone in the next minutes as if they never existed at all. That was no life that anyone should have to live. Yet that was where Calia now existed, not knowing what horror was coming next, but knowing it was coming and it would likely be because of her own actions.
Appreciating at least that Amaris had protected this one small place where Calia could be remembered as something pleasant. Even if it was just the dream girl of horny elven fantasies.
“But I would really, really like to throw back a few bottles of liquor,” Calia jested. …mostly jested. She understood why she was denied a bottle last night, but surely she was fine enough now!
Regardless, she was sitting still and patient while the woman worked with her hair. Well used to this means of being tended to and knowing when to obey the gentle touch of hands to tilt this way or that. Finding herself surprised that there was indeed a ‘treat’ to be her reward, having not expected the woman to have anything for her besides a tincture or two for the cut on her skull.
“You’ll have to allow me to pay you for most of it, Amaris. I’m not in the habit of taking what I haven’t earned. You’ve been too kind already and there is sure to be others coming through here that could use such things more than me.”
“Only when yah be listenin’ to my instructions and give it a solid week. Then, have a party. Drink till yah can’t stand straight, just be makin’ sure yah have a soft spot to plant yer little bottom so yah don’t need to visit me again for another head scuffle.” Amaris chimed merrily, unbothered that Calia wanted to have a few drinks. So long as she did what was asked, who could stop her after that. Granted, who could stop her beforehand either? Literally no one besides herself, which Amaris was believing this little mountain child would adhere to fair advice.
Smoothing fingers through the black to start plaiting it back into a circlet of braid, the statement of getting a treat was nothing short to sneeze at. And of course, “Yah be payin’ me by takin’ it off my hands. There be a reason I got the strappin’ one back there pretendin’ to be ignorin’ the situation to tact things away up higher. I ain’t go no more room. I be needin’ to clean out me house less it sink another three feet and I have to start diggin’ tunnels in and out like some rodent.”
Arc didn’t seem to respond vocally, but she cast him a look that was met with one of his own. At least he was patient, that she was pleased with.
After a moment, Amaris was thinking. “If yah be certain yah wanna do any sort of payment, I take payment in the means of collection. Yer headin’ towards the capitol here, then there be some items in the town that yah can grab. Things at the local herblist shop that would be mighty fine to have this way. I will jot yah a list and yah can give it to the old deef codger behind the way that screams when he has to talk cause he can’t hear worth a damn thinkin’ the rest of us be just as deef. That be the only thing I will allow. Any coin and I be fit to throw it back into yer pocket.”
Patting her head to express she was finished arranging hair back into place, she turned to make a point at the navy haired man. Indicating he was standing beside the prepared leather bag. Something he didn’t linger on, just picked it up and gave it to her. In turn Amaris held it out to Calia, “If that be soundin’ like a deal, then that be workin’ for me.”
Only waiting till the pack was taking so she could step over properly to now check the bandage work to make sure whatever she had placed underneath was stable and staying put. Amaris smiled and switched over to that of the dialect between elves, “[Yah try any harder to ignore her and I worry yah might develop an ulcer at this rate.]“
That had him grinning, a genuine show that had no malice behind it. “[Then I’ll have all the more reason to come back and start trying to sway my hand into your favour. I’m sure you’ve got more than a few tricks to show off and a reason to do so with one so willing. At least I know my efforts would be appreciated.]” She guffawed like a bemused hen, giving him a gentle shaming pat to the arm.
“Yah speak like that and I worry the younglin’s be learnin’ bad habits. Yah be best keepin’ yer banter to yerself, Arc.”
He primed like a peacock, “I take that with honest pride, Elder Amaris.”
“Wicked thing.” Another pat, “Yer good to go as well, so don’t toddle about here less yah be wishin’ to find out some lessons yah may not be ready to learn.” He crooned purposefully getting a teasing eye from Amaris, “Calia, I be gettin’ that list, yay or nay, love?”
Calia gave the sort of look that suggested she’d do as she damn well pleased, in the same way a petulant child would take one single foot over a line drawn in the sand. Completely unserious about being spitefully disobedient, liable to push the boundary just to test the limit but clearly going to obey the advice nonetheless. As difficult as she could be, she did always listen when good advice was given.
Unsure if she really believed the woman was just trying to unload extra unneeded stuff from her sinking abode, Calia twisted her mouth to the side debating this offer of a task as payment rather than money. One that involved returning to this village no less to be sure items were delivered and that… well, Calia was dubious about even making the trip in one piece and was still liable to be just fine with dying! Making a promise like this meant carrying it through until it was finished, as Calia never broke her word. What she said was what she did.
After all, it’d been the demon to break their contract, not her. A demon that was currently chatting with the woman in their native elven tongue. Damn it all, Calia was going to have to pick up a language book and learn the fucking vernacular, else everyone in this kingdom was going to be talking secrets right there in front of her face!
He was all smiles with the woman too, this bastard. Calia was truly the only thing in this world he hated and tormented.
“…I accept your list. Just be prepared for me not to make it back any time soon. Or at all with the nature of my luck.” she warned, already kneeling to pack away her pieces of gear into the bag. Leaving out her belt and weapons so she could put them back on proper as one couldn’t really shove a sword into a bag comfortably anyway. Resisting the oh-so-petty urge to flip Arc the finger simply for the sport of it.
“Ah, I think yah be back sooner than later. I ain’t worried.” Amaris met that easily and didn’t seem fussed about the idea that Calia’s luck was so terrible that she might end up on the side of the road with flies buzzing around. Rather, if Amaris knew something, she wasn’t saying it. “Give me a moment to scribble down what I need and then yah be right as rain.” Her gaze shifted and there was a hold that Arc tilted head too.
Shortly she shook her own. “Fair travels, love. Be sure to stop about if yah be in the neck of the woods again. Be advised not to be doin’ things that make yah look like a soddin’ fool.” That, had him laugh.
“I can’t be promisin’ entirely. Merely tryin’.” That seemed to be suitable enough and he went so far as to bid for Amaris’ hand. Doling out a gentlemanly press across her knuckles that got the older elf to both smirk like she knew what he was up too but giggled no less. Then bowed properly without another word. Slipping away without stopping to harass Calia or even offer her a secondary look.
Living up to his word at this point that there would not be another instance that he would bother, annoy or even acknowledge her as once upon requested. Leaving her be. And unlikely to ever appear again seeing as this time, they were properly deviating so drastically that there was would be little to fairly make them run into another.
With the fake elf out of the way, Amaris found a scrap of paper. Scribbling some notes down on it, humming once or twice with a good think about what she needed and figured would be easy to bring back. It took her a few minutes but came to offer the slip to the girl. “Yah be careful out there miss. Yah might be tough as nails but everyone needs a bit of help once in a while. The difference between youth and maturity, is knowing when one has to just take it. But I doubt yah have any trouble, yer got the means of wit about yah. I’ll be seein’ yah in the future, just take care. Hmm? Safe travels, dear.”
Calia watched the interaction curiously, not bothering to be coy about it and even casting that dubious, distrustful cringe of her features when the asshole laid on the charming bullshit enough for Amaris to giggle. Ah yes, what a help and generous lad he was! Charm and grace! Prince of Demons! That nasty hypocrisy of his truly was just for her alone, guessing by now it was because she’d been the mark. One can’t respect a dumbass willing to their soul to a demon, she supposed.
It really had been her own fault all along.
Calia didn’t watch him leave – that would mean she cared to have a last look at him, a memory of the departure, instead of being glad they were now in a place where he could get lost and escape out into the greater world. Her things tucked neatly into the new bag, Calia finally returned to her feet to offer Amaris a soft appreciative smile. Genuine despite the fact her little inner voice wanted to scream.
Not completely squashed at all was it? At least it wasn’t demanding she stab someone.
“I’ll try to keep my wits about me, in any case,” she agreed. “Thank you Madam Amaris. I’ll see you when I see you.”
Not a soon, not a later, not a never… just a simple statement that it would happen. A little salute of her fingers and Calia left the sinking home, now with a bag of small supplies and a list of all the damn things. Reading over the contents before she was rolling it up to tucked away into the bag too.
Perhaps at this point it was expected that she would have a little follower. Just this time the boy who was should an immense stubborn tenacity wasn’t rushing over to her with himself nearly tripping and taking out someone else. He had given a bit of berth to the old botanist house but not so grand that it would need a running trot to catch up to the woman that left.
Truly a pup that had found someone to dog after for the time being.
“All is well then? You’ve been cleared to be able to continue onto your next point of the journey?” Roy asked gingerly, a bit cautiously because he was being watchful to what he said. Maybe learnt a little something but not enough to be astute in his cleverness.
Calia should have expected he’d be out there waiting, but she hadn’t thought it would be immediate the second she was out of direct line of sight to Amaris’ little sunken home. Giving Roy a bit of an embarrassed smile – embarrassed for him anyway! He truly was tenacious to actually have the balls to approach her again after Amaris made a right ass of him.
“I’m not allowed to go chugging down bottles of wine any time soon, but I’ll be alright,” she answered, resettling the strap of her bag on her shoulder and already setting off in the proper direction to visit the clothier. “Amaris was kind enough to give me a fair bit of supplies, so I’m off to get some proper clothing before I set off.”
A specific someone seemed to be nowhere in sight already, gone to the winds or right back to hell, it didn’t much matter. Leaving Calia taking in a deep breath and trying to recenter herself back to the living world.
“Sounds deplorable.” Roy tried to joke about the idea that she wouldn’t be able to drink herself potentially silly in the foreseeable future. Although who would have known if she did besides that of herself. Unless, that was a very concealed and hidden attempt to declare that he could be invited to escort her to that of the Queen’s capitol. Debating the means a long silent moment while she expressed that her next stop was to that of Ferris shop to obtain new attire. Something that was likely needed considering her current state was well… less then ideal for a lady of her stature.
Leaving him a second to play that of eyes up and down her form. “That was generous of her, and since you’re heading that direction. I will escort you along. If not… further?” Roy looked perfectly hopeful, “I am a hunter by trade, if I hadn’t made that clear. I could be of aid. Truly. I suppose I should just be forthright and express that I would like to travel alongside you to at least the capitol, Calia. We could spend time together and learn more about each other. Our worlds we come from. Admittedly, I am a bit smitten by you.”
Deciding that laying it all out was likely better than trying to be clever by hints and unspoken suggestions.
“Hm,” came her immediate reply, giving him a far more critical up and down examination than the one he gave her. Calia didn’t want to bruise and batter his ego, having a selfish, overly sensitive moment of her own in that she was still irked over how easily things fell apart with Esther and Isabelle. It never really mattered before if someone liked her – but then before she always had someone to go back to. Now she had this vivid internalized memory of uncomfortable awkwardness, hatred even right before a senseless death.
Roy was absolutely the sort to end up senselessly dead. Could she not leave the town withing hurting someone in the process.
…but Amaris was right, if Calia could not be honest and tell it to him straight, she was liable to cause even more trouble.
“I appreciate the candidness,” she said first, slowly, before gathering up the gumption to say what needed to be said. “I have no want or need for an escort. A hunter you might be, but I won’t be hunting woodland creatures. I’ll be speaking with your queen about hunting demons and that is no life for a village boy that’s never seen a moment of strife in his entire life. I like you enough to wish better for you.”
What he hadn’t expected was her to be as blunt as she was. Successfully causing him to pause and nearly miss a step because well, as he just thought. It was entirely unexpected. Even turning a look the way they had come as though Amaris had successfully trained Calia in a manner of minutes on how to be straightforward and to the point. Even if he felt a strong blow to his ego, he cleared his throat.
Idly picking nonexistent lint off his arm and smoothing out wrinkles because he needed seconds if not minutes to digest her statement.
Partially because he was almost tempted to point out that she had no idea what sort of skills he offered and next, did she say demons?
It would have been super simple to have a knee jerk reaction. To huff. To blow smoke and then turn face into something a bit ugly because he wasn’t thrilled that she put a tough line in the figurative sand. Instead; Roy pressed lips. And gave her another look over trying to determine the way he ought to handle this maturely. “I’d appreciate not being called just a village boy,” He admitted but thankfully there was no ire in his voice. “But… I get it.” Roy offered her a quaint smile even if its edges were properly stamped on.
“Although I may not understand what you entirely mean, I know better than to stick my nose further when it’s liable to be cut off. I just hope you know what you are doing, it sounds like you might be in deeper than one can think.” Evidently he might not believe her about the demon part but wasn’t about to point it out.
“I can appreciate the honesty.” The youth agreed with a light bow, “And appreciate that you would be candid enough to state that you’d not wish for ill to come. So I guess even if I might be a bit stinging, this is something to learn from. As I wanted. But,” Brows knitted, “Will you be alright on your own?”
Calia waited with baited breath for whatever fallout was to come… and consider her properly surprised and relieved that he didn’t have himself an immediate tantrum in the face of her honesty. She’d certainly met plenty of men before that took offense to everything about her, quick to throw insults her way or an attempt to start a physical fight just over a plain and simple no thanks.
