Neither Zehal nor I slept at all for the remainder of that night, knowing what was ahead of us now didn’t sit well with either of us, and I suspected the death of the Vrokandin Varr bothered Zehal somewhat, she still had mixed feelings about the people who had taken care of her for all of her life that she could remember.
When dawn came we were both still exhausted, but what little sleep we had managed to get before the shalyrs rude arrival ended up being enough. We tentatively explored the house and found no sign of him or the Vrokandin Varr.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMQI74AGj6
Upon exploring the rear of the house we found the very wagon I had hidden under to make my secret entrance into the city and that realization left me uneasy. I hadn’t been able to sense a Vrokandin Varr at such close proximity? I put the thought aside as I considered the wagon.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yfhC63qHK
It was large and cumbersome and hardly subtle, but even in the light of day it did present a certain feeling of, power...90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymGxNUs3Fw
“Are you considering taking this?” Zehal asked, looking it up and down dubiously.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ld2YbuAdt
“The Tagarius needs protection, which means keeping it in those cumbersome chests is a necessity. I don’t know about you but the thought of carrying that thing for…” I trailed off.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ2K95RAcp
“What?” She asked. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEAjkfGweO
“I just realized.” I turned to look at her. “We haven’t really talked about your future.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6gO74KlzK
“My… future.” She said, blinking. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ931CHwr6KJ
“Yes.” I replied. “I’m going back to Torngund and I’m taking the Tagarius with me, but the question is, where are you going?” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRToZvwBF7F
Her mouth opened as if to answer, then closed again, this happened a couple more times before she just weakly shrugged. “I don’t have a place to go.” She said after a long moment of silence. “The… Vrokandin, they deprived me of any real… life experience. I have no place to go, no family I know of, nothing but Vrokandin Varr, not that I would even know where to find them if I wanted to return to their “protection.” All I really have, is you.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdlfJDdR6o
She looked up at me and once more I was hit with that feeling of familiarity, like I knew her from somewhere, but I knew without doubt that if I’d seen a face like hers before, I’d have remembered it. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLy8Qb0nyU
I pushed past that strange feeling as I considered her words and realized with painstaking clarity their truth. She was truly alone in the world, and I was one of the few people that could possibly help her find a future that didn’t mean wandering aimlessly in a world that was punishing even the strongest people and had little mercy for the innocent. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyDnt4PjAd
“My road is very long.” I finally replied. “It took me months to get here on foot, it may take longer strictly sticking to roads in a slow moving cart and I doubt it will be entirely without danger. We’re not in a safe part of the world and more then that, a lot of desperate people were just dumped into the wilderness fleeing from what they likely thought was certain death at the talons of a dragon. I guarantee some of them will turn to highway robbery out of sheer desperation.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgiul1ilNS
“Are you… trying to indicate that I shouldn’t come with you?” She said with a raised eyebrow. “Because I get the impression that’s what your getting at, yet at the same time if you examine the content of your words, you’re telling me it would almost be suicide to go out there on my own. At least if I’m with you there are two of us, we can watch each other's backs, help each other reach safety. And, you can help me actually learn about the world, something you actually have experience with.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddTlvBbci9
I nodded, realizing I wasn’t just her best choice, I was her only choice from the moment she turned her back on the Vrokandin Varr. “Okay, you’re coming with me. When we arrive at Torngund I’ll speak to some of my contacts within the Order, it is likely we could get you into a school, get you educated about the world and help you decide what you even want to do with your life.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdx3U9NX6x
