Children Of Myths, Act One: Scotland

Change of plans

Artica was recovering her energy much faster than the first time, which had taken forever before she could walk without a support. The most plausible hypothesis was the permanence in an area once again permeated with wild and pure magic as well as two large pillars knocked down around the town. Not only she, but everyone in the squad felt better.

"Nineteen years old and I'm walking like an old lady" She had commented with an annoyed groan, but everyone else's glares silenced her. She shouldn't force her recovery and, above all, shouldn't be in a hurry to leave. Unfortunately, the girl was stubborn like no other and wanted to get rid of the next pilar as soon as possible.

"Saraide, I feel useless..."

"Don't you think I don't want to complete the mission" replied the Elf "You've improved, we've all improved. But if we leave now, we'll get killed."

Word of the boss, nothing to add.

Artica laid on the grass with a resigned huff "Fine, fine, I get ie"

As she was deep in thought, she felt the talisman vibrate and a familiar little voice echoed in her head. A smiled stretched on her lips as she closed her eyes, starting a conversation.

"Gigi, I know, I haven't been in touch for three to four days. I was in awful shape."

"At least Brendan will be less anxious. How are things?"

"I'm walking like an eighty-year-old with a cane, but overall, I'm feeling much better than before."

She told the little goat of the change of plans and of the young man they had saved from the Cult, a foreigner from south-east. He hadn't told them all the details yet, perhaps out of distrust or shock or the language barrier, or all three.
What worried her mostly, was the fact that those fanatics took slaves from somewhere to do their dirty work.

"The real question is, do they kidnap them, take over the mine or...?"

Both Gigi and Artica stiffened. Kidnapping them or taking control of the mine that was one thing. Buying them implied a whole series of ideas that increased the poor girl's anxiety.

"... I hope I'm wrong."

"The first time it was a real mine, wasn't it? And this one too, right? They must have taken them by force."

Not that the goat's reassurance helped, Artica was getting lost in a spiral of anxious thoughts about the fact that she could trust very few human beings because the Witch's followers could be anywhere and could spy on them and-

"Artica?"

The voice outside the link between her and Gigi made her jump in place with her antennae and wing stiffened with fright. All followed by a series of rather explicit expressions to say the least while Riannon was there holding a bowl and apologizing.

"Were you talking to your Familiar?"

"Yes" She sighed once she calmed down "Gigi says hello."

Riannon sat down to eat with her, her blue eyes lost momentarily as she was deep in thought.

"Artica, can I ask you something?" the golden-haired Sidhe ventured

The redhead nodded, wiping her mouth after swallowing "Aye, tell me"

"Aisling the Selkie only taught you to wield your own magic, right?"

Artica nodded again. For her magic teacher it was the priority since there was no time to lose. On the other hand, mastering her magic allowed the purification of the pillars of black ice. Riannon didn't object to her choice, however, since they were all there doing pretty much nothing, Artica wasn't an expert in general magic and Gigi was currently in contact with her, what better time?