Bits here and there

[lantairvlea]

Pardon the formatting.

“You aren’t going to eat that raw, are you?” Ottlin asked as he eyed the pepper in Sray’s hand.

“I think I’ll save it for dinner,” she said, tucking it into her pocket. “Thank you, Beuskana.”

They couldn’t make much progress on translating the script. Silviya asked about common script and learning better how to use it.

“Why didn’t you use this before when teaching me?”

“It wasn’t needed. You don’t use it unless you’re working across the languages, which doesn’t happen as often as it used to. The Iezdlai had no desire to participate in the negotiations.”

“How do you know?”

“The Elders asked them, just as they sent the word out to the other clans to ask who wanted to be involved. That's how the Nameofclan got involved and pulled in the Kamenan group that were trying to dam the Milash. The Hillenbohns weren't the only ones causing trouble.”

“Yes, very nice. Feel the weight of it. You don't get many that can condense it down like that on a first go.”

Sray rolled the tiny sphere and then picked it up. It was remarkably heavy, like a small metal weight. How something pulled from the air could feel so solid and heavy, she had no idea. Condense it down, Illendis had said. She wasn’t sure how she even did it. Taysa had made hers smaller as she made it more translucent.

“The thing about condensing,” Illendis said, “is if you do it in a small space without good ventilation, you could run yourself out of air to breathe. If you block yourself in to protect from something on the outside, there is only so much air to breathe.”

“I’m sorry,” Weloma said, touching a hand to her chest. “I hope I didn't upset you.”

“You are fine, Weloma. A lot of people are curious about it, it’s only natural. Did the Jespans get news about it from their nephew?”

“Not much more than what came with the wanted posters,” Weloma said. “They must have done a lot of damage given the bounty that’s out on them.”

“It was bad,” Sray agreed. She realized she had encouraged Weloma to ask more about it so she shifted the conversation instead. “Anything interesting happen in Jon while I was away?"

Weloma took Traevel’s hand and leaned into him. “We’ve made it official. We’ll be getting married on (date).”

Traevel blushed slightly at the overt show of affection, but put his other hand over Weloma's briefly before standing a little taller.

“Congratulations to both of you. I'm sure your parents are excited as well.”

They arrived at the wagon. Its bed was full of wood and waiting for them to haul it to their designated area.

“Kallon!” Sray said the name as loud as she dared.

He jerked away from Thelus who raised his hands and stepped back. Kallon staggered away from them. Sray rushed to his side.

“Kallon, Kalva, van!” Sray grabbed his arms. She almost let go. It terrified her how little he filled her hands.

His teeth flashed in the dark hall.

“Stop fighting so we can get out of here,” she spoke Getie’an, hoping the words would break through the blind reaction.

He stopped mid-snarl. “Where are we?”

“Almost out, come on.”

He squinted at Thelus. The man ducked through the hole in the door as they approached. When they were all through she paused and turned back.

The door stood tall and austere before her. In that moment it represented every awful thing that had happened. She clenched her fist and allowed her anger to boil over. She opened her hand and ran her palm across the polished wood surface. The varnish bubbled and cracked under her hand before the flames started. It cracked and hissed, smoking before the door burst into flame, spitting the heat back at her as the fire started to consume the wood.

Thelus turned and frowned, the harsh firelight playing stark shadows across his face. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“I would have done more than the door,” Kallon said, watching the door burn.

If he had his strength, she knew he would have. “It’ll distract them,” she said, more to appease Thelus.

Thelus grunted and headed towards the carriage.

“Don’t think I couldn’t feel you heating up, Voo.” He leaned heavily on her as they walked.

“Remind me not to piss you off,” Iel said.

Thelus mounted the box seat and Ientel handed the lines back to Thelus.

“What happened to being discrete?” Kem asked.

“It’s hard to use a door when it’s on fire,” Sray said.

“Were you being followed?” Desta asked.

“No. Kallon, this is Desta DeJauwrin. She took care of me after the fire.”

Sray helped Kallon climb into the bed of the wagon, joining Desta and Kem, and then followed after him. Thelus set the horses to trotting.

“My gods, what did those monsters do to you?” Desta asked when she took Kallon’s arm. “Did they give you anything to eat?”

“Not much after I nearly burned the place down.” He sat hunched in the cloak, holding it closed with one hand. His voice was rough and tired again.

Desta placed a flask in his hand. “Eat little and often. Drink this. You must be hungry, but you can’t eat yourself full yet. Your body has to adjust.”

The drink was a strong, salty broth.

“We’ll keep them off your back,” Thelus said. “Serrith will get you fresh horses. Follow the plan and it should be fine.”

“Thank you, Thelus.”

Myurnvin was an old city, probably walled with sentries or watch that keep an eye on goings on.

“I don’t–don’t touch me.”

“He passed out while we were walking.”

“He needs sleep and food, but not too fast. Take the broth with you. Have him sip some every hour. Let him drink as much water as he needs. A small amount of cheese and nuts, barely a handful at a time.”