Michellin

Wanderers

Ah. This part, I didn’t miss. Kire remembered how oppressive the desert heat had been her first two days in Ziad three months ago. Now and then she would pause to glance back at their party to see how they were doing before quickly going back to following the trail. At times the hints of it wavered, and the heat interfered with how clear her senses were, but she had a general sense of the direction, which she would periodically indicate to Ruli. Ysaryn’s injury concerned her, as well as Narda’s tolerance to the heat, though the giantess made no comment, only continuing on in watchful silence. Kire was glad her friend came along, then.

The closer they got to the slopes, the rockier and more rugged the terrain. The trail is getting stronger, Kire observed, though the signature hadn’t materialized in her mind into a concrete scent or sensation just yet, not until they had stepped over the wards. Despite the heat that blew in from the desert, Kire felt a chill throughout her body, and the smell of night flowers filled her nostrils. Kire warned them, her gaze forward. Nothing assailed them yet, however.

An hour in, Ysaryn’s voice rang out, and Kire and Narda stopped, just as an arrow whistled through the air. A warning shot. Fucking archers, Kire seethed, trying to look around to see if she could spot the source. She couldn’t trace it; whoever it was, they weren’t actively using magic, or had not been the one to cast the wards. For now, she and Narda were powerless in a delicate situation, and she disliked every ounce of it. She wasn’t going to retreat, however; no matter what, she was leaving with Ed. The Amrians listened to Ysaryn translated the exchange, and it was clear to Kire the Raielwen wouldn’t give them any quarter, even when Zeke offered his name and affiliation to the princess.

Kire almost jumped to her feet when another arrow whizzed past, this time towards Ysaryn. Fuck! Kire hissed, every muscle tense, itching to spring into action. When Zeke and then Ruli knelt, Kire followed.
“Kire!” Narda hissed.
“Do it,” Kire muttered back. Then, to Ruli, “We look similar. He’s got blonde hair. Blue eyes. Like mine. Taller than me. He should have something on him with the Wyvern sigil, like in the pin. On his armor. Amrian steel.” Kire chewed her lip. “Will they take a prisoner? A hostage?”

Wanderers

As she had expected, Ruli didn’t fill in the details about Aera, but the little Envy divulged made Kire wonder what tragedies she had experienced. As Narda returned, the two Amrian warriors observed the exchange between Ruli and Zeke. “How are you feeling?” Narda asked Kire. “No weird blood magic after-effects?”
“No, Nard. I’m more worried about what those elves would have done to Ed if they did find him.” Kire smiled, despite the thought. “But if the scrying led them to the Raielwen, that means he’s there. He’s alive.” Narda still looked skeptical as Zeke went to them to tell them what to do.
The list of things he told them made both Amrians frown. While Kire understood the situation—a group of armed strangers infiltrating your territory would elicit such a response—neither of them liked being vulnerable in that way. Kire glanced at Ysaryn when Zeke said she would need to be shielded, knowing the elf would take issue with that. Kire had thought at first that having an elf who spoke their tongue would be an advantage, but remembering the fates of the Five children of the Moon God, she realized the mistrust between even elvenkind was probably expected.

The first thing Kire and Narda heard was Ysaryn’s swear. Alarmed, Kire turned to her, then looked about them, her hand almost darting to her blade, expecting an ambush. But when it was clear it had been a mishap with the thorny underbrush, Kire put down her hands. Already just the deceptively simple instruction of keeping her hands away from her weapon annoyed her. She pushed the annoyance aside, however, in order for her to concentrate. “Not yet,” she said, her gaze cast forward. “Nard, cover me.”

She took a step forward, looked around them for signs of hidden enemies, then closed her eyes, breathing deeply, trying to get a sense of anything unusual. There was something faint, up ahead, but she needed to get closer to be sure. She crouched down, touching the soil. “Ahead,” she said simply, standing up. “And closer to the slopes.”

Wanderers

Kire sighed, nodding, taking the pin to prick her index finger, handing it back to Ruli afterward. She had seen blood magic, known how its taboo forms worked, but this was almost the opposite of that. It needed care, precision. We’re trying to find life, not take it,, she thought, as if reassuring herself. Narda remained quiet, but she could tell the giantess was tense. Kire sucked on the pricked finger and watched, curious, as the mixture in the bowl transformed. She wrinkled her nose at the steam but made no comment, not wanting to interrupt and somehow spoil the process by talking.

