When they did arrive, Araminta found with a twist in her gut that the ‘cave’ she was supposed to enter looked more like a small hole in the side of a cliff and was in actuality the entrance to an old mine shaft. Whatever these seeds belonged to, they were going to be deep down in the underground, far away from the sun and air. With no telling how far they’d have to go and what might live inside.
Bears maybe, Araminta thought. Bears and bats.
He was merely staring at the shaft that was the next placement for a trial. Leaving him to almost wish they had stayed put in the hut to rest a while longer and perhaps have Araminta explain the next bit of dangerous work they were in for. As much as he appreciated her candidness about explaining her process of what she was doing in the hut, this almost seemed like something they ought to have talked about.
So he might actually know what the next trail was. As he hadn’t made it much of an effort of learning each one and now he was almost regretting that.
“What… is the trial for this place?”
“Seeds of some sort,” responded Araminta, quite seriously as she set down her pack and staff against an old rotted cart. Her usual chipper demeaner gone in place of this contemplative pondering she tended to get when it was time to work on a trial.
They’d arrived there late in the night, with the moon high enough in the sky to shed at least a small amount of light down on the area. Besides the ruined cart, there were other signs too that this was an old mine. A mine for what Araminta wasn’t sure, but there were a few old pick axes, crates, old firepits, tent pitches and logs angled just right where miners used to sit around the fire when they weren’t deep in the caves. This one had not been used in quite some time.
“It was difficult to get much information about this trial. I think because there was more than one location we could’ve gone and thus the dangers would be different? The seeds are from an ancient tree that no longer grows in the kingdoms, or at least no longer common. When I planned my routes, this place seemed to be the least difficult.”
While Theon didn’t know much about the trials, Araminta had gathered what little information she could in the Imperial City before she set out. Now that they’d made it through a few she was beginning to form her theories on how they were meant to work in the bigger picture. Araminta knew that the fifth trial was not impossible, as plenty before her had succeeded and moved on. Likely because there were multiple places the trial could be attempted, which led the princess to assume that this wasn’t meant to kill but rather waste time and exhaust the quest taker.
The sixth trial would be the first true test of her survival considering most died there or abandoned the quests altogether. This she decided not to mention just yet. They would deal with it once they got there.
“We should sleep here and go in come the morning…” she declared softly, not making the choice out of logical decision but because she was wary. The last cave they’d walked into had a demon’s alter blighting an entire village. Here they were going to go much deeper into the ground and Araminta was a little afraid of what they might find.
It was vague even as she looked the part of thoughtful overseerer. A strong level of concentration present where one might believe that she never was the sort of joyful delight that he seen more often than naught. Only affirming with the level of thought she was casting right now, meant she was still trying to formulate a plan on how to attack any of this. All he knew was the fifth trial was rather spread out. Whatever the hell that meant.
Crossing arms upon that of armoured chest, politely he waited. Watching her and observing the general location with a considering eye. Before Araminta spoke up and highlighted his former thought of spread out. There were multiple places that could have been their location of selection. Leaving him to hum with a sort of understating allowance till it seemed that she was more over just fatigued.
Bidding him to turn on the heel of foot, “As you wish. I will prepare a small fire if you wish to settle your items for rest.”
Araminta nodded her affirmation, watching for a moment as he started the means of settling them a camp for the night. Crossing her arms and tip-tapping her fingers against her elbows before beginning an antsy, aimless pace, lost in her own thoughts and trying to arrange them in a way that was actually going to be useful and not just her having a tiny little panic over whatifs.
Things were quite different now. When she’d started the trials, Araminta hadn’t cared at all what would happen to her, so certain she was that death was going to come swiftly. One couldn’t say she was reckless, but the princess hadn’t exactly considered all the consequences of her actions either. Now, a wrong move would not just going to have consequences for her – they were going to affect Theon. He’d likely do his best to protect and shield her and if he failed… Not only would he be left all alone, there would be no one to help protect him from his awful mother.
Somehow she was just going to have to trust that things would be alright. They’d made it this far on what she’d thought was only luck, but if Theon truly believed she was a tactician then she’d ought to trust that maybe he was right.
“We’ll both need to sleep well,” she did finally comment. “Mines are never abandoned for no reason and even if it is just because they’d mined everything useful from it, something has likely taken up residence inside.”
Arranging a small pit with a few assorted collected rocks –there was certainly plenty around for him to select through- before arranging a bit of tinder so the flame from palm could be used to start something warm. While it wasn’t too chilly by his own consideration, the way Araminta was currently pacing told him that it would do well for her to be sat beside a coaxing flame. Leaving her to her thoughts before she finally seemed ready to comment. Mentioning that they both would need to sleep well. Earning a bit of prolonged eye from him that didn’t seem to be as accepting of such a statement. Expecting entirely that he would merely catnap once more and keep his ears ever alert to anything that might approach.
Especially if she was going to describe that the mines were abandoned for no reason. Even if they had been completely cleared of whatever item they were excavating, there was likely something else that moved indoors.
Fairly the list was long to suggest what could have decided such a place was a snug abode. Leaving it likely to be a guessing game from merely bandits or something supernatural. Which he wasn’t about to start trying to decipher anyways.
“If that is true, then it would be best to be prepared.” Theon suggested wiping hands off on his knees. “What have you learnt about the fifth trial in your efforts of discovery. Perhaps we can work backwards from that.” Offering an way for her to bounce ideas off of him if that might help her.
Once the fire was started and the area lit up in a warm orangey glow, Araminta felt the tiniest bit better… at least once she’d crossed over to take a seat directly next to Theon, but on the opposite side away from the mine entrance. Giving the way the shadows danced and shifted a wary look as it made the entrance look almost like a big open maw ready to chomp down on whomever dared to pass through.
“Because of the multiple locations no one could give me any solid answers on what I might find,” she explained with a roll of her shoulders. “Some had obvious beasties and dangers that were easy choices not to go. I had no interest in walking through a jungle full of snakes.”
That was even before she’d been teased by a fae snake in the enchanted wood. Araminta surely had no trust for any sort of snakes now. Snakes and geese.
“There was plenty to be said about the seeds themselves.” This she mused over, wrapping her arms snugly around herself. “The tree is an ancient oak from old elven legends. Something they treasured, though no one seems to remember why. Only that the roots grow deep and long and that at one time all of the trees were connected. I must collect a handful of acorns.”
He shuffled a little to make sure she had the space she wanted to sit. Prodding the flame somewhat with a collected stick so the coals would breath and heat up faster, leaving that time for her to reply with said thoughts. Of course, he shouldn’t have been surprised when it was said that due to the many locations, the answers she got weren’t exactly complete. They were varied as much as the mines were. Which he could understand. Especially at the suggestion that here would be other beasts within and unknown dangers. Things that they could learn about but may not be able to temper their wits towards.
There was plenty he could do in the means of his magical abilities but that would only last so long. As long as his reserves of manna was. So it wasn’t something he would just casually suggest anyways.
Instead making use of the packs to rifle a moment to pull out a small blanket so it could be unfolded. And rested across that of the slender shoulders. Encouraging her to keep nice and cozy. “And the seeds are within the mine…. Was the mine itself then a place for where one dug at the roots?” It seemed such an odd combination if he was to be blunt. Though he was still thinking about the things she all had to collect, “Each item you gather. Seems to be a strange ingredient.”
That was a curious suggestion that Araminta mulled over as she drew the blanket tighter around herself. The night wasn’t so chill that it was uncomfortable, but she welcomed the warmth all the same. Finding it a comforting thing in itself, though moreso because it was Theon trying to provide these little comforts. He seemed to be as antsy as she, likely fretting over all of the unknowns.
“Elves seem to be as close to nature as one can get without being true fae. If the trees were that important to them and the fables were true, it may be that the tree itself has a natural magic. Those that had no respect for their reverence might’ve indeed tried to mine and harvest them to the point of extinction.”
Araminta had a feeling that she knew exactly the sort that’d do such a thing. A woman that had no issues in conquering empires, subjugating people, blighting villages, and more. Theon was likely correct that the quest items were ingredients to be used for something… but Araminta could still not figure out why Queen Heirra would bother acquiring them through the quests at all, when she could so easily have them gathered.
Besides just watching people flounder and suffer and enjoying the torment of it, Araminta supposed!
He couldn’t shake this feeling that whatever Araminta was gathering up, it was going to be used for some sort of concoction. Something that she couldn’t get her hands on properly or it might have needed the struggle and strife that came from completing such tasks to make the ingredients more potent. Admittedly he knew so little of dark magic that he could have come up with countless thoughts that could be so far from the truth that it might as well have been deemed hogwash.
And if this newest trial was something with seeds and deep rooted nature magic in a mine where it would likely be a pollutant, then he truly had more of a suspicion to wonder just what all of this was for. And finally, “If you acquired items that were similar to the trial items… would it be impossible to switch them out. I do not know how to express my thoughts but I do not think the items you are collecting are of good favour.” Theon adjusted once more to finally stop crouching and sat on his rump.
“I am unsure if the items collected will boost the Imperial Queen or be something she uses to harm you in the end, but there is a uncomfortable twist in my gut that says we should try to accomplish what is asked but not give the truth of the items back.”
“If she is really as powerful of a mage as you say, she’d know the difference if the items were false,” she explained. Araminta had also considered getting items in easier ways in the beginning. Several could’ve been purchased from dark markets or traded for if you found the right people. After hearing several stories of quest takers in the past, how some had attempted to deceive the Queen through means of doing the trials out of order, she quickly came to the conclusion that it’d be a foolish attempt.
“There is merit, though, in the suspicion of it being for a brew or spell. As all except one seem to be items and the order that they are collected is strictly enforced. That does give the impression that it’s building towards something.”
Once he was seated, Araminta scooted and shifted until she could lean and rest against his arm. Brows furrowed as she continued to mull over the conversation.
“…there is only one problem with the theory? Most don’t make it past the sixth trial and none have ever made it past the ninth. She never collects these requested items as none make it back to her. So then what is the point?”
Shortly at her reminder that certainly the Imperial Queen would be able to tell the difference, he receded that thought. Perhaps it had been a hopeful twist of wanting to be able to switch the items around so it might not do whatever it was supposed to. But Araminta was right. It wouldn’t be that easy otherwise others would have done it already. And the trials wouldn’t be so known for being that difficult. Or risky.
Lightly nodding to still agree that the items collected were ramping up to something. Something that surely wasn’t so easy to get even for an Imperial Queen, so she made others do it. Because if they died, then they were clearly out of her hair but she also wasn’t losing any sleep over the items either. They had to be hard enough to get but not so vital that it would make and break anything.
“Black magic from my understanding is never just cut and dry.” Theon stated with a light peeking at her once she was nestled close. “If I was to guess at anything, she might want these things for some greater purpose but if she doesn’t get them then it isn’t the end of the world. It merely means that whomever is doing the trials wasn’t worth the time. Or they died, avoiding her wasting her time.” Reaching up to rub a finger along that of the eyebrow scar, he was thinking. “It could very well be that if someone managed to complete all the trials, that the items gathered could be something she uses against them. It’s… entirely unknown. After all, someone who finished all of the trials would be a force to be reckoned with. As we both know they grow increasingly difficult.”
“I suppose it does make a simple way to remove anyone who is ambitious and strong. To distract them with this idea of glory and collected trophies. Wicked genius too in making some trials simple while others nigh impossible to give false hope and an inevitable failure.”
The princess fell silent there for a few moments, thinking of the two trials that were so famously deadly and how despite them being so famously deadly, how little information anyone even really had to share about them. As so few ever returned to tell the tales. One looming right around the corner for her, creating that twist of dread in the back of her mind and a wonder why she’d let herself get into such a mess. Knowing that at the time it felt like the best choice, and yet now…?
“She didn’t offer the trials as an option to me at first,” she confessed quietly. Nesting in her blanket feeling that grip of sleepiness trying to claim her now that she was toasty and comfortable. “I told her who I was and where I came from, what happened to me and my kingdom. Her show of condolence and concern was so spectacular that I believed her. I believed her even when she claimed that sending aid to my homeland would be intense and dangerous – that she could not make a promise without guaranteeing there would be a peaceful alliance. That’s not an unreasonable request for a ruler to make.”
Araminta shifted just enough to sneak a hand out from her blanket to rest it over his arm and squeeze gently.
“She made the offer of a marriage and I felt it was more than fair. I was going to say yes. …then I looked around the room at the ambassadors and councilers and nobles in the court, and it was as if the entire room cringed at the suggestion. So I said no and asked for something else, anything else.”
The princess grimaced then with a wrinkle of her nose.
“I think that was my mistake. Saying no in front of her entire court. That was when she declared that if I wanted to risk the lives of her army, I had to prove mine was a cause worth fighting for. And I was so angry and frustrated that I accepted the terms.”
“it is easier to have someone else remove what she believes is a tarnish on her reputation that doing it herself.” He would know after all, “Using the trials is a prime example of that. Anyone bold enough to try, surely must have something that the Imperial Queen wants to possess or be rid of.” Naturally he couldn’t say that it was always the case but those who challenged these very things were often full of themselves. Believing that the one who came before was little more than a wimp or didn’t try hard enough. Only that they would eventually be the next victim to that of death or quit themselves. Nothing thus far had seemed to be worth the effort. Not even pride. Personally he never thought a lot about the trials till he was put on the mission to assure that Araminta was either finished by them or killed her himself. The latter being the first option of course.
But he had never heard about how this all came about. Honestly it had never been much of his interest either. Yet it seemed important to Araminta to express her thoughts and by all means he was willing to listen.
To be told that the option of the trials was not the first offering did not surprise him. The rest however had. He had been told by the Imperial Queen that Araminta refused the offering of marriage –a good choice on her part- because it wouldn’t have been any better than this. He was still unsure why the Imperial Queen found Araminta so bothersome that she needed to have her neck separated from her head but didn’t ask too much about it at the time. It wasn’t for him to know.
But now as he listened, he could only theorize empty thoughts. “You made the right choice.” He offered her, “If you had agreed to the prospect of marriage, I’d likely have been tasked with ending your life after a single day. If not sooner.” Theon stated this bluntly having no reason to hide the truth. And he doubted Araminta would have been shocked anyways. “You refusing the marriage was a tarnish to her reputation. The Imperial Queen values that above all else.”
Of course he had to add on, “Taking the wavering thoughts and convictions of the council and nobles, was likely a sign that you were wise to avoid such a trap. However, she still trapped you in this mess regardless. Though it is likely of no use to you know, I would apologize on her behalf for making you struggle as such.”
Him apologizing on behalf of the Queen made her smile, as the statement was so ridiculous and he was in no way responsible for that woman’s actions, nor did he need to suffer the consequences of them. In fact because she’d chosen the trials and because he was chosen as witness, the Imperial Queen had created the very situation she seemed to be so fearful of. Perhaps Araminta should thank the woman the next time they met.
“I guess we will just have to become that force to be reckoned with,” she murmured with a soft laugh. Nuzzling her head more comfortably against his arm before giving a soft tired sigh.
There was so much on their shoulders that it was exhausting. Just the thoughts of everything so overbearing on their own, and that didn’t even take into account the physical aspects of actually accomplishing any of these goals. At least now she had Theon and was no longer just a fragile leaf getting battered by a brutal wind.
Her following silence hadn’t been on purpose, so deep in her own thoughts that she hadn’t uttered another peep. Only quietly drifted as she pondered, watching the flickering glow of the fire until her eyes drooped closed and dozed off to sleep.
If he was to grow insulted by the idea that she had started to tumble into rest, it would not be known. Merely letting it be till it was apparent that she ought to lay down. Rather than risk an awkward kink in her neck because she had leaned against him all night. Leaving him to somehow arrange the means of Araminta being shuffled and scooted around till at least she could use his lap as a pillow. It would have been easier for her to sleep in the newly gathered bed roll but that was still a bit out of his reach when he didn’t want to risk just letting her topple over.
So it was this. Plus it made it far easier to keep watch throughout the night. Particularly on that of the mine shaft entrance.
Finding that he found the place aptly put, creepy. Sure that there was something just beyond the line of sight watching them. Unclear if it had one or many eyes, it was probably for the best that he remained alert. Less they become someone’s breakfast because they had both decided to close their peepers.
Although the urge to toss a fireball was at the forefront of his mind towards the entrance, it may not be wise. In case there was some sort of leak that was untapped underground gas, they didn’t need to explode because he exposed it to a flammable heat source. However, it was good to keep in mind. In case they were required to sit the place to impending doom.
For now, he let her rest. Idly making sure the fire stayed lit and keeping their wits about them. Till the breach of morning light. Allowing the means of looking around and finding that nothing had been sitting in the dark merely waiting for them to be basked in early glow. Though he hated the idea of waking Araminta too early, it seemed like they best use as much daylight as possible. Prompting him to gingerly being the means of lightly shuffling her to reality once more.
Araminta surely wouldn’t have stirred at all had Theon not roused her, so deep in her dreamless sleep. Always dreamless these days, not that she noticed anything odd about it. Rather instead she was grateful, as the princess might not have ever slept at all if nightmares were still plaguing her.
There were enough nightmares in the waking world!
She greeted Theon with her usual mix of grogginess and cheer, not wasting any time going through the motions of morning ritual habits. At least with the morning sun, the area looked far more inviting and less creepy. Nothing but dense woods full of chirping birds and old unused road. It made a picturesque, quaint little backdrop to their morning breakfast. If it weren’t for the empty dark void past the entrance of the mine, this particular trial wouldn’t have seemed so intimidating at all.
Araminta wasn’t about to hesitate, though, taking charge as usual when it came to the means of the trial itself. Once they’d packed everything up and Theon and helped her get on all the little intricate pieces of her gear, the princess led the way on stepping inside.
