Chapter 02 // Cold from the Flame

Their arrival at the camp was marked with celebration and joy, as the other cult members welcomed Sydney and Hardin back as they dismounted. Morrina slid down careful, and felt herself guided gently forward by Sydney to stand before the small crowd.

"My followers, may I present our newest member, who's also a gifted dancer too, I may add," he said, gesturing. In a low tone only she could hear, he added, "best introduce yourself as you wish to be known, if you've decided to take another name."

She cleared her throat, her eyes surveying the crowd and quite nervous. "Greetings everyone," she said, her voice a tad shaky, "I am Cattleya Ravellier, but you may call me Cat if you like." She curtsied, smiling warmly, and many of the others greeted her back. After the small introductions, Sydney spoke up again.

"We will not be stopping in Havensword - it seems we are unwelcome there by the residents, due to their distrust of our belief," Sydney said, "so we will camp here tonight and skirt the town in the morrow."

With that the crowd began to break up, some going to collect firewood, others to pitch camp in the evening glow, while others unpacked items. Most people were busy, aside a few who were overseeing tasks and preparations rather than actually having a hand. "Shall I go check things over, Sydney?" Hardin asked, surveying the lot.

"Aye, might be wise, we need to be ready for the possibility of inclement weather. probably a cold night to be had." Hardin nodded, heading out into the swarm of movement that was their camp, set in a clearing aside the road enough as to remain fairly inconspicuous from the idle passerby and hopefully form any roving watches that could be out there.

"So what should I do?" she asked, looking at Sydney.

"Come with me," he said, heading for a large rock near the cooking area. They sat down, watching the others. "I figure it would be best to show you some of the workings of the camp before I turned you loose. Besides that, I'd like to talk to you about some things."

She nodded. Surveying the scene before her. It was orderly, but not regulated like the care taking of the Iocan faith. Everyone had a place, a job, and was performing it to their best. "It seems as though everyone knows what to do, and how, without a problem. But not so rigidly." She saw the women preparing food were talking away as the men setting up tents and blankets were talking of other things.

Sydney nodded, gesturing to the whole of the camp. "People work according to what they know, or learn something as needed. We've learned to make do and adapt, without falling into a set system. As long as it's done reasonably, no one really cares."

"I see," she said. "I hope you do not mind my choice of alias."

"Not at all, I think it's lovely," he said. "And shortens well enough for the others to remember. Not everyone is as sharp as you, I or Hardin, but they are loyal, and they have open faith." He noticed her expression, and added, "that isn't a slight to them, I am just saying that easier to remember things around here are good. It is complicated enough having to live off the land many times because towns are drowning in the Iocus priesthood's lies and despise us."

"Its not a large number by any means," she said, "but a fair following."

"Not all my believers travel along with us, many are scattered about the areas, keeping eye on things for us and providing safe havens as needed."

She nodded, watching the cooking preparations. "So what will I be doing?" she asked, glancing at him.

"Well, if you can cook, we could use another, as one of our male cooks perished not long ago in an attack against our advance scouts," he said. "I'd also like you to help with entertainment."

She blushed. "But-"

"We have quite a few good musicians among our ranks, you can arrange with them for music if you like. There isn't much to do some nights, and they get restless without something," Sydney said. "That's not the only reason I wanted you here though, before you assume that. You're sharp-minded and possess an inner cunning we need."

She studied his face in the darkening light. "I see," she said.

Sydney seemed to be lost in thought a moment before he looked at her again. "Aside even that, I won't deny a person what they wish," he said, expression serious. "You have great potential, Cattleya. And worse, I could not bear to leave you there in Havensword since your heart did not desire that. I may ask things of you, but you are allowed to deny those requests."

She mulled over these things, still slightly thrown off by being called another name than her own. "Aye. I wish it had been that simple before, Sydney," she said, sighing. "There is a man who did not accept when I said no. It is the reason I was in the troubles I was."

"Oh?" he said, his voice raising a slight pitch in questioning.

