--- o The Magician III o ---
❝ Only a Fool would go on a journey unprepared! ❞
--- o 01-08-1217 o ---
❝ Cold. ❞ Very cold. Fucking cold, in you will.
She would rather be sleeping at this ungodly hour, but noooo, someone insisted they leave first thing, before the fucking sun itself rose. She could tell from the signs on the horizon and where the Moon rested that it was midnight. The Son, Bena, or Day Moon, hung in its first quarter, Tsaraf, the seventh day of the week, and second to last. It is typically used to gauge the hours of the day, but it shifts each day and starts in a different phase, so it’s helpful to work out what day it was as well. The order they sat told her it was an even month, the eighth month, Nahum. She can’t read clocks, but she sure as hell can read the moons. She knew this as the year it started with a full moon. The Sister, Beti, the Week Moon hung in its third, positioned to form a pillar of white, the sun will rise within as the Mother, Ima, and the Father, Aba, hid. It was a pain to figure out; she usually cycled each week, but her shifts could throw someone off if they were none the wiser. Thankfully, it was the first day of its third phase.
Her breath stung and wafted in the still air around her. Thankfully, it boasted a calm day, but a cold one. But it was the excitement hanging in the air, the anticipation of embarking on her first true journey, that put a smile on her face.
Everyone seemed to be chipper for how early and cold it was, horses and wagons astrew as supplies were checked. The shop was unusually busy with the thrum of soldiers and the like who were part of Iris’s Court, all of whom took the chance to restock their own supplies and peruse the oddities and wares Veld had to offer. He was happy, very happy with the fat sack he made sure to lock away somewhere safe, or so he told. Elly knew he always kept it on him, fuck knows how, but she suspected it had something to do with that strange bag that screams profanities whenever he opens it. She knows this because she tried to open it on many occasions, mostly to see if it could teach her new words.
Elly dislikes coffee, but it matched her in bitterness and gave her some feeble amount of life, so she made do with it. The bitterness hung on her tongue, perhaps to stay the curse words she so wanted to speak. It did not, thankfully, prevent her from pulling the finger at that wanker at every chance she got.
❝ Why the fuck— ❞ Elly retreated beneath her scarf, and spoke to nobody with a quiver on her breath. The cold was an enemy to the Elly, almost as much as those, those things she saw being hoisted into a wagon in a large crate. Oranges. Just being near them made her cringe. ❛ Fuck them oranges. ❜ She sniffed, though it was hard to tell if it was from the cold or something else. ❝ Are we up— ❞ She continued begrudgingly. ❝ So fucking early? ❞
❝ Long journey it is indeed~ Need to beat the tides if we can! ❞
Rhodi appeared behind her, his sung monotone voice grated at her sanity as much as the deadpan, punchable face he wore. As always, he was dribbling nonsense about his weird obsession. She wouldn’t call it religion, as he was the furthest thing from pious one could get, but he still preached nevertheless.
❝ It is the will of the Ein Soph, child~ ❞ His expression was always fixed in one of disdain, and the look in his eyes always set her on edge. So much for being her twin, Rhodi looked nothing like Iris, aside from having a lush head of hair that was longer than hers. But Iris did trust him; everyone did, though Elly did not, but she doesn’t trust anyone.
❝ That said, it also wills that you must help me move some things~ ❞ Yup, there it was. Typical Rhodi, using it for every excuse not to do things himself. Condescending, as always.
❝ Fuck. No. ❞ Elly replied flatly.
❝ Why not? ❞ He feigned a scoff as he rested his elbow on her head, messing up her hair under her cap.
❝ Cause’ yer a creep. ❞ She added, just as flatly. ❝ An’ I wouldn’ trust ya to fog a fuckin’ mirror. ❞
❝ Sooo mean! You wound me! ❞
Too tired to fuck about with his sarcasm, Elly replied with an elbow to his groin with her left arm, knowing it would hurt. ❝ Piss off Slebog. ❞ She muttered under her breath, and it was the perfect word to describe him, after all, his nickname was Romeo, for good reason.
