Fourth Umbral Moon, Day 20
The winds were fierce today and the sand was stinging as I tried my best to keep up with Melodia. Her and I had been tasked by Thorin to tread close to Black Brush Station, while avoiding being seen in order to check on something vital near one of the creek beds in the area. Melodia seemed to know where we were going and my job seemed to be one of fodder in case of detection.
As she had a similar disdain for me as I had for her, we did not speak on the trek and by the time we had gotten close, I had the impression I was walking alone. That, however more pleasant it would be, was not the case. Melodia walked ahead with her head held high, the whipping sandstones hitting her face be damned. Her raven hair swirled around in the wind and at times the image made me imagine she was made of aetheric elements; and then I remember matter-of-factly who she is and I feel my skin stuck by gooseflesh. She was as dangerous and cruel as any primal the Empire feared and I often wondered why they tolerate her presence (I may need to edit this later....I fear she may find it).
We approached what appeared to be a small cavern entrance at the creekbed and the Melodia brought her hand up to signal a halt. She glanced back and said "Keep watch. If anyone approaches, you have my permission to kill them. Or you can die and it will improve the day. Either works for me." She then walked toward the entrance stopped. She seemed to be examining the right side of the entrance and feeling for something. As I watched her I hated and admired her at the same time. She was the strongest woman I had even seen and yet she was an untamed beast in so many ways. I truly do fear if Thorin ever perishes, how this young woman might exist in the world without his calming presence on her. I fear for the world.
I heard a small click and saw her shift a small stone to the right on the cave entrance, revealing a small pocket in the side of the rock. She turned and smiled at me, a genuine happy smile. She then reached inside and pulled out a small paper and what looked like a pouch. She looked at the paper first and muttered "Seems that little fool was right. He's earned the right to live another day." She glanced into the pouch for a brief moment and then nodded before putting the pouch and the note into her belt. I knew better than to ask but as she approached me and stopped she seemed to read in on my curiousity.
"What we got here today....the damn Lalafell was right. Now, earn your keep today and maybe the both of you'll live to see the sun rise tomorrow."
With that, she pushed past me and, with already sore feet and raw skin from the sand, we began the trek back to the camp.
The winds were fierce today and the sand was stinging as I tried my best to keep up with Melodia. Her and I had been tasked by Thorin to tread close to Black Brush Station, while avoiding being seen in order to check on something vital near one of the creek beds in the area. Melodia seemed to know where we were going and my job seemed to be one of fodder in case of detection.
As she had a similar disdain for me as I had for her, we did not speak on the trek and by the time we had gotten close, I had the impression I was walking alone. That, however more pleasant it would be, was not the case. Melodia walked ahead with her head held high, the whipping sandstones hitting her face be damned. Her raven hair swirled around in the wind and at times the image made me imagine she was made of aetheric elements; and then I remember matter-of-factly who she is and I feel my skin stuck by gooseflesh. She was as dangerous and cruel as any primal the Empire feared and I often wondered why they tolerate her presence (I may need to edit this later....I fear she may find it).
We approached what appeared to be a small cavern entrance at the creekbed and the Melodia brought her hand up to signal a halt. She glanced back and said "Keep watch. If anyone approaches, you have my permission to kill them. Or you can die and it will improve the day. Either works for me." She then walked toward the entrance stopped. She seemed to be examining the right side of the entrance and feeling for something. As I watched her I hated and admired her at the same time. She was the strongest woman I had even seen and yet she was an untamed beast in so many ways. I truly do fear if Thorin ever perishes, how this young woman might exist in the world without his calming presence on her. I fear for the world.
I heard a small click and saw her shift a small stone to the right on the cave entrance, revealing a small pocket in the side of the rock. She turned and smiled at me, a genuine happy smile. She then reached inside and pulled out a small paper and what looked like a pouch. She looked at the paper first and muttered "Seems that little fool was right. He's earned the right to live another day." She glanced into the pouch for a brief moment and then nodded before putting the pouch and the note into her belt. I knew better than to ask but as she approached me and stopped she seemed to read in on my curiousity.
"What we got here today....the damn Lalafell was right. Now, earn your keep today and maybe the both of you'll live to see the sun rise tomorrow."
With that, she pushed past me and, with already sore feet and raw skin from the sand, we began the trek back to the camp.
