Lucline returned to Rasina's house. Her girlfriend was lounging near the bowl of frost magic when she got back.
"Welcome back." The warrior gave her a brilliant smile. "How did it go?" She made no move to get up from her cool stop.
"I've been asked to go to Bergama and look into a child there showing an unusual level of skill in magic for her age." Lucline put away her sun cloak. "Give me a minute to change into my tunic and I'll explain more."
Rasina nodded and she headed into their room and removed all of her clothing and then slid her cool tunic over her body and returned to the main room. Once she was sat down near the bowl, she explained everything to her partner.
Rasina pursed her lips. "I don't know if I like putting the investigation to one side for now, but Minrre is a fair woman. Still, my own guild mates can look into it as well. I'll pop along to the hall and explain things. We should head out tonight while it's cool. It will take several nights to get there, we'll have to shelter for the days of course."
Traveling in the light was best, but the sun baking the sand was deadly.
"Thank you, for agreeing to come with me."
Rasina waved this off. "I would go with you even if you didn't get it to be an official contract. I worry for your safety, my love. Desert bandits are a thing, and a pretty girl like you would fetch a high price on the market."
Lucline shuddered. It wasn't mentioned much, but the market for slaves and forced prostitution was still very much alive in Tamerial. She knew Rasina had made it her personal mission to weed out such things, though she had never asked why. Rasina was entitled to her secrets, after all.Rasina got up and pulled the Breton girl into her arms, she snuggled into the warrior, feeling much safer.
"I won't let them have you." She heard Rasina say firmly. "You are safe if you stick near me. I swear it."
She nodded and wrapped her arms around Rasina. "And anyone trying to hurt you will taste a lightning bolt." She swore back.
Rasina chuckled and let go of her. "Now, I'm going to the guild to do that talk. I'll pack your pack for you at your apartment on the way back. You stay here and cool down. I'll lock the door on my way out."
Lucline leaned in and they shared a passionate kiss before Rasina regretfully left to go about her tasks. She reclined in the spot her partner had left, imagining herself in the arms of her Ansei. The smile did not leave her face until Rasina returned.
Elder-Scrolls*
As the sun started to set, the two set out for the stables. Minrre had messaged Lucline earlier and told her they had the arrangements made. Their driver was a Khajiit, a female by the name of Talsma, was a calico furred beauty. Her cats' eyes were bright blue, and she wore a sun cloak like the other girls.
"Welcome to this one's carriage," Talsma greeted. "We will be traveling quite quickly."
As the driver finished speaking, Minrre appeared out of the dark. Lucline and Rasina approached.
"Good evening, ladies." The Society branch leader greeted. "Prepared for your trip?"
They both nodded. "All packed and ready. We'll return as soon as we have confirmed the girl's existence or not."
Minrre smiled warmly and handed over a small bluish stone. "Here, I enchanted this stone with a variant of your frost cooling spell. It alters the air around it to make it comfortable instead of sweltering. I'll teach you the spell as well, but you will want to use this during the days as the sun will recharge it and you won't need to use your own power."
Lucline felt her lips twist into a grin. "Thank you, ma'am! This will be very useful." She accepted the stone.
"It's no trouble. I know Leader Beatte was your mentor, but I think of you as my Protégé. I would hate for you to bake in the sun." The leader turned her attention to Rasina. "Niece." She said mildly.
"Aunt," Her partner nodded back.
"Keep our girl safe, would you?"
Rasina smiled and wrapped an arm around Lucline. She felt her face heat in a way that had nothing to do with the climate.
"Of course, no one will lay a hand on her while I'm with her. And I suspect vice versa. Alchemy might be her specialty, but she is pretty good at destruction magic too."
Lucline wiggled free but did not venture far from her partner's side. "I packed some potions that increase our offensive power as well. Anyways, we need to be going."
Minrre stepped back. "Of course. Safe travels, ladies. I look forward to your report, either way. Do send Lobamog a projection when you arrive. I will be in meetings for the next couple of days. The Synod are causing us trouble again in the Cyrodiil Branch."
Lucline grimaced. She hated politics. "Wish I could make you a potion that would help with that."
Minrre laughed. "Now that would be convenient. Farewell."
She walked off, leaving Rasina and Lucline outside the carriage. Talsma grinned, showing her teeth.
"Come now, ladies. Do partake of the hospitality of this one's humble carriage."
"Thank you, Talsma." Lucline spoke as she climbed into the back with the help of Rasina. Her girlfriend jumped from the sand into the carriage.
The carriage started to roll away, following the road from Sentinel to Bergama.