Isethari peered up at the clear night sky from her bedroll. A light breeze brought on the comforting creek of the aravels as she studied the stars. Her eyes danced between the recognizable shapes of the star clusters, humming contentedly. Shifting onto her back to get a better view, she flopped one arm over her stomach. And what started as a gentle hum grew into more audible words. An old song floating from her lips, a tale of a cluster that resided high in the sky. In her serenity, Isethari forgot near everything around her. The sounds of the breeze shifting through the wood of the aravels, the chirping of the night birds, even the gentle snores of her clan mates fell away. It was simply her, the stars, and the soft lilt of her airy voice.
But the peace that she had created for herself was not to last. The sharp jabbing of someone's toes on her thigh caused Isethari to squeak in shock. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she looked around for the owner of the offending foot. Merrill had propped herself up on her elbow, glaring in Isethari's direction. Her friend's eyes glinted in the dim light of the moon that washed over the camp.
"Some of us are trying to sleep, lethallan," she hissed.
Huffing in response, Isethari put on her best pout for Merrill. It did not seem to sway her friend's annoyance.
"Ir abelas, Merrill," she finally whispered in resignation.
This placated the mage, as Merrill then laid herself back down and turned over. Isethari listened to her friend's breathing. Waiting for it to even out into a rhythmic pattern. She then began to count, getting as far as twenty before she decided it was safe.
Isethari got up with great care. Her blankets pooled by her bare feet as she first crouched, and then stood. Reaching behind her head, she grasped at her long hair and tied it back. Just enough to keep the bothersome pale locks from getting in her way. Isethari then climbed over those she had laid her bedroll out near, careful not to disturb anyone. She was especially careful as she passed Merrill, fearing the wrath of the First if she was rudely awoken again.
A branch cracked a short ways off. Isethari froze where she was. Her eyes darted about until she spotted the source of the sound. Junar was making the rounds of the camp as he kept watch. Once he turned away, Isethari exhaled the breath she'd been holding. She then ducked behind the closest aravel and paused once more. Listening. Waiting. No more sounds came. At least nothing outside the ordinary melody of nature. Gathering her wits, Isethari took off at a run away from the camp. Ducking around bushes, jumping over some over grown roots, and dodging low branches she ran.
When the creak of the aravels was long behind her, Isethari let out a giddy, airy laugh. A large smile splayed on her lips as she enjoyed the sensations of the world around her. Soon enough, the thick of trees fell away and she came upon a small clearing. Slowing down to a stop, Isethari looked up to the stars. They were even easier to see from here. The grin on her lips widened as she allowed herself to fall backward into the grass. A long, content sigh fell from her lips as she peered skyward. Her gaze darted about, seeking her favorite of the constellations. When she finally found it again, a lopsided smile formed on her lips as she traced it with one finger.
Isethari couldn't be certain how long she lay in the grass, but sleep soon began to call to her. Tugging her into the grips of the Fade. She resisted, forcing herself back up to her feet. Her pace back toward the camp was not nearly as gleeful as her departure. Now she trudged along, far less care for what branch she brushed past, or what shrubs grasped at her legs. Only when the familiar sight of the aravels filled her vision did Isethari take more care. Fenarel was on guard duty now, sitting on a bench with his back propped up against the aravel master Ilen used for his craft.
Try as she might, Isethari was unable to slip past him unnoticed. Yet her friend said nothing. He merely tilted his head, watching as she settled back down next to Merrill.