Brianna had to leave, there was no room for lingering further, on her way out of the room she scribbled a quick note advising him to try and avoid getting caught in anymore fires. Her mind kept wandering to Mor, out of curiosity more than anything else – although some part of her snickered at the explanation. She would never know her more than the few hours she's already spent with her, the faerie with the beautiful smile and intriguing golden eyes. Brianna found her mouth curling up into a small smile. Perhaps their paths would cross in the far away future. She'd hope so.
The sun had long descended; making way for the large white moon that sat in the dark cloudy sky above her. Brianna thought something might have happened to the faerie. The thought made her stomach cramp but the voice inside her seemed to shout in excited apprehension, like it knew something was coming and she gripped her stomach slightly, glaring out into the darkness.
Her bag was where she'd left it, hidden in a hole by a large oak tree. She hurriedly pulled it across her back and began her slow but calculated walk in the opposite direction. Brie felt the smallest bit of guilt creep up inside her. For bedding a man and then leaving without saying goodbye or perhaps for giving Mor hope that she'd consider what she'd asked of her. She had considered it, albeit briefly. She was simply not the sacrificing, hero that people wished she was. Leaving is what she knew. It had kept her alive this far.
Still, she would allow herself the indulgence of Mor, beautiful graceful Mor. Her suggestive yet shy smile, her curvaceous body - the way she seemed so confident and yet couldn't quit hide the shadow of vulnerability. It made her burn hotter than that fire had, hotter than Warren had not moments before; Brie couldn't quite fathom it.
She'd met the woman once, only the night before…yet, she'd left an impression. Clearly, she rolled her eyes at her self and blew out an exasperated breath wincing as the grip around her straps tightened, angering her burns and bruises. That voice inside her seemed to laugh at her, as though it knew a great deal more than she did.
"Stupid fire" she blurted as she sat on a large rock wincing at the small angry red welts on her wrist and arms. She tugged at the cap on her water container, she hadn't been to scout ahead and every part of her body was sore. "Stupid, clumsy body" she growled as she dropped some water onto the little burns, covering them in cloth, it was a miracle Warren hadn't angered them with his big, roaming hands. She was frustrated. At her guilt, at herself, at Warren for not fully quenching her body and at Mor, for being the reason her mind wouldn't shut up.
"Who's out there?" Said a far away voice, deep and just as fast as she had heard it; she was face down in the dirt, grunting and hiding behind a rock. "Come out, we have weapons!" she heard some laughter and stumbling. Drunkards. She rolled her eyes but didn't dare move.
"Today is not my day" she muttered, gripping the rock and wincing as a sharp edge caught her side.
"You hear that?" Mores voices mumble their replies. Brie swore under her breath.
"Come out!" The voices sounded closer but she could barely see her own hand by that point, so she gripped her bag and carefully pulled it over her shoulders, her hand hovering on a blade she kept strapped to her ankle. Her breathing slowed and as she closed her eyes, she let her ears take over, they pulled everything around her, from the wind to the creatures scattering in front of her and the birds soaring for the sky.
They were close, very close.
She unsheathed her blade - a delicate, sharp and well cared for weapon, reserved only for conflict. She wouldn't ever use it for food. She scrunched her eyes closed and stood, letting out a low breath and began to step backwards, each step silent.
She felt the small branch snap under her foot before she heard it and then her feet soared in answer, rushing away from the voices who had heard the sudden movement and were rushing in her direction. Branches cut at her face and ankles but she didn't have time to feel, only to run. Running was what she knew; it was her first lesson. 'Know when to run Brianna and never let your pride decide your fate', and it was a lesson she valued every day of her life. Her eyes strained in the darkness and somehow the darkness itself seemed to open its arms to her, pulling her in different directions. Whether to hinder her or help that would remain to be seen.
She couldn't say why she needed to be away from them, but she knew, every fibre of her being was shouting for her to keep running and she once again she cursed that ridiculous fire and her own carelessness. Her eyes were frantic, her breathing strained and her muscles stretched with every extension, the trees a blur around her, but still she ran.
Suddenly she felt a hand grip her and pull her behind a tree, then another hand crash over her mouth, holding her still, she felt a body pulled tightly against her. This is it? She thought, this is how I go? Not a storm, a fight, not even a mother cursing fire, but by the hands of someone who smelt like…cinnamon and something else. She started to register the body with which she was crushed against; it was solid but curvaceous and she could just feel the subtle bumps on her captors' chest. Her captor was a woman.