When they finally saw what they were looking for, Kire looked from Envy to Ruli, the latter much less enthusiastic about the results, though even Envy seemed to receive the information cautiously. [i]Curious.[i] Besides the general complication of encountering the Raielwens, there seemed to be some other history provoking these reactions that had to do with this Aera. “Well, that sounds like the better alternative,” Kire said, when Ruli finally addressed them. She listened as Envy expressed the complications of trying to find him. “I may not see through the illusion, but there’s a big chance I’d sense the wards, anyway, just as I did yours.” And Ed is tough. The thought was more a wish than an assurance.
“Wards, illusions, scrying,” muttered Narda, anxious about all the magic involved in this quest. “Next thing you know, we’ll be dealing with dragons and fairies.”
“With the luck I have?” Kire said grimly. “Come on, let’s grab some water for the trip. Thank you, Envy.”

Kire and Narda stepped out just in time to see Ysaryn admonish Gavin. The Gemini and the giantess stared at each other then. The lad seemed then to reconsider the very desire to come with them. Narda narrowed his eyes, before going off to fetch waterskins for herself and Kire. “So everyone else is going?” Gavin commented when she left.
“Mmhmm.” Kire waited for Ruli’s answer to the question of Aera. Given this was Ruli, though, she also made a bet with herself on whether or not he would actually answer.

Wanderers

Kire and Narda chuckled at the mention of herbs. “Very welcome,” Kire said, before Envy explained where Lithilote was. More elves. Kire remembered the conversation she had with Ruli about the Moon God and his children, and as Envy described the Raielwen people, she wondered how they would have treated him. Kire also realized he may not have been alone when he disappeared. Would the suspicious elves have shot him on sight? Would they have seen his presence as provocation? Would they take care of him, or treat him like a prisoner? She steeled herself from spiraling down into further assumptions and handed Envy the pin. “Many occasions,” she explained. “He’d been Captain for decades.”

She frowned when they spoke in Elvish. That can’t be good. When the two men started talking about how best to go about the trace, and what they would need for it to work better, Narda frowned with a grunt. “Blood magic,,” she muttered in Taakalon.
Kire raised a hand at her. “It’s fine, Nard. It’s for Ed, and I trust them.” She did give a look to Ruli that said do not fuck this up before extending a hand to him. “Just a drop, right?”

Wanderers

Kire held Ruli’s gaze as he began explaining Ed’s fate should her assumptions on his location come true. “I know.” He didn’t need to say it. She realize it as soon as she had asked the question, and she dearly hoped she was wrong. She didn’t relish the idea of facing both the Kartaians and the truth of what they could have done to him. Lithilote? Kire wondered, deciding to ask about it later as she and Narda finished their breakfast. “Alright, let’s go.”

A brewing storm waited for them there. Kire and Narda looked up. “Not happy are you?” Kire said, glancing with a smirk at her friend. The giantess grunted.
“Bad omen.”
“We’re not at sea, Nard,” Kire murmured, shaking her head as they went inside after Ruli. They found Envy up and about in the main chamber, smoking. “Good morning.” She raised a brow at their conversation in Elvish. Beside her, Narda grinned at the sight of the giant elf before both of them followed him in. Inside, Kire saw the bowls and pouches on the small table and watched as Ruli started fiddling with them. Some looked familiar, others not; she couldn’t decide whether it would be Elva or Daryll who would find those interesting.
She turned to Envy when he asked her opinion about the place, and she beamed as she answered. “It’s wonderful. Perfect, really. Ruli suggested I find a place for myself if I’m to visit often, and admittedly I’ve taken to the idea already.”

“What does ‘Ziad’ mean, then?” Narda asked. “Maggiore?” She turned to Kire. “Sounds familiar. Another Off-Worlder language, then?”
Kire shrugged a shoulder. “This world has parallels to ours. Possible.” Then, to Envy, “Where is ‘Lithilote’? Ruli mentioned the place earlier to us.”