“We are definitely going to need some light,” she murmured, once they’d walked in far enough that the sun was having difficult reaching. Araminta knew just enough about mines to know you had to be wary using fire until you knew it was safe, so it was a very questioning look she shot to Theon about how they might proceed. They weren’t lucky enough to have glowing slime to light the way for this one!
He paused for a good measure. Thumbing figuratively through that of his mental spell list to try and determine the best thing to use in the means of light. Which of course meant a bit more of an effort on his part, seeing as he had a feeling that having both hands was going to be vital in this mine. Rather than wandering around with a light in palm, he glanced to the spritely young woman. Considering her for a long before nodding.
Stepping back and needing to actually recall the particular evocation that would work for a bit of time. Without having to carry it, which meant a bit of effort to both levitate it and cast enough light for them each to see.
Shuffling shoulders then rolling them back, Theon outstretched that of hand . “Raitingu.” One word for a light spell. Forming a palm size sphere that hovered and hummed with a low buzzing noise. Extending it’s position upwards as though he were trying to emulate placing the sun before them, a careful pull back affirmed the material would remain above them. Casting light about a good five feet around them as he seemed satisfied. “It should last for an hour at least.” He offered her before gesturing forward, “I am unsure if there is gas leaking in this mine, I do not think we wish to explode.”
Araminta watched curiously, taking in every little movement and motion, almost feeling the use of it like a tingle on her skin. Still completely amazed by his effortless use of magic and thinking quietly to herself that he very well could have hung the very sun up in the sky. Drawing out a broad smile in a silent thank you, rather than making a fuss about it out loud.
Having the light guide the way did wonders for helping to navigate the narrow mine shaft and avoiding what could’ve been painful trip hazards by the means of fallen rocks, debris, and pot holes. As well as when the terrain started to tilt and slope downwards as they descended deeper into the mine.
It might have been lucky that there was nothing strange or spectacular in the shaft, just the carved rock walls and occasional stone or rotted wooden beams to help keep them stabilized. There were bugs and moss and other natural cave life that was expected with cool musty air, but nothing of the fantastical or dangerous sort of species that might hint of anything nefarious.
Yet as they ventured further Araminta could feel her chest tighten with every slight dip or subtle turn. There was more than enough space for the pair of them to walk side by side, yet still it felt so cramply tight – that Araminta was finding it difficult to breathe. Drawing her staff close to twist in her white knuckled hands, ever so often glancing up at the orb of light with paranoid suspicion that it was dimming with every step they took.
It certainly felt as though they had wandered into the bowels of the earth with every step. Drifting further down each slow as the walls appeared to be just barely hanging on. Surely one wrong move to a support beam and there would be a great disaster in this place. One that he would much rather avoid having occur seeing as they simply had to accomplish the task that was the trail. And this was not the notorious one that took lives after all. Perhaps frustrated others or even spooked them but he couldn’t say he knew if someone had lost their live to such a place.
For a while he was no more than a swiveling alert head. Peeking at anything and everything. Noticing how as the musty air grew potent, Araminta hadn’t spoken much. At first he could have assumed she was trying to articulate a plan in mind, just, her silence was prolonged. Longer than he thought she had ever been quiet before.
Surely not common if he was to be honest. “How far must we go?” He asked then trying to prod her out of whatever self isolated quiet she implemented. “Is there anything specific you must do to gather the acorns that you are aware of Araminta?” For him to be the chatty one, surely this must be a odd twist of character.
Araminta hadn’t heard him speak at first, only managing to catch his second question to blink and glance up at him with a frown. Only to answer the question with just the shaking of her head. If she’d actually been thinking, she might’ve had some sort of clever answer. To follow the shaft until they spotted roots and then trail those to find the tree. To follow the signs of labored mining and surely that would take them where they needed to be.
Except Araminta couldn’t think. Casting a quick look over her shoulder at the encroaching darkness behind them. Feeling a shiver down her spine and over heated all at once. Heaving a staggered breath in just trying to breathe and furrowing her brows at the effort. Not understanding why all of a sudden this felt so difficult, why it was so unbearably quiet to the point she could hear her own heart thundering in her chest.
Until her pace slowed to a stop, holding her staff so tight she could feel the wood digging into her palms. To squeeze her eyes shut until she was shaking her head quickly again.
“I need– I need to stop,” came out a hoarse whisper.
It was just enough to bid him to pause, obviously. Turning to face her more directly when the asking to stop came to fruition. Encouraging him to close a bit of their distance but not to hover too near whilst attempting to run his gaze over her form. Picking up subtle notions that things were not as they could have been. Should have been.
With no clear sign as to what was transpiring, Theon offered a hand out. “Do you want to use my hand so we can leave for now? Come back after when… you feel ready?” Something was clearly off but he wasn’t sure what it was. Just that something was obviously weighing down on her to the point that her cheery disposition had been greatly muted, practically snuffed. “Are you scared?”
“I- I can’t breathe,” she murmured. Twisting the staff in her hand, even when he moved to stand closer. Not being able to will herself to shift herself even when he offered out his own hand. Practically seeing right through him rather than looking directly.
“We can’t go backwards,” she choked out, almost seeming horrified at the very thought of turning around. There was no going back, there was only forward. One step at a time, moving forward and not thinking about anything else.
Then he’d asked if she were scared and in that confused moment of glancing upwards, with evergreen meeting silver it all finally clicked into place. This all too familiar terror, having somehow decided to rear it’s ugly head and the most inopportune moment. For no good reason, in her opinion, just to blindside her.
With another shuddering breath Araminta nodded, finally finding the strength to force her limbs to move. Reaching out to grasp his hand, only to tug it to hold tight to her chest in lieu of her staff. Now that she understood what the rising panic was, where it came from, it finally allowed those tears to falls… but it also gave her a little more room to breath.
“I’m sorry. It- I just need a minute. We’ll keep going.”
With three words he was already was planning on how to gather her up and leave the mine until a later notice. Of course she was still breathing if she was still able to talk but that wasn’t the problem here. It was that she felt like she couldn’t. Anxiously moving the staff in her grasp. The odd motions and the seemingly distant behaviour that he had not yet seen her do before. Raising new alarms in his own mind trying to locate exactly what the issue was. Trying to at least step in closer with a hope that it might do something, besides her strangling out the worry that they could not go backwards. “Araminta,” he started gently about to talk her into doing just that.
But it was important for him to learn first if she was afraid or if something else was causing these reactions. Waiting a moment. Another… then another till he found her starting to move. Reaching out to grasp his hand to tuck it close. Trading places with that of staff for limb, encouraging him to close further so it wasn’t looking like an odd hostage situation.
And seeing the glittering drips freely falling.
Spurring that other hand to reach up and use the back of fingers to try and wipe them back. A fruitless endeavour but trying no less. “What can I do to help you?” Unbothered by her needing to wait or spill the drops, “Can I help you?” Reorganizing the question to a little more narrowed to whether or not it was something that could be done. “You’re safety… your comfort comes first, Araminta. It’s okay to take a step back too.” Not to say this was the only way forward.
“You’re helping,” murmured Araminta, though immediately it caught her breath and she choked back what was likely going to be erupting into sobbing. The scrunched up nose and way she dug her teeth into her lip, before she found enough control of her limbs to breach the gap and step forward to rest her forehead against his chest so he wouldn’t have to see her crying.
It took several moments there of her squeezing his hand with face buried, taking deep shaking breaths until her heart finally felt like it was no longer going to thunder it’s way out of her chest. Until the tension left her shoulders and she no longer gave a shiver or shudder every time she took a breath.
When she pulled back there was a faint flush of pink to her cheeks and that obvious awkward embarrassment that she’d made such a scene at all. Somehow not allowing herself the grace, even though for anyone else she would’ve soothed and calmed them until the moment passed.
“You are helping,” Araminta confirmed, this time much more convincingly as it came with a long sigh and flicker of those green eyes finally taking the time to look around them once again. “It just- It caught me by surprise. We don’t need to go back, it’s only just memories of things. Of the mountain pass and the tunnels out and… And I’m sorry, Theon, I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Waiting for her to regain whatever it was that was forcing her into such a miserable state, there was no bother or upset that she had even been weak for a second. It simply made her that much more human, if he was going to be blunt about it. Deciding pulling the handkerchief that she had given back to him, to offer in a means of drying her tears when she was ready too.
Hearing her speak again that he was apparently helping by just standing here before tilting his head. “I worry because I care. It is not for any other reason.” Seemingly almost at odds that she would apologize for just needing a bit of time. “The mountain pass and tunnels… are you claustrophobic?” Was that what had happened but she had not been aware of?
Araminta found herself blinking in faint confusion when he retrieved the handkerchief from the place he’d had it tucked away. Genuinely surprised that he still had it, and finding it gave her a nice warm fuzzy feeling to know he did. Reaching out to gently pluck it from his fingers only to hold it and brush her thumb over the embroidered flower on the corner.
“No…” she answered first, pausing there with a thoughtful expression as she gave it a second consideration. “Maybe.”
The princess had never been claustrophobic before. Truly, she’d never feared much of anything until her life turned upside down. The trials had provided so many scary things of their own already, but none of them had involved being in closed up spaces either. As she glanced up at the mineshaft walls around them, over her shoulder where nothing but black was behind them, and then past Theon where more darkness resided… at least it did make a small amount of sense that it’d help trigger that discomfort.
Especially when the last time she’d walked through such a tunnel there was literal Hell on her heels.
She released another resigned breath and straightened her shoulders, a signal that for the moment she’d worked through her panic. Handing him her staff to carry as for the moment Araminta couldn’t bare releasing his hand. Starting their walk down the tunnel again, while keeping the handkerchief in her other to help dry way some of the tears, lest she end up a with smudges all over her face.
“To get out of the valley you’d have to go through old mining tunnels like these, otherwise you’d have to scale up and down the mountain itself. It’s… it’s frightening having the walls in so close, knowing there is something behind you and hoping they’re not ahead of you too. There’s no way to get out.”
“If it is the case, then we can try to take care in the future. Move at your comfort, rather than a quickened pace.” Offering the idea in hopes that it might a least soften the wobble in her lip if not her chest, he didn’t have any particular fuss when the staff was handed over.
Taken to assure that it was at the ready while the other palm was hers to keep close till she felt even a margin better. Something that he would do whatever he could to see come to fruition. Letting her take the means of leading the pace forward while assuring that the ball of glowing set to follow them properly.
“I suppose I have never thought of such things.” Theon considered the walls around them as she expressed why her anxious mind was having troubles with their current location. “It does make sense for how you’ve phrased it.”
Yet he was trying to come up with a way to lessen her woes, with no success. “But you did make it out. There was a freedom that you managed to get too. It is alright to be afraid, Araminta. Even now, so long as you speak about it, I will do my best to try to assist when you need it.”
Theon didn’t need to tell her that it was alright to be afraid, as it was something she would also tell someone to help them through a scary moment. Fear itself was not a bad thing and was as natural as every other emotion. It meant you cared about something even if that something was just trying to survive. Nonetheless she appreciated him saying it all the more, as it was an example the depth of compassion. To have survived everything he had to the point of growing numb to the world, yet still held this space to actually care enough to try and ease her burdens.
Araminta did feel better. Still anxious in the space and wary about what was ahead, but better.
“I guess we don’t really think about what could be frightening for us until you have an experience that brings it to light,” she murmured with a squeeze to his hand. That tremor to her voice was gone, leaving nothing but an occasional soft sniffle here and there.
It didn’t take long from there for them to come to a split in the tunnel. A choice of two directions that, in her quick assessment, looked almost exactly the same with no hints of what might lie down either path. If they were to separate they could search the mine faster, she considered. Getting out of there faster would surely be better for her thumping heartbeat.
Yet if there was trouble…
Araminta squeezed his hand again, leading them down the right side path, confident that together was the safest option, even if not the fastest.
“Or one is thinking about the things that could be frightening at any given moment.” He offered in such a way that it was unclear if he was just making conversation or if it was aimed in any specific direction. Too busy looking about for anything that might be amiss to suggest that he was actually referencing a particular thing.
Taking due consideration of what made this place so to the point that it could trigger the strongest discomfort. Looking around and finding a multitude of reasons that truly would incite a flurry of a panicked heart. Before he hummed to look back forward as they lead themselves deeper into the blackened maw. Coming to a crossroad in which there was a fork of a decision to be made. Shortened to chose right where he replied in kind to her hand squeezing. “Would you like a distraction from this place?” He asked her seeing as he could query new questions that would pull her mind away from being in some dusty ass mine.
Araminta could in fact think of all sorts of immenant dangers around them, even just walking through a mine shaft. How any of the beams could be rotted out enough to collapse with the merest disturbance. How there had to be bats and critters tucked away in holes, ready to pounce out and chomp on an easy meal.
Which made his offer of distraction welcomed… especially as it piqued her curiosity, considering he was a man of so few words.
“Are you going to sing for me?” she asked, glancing up towards him with the ghost of a smile at the corner of her mouth, aware that the query was pure nonsense. “A distraction would be lovely.”
It seemed her chosen path was taking and even steeper slope downwards, prompting Araminta to offer him back the handkerchief and gesture for the return of her staff. Not wanting to keep abusing Theon as a means to keep her upright should the ground start getting unstable.
“I did not realize you were a woman of torture.” His reply came swift surprisingly at the suggestion even in mirth that he crack out that of vocals and make one’s ears bleed. Funny considering as a Nokken, he ought to have some beguiling ability. Alas that had not crossed into his genes, so murder and magic would be the limits there. Sure that if he had more uses in his nokken bloodline, he might have had an entirely different livelihood.
Instead the confirmation that a distraction would be lovely, he decided to fish out the various little tidbits in his head that were floating about.
“You’ve mentioned your siblings. What of your parents?” maybe not a light topic but considering he had no father and his mother was the wicked witch of the world, he didn’t have much to go on for good models.
His retort came so quickly, so seriously, she knew it was not an intentional jest, which made it all the more funny for Araminta who choked out a soft, quiet giggle as she was afraid that laughing out right would only echo down the shaft and cause trouble for them both.
It also successfully derailed her thoughts enough that his question didn’t give her the usual pang of sadness and regret, only a thoughtful amused hum as she considered how best to answer. How did one condense two people’s lives down to something simple, especially when your perspective as their child colored so much of your opinion?
“They were good parents,” she started with. “Mother was every bit as prim and proper as you’d imagine a Queen to be, and had no patience for silliness or shenanigans… or at least so she said. You could always tell when she was about to crack because she’d turn away or duck behind my father to stifle a laugh. She was also the one insistent that we all get a proper education and not marry too young. Not that she wasn’t obsessed with the idea of grandchildren, she just… wanted us to have what she had with my father.”
This diversion of her attention seemed to be doing the trick, wrapping up Araminta in this new trial of thought. Far far away from the dark mine shaft, and surprisingly for her, without that deep ache that seemed to come with thinking about her family. It was still there, that bit of sadness and deeply missing them, but the pain wasn’t so sharp anymore.
“My father was a man of the old warrior clans in the northern mountains. A warrior’s soul deep down to his bones. He was gruff and snarly and covered in hair… but somehow the kindest. He had such a gentle touch for animals and children, although his own gave him so much trouble, as none of us really took to the interests he wanted us to. And he loved my mother so much that you could see it whenever they were in a room together.”
The sound of her giggle was enough to know that he could successfully distract her. Although he was sure she might be screaming if he did in fact decide to torment her ears with some spastic caterwauling. Making dame and beasts alike run away with hands upon their ears. Trying to block out the noise that was oh so terrible. However – and this was a big one- he would only do it if she had insisted it would have made her feel better. Realizing that he didn’t much care for potential personal discomforts if it meant that she might breath a little easier. Even for a temporary moment.
So he went to ask about that of the two people that had sired her. To sate some of his own innocent wonderments to what a potentially loving parental unit could be, compared to the cold, distant and murderous one that was apparently called mother.
Listening wistfully as she detailed that her parents were both this sort of imagine of perfect properness and playful. To a dedicated warrior that was knowingly ginger with that of wee ones and fluffy critters. Guessing, “That must be where you get your own fondness for animals.” Theon noted verbally as one could easily picture Araminta snuggling the cerulean fuzzy snails. Yet the concept of so much care for another person that you wed them for love rather than political or expected reasons, was over his head. Love was practically a four letter omen that might as well have been explained to him of the emotional balance in one’s head. Rather than knowing its placement or use in anything more profound. “Was it your mother then that came from the hierarchy or your father?”
“They influenced me more than they ever knew, I think,” she responded with a nod. At once time Araminta hadn’t thought she had anything in common with either parent, but that was likely what all children thought when they were young. All of her focus and interest had been in music and not much else, to the point that her mother had to practically beg for Araminta to spend more time with her studies, while as she got older her father begged her to pick a direction to go in her life. They’d never forced her in a direction, though, they’d always seemed to plant the seeds and then hoped she’d grow.
“My father held the crown and she was from the valley,” she explained with a sudden grin. “Not even noble born, just a farm daughter. Father said he knew he wanted to marry her the very first day they met, but that every time he asked her she’d just laugh and say she was too busy with the farm to have time for him. He ended up staying and working on the farm along side her until he finally convinced her that if she were so worried about everyone, she could do even more as Queen. Otherwise he’d just stay on the farm with her and then who would run the kingdom.”
Now that was curious. To think that the man who held the crown had left that of his castle to even look around the kingdom, let alone take in hand that of a working tool because he was smitten with the would be queen. Leaving him to mentally digest such a thing and found himself almost lured to wondering how such things happened in modern life. Although he might never understand that. How a king could help someone else when he was the ruler of the country or wherever. Yet, it seemed that her father had done just that.
“It is almost fairytale like to hear something like that. I am not sure how to process such information.”
Such a declaration did finally draw a genuine laugh out of Araminta and a hugging squeeze to his arm.
