Chapter 22: Into the Woods
When Sionna opened her eyes light filtered into the small room. She looked over and found the bed empty, gently she rose from her spot in the bed and peered around the room. She didn't see him so she jumped down to the floor and headed to the double doors that led to the deck. The door was slightly cracked open so she stuck her stout in it and pulled it open a little bit. Caith sat cross legged on the deck, his hands were resting on his knees. His thumb and pointer finger were touching and his other fingers were straight out. He was perfectly still and his body was relaxed. Quietly she crept back inside transformed and got dressed. She peaked her head out at him and he was still deep in mediation. I guess I can try as well, she thought to herself and pulled a pillow from the bed. Sitting on it on the floor she tried to focus and clear her mind.
It was actually easier when Caith didn't keep interrupting her.
.
.
.
Ciall woke up when the first of the suns light filtered through her window. Her bed was empty and the bathtub was emptied and removed by the slaves. Slowly she got dressed and drank the healing potion left out for her on the table. Ciall looked into her mirror on the wall her jet black hair was disorderly so she put it in a braid. Her jet black eyes looked exhausted. She had a gut feeling this mission was a death sentence, but she knew if she tried to flee she would be executed. She thought of her life how it lead her to this moment, she always wanted money. Now she was afraid she would never live to enjoy it. She took a deep breath and headed out to join the small army. Her ability to walk got a lot better but she still needed the cane. She needed help to mount her horse, but once up everyone saw a woman who was strong and powerful. A woman in a black cloak went up to her.
"The Keeper," the crowd whispered in awe.
She handed Ciall a compass.
"Do not disappoint me." The Keeper said her red eyes glowing in the early morning light.
Ciall merely nodded and the Keeper turned away.
She gave a short few words to the army who was now held her attention and then the group headed out.
.
.
.
A small woman with bright hair and pale skin sat on a pillow in an empty hotel room. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be deep in thought.
Inside her mind she was somewhere else, she traced her life back. Like she was watching a play of her life, but it was in reverse.
She thought about each decision she made, with no anger or frustration at herself. She simply excepted that they happened and why they did. She winded through her life processing the crazy things that happened to bring her to this hotel. Then her uneventful life before that. The task was easy, until she got to a few years ago, she was wearing a plan black dress. She stood over a fresh grave, the headstone had an inscription that she tried to live her life by.
"I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done."
Tears filled her closed eyes and she opened them, looking at the sun filtering into the room. She willed her emerald eyes to dry and took a deep breath. She felt tired, but relaxed and she just sat there and thought about nothing but her breathing.
Then she heard a noise from the porch and the door opened. Caith ducked his head into the small door way. When she looked at him he spoke.
"So you figured how to mediate." He smiled and began organizing the backpacks.
"No thanks to you," she said getting up and placing the pillow back on the bed. Caith chuckled, and handed her the smaller backpack.
"Let's get breakfast, Umuriro is almost done with the weapons."
"Already?" she asked in shock looking at where the sun was in the ski through the still open door.
"He worked all night," then seeing her expression he said. "That's nothing for a giant, we live longer than you humans. I have mediated for a month without eating or sleeping. And I am only half giant."
That's why the other night he didn't need her to drive the horses. She kept falling asleep throughout the whole time they were driving the carriage and never did once.
"Ice Giants usually live for a thousand years, how long are you going to live since you are only half?"
"Probably 500, but it's not an exact science." He said shrugging and heading for the door.
They restaurant owner had already prepared them some eggs, meats, fried potatoes, and bread with jam.
"She really knows us," Caith said while sitting down.
When they finished the food the lady brought out more and they thanked her. She was happy with her guests who were so nicely mannered and generous. She wasn't even going to charge them for the breakfast but they insisted.
When they were all done Caith used his magic on the old lady and her grandson and put a rock by the entrance of the house.
.
.
.
The small army left the castle and headed along the mountain pass. Many had heard of the monstrous wolf man who had attacked Ciall and the others. Leaving her barely able to walk even after days of healing magic. Some were brave, others scared, some unfazed and eager to earn their large reward.
Most were wary of the woods around them, but they all knew this journey would only bring them into deeper darker forests.
.
.
.
Caith and Sionna walked along the road to Umuriro's shop when Caith suddenly stopped. And starred down at a piece of paper that read "Into the Woods!" It was a flyer for a play.
"What is it she asked?"
"Nothing," Caith said and continued walking. She gave him an odd look and they continued walking.
Then he stopped again then headed in the wrong direction. Sionna stayed were she was and watched him.
He stopped and looked down at a stick that was stuck in the ground so that it was partially up right. Next to it was a leaf that was shaped kind of like an arrow. He looked up to her.
"This morning I tried to do two things contact my father and figure out if they are coming after us. I got some answers but they weren't clear until now." He said continuing his path to the smith shop.
"What is clear?" Sionna asked him.
"They are coming for us, they were able to make a compass with my blood so they can track us. The second is that my father is in the Black Forest and he can help us if we get to him."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone