Embedded Emerald in Gold fire

Free-will - 10

Mardaniel had not truly rested, his senses had been trained and his body used to only allow the necessary amount of rest. His eyes opened and he was surprised by the light before he realized it was the golden glow. The sun had not risen yet and the night around them was still dark, but their camp was lit by whatever it was Kara was doing. He turned to see her sit in that same position he had seen her do for so many nights. Had she already done something before tonight?

He rose slowly while he turned around himself, looking outside the glow. The weird shadows were still lurking, still stretching to reach them, but repelled by her glow. What were those? He almost asked Kara, but decided not to disturb her, it could wait.

Looking at the sky he guessed it was not long before sunrise, so he began packing up his furs and prepared something to eat. The fire was about to die down and he was happy to see a pile of wood in reach and inside the golden circle. Mardaniel mixed oats with some pieces of dried fruit and water in a pot and placed it into the flames.

The sky began to gain more colour, a misty blue followed by reds and yellows when Mardaniel woke the others. The shadows vanished into thin air before the sun had fully risen and Kara carefully pulled her magic back. She did not fully trust the calm air, but she could not find any traces of magic nearby anymore.

The moment she had allowed her whole magic to come back and left the men in glooming morning light she sank down onto her hands. Her legs were stiff and sore and she needed to physically move her legs with her hands to untangle them. She remained on all fourth for a while before stretching out to her bag in vain. She was so weak, the nights with no sleep had drained her, the small amounts of magic she had used had taken their toll but that night here left her empty as she imagined one of the seashells Renmar had described.

Mardaniel saw her struggle and debated whether or not to help when Renmar had already stepped in. "What is it you need?" he asked her, his voice so soft as if he feared she would break by just hearing anything louder than a whisper. She was as drained as the Kara he saw after the monster left. "Water" her voice was merely a whisper, so hoarse from yelling and still constricted from her tight jaw. Renmar felt wrong going through her bag so he quickly fetched his own, stretched out the pouch filled with water to her and waited patiently while Kara moved onto her bum to sit. She swayed a little before she managed to take it from him and drink eagerly.

It was Mardaniel who handed her a bowl with oats and a spoon. He was left eating the rest from the pot with the large wooden spoon he had stirred with. He had not looked at her, had not looked into her eyes because he knew all too well what seeing her so weak would do to him. Not important how much distance he tried to mentally and physically put in between them these thoughts and images kept appearing.

Kara had struggled with the first spoonful, but the sweetness of the fruits had soon given her enough energy to finish the bowl and take more long gulps of water. Renmar took the bowl from her to place them with the others to wash them as soon as they found a stream. Before he could offer his help to Kara, Freyja had sunken next to Kara and allowed her to climb onto her and tighten the bag before they rose from the ground. What was it with this horse?

It did not take long before Kara had sunken over Freyja's strong neck and fallen asleep. Her hair mixed with the mane, only distinguishable since it looked much softer and was still loosely tied in a knot. Freyja walked alongside the group, suspiciously eying anyone who came near the woman on her back while keeping a steady pace. The sun was about to reach its highest point when the path they were on crossed a small stream. Renmar wanted to wake Kara to allow her to drink and refill her water, but the woman rose before he had the chance to. Her eyes were filled with sleep, her hair tangled and her skin still paler than usual.