8 Chapter 8 – On the Road to Erideena (pt 1)

Casia stirs from slumber as the sound of bird song gently soothes her ears.

With sleep having been gently interrupted Casia tries to resist the coming wave of consciousness and turned to grab her bed covers, only to feel the fabric of a rough blanket; it is then as she awakens further that Casia realises that she is lay partly on a hard surface, while her head is on something softer making the young lady move it to feel fabric rub against her cheek, the size and shape of her pillow begin unfamiliar.

Opening her eyes Casia looks towards the smouldering remnants of the campfire.

(Right… I am outside… and sleeping on the ground.) Noticing a brown leather boot, her eyes move up an outstretched leg until she realises where it led to.

Rolling on to her back, Casia looks up seeing Oryn asleep but still sat up, hunched over a little with his arms crossed.

Her eyes widen and cheeks flush red upon realising that she was resting her head in his lap; for the second time Casia had been inappropriately close to a boy!

Frozen in place at first, the situation quickly boils up inside of her and shoots up unable to rest knowing her head was on him.

But rising so sharply, and failing to realise his hunching over had made the position precarious, foreheads were fated to collide!

Oryn awakes with a start, both of them grabbing their temples and crying out in pain.

"AAAAAOWWW!" Both cry out, before Oryn asks "Wh-what happened?!"

"S-sorry!" Casia blushes turning away, trying to rub away the pain throbbing around her temple which now was ringing.

Glancing around Casia notices Siidra is sat looking over with a grin, a fresh wave of embarrassment washing over the young lady.

************

The incident quickly fades from thought and is followed by a simple breakfast of fruits and nuts gathered by the two Demi-humans, helped down with some herbal tea made by Oryn, and it wasn't long before the group is back on the road.

No longer being chased Oryn decides to keep the pace steady so Melik can pull them with less exertion.

"How long until we arrive at… umm… Erideena?" Casia asks Oryn, trying to remember the name of the Kingdom state they were headed for.

Sat in the back with Elain, Casia had been tending to the warrior who is lay down, giving her body more rest to help recuperation, and making sure she has anything needed, like water, or a sip of medicine.

Thanks to the healing of both magic and potion Elain ws starting to appear a lot better; with a body that still hurts all over, just as it did when they were at the Midcross Inn, it was decided that Elain would rest as her priority; Complaining was fruitless, her muscles had stiffened in the night, so it was hard for her to move anyway, and so there was no choice but to agree; It would take some time to be back in fighting form, and besides it gave time to contemplating a training regime for Casias education in the sword.

"I don't know…." Oryn replies to Casia's question. "I would say a three or four days at least to the outer wall."

Oryn clasps the reins in one hand, reaching behind him and in to his pack looking for something.

Since it was next to Casia she offers to help, taking over the search so Oryn could face front again.

"My map is in there somewhere."

Casia nods looking inside; noting a few small books, several vials that contain liquids in a variety of colours.

(I wonder what kind of potions they are.); the young noble is curious to ask, but before she can, Casia notices the map folded next to a thick leather pouch that clinks as the wagon bumps on the road, a large amount of money inside moving, but Ignores it, and pulling out the map Casia unfolds it.

Having glanced at it in the dim light of the Midross Inn the details in the daylight could now be clearly deciphered; an intricately detailed map strewn with clearly marked roads, names of the six kingdom states, as well as all of their towns, farms, and villages; markings of various locations in the wilds of settlements and other known locations and points of interest dotted the wilds.

While a well-made map, what caught her eye was the mass of charcoal notes strewn across it; circling areas out in the middle of nowhere with roughly written notes like 'Rumour points to here!'; 'possibly here'; 'Search this area?'; most of which having been crossed out.

More marks are scattered around with dates and phases of the moon; titles of events like 'the first moon of Suuras Ascension' which Casia recognised as meaning the first night of Winter; it was curious to use such an old term to date something in this day and age.

Following the dense Gerry Mountain Range that runs up the centre of the map Casia finds Erideena tucked in to where the range curves eastward, acting like a north and western wall; on this bend there is another mark circled within the mountain.