Wanderers

Kire glanced at Ruli, amused, and feeling just a smidge of pity for him, given that she had similarly been reluctant to get up not that long ago. “Coffee,” Kire said longingly, and it was Narda’s turn to look with amusement, the giantess looking at the pair of sleepyheads sitting together. Kire nodded along at Ysaryn’s explanation, though. She wondered briefly if they would let Gavin participate in this, or if this was still something either too advanced or too off-limits to involve the Gemini lad. She chewed through her food slowly as she pondered the questions about the world gate Ruli posed. Narda tried to follow along, but this was Kire’s field, and all she could picture at the moment when it came to gates were actual gates of wood or metal.

“World gates are larger portals, and given the amount of energy, the elements involved, the complexity of the ritual, somewhat less predictable. They’d leave physical signs of their presence, but I haven’t found evidence of a world portal staying open permanently. In fact, I haven’t actually gone through a world gate. You’d have to conduct another ritual each time. They’re like explosions of magic, happening only temporarily until they collapse or close, after which only the altered terrain would be left.” She glanced at Narda’s scrunched-up face, knowing such talk always left a sour taste in the giantess’s mouth. She leaned an elbow on the table, resting her chin on it, as she thought it over. “Ikegai would have to have first stayed somewhere where he’d encounter the Kartaians, right? Or at least, find out about their existence.”

Wanderers

Kire breathed in the cool morning air, smelling a hint of impending rain. The pinks and yellows of the early morning sky reminded Kire of spring flowers, and despite thinking about going back to Ruli’s new bed, she smiled. “Alright. We’ve seen it. Maybe we could grab a nap before we need to—oh.” She turned when she sensed and heard Ysaryn’s voice, and though her eyes still looked droopy she had a smile ready for the elf, Kire’s blue sapphire eyes on her pink ones. “Good morning. I like what you did with your hair,” she commented. “Breakfast would be lovely.”
“I thought you wanted to go back to sleep,” Narda said grinning. Kire was still too sleepy to find the proper retort.

They followed Ysaryn down, taking their time to observe how the elf side of the settlements were adapting the houses. Kire looked, impressed, at the large building that stood against the cliff, and the archway outside it, before Ysaryn beckoned them to enter her home in silence. Definitely her place, Kire noted, wondering who else was inside. Perhaps her family. She wondered where the Chief himself was, if he too was staying here or someplace else. As they stepped inside, the passages only just high enough for Narda to walk through without bowing her head, Kire pictured herself finding a small home here like Ruli’s, or another structure like this one, where she could receive guests in a makeshift anteroom, while the other important chambers were nestled into the cliff. It was rustic enough for her liking, and reminded her of a cozier version of Elva’s Northern manor in the snow and ice.

Narda and Kire could smell something cooking in the kitchen, and they waited while Ysaryn introduced them to her mother. Though she was much thinner than her daughter, Kire could see the resemblance. Kire was drawn to the color of her hair, too. “We’re honored to meet you, Yena,” Kire said. Yena didn’t acknowledge them with anything more than the nod. Ysaryn answered the ‘why’ of it soon enough. “Understood,” Kire said, and indeed she did, just as she couldn’t entirely blame Narda for her outburst at Gavin. Pain and hurt passed down through generations of hatred could not be undone overnight, no matter how great the good deed. They sat down where she had indicated, Narda sitting across Kire, who wondered about the fourth plate. Maybe Yena would join them, or the Chief?

“That’s good to know,” Kire commented in reply to Ysaryn’s update on the scrying items. If everything went well, they could find their answers by the end of the day. Maybe even find Edward by then . Narda saw the hopeful gleam in Kire’s eye and smiled, though a shadow of worry was in her own expression as they ate breakfast.
“We both do,” Narda answered Ysaryn for Kire, reaching to tug at the blonde’s ear. “But between the two of us, it is easier for me to rise and enjoy it. This one, she would prefer the sunset.”
“Easier to catch, too,” Kire mumbled, just as Ruli joined them. She turned, her eyes on his messy mop, and her cheeks puffed up into a stifled chortle. “Morning. I rather like your place,” Kire said. “You are very tidy, I’m impressed.”
“That’s because she isn’t,” Narda muttered, smirking. “Spoiled little princess, this one.”
Kire rolled her eyes. “So Envy will be doing the scrying? Is it a one-man—er elf job?” Not having seen either Ruli or Envy actually perform their enchantments, Kire was curious about the process.

