The man was tense, that much was certain. Whether it was the new surroundings that put him on edge, or herself, Edda did not know. Perhaps this was the natural demeanor of his clan. It would surprise her, but it was not her place to make judgments about a people she did not understand. Her lips pursed and the smile faded from her face.
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“Yes, we are to head west, to Coerthas,†Edda said. She looked away from him and reached into a side pocket in her satchel. The contents were stuffed with krakka root, which she began to feed to the rather eager bird. “As for whether or not that is your destination… It is the only region on this continent that matches your description of snow and mountains. The Highlands are vast. If you have a specific heading, or goal, it would be wise to say so.â€
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She looked back to the Xaela with a sober expression. The chocobo nudged her shoulder for more feed, and she absently stroked its beak while examining the man. It seemed strange, to be so eager to head to land he could detail in the most nondescript way imaginable. Wherever he was from, it seemed too far a distance to hunt or trade. Edda had little knowledge of the dark-scaled Auri. That they were tribal, primitive, and a warmongering people was all she had gleaned from the library at home. He had displayed some sophistication in bartering his services, so traveling to Coerthas for such crude reasons as sport or glory seemed unlikely.
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Edda snapped her gaze away from the man, and motioned vaguely for him to follow. She pulled the bird along at a slow pace and headed towards the west gate.
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“As for your previous question,†she began. She kept her eyes straight ahead and her voice low. “I will answer whatever questions you may have to the best of my ability. Feel free to ask however you like. Do keep in mind that some things cannot be taught through word alone, however.â€
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The woman glanced at him briefly over her shoulder, before facing away to sigh. She was far from the best candidate to teach a foreigner the customs of the common man. Though she fought it as best she could, Edda was well aware of her stringent and frigid nature. Taking cues from her would only worsen the Au Ra’s current demeanor, if anything. He would need to meet people that knew freedom and laughter, and experience that warmth for himself. She could teach him only in the way a book could – she could not give him experiences that were not meant for her.
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The two passed out of the western gate with little trouble. The scenery was far different here despite its proximity to the woods, with only a few spattering of trees against the hard, barren earth. Night would fall soon, and though Edda had packed a small lantern, now dangling on the side of the saddle, the cover of clouds might render it too dark to continue. The road to Dragonhead was notoriously dangerous, though she felt more at ease than she would have if she were alone. The Xaela still had his sword, and presumably had enough experience to be able to fight in dim light.
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Edda reached into her back pocket to slip on a pair of black gloves. It was not much colder yet, but she knew how volatile the weather could become in the mountain pass. She glanced at the man briefly. Would he be warm enough? The furs he wore certainly looked thick, but the skin exposed at his shoulder was concerning. He did not seem the type to complain, however. Edda wrapped her hood closer around her face, and made a mental note to ask later as they continued on.
Â
“Yes, we are to head west, to Coerthas,†Edda said. She looked away from him and reached into a side pocket in her satchel. The contents were stuffed with krakka root, which she began to feed to the rather eager bird. “As for whether or not that is your destination… It is the only region on this continent that matches your description of snow and mountains. The Highlands are vast. If you have a specific heading, or goal, it would be wise to say so.â€
Â
She looked back to the Xaela with a sober expression. The chocobo nudged her shoulder for more feed, and she absently stroked its beak while examining the man. It seemed strange, to be so eager to head to land he could detail in the most nondescript way imaginable. Wherever he was from, it seemed too far a distance to hunt or trade. Edda had little knowledge of the dark-scaled Auri. That they were tribal, primitive, and a warmongering people was all she had gleaned from the library at home. He had displayed some sophistication in bartering his services, so traveling to Coerthas for such crude reasons as sport or glory seemed unlikely.
Â
Edda snapped her gaze away from the man, and motioned vaguely for him to follow. She pulled the bird along at a slow pace and headed towards the west gate.
Â
“As for your previous question,†she began. She kept her eyes straight ahead and her voice low. “I will answer whatever questions you may have to the best of my ability. Feel free to ask however you like. Do keep in mind that some things cannot be taught through word alone, however.â€
Â
The woman glanced at him briefly over her shoulder, before facing away to sigh. She was far from the best candidate to teach a foreigner the customs of the common man. Though she fought it as best she could, Edda was well aware of her stringent and frigid nature. Taking cues from her would only worsen the Au Ra’s current demeanor, if anything. He would need to meet people that knew freedom and laughter, and experience that warmth for himself. She could teach him only in the way a book could – she could not give him experiences that were not meant for her.
Â
The two passed out of the western gate with little trouble. The scenery was far different here despite its proximity to the woods, with only a few spattering of trees against the hard, barren earth. Night would fall soon, and though Edda had packed a small lantern, now dangling on the side of the saddle, the cover of clouds might render it too dark to continue. The road to Dragonhead was notoriously dangerous, though she felt more at ease than she would have if she were alone. The Xaela still had his sword, and presumably had enough experience to be able to fight in dim light.
Â
Edda reached into her back pocket to slip on a pair of black gloves. It was not much colder yet, but she knew how volatile the weather could become in the mountain pass. She glanced at the man briefly. Would he be warm enough? The furs he wore certainly looked thick, but the skin exposed at his shoulder was concerning. He did not seem the type to complain, however. Edda wrapped her hood closer around her face, and made a mental note to ask later as they continued on.