She slowly nodded. “Thank you.” she quietly replied. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJg56JeHVl
A slow nod of my helmet was the only answer I gave in return before turning to the nearby stables and striding in. After cautiously patrolling up and down the stalls and finding no one lurking in wait I went back to the only occupied stall that had a slow grazing ox inside that stared out at me with large, hazel eyes. Curious. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8MhKNmEtO
“Okay, so now we know how we are getting the wagon moving, no we need to locate food.” I turned to Zehal who had been watching from the stable entrance while holding onto the chest for the Tagarius. “Where did you keep your food here? If we are going to take the long road back and with their being two of us, the rations I brought aren’t going to cut it.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf8Wy2x0bp
She showed me where they were within the house, a basement larder abundant in food no more appetizing then my rations but obviously meant for longevity, perfect for our journey. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSRxIoCQ9B
After verifying there was nothing dangerous within the cart (and being pleasantly surprised to find a bed that, though to small and cramped to have any hope of holding my girth while within my armor, would be perfect for Zehal. She’d likely be traveling in more comfort than she ever had in her entire life. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dixkKCUVV
We packed the wagon full of foodstuffs, the Tagarius and I even found a bag containing several hundred gold and silver gallocks, a currency respected in more southerly places that I located when searching the house for any more hidden compartments and as rewarded with a wall safe that only startled me slightly when I failed to check it for traps and got hit with a small pillar of flame. I’d chuckled lightly when I turned to see Zehal holding a hand over her mouth in shocked surprise. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgSSMWXJYS
“What? How?” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW4muWLdA0
“This armor is built to channel energy, striking it with any form of energy is not a terribly effective way of damaging it or me unless it is utterly overwhelming. That would have hurt a normal person, probably pretty badly, but…” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRU5s0zuWn
She nodded and then cocked her head to the side as she looked me up and down. “Can I get armor like that?” She asked, hopeful look in her eyes. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ejAIy0YhO
I almost laughed but stopped short when I realized just how earnest she was being and gave it a measure of thought before replying. “We’ll talk about it, another time.” I replied. She nodded in response and I pulled the gallocks, almost missing what I realized was a secondary secret compartment at the rear of the first as I was pulling away. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUnwBBbe89
Looking back, and checking for traps more thoroughly this time and after finding none, ripped the small door from its mountings with my gauntlet and found a small scroll on the other side. Gingerly, I pulled it clear and found the wax seal on the scroll bearing the symbol of a crescent moon shining on what appeared to be a band of traveling adventurers. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFyB5RVnEw
“What is it?” Zehal asked, peering at the scroll. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWiVkodXGi
“Interesting.” Was my only reply as I tucked it away into one of my waist pouches. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPPBR39RCf
After one last look around the house we made the decision to leave. Attaching the ox to the cart I watched Zehal looking up at the house, a feeling of loss emanating from her. I wanted to say something, but I felt that if she wanted to talk about it, I should let her speak first. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAacW8J7npC
As I finished attaching the ox and turned to her I found her staring at me, a single tear running down her face. “How does one leave everything behind?” She asked me. “Even when everything wasn’t really a life, how does one just… do that.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GbPaoEWAX
I looked down, pretending to finish with some task as I blinked away tears I was glad she couldn’t see. “It… isn’t easy.” I replied.
