The man’s decision to cross Fallgourd came as a surprise. His need to travel to Coerthas and beyond must be a pressing one, Edda thought, and she wondered what lay in such inhospitable lands that would drive him so. Turning back to look at the man, she glared at the hilt of his sword, just visible over his shoulder.
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“Whatever you do, do not draw your sword under any circumstance.†Her gaze returned to his face, and she looked him in the eye for a short moment, allowing her words to sink in. “If it seems you are in danger, believe me, it will not be a mortal one. If – through some bizarre circumstance – violence becomes necessary, I will let you know.â€
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Edda turned and began to make her way down the road, bidding silently for the Xaela to follow. The clouds hung heavy in the sky, and the temperature began to drop quickly as a chill wind blew down from the mountains. It felt like snow. This could only be a good thing for them, with the cool temperature more likely to drive those idling outside back indoors. The Black Shroud was certainly full of strange sights, and as she understood it, had become much more open to travelers than it had in the past. Fallgourd was frequented by adventurers as well, more so than most outposts in the forest. It was a welcoming place, but the intimidating Au Ra dressed in bloodstained fur would surely be enough to set most residents on edge.
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“Stay close to me,†she continued. She brushed some dirt off the front of her dalmatica and tightened her ponytail. “It would behoove you to not speak much – use only simple words if you must.†Edda sighed. She had an explanation for his presence prepared already, but it was complicated by the three bodies left behind in the grove. When – if – she should return, and her story was found to be a false one, it would be easy for her to claim she was held hostage. She preferred it not come to that.
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Fallgourd Float came into view soon enough. Edda squinted ahead as she hobbled closer, and recognized the two guards at the gate. Priorfaix was an elderly Wailer, who stood guard with his son, whose name escaped her. The son was more often than not sleeping under his wooden mask, and for that she was thankful. As the two approached, she could see Priorfaix peering at the figure behind her. Forcing her limp down, she slowed her gait as they drew near to the entrance, and gave the man a small wave.
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“Friend of yours, lass?†Edda stopped as he addressed her.She hoped her standing in front of the Xaela would be enough to hide the blood on his clothes.
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“Not quite,†she said. She smiled at the man and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I found him wandering the forest. I agreed to show him the way to Coerthas, but we were accosted by a band of Ixal.†Her expression sobered as to fit the conversation. “This ah, man here fought them off and we managed to escape, but please do take care.â€
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Priorfaix nodded, his expression serious. He stared up at the Au Ra curiously and frowned. He did not seem very taken by him. “Aye, aye we will,†he said after a moment and nodded again. “And you as well.†Edda inclined her head in thanks, and continued into the town. She glanced over her shoulder to see she was being followed, and sighed in relief. The sound of Priofaix shouting at his son could be heard as they made their way down the wooden walkway. “You hear that, you daft boy? Ixal!â€
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As she expected, there were not many outdoors; the few that were stared at the pair as they passed. Edda did not make eye contact with any of them, as if doing so would confirm whatever suspicions they had. She hastened her pace and kept her head down, heading straight for the small stables at the entrance to town. Not wanting to deal with any more interaction, she withdrew her chocobo herself, nearly dragging the impudent creature along with her. She dared not look or inquire to the Xaela – she could scarce imagine what was going through his head. His earlier question made it seem as if he had not once stepped foot in any sort of town, and Edda doubted whatever hasty explanation she could have given him would have sufficed.
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Making their way to the aetheryte, Edda led on to a quiet area near the water. The worse of it was now over, and she felt as if she could relax. She looked over to The Bobbing Cork just across the water, where she stayed. She would need supplies. It was not a very long journey, but a perilous one – made so by the ice and snow that had settled in the region since the Calamity. Edda turned to the man abruptly and handed him the reigns to her chocobo.
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“Wait here,†she instructed. “There are items I must fetch –clothes and other sundries. I will return shortly.†She did not wait for a response, and made her way across the bridge and disappeared into the large building.
Â
“Whatever you do, do not draw your sword under any circumstance.†Her gaze returned to his face, and she looked him in the eye for a short moment, allowing her words to sink in. “If it seems you are in danger, believe me, it will not be a mortal one. If – through some bizarre circumstance – violence becomes necessary, I will let you know.â€
Â
Edda turned and began to make her way down the road, bidding silently for the Xaela to follow. The clouds hung heavy in the sky, and the temperature began to drop quickly as a chill wind blew down from the mountains. It felt like snow. This could only be a good thing for them, with the cool temperature more likely to drive those idling outside back indoors. The Black Shroud was certainly full of strange sights, and as she understood it, had become much more open to travelers than it had in the past. Fallgourd was frequented by adventurers as well, more so than most outposts in the forest. It was a welcoming place, but the intimidating Au Ra dressed in bloodstained fur would surely be enough to set most residents on edge.
Â
“Stay close to me,†she continued. She brushed some dirt off the front of her dalmatica and tightened her ponytail. “It would behoove you to not speak much – use only simple words if you must.†Edda sighed. She had an explanation for his presence prepared already, but it was complicated by the three bodies left behind in the grove. When – if – she should return, and her story was found to be a false one, it would be easy for her to claim she was held hostage. She preferred it not come to that.
Â
Fallgourd Float came into view soon enough. Edda squinted ahead as she hobbled closer, and recognized the two guards at the gate. Priorfaix was an elderly Wailer, who stood guard with his son, whose name escaped her. The son was more often than not sleeping under his wooden mask, and for that she was thankful. As the two approached, she could see Priorfaix peering at the figure behind her. Forcing her limp down, she slowed her gait as they drew near to the entrance, and gave the man a small wave.
Â
“Friend of yours, lass?†Edda stopped as he addressed her.She hoped her standing in front of the Xaela would be enough to hide the blood on his clothes.
Â
“Not quite,†she said. She smiled at the man and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I found him wandering the forest. I agreed to show him the way to Coerthas, but we were accosted by a band of Ixal.†Her expression sobered as to fit the conversation. “This ah, man here fought them off and we managed to escape, but please do take care.â€
Â
Priorfaix nodded, his expression serious. He stared up at the Au Ra curiously and frowned. He did not seem very taken by him. “Aye, aye we will,†he said after a moment and nodded again. “And you as well.†Edda inclined her head in thanks, and continued into the town. She glanced over her shoulder to see she was being followed, and sighed in relief. The sound of Priofaix shouting at his son could be heard as they made their way down the wooden walkway. “You hear that, you daft boy? Ixal!â€
Â
As she expected, there were not many outdoors; the few that were stared at the pair as they passed. Edda did not make eye contact with any of them, as if doing so would confirm whatever suspicions they had. She hastened her pace and kept her head down, heading straight for the small stables at the entrance to town. Not wanting to deal with any more interaction, she withdrew her chocobo herself, nearly dragging the impudent creature along with her. She dared not look or inquire to the Xaela – she could scarce imagine what was going through his head. His earlier question made it seem as if he had not once stepped foot in any sort of town, and Edda doubted whatever hasty explanation she could have given him would have sufficed.
Â
Making their way to the aetheryte, Edda led on to a quiet area near the water. The worse of it was now over, and she felt as if she could relax. She looked over to The Bobbing Cork just across the water, where she stayed. She would need supplies. It was not a very long journey, but a perilous one – made so by the ice and snow that had settled in the region since the Calamity. Edda turned to the man abruptly and handed him the reigns to her chocobo.
Â
“Wait here,†she instructed. “There are items I must fetch –clothes and other sundries. I will return shortly.†She did not wait for a response, and made her way across the bridge and disappeared into the large building.
