The Sweet Escape |Part 1| The Carja

Chapter 2 - Double Trouble

When she finally stepped out of Erend's home, it was the end of the afternoon. Sunset was probably a couple of hours away. The air was getting cooler, with a slight, refreshing breeze. Aloy knew the desert nights could be surprisingly chilly, almost as cold as the snowy mountains back East. After such a trip from the Base, burning under the unrelenting sun, sitting on a scalding flying metal machine, she more than welcomed a cooler environment to soothe her skin.

Erend asked her to go on ahead as he needed to take care of "something important" and they agreed to meet an hour later near Morlund's Orb.

He had proposed to stick around while she was in Hidden Ember and drop his day-to-day duties for a bit. Aloy was thankful that he could spare the time; it was increasingly clear to her that she had missed him. She really wanted to enjoy his company until the moment when she inevitably  would have to move on. Their earlier conversation made her realize that she was feeling lonely too.

Again.

It wasn't as obvious when all the GAIA Gang (Alva's words) were gathered at the Base. All of her friends took the weight off her shoulders and never failed to lighten her mood.

Now, she could feel that weight again, the same inexorable grinding pressure that had haunted her when she had fought HADES and the Eclipse on her own.

In time, as she found this place growing full with life, with friends caring about her and the mission, it became her core, her place to recharge. When her new-found family were always there for her, to make her smile or listen to her concerns, they lifted the weight of her responsibilities and made it all more bearable.

Now, with the Base mostly empty, save for her sister and Sylens... It just wasn't the same. And Aloy found herself only going there for Beta's sake, or when it was absolutely necessary; choosing instead to camp alone in the wilds or flit between settlements.

Aloy took a deep breath to blow those dark thoughts away. She was still on a mission. Focus.

She did not feel like going to Stemmur just yet with the next Ornament; she actually wanted to scout the area first, see for herself what it had to offer. There was no rush, so Aloy decided to wait for Erend before heading to the Tower of Tears, the wordsmith's usual spot.

She wandered between the stalls, stopping, chatting with the vendors, inspecting the merchandise without any intent of buying anything. Though, she did find some delicately manufactured bracelets, made of white quartz beads carved with Oseram designs. She examined the simple jewelry, turning the beads between her fingers, lost in thoughts. They made her start thinking about Erend, about everything he had done for her since he joined her team. He left his comfortable life in Meridian, his Captaincy and trusted position as the Sun King protector, to follow her in a life-threatening mission, without asking anything in return.

If anything, he insisted on Aloy relying on him more, ever eager to swashbuckle by her side. He genuinely wanted to help. After the victory against the Zeniths, it was surprising that he hadn't returned to the Vanguard in the Daunt, or even all the way back to Meridian to resume his service to Avad. Aloy made a mental note to herself to ask him about that later.

Erend had given Aloy his time, his protection, his support and his loyalty. So... She figured a small gift in return was appropriate. To show him... that she cared.

"How much?" she asked.

"Fifty shards each," said the merchant, without looking up. After a few seconds, he raised his eyes, stared at her in disbelief and finally realized who he was talking to. "Smoke and sweat, you are the Savior of Meridian?! I am really sorry I did not recognise you straight away. For you, it's free of course. Take whatever you want! I will be honored that a living legend like you wears anything from my humble shop".