“You, you walked away from everything?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “But, I had two loving parents, a family. I had just become their only child, my sister killed in the very event that led to the Order noticing me, and then seeking to recruit me. My point being…” I hesitated as I cleared my throat, rising to stand straight I looked off towards the still smoldering ruins that had once been a castle. “Despite my parents forbidding me to join the Order, I wanted to. I’d seen their power, I’d seen them defy numbers and odds with cunning and sometimes outright ferocity. They were heroes to me and eventually my parents acquiesced when they saw my conviction, that even if I had to wait till the age of sixteen I was going to join. When they gave their permission I left my entire world behind, spending years in grueling training that little to no opportunity for those I'd left behind." 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPx62MxJ4c
I hesitated as I looked down at my left armored gauntlet, flexing each finger, feeling them almost as though they were my own flesh. “It didn’t get much better when I was finally old enough to serve actively, then, when I forged my armor, I started being sent on more and more dangerous missions. My parents saw less and less of me and I started to feel detached from them. It was only recently, when I was recruited to the Ashikan by Aluri, Master of the Ashikan, that I was almost forcibly sent back to my family.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbjzagcQPv
“Forcibly?” She asked, stepping closer as she craned her head to get a better look at my faceplate. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdJAAgUagD
“Yes. If I had barely seen my family before, I knew nothing of how hard it would be while actively serving as an Ashikan who are the elite scouts of the Order. As I trained to become an Ashikan, Aluri told me he’d only ever permit me to join them if I lived from my parents home during the training. Despite my ardent protests as to how this would only slow me down getting to the training barracks every morning, he was firm. “Being an Ashikan will detach you from everyone, even your own brothers and sisters in arms, for as an Ashikan, you will rise to be an elite warrior, no longer just a soldier. But at the core of every warrior's heart they must be reminded of why they fight, why they must always give everything on every mission or they will falter.” Those were his words and, I admit, I followed them only begrudgingly but… I could not be happier to have listened to him.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvNuKJRO5m
I turned to her and reached up, removing the catches on my helm I pulled it clear. The smell of ashes struck my nostrils as I stared down at Zehal with my true eyes. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN8F2vawSU
“Over the course of those two months as I trained longer and harder than I even had during my initiation I came home every night to a house ringing with laughter, to friends and family who loved me and wanted nothing but the best for me. It was a home. Such was their gratitude to Aluri that he became a bit of a hero, my family insisted he come to their celebration of my officially becoming an Ashikan and he had the good grace to do so. That… that was a good day.” I came down to one knee, bringing our faces level as I continued. “I did walk away from everything, but I knew it was still there, that people who loved me and wanted nothing but the best for me were there if I ever needed them. For you, that isn’t there, and though that might make it seem like walking away would be easier as you know you’re leaving nothing behind besides those that would abuse and use you, I think, that were I treading your path, it might make it harder for me.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHGjT4jT4r
“How so?” She asked, placing a hand on my armored forearm. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaHz25msD9
“Because that support network was there for me, I had something to fall back on if I ever needed it. You don’t have that, and in fact, you know those same people who pretended to care for you, who used you and abused you through deprivation of basic life, you don’t know why they did it, you don’t have the answers you so desperately need and you’ll probably always be wondering… why? Were there ever any among them besides others they kept as prisoners like you who ever truly cared for you? So many questions and no answers… it isn’t fair, it isn’t right and I know were I treading your path, I think that would make just walking away rather than going on a quest for answers all the more difficult.” 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMQ547nOZD
She pondered this for a moment before, in a lightning quick move that took my wholly by surprise threw her arms around my neck in a hug that left my heart racing with the shock. My hands twitched for a moment as every reflex in my body screamed for a defensive reaction that I slowly leashed as I gently brought my arms up and around her in a soft but firm hug. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kTSnVSZii
“Thank you.” She said, “For understanding. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5mPSA24Dg
“You’re welcome.” I answered. I let the hug go on for a moment longer before I gently pulled away and she let go. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00ASyGBvG2
“Time to leave.” I said. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnUIgVhZvC
“She nodded. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00pAhIKlqx
After a short discussion we agreed Zehal would sleep in the wagon while I took the first shift driving it. She climbed into the wagon and closed the door as I mounted the driving section of the cart and as soon as my hands touched the reins the ox began to pull the wagon as if it didn’t weigh anything. 90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaSLcwQVtp
Deciding to treat that animal with care I felt eyes on me as we slowly trundled down the almost empty city streets. I quickly replaced my helmet and as the greater vision it offered me came into view I saw faint figures down numerous alleyways, always watching from a distance, but never approaching. A part of me wanted to call out to them, to ask them to come with us, but some instinct within me bade me not to. ‘Who would willingly choose to remain in a dead city?’ A voice in the back of my mind asked. I realized it was probably best not to find out and I remained warily on guard until we finally cleared the very same gates I had entered by under this very wagon.
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