“People fall in love every day, Theon. It isn’t so strange,” she explained with that beaming smile. “Although, I suppose it’s fairytale like for royals when we don’t always get to choose.”
Araminta certainly never considered her parent’s love story to be like a fairytale. Romantic and sweet, and surely colored her assumptions and expectations of what falling in love should be… but she also recognized that she’d had the opportunity to grow up around people that actually expressed affection for each other. Compared to Theon, who seemingly hadn’t been given a kind word, soft touch, or any sort of genuine care his entire life.
Until now! Araminta intended to make sure he’d have someone that cared for him the rest of his life.
“Have you ever thought about it before?” Araminta asked curiously, fairly sure she already knew the answer as sad as it was, but also wondering if those potential opportunities had found their way into his mind now that he’d made the conscious decision to break away from the Imperial Queen. “About meeting someone and falling in love?”
There was a bit of a side eye presented at the statement that it wasn’t so strange. To him, it might as well have been akin to trying to explain that the sky was actually green and the ocean wasn’t salty. It seemed odd to him that anyone could love another though he knew it was likely because of his lack of relationship with the very thing itself. It had little to do with the means of royalty in such a way.
Of course he shouldn’t have been surprised when Araminta raised the question at him. Adding a few more variants on it. Allowing him a moment or three to contemplate her asking.
“No.” Obviously he had not thought about it before. It was not something to be on his radar when the work he did was regimented to the whim of an Imperial Queen that was insistent on her image being perfect and wiping out anything that flawed that.
“And no.” Shaking his head then, “It is doubtful in the end anyways.” He would not consider himself part of that pool by any means. Certain he didn’t have to say much in the reasons as to why he did not think about such things. “Do you?” He asked then seeing as he figured that if she didn’t, she might know why he was also on that very same line of thought.
Naturally he’d turn the question back at her, as for the time being she was the only one he knew closely to have an example of what a normal life might be. One day he could be surrounded by all sorts of interesting people with unique experiences, but for now Araminta didn’t mind being the one to give him insight.
“It wasn’t something I thought too deeply about before. I always thought there would be a magical moment of time stopping or sparks and that never quite happened. Now I am not so sure that’s how it works,” she openly admitted. Araminta couldn’t say she was the sort of girl that obsessed about romance ad meeting one true loves… she was always busy daydreaming about other things, and had this confident notion that love would happen when it happened. There was no reason for her to go searching for it.
“In any case, if I adore you I’m certain others could too. So it’s not so impossible at all if one day you decide you want to share your life with someone. Something to ponder about when we’re not being chased around the countryside.”
He wasn’t actually surprised by her reply. Figuring that she was the sort of person that was more if it happens, it happens. Instead of going out searching for it like a new recipe. Yet he would not be surprised to see those flocking towards her because of her disposition. Her confidence and winsome nature. She had a way of charm that was easy to rival dare he say a siren. But she expressed she had thought it might be more noticeable had it occurred rather than the fact that nothing seemed to be so magical.
Mentioning that since she adored him, surely others would. “And if I decide that I would rather share my life with you? Then what.” He asked in such a blunt way that he probably didn’t realize the indication behind it.
Araminta left out a soft rush of breath, something akin to a laugh or a scoff, although despite her awareness of Theon’s unintentional way of saying things, it did sort of… trip her heart a little bit. Heavens bless the girl he did fall in love with, as Araminta was certain the day Theon realized he could be charming and chose to say such things to someone for real there would be no resisting! Even better because Theon never did things lightly, so it would be such a beautiful and loving thing to see. It gave Araminta this wistful sort of twinge in her stomach.
“You’re always going to have a home with me, Theon, whether you meet someone else or not,” she reassured him at least. Guessing that was the real root of the question. He was not cut loose into the world without anywhere to come back to, there would always at least be Araminta no matter what he wanted to do with his life.
Even if it made that twinge in her stomach twist a little more imagining a future where… well… Theon wasn’t with her!
She might have said something more, but the light of his sunny spell had reached some sort of opening at the end of the shaft. The closer they got, they could almost hear the sounds of their steps echoing, suggesting they were approaching a big cavernous space. The shafted ended at a wide open ledge, with nothing to stop one from accidentally slipping over the edge, but there seemed to be a sloping walkway to enter down into the cavern.
The space was so large, the light couldn’t quite penetrate far enough to actually show what was down there. Leaving Araminta to gesture questioningly with a finger to see if Theon could light it all up, or if it were better to keep their bubble of light small.
Mutely he gave her reply a figurative probing. Not sure what or how he felt about it besides some odd niggling in the back of his that could have been described as disgruntle. “Perhaps.” A minor word likely associated with the way he was trying to pull apart this idea of love and someone else with every other normal thing that most people did that eluded him like a myth.
Allowing the means of silence to settle once more till they were soon encroaching upon that of a widening breath of the mine. The sounds of their approach reverberating from the stony walls, till they were standing on the ledge. Looking into the burrowed out space that likely had been made due to some wealth of whatever it was they were digging up in the first place. Pulling his gaze around as best as the limited light could offer.
Till she motioned with a finger before he was considering. Nodding that it might be in their best interest to see what was potentially in the hole rather than stepping down into something that was awaiting them.
Motioning for them to take a step back, raising his hand to reach over and place a block before herself; Theon cast the illuminating orb forward. Closing his own eyes as not to blind either of them as he fuelled the light source to bloom wide. Spreading its hold further and further till it could be a blazing hue lighting up the insides of the place. At least if there was something down there, it ought to be blinded.
There came a squint from her and a turn of her head away once she realized he meant to shield her from being blinded by the growing light. Waiting a few beats until the orb had grown and settled to a bright shiny hue that cast the cavern into visible spectrum.
It was massive. As large as a town square and as deep and high as the walls of a castle – and with a great deal of awe Araminta realized castle might’ve been right on the mark. The cavern walls were carved out rock in most directions, but some areas appeared to be flat stone foundation, complete with the artistry of stonework in the form of crumbling pillars.
As they began a slow decent down the tricking sloping path deeper into the open cavern itself, tall forms of old statues being uncovered from the rock bed were starting to take shape. There were old work areas setup with little exam tables and abandoned artifacts. Shelves where things were being set aside for study or for packing. Carts for moving debris and rock out of the way of sections that were being uncovered.
Down on what was likely the ‘ground floor’ the true scope and size of the place could be felt.
“It’s not a mine at all, this was an excavation…” she marvelled. What an amazing find! By the style of the stonework and the appearance of the statues it seemed to be an old elven temple, just completely buried underground. “This must be thousands of years old!”
Strange that it appeared abandoned in this way, Araminta thought. It looked as if the ones that were here doing the excavation had just vanished without even taking their gear, equipment, and even priceless artifacts with them.
This… was not what he expected. Out of all the things that he would have guessed to be down in this mine, a castle town was hardly even in the top one hundred things. Spurring him to glance curiously to the rocky ceiling topper to wonder if perhaps this had originally been on the surface but somehow sunk beneath the soil. Or was buried. Truly there could have been many reasons this occurred that wasn’t entirely natural. Magic could have had a grand influence.
Or not.
However, he was not about to suggest that they choose a different route, turning to follow that of Araminta when the slope had offered them a safe enough passageway down into the bowel of the hidden civilization. Spurring him to look at plenty once they were on the ground floor. Unable to come up with any feasible reason this was here nor what type of architecture was here anyways. Another checkmark on the not so required royal education.
Glancing periodically to that of his chocolate crowned companion when she verbally awed at how this was hardly the same mine they had entered at the top. “If this was an excavation,” Theon glanced through one of the old structures entry way or what looked to be an entry way, he could see various things left behind. Unclear if it was abandoned or simply left behind, before twisting his focus around to look at a few of the jutting stony pillars. “What would they have been excavating.”
“Scholars often jump at the chance to study old ruins. To see how the civilizations that came before us lived and how they left,” she explained, already making a beeline for one of the work areas. Lit up with curiosity and delight on such a find. The fear of unknowns having long vacated her thoughts to be replaced with the excited explorer eager to get her hands on whatever discoveries she could find.
“It might have started off as a mine and then this place was discovered – or perhaps they knew it might be here and dug it out.” Even she took a gander upwards towards the massively high cave ceiling, where there was no sign of an opening or a ray of sunlight to be shed. Wondering herself how such a place could’ve been down here for so long. Elves had never seemed like the sorts to live without the sunlight, so this was surely a provocative mystery for anyone to come across. A lost elven civilization buried in the Imperial Lands.
With ginger fingers and a careful touch Araminta rifled through one of the work benches, taking a look at the objects that were left behind and then over a stack of parchments that appeared to be a list of notes. Other than that mildewy feel that papers tended to get in spaces that had too much moisture, they didn’t appear to be that old. A few years, maybe a decade or so at best. Whomever they were, they were long gone before Araminta and Theon got there. Perhaps even gone before the Imperial Queen ever got the idea to send people on trials.
“…this is a good sign, though. If this is an ancient elven city, surely there must be one of the trees somewhere. In a place of reverence like a temple or a garden?”
It was not just scholars that jumped as the very lively woman was making her fast pass over to that of one of the working areas. Allowing a quick glance around their immediate area before toddling after Araminta. While this was certainly something that he had never expected to find down here, he wasn’t about to think they were safe by any means. Keeping an ever alert eye and ear out.
Laying palm to rest on pommel merely out of casual vigilance as one did well to consider what an oddity this all was. And how it seemed like the place had been left to its own devices. Not in a way that he would have suspect the investigation of this place would have left. Still settling that it appeared they may have been vacated in a hasty hurry. “There may be an underground grotto or water source, then?” He didn’t know how any leafy life would actually live down here without some sort of nutrients. And sunlight was apparently not it considering he had to make them a ball of visual aid. “Keep your ears alert… we may not know what is waiting here after all. This is still a trial.” Theon cautioned as he was doubtful that this was the extent of the trial.
So far, every one of them had some sort of living obstacle.
“A grotto! Yes, that does seem like the most likely thing,” she agreed, casting him a wide smile as the appreciate to his suggestion.
But first… Araminta sifted through the papers, quickly scanning the writing on them as one shouldn’t go exploring an abandoned dig site without at least some sort of understanding what to look out for. There were lists of items collected… ones that had already been examined, and ones yet to be. A few documents on work shifts. A little disappointed that there was nothing that hinted at what the crew had discovered and what might’ve made them flee the caverns.
Her snooping took her through a few of the scattered work stations until she made a satisfied little sound, hinting that she’d discovered something particularly good. Spreading out the papers on the work station until she could get the full scale.
“They were mapping out the areas they’d uncovered so far. There’s all kinds of chambers and rooms,” she glanced up, pointing in the direction of the ‘cleanest’ looking wall of stones. “Over there where a few doors have been opened up. And there seems to be a few…hmm… cave tunnels leading to other chambers. It’s hard to tell if they are natural ones or built, but I think the tree wouldn’t be in the main structure. A grotto may be at the end of one of these tunnels.”
Araminta wasn’t keen on going through more tight spaces, but the time being her excitement about the exploring overshadowed all of her discomforts.
Slowly he hummed to her enthusiastic thrill that was recounting what she had seen or read. Just for him to point out a little further. “However, we do not know what made those who were here leave. The idea of cave tunnels may be concealing dangers that were here. It would be foolish of us to try to find a tunnel at mere random to walk down in search of a potential grotto.” He hummed and looked about once more. “It may be best if we can find something perhaps on these work tables that aligns what route is best.”
Of course that could be looking for a needle in a haystack. Or just didn’t exist at all. “Or some map that may have detailed the tunnels instead of risking us entering only to find ourselves within a labyrinth.” He made a point upwards to that glowing ball of light. “I am only able to do that for so long as well before I am exhausted and will need to rest. We should be conservative, yes?”
Her eyes followed his gesture towards the light high above, frowning just a bit as she crossed one arm over her waist and tapped her chin thoughtfully with the other hand. Those wheels in her head turning as she considered his words and turned to eye the abandoned work stations around them.
Araminta should’ve thought of that herself – how easy it could be to get lost in a mine or a series of caves. Her initial fear was a fair excuse to forget these sorts of dangers, but also too Araminta felt so confidently safe with Theon that she’d forgotten casual dangers. Danger didn’t always come in the form of brutish scoundrels trying to kidnap you or beasties trying to eat you. Sometimes they were from taking wrong turns or simply not paying proper enough attention.
“You’re right, yes. We should be conservative,” she agreed, so very grateful that Theon had finally become comfortable with talking to her and bringing up his own thoughts and opinions. Before, he would’ve thought it wasn’t his place, or assumed she wouldn’t care to hear it!
“We can search the work stations together looking for mentions of a great tree until you feel it’s time to rest? Then we might make use of these lanterns to at least give us some light while we have a meal and you recover. Whether we find something or not, we’ll wait to move forward for after you’ve rested.”
“Agreed.” The idea of using the lanterns rather than expending manna on keeping the ball far above them projecting light was a grand idea. Not to mention, potentially stronger in the favour just in case there was some sort of ranging beast that liked to make this area its home. It wouldn’t likely prefer the brightness compared to the darkness it had been in for however long. It was a thought, didn’t mean that it was a factual thought.
First thing was first, the mention of gathering up one of the lanterns. “It would be best for us both to recover. Your leg is still not healed and to push too far.” Theon found one of the lanterns rather promptly that appeared to be in decent enough condition. Pulling open its cavity to check for a wick inside that wasn’t burn to the stub, “I would be displeased with the action of you being harmed because we did not consider your leg.” The silver rings found her almost expectantly, “Regardless of whether or not you say you are fine.” Seemingly he was catching on that she was particularly stubborn about such things. “Four lanterns should be enough… then it gives light but a barrier of it as well. So we will be able to see and make it difficult for something to approach without reflecting light within any sort of eye.”
Aramina blinked in surprise at his mention of her leg, meeting his gaze with a look that was both apologetic, yet demurely cheeky at the same time. Both confirming his suspicions and affirming she got the message with a flicker of verdant green. It wasn’t as if she was hiding it on purpose! Araminta was simply so used to the pain that it was now just an after thought in the back of her mind. Unless it was actively hindering her or bleeding through it’s dressing, there wasn’t any sense stumbling around and moaning about it.
Not one to argue over him simply looking out for her, Araminta didn’t need to give verbal reply. Choosing to continue her means of snooping through the workspaces while Theon set about locating usable lanterns to take over their means of light.
While normally the means of searching might be a frustrating endeavor when one wanted to hurry up and get things over with, this hidden castle with it’s forgotten relics were truly absorbing. What should’ve just been her quickly skimming over papers and old journals ended up taking twice as long as she’d get swept up in reading little notes and details about the excavation site.
They had a wealthy patron… One of the noble families in the Imperial Kingdom, but all Araminta could recognize was the family name as she’d written it on on of her letters. With no knowledge of whether or not it was a prior lord that was now deceased or someone still living. Although if they were still living, she’d think the excavation would still be an active site!
Eventually she came across a book that looked far too old to be a journal or even anything for research or reference. By the fragile feel of the leather bindings and the feather light pages inside, she guessed that it came out of the castle proper. It was hard to tell on a quick glance if it were true history or a book of fairy tales, prompting Araminta to move to one of the old stumps that’d been set near a empty campfire pit to give it a proper look over.
A silent signal that she was obeying the instruction of rest, at least for her body if not her mind!
Gathering that of the determined amount of lanterns that were at least sporting a wick within that wasn’t too short that it would have been practically useless to have, he left Araminta to her investigating. Keeping her well within his line of sight whilst his means of organizing that of the flame carriers was made. Arranging them to the ground once they were lit to cast that of light about them till he was well on his way of checking out neighbouring spots to assure no particularly hidden creepy crawlies were lying in wait. Needing not either of them to get potentially bit by something that was venomous and having to hasten a rather swift extraction of themselves.
It took some time before he would notice that she had gathered towards that in which appeared to be a settlement for a campfire. Leaving him a moment to indicate that it would be best to roll out that of bedroll so she could sit on something softer than the hard ground. Needing not to stiffen her leg or back any more than it likely would be.
Leaving him a moment no sooner after to tend to the pit to consider what it might need to set that of a workable flame within it. For warmth, light and the potential of heating anything that Araminta might not wish to eat dried.
“What have you found?” Deciding that while he could ready much else, he had taken note of her being enthralled with whatever it was she had found via paper and such. Encouraging her to speak about what it all was while likely educating him on the majority of it all.
“I think you are starting to enjoy listening to me blabber on,” Araminta teased, getting up to shift over to the bedroll if only because Theon was making a fuss about it. Sitting on the ground or a rock or stump would’ve been just fine for her, but Theon needed to feel like he was actively helping and Araminta wasn’t about to take it away from him.
Once she was settled again – admittedly more comfortable – Araminta flipped back the pages of the book to the sections she found most interesting.
“A book of stories, but I’m unsure if they’re myth or history. The first one is about a faerie war between the Courts! They couldn’t seem to find peace with each other and some left the realm behind to forge a new life, which eventually became the Elven kingdoms. The High King of the Fearie Realms punished them for turning their backs on their brethren by disconnecting them from the realm, so they could no longer shapeshift or manipulate magic the same way anymore.”
Araminta flipped a few pages until she came across a beautifully done watercolor in greens and golds of a large oak tree. Taking the moment to hold out the book so Theon could see the pages.
“That’s the tree we’re looking for, I believe. This story says the tree is the only thing from the faerie realm they were able to bring with them. As the elves traveled the world they’d plant a seed where ever they made a settlement, and eventually all of the roots grew to intertwine with each other. The trees allowed them to stay connected with their faerie ancestry even though they were no longer fae.”
