THE PRIESTESS | A KTH & OT7 FF | 18+

Chapter 3

The priestess departed from her beloved homeland, Anthropos, a few hours back, embarking on an uncertain journey with three strangers. She felt pain in her hips from the prolonged horseback ride, and the unfamiliar male figure seated behind her only added to her discomfort. Despite her attempts to initiate conversation, the trio remained silent, and their stoic expressions and enigmatic demeanor amplified her unease.

As the miles stretched on, Kaya's anxiety mounted. The lack of information was unnerving, and her mind raced with unanswered questions. What were their names? What species did they belong to?

The silence was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves against the dirt road, and even with the whispered prayers from her folks that constantly echoed in her head, it was too monotone for the priestess.

She was used to the whispering noises and found a good balance to shut them out on a daily basis. Nighttimes were the worst when  the voices would stop after the sun had set; a contrast like day and night, darkness and light, her head would get completly silent and somtimes she felt lonely without the whispering sounds.

Kaya's body remained tense, her mind consumed by the unknown. Every nerve was on edge, and she longed for the reassurance of familiar surroundings. But for now, she could only endure the discomfort and wait for answers that may never come.

The vast expanse of the forest was a sea of green, with towering pine trees jutting out of the ground, their branches reaching for the sky. The ground beneath them was slippery with thick mud, making the journey treacherous. Every step the horses took was accompanied by the sound of squelching mud and crunching rocks that lined their path. The silence was deafening, and Kaya could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she looked around, trying to find any sign of life.

Turning her head to the left, she saw one of the trio riding alongside her. Kaya made a small wave with her hand, trying to break the tension, but the male rider didn't even glance in her direction. She then turned to the right, where the other rider was, and tried to greet him, but he, too, remained silent. The tension was palpable, and Kaya couldn't shake off the feeling of boredom.

She found herself feeling restless and drained. It was a long journey, and the monotony was getting to her. To distract herself, she tapped the knees of the male rider seated behind her. He was so close that she could feel the warmth of his body and the rise and fall of his breathing. Even his scent was noticeable; this male smelled like a cold spring breeze before a thunderstorm. He sighed, annoyed at her action, but his arms remained on each side of her, holding the tackles to lead the horse.

Kaya didn't give up, however, and decided to slap his stone-hard thighs harder to get his attention. The slapping echoed through the forest. As she repeatedly did so, a low chuckle escaped from the mouth of the left rider, indicating that they had, in fact, noticed her. She felt satisfied at having broken the monotony, even if it was only for a moment.

"So, after all, you're not dead. " The priestess said mockingly as she gazed to her left and right, but no answers were thrown to her. "Okay," Kaya acquiesced with a hint of disappointment, "if you're not in the mood to chat, I suppose you'll have to bear with my seemingly aimless chatter."

She then proceeded to describe their surroundings in an almost poetic manner, providing intricate details and painting a vivid picture of the scenery around them. She shared her unfiltered opinions on the landscape, highlighting what she found captivating and unappealing and what she thought could be improved.

Kaya's keen observation skills were on full display as she pointed out the subtle variations in the shades of green among the various pine trees they passed, making note of even the slightest differences. Her descriptions were so vivid that it almost felt like whoever listened to her was there, experiencing the journey alongside them.