"Aye," she said, her own voice tainted with sadness. "Trevor, 'captain' of the Knights of the Cross at the churchly place in Havensword; overseeing surrounding areas. He makes himself seem so important when he is just a speck."

Sydney nodded. "Probably milking something with Guildenstern," he muttered. "I take it this Trevor made advances on you, which you told him you would not desire?"

"Of course, and since my family had been the first people to decide to put me in the church, he used that fat to keep putting more pressure form the higher powers on me for denying him, and started saying he could 'save' me from that fate. He knew I hated the place, but I would not take him."

Sydney nodded. "Do you think he will be a problem?"

She nodded. "Probably, whether I had gone or not. We'd best stay far clear of Havensword and away from places where the bloody knights would be found. He has a dispassion for the Mullenkamp followers, and if my memory serves, a rather large distaste for you."

'All the more reason,' Sydney thought, his eyes brushing over the workers. "We can make it without touching most towns, and even then, Hardin and you can probably make it in and out of the smaller towns to pick up what we do need," he said. "SO, what do you wish to do around here? I also remembered you mentioning sewing - I'll have Hardin get what you need."

"Aye, I can help with maintenance requiring sewing, and I have had to cook," she replied. "Nothing fancy of course, simple stews and such. And I will dance, as well, as needed."

Sydney nodded, and pointed at a young auburn-haired woman. "Lydia there also dances, so you two might talk a bit as well," he said. "She's been around awhile, though she is not as fluid as you. Perhaps you can mentor her and such, and look after her. She's not a child, and quite mature all the same, but she . I don't know ho best to put it. Her mind sometimes wanders, and she's prone to forgetting things. We found her in a deserted town, and we discovered she was the sole survivor, so we attribute it to that. The town itself was ruins long before she was there, but Lydia. she was part of a wandering entertaining group, and they were attacked. She managed to hide and avoid their attackers but all others perished. She doesn't talk about it, but I know. I can hear it."

She looked at him oddly a moment and then back to Lydia. "I see. I will try my best to keep her company," she said, watching the younger girl work on cutting some carrots. "I knew a woman like her in the church."

"Mmm," Sydney hummed in reply, "and do keep it down about that shred of past. Some have strong - very strong - hatreds of anyone who has or had anything to do with the Iocus faith. People who have lost loved ones to their ruthless ways."

She inclined her head. "I'll keep quiet," she said. "I wish to forget that chapter of my life as it is. It is dead."

"Good," he said, watching Hardin work with some of the people. "Should you need anything, and I am unavailable, talk to Hardin. I trust him implicitly, and he will provide you." She nodded, watching them light fires as the night began to settle. "Other than that, if you have problems with anyone, bring them to me - or Hardin, but I'd prefer to know myself."

"I understand," she said. "Shall I help finish preparations and meet with Lydia?"

Sydney gestured outward. "I'll want to talk more another time," he said, smiling. "Try to enjoy yourself, and revel in your freedoms."

She stood, curtseying and turned, walking into the gathering of people around where they were cooking, heading over to Lydia. She stopped a few feet away, watching the younger woman chopping deftly, skilled with the knife. In fact, it looked as though she had probably owned and forged that blade, and looked on in awe of her skill with it.

Lydia looked up with large hazel eyes. "Oh, greetings Cat," she said, offering her a seat. "Have you come to help?"

"Aye," she replied, taking the seat. "What should I do?"

Lydia seemed to think awhile before picking up some potatoes and putting them on a hard wooden board, saying, "we need these broken up a bit, either by smashing them or by cutting them. They're not for a stew; they are for boiling and serving to the side. If you wish to mash them, we'll cook them, otherwise cut them up now. Here's a knife." She offered one straight from a sheath, holding it nimbly by the blade and smiling as Cat took it.

"Thank you," she replied. "So how long have you been here?"

"A few years," the younger replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before resuming working on a carrot. "So you dance, right? What kinds?"