“I enjoy hearing your voice, yes.” Adjusting the way she expressed the means of blabber to that of the entirety of voice, he peeked at her a moment in case she needed confirmation he was sincere about his statement. Holding it truly as a worthwhile mention whilst tidying up a small gathering of suitable tinder that would make the campfire work well. Letting flame catch, the means of the former ball of light was properly neutralized previously. Allowing him to upkeep the flow of manna so he wouldn’t be experiencing manna sickness from overuse.
Waiting and finally receiving the means of explanation to what she had discovered. Which apparently was something akin to potential fairytales. One in particular being that of the war of courts. Where elves were apparently separated and in turn ousted from the former life because they did left to forge a new life. It made him almost sympathetic with the story whilst leaning back after the fire had gotten large enough to be a warming source. To pull out the small collection of dried and kempt bits of food that he would firstly offer for her to take proper.
Pausing when she turned the book over to show him that of the tree that was artistically rendered to the pages. Looking to be rather fantastical compared to where they were now. So either the tree had long since perished or there was a grotto somewhere down here that kept at least the seedlings alive. But of course, “What purpose is the tree to that of the elven race that it was able to come with them…. And they valued it enough to plant numerous times to start a network of roots.”
Araminta only ever seemed to have soft smile for Theon, especially when he said sweet things without any sort of realization of just how lovely they were to hear. Watching as he brought the fire to life, then passing him the entire book when he offered her the food so that she wouldn’t get crumbs or oils all over the delicate pages.
“I imagine they must’ve loved their home greatly and wanted a piece with them, even if they couldn’t bare to live there anymore. That alone would be reason enough to treasure it,” she surmised. To feel connected was something all living things had in common, it didn’t take Araminta’s royal education to be able to see how that developed across different cultures. To have at least one thing that reminded you of a home you might never get back to was a priceless thing.
“Though if it comes from the faerie realm, it is most likely inherently magical too in some way,” she thought out loud, making use of her bone knife to cut little slices of pear and cheese. Probably not the use the fae had in mind for the weapon, but this was how it best served Araminta! “I feel like her royal majesty would be more likely to destroy all the trees than a want to plant new ones, so it is a curious item to request.”
With a trade of items made, carefully he held that of the leather tome. Considering the artistic picture all the more within the pages. Igniting a wonderment to just what purpose the elves would even have to plant a network of trees that would all intermingle at some time. Something about it didn’t stick out to him as simply missing their original home.
Was that due to his own disassociation to the meaning or was it because as a partial fae himself, he knew that such things weren’t simply done as is. There was typically a further reason for why one would do something. Usually in an attempt to broaden their reach, their use or a meal. Which he doubted the latter at all. Curiously he had to ponder and glanced at Araminta’s summary with a scrutinizing eye.
Which almost seemed to come to join in on her follow up. “If the Imperial Queen wants something to do with this, I would not believe the trees or the seeds are simply items of home.” Theon thumbed the page lightly, as if it would give up the ghost for what its purpose truly was. “The fae and the Imperial Queen do not get along. The latter is quite vehemently loathing of the Imperial Queen.” As if that needed to be stated before he turned a page in case there was something more they had missed. “I believe it would be safe to stay on the side of caution when it comes to things such as this.”
The half nokken pressed the scarred lips together a strong moment, “If there was nothing to gain here… I am sure the Imperial Queen would have attempted to engulf the elven realm by now.” He could only theorize naturally, but he was going to just stand on the side of overly cautious about such things rather than assuming it was truly nothing.
“With every trial we complete, we learn a little more. …and unlike out predecessors before us, we are paying attention to the details.” This statement of reassurance came with that same soft smile, and her reaching out to gently brush a bit of cavern dust from his shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. It’ll just take some time.”
Araminta certainly understood his caution. He’d spent his life with the Imperial Queen and couldn’t trust anything she had a hand in. Even the most innocuous things he’d be suspicious of even if they weren’t directly connected with the woman at all. There was now something he could actually lose too, if things went wrong. Something they both could lose. It put a new pressure on their shoulders to be sure they stayed safe.
Luckily, through the means of a shared burden, Araminta could carry the weight of piecing the puzzle together while Theon did his best to shield them from danger. They honestly worked so well together, Araminta couldn’t help but count her blessings!
“For now… one thing at a time,” she declared, holding out a piece of the sliced pear to offer him. “Try this? Just a little? It’s strangely nice with the cheese too, I don’t know why!”
A near involuntarily action it was to straighten up into the motion of brushing away that of dust rather than pulling from it. Something that had grown in him to prefer that of her gentle motions rather than cowering back as he may have formally. Small motions forward it was though he hummed a little softly at the suggestion that they would figure it all out with some due patience and time. Things he typically had in abundance.
Although the meaning of time was different than prior. Now, it seemed time had a purpose instead of merely waiting for his next orders. Quietly stealing a peek towards that of the very embodiment that seemed to be the reason he was developing a broader comprehension to such things.
Still, he was going to likely brood on this topic of magical tree of the elves. Unlikely to find any reason for it but to entertain his mind when it grew silent ought to be purpose enough. Scanning the pages a bit more in length till she was holding out that of a fruit towards him. Dragging attention away from the parchment and considered the item with the same sort of calculation one might give that of a potentially poisoned cup. Not because he thought Araminta would do something as the such but having to feud with that mental hurdle that had been well in place for many years. Decades even.
What a hurdle it was.
Folding the book properly so it might close upon itself and set it aside, Theon lightly agreed to the offering. Taking it from gentle fingers but still giving it that lengthy stare. Making his mind consider it beyond what could be wrong with it. And of course, “Cheese?” Incredulous the tone might as well have been described because why would one pair fruit with dairy products in such ways.
Though Araminta was tempted to watch and see what expressions might come about from him trying a piece of pear, she figured it was best he didn’t have an over eager audience staring him down and making it that much more awkward to try. Setting her attention instead of finishing up the cutting of pieces of fruit and cheese in equal measure and arranging them on the wrapping the cheese had been bound in. Enough that he could have more if he wanted but fully intending polishing it all off her herself if he didn’t.
“Cheese goes with everything, at least in my opinion,” she relayed cheerfully, already popping a bit in her mouth.
Much like Theon, Araminta too was still pondering – though focused more in the present. She might be sitting still for means of rest, but she still had her sights on eyeing their surroundings, at least as far as the light could touch. Mentally putting together her plan of search so that they wouldn’t just be off wandering randomly. As much as she was curious to see what might lie in the stone castle walls, the tree wouldn’t likely be inside any of the old chambers. They’d have to go farther in the cavern to look for walking paths…. Villages and towns were often laid out with a method to the directions – with the most vital resources being close and easy to access. Which meant a source of water had to be close… and a tree that is culturally revered with such importance would also be close. And it’d need that water…
A curious idea popped into her mind, causing the girl to straight up and peer curious at Theon.
“That light magic and fire comes from being a mage… but what of your nokken self? Besides the speedy travel? As nokken you would have a natural connection to water?”
He would care to disagree with that sentiment rather quickly. Although keeping such commentary reserved internally as one still needed to sort out if he was rejecting her commentary because his relationship with food or if he honestly thought it a terrible thought. Not that he ought to go into such depths. Somehow convincing and mustering courage to take that piece of pear to try –reminding himself like a religious mantra that it had been prepared by Araminta and was highly unlikely that she would expend so much effort to tame his skittish removed self only to poison him now. That she was a friend and he thought immensely highly of her. She was important and he did in fact trust her without any strings attached.
Although he wasn’t too certain of the texture of the item, it was promptly ignored for favouring just sampling less he grow restless with overactive thoughts.
Now making the concentration level of his task spike with the effort of simply finishing the means of the food, before it seemed that he managed well enough to only be suddenly perked by a thought that Araminta had come across.
To where she was asking about things that he had to admit, “I do not know.” It wasn’t as though he knew much more about that part of himself besides an half-breed’s ability to shapeshift into a swift steed and in all fairness it was also very obvious it wasn’t the same as a proper nokken. Knowing that the beings were musically inclined and the equine visage was typically white with a misty mane. Everything he wasn’t. But this idea that he might have a connection to the water, “I have not noticed. Or trained to notice.”
Araminta wasn’t surprised in the slightest that he’d never explored that side of himself further. He was intended to be molded and shaped into the Imperial Queen’s perfect tool. Anything that allowed him a sense of self or individuality would be discouraged or beaten out of him. Which she had to try not to think about or she’d get all worked up and angry again.
Still, Araminta was certain even as a half fae, he should have the potential to do so much more if he were allowed the chance to explore it. The fae were beings of such pure magic, that it couldn’t possible vanish so easily… especially when the other parent was a powerful sorceress in her own right.
“A tree here in the caverns, even with roots that could reach deep, would still need easy access to water as would whomever lived here,” she explained. “Because you are nokken, water should be natural to you… instinctual. The same way birds need the sky, or worms need to soil. You might feel a pull to it if you tried?”
Curiously it seemed that Araminta was having a deep thought that had some verbal aspects that needed to be spoken. Particularly about one half of his heritage that he really knew very little about. There was clearly some reason the Imperial Queen chose his father as a well… donor. Although it was likely something to do with genes and potentially what uses he would have later for her to expand upon. Hardly anything more substantial in the means of outside of what use he could do for her. Knowing that his former siblings weren’t the same as him. Half siblings that were wiped out.
Guessing it still had something to do to see whom was the strongest of the bunch and would have complied the best with orders. An unfortunate thing he succeeded with.
Yet now came the wonderment of whether or not he even had innate abilities or instinctual things that came from the fae side. Maybe something that had him behaving like a divining rod looking for a water source to wherever this tree possibly could be.
Placing hands back into that of his lap to feel at the leathered surface of the tome that he was going to give back to her once she was ready to take it, he considered her question in due length. “I suppose.” It didn’t seem impossible. His training with being a mage had been very limited but it was a feel it out sort of thing. Shortly he picked the book up and offered it to her, “I will try… to feel this pulling. Although I would caution that you do not get your hopes up either.”
“We’ll find the tree whether you can or not, so I am not worried,” she reassured him, taking the book gently from his hands. “This place and that story just makes me think of you. They were disconnected from who they were almost as you are now. They had their tree to remind them who they were and you… well, I suppose you have me now!”
This she laughed softly about, as it wasn’t quite where she was expecting to go with these thoughts, yet it was all truth nonetheless. He’d had everything stripped away from him until he didn’t know who he was anymore beyond a tool. Araminta was happy to be a part of his journey in discovering himself and deciding who he wanted to be.
“I’m being a dramatic princess again, I suppose,” she declared, shifting to set her snack aside so she could take that book and tuck it safely away in her bag. …Was this stealing? Did it count as theft when this place had not just been abandoned back then, but a second time? It seemed a tragedy to leave something so precious behind, though. Stories like these were precious and needed to be preserved!
To hear such a statement only seemed to put a fire into his gut to assure that he could do something. Even if she said she was not worried, it seemed vital more than ever to see if there was something he could influence. Or do beyond being someone that could unfortunately be a tool used for a means of an permanent end.
Folding hands into his freed lap, her suggestion that the place around them and the story itself made a notion in her mind to link to him, naturally he gave her a quizzical head tip. A silent form of suggestion he wasn’t sure what she meant even after a little bit of an explanation. Needing additional moments to consider her wording with a combing detail that seemed as she laughed, he wasn’t sure any further the connection. The tree had a purpose, he hadn’t. Well… not a good purpose.
“No.” Theon suggested to her idea that she was being a dramatic princess. Disliking the thought that she might even think that. “Just… optimistic.” An arrangement of something positive, “It’s a good outlook to have. One that is necessary and… I appreciate.” Declaring that without her uplifting thoughts, it was likely he wouldn’t have even started to make changes in himself.
Maybe that’s what she meant when she stated he had her now. Which, that was a delightful thought. Odd as it was.
“Bringing impossible cheer to all of the Imperial kingdoms,” she chimed back, with another soft laugh and a cheeky grin. Not quite the mark Araminta thought she would make in the world. Then again, she’d never thought about making one in the first place! It was nice knowing her presence was appreciated though, bring a pleasant warmth to her chest.
It didn’t take the princess long to polish off her snack of pears and cheese, though she didn’t immediately leap to get back in action. Finding that once she was sitting the sleepiness was trying to creep back up… as if they had even done anything strenuous enough to warrant such a tiredness! Araminta found it frustrating – not about to take a nap in a cavern – but not so concerning that she thought it worth a mention to Theon. He’d likely fret and worry needlessly, when Araminta knew she’d be fine once they were up and moving.
She was also far too eager to do more exploring.
Once she got to her feet, she reclaimed her staff and one of the lanterns, then turned her focus to peering around the uncovered walls and doorways… Looking down at the ground in an attempt to infer where the daily walking paths might be. So much was still buried under centuries of dirt and collapsed stone, the missing excavators had left behind a head start that Araminta was slowly starting to puzzle out.
He wasn’t sure that was such a terrible thing. There was plenty in the imperial kingdoms as they had seen thus far, that was entirely miserable. And she had a uncanny way of bringing the jovial mood out in people. Such a thing had been scratched into his thoughts since the first day he seen her feed a bog witch a sandwich. “It is a gift. Likely why the Fae King gave you items without seeking your blood in payment.” Theon uttered as he shrugged a little before trying to play the means of focus.
Like the means of doing so would suddenly unlock some deep innate nokken ability that wasn’t a gray beast.
It might not work so well just sitting here when he wasn’t sure what he ought to feel. Perhaps needing to migrate much akin to a divining rod seeking that of water. To feel its pull instead of merely waiting her as if it was about to whisper haunting words into that of his ear. Tilting the silver eyes up at her as the fire crackled, “If you wander, take a lantern. To keep track of where you are.”
Araminta held out her lantern and gave it a jiggle, along with that same cheeky grin and a soft little wink to wordlessly confirm she was a step ahead of him, but appreciated the reminder all the same.
“Take deep breaths and relax,” she suggested, already seeing the means of thinking too hard on his features. Knowing he wasn’t going to get far if he kept sitting there stiffly trying to conjure up some feeling out of thin air. Araminta didn’t know a lot about magic in any of it’s different mediums, but she was fairly certain it wasn’t something you could force out of yourself.
He’d also do better without her being distracting while he rested to restore his manna… so light exploring was best.
Bypassing the work stations Araminta wandered herself to the crumbling city walls, using the lantern to help eye interesting pieces of the architecture. She didn’t dare step inside any of the buildings or chambers, hovering instead in thresholds for a curious quick peek. Contemplating what each place was for and in some cases finding the answers plain to see with the objects within or even by what was carved around the doorways. Imagining what daily life in such a city might be like. What route would someone take to do their errands or head to their jobs.
She’d inferred very quickly that this place didn’t have horses – how would they get down there anyway! How would they be fed? The pathways felt as if they were for foot traffic alone. Feet and hand-pulled carts. Though that made her wonder how the people down here fed themselves too! There would have to be some sort of open grotto for sunlight to pour in – or a shadow garden for fungi and shade plants?
When something weighty skittered over her booted foot she nearly jumped right out of her skin. Jolting a fraction and finding that it took had been startled into freezing in place. Nearly as big as her hand, it was ridiculously furry and with too many legs to be a rat. When it lifted up it’s rear end and she saw it’s little pedipalps wriggling at her, Araminta realized it was a really big, stupidly adorable spider.
“Don’t even think about it,” she whispered softly at it’s warning movements. Pointing her own warning finger at it before it got any ideas. The stand off lasted all of six seconds before the spider decided against violence that day and scampered off into the cave with a clitter-clatter of it’s legs on the stone ground.
What does IT eat, Araminta wondered, glancing around again. There were no bats up at the ceiling and she hadn’t seen any rats. As she held the lantern out and expected the ground a little closer, eventually she came across shiny wandering beetles. For a hand-sized spider those looked like a good meal.
…a spider that size would also need water too, she realized with a brightening excitement. Raising her lantern to spot where that spider ran off too, or if any of it’s family were also out prowling for dinner. Listening for the soft tappy sounds of skittering feet until she spotted it again and started following the fluffy arachnid to see where it would lead.
If it were possible, the little cheeky comment about taking deep breaths and relaxing may have earned a slight scathing stare, if his features were capable of arranging themselves as such. Unconvinced that was simply all he had to do in such a feat but had no other way of knowing either. It could be just as simple as controlling that of his breathing, however, there was immense doubt in that notion. Settling to give her a look up and down to assure that it seemed she was prepared enough. Carrying a light source that would at least tell him where she was if he needed to look for her. Following the lantern brightness to determine where she had gone.
Assuming that Araminta wouldn’t get distracted like a toddler by something shiny and set the lantern down. To crawl across the ground after whatever it was she seen, forgetting the one thing that was meant to keep her safe.
He couldn’t come after her in a means of help if she was not where she was supposed to be.
Granted he wasn’t a huge fan of even seeing her wandering off. Yet knew that he couldn’t feasibly be at her side all the time. It was impossible and suffocating. Things he could recognize with a keen identification that foretold him well enough when to stay put. To be no more than a pair of eyes till she was well out of sight and he could hear the grandness of the cavern they were within. Suddenly more aware of its broad existence and the deafness that surrounded it all. Pulling attention to consider the nearby structures once more with no more than a dull blink. Unlike the female counterpart, he wasn’t moved to compounding interest entirely. Curious certainly but not so deep that one would deem it a lengthy thought in his head. It was a thought, alongside many others. Realizing the sheer noise that was ever apparent within the confines of bone, it was doubtful all the more that he was going to relax.
Hard to think that as a half breed creature of both mage human and nokken, he could feel the triggers to the former over the latter. Knowing it was likely because of influences and expectations but still, one might think their heritage could be bolder to speak out. Fae were hardly bland beings after all. Deepening that ugly reality that he hardly ought to be considered nokken at all!
It was unclear really in this vast existence of a mine shaft that time had no rhyme or reason here. Prompting him to eventually come to feet with attention drifting all the way around. With a slow dawning that in his scouting gaze, he couldn’t see the light of where Araminta had gone. Sparking a growth of nerves.