She twisted around as quietly as she could and there she stood, slightly taller than herself but hunched slightly as if readying for attack at any given moment. She really is beautiful. Her eyes widened and she stepped closer, pushing her body into hers. Brie inhaled her scent again and she could see the slight colour of her honey coloured eyes, she closed her own, suddenly forgetting herself and the fact that she was crushed against a tree with a beautiful woman against her, or that some men were indeed, still chasing after her. All she could sense was the proximity of the woman in front of her; she could feel her warm breath on her neck as those gold eyes scanned behind the tree. Assessing everything. Brie gripped her hand and that seemed to surprise Mor. She couldn't see clearly, but she sensed the upward quirk of Mor's mouth.
"They're gone" she whispered into her ear, so softly, it made Brie shudder.
"How can you be so sure?" She could almost sense Mor's brows rising, "right, almighty faerie, got it" and Mor let out a short, quiet laugh. Brianna shuddered at the beautiful sound of it echoing softly in her ears.
"Would you like to let go of my hand now?" The amusement in her tone made Brie grimace in embarrassment.
"Oh, sorry" she let it go. "Would you care to release me?" Mor smirked but released her from her vice grip. Brie rolled her eyes at the situation, at the whole bastard day and sat on the floor fidgeting with the straps of her sack and dumping it beside her.
When Mor joined her on the forest floor shortly thereafter and shifted her body away from her, Brie couldn't help the sharp feeling of disappointment. She sighed, watching the air puff out in front of her face; exasperated and tired she began to set up her temporary small abode. She watched Mor from the corner of her eye, the blonde tipping her head back in content as she gazed up at the darkening sky. She didn't dare light a fire, but the moonlight was beaming bright so her eyes were blessed with being able to see her rescuer rather clearly. Mother above those beautiful eyes even in the dim light, seemed to shine with both wisdom and curiosity and her blonde loose curls slightly swaying around her bare shoulders, it was simply mesmerising. Brie couldn't help but acknowledge the warmth that seemed to settle around her heart – and further south she had to admit - as she subtly studied the gentle profile of the woman beside her and the terror that usually accompanied such heartfelt and rare reactions she barely cared to notice.
"Back home, we have stars of all shapes and sizes, all across the sky, for miles and miles, it's one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen" Mor whispered, longing dancing within her honeycomb eyes.
"Do you think they're the same everywhere, no matter the land you're looking up at them from?" Brianna asked tentatively, reluctantly moving her gaze from Mor and up into the night sky.
"I'm not sure" was her companion's honest reply.
"I love them" Mor smiled, "they make me feel so…small, like there are bigger, more beautiful, significant things out there and everything else is…smaller. Less significant" Brianna didn't answer right away and they slipped into comfortable silence as she collected her thoughts.
"I think they are" Brie blurted out, she noticed that Mor had turned her head at her sudden response. "The same. Everywhere I mean, or more I hope they are" Brie smiled briefly and abruptly went back to looking up –anywhere but at Mor's thoughtful gaze. "Because then maybe, wherever my family are, they could look up at the sky, from whatever land they're on and it will be the same as the one I'm looking up at." A shot of pain rushed throughout her body and settled in her heart, as the realisation that she had the audacity to dare hope her family were alive to look up at the sky. She had ended those hopes and thoughts a long time ago and a semblance of unease washed over her.
It somehow didn't matter right at that moment because Brie felt comfortable, or tired and irritable from her gods awful day, maybe even a little relieved that Mor had found her – and the confusion of it all just made her feel a little done with questioning everything right then. She was very aware of the fact that Mor was a literal stranger, but the logic nevertheless didn't stop her from sharing. From daring to hope. "Maybe they'll give my family some comfort too, when they look up at them…perhaps they'll hope I am looking back" she went on, smiling sadly as she added "and then they wouldn't feel quite so alone". Mor shifted closer to her, sitting on the small blanket she was perched on top of and she softly moved her callused feminine hand over Brianna's. They both looked up and smiled, all the way to their ears. Brie took her hand gladly and squeezed gently in thanks for the small comfort.
"I hope so" Mor said, her tone sad but her eyes shone with hope. "We can always meet them in our dreams" she finished, nodding. Brie swallowed as her stomach flipped and her heart quickened. She sensed that perhaps there was much more to this faerie than she'd first thought, more than her obvious beauty and gentle smile, even more than her fierce nature and lithe body. They broke the eye contact in order to look up; leaning slightly closer into the other so Brie could smell the aroma that was simply and unquestionably, Mor.
Neither let go of their entwined hands, not as the time swept by unnoticed and not even long after sleep beckoned…