Wanderers

Kire looked clearly torn between wanting to be polite and instead staying someplace that wouldn’t dislodge him from his current arrangement and taking up the offer of a room with a spectacular view.
“Why, Kay, is this place too small and humble for the Empress?” Narda teased.
“No!” Kire hissed. “You shut it. Yes, if you don’t mind, we could stay here for tonight and find new lodgings tomorrow. I am rather eager to see the cliffs at sunrise.” Dawns were less dramatic than sunsets, but they had their own quiet beauty that Kire still appreciated. Beside her, Narda stretched, yawning, sincerely looking forward to rest. She, Myka, and the crew had been harassing the Gemini-occupied ports, and she hadn’t had a proper night’s rest for a while, same as Kire. Kire chuckled at her friend, understanding her tiredness. “Thanks, Ruli.”

Contrary to Narda’s teasing earlier, the two had been used to staying in camps, ships, and chambers of every sort throughout their long friendship. After Ruli left, the two stayed in the patio, admiring the serene landscape in silence or carrying on conversation in Taakalon. “You got that look in your eye,” Narda said, “that look that says ‘fuck everything, I want to stay here.’”
“Amria has places like this, I’m sure,” Kire said, though Narda could tell it was a weak defense.
“It’s not just the beachfront, and you know it. And before you punch me again, I don’t mean him, either.”
Kire sighed. “What would Ed say, if he was here, seeing me be all stupid with my decisions again?”
Narda glanced sidelong at her friend. “After everything we all have been through? Maybe he’ll say you should be happy.”
Kire didn’t look quite convinced at that. Guilt, at the thought of not having found him yet, sadness at the idea of losing him a second time, and melancholy at the memory of who Ed had been. He and Jan, the two steady anchors she relied on during her rule. She knew Ed wanted the best for her, but he was a Wyvern, too, and the oldest of the surviving lot. Even before Kire had taken on the burden of the crown, Ed had been learning what responsibility meant.
Narda and Kire lapsed into silence once again for a while until they were too exhausted to stay up any longer.

“Wake up, Wyvernling.” Narda grinned, hunched over her sleeping friend. Kire cursed, pushing her away. The giantess laughed. “I thought you wanted to see the dawn.”
“It is not dawn, you liar,” Kire groaned, turning the other way, wrapping her cloak over herself. “Go back to sleep.”
Narda grinned wickedly. She was much more a morning person than Kire ever was, and she was eager to explore this new world at daylight. “Fine. If you say so,” she said, before grabbing Kire and hoisting her up and over her shoulder.
“NARDA!”
Any of the elves who would have already been awake at the time would have seen the hulking woman carrying another cocooned in a travelling cloak while traversing the winding path. “Put me down, or I swear by all the gods you hold dear—”
“Fine, fine,” Narda sighed, snickering as she set her down carefully outside. Kire glared at her, pointing an angry fist at the giantess’s chin, then sighing, grumpy, as she let it down. The two of them looked about, at the gentle dawn light giving everything a soft, warm glow, and Kire had to admit this was worth getting up for.

Wanderers

“If this Zeke is a soldier, then yes,” Narda commented. Kire grinned.
“Well you got along very, very well with Ed, didn’t you?” she teased. Narda smiled wistfully.
“There is no shame in that. Edward is a magnificent specimen.” Kire stuck her tongue out at that, grimacing, before turning her attention back to Ruli. His earlier statement about his old home, something about it making her brain itch. House with a blue door? She went quiet, frowning in thought, as she tried to remember where she had seen or heard of such a house before. She was silent as they followed him through the caves and up to the northern side of the cliffs. Kire was gladdened to see the elves there, Ysaryn’s people finally having a place to call their own without worry of enslavement, and having human neighbors who wouldn’t discriminate against them. She was sure these cliffside homes would outmatch Cordon, given time.

