Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Four

Reif was the first to wake the next morning, as he usually was. Taking care not to wake Lev beside him, he pulled himself out of bed before stripping out of his bedclothes. As he did, Reif's eyes fell on Telk, still asleep on the wooden floor. Truthfully, Reif had all but forgotten about Telk's presence, and the reminder was not a pleasant one. The entire time Reif spent dressing himself, he kept his eyes fixed on Telk's position, as if he expected their new traveling companion to vanish with all their money.

Needless to say, Reif didn't trust Telk; he had no reason to. In Reif's eyes, Telk was just a common thief that Lev foolishly put his trust in. For all they knew, Telk was simply using Lev for the time being, biding his time until he could rob them dry. What was it about Telk that drew Lev's attention so much? How was he any different than any other thief on the street? Was it because they were so close in age?

Reif's attention shifted to Telk's bag, squarely spread on the floor beside him. Thanks to his moral sense, Reif would never search through another's belongings without permission, but Telk's mysterious motives for joining them stoked his curiosity. It was entirely possible that at some point in the night, Telk snatched some of their gold for himself and they'd never know unless they checked.

Reif took a step towards the bag, but immediately stopped. If Telk woke up before he finished, there'd surely be consequences. Reif didn't particularly care what Telk may have thought, but Lev was sure to be displeased as well, and if there was anyone Reif wanted to avoid upsetting, it was Lev. On the other hand, if Reif searched Telk's bag and did find something of interest, it would be a reason for them to leave him behind and continue on as a trio again. Besides, what were the odds that Reif would be caught, anyway? So long as he was fast enough, it wouldn't even matter.

Just as soon as Reif had seemingly made up his mind, movement out of the corner of his eye causer him to start. Telk was in the middle of stretching, signaling to Reif that he had taken too long to decide. A prickle of irritation flashed in Reif's mind as Telk groggily sat up, still mostly dressed unlike Lev and Therias. Reif could feel himself tense slightly when Telk's eyes fell on him.

"Morning," Telk greeted.

Reif hesitantly nodded in response, acknowledging his missed opportunity. "Good morning," he said, bitterly. "I trust you slept well?"

"I did," Telk said, though that was the last thing either of them said to each other as they waited for Therias and Lev to finally wake up as well.

* * *

That morning was just as cool as the night was, with gray clouds overhead blocking the sun's warmth. Lev and his companions continued through the trees at a slow, yet steady pace by way of Telk's guidance. Sleep had done little to clear Lev's mind, as he was still perturbed by troubling thoughts.

Soon the trail of torches led them to a three way split in their path. Lev and his friends stopped to break at the base of a torch as Telk consulted the map in his head on where to go next. As they rested, Lev took a moment to fully take in their surroundings. In truth, he wasn't able to take in much, as everywhere they went looked the exact same to him - just trees and more trees. Lev had been to Syllict before, but had always been transported with his family in wagons and carriages under the protection of the royal guard; he'd never been as exposed to the lush greenery of Taëlas as he was now. He found the forest to be truly magnificent. Vibrant colors - mostly greens - decorated Lev's view everywhere they went, as if Terrera herself had blessed the land. Flecks of orange, brown, and yellow peppered the treetops, revealing the effects of the approaching cold months. Under more favorable circumstances, Lev would have loved to take time to explore more of what the forest has to offer. For now, he simply found what little peace he could in the chirping of birds and serene sights.