Saviors of Deflorna

Magnus 3

That girl... she is so, what's the word, different. She clung to me when I was trying to help her but ran like a scared deer when she woke up the next morning. Yet when she came back she was so selfless, I can only assume she was trying to help or heal me, when I was having my visions. I don't know what it did to her but she was so weak and frail when my vision cleared.

I had been so afraid that I had hurt her. She even agreed to come with us. We finished packing and mother let her borrow a dress. On our way to the mines, we are going to stop by Fahnora's cottage in Avrendale. Her bird was waiting for us when we stepped outside of the house, along with a crowd of people.

When we exited the house a cheer went out. People started shouting 'good luck' and other encouraging things. Tamera was in the front along with Caldon and Trenton. I walked down the steps and hugged Caldon. He hugged me back and wished me the best.

"I will severely miss you Maggy, I will keep the place running smooth while you are gone, so don't worry too much. " He took one final move and put his hand on my shoulder. I had my goodbyes with mother inside knowing that I continued to do so outside I would not be able to continue the mission.

"I will miss you too, Cal. I am glad I have such a good friend." I clapped his shoulder and moved along the congregation until we were in the clearing.

I looked back and a teary eyed Fahnora followed. After that Edward made his way over. He looked beyond forlorn. Fahnora turned away and walked into the forest. About 30 minutes in and Fahnora stoops to pick up something out of a hollow tree. She pulls out a handful of bracelets. She starts to put them on.

"What are you doing?" asked Edward.

"I left them here when I was running. I might as well collect them. We are close to my cottage." She pushed forward ahead of us. Within another 20 minutes she pushed open a wall of leaves and sighed in relief. "Here it is!"

When we walked around it I noticed it seemed in a little disrepair yet it had a feminine touch to it. There were herbs and bowls scattered in a few places. She ran inside. A moment later she poked out her head and waved us in.

"Wow, this isn't at all what I was expecting. It is very home-like in here." Edward commented.

She laughed a little and started to open drawers and pack. "Well I lived here for four years alone. I'm sorry if it's a bit messy, kinda hard to make a cottage in the woods spotless."

"We aren't even staying too long are we?" I asked.

"No I just need to get my things packed. We should also get some horses." Fahnora replies.

"We are, but we are going to the city Eriba to get them. It is only a day's walk away so we should start up as soon as possible." I replied.

"I'm almost done. I have to grab my herb bag and a few other things." She took an hour to get it all organized. Her bird stood watch by the door, glaring at Edward and me every once in a while. She was quite an inquisitive bird.

When Fahnora was done she hefted the bags on her back and started out the door. "You don't even know where we are going. Shouldn't you be behind or between us?" Edward asked her.

"Hmm? Oh! I was grabbing something but yes, I suppose I should." She went by a tree and slid her hand somewhere I couldn't see. She retrieved a bow staff with metal tips. She spun it once or twice over her head and then tested the strength of it.

"That's a very nice weapon." I remarked.

"Why thank you Magnus, this is something I hope I won't have to use against you. "She smiled and waved her hand for us to start walking. "All ready?"