❝ I see you woke up and chose violence!~ ❞ Rhodi chuckles despite hunching over, watching Elly walk away as he leaned against a wagon. Hah, Wrong! She never slept.
Elly winced as she hadn’t realised how sore that arm was; the cold always made it ache like hell, and Judge hadn’t the supplies to fully swap it out for something better suited to the colder months.
❝ You did ask for it. ❞ Iris mused as she walked by, carrying a large pallet of grain sacks. She was much stronger than she looks.
❝ El! Give me a hand, yeah? ❞ Iris called out to Elly, who, without hesitation, turned around and ran back over.
❝ Kay!~ ❞ Elly replied immediately. For Iris, anything, but not for that wanker. She gave him the middle finger and stuck out her tongue as she followed Iris. ❝ Wacha need?~ ❞
❝ See those boxes? ❞ Iris pointed to a stack of them by the shop front as she set the pallet she had been carrying down. ❝ Those are the supplies for the Monastery. Can you keep an eye on them so they aren’t taken? We’re still waiting for Veld to get his shit together and prepare his wagon. ❞
❝ Yuh! ❞ Elly nodded, saulted her, and skipped over to the boxes. She even helped Veld prepare and load the wagon.
--- o II o ---
Elly scanned the large clearing before her, unable to find the person she was looking for. Her train of thought broke as the divine smell of freshly cooked meat invaded her senses. Good, she was starving. Nobody would notice if she took some for herself, right? And thus she found herself leering over the roasting meat and pot of stew, one of many. She loves stew.
❝ Oi! It’s not ready yet. ❞
The voice behind had Elly almost jumping out of her skin. Narda was not much taller than she was, clearly dressed as a medic, even displaying the Monastery’s crest on her arm. And she looked the part, definitely didn’t look like a fighter at all, almost too innocent in her features. Homely and youthful, but much older than Elly, she had a head of shoulder-cut mousy brown hair, and eyes to match, though a thick set of glasses rested on her nose, dotted with freckles. She wore a kind smile, and one that was not feigned, as Elly was used to; it put her at ease.
❝ Sorry!—Didn’t mean to scare you. ❞ She seemed to fret more about Elly than the food itself. ❝ We’ll let you know once breakfast is up. It’s taking a little longer than I would like, so many people! ❞
❝ Nah, my fault. ❞ Now, Elly felt bad, which was odd for her. ❝ Shoulda asked. ❞
❝ It’s fine, you’re not the first to sneak in here~ ❞ Narda asked, sneakily handing her a bit of meat on a skewer. ❝ Eat it quick before the others see. ❞
Elly beamed at the offer and took it with glee, wasting no time in admiring it and ate it quickly. She then hoisted herself to sit on one of the large tables set out for dining.
❝ I’m Narda, from Cadwaladr. ❞ She spoke softly as she poured them both a cup of coffee, then sat beside Elly as she handed it to her. ❝ What’s your name? ❞
❝ Elly, from— ❞ Elly looked over to the apothecary and shrugged. For once, Elly was genuinely interested in chatting and didn’t feel the apprehension as she usually would around others. ❝ Here? ❞
❝ Oh! ❞ Narda smiled, clasping her hands together. ❝ Iris told me all about you! I’ll be the one who’ll be overseeing your training. ❞
❝ Wait, You’re from the Monastery?! ❞ Elly was somewhat taken aback, forgetting that every squad required a trained medic, but she didn’t expect it to be from the place she was actually going to.
❝ Yup! ❞ Narda nodded, her smile seemingly her default setting.
❝ I admit it was last-minute, and I’m not the best fit for it, but Iris insisted, and I can never say no to her~ ❞ Narda chuckled nervously; even someone as oblivious as Elly could tell she lacked confidence in herself. ❝ It’ll work out! ❞
Thank fuck it wasn’t one of the crusty old bats and someone who genuinely seemed like a nice person. This put Elly somewhat at ease, and she figured Narda could get her ready for what to expect when they arrive.