He ought to wait. To move about if she was just inside one of the structures would only give them a chance to miss another. Still… it didn’t lessen the growing bundle of fretting worries from his belly.
Araminta indeed found herself wandering away, but at least she had the sense to keep her lantern at hand. The farther away she got from Theon and their tiny camp circle, the more the encroaching darkness swallowed everything up. Until there was just Araminta in her bubble of light, following after the skittering feet of that ridiculously fuzzy spider.
Then a second one. And a third one. Until the amount of spiders that seemed to be scurrying off all in the same direction actually made her uncomfortable enough to pause and sigh. At least they seemed to be wary of the light, as most tried to avoid it stepping into it at all. Diverting there paths a good several feet that Araminta figured their hundreds of tiny beady eyes likely didn’t appreciate all the shiny light beaming at them. But with so many of them heading the same way at the same time… that was a bit peculiar!
Either they were all fleeing the camp fire and circle of lanterns Theon had prepared, or they were fleeing something else.
Araminta straightened up with alarm and doubled back the way she came.
As for Theon’s fretting worries… Up above, somewhere just beyond the lantern and fire’s reach, came a sound.
Ticktick. Tickticktick. Tick. Tick. Ticktick. Tickticktickticktick.
It was incredibly difficult to arrange his thoughts into the familiar knowledge that while Araminta was generally far more trusting than he was, she wasn’t stupid. Quite the opposite really. Granted he nearly a hundred percent certain if he said such things to her, she’d wave it off. Say something along the lines that she wasn’t or some other assortment of hogwash that had no business leaving her mouth.
Surely she wouldn’t just go wandering so far off that they’d be hard-pressed to locate another easily. Yet, standing here looking anywhere he could was not giving him the air of complete confidence either.
Especially… when the sensation of something moving in the intense dark seemed to alert with new sounds.
Sounds… that hadn’t been there before.
Suddenly staying here didn’t seem like such a good idea either!
Tickticktick. Ticktick. Tick. Tick. Tick…. tick…
Too far for the light to reach in the cavernous ceilings it continued to move.
Tick. Tick. Tickticktick. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeek.
Around stalactites in a strange, irregular path.
THONK.
The thudding sound down on the ground now, several feet away outside the ring of light had weight to it. Several moments of silence followed until…
TOCK. TOCK. TOCK. TOCK. TOCK.
Sleek, black and spindly, what at first seemed like some sort of shined spear tocked into the light. Then a second. A third and forth. Finally the head those limbs were attached to dared to cross into the field of light. Beautiful, like polished obsidian, so pitch black it’s chitin almost absorbed the firelight rather than reflecting it. Creeping across the stone ground until the full scope of it’s massive body revealed an arachnid thrice the size of any clydesdale horse. A mammoth sized spider.
And the second it locked it’s many eyes on Theon, it reared up to shoot fine layers of equally pitch black silk!
In that moment, Araminta was no more than a fleeting thought. Swiveling body around as to try and find the source of what was making the noise when there had been none before, only that with the firelight against his vision; peering upwards into the pitch was exactly that. Pitch. Left to merely listen as the means of goosebumps rose at a particularly sharp noise scraped and he was taking a wise step backwards. One didn’t need super senses to get the feeling that something very bad was about to happen and survival was hot plate about to be served up in a lightning fast motion.
Especially when whatever the hell was out there fell. Dropping into the ground with a force that a puff of air from the impact burst out. Wavering the campfire with a spastic flutter and he was pulling that of sword with a scraping shiiing. Mentally checking the means of strength to where manna would be pulled from whilst gaze lingered and waited and tensed as very thing that had been making itself comfortable here decidedly stepped forward.
And boy, had it made itself comfortable.
It was easily the biggest spider he had ever seen! Finding out rather promptly in the means of his private thoughts that he was absolutely not a fan of the arachnid by any stretch of the imagination. Feeling a disgusting shiver run his spine whilst taking another step backwards. Watching this monstrous thing with a fervent loathing.
As a singular word popped into thoughts in a manner of seconds when it reared its rump side up with obvious intention of engaging in battle. Leaping backwards with the fecal matter word repeating in his thoughts to turn and smartly bolt. What the hell was he supposed to do against a thing like that!!
TOCKTOCKTOCKTOCKTOCK!
Like a dog’s chase instinct being triggered, so too did this monstrosity of a spider start giving chase. It’s massive steps going from the soft tapping to heavy-footed thocks loud enough to send echoes throughout the cavern. For something so large, it was still alarmingly fast. Using all of it’s long spindly legs to easily breeze over rocks, along walls without being hindered in the slightest.
Worse, it could jump. Launching itself off the stone ground to land with that hefty, terrifying CRONCH above Theon in it’s attempts to capture it’s prey by means of leggy prison so that it might entomb it’s dinner in silken thread.
This was where Araminta had her suspicions confirmed, skidding to a stop with an audible panicked OH, no, no, no just in time to get an eyeball of the most nightmarish thing she’d ever seen. The princess immediately turning on her heels to run back the other way, almost as if she planned to flee and abandoned Theon to his spidery death! Yet she didn’t go far, eyes frantically searching until she hooked the end of her staff under the handle of some old bucket. Not caring it there were rusted tools or just rocks inside… nor seeming to notice how heavy it was.
She sprinted back just as quick until she had the momentum to swing her staff and fling that bucket with all the force she could give it. Being rewarded with a direct hit against the arachnid’s side and the most spine chilling SCREEEEEEEEK she had ever heard in her life! Araminta hadn’t known spiders could even make a noise!
“Theon! This way,” she shouted, rearing her hand back holding her lantern, prepared to throw that at the spider too if necessary!
If its body was anything to go by, it was clearly not easy to cut down. Or cut into. The sparkling black of its being was polished like a perfect obsidian. And he suspected something that large didn’t get to that size because it was easy to slay. It might actually explain why there were no other people still down here trying to learn what it was they wanted too about this very place. It was likely this great behemoth had either eaten them or chased them out.
Should they have been lucky enough.
Which was not his case currently as he came to an abrupt skidding halt to protect his head, as the damnable beast leapt to stop him. Getting a very uncomfortable up close and personal meeting with the things underside. Perhaps an unfortunate thing for it as well since it seemed like a perfect chance to shift is weight and test a theory if its underbelly was softer than its topside. Twisting in the means to take weapon and shove upwards, before he head the ungodly sound of noise elsewhere. Bidding his attention and the retrieval of sword to just not bother wasting the means of Araminta’s appearance to gawk at. Ducking lower and bolting out the backside –not about to go where its face was- to dip and dive if necessary in avoidance.
Making scurried gathering to get up and hasten his means of getting closer towards her beckon, even if it meant needing to unfurl a few fiery balls from hand to try and keep that thing back.
Araminta already seemed to be a few steps ahead in means of defense, for as that giant spider spun around and was about to make a short end to Theon’s escape, she launched her lantern right at it. The glass and metal shattering against it’s jet black skin in a splatter of oil that immediately took to flame. In a split second Araminta discovered that fire was not and effective deterrent for this beast, as all that seemed to happen was now making it a running, flaming, menace!
However, she was already taking off in a run as soon as Theon caught up to her. Leading the way of escape, through the ancient buried streets following the route she’d wandered before. Trying not to think about the loud, thundering clatter of the giant spider’s feet pounding far too quickly in chase behind them – accidentally helping their escape in a way, by means of it’s still flaming backside!
A hole opened up the cavern walls, unclear if it was formerly a doorway or just a natural cave opening, but Araminta scrambled for it, following fleeing furry spiders towards the space – hopefully with Theon right on her heels. Just in the nick of time before the spider crashed into the cavern wall. It’s long front legs attempting to swing and grasp inside the cave shaft opening. Too big to shove it’s head in, let alone any part of it’s body.
Araminta stopped a good, safe distance away from the screeking beast, reaching out to catch Theon by the arm.
“You’re okay?” she breathlessly, trying to see him properly now that she was without a lantern and there was only a stuck, flaming spider for light. Even that was starting to dim now that the oil was burning off.
Discovering that he didn’t much care for a spider was one thing, finding out that one suddenly bursting into flames because Araminta was trying to help him only to force the thing to run around like some crazed skittering monstrosity with a raging inferno on its back; was entirely something else. And he wanted nothing more than in that moment for a giant boot to come down and squish the thing into a mushy pile of guts. Liable to become a fantasy at this point even as the means of running for their collective lives was a smart and necessary thing to do. Urging him rather to hasten the length of stride to keep close to Araminta even as the damn thing was banging and charging around like a living hellfire.
All the more reason to assure they didn’t slow down and that he didn’t need any reason to question just where the hell they were going. Just barely managing to keep sword steady in hand as they made a swift slide into a cavern hole that unfortunately had more of the eight legged freaks inside. Considerable smaller and less on fire but spiders no less.
This was not the time to discover something he hated!
Especially as he shot backwards when the damn big Bessie rammed into the wall hard enough to rattle the inside of their little cavern and stick a leg inside. An unusual struggle of hatred arose and he had to resist the urge to ballistically beat the leg with his sword.
Stopped by the grab to his arm, “Yes.” He hummed though uncertain somewhat, “More or less.” Mentally, this was a new discovery that had no business being discovered! Turning his gaze around to the fuzzy nasties and wrinkling his nose noticeably. Cracking a bit of that unfeeling visage, “Should… follow these things then? It’s clearly not safe the way we were.” Not about to do the tango with that thing again any time soon!
Theon didn’t look okay in the slightest and despite the fact her heart was pounding as hard as it could in her chest, and the fact she too was likely going to have nightmares about flaming giant spiders… Araminta was struggling to keep a serious and focus expression on her face. The man didn’t like spiders – that was a perfectly normally SMART thing to be afraid of! This wasn’t funny in the slightest, she should not laugh.
“I agree,” she managed to say with a straight face. Keeping one eye on the threshold where the beast was still trying it’s best to squeeze through, just in case it succeeded. In fact, standing there waiting to see if it did was definitely not a good idea.
At least their new furry eight-legged companions seemed to be just as put off and terrified of the giant spider and didn’t share it’s hungry interests.
Araminta’s hand slipped down to grasp Theon’s, tugging him gently to follow along with her. Her staff she used to tap along the ground itself in a repetitive swing tap, swing tap, motion as if she were blind and trying to guide. Truthfully, the princess was just making sure those furry spiders had fair warning to get out of the way of their feet, as it was so much harder to see in the corridor without proper light. Theon needed all the energy he could conserve, in case they inevitably had to go back the way they came to get out of this hidden city.
Much to Araminta’s relief, the long narrow corridor didn’t go on for too long. Just long enough to cast them in total darkness or a minute or two before the tiniest break of light up ahead came into their field of vision. As they came closer to it and stepped out into the very dim light through a gilded archway, where those little hand sized spiders had fled became fully realized.
With only the tiniest opening far above for a single ray of sunlight to shine down, they appeared to be in a cultivated chamber of sorts. At one point there had been reflective surfaces stragetically placed all around the open space. Were they not covered in centuries of dirt and moss, they would’ve reflected enough sunlight down to light up the place beautifully bright. The tiniest trickle of water streamed down from a spot high up in the wall. At some point it must’ve been a natural waterfall.
What wasn’t natural was the way the entire chamber was laid out. Step levels of channels – likely for water flow as she could see holes too that might’ve guided or drained the water through the cave system to other places in the ancient city. Empty garden beds with nothing left behind but soil and dried up twigs filled the spaces in between the dry water channels.
In the very center of this ornate circle of former life, was a truly massive tree barren and dry. At it’s roots lay a few scattered skeletons, barely being held together by spider silk in snowy white and black obsidian. All devoid of leaves and life.
Well, that confirmed what became of the excavation team at the very least.
Whatever this new reveal was, he could have done without it. Especially in the form of this massive black creature that should have taken the fact it had been lit on fire as enough of a reason to just avoid them all together. Never mind the fact that it likely just wanted to make them into a meal and lacked any stronger sense of thought than beyond that!
With a due care of strong suppressing of the want to shudder violently at the fact of it and the other ones all over the place, he knew they had to keep moving. In the direction away from Black Betty there. Certainly grateful that Araminta had taken his hand and insisted them to move. Although he was not about to start putting his sword away just in case these other little abominations decided that they were up for free eats. Even if the consideration of just nuking everyone in a fresh hellish ball of inferno did in fact cross his mind. Cross, stopped and lingered in madly delirium.
The darkness they were in likely helped him not to think about it further than that, just moving further away from the raging nasty till it seemed their darkness was to be punctured by a bit of light. Growing enough that when they stepped from cavern to opened cave, he was immediately looking at the roof.
Just in case.
It seemed thus far that they weren’t about to find a new behemoth to come scuttled down from any particular place, but it also showed that the idea of some grotto existing was in fact true. Just it was hardly lush beyond moss and dirt and whatever else, leaving the picture that had been rendered in the book to be no fit for the withered dry husk of a tree that was decorated by skeleton bones. Theon gave a low huff, “Suppose that is it then…” He indicated as well it seemed there would have to be some digging in hopes that she could find some acorns at all!
Theon’s discomfort was palpable. Both audible and visually apparent! It was taking all of Araminta’s willpower not to smile or giggle, as that’d be so very unkind to poor Theon, who never quite appreciated her cavalier approach to dangers and death. If she’d been the one shaken up, she’d toss out some self deprecating comment or a silly joke… but Theon was a gentle soul and she wasn’t about to tease him in a place like this. While Araminta never wanted to see a flaming obsidian behemoth again, she didn’t have an issue with spiders herself.
…as long as they minded their own business, anyway!
“Not the beautiful bouquet of emerald green we were hoping to find, no…” she replied softly, giving his hand one last encouraging squeeze before she let go to give this new chamber a better inspection.
This was surely the central point where water was collected. A place of reverence for the tree as well as a social place… With stone pathways and bridges over the empty canals where water once flowed. When the light could properly reflect down in the chamber, it must’ve been fantastically beautiful! Araminta could easily imagine the tree once being covered in it’s bright leafy greens and people strolling through to admire the garden beds. The entrance they came through was not the only one, either. As she strolled down one of the paths, she could see at least three others that likely led to other caverns. Perhaps additional grottos for growing things, or just other areas of the city.
On reaching the center at the trunk of the great tree, Araminta knelt down to check over some of the bleached bones. A pick axe, a shovel… a bag full of papers that were crumbling apart. No signs of acorns just yet, but with the amount of spider silk all over the place… well. Easy to assume their final end was as a spider’s meal. The furry spiders were staying well out of the way of the small beam of sunlight, keeping themselves to the out walls of the cavern, so they couldn’t be responsible for the silken threads that entombed the former researchers and hung from the tree like gossamer curtains. Unfortunately, that meant their very large arachnid pursuer might’ve had another way into the chamber.
She peeped over her shoulder, wondering if she should tell Theon that, or allow him the moment to try and breathe!
The princess then leaned forward to press the palm of her hand against the baren tree, frowning just a bit as she glanced upwards towards it’s empty branches. It couldn’t be completely dead, could it? Not when it’s roots ran deep… The amount of trickled water and sun wasn’t enough to allow it to flourish and bloom, but surely enough to keep it dormant. Even if Araminta couldn’t find her acorns here, it seemed such a shame to leave something so precious to the elves and fae alike without attempting to do something about it.
“Have you ever used your healing skills on plants before?” Araminta asked curiously, already rising to her feet with a half-baked plot slowly forming in her head. Resting her staff against the side of the tree and setting aside her bag. Even going as far as unclipping her cloak and then using that clip to twist her hair up into a messy ponytail to get out of her face.
To be honest he didn’t really think they would find a tree down here in any sort of body. Let alone one that could have been lush, thriving and filling this particular chamber with its very self. To see the husk of a tree was more than he could have believed, though he wasn’t here originally to complete the trials anyways. So there was probably a bit of bias in that he didn’t much think about them having a lot more to them than certain death. Which he seen a bit too close at hand now rather than being the previous spectator that simply observed Araminta interacting with the ghouls and goblins of these very perilous adventures.
Likely needing to determine his thoughts about all that later.
Right now busying himself with avoiding the fuzzy little heathens to look up and around the vastness of this place. To where the little trickle of water attempted to flow and the surfaces that now dawned on him were reflective paneling long grown over from likely somewhere at the surface to send sunlight all the way down here. Which made him curious enough to glance back they way they had come and query with no want of an answer to whether or not there were more of these panels within the main chamber. That had offered light down where so they could not rely solely on lanterns and fire. Unsure if elves could turn dark because of a lack of light but felt like there was a bit of something niggling there from his limited fae understanding. Also to be shelved for now in the back of his mind, whilst coming closer to find Araminta’s pretty face aimed towards him.
Looking like she was thinking in that way that was more of a scheme than a random thought. “No.” He replied candidly and typically would have asked what she needed. However she asked if he had healed plants before. Needing no further expression to what she was implying for this. “I can try if it would aid?” It wasn’t like it couldn’t be done just he had never been so moved to try himself even if he had a stronger affinity towards plant life. “Would it help?”
“It might,” Araminta confirmed. Anything was worth a try in her opinion, and she figured if he were actively trying to help he’d be far less frustrated with all of these spiders. One or two of which had latched themselves on the back of Theon’s cloak, bringing Araminta to very carefully school her expression to something unconcerned. Stepping to him as casually as possible as she explained herself.
“First and foremost it needs proper water,” she started, pointing his attention upwards towards the cavern wall where the trickle of water barely seeped out through rock. “I’m going to climb up there and see if I can get the rock loose.”
Gentle and quick, she plucked up one of those spiders off his cloak and chucked it off into the shadows where he wasn’t going to notice. The second received similar treatment with Araminta promptly resting a hand on the back of his arm, as if she’d only meant to encourage him the entire time.
