She was scared, all around her there was nothing but darkness and she called out. Maybe someone would hear her, and come to rescue her from the black cold. She waited, and screamed for what felt like hours, but no one came.
Giving up the young girl dropped to her knees and curled into a ball, crying; she was alone, all alone, her mind raced, 'No...I don't want to be alone anymore...'
Through the darkness a voice called out, "!"
The girls head shot up, "I'm here!"
The voice rang through again "-ake."
The girl grew confused, ache? But she isn't hurt, she feels fine, just a bit scared. The world around her began swirling around and started to fade, she started to panic. Is this it? Is this the end? She squeezed her eyes shut.
Light danced across the young girl's eye lids, causing her to flinch away in a lazy attempt to get away.
"Are you awake?"
That voice!
'It's the same one from my dream!'
Slowly, the young girl opened her eyes, vision blurry as her eyes began to adjust and focus. Immediately she saw a beautiful woman in front of her, long green hair pulled into a high pony-tail, a tribal looking outfit, and judging by the slits in the sides, probably for a warrior. She glanced at the green-haired maidens hands; sword-fighter; interesting, one hardly comes across a female blade user.
Raising her gaze back to the other females face, she drew her attention back to what the other was saying. "I found you unconscious on the plains," The plains? Oh yes that's correct, she was traveling on the plains of the Sacae when her rations had run out, and as a result she had apparently passed out and was found by this girl.
She shot the girl a slightly reproachful look when the other drew near, the tribal lass must have noticed because she instantly broke out into introductions.
"I am Lyn, of the Lorca tribe. You're safe now." The other girl, Lyn, smiled.
Lyn? That's a nice name, but something is off about it, is it short for something?
Lyn continued, "Who are you? Can you remember your name?"
The young girl was just going to remain silent, but that idea flew out the window once she met Lyns worried stare.
"I- I am...E-elfiya..." Elfiya broke out into a coughing fit, her throat clearly protesting use. Lyn stumbled to get her water, which Elfiya hurriedly gulped down.
Lyn looked like she was struggling to hold in a laugh, which she probably was.
"Your name is Elfiya? What an odd-sounding name..."
Elfiya pouted, Lyn rushed to save her comment, "B-but pay me no mind! It is a good name." She had a meaningful look in her eye, Elfiya decided that she liked Lyn, she gave a shy smile.
Lyn changed the subject, "I see by your attire that you are a traveler. What brings you to the Sacae Plains? Would you share your story with me?"
Elfiya wondered if she could tell Lyn, she checked the other girls features for any sign of deceit, finding none, Elfiya nodded in agreement, and was just about to begin when some loud banging interrupted her.
Lyn rushed to the door, peering out, "Hm? What was that noise? I'll go see what's happening." She picked up a sword and fastened it around her waist, Elfiya silently mused about how right she was about the sword-thing. Just as Lyn was about to rush outside she doubled-back with one last message for Elfiya, "Elfiya, wait here for me." And with that she was gone.
Elfiya frowned, she never was fond of people telling her what to do, and slowly she got up, bones cracking from the recent lack of usage. Quickly she located her belongings, she just finished fastening her cloak around her neck when Lyn came bursting back through the tent flaps.
"Oh, no! Bandits!" Lyn started pacing back and forth, mumbling to herself, "They must have come down from the Bern Mountains!"
Her head dropped into her hands, "They must be planning on raiding the local villages. I... I have to stop them!" Her head shot out of her hands, conviction and a fire burning within her teal-colored eyes.
As Lyn raced around the room, no doubt preparing herself for the upcoming skirmish, her rant raged on, "If that's all of them, I think I can handle them on my own." She turned towards Elfiya. "You'll be safe in here, Elfiya."
The girl in question bristled with indignation, there was NO way she is allowing the person who saved her from certain death, or worse circumstances, to go up against who knows how many bandits all alone! She gave Lyn a quick look over, oh dear, her savior has never actually been in a real battle! Those calloused hands are only from training! Well, that's settled, she's going with.