When they reached Ruli’s home, both women took in the view, very pleased with his choice. “You have a good eye,” Kire commented, smiling out at the fading sunset. Both of them, however, turned to him when he made his offer.
Narda cocked her head in surprise. “You are offering us a home? By the gods, that’s generous,” she said, grinning wide, running a hand through her curls. “It is rather tempting, though you’d have to find a house fit for a giantess. Still not as difficult as finding a vacation home for a dragon-sized ego who does not know the meaning of the word ‘vacation’. But I may have to politely decline, owing to my other obligations in Amria, and the fact that I’ll only ever be able to go here when this one allows me to come along.”
“That didn’t stop you today,” Kire pointed out. Narda snorted.
“And, as one of her oldest friends, I can tell you now that I’d rather not share a house with her. It’s hard enough to be stuck on a ship with her for long periods. You should see how her already sour mood sours further with seasickness.” She laughed aloud, thumping Kire on the back, which made her stumble a step forward, making the Paladin grumble.
“Thanks for vouching for my character. If I’m away from you, that’s definitely a vacation,” Kire muttered to Narda, before turning to Ruli. “That’s—wow. I’ll think about it. I’m sorely tempted to say ‘yes’,” she murmured, smiling. Even now, when the descent of evening meant that the colors had begun to fade to muter darks, the view was gorgeous. She turned back to Ruli. “I used to come to a spot by the beach back home. It was lovely. Of course, I’d rather you direct your resources to your own people, I don’t want to impose, but if you really have one to spare for me, I’ll seriously consider it.” Unaware once again that she was staring, Kire’s attention was on Ruli’s face. He looks so happy. Something about it tugged at her, like she was seeing something she hadn’t known she was looking forward to.

“So!” Narda said, clearing her throat. “For the meantime, we’re staying at a house here? I suppose I can put up with the Wyvernling temporarily.”
Kire snapped out of her thoughts. “You were the one who insisted on coming with me, you big buffoon!”

Wanderers

Still averse to boots, Kire noted as they followed him. “I would’ve gone to Cordon, but not without first assuming the very worst for a moment there.”
Narda nodded in agreement. “You are very dramatic.” Kire let that slide, chuckling.
They listened to him explain what preparations they were doing, as well as Envy’s reluctance. Kire understood that well. It was hard enough to flee one’s home because of violence, and to have to acclimate to a totally new place with so much unfamiliarity in it was another level of difficulty. Even she, who had at least the luxury of remaining allies and potential strongholds, had a terrible time adjusting to their new normal. They followed him down to where Envy’s supplies will be kept, Narda commenting about how she was happy she didn’t need to bend or duck to move about.

“I know you started out as desert dwellers, but if you’re going to be settling here for the long haul, learning to be seafaring folk would be wise. You should learn the tempers and humors of the water,” Narda put in. “You have a good resource here, besides the mountain. You should take advantage. As for the illusion, well, it’s always a tightrope walk between prioritizing your safety or your commerce. The more inviting you are, the more trouble you will attract, but any thriving city has that problem. And making friends helps with the safety bit, too.”

Kire smiled as her friend offered her serious input, letting her take the lead here as Narda continued, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the sea. “Firstly, our crew depends on being able to get in and out relatively quickly. A city that has natural fortifications would be harder to approach. Especially if you don’t have any naval capability of any sort. The illusion would be helpful while you’re only just learning to live here and get used to the environment, and afterwards, if you’re more confident about defending your shores, you can consider letting it down. For the moment, though, you’re a young settlement. Unless every member of your community can pick up a sword or bow, I wouldn’t make your home too inviting. Magical defenses are all well and good, but in the end, you must strengthen your own skills.”
“She doesn’t like relying on magic,” Kire whispered dramatically. Narda shrugged.
“If you’re a shit swordsman without magic, you’ll squander your advantage when you do get it,” the giantess commented. "Besides, you didn't like magic, either, until you got that fancy bauble of yours."
“Ugh. Fair enough.” She glanced at Ruli’s feet again and clicked her tongue. “I should’ve brought you shoes, instead,” she commented. "The hair is an improvement, though. And you, where will you be staying? With Envy, I assume?"