Delmora: The Lost Quest

The Cressen Road

She had barely slept that night. It wasn't just her nerves but also the soreness in her body from the fight the day before that kept her awake. The adrenaline that had coursed through her wore off as soon as her head hit her pillow and while her body couldn't move, her brain couldn't rest and she hurt all over. There were remedies in Balthazon and she was sure the Del-folk had something for the pain but she didn't ask. She was determined to act like she was fine. It was only a few bruises anyway.

She dressed in her travel wear. Her light travel cloak had stains and a few mended rips from so much use. She braided her hair as tight as she could. She was used to the length and had long forgot what it was like when it was short. Her thick, brown hair extended below her torso and she pulled it over her shoulder. She looked into the water bowl at her features. She had a narrow face, but she was short for a Balthazon. She had curves at her hips but smaller, firm breasts that she bound to her chest. She cleaned her face, completing her morning ritual. The Delfolk brought her a large breakfast. She eat in the light of the green glowing plants. She had never needed a single candle since she entered the forest and wondered whether they thought candles just as strange.

When she was finished she put her hood up and strapped her twin swords to her back.

She walked to the Cressen Gate as the sun woke up the forest. Her horse, along with others were waiting in a line munching on hay. They were all saddled and prepped for travel. A pack pony piled with supplies stood in the back. Lance was already there, his shining steel gone and replaced with travel leather. Another person moved experimentally on his horse. A Del-folk with the traditional straight hair and robes. But his hair was darker than most Del-folk and shorter. It was glossy looking, she suspected it was from the moisture in the air. In many ways his features reminded Edith of a crow. His horse was piled with bags and little pouches. It was a good thing he was thin. Edith had forgotten his name from the meeting the other day. He hadn't said a word. Now that she saw him up-close she realized how young he was. His eyes looked so sunken from the council he could have mistaken him for an Elder. He struggled to get off his horse, he was obviously no traveler.

She caught Lance looking at her and he nodded in greeting. She did the same. The Viendenfal man was not there. She went to her light brown mare Gilvolt Who looked up as Edith approached. He munched on golden straws while Edith checked his coat and shoes. Before she was done inspecting him, the horses around her went wild. In a panic they neighed and reared and fled as much as their reigns allowed them. Edith heard it too, the fluttering of wings overhead and a snarl. She dived away from the horses panic, ducked and grabbed her swords then whipped around.

A Grey mut with black ears and white paws was low to the ground, ears back and snarling loudly. Saliva dripped from her mouth, her mangy coat was pricked at the back of her neck and ready to attack. Edith was about to strike but a curious red handkerchief around the dogs huge front paw stayed her blade.

She heard laughter in the background. She looked up to see the ragged appearance of the Veindenfal man.

Edith brought up her sword and swung it down but she steadied her blade when an arm pulled out infront of it.

"Don't!"

It was Lance, who must have seen the commotion and ran over.

The mangy mutt started barking loudly.

"Shut that bitch up!" Edith shouted to Morn. "Its yours isn't it?"

"Biter come" He told the dog.

She backed off, her ears still low and her hairs sill pricked.

"Scared of dogs I see" The Vendenfal was still laughing.