So when he took her refusal with grace, his reward was a bright an appreciative smile. Even reaching out to give his shoulder a gentle playful shove.
“Don’t take being a village boy as an insult,” she encouraged. “There’s many who dream of a life in a village like this, marrying someone handsome and clever to have a life rich with laughter. It may not be for me right now, but it’s a wonderful life to have.”
Would it be a future for Calia? It did make her stop and ponder on it for the moment. Especially when he asked if she would be alright on her own. Glancing about at the few village houses while they walked along the soft forest road towards the clothier’s. Tiny little secluded villages within forest spaces always had an appeal to her for visiting… though it was hard to imagine herself in a home like Amaris’. Or running a small farm plot with carrots and potatoes and cows and chickens. A husband chopping wood for the fire out back, Calia cooking something up in a cauldron.
…blech. No, that did not sound like the life for Calia. She was not meant for the domestic.
“I’ll survive, I always do,” she finally said, cracking an almost ominous seeming grin. One that might’ve hinted she was no gentle ma’am that’d get caught out on the roads without a fight. “Now I kind of have to, as Amaris gave me a fetch-it list to bring back from the capitol city. She seems the sort to summon up your ghost just to chew you out for not doing as she asked.”
Lightly brushing at the shoulder that was playfully pushed, he rolled his eyes at her statement of how he shouldn’t take it as an insult. That there were plenty of people who would have considered this like gold But right now, he just wasn’t seeing it. Only that he also wasn’t about to voice a complaint at her either. Shrugging indifferently while waiting to see if she would be alright.
A strong part of him was naturally concerned.
One didn’t just drop mentioning demons and continue skipping along like nothing had ever happened. So there was room for worry. Waiting till she gave him a grin that certainly didn’t appear as bright or enthused as her previous one. Adding on that Amaris gave her a task in which paired that perhaps the elder elf might be the sort to dabble in necromancy if she felt like she was being slighted.
“I don’t know if I would want to find out. Good choice on that,” Roy laughed deciding that it was better not to learn what sort of patience limits Amaris could hit. Settling instead to look temporarily awkward, “Well then, since I don’t have a shot in hell. I’ll leave you two it. Just be safe and if you come back, stop in at the inn. I’ll buy you a round.”
Calia laughed as well, as it truly was all too easy to imagine the woman using darks after seeing the way she could set someone down a few pegs in the matter of seconds.
When Roy paused bidding his acceptance and goodbye, Calia took a few steps before turning around to continue on her way walking backs. Bringing hands to hold up over her heart as a gesture of deep gratitude.
“Thank you for understanding and being a friend, Roy of Emersen Groove,” she stated with an unnecessary flourish, but he deserved a little flair for showing her some grace. “I’ll hold you to that promise of a drink when I return.”
Gods knew she was going to need it. This land of Edelguard might not be full of demons, but it was full of new things she’d never seen or encountered before. An entire new world of things to discover, and had it not been for reasons so grim, Calia would be thrilled and excited about this coming adventure.
For the time being, though, one step at a time. A wave of her hand bid a final goodbye to the elven boy, leaving her to continue on her way. Watching the small buildings as she past until she found the proper sign and sigil of the clothier Ferrin, right where she’d been told it would be near the edge of the village borders.
Making her entrance with an interested perusal, already putting a check list in mind of what items would be best for long travel. …with a small bit of alarm that she might ought to look for something that was appropriate for a royal audience as well.
The older man was possibly the oldest elf yet seen thus far. Slightly stooped at the back, his ears were bending at their tips from a life long lived. With immediate attention raising up from whatever piece he had been currently folding to narrow a eye at the door. Smacking lips the second that of a round ear had stepped into that of halls. “Find what it is you need. No special requests.” He stated in due scratchy practice. Not about to start honouring all sort of nonsense when this was just a humble little shop that had your basics.
Pants. Skirts. Shirts. Blouses and some under things in the back because Gaia only knew what sort of unseemingly place it would be if they were out in the open.
There was a longer look then as a sleeve was tucked into place. “Your that newcomer, hmm. Well, your tall so your guna have to look at the men’s section. Don’t have nothing for one of your size in the female persuasion.” He gave Calia a narrowing, “Def almost a head taller than most females here. Well, good luck with that!”