❝ Um— ❞ Elly spoke, nursing her cup of tea as she mulled over her thoughts for a moment. Iris already warned her about the situation, but she had to ask. ❝ What’s it like there? ❞
❝ It’s—It’s—It’s, ❞ Narda seemed to stumble on her words, something Elly could relate to, though hers was more like a stutter that oddly dragged her S’s, making it sound like a stifled sneeze, while Elly’s was from it being both tiresome and painful to talk at times. But she still spoke with care and managed to convey herself despite it, although she did linger on such notes. Elly would need to ask her for some tips. ❝ If I can be completely honest, it’s not looking good. We’re already stretched thin, and I doubt these supplies will last long enough for the next. ❞
Elly could feel a groan rising. Just what the hell did she get herself into? ❛ Oh, great, sounds like a lovely time. ❜
❝ But things will work out, ❞ Narda added reassuringly. ❝ From what information we’ve managed to gather, it sounds like the war should be over soon. Some of the houses have already begun peace talks, so here’s hoping!~ ❞ She didn’t sound sure, but hope was a delicacy in such times.
❝ This must be a lovely place to live, ❞ Narda smiled, admiring the open skies above. ❝ It’s so peaceful here. ❞
❝ Mm, ❞ Elly agreed, doing the same. ❝ It gets a little boring at times. ❞ And lonely when Veld wasn’t around.
❝ I could imagine, ❞ Narda nodded, ❝ I’m so used to the chaos at the Monastery, I don’t know what I’d do with myself. ❞
❝ Chaos, huh? ❞ Elly groaned, now realising the leisure she had grown accustomed to would be a thing of the past.
❝ I heard he’s a great alchemist. ❞ Narda glanced over to Veld, who was chatting with a group of merchants. ❝ When the Monastery heard that he had a student, they wanted to meet you right away. ❞ He can’t be that great, can he?
❝ Veld? ❞ Elly raised a brow. She hadn’t considered his skill as an alchemist, as he was the only one she knew. ❝ I guess? ❞
❝ What’s he like? ❞ Narda asked, curious to know as she heard stories from Iris, who warned her about his eccentricities, but she wanted to see for herself.
❝ He’s um— ❞ Elly shrugged. ❝ Weird. ❞
❝ Weird? ❞ Narda chuckled. ❝ How so? ❞
❝ Jus’ is. ❞ There was far too much about him to pinpoint any specifics. ❝ But he is nice— An’ funny. ❞ She said with a smile.
❝ Iris told me your story. ❞ Narda broke the silence; now she stared longingly into her cup.
❝ Oh. ❞ Elly frowned and tensed somewhat; such words always ended with judgments.
❝ You’ll do fine there, ❞ Narda added, easing her nerves somewhat. ❝ We all have our own scars; nobody will judge you for it. You may even find those who share them. ❞
❝ Like me. ❞ This time her tone seemed different, solemn, and almost inaudible as she whispered it to herself. Elly didn’t want to ask; she was never the type to pry into others’ business.
❝ Sister Sláíne! ❞ A man cut the moment short, calling out as he approached the two, clearly referring to Narda. What an odd name.
❝ Y—Yes? ❞ Narda broke her own stupor as she shot up and approached the stranger.
❝ Cart’s ready to go, the boys are bitchin’ about supper. ❞ The soldier spoke with a gruff tone that fit his appearance. He didn’t look friendly at all.
❝ Almost, I’d say fif—fifteen minutes? ❞ Narda passed a brief look over the makeshift kitchen and the cooks making their way around to finish.
❝ Aye! I’ll tell the lads. ❞ The soldier nodded with a smile, saluting her before scampering off. He saluted her?
❝ Wanna help get things ready? ❞ Narda turned to her with a smile. Elly didn’t, not at all, but she couldn’t refuse that smile. And with it, her morning was stolen.
--- o The Magician III o ---
