A Chapter as written by Avienda

Two days ago they had left Oromea’s stronghold for Tersan and it would be another two days of walking to get there.
Avienda’s mind buzzed. It was just like Ikkari to put her into these types tasks. She looked to her traveling companion walking ahead with the yale at her heels. Avienda was being used as a supply runner and body guard. It was menial tasking for her but Ikkari was very convincing. Avienda flinched when she thought of what had convinced her. She scowled at the dirt road moving under her feet then almost laughed out loud when she thought of him beating her at her own game.
Mytherceria picked that moment to look back at her.
“If you keep your face screwed up like that it might just scare off rogues before they bother us.” Mytherceria chided.
Avienda forced her face to smooth but it turned to a scowl before her next words.“What is so important about these people that we need to form a diplomatic contract with them anyways?”

Avienda wondered why Ikkari held Mytherceria in such confidence. It was not jealousy for the dark haired slender woman that made her question this. It was simply that she was so odd in her composure. Did the woman even have any feelings? Why would Ikkari spend so much time alone with her? Mytherceria did have a nice round bust under that cold face.

With practiced patience Myth explained. “It is important to reach out to all neighboring towns with diplomacy so that we may keep strong bonds and communications with them. I had a vision that I needed to make this trip myself.” Her words were filled with certainty.
Mytherceria continued on with less patience. “I just do not understand why he needs you to pick up supplies. Merchants come our way regularly and the Quartermaster does keep our stocks well in hand. I did not need the company.”

Mytherceria was looking at her questioningly. Her eyes seeing and weighing. Avienda tried not to show her unease. Sometimes it seemed that Mytherceria could read her thoughts. Perhaps her own face betrayed her.
Avienda took a moment to think before answering. If Ikkari had wanted her to know what Avienda's errand entailed, he would have told her. Yet it was not necessarily a secret. Avienda decided that a pleasant journey was better than Ikkari’s confidentiality. Mytherceria was still looking at her with those large dark eyes like night enveloping the day.
“Ikkari’s supply of wratharind root has been low for some time as well as a few other cast materials that he favors. I can acquire large quantities for a better price than the regular merchant.” Avienda offered. She waited on the mage, gauging her response.

Myth walked thoughtfully for a time looking out over the grasslands they were passing through. The yale sniffed in her pockets looking for more treats.
“That is quite the nasty substance.” Myth mused. “I am not surprised at Ikkari, just intrigued. And you know where to get it?”
“I know the wrong people and the right way to talk with them.” Avienda flashed a tooth filled grin and brought out a dagger to flip in the air playfully.

Myth did not question her further on the subject. After all, the ways of a madwoman out to get her own throat cut did not concern her. Avienda was a useful tool to some but Myth could see no great future in having more like her in the clan. It was the thoughtful who would make the clan prosperous and peaceful, not... She looked over at the brazen redhead still playing with her knife before finishing her thought; ...barbarians like her.

Myth let her mind wander as she and her companion kept on at a steady pace. Ikkari’s designs were mostly open to her but there were still some he never bothered to explain. Avienda’s presence on this journey with her was one of those things not explained. It could be as simple as what Avienda had offered, or not.
The woman was now cleaning her fingernails with the knife as she walked. She was talented enough with that knife as well as the ridiculously large axe in its holster on her back. Mytherceria was a little overawed at times by the ferocity with which Avienda fought. Even while training she was quite intimidating. Powerful warriors had respectfully declined at Avienda’s challenge in the practice grounds. Myth remembered her own amusement at seeing it.

The idea of traveling with a companion like that unnerved her slightly. Myth herself was slightly taller than Avienda but where Myth was slim in her height, Avienda was hard. She could not help but feel a little pale and breakable when making the comparison. She should not be feeling troubled like this. Avienda was with her as a companion for the journey; not to play a game of Knives with her.

The days had passed well, Mytherceria thought to herself. They had been traveling at the same pace without slowing, the sun had been warm and Avienda had not annoyed her too much. Most women blathered on about hair and clothes but Avienda did not. She had an odd way of talking like she was in a tavern or on a battlefront but was always to the point. Mytherceria decided she was grateful for that even if it was indelicate. Nothing was worse than mindless chatter. The silent stretches had been pleasant and evening was sneaking up on them again. Her feet were complaining this time and her legs were slowing now despite her resolve to keep up the pace they had set.

Avienda looked back at Mytherceria. She had been showing more signs of fatigue today as will happen to those who spend all their time in books. She noted that the dark haired mage didn’t seem as scary with a little wear on her. Perspiration clung to her brow in little beads and her hair had been tousled by the wind. The mage’s gaze moved from the hills toward her, large eyes seeming to penetrate through Avienda’s skull.
Avienda silenced her thoughts and spoke respectfully.
“Your are tired. Roll out your blanket and rest your feet. Check them too while I gather some wood for the fire. Wearing in those new boots of yours might have given you some nasty blisters.”



Myth grimaced. Blisters? She had not thought of that. It would explain why her feet were burning. She walked into the long grasses beside the road and flattened some to lay down their bedding. She finished unrolling their blankets and sat to take care of her feet. She turned to watch as Avienda returned with wood for the fire. Avienda laid a few small twigs, fuzzy with old-mans-beard, crisscross and pulled out her flint stone.
“You lay out the kindling the same every night. And every night it smokes and smolders and takes all your care to keep burning. Put it as a haystack pointing to the sky and I will cast it aflame. It will not burn your eyes with the smoke then.” Avienda had taken a suggestion well yesterday when it came to letting the yale graze for a time.
“Conserve your magics in case we have a real need.” Avienda replied.
“Magic is never a trifle yet I am no novice that making a spark would dent my reserve.” Mytherceria replied.
“It is unnecessary.” Avienda insisted.
“We will have a kettle boiling with tea in half a breath.”
“I don’t think so.” Avienda’s brows were now furrowed.
“I’m sure even you can see...,”
“Enough! Magic is a lazy crutch. I can build a fire with my own hands just fine.” Avienda sparked the flint stone with her dagger and a small fire lit at the base of her twig tower. It immediately began smoldering and a small stream of smoke trickled up. She bent to blow softly at the base of the small flame.
“Crutch.” Mytherceria repeated. “Magic is my weapon as the axe on your back is yours. Back off now and I will forget your words.”
Avienda fumed. No one dared to try intimidate her. “I will not back off.” She stood and adjusted the axe on her back by habit, the small flame forgotten.

Mytherceria saw the action and went defensive; she brought herself into stance to prepare a shield. Before the move was complete Avienda breached the distance and shoved her with force. Mytherceria flew back into a thistle-bush. Sharp thorns pierced through her cloak and dug into her flesh. The sound of hooves pounding the ground erupted around her. In the next few seconds, the world turned brown and black as moving forms crossed her vision.