Of course, she did, but he also didn’t need to know these furry spiders seemed to like him, either!
“I’m not sure if the waterfall was natural or created, but if I can get it flowing properly again and you can coax it from slumber we’ll have accomplished something at least.”
It was probably a good thing he was unaware of his additional baggage. At this point who could tell how he might react. Things were changing currently with him and the mean of blasé replies or reactions may have started to seep their way into oblivion. Instead finding that of the knife bright stare lingering on the withered bark and bleached bones of those scattered about. Bits of silk dangling in its two shades whilst ears were figuratively perked to heed what was to be said.
Looking up at the suggestion of water and then towards her as she crept closer. “Climbing?” Eyes made an obvious dip to loudly make it clear that he didn’t think she ought to be doing so when her leg could be potentially a problem. “If the rocks have piled up, then they likely tumbled from somewhere. Collapsing downwards. It could be very dangerous to be too close if there is more rubble that could fall without you being out of the way.” He’d sooner try to lobe a flaming ball up there or find someway to break the barrier of rocks without being that close that one could get caught in them.
Only that he turned at the way she moved to hold the back of his arm, glancing in time to find nothing lurking there. Resting peepers upon her once more that he hummed gingerly to contemplate her idea. “Is there no acorns potentially buried around the roots of the tree. Ones that fell and were buried by how ever long this place had been abandoned.”
Araminta followed his gaze, understanding quickly what he was getting at, resulting in her standing a little straighter and resting her hands on her hips. This was the first time she was going to attempt something truly dangerous since he decided to stay with her. Even if through some lucky twist of fate that dormant acorns might be buried under the tree’s empty branches, Araminta wasn’t going to be able to leave things like this. She’d been forced to make the smarter choice and leave behind the blighted village… at least here in this cavern the fix was something she could actually do.
“I’m well rested, well fed, and feeling strong. Unless harpies come swinging from the rafters, you’ll have until I climb all the way up there to come up with a better idea than fireballs,” she wagged a finger at him as if she’d been reading the very idea out of his mind. It’s not as if Araminta hadn’t considered it herself! They just couldn’t risk scorching the tree while it was so dry and so vulnerable.
“If you find some around the tree that will for certain make things easier, but I’m still going to try and water this tree,” she murmured. With that note stepped away back to the sleeping skeletons, kneeling and giving soft apologies as she plucked one of the pickaxes out from under loose finger bones. “I’ll be alright, I promise. If I fall, I’m sure it’ll be on a bed of fluffy spiders. Not so bad, really.”
As she straightened, he figured well enough that she was doing that thinking thing again. Putting clever mind into forward motion with a spare bit of stubborn tenacity. Typically he might find such an effort worth an bit of complimenting and verbal applause. However right now, his gaze went back up to the trickling arrangement of water. It was certainly a piddly thing though he was still not convinced that climbing all the way up there was wise.
Whatever made it collapse to its current state was unclear. Worth taking a stronger look at and instead contemplating ways about this that was important to the now. Calling him well enough out that the consideration of using a more explosive spell was entirely out of the question.
“And if you succeed, let’s say. What happens the next time the earth naturally shifts. Then more rocks tumble and the water source is blocked. Or next the speckling of light is snuffed out.” His tone was level though he was highly disliking any thought of landing in a nest of fuzzy nasties, “Araminta,” Brows lightly puckered. “Would it not be wiser to not attempt to bandage this currently but rather think about the future. If you can find acorns now, then…” Theon paused and gestured a little openly. Not at anything in particular. “Why not plant more trees in the travels instead of hoping to save one.”
He understood a little more now than before her nature was to try and fix everything. However, this was only a temporary thing.
Unless she wanted to live down here and being the maintenance woman for the tree and give up on everything else well… she couldn’t just think that this would just be solved forever. Especially considering, “This is nature.” Gesturing to the chamber, “To save here is noble but to expand the network and add more upon the surface. Where the odds are greater than lesser, is that not worth the effort you want to give instead of expending it here with mere hopes. Unless you want to stay here and not continue, you cannot assume that your attempts to fix the tree now is going to keep it forever safe. If that were the case then there would be someone here. Now. Even against this all.”
Theon took a moment, “If this is what you want to do, I will simply watch but I do not think this is the best choice in the matter. When we can take potentially more acorns and give this entity of the elves a better chance with more than expecting it to thrive where it is contained.”
It seemed Theon had taken up the challenge of thinking on alternatives, or rather, simply the attempt to dissuade her from trying at all. Prompting Araminta to take in a breath to shift her posture again, ready to argue that it was worth the effort even if the results would only be temporary. It was always worth the effort to try and make something better – to give it a second chance.
But it was the way he said her name and furrowed his brows that actually forced her to pause and listen. Watching him with skeptical patience, but allowing his words to sink in and marinate. Any frustration she might’ve had with being advised to leave it as is vanished in the wake of his suggestion to not waste their efforts trying to turn back time on something that was already gone, but to take what acorns they could find and plant them as they travelled.
A plan that wasn’t just for the right now but for a long future. Something that previously had not been a part of Theon’s vocabulary, and in that moment she was both so very impressed and so proud. This was the sort of foresight a prince should have, and he was far more capable than he realized!
“Point made,” she acquiesced with a soft sigh, twisting that pickaxe in her hand and glancing back towards the dormant tree. “…except that hinges on us being able to find them in the first place. If we cannot find them buried, we’ll still have to try and revive this tree… and if we cannot do that, we’ll have to attempt one of the other locations on the map and they might be much worse than spiders. So ponder on that while we’re digging.”
After a silent moment of her stepping away to survey the ground, that full, all-too-pleased grinned aimed in his direction.
“I do love the idea of planting seeds every where we go. It’d be such a lovely way to honor the story, wouldn’t it.”
It was almost like his throat ached after such a long winded rambling session to try and express that his thoughts did not see it worth saving this area. Not because it was useless but because there was no promise that the effort expended here would be for the benefit of it at all. Only to offer some sort of peaceful suggestion that it boded an expansion of life instead of narrowly saving potentially one. And how she explained the story of this tree, should it not have more then. To be planted all over rather than to stagnant in a sense of seclusion down in the bowels of the earth?
Still he was going to try to express his thoughts to the woman that he had a lot of admiration for. Even if he didn’t agree with her right now, he still thought her noble attitude was worth every bit of awe it could be afforded. In which he had plenty to give.
Once he gave his voice a strong break with a final statement, one waited. Watching her more than anything else. The slow turn of pickaxe in palm to where she declared her had made a point. Whether or not it was a good one or not was yet to be decided. Leaning on the means of waiting to heed further to the telling that they would need to find them first. “I’ll try to mend the tree.” Theon affirmed. “After we check the earth.” If the tree was dormant because of the lack of its vital needs, then the acorns that would have dropped were likely much the same. A sapling needed more of the things such as water and sun and good fresh dirt than a grown tree would. And by the way those nasty critters lingered, it suggested that death wasn’t as abundant as it may look.
They would not live here either if there was no source of food or water. Meaning it was likely the dirt here was probably rich enough with nutrients to keep the tree before them in a state of near death hibernation. Akin to winter.
Unclasping that of his cloak to fold up and offer down so she could kneel on it, “The care you give yourself is just as important as the care you want to give others.” Indicating that while she might be a fusspot about his worries about her leg, he knew it was better to take overly thoughtful care to it than not enough. As he did not want to even entertain the idea of losing Araminta because they didn’t take the means to avoid extra bother to her wound that could not be healed by his useless gifts.
Though he would step closer to that of the tree rather than attempting to dig first. Putting hand to bark –ignoring the silk for the time- but felt at the rough skin of this very grand flora. “I believe it would be far more fitting to honour the story than to simply leave this as is. And to perhaps bring a stronger network of roots to the elves that they may appreciate your dedication to both the tree and the annals of knowledge.” Fingers tapped and he shifted some to circle around the trunk, “The wood would be good as well. It could be used in some potion making. For what, I would need to study it for a while.” He did know enough of magical means to know how to make a decent apothecary. It aided him often if he had to use poisons in his former work. “It could work as a fertilizer as well if there are acorns to discover.”
“It is of the fae realm so it may very well hold the same properties as the wood from the enchanted forest,” Araminta did agree. Chances were, the reason the trees had become so rare and hard to find now was for that very reason. Being harvested by those that didn’t respect their importance. Ones that only sought to use the wood for magical means with no care taken to be sure the trees survived and continued on.
Now, not only was she NOT to climb up the cavern walls he was giving her cloak as well. Araminta very nearly commented that his cloak was the only thing saving him from feeling those spiders crawling up his back! The look she gave him made it very clear she thought it was unnecessary, but Araminta accepted it all the same, not about to take away the man’s choice in attempting to care for her.
Eventually, though, Araminta was going to have to take on dangerous tasks for these trials and he was going to have to let her do them. He wouldn’t be able to shield her forever! But for the moment, the least Araminta could do was bend to his wishes when he was able to provide better alternatives.
Araminta took up residence away from the skeletons, following the line of branches to a spot where the dirt felt loose enough to do a little digging. The earth was so dry it was a strange combination of hard as rock and powdery crumble. All the plant life or grass that might’ve held all the dirt together was long gone – something she personally suspected for the acorns as well. It would’ve been eaten up by critters long ago. Ever so often she’d have to grab a spider and toss it – with one suspiciously seeming to keep returning as if it enjoyed it. This became even more apparent when she’d started uncovering buried bugs and beetles, which then created a ready to eat buffet for this cave crawling hunters.
The cerulean snails were cuter, but Aramina didn’t mind these wooly spiders. When they weren’t trying to crawl up her arms, anyway.
After a moment and a spider toss, she sat back on her knees with another thoughtful pondering on his features.
“There are some seeds that can only germinate after a burn. In places there are heavy drought seasons and forest fires caused by lightning. I suppose it’s like chickens roosting an egg. The fire cracks the outer shells and then the ash left behind gives it the means to grow stronger.”
That was exactly what he was hoping for. That it would have the same prosperities as that of the enchanted forest. To then take the bark that was no longer as rich and filled with life from the old tree and to repurpose it into something that would work to help the acorns –when found- to be fertilized. Anything to encourage the means of a stronger chance of succeeding. And of course to ensure that Araminta’s agreement to change the plans here was rewarded with doing more than less.
Hoping to avoid her feeling a sense of guilt if something didn’t go to this new plan.
Migrating a little around the trunk some more, he was pondering the various things he could do to help. What other tidbits of flora that would aid in this creation of help till he was unfortunately becoming very aware of Araminta picking up the spiders and tossing them like rotten potatoes. Stirring an uncomfortable shiver along his spine with gaze glancing downwards to ensure he was not suddenly having more than his fair share of unwanted vermin at his feet. Sadly discovering a few that made him mentally short circuit whilst trying to as calmly as possible, side step away from them. Not about to be as bold as the princess with picking them up.
Eyeing the unpleasant things as she spoke about flame. “That could be arranged.” Muttering a bit darkly at the idea of burning something, he wasn’t sure it was as applicable for this particular situation. Besides igniting some fuzzy nasties.
Araminta did not fail to catch that dark muttering and unfortunately did fail at controlling the immediate smile it produced. At least she didn’t laugh! Watching him struggling for a moment – as if those wicked spiders were making a little Theon force field to prevent him from properly moving. After savoring a few joyful moments of this silliness, she let out a soft breath in her attempt not to giggle as she braced her hand on the ground and got back to her feet.
“Alright, this isn’t working. I believe an exchange of roles is in order,” she announced calmly on picking up his cloak from the ground. Araminta could only stand Theon’s quiet discomfort for so long without needing to fix it. There was no bed here to hide all the spiders under, like she had with that Inn room full of taxidermized nightmares!
“You’re going to do the digging now,” she explained first, stepping over to Theon and wiggling her finger for him to bend down for her reaching. Using the moment to put his cloak back around his shoulders where it belonged and to clip it neatly in place.
“I will do the protecting.” This she was able to demonstrate with ease, just by nudging off spiders with her foot. Some with a little more of a toss than others, depending on how stubbornly they clung to her boot. On snatching up her staff, the process of shooing away spiders before they wandered too close became a lot easier.
“Think about acorns and… the fae? Who is to say you are not just as connected to fae wood as any other! Think about that and not wooly spiders.”
It surprised him to find her standing up, but with a smile on her face that spoke as if she found something a little amusing. Unclear to what that might be currently, the statement that this was currently not working was enough a distraction to cause him to pause. To wait.
Watching her with the utmost patience and care that seemed to be making his formerly tense appearance, soften . Especially since the way she bid him to bend –with easily compliance- and finding the cloak back in place. Perhaps neater than before, his mind clued slowly to the statement of him digging. And that she would protect from the gnarly little eight legged critters.
Of course he was thinking about this only to be told not to. Instead, to think about acorns and fae. Something about being connected potentially in which he was strangely out of character in that moment, “I think you are giving my heritage too much credit to flourish inside me.” Though he would like not be harassed by these gross things, less he actually suddenly turn pyromaniac.
Still he wasn’t in any position to argue with her. Nor would, instead waiting till it seemed that Araminta was doing well at shooing gross nasties, he altered to a spot that was currently spider free. Eyeing the soil, the tree. Debating where the roots laid before kneeling and prodding the earth. Dry and unpleasant it was. Hard too which would be useful if he had water magic, but then he could have just soaked the soil all the way around.
It was of no use in that regard so digging with one’s hands was how it was going to be. Till he had some luck to find a flat rock. The idea of using the sword had crossed his mind but worried about harming the outer shell of a acorn as he wasn’t sure if they were like regular acorns. They could be soft after all.
“I think you do not give yourself enough credit,” she rejoined almost jovially. “You won’t know what you’re capable of until you try it?”
Especially if that kept his mind off the spiders, Araminta figured. A little bit of practice here and there would do him well regardless.
Though Araminta had been fine with the digging, she took up her new role with a great deal more enthusiasm and interest. Not that it would be a surprise to anyone at all that she enjoyed interacting with fuzzy little creatures, apparently no matter how many legs they owned.
The princess’ Wooly Spider Training included drawing a wide circle in the dirt with her staff that encompassed a safe distance around Theon. Out of his arm’s length and out of the spider’s jumping range. With this perimeter drawn, she shooed the things out with boot and staff alike until the space was clear. From there all it really took was a few taps to the ground in front of a spider before it crossed her drawn barrier to get the point across. Only ever so often would one appear to get mad and raise it’s little feelers at her. To which Araminta promptly scooped up and sent that spider across the chamber.
Araminta wasn’t about to take attitude from a spider.
All the while she’d occasionally glance up and around at the chamber walls, debating how that larger spider might find it’s way in. Perhaps it ate those excavators before it grew too large to fit through the tunnels?
There was obvious doubt on his face. Deep and etched well into bone that if one seen them they might be surprised to find the surface of the calcium engraved with said doubt. To remain unconvinced that he was really capable of much.
Settling right now to simply avoid breeching the topic when he was beginning to become well versed in Araminta’s ability to say otherwise and try to impress that things weren’t nearly as dreary. Only encouraging his arrangement to digging because she was dealing with the spiders that he hardly wanted too. Unlike the time with the snails where he there was an odd twinge of what maybe could have been jealously, he had no drive to watch her play with these things. Instead getting to the busy work of feeling then digging into the rough soil.
Unfortunately it seemed while he wasn’t watching her, he could hear her when she gave one a stern tossing. Had he knew what a sense of humour was, he might have found it funny that she was throwing ones that were giving her attitude.
Alas, there was none of that. Merely a strong determination to rustle through the soil with a steely stare. Feeling and moving slightly and feeling almost like he might have to eat his words about taking these acorns about to turn to Araminta and let her go climbing like some rogue ape, only to find…
Well he pulled it out and gave the curious looking seedling a nearly pitiful look. It was… well it was something. “Araminta.” He called to her gingerly and held out a skinny length of a seedling. Looking more like a pepper than a rotund acorn. But it had a cap on it to suggest it was similar, just… it was sad looking.
At the beckoning off her name, she flicked one last spider to come crouched next to Theon, peering at what might’ve been the weirdest looking acorn she had ever seen. As shriveled as it was, the poor thing must’ve been dry and dormant for ages! With a delicate touch she took it to hold in her palm for a soft examination.
“Well. I would say this is trial completed,” she announced confidently. Though not without taking a pause to examine his features then to the seed, where she curled her fingers around it. They were pressing their luck the more they lingered here, but more importantly, Araminta wasn’t keen on Theon suffering through discomfort just because she had this fatal flaw of always wanting to do more. The man was already sacrificing enough, she did not need to add spidery nightmares on top of it.
“We could leave with just this,” she suggested in earnest. “I could throw spiders all day, but I think you have had well enough. If you want to go now, we can go?”
At this rate if he wasn’t careful of his wording, he might accidentally suggest Araminta make a new sport with spider tossing. Watching her to his chagrin the tossing of one more of those furry abominations before she drew closer. Eyeing this woman quietly with a silent sense of further awe to that mental image he was accruing of her majesty and obvious endless list of strength and lack of fear. Certainly growing to be more uncertain of her famed words of saying she was afraid of something at all.
Less he stare too long, she was crouched and suggesting the trial was complete. In which he nodded. She had to get an acorn of course which seemed to be the case but he found her jade gaze on him for a moment.
And then said something he wasn’t sure had ever come from her lips before. “This one is to go to the Imperial Queen.” As if either of them hadn’t been aware of that fact, “Do you not wish to try for few more to replant potentially something?” As uncomfy as he was, he wouldn’t openly complain about it. She had a noble heart and his attempt to weed her away from scaling dangerous wall sides had been earnest with finding another or a few so she could plant them as they went. It felt almost like he had duped her into agreeing if they weren’t going to do so. “I would prefer your determination of success over any botherment I have discovered.”