Cat started chopping the potatoes slowly and awkwardly. "Oh, I don't think I have a style," she replied. "I just move as I feel to the rhythm, though I have never danced to actual performed music. I was not allowed to in my family."

"A shame," Lydia said, shaking her head. "It is one of the best modes of expression. And you've never used a dagger, have you, to cut?"

Cat blushed slightly, and nodded. "No, I've not learned how to use one. I was only allowed to use blunt objects, as ordered-" Cat stopped suddenly, realizing what she was about to say.

Lydia nodded solemnly. "I understand," she said in a low tone. "Don't worry, no one really listens into the ladies' talk, not even the other ladies. They're all so nice, usually. I've gotten in trouble a few times, but it's been okay."

"I see."

"Its ok about the dagger, you'll get used to it. Watch," Lydia said, taking one of the potatoes and showing Cattleya how to use it properly and chop efficiently.

'I think I will get to like this place,' she thought, watching Lydia intently. Behind her at a distance, Sydney was watching them both and smiling.

~-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-~

Night was settled, and so were many of the cultists, including Lydia and her newfound friend Cat. On a far side of the camp were Hardin and Sydney, huddled around a small, dim fire. "So, Hardin, what do you think?"

"Of what? Of Cattleya?" he inquired, poking the fire lightly with a dry stick. "What about her?"

"What do you think of her addition," Sydney said, his right hand gesturing outwards to the sleeping people. "What do you think of her as a person?"

"An odd question, Sydney," Hardin said, trying to study Sydney's expression. He continued, unable to tell what his friend was up to. "She's a nice person, and everyone seems to like her, especially Lydia. Her dancing seemed fairly good at the distance I was from."

Sydney poked at a branch on the outside of the fire with a clawed hand. "A shame she could not dance tonight, but time did not allow," he said nonchalantly. "But you are right, she melds well with the others. And she is intelligent and sharp, with a very capable mind. Dare I say she could even work magicks."

Hardin's brow furrowed slightly. "What are you thinking Sydney?"

"I am thinking that we need more capable hands if we are to do this assault, among other things. We also need morale from places other than myself, Hardin. The people are restless and nervous."

"It is more than that."

"Anything more is not the business of the cult," Sydney said flatly, sending chills through Hardin.

"I am sorry," he said, taken aback by Sydney's tone. " was not trying to pry, Sydney."

Sydney sighed, shaking his head. "I know, Hardin. My mind is on things to come and things that are. And the truth be told, Hardin, I am partly taken with her. However, she has. had a rough past in that respect. Hurt by forced love she rejected, which made misery of her life. I cannot and will not force myself into her life if she does not wish that." Sydney leaned back, bare flesh on his back meeting cold stone, but he was unfazed. "It isn't that long 'til we are in the Greylands, is it?"

Hardin took note f the subject change, but did not press on it. "Aye, only a matter of weeks, if that."

"We should do fine. I am not worried, but I would like to keep the confidence of our followers. That's the reasoning for Cat, aside the other bonuses included. I will see what she thinks of the subject of magic tomorrow, and we shall go from there. Anything I should know among the people?"

Hardin shook his head. "No, nothing's amiss at all, everyone seems pretty happy tonight. I think Cattleya has brought something to the people already, or at least spirits are up for any reason."

Sydney nodded, closing his eyes. "Good. You should turn in, my good man, we have another long day tomorrow passing by Havensword, and finding another town to pick up supplies from - or at least a remote farm."

Hardin rose silently, looking at Sydney a moment before retreating t the comforts of bed and leaving Sydney alone. Sydney glanced up through the leaves to the night sky, spying a star far off. 'Only time can tell hat will become of us. and what shall be once we reach the Greylands and the manor.'

~-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-~

Author Note: Yeah, I know, someone's bound to kill me for this, but hear me out before you decide to have my name put on a hit list, eh? Stay tuned for more later! //Updates may be sporadic depending on time and mood, and ambitions.//

And yes, Cattleya = a sigil in VS. I KNOW that. XD