Voices of Legend: Ode to Logathara

Chapter 4: The Laugh of a Priestess (Part 2)

It wasn't long after the sun rose that the group of five set out on the road towards Allen's Town. Silza had enlisted Phillipi to pack her things and help her mount Exul for the journey. The four men road a few paces ahead of her. Since her meeting with the king and her encounter with Broxin, none of them had spoken to her, outside of a few grunts and mumbles. Sebastian had not even looked her way.

She could see they were having a conversation. Galdon was facing forward, but his posture and body motions indicated that he was speaking to them rather sternly. Every now and then, he would ask them a question or Phillipi would laugh at something that must have humored him. It was also possible he was laughing for the sake of laughter itself.

Broxin road along listening. However, he looked lost in his own thoughts. Only Sebastian seemed to be engaging directly with the king. Silza had considered creating a funnel of air to bring their words, but she ultimately decided against it. The conversation would eventually find its way to her.

Galdon had the birth-rit, and based on his reaction on Mount Sonsí, she was also sure he could tell when someone else was pulling on Colonderé. Sebastian could also pull on Colonderé, but given his type of Dolé, he had not received Logathara's Blessing. That did not mean he could not feel if Colonderé was being used, however. She would figure that out later.

Phillipi showed no signs of having the ability to pull from Colonderé. Neither did Broxin, but his reaction earlier was puzzling. Unprompted, gods Logath had blessed her with an interpretation. Such things were common to a Diviniré, but it was uncommon that someone, other than another priestess or a user of Colonderé would recognize that an interpretation was occurring. What was even more puzzling was, based on his reaction, that he had perceived himself to be under threat. Hopely, he would be open to talking about it with her when they made it to Allen's Town.

As they continued away from Mount Sonsí, the heat of the sun began to lessen. The journey had not been so long that the sun was going down, but there was something about Mount Sonsí that trapped the oppressive heat of the sun. When you were no longer on the mount or at its base, the heat began to fade.

They were nearing a resting point. It was not much, but a small circular patch of gravel and sand next to the road. Within the patch was a beam for tethering horses and what looked like a well of water. The men rode into the space and jumped down from their mounts. Broxin grabbed all of their horses and Sebastian headed to the well. Next to the well was a bucket attached to a rope. Picking it up, Sebastian inspected it, then dropped it down the well.

As expected, Phillipi was standing on the road waiting for her to catch up. His hands were on his hips as he tapped his foot feigning impatience.

"Beautiful Priestess, so happy for you to join us," he called. "We are going to stop here so the horses can have a drink. Would you like me to fill your bag?

"Thank you, Spry Pup," she replied, allowing Exul to slow to a stop next to the boy. "That would surely bless me indeed."

"Sure thing, beautiful Priestess. Let me help you down," he said. He gave Exul a gentle pat on the neck, then extended his hand to catch Silza as she swung her legs around and hopped off the horse. Grabbing his hand, she allowed Phillipi to help her steady herself on the shifting ground.

"My water bag is there," she said, waving her hand toward the saddle of the horse.

"Sure thing, Priestess," said Sebastian.

He unlatched the bag from the animal and then led both of her horses over to the others. When the horses were secure, he jogged to the well where Sebastian was pulling the rope to retrieve the water-filled bucket.