The Girl of Ossetia

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Birds chirping sounded in the distance, and gently awoke Arrana. Her eyelids lifted slowly and heavily, from a deep sleep. When her eyes focused, she took notice she was in her tent- and for a moment, considered last night didn't happen. But then it all rushed back with ferocious clarity and she raised a numb hand to her face. She let out a gruff sigh, before pushing up onto her elbows and looking around. It was only early morning, and Saelam was no longer in his pile of blankets. 

She gulped dryly, hoping he hadn't found out about her adventure last night, her heart picking up pace with just the thought. She inhaled, smelling something rather divine before her eyes registered the large platter of food resting next to her. Her stomach rumbled loudly, reminding her she hadn't eaten in  a while. 

After eating, she stood and decided she would try to find Saelam, but her head swooped and she quickly leaned onto the middle beam of the tent to keep from collapsing. She blinked hard, waiting for it to pass, before shuffling out into the gentle light. A few people milled about, but not nearly as crowded as it had been the night before. She was scanning the clearing for Gunsynd when a voice spoke behind her and she whirled around.

Zaelfor smiled down at her, nodding his head. "Good to see you awake, Arrana. Your friend has been healed, shall I take you to her?"

Arrana numbly nodded her head, and if it weren't for last night, she would've been genuinley excited to hear the news, but now a sick feeling rolled in the pit of her stomach. She had never experienced that before, or at least to that intensity. She lowered her eyes, shaking her head idly, before following Zaelfor down the slope and into the forest that had traumitized her so thoroughly the night before.

But in the morning light which sifted through the branches, it looked perfectly harmless, and she knew it was. Half of her knew that it had been her mind to be playing tired tricks on her, but it had felt so real. 

Zaelfor whislted as they walked along, a few song thrushes came swinging down from the branches to greet him, and Arrana couldn't help but grin. One landed on his shoulder, before turning back to whistle sweetly at the girl. She giggled, holding out her finger to it as it hopped on, tittering affectionatley. 

The walk this morning seemed much shorter than the night before, and they walked into the clearing where Iasarith had stayed. The fire colored steed that had been standing obediently next to Zaelfor the night before now raised his head and whinnied at the two.

"Is he yours?" Arrana questioned quietly, nodding her head at the horse who now wound over to the leader. Zaelfor smiled distantly. glancing down at her. 

"I am his, yes." Arrana grinned, wondering if that's how it went - the steeds chose you. "This way." Zaelfor said, breaking her train of thought, leading her to the tent where Iasarith had been placed, although she knew right where it was. He opened the flap, allowing her to duck in.

When she did, her protectors, besides Luinil, were all either sitting or standing around Iasarith, who was leaned onto her elbows with a dazed look on her face.

"I had the most unusual dream, and-" Her voice was a soft whisper, her eyes clouded before they moved to realize Arrana. They all turned to look at her, and her cheeks flushed, eyes diverting. 

"You're better?" Arrana coughed out gently, looking back up at Iasarith, for some reason trying brutally hard to not let anyone know what she had done last night. She clenched her teeth and ran her fingers over her dress. 

"Yes, much. Glad to see you." Arrana nodded, smiling sheepishly. Saelam eyed her suspiciously, before sighing and his face fell back into neutrality. He must not know. "Thank you for coming back for me." Iasarith said quietly, and the room shifted uncomfortably. Again, she nodded, looking around.