Necromancer's Descent

76 - Burrowed Feelings

Rosalin's Point of View

A sweet, rotten smell begins to linger in the air, telling me more clearly than anything else, that we are getting close.

My stomach is already regretting my decision to go there, and even more my brain's idealistic thought of staying there. The thought of eating and sleeping in the smell seems impossible as we get closer and I begin to remember the smell I got hurt by when I woke up here. I remember how my stomach turned, and I wish that perhaps it would be possible to have a way to lose my sense of smell... but even then it seems as if the smell slowly becomes so thick that you can taste it on your tongue, even if you cannot smell it by closing your nose.

They say that people get used to the smells that are in their own home. Right now, I cannot help but to hope that will become true, even a little bit, or I'll die from starvation as I throw everything up from the smell.

At least for now it's bearable.

"Let's stop here for tonight. We're close enough to the battlefield to walk there in the morning," Theodore says softly, as if sensing my discomfort, and then speaks a word softly that makes Alger stop up, give a little shake of his head and audibly lick his muzzle.

"I'll set up the tent then," I say and get on my feet, vaguely seeing Theodore nod.

It takes a while longer to set up the tent in the darkness, but surprisingly fast Theodore has made a small bonfire, that gives enough light to help me finish setting up, and unpack the bag and blankets.

Alger is set free to roam, and given a stack of hay from the wagon to munch on.

The food is simple: The dark bread and salted slices of meat. I'm still thankful for how filling it is.

As I eat, Theodore brushes Alger down, who, when he can, tries to nom or mlem on whatever part of Theodore is close. He even almost steals Theodore's sword, to which Theodore just grabs the hilt part that is not fully in Alger's mouth, and gently brushes Alger's muzzle with a chuckle untill Alger lets go and looks proud of his prank.

It's calming to watch.

Such a rare soft moment, compared to the rest of my time in this place. Something that calms the mind, rather than let it run wild with thoughts and plans.

Like an actual little break in the chaos.

That said, Alger is very playful with Theodore. He was just very quiet with me just like the rest of the horses. Even though Azzo said Alger liked me. I suppose 'like' is relative though. Perhaps more like 'Does not hate?'

"Alger really seems a lot different when he's around you," I say softly, trying to capitalize on a topic that captured my thoughts.

Theodore looks over his shoulder to me, and smiles softly.

"The tough outer shell is trained behaviour. Underneath the tough and violent exterior towards strangers are soft little boys and girls that just want love and attention."

"Aren't you?" He asks Alger softly, and Alger responds by nudging his chest gently with his head.

"They did sound quite violent in the stables until I went in, but they were all just very quiet when I got near."

Theodore's smile stiffens a bit.

"...Well... yes... the horses can sense that you're a death priestess."

Eh?

I remember the words Azzo spoke when he entered the stables back then.

"But they were just well behaved. It's not like they tried to flee, and if they looked scared then Azzo would have noticed, right?"