From Ashes and Dust (Book One)

Chapter 7.1

Having salvaged what they could from the Marguerite, they took what little provisions they had and ventured into the vegetation. They left behind the smoking vessels, which had started to spark with a danger that pushed the three of them even faster to the tree line.

An explosion rocked the clearing they'd left behind.

Vatra stopped and looked behind them, waist-deep in a variety of leaves and vines that felt like they were holding her in place the longer she stayed still.

"It's going to draw scavengers," Revna said. She had been following behind Vatra, and halted in her steps. "Let's keep moving."

Fluttering her attention back to Revna's face, Vatra examined the woman more closely. The faint runes tattooed along her hairline hadn't been visible until the orange sunlight battering through the canopy painted her skin.

A confused look twisted Revna's features. "Can you hear me?"

"Just fine," Vatra replied simply. "I just needed to stop for a moment."

"And that required you to stare, too? Even through your mask I can tell you're watching us a little too closely," Enyalius said. He stomped up behind Revna, crushing the vines beneath him with obvious agitation.

"You seem to be suspicious of me," Vatra observed. She stood firm in her steps, even when Enyalius appeared to size her up.

A twitch to the corner of his lips wasn't a sign of humor. "You barely reacted when I mentioned gods. The last time I met a woman like you," he paused to look at her from her boots until his gaze locked ferociously with hers behind the mask, "she tried to gut me."

"I find it hard to believe more women wouldn't try to gut you," Vatra stated plainly. "I'm surprised a nice girl like Revna follows you around so loyally. It's almost like she has no choice." The tone to her last words was meant to incite a reaction. Vatra had a suspicion of what Revna was.

Enyalius raised an accusatory finger. "There! See, you know something. I'm not so sure you're even mortal yourself."

"We don't have time for these games," Revna warned.

"She's playing us," Enyalius shot. He looked from his companion back to Vatra.

Folding her arms, Vatra settled back to the heels of her boots. She did enjoy a good banter. Seeing him squirm was almost as fun as striking him down.

"I know how to survive in this forest, do you? What goes bump in the night around here won't just give you bad dreams," Vatra said. She turned back around and continued, yanking her boots along with each step.

There was a momentary silence before the sound of brush moving returned. They pressed on quietly through the thick undergrowth.

Trees taller than most buildings dotted the forest. Thick trunks as wide around as the Marguerite were steadfast in the soft dirt. Branches stretched out overhead, offering anchor points for sheets of vines to dip down and brush against the heads of the people passing beneath them. Their leaves ranged from dark green to an almost purple shade, and Vatra reached up to allow her gloved fingers to trail through the blankets draping toward them.

The forest's sounds were a range of bird calls and wind rustling the thinner branches overhead. Soft trills turned to sharp cries. Then, the animals stopped communicating.

Vatra pulled her arm back to her side sharply, immediately grabbing for one of the two knives she had in their holsters at the small of her back. Fingers wrapped around the knife's hilt.

"Still want to stick to your knives?" Enyalius toyed, stepping cautiously up beside Vatra. He had withdrawn one of his pistols, the matte black of the weapon swallowing up any light that trickled in from the canopy.