We are Grounders

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕠𝕦𝕣 - ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕠𝕤 ℝ𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤

"Braeya, hurry up and get out of bed," Braeya is awoken to Aidric standing in her doorway, "Training begins soon and you haven't even woken up yet." Aidric crosses his arms and stares down at her.

"All right, all right. I'm getting up." Braeya waves Aidric off with her hand and he leaves to wait outside. Braeya changes into a black long-sleeved shirt and slips on a pair of stretchy black jeans. She puts on a leather wrap around her wrist so that she can carry a small blade up her arm. She slides on a worn out, black fleece jacket, the left shoulder of the jacket has a huge gaping hole which Braeya covers up with a curved, metal shoulder pad. She wraps the straps of the jacket around herself, closing it, and ties them off before attaching another strap to the shoulder pad, securing it in place. She wraps the shoulder pad's strap diagonally across her torso before tying it down above her waist. Braeya straps on her scabbard to her back, her favourite blade safely secured inside. She slides a small dagger up the sleeve of her arm and into the leather wrap. There's a hidden pocket at the calf of Braeya's jeans where she hides a broad machete. Finally Braeya slips on her signature boots, they are ugg-like and made of leather with fur lining the top. She tightens the buckles and laces and marches out the door.

"About time, we're going to be late," Aidric rolls his eyes and starts walking.

"Nou get yu daun!" (Stop worrying!) Braeya follows him and playfully slaps his arm.

"Where were you two?" Acacio demands as Aidric and Braeya arrive at the training area. "It's my job to make sure that all of the apprentices are trained properly, how's that meant to look to Indra when my own second can't even arrive to practice on time?"

Braeya lowers her gaze to the ground, looking truly upset by his words, which was a rare occasion. Out of everyone, Braeya wants to impress Acacio the most and now she's made him upset. "I'm sorry..." her voice trails off as she notices Indra walking towards them.

"I have something for the two of you to do," She nods towards Braeya and Aidric. "Adale!" Indra beckons for Aidric's mentor to come over.

"Yes?" She replies, interest and curiosity dancing in her eyes.  

"The enemy has no rules, not long ago we witnessed a little child murder a member of her clan and watch him bleed to death." Braeya gasps at Indra's words, she knows that they can't be trusted but she didn't expect them to turn on one another.

"What do you want us to do?" Aidric questions, he hides his surprise well but Braeya can see it in his eyes.

"I want you two to go there, alone. You will spend the night and return tomorrow morning. I want to know everything that happens." Indra dictates.

Excitement flares up inside of Braeya, she shuffles her feet impatiently before replying, "When do we leave?"

"Now." Indra replies before walking off and leaving Aidric, Braeya, Acacio and Adale. 

"Let's go then," Aidric nods at Braeya and they shake each other's forearms.

"Good luck," Adale nods at the two apprentices, she doesn't look happy about the mission but she doesn't object. Acacio murmurs his agreement and the two exit the camp.

***

"Do you think that this could be a test?" Aidric asks. They had been travelling in silence for a while now and Braeya is surprised by his question.

"Could be, who knows?" She replies and shrugs her shoulders.

"Why would they send two apprentices alone on a mission like this?" He ponders out loud.