She’d finally found the crotchety old man of the village. Naturally those mischievous instincts of youth kicked up into full force. Painting on a sweet smile and going on to mind her own business while doing her shopping. Perfectly fine with looking on her own, though stinging a little to have it pointed out once again she was too tall. As if she could help the fact she was born with long legs and all other women in the world were tiny little petite things!
“Are you going to have any undergarments back there for me, or is my rear end too big for ladies panties as well?” she asked, a cheeky statement to go along with that sugar sweet smile. She was a woman, he wouldn’t hit her with a broom. ….maybe!
Calia did head straight to the men’s selection of trousers, though, not wasting her time being picky-choosy. Needing only what was sized right and would be functional for traveling. Thinking ahead too, that if she were liable to get in a scuffle or another fight, she’d want a fresh change of clothing so she could wash the blood out of the first pair. Two simple trousers, then off she was to ladies blouses. Thankfully not so broad of shoulders or large in the chest that she needed a man’s tunic too!
This became a little more difficult as Calia wasn’t without her own sense of vanity. Just because she was as tall as a man and could fight like one, didn’t mean she wanted to look like a man. Only, right now her clothing needed to be functional and not just something she picked out to feel pretty in.
Picking up a second article so he could start folding it, if he was about to be swayed by anything like a sweet as pie smile, the way his gray eyes narrowed may have foretold he was not about to buy it. Especially when she was chirping off at him, “Young people these days,” Ferrin shook his head. Like Calia had just brought in all the troubles of the youth to his doorstep and he was far too old, too tired and too out of the understanding to pick up what she was getting on about.
Settling instead to be perfectly cankerous instead. “It ain’t no business of mine what butt cheek of yours can fit into what. But yes, undergarments are back there.” He made a swivel of his head to point but little else. Seemingly turning his back just enough to indicate he wasn’t one to be made into conversation.
Just that she pick her things, pay and get along.
A lack of conversation was just fine by her, though the grumpy interaction brought a more genuine smile to her face. Not even realizing yet that she was in far better spirits than she had been in a long while. Deciding function was more important than flair, Calia picked out a couple of blouses that’d stay close to the body and not leave loose fabric flapping about to get caught or things or shredded. Deciding on a rich shade of blue to at least give her a softer feminine appearance.
The old man got another cheeky look before she disappeared to the back for rifling for undergarments – not nearly as picky about these. So long as they fit and didn’t chafe, it didn’t much matter. Finding her selection in a few short minutes to return to the clerk desk with her chosen items. And socks. Extra socks were always needed. When one got a hole, it’s match could always be used for filling with rocks and clubbing someone to death.
“It’s a beautiful morning to run one’s properly covered cheeks around town, though, isn’t it Elder? I hope you’re having a pleasant day.”
Eventually when it was clear that the young woman had finally decided on what she was going to obtain in the means of garments and extras, he turned to find her at the counter.
His little collection of items that were to be folded and laid out having gathered into a neat little arrangement of piles. Smoothing hands over to assure the work was temporarily at a standstill, Ferrin turned properly to address the front. Picking up her items once they were offered so he could start calculating the amount necessary to pay, only that she got a fresh displeased look at her cheeky continuation of attitude.
“It would be a better morning if one would simply cease her attempts to garner ire further.” He didn’t seem like the sort that made friends with anyone. Sorting her items, folding in them, meantime and eventually stating the amount he expected.
Only when he received what he wanted, did he huff. “Good day, round ear.”
The more he seemed displeased, the more Calia smiled. Clearly having a fondness for the grumpy sorts far more than the bouncing balls of sunshine or the demure and genteel.
“I like you, Elder Ferrin,” she answered with a broad grin. “I hope you don’t croak before I have a chance to return.”
Once she’d handed over the coin for her purchases and tucked them away into her bag, Calia was wise and quick to escape before finding out if the Elder was more than just grumpy, and willing to come chasing after problematic youths.
…and that was it. She was done here. Standing out on the forest road glancing at the humble little village, with it’s lush green ferns and amazingly huge redwood trees. Taking a few backwards steps as she cemented Emerson Groove into her mind, just in case it was the last time she’d ever see it. Her very first village outside of Caeldalmor was a sort of special, momentous thing, she decided. Worth tucking away as a treasured memory, even if the circumstances of her arrival weren’t good ones. Now she’d be on her way to several more new places… and that was something to look forward to? To explore and see things she’d never seen.
With only a last fleeting look, she turned back to the road ahead, starting her long journey for the Edelguard capitol.