“And I would prefer to see you unbothered rather than suffering. I prefer your suffering to be in the form of sleeping in fluffy beds and eating hot meals.” That cheeky response came with an equally teasing smile. But Araminta did consider for a few moments, giving him a quick up and down look as if she could measure just how much he could tolerate and how much she would allow. Coming to a conclusion with a twist of her mouth.
“A compromise?” she suggested hopefully, pointing a finger upwards where that beam of sunlight was still striking down into the chamber. “We search until the light starts to fade… but if you find yourself at wits end, we leave sooner? With or without any more seeds.”
“Else we might be forced to spend the night down here and neither of us want that,” she added on, that broad smile returning.
Perhaps it was best he wasn’t yet proficient with visual expressions. Surely if he was, her cheeky twist about his preferred suffering at the hands of comfortable sleeping and healthy warm meals would have earned an incredulous stare. If not accompanied with a muttering of some sort. In this case, Araminta was met with a mere watching consideration. Likely running over the means of her care with internal fondness and appreciation.
Waiting further to hear her idea of a compromise. In which meant a bit longer to dig in hopes of unearthing even one more of the scraggly acorns. Something that he was actually pleased about. “Yes.” Wanting now to do this task if it meant she was able to accomplish the formerly mention desire of planting as they went.
Mentally discovering that he found a stronger sense of relief if it meant realizing things Araminta wanted to do. If he could help then he’d likely want for nothing. Content to help another rather than serve. Especially one who did everything with a kind effort rather than bloodshed.
When her grin broadened, it emboldened him. Adjusting position with the intention to continue digging as to meet goal.
Who knew a single statement of yes could speak volumes. Araminta doubted Theon’s eagerness to keep digging had anything to do with his sparked interest in gardening, giving her this almost irresistible desire to plant a kiss on his cheek. Followed by an immediate twinge of embarrassment for even thinking of it. Which was silly, really, as it wasn’t as if she hadn’t done so already before! Leaving Araminta a bit flustered on why this was even swirling around in her head at all.
Leaving him to resume his search, Araminta rose back to her feet again, temporarily leaving him vulnerable to encroaching spiders as she took the pitiful dried up seed over to her pack for proper storage. On the chance that it truly was the only one they’d find, she didn’t want to lose her trial item. Into a little wooden box it went, and with a tiny bit of extra thought, Araminta scooped up a small pinch of the dirt to add in there too for safe traveling. Then it was tucked away neatly.
She’d returned to Theon’s side just in time to swoop an scoop up one of the furry little tarantulas before Theon had a chance to see just how close it had come to crawling right up his leg. Araminta wagged a stern finger at it in her palm before setting it on the edge of her staff and lifting it up to set in the dried old tree.
Although Araminta was very good at guard duty, if Theon knew she’d worked out an entire plan on how to train wooly spiders how to hunt garden pests and was currently pondering how well they’d travel, he’s likely have a heart attack!
Had he known what she was debating in that astute mind of hers in the means of the damn spiders, he probably would have been horrified by it. Granted he might never complain outwardly about it because he would be able to figure out that she had a reason for her devious schemes. To swallow down his disturbed distaste for the fuzzy thing that she was handling like they were cats or dogs.
For now he was dead set on digging. Moving periodically to try his hand at a new spot. Never too far from the former one but still following a line to search and find.
It took a bit and a lot of that methodical moving while keeping an eye on the movement of light. Trying not to feel like he needed to rush but also worrying more by the second that failure was imminent. Either fortune was kind or it was giggling at his pace but there came a small triumphant when, “Araminta,” he leaned back to crouch on that of heels, offering her a new little scrimpy looking acorn.
Araminta remained close and ever vigilant, drawing a new circle around him whenever he deemed it necessary to move. As far as trials went, this one seemed to be a breeze… something she had to remind herself was likely due to Theon’s aide, rather than any sort of skill of her own. She hadn’t seen any evidence of trial bearers that would’ve came before her, leaving her to conclude she’d chosen a place no one else had tried before… or their bones were off in some other part of the underground city.
After awhile less and less of the spiders seemed to be lingering in the cavern. In fact Araminta was quite curiously eyeing where they were starting to wander off to now, as all of the last stragglers were suddenly footing it across the ground at a quickened pace.
She was so very relieved when Theon beckoned to her again. One additional acorn was plenty enough so Theon wouldn’t feel guilty about leaving empty handed. One was enough to take somewhere special and hopefully grow a thousand more.
“Perfect! Now we c–” Stopping mid sentence Araminta glanced up when the small beam of sunlight up above vanished suddenly. Too suddenly to simply be cloud cover or the encroaching dusk. Something up there was now blocking the cratered opening into the chamber… and Araminta had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what!
“..it- it’s time to go now I think!” she squeaked out, stumbling in the dark towards the great tree trunk where she’d left her pack.
There was a sense of relief and something else a little more warm in the depth of his chest when she approached and took the sad little scrawny acorn. It wasn’t the best thing he could have done but by all means, it was something. Just of course with his own thoughts, they were already working in ways to try and complete the thing he brought up at all for Araminta. Even if it wasn’t this, surely he could find something that would do something to fill the promise. Unsure of how yet.
For now she took it and he was attempting to dust off his hands when the light took a snuffing slight. Gone in a split second. Urging him to feet in a snapping haste that here squeaking suggestion of leaving was hurriedly agreed upon.
Although, “Which way?” He didn’t think they could go back they way they had come after all. Not with Madam Gnarly out there.
With second seed successfully tucked away safely in a pouch on her belt, her hands found her bag to haul up on her shoulder. At his question she hushed, listening for the soft little taps of spider feet on hard soil for a direction to go and was not disappointed.
That was not the only sound she was rewarded with, however. A TOCK. TOCKTOCK. TOCK TOCK. crept across the cavern ceiling, shifting away from the cavernous hole up above. Revealing the sunbeam once again, but also the gloriously dark obsidian skin of that massive spider now making it’s way along above them.
At least it wasn’t still on fire!
With light giving sight once again, it was further clear which direction the wooly tarantulas were trying to flee and Araminta was quick to point and lead the way. Guessing, that whenever there weren’t larger meatier morsels to feed the behemoth thing, it must’ve hunted it’s smaller cousins for sustenance as there were an abundance of them.
Only this time their eight-legged pursuer seemed to remember their speedy escape and was a step ahead. Shooting it’s obsidian silk to cover and block the carved frame exit, quick enough that Araminta wasn’t able to skid herself to a stop fast enough to stop herself from running right into the sticky stuff. Prompting the girl to give a startled and very disgusted exclamation… and then another more alarmed one when that blasted monstrosity dropped off the ceiling with such a hefty THUNK that it broke off one of the branches of the great tree!
How in the nine hells had they missed something that massive getting into the chamber, is what he would like to know! Sure they had been focused but surely that thing shouldn’t have slipped in so easily that it was now making its unwelcomed presence known once more!
What the hell did it think they were, here for a tea party with it!?
Right now, he’d take the smaller versions of the repulsive arachnids than this titan sized one. Hell if it meant they would get out of here scot-free, he’d pet one of the damn things with gusto. Having to willingly settle with the fact that Araminta was leading them after the obviously fleeing little bastards. Save for, apparently the obsidian freak of the week was clearly intelligent enough to want to avoid their departure once more. Clearly not thrilled about the idea of losing its lunch again, it was only vague luck on his part that the release of silk to stop their escape was avoided by himself.
With a bunch of awkward pinwheeled arms to avoid coming to the same fate as Araminta, the heavy thud was an clear reminder of the first time it fell off the roof after him! New curses spluttered to life in the cavity of thoughts, rushing forward with the pull of sword once more to start attempting to cut away the silk from Araminta. Not sure yet just how the hell they were supposed to either kill this thing or get away from it.
“Fucking thing just had to be a sore fucking loser,” Theon uncharacteristically cursed openly through clenched teeth.
“Theon,” Araminta expressed not quite scandalized, not quite laughing …but surprised and amused all at the same time at Theon’s vehement cursing. Once or twice she’d heard him curse something under his breath, but that had only ever been out of quiet frustration and not with this much force behind it. This was different! Araminta herself (likely learned as a bad habit from her brothers) might’ve snarled out a bullshit here and there when she was feeling particularly morose or angry… This wasn’t quite the right moment for it!
Thank goodness that a sharp blade seemed to do the trick to cut the sticky silken strands, as they seemed to be so much stronger than the average spider’s silk. Araminta didn’t appreciate the stickiness in the slightest either as not only was it impossible to pull against, it kept sticking to her clothes even when her arms were cut loose!
And this jet black void of venom had no intention of losing it’s meal this time.
Another spitting of silk flew to catch Theon by the legs and yanked and pulled! “Oh, no, no, no, no..!” squeaked Araminta, trying to dive and catch his arm before he got dragged too far, only to be caught short enough by the strands still stuck to her legs to miss and land hard on the stone floor!
The beastly thing dragged Theon faster and faster towards it, across the cavern floor and through the fleeing mess of wooly tarantulas!
Later he might apologize for the rather crass commentary that was falling from him in no shortage, but that wasn’t now. Too busy trying to get as much of the sticky strands cut away so Araminta could move and they in turn could start making a swift dash somewhere. Hopefully safer. Yet he was mentally chalking the sound of his name pulled by lips as a sort of note that he might need to be remorseful later.
The sound of the big Bessie was only affirming the swift action of sword turned knife. Cutting and moving it aside with sharp swishes that were thankfully calculated even if he was feeling the heat of this moment. Only that well, that damn thing was certainly proving that it truly was a fucking sore loser.
Metal clattered as the sword tumbled from grasp. Rattling itself as he was unceremoniously dropped to the hard floor. Air rushing out from lungs in a forced exhale. Suddenly making a rushing zip across the ground because this stupid thing was being a right sodding pain in the ass! Certainly not lending much help to the means of reclaiming oxygen to stinging lungs but finding himself sufficiently frustrated.
Logic was thrown from the window. Practically a twenty foot leap in the sense as he twisted haphazardly in his drug race across the ground through soil, stone and arachnids! Raising hand with an alarmingly hasty gathering of bright orange, illuminating silver to polished glow to thrust forward a rather large fireball. Bursting with a fiery impact that no longer expressed any care or consideration to the surrounding area, only barely managing to simultaneously erect a light barrier to reflect the flames away from himself in a clumsy arrangement of magic. Expending quickly the mass amounts of manna that ought to have been better fueled.
Well, it would seem that he was well on his way to having a new trauma to add to the others. Even if it resulted in a overzealous pyrotechnic show that was about to ensure that everything burned no matter what!
Araminta decided that just a plain and simple shit was the perfect explicit for the moment.
Theon did exactly what she’d been afraid he might do if his discomfort with all the spiders had grown too much. The sudden bright flash of fire and light had Araminta ducking her head and shielding her eyes from the sudden glare. Only to just as quickly reach out and snatch the hilt of his sword for a hasty swing and swipe to cut her legs free.
The last time he’d used his magic in a panic was to shield their escape from that frightening fae known as Baphomet, and in the process had drained everything in him. Trying to drag an unconscious Theon out of a cave was going to be a great deal harder with a flaming spider on their heels!
And flaming spider is exactly what they had now again, much to Araminta’s horror. Climbing it’s way down the great elven tree catching fire to everything it came in contact with. The tree itself so dry and brittle that it lit up in an instant. Whatever this beastly thing was, it appeared to be completely impervious to flames! As if it crawled up out of the same hellscape demons came from. Striking such a dangerously familiar twinge of bitter remembrance in her stomach.
And that… and that… Theon’s bad decision making seemed to be contagious, as she was charging back after Theon (with enough glowing firelight to avoid trampling tarantulas, thank the gods). Swinging Theon’s sword without any sort of skill or thought beyond throwing every ounce of her strength into it when long spindly legs of obsidian black broke their way through his magic.
A terrible piercing shriek echoed through the chamber as the blade struck right through the chitin to lop off a length sleek foot.
“…sorry!! I’m sorry!!” she squeaked automatically, almost freezing in place at the sound.
The flaming spider DID NOT accept Araminta’s apology.
There was not a singular care left in his entire body to consider the fact that this place was liable to become a living hell because now all that he wanted was to get away and to make this thing go away. Ugly horrors of past terrors pushing up and through the means of mindscape to latch onto a new discomfort and turn it into fear. Into something raw and unruly that any sort of realistic logic was gone. Not even a consideration any further. Only that he wanted to get away!
Didn’t matter how, just that he did.
The same sort of crazed survival instinct that made him the last living child of the Imperial Queen.
Although the reappearance of a flaming spider wasn’t about to alleviate him of this organizing fright, it did at least seem to release him from the silk. Or something did. Unclear if the means of excited breathing was because lungs were recovering from the wind they had knocked out or a sense of approaching hyperventilating, none of it matter. Just getting to his feet in a spastic haste with all the sorts of struggles of doing so, the sound of something swinging through the air and a short shrill shriek was enough to cause widened stare to find Araminta.
Apologizing to that god awful beast of hell as she lopped off something from it.
Araminta.
Slipping at first with the strings of singed silk, he made a awkward run for her. “Ara!” Barking out a rather short form of name, with a odd flick of hand that was projecting a new light barrier to at least take one strike from the fiery unwanted beast. Struggling to think. Finding it might be easier to hammer slime to a tree than form a coherent thought, fingers grasped to grab at shoulders or cloak to snatch her back. Unlike her, he wasn’t too caring about the fuzzy spiders. If they got stepped on, then one less to think about.
At least those wooly tarantulas had sense enough to get as far away from that flaming giant spider as they could, else they’d be barking into flames themselves with tiny little woooofs. Theon having yanked her back in the nick of time before Araminta became a Flaming Princess Kabob on a demonic spider leg!
They couldn’t both panic at the same time and Araminta’s mind was scrabbling in every direction trying to think of something better than fire. As without having a running start, the princess had a hard enough time trying to hold up Theon’s heavy sword with both her hands just to keep the grizzly thing from charging forward and spearing itself in the head. Especially now that it was missing a foot and pissed as all hell.
On the bright side, it appeared to have a hard time shooting it’s silk when it’s whole body was on fire. Not that it stopped the spider at all from CLOCK TOCKING forward and forcing both Araminta and Theon to keep retreating else they’d be pounced on.
When she nearly lost her footing in one of the empty water channels she was inspired for a change of tactics.
“New plan…!!!” she shouted, throwing a hand up to point across the chamber at that point where water just barely trickled out of a blocked up spout. “Flood her out!” There was no time for Araminta to go scaling cavern walls now, but if Theon was already flinging frantic spells left and right, they might as well take reckless advantage and bring the whole place down on top of the evil thing!
He was eying this grotesque thing with a new hatred. Raw, sparked and ready to unfurl a new flame riddled ball of explosive inferno as it decided it had a loathing for them too. Deciding that if he had to keep hurling orbs of flame riddled death at this obsidian terror, so be it. He might pass out from the over use of manna but he’d at least be passed out for when the thing ate him! Preferring that over being alive and aware of everything being encased in spider silk before devouring.
Save, Araminta was right there. Moving back at his own demands seemingly forgetting that she was currently using his original weapon to where she started shouting. Throwing a hand upwards to where it pointed and declared that it was time to flood the place.
The very thing earlier he had wanted her to stay away from because they didn’t know how precarious the rubble was. And in turn, that seemed exactly like the best thing to potentially squish this overgrown unwelcomed visitor.
So, he could do that.
Reaching a bit unceremoniously forward to wrangle that of the sword from her grasp –whether she wanted too or not- before giving Araminta probably the first unkind push he might have ever done. For reasons clearly, “Get moving, now.” Seemed when he was finally rocked out of his patient stoicism, his tone was sharp. Unpleasant and evidently riddled with both ire and fear. Making a repeat motion to bring up a fresh barrier to keep stubby there from taking a fresh shot, as he formed a new ball –the ebb pulling at the back of his eyes like tugging chords with the waning of magic, Theon raised sword in the dominant hand and outcast the other to project the flaming ball once more at the place Araminta indicated.
Overfilling the inferno of an orb for the purpose of making sure that it hit hard, fast and large. Wavering in step even as he glared unfamiliarly at the damn beast, “Go back to fucking hell,” Hissing the words as the sound of impact rattled the very place.
Despite his sharp tone and serious order, this was one time Araminta wasn’t going to automatically obey the instructions to flee. Actually, she hadn’t listened back then either, as apparently Araminta’s defiance seemed to only rear it’s head when he was expecting her to run off without him, and that was the one thing she was never going to do!
Araminta wouldn’t have gotten too far anyway before the massive orb of Theon’s hit the side of the cavern wall with a boom violent enough to shake the entire chamber. Immediately cracking not just the crumpled stone that blocked the passage of water but taking out a chunk of the cavern wall so large that massive heaps of rocks came spewing forward at the crest of an entire pressurized waterfall finally being released. Cracking against the side of that giant obsidian spider like a shot from a canon with stone projectile and running water, washing it clear across the entire chamber to hit the wall on the other side.
What was once meant to be a tempered and controlled amount of water through a small opening, to create a calm oasis of streams around the circle was now quickly filling up the channels faster than they could drain. With the flow rushing out in such quantities that the chamber soon would grow into some sort of lake instead.
Araminta grabbed the edge of Theon’s cloak and tugged hard to be sure she got his attention to urge him to follow, and if that wasn’t enough to snap him away from the edge of magical fainting, the insistent shout of “Theon.” would have to do. Not that it was stopping the princess from already darting her glance around for any floating branches just in case she had to throw him over a log and doggy paddle him out.
There was something entirely satisfactory once that wall burst. Rocketing itself out at a speed that was far from slow to slam itself into that obsidian body. Shoving it across the chamber with a declaration that this was over for now. Unsure of how this was going to continue but it was hardly the moment to stand there and think about it. Not with the cavern quickly filling itself from parched to monsoon. Even if he felt a strong desire to merely watch in a darkened delight of hopefully killing that blasted nasty.