Unfortunately as soon as she informed Lyn of this, the other girl immediately adopted a look of doubt. "What? You want to help? Well, can you use a weapon?"
At Elfiya's reply of "No," Lyn's doubt grew, Elfiya rushed to explain.
"Ah, I see... So you're a Strategist by trade? An odd profession, but..." Her features were cleared of doubt and was now replaced with a subtle anxiety.
"Very well. We'll go together!" Lyn gave a jittery smile, and Elfiya calmly smiled back.
Outside, Lyn turned to Elfiya with the simple instruction to please give her advice and stay close to Lyn for protection. Nodding in agreement, the skirmish began.
It was fairly simple and was over in a flash. Elfiya had Lyn move in halfway, knowing the bandit would attack first, Lyn kept dodging and Elfiya had told her to have the bandit attack first and never start it herself, she used the same tactics with the leader of the group, and he was out with three hits.
Lyn congratulated her, she returned the favor, and soon they headed back to the tent; to rest for the night.
When Elfiya woke the next morning she noticed that Lyn was already awake and bustling around the tent with breakfast already made: With a grin and a good morning, Lyn handed her a plate filled with a very delicious looking Sacaen-Style breakfast.
Lyn had commented on how much the prior days skirmish had taken out of her.
Elfiya replied that a lot of exercise after almost none would take a lot out of anyone! But Lyn ignored her.
Half-way through the meal, Lyn spoke up, "Say, Elfiya... I want to talk to you about something."
Elfiya cocked her head in confusion, wondering what Lyn could possibly want to ask. She nodded as an encouragement for her companion to go on.
Taking a deep breath, Lyn continued, "You have some experience in the ways of war, I can see."
Elfiya nodded again, wondering where the other girl was going with this.
"Would you allow me to travel with you?" Lyn's gaze was earnest as she gazed at Elfiya.
"..."
Wow. Whatever Elfiya had been expecting, this...was not one of them. But, who was she to say no? Besides, it gets really lonely traveling alone, and she gets scared. But…what about Lyn's parents? Surely they would not want their daughter to be traveling with a complete stranger!
"You need to ask your parents first okay?" The question was innocent enough, so it threw Elfiya for a loop when Lyn's entire person seemed to be cloaked in sadness.
"What? You...want me to get permission from my parents?" whispered Lyn in a broken sort-of voice.
"My Mother and Father...died six months ago." The next part of her sentence seemed to be hard for her to get out, "My people-the Lorca-they don't...I'm the last of my tribe."
Elfiya relocated herself beside Lyn, she placed her smaller hand on the other girls more calloused one. Lyn continued her tale, of how the bandits attacked, how practically everyone died, how people fled, and how even though she was the Chieftains daughter; nobody would follow her due to their old-fashioned ways.
Lyn sniffed, blinking back tears. But Elfiya was having none of that, she pulled the older girl into an embrace rubbing a hand in circles on the others back, whispering comforting nothings, as Lyn cried into her chest. Between her sobs Lyn choked out an apology, "I'm sorry...I've been alone for so long..." Her tears died down
Lyn sat back up, raising her hands to wipe the tears away. "No. No more. I will shed no more tears."
The tent was quiet for several long minutes, Elfiya silently thought that it was okay to cry sometimes, it can't be healthy to hold in all that sadness; She considered telling the other girl, but thought best against it.
Finally, once composed Lyn gave her thanks, eyes rimmed-red, and cheeks stained with tear-tracks. Lyn told her that she needed to become stronger to avenge her father's death, she stated that the bandits the day before made her realize, staying on the plains wouldn't help her in her cause.
She pled one last time, "Elfiya, tell me you'll train me, that you'll let me travel with you!"
Elfiya smiled to herself, not even needing to consider an answer she agreed. Besides, both of them are tired of being alone, they'll travel as a pair.
Lyn's reaction to her agreement was...certainly something. In her joy Lyn pulled the smaller girl into a hug that sent them both tumbling to the ground, still wrapped in the embrace, the duo started laughing.
Looks like things were starting to look up!