It was the tugging and the beckon of his name that made him realize that she had hardly listened to him in this matter. How his brain didn’t register that she had stuck beside him would be beyond his scope of comprehension. Now and likely later as well.
Just that he dumbly blinked at her –with an accompanying sense of dread that she was right there- before his legs were certainly being introduced to the cold water. They had to move and whatever horrible lingering horrors that were sure to be in his brain for all of eternity after this, would have to wait till later to torture him anew.
Thankfully out of all the things he didn’t know how to do, swimming wasn’t one of them. Moving through the water after a moment to slug and indicate quickly that they were going back the way they had originally come. As it would move onto dry land for a limited time and they couldn’t be sure how long the mine or the buried city would remain in the position of untouched by gallons of water. And it took a twisted breach of effort on his part –knowing he was going to pay for it as well- that his form promptly puffed into mist to emerge once more to that of the far faster form.
Using the size to the timed advantage to sprint in the rising water. Flicking body about for her to promptly climb and them to start getting the hell out of here before they were suddenly beset by sirens or something.
For a split second Araminta was worried that she’d have to strip him out of his armor to be sure he wouldn’t sink like a dead weight before she could swim him out of there, yet found herself relieved when he still seemed to be functioning and recognized that they needed to leave. And they needed to leave fast.
He pointed back the way that had came and Araminta nodded her affirmation, only leaving him long enough to slosh through the cold water and retrieve her staff before it got washed away in the rising waters. The giant obsidian spider’s flames had been quenched, though more alarmingly, Araminta couldn’t see where it actually went. There was just enough fire from the burning great tree to know that it hadn’t climbed back up the walls to the ceiling and open crater… which meant it was under the waters already and THAT was unlocking some frightening new fear Araminta didn’t want to acknowledge!
She didn’t question his shift into the speedy stead, possibly having that instinctual understanding about his fae form even more than Theon did. Knowing that how a fae traveled didn’t follow the same rules of space and distance. Climbing onto his back quickly to hold on to the dappled mane and keeping her head down low just in case some twist of fate decided to go throwing her off.
Trusting he was going to get them to safety without taxing himself to near death… though already plotting all the ways she was going to yell at him if he did.
Run!
Practically screamed with the mental scape that burdened itself with old and new events. Terrors that rested just below surface level given new realities. Becoming refreshed alongside twisting and shaping the forms of bristling hurdles that either would become something sharp and fresh to linger; or take what was there already with a desire to fester with incredible new bends. He wouldn’t know. Merely grasping with a figurative light touch and knowing that surely all this would bode well for cracking an already fractured mind.
Adding in the ingredient that was Araminta’s own life to that medley of terrified madness.
The water was steadily rising. Lickings it’s cold presence across that of limbs. Pouring freely to where mind frantic with too many things and carrying the bile feeling of illness from manna sickness, hooves made use of themselves. Pivoting hard within the chamber turned pool with hasty rushing. Driving chest and front legs to move in the mirage of safety from the original way they’d entered. No longer capable of simply wishing a gruesome death to the overgrown abomination but requiring the panicking realization of being chased, hunted and killed, to insist of leaving.
There was no closet here to hide in to escape.
It was unclear to him when splashing bounds of feet went from filling tides to slipping and clamoring on muddy dirt and slick stone, only that eats remained upright to hear the distinct change in sound.
The world at his sides were blurs of ashen black. Shadows lingering too close and fear holding crisp upon throat. Not merely in reply to his own instinct to live but to save Araminta.
Had he time to think, he might realize her life and her survival trumped his own. However the gray matter that ought to control logic was missing.
Only seemingly able to stay aware to keeping Araminta with him even at a frenzied dash, and ensuring they did. Not. Stop!
Get out. Get out. Leave… run. . . RUN!
Araminta always found it difficult to look around when they travel this way. With only her human perception, when he’d walk a steady space it often felt like the scenery would blend together in this seamless blur that became disorienting if she tried too hard to focus on any one thing. Now, with him running at the speed of fear, there was nothing but a blob of shifting shadow and color, forcing her to keep her eyes squeezed shut before she ended up nauseous!
It couldn’t have taken more than a minute or two to escape the caverns and the mine itself – yet he still ran. And ran. And ran. And ran! Long enough that even Araminta was out of breath, with no sense of what was up or down, forward or backwards. Making her increasingly concerned that he may very well run himself ragged straight to a physical collapse.
Without reigns to pull to stop him, Araminta could only tug gently on that silver mane and reach out her hand to pat his neck in a soothing motion. Or at least, as soothing as it could be in the middle of a mad dashing escape.
“Theon…!” she shouted out. “Theon, we’re safe now! It’s okay to stop now!”
If he was capable to walk on water, he may have just ran them unconsciously across the ocean with no pause. To be forced to when body decided that the presiding terror that ran his blood could go no further. Making it all give out to where there could have been a slight sliver of hope that if it came, it would not release him back into the world. Instead holding him a hostage resident into the maw that was eternity.
Gods only knew it was possible in other ways had there not been a part of this equation that was known but dropped in memory at points till there was a grasp on mane and a calling that punctuated that of his name to declare a cease.
It took surprisingly a great deal of effort not to come to an animalistic halt. Avoiding coming to a dramatic skid with rearing and flailing front limbs that would have highly tossed the former princess down into whatever dirt they stood upon. The urge was there influenced by fear and things that had been locked away pathetically behind mental chains; now freed. A box opened once more and it was in a delightful mood of spreading its negativity to ensure the one it existed in wasn’t given much rest.
Regardless, he slowed. Not easily mind you. Barely stalling long enough for Araminta to clamour down off back before he was tossing and presenting a visual show of paranoia. Loudly huffing as lungs were hungry for breath. Hide slickly frothed with the effort that came from the mad bolt paired with over use of abilities that were originally trained for control and maybe a bit of elegance. Leaving belly like a gnarled root liable to be ill if he paused too long. Looking frantically about and surprisingly keeping a bit of a distance from Araminta whilst the means of emotions ruled chaotically within his being. More of a animated puppet that had no idea which emotion was doing what but all trying at the same time. Pulling and demanding.
Eyeing their surroundings with nervous suspicions before getting startled by nothing save his own imagination and kicking up a fuss. Turning sharply or darting swiftly to the left or right, flaring nostrils with stamping hooves and alert ears. Certainly somewhere aware that he was rather vocal in his whinnying to growling or snorting. A few short hairs away from screaming as the sensation of being threatened and scared at the same time was ensuring that the idea of calm was not about to be presence.
Something surfaced itself in those moments prior and it was ensuring its existence was not about to be tampered down again. The only thing he could do right now was keep some distance from the princess as to avoid alerting and reacting at her with an frightened intent to harm whilst refusing to allow the forms of human and nokken to revert. Feeling safer in some way as he was, seeing as there was a ease to running when he could go like the dickens.
The second Araminta was on steady ground, she set aside her staff and bag, even shed off her cloak in quick succession. Wiping her hands at her sides as she approached closer, but keeping at far enough distance to not spook him. Completely unafraid of being harmed – which was to be expected. She was a woman who gave sandwiches to bog hags and picked up wooly spiders with her bare hands.
Still, Araminta understood well those feelings of panic and fright. How easily they could take over and overwhelm all other senses. Truthfully glad he remained in his horsey form, as that connection to his fae ancestry was likely the only thing keeping him so alert on his feet. Otherwise he might’ve already passed out dead away!
“It’s alright now…!” she called out as gently and soothing as she could. Holding her hands out and open so he could see they were free of anything dangerous. Weapon or creepy crawly.
“You were so spectacularly brave! But now it’s time to rest and take deep breaths…” One step at a time Araminta inched closer. Stopping when he’d get to skittish or dash further away. Always with her hands open and welcoming in case he wanted to bridge the gap himself.
“We’re in a beautiful pasture now. Nothing but swaying grasses and autumn breezes. We could even run together here if you wanted, only if you take a few moments to slow down and breathe with me?”
Time had personally no existence currently.
Just that when he heard movement that wasn’t just in his head, body naturally jolted away. Jerking attention around to find the pretty young woman standing there saying something that admittedly was no more than mishmash nonsense trying to process through an addled brain. Turning the long skull sideways to keep an wide eye on her whilst seemingly trying to fathom what her hands were doing. Currently unoccupied but that didn’t mean too much.
Later he might truly feel awful if that of mind didn’t actively seek to block away the knowledge that even now there was a sense of uncertainty that she too couldn’t act to harm. Hands were just as dangerous as weapons used in the right way. As if the mental hurdle of knowing that she was probably the least likely person to do anything against him, there was that niggling ugly sliver that wanted to remain. Whispering softly in a soothing tone as it gave ammunition to urge him to start and veer away a few added times.
Stamping hard upon ground till one turned and kicked as if the ragtag wildling was going to calm down whatever portion of his entire being was eyeball deep in illogical responses paired with blasting emotions.
It took time and noticeable watching on his part at her –between spooks and startled darting- before he seemed to realize somewhere that she was going to be that stubborn tit all over again. Putting herself at needless risk because she had no trepidation. All those suggestions that she was, were truly nonsense! This woman was fearless. And something about that stung when he there was vague awareness that he couldn’t seem capable to calm and soothe himself!
Certainly he couldn’t be angry at Araminta for being flawless but he absolutely could be angry at himself for being insufficient. Giving a heavy foot a fresh stomp and eventually skirting a bit further to where even if he wanted to keep bolting around like a headless chicken cause the world was over stimulating, body itself was tired. And it was having enough of this! Seemingly acting like the mediator of an unlikely source to where knees and shoulders buckled. Forcing the beast of burden to stumble with a clear indication that unless he wanted to break a leg, he was going to have to lay down.
An awkward motion that was. Faltering even as head jerked and ears prickled at all and no sounds. Flopping big rump down in the dirt with an unceremonious thud, lungs seemed to appreciate the chance to frantically in and exhale at its laborious efforts. Becoming immobile alone was already too much, forcing head and eyes and ears to listen to e v e r y t h i n g! Flaring nostrils with pairing lamenting sounds that would typically attract predators, if he were truly a beast of burden. Granted it still could attract something and that seemed to only aid him in that unwilling wall that needed to get a grip.
“I wouldn’t call that the most graceful of descents, but it is better isn’t it,” she spoke softly. Normally, even, as if they hadn’t gone fleeing a buried city of spiders! Aramina just knew he wouldn’t appreciate being babied or talked to like a startled child. All he truly needed was for her to just be there, patient and calm. Knowing from her own experience that it worked wonders on her when it was so hard to breathe and things felt too much, that he was there with her.
Araminta waited a few moments to let him simmer down once he was finally roosted to the ground as a big silvery dappled horse loaf. Then her steps were slow and careful… wary in case he decided to defend himself with a snap of teeth. Getting nipped by a horse was never a pleasant experience, and while she doubt he’d bite her on purpose, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t snap from a sudden jolt.
Just as smooth in a fluid motion she planted herself next to him, just at the shoulders where he could turn his head and stare an eye at her if he pleased. Close enough to be full body leaning against him, but not yet reaching with hands so that he might get used to her sitting there first.
“You don’t need to worry – I am still on guard duty,” she informed him with that gentle tone. Finally taking the chance to brush the back of her hand along his neck and then finally both hands for some soft soothing petting. “Which means it’s presently your job to rest. Eat some clovers. …do nokken eat clovers? I know horses do, at the very least. People can eat them too, if only a little. I mostly have only ever seen homebrew clover wines and those tend to taste a bit grassy…”
Now that she was thinking about it, she ought to have grabbed her lyre from her pack. Luckily Araminta never had a loss of things to blabber on about to fill the silence and keep his mind distracted. Content with carrying on a conversation by herself as she pet.
There was likely never going to be an eureka moment that suddenly understood everything that was happening, or why it was. What instead was the fact that this random person, a princess that had agreed to do these insane trials to prove a point to an abusive, vindictive, insane woman of a queen, that she could pass these damn things for the aid that should have been provided regardless. And while his thoughts were turbulent with sparks of emotions and clashing anxiety with peppering paranoia in this manic breakdown, Araminta somehow seemed fine. Unaffected.
And wasting her efforts on him.
Whatever it was that stung right now, he couldn’t say. Just when she sat down and his head turned naturally to look at her –like he hadn’t been sure she was real- a lack of logic felt like it needed control. To get up and leave. Which was highly emotional, even he could fathom that much even if nothing else seemed to be working.
Unsure if he preferred the ways he dealt with these episodes when terror overrode everything else or not. Of course he had done what felt right back then. To suppress, to divide and to lose as much as possible in the aspects that made one human. He became a wooden doll to someone that bore him like bloody cattle and in turn, he knew the types of struggles and overwhelming reality of silence, loneliness and the target on his own back from advantage seeking nobles and siblings that were vying for the crown when he just sought to live. Hide. Run.
Hide.
Run.
She was talking and he was barely listening to it truly. Just noting that Araminta was wasting her gentle efforts on this all. Knowing he had to get a grip of himself somehow as to avoid the tumultuous nonsense that was reacting at all.
He’d flinched rather aggressively when she grew bold enough to reach out to brushing the back of hand along him. As if expecting something he also knew wouldn’t happen. Hearing her statement about guard duty and felt that ball of iron that represented strong guilt, rising to throat. What the hell was he doing here if he was able to be so broken down, so shaken up that she was proving that all he was doing is being incredibly massive means of dead weigh.
As ugly as it was, at least the Imperial Queen had use for him. Even if it was to spill blood at her command, it had been something he was relatively good at. Not this… not this stupid realization that he’d come to find a new phobia to go along with being afraid of sleeping and eating!
Lowly he gave a plaintive sound before turning and dipping head away. Honestly he couldn’t say he felt any calmer but unfortunately growing more alert in the mental status that was gradually reclaiming itself with a presence of resurfaced loathing. At least in the form he kept now, there was a lack of ability to talk or to do much besides fighting the want to sleep with a growing persistence of over expenditure of hurling balls of flame in spastic panic.
At least Araminta was also good at keeping herself entertained, that much he didn’t have to worry about, now did he.
“You’re being stubborn,” she whispered under her breath when he turned his angular head away, almost as if he were trying to completely ignore her. His horse form was almost easier to read in terms of body language… Theon had a freeness in it, she doubted he even realized he had. Yet, it was still a far distance away from being able to see his face and that look in his silver eyes where she’d grown accustomed to picking up on the little hints to what his thoughts might be.
He was harder to read like this. Having to rely on instinct and what she’d learned of him to even take an educated guess on his thoughts or mood. Now that he’d gotten through his panic (whether it was forced on him through his body collapsed or not), he was likely swimming in darker brooding. Knowing all too well that after that initial shock passed, there was this awful crushing weight of wondering why you even bothered to try at all. When everything came piling in to squish you down into feeling small and useless.
Then she’d met Theon and slowly things no longer seemed so impossible. She hoped once he’d finally rested, he might feel that way too.
For the moment and despite his ignoring her, Araminta still continued her soft affections of stroking his neck and combing fingers through silvery mane. When the colors in the sky started to shift to warm orangey hues and late autumn fireflies started to wake up and begin their wink-wonking along the shadier parts of the pasture, she talked about all the different colors of fireflies she could spot.
Then when the oranges shifted to purples and navies, Araminta had finally grown exhausted enough herself to sigh and shift to settled against his horsely flank, head and all. With every intention of continuing to keep watch, but finally silencing herself so he might fall asleep.
The only bonus to him being stubborn was the refusing to sleep. Not with the idea that his mind could be plagued with giant murderous spiders of pitch black, ten thousands of little ones acting like the nodes of his ever lingering culpability. Regardless if the lack of resting made that manna sickness spread and prick at every sensitive organ within his being, he absolutely refused to let it take hold. Staying where he was however knowing it was unlikely that his tenacity for being a mule, would allow him to get up. But he could fight with it all as the world went dark as it typically would for the night. Awakening sparkling flecks of insects and distant sounds of crickets somewhere in the tall swaying grass.
Staying as a equine allowed him to feel sickly nauseous but unable to vomit with the lack of ability to do so. All the more reason he wouldn’t force the change. Leaving it as is even as the night drew on and his flinching to noises that weren’t known in his mind continued to alarm and freak every nerve out!
It had to be some saving grace that even as Araminta hushed, that she would be charmed to sleep with that weight of whatever it was that made her sleep so well.
He’d be unlikely to use manna for a while with how quickly he spent it all and was refusing to recuperate properly even through that blasted limitation that magic users went through. Though it might have been a boon, so he wasn’t able to send out bursts of heated waves if he got spooked even by a random person. Or worse, Araminta.
Once the morning was starting to bleed its way into the sky, he gave a internal bitter sigh. It wasn’t so easy to hide away from everything when they were literally out in the open. But he could recluse, he knew that. And idolized it more than ever right now. Wanting not to deal or even acknowledge with anything that transpired but preferring to pack it away to become a festering blackness deep within his being. Perhaps Araminta would feel compelled now to ensure they split ways if he was going to be impressively unreliable. It seemed fair and he might just do better when he stopped trying at all. It was unlikely he was ever going to be able to go back to what he was prior but the idea of continuing was like a lead weight on shoulders. Not so inclined to do it either.
The dumb luck of being the last surviving child of the Imperial Queen was truly proving itself to be a curse really.
Just… he didn’t know what to do right now. Besides invest on closing back the doors and trying to put the pieces back in place that would cement that unwavering impassive stoicism that suited so much more than any of this. Or he could just stay like this and just never leave the form again. Which was also an opportunity and starting to feel like a better idea by the second as the sun rose. At least a horse was useful. And when they weren’t, well… they were made into other things.