A note reading -'Find the Pass!! Ruins of Ryalthur?'

(Ruins of Ryalthur?!) Casia tries to recall the name; something in the back of her mind tells her that this was familiar; some story she once heard perhaps, but it was such a vague recognition that grasping for the memory was like grasping at air.

Shaking off the thought for a moment, her eyes return to Erideena, tracing the main road south through the imagery of the wilds.

A couple of settlements lay just outside of the kingdom borders, but then there is nothing until she caught eye of a small house, a simple square with a triangle on top, not named, but from its position on the map halfway between Erideena and Mynai it was natural to conclude it was the Midcross Inn.

"It does not look too far." Casia mutters to herself; though looking at the size of Ayrisia outlined on the map, she quickly realises the scale and her heart sinks "Maybe not!"

Elain pulls Casia closer to look at the map herself. "This is why we usually use portals to get between kingdoms." Commenting as she works out the distance. "I would say three, to four days if we don't stop until dark; can your Adirus go until dark?"

"At this pace easily; If we go much faster, then no."

Casia was a little disappointed at Oryns Answer, and with a nod, folding the map again and returning it to its place in the bag.

"Do you mind?" Casia then asks holding up one of his books.

Oryn gave a short shrug and nods; Not minding if she borrowed his book, as it would give her something to do during the long quiet journey.

************

The day felt like it moved slowly on the long journey; Dyormah and Siidra mostly remained in to their meditative state as travelling on a wagon was not a preferred method; the boredom of sitting made them both antsy.

Casia was reading a book filled with various stories, mostly legends and fairy tales for the majority of the journey but as the day drew on, Elain, who had wanted to discuss the topic of training with her, grabs the princess's attention; Casia is a little hesitant to discuss it, but conceded to listen and prepare herself as for the first time in a long while a desire to push herself had sparked.

"When we stop, I'll start with some basic forms and…"

"Why sword fighting? I know more magic, even if it is a little."

"There will be, but I know little of teaching spells, you'll just be doing more exercising when it comes to that subject. What you need is the basic forms, stances, which we can repeat until you get comfortable with them."

"I saw some guards training once… are you wanting me to stand and swing a sword for an hour or something?"

Elain chuckles a little. "You'll be going through an accelerated learning curve, you'll learn the moves, and repeat, but not by yourself."

"Acceler… What does that mean? And 'not by myself'?"

"I'm going to have Oryn spar with you."

"What?!" Casia is surprised and looks to Oryn. "You agreed to this?"

"No." his reply was followed with a tired sigh.

Elain looks to him, sitting up. "You need to work on your stance too." She comments "I don't know who taught you, but your basics are off, despite your power."

With an exasperated sigh, he says nothing, not wanting to debate the issue nor the forced volunteering to help.

Elain had heard a more cut down version of his story from Casia, so the mystery around him had increased; in just over a year he had somehow gained the techniques of an experienced warrior, but the basic sword skill of a novice; figuring his teachers must have been reckless to teach him many advanced abilities and skip over the basics.

"I think it would help you both to have a little guidance."

"I have enough alre…" Oryn suddenly shouts, annoyed, eyes tightly closed, as he fought to ignore the crowd of voices in his head all muttering it was a good idea, why it was, and that he should accept the tutelage.

Controlling his breathing, he tries to shut them out, but only dulls the noise, enough to finally hear a single female voice softly break through.

"Oryn?" Casia reaches over places a hand on his arm, and he snaps back to his surroundings. "It's okay, we won't make you… Elain should have asked you first."

Looking to the veteran warrior with a slightly disappointed expression, it silently communicated that Elain should have been more considerate with Oryn.

"I just figure you could do with some practice as well." Elain speaks with an apologetic tone to Oryn, though she wasn't too sorry; it had been the best thing for Casia's training to use someone with at least some experience in swordplay; she would have done it herself if it wasn't for her current condition.

"…fine." He soon replies. "I'll do it."

When he agreed his shoulders relax, becoming less tense overall.

And so the journey continues onwards, Oryn silently driving, as Elain explains first to Casia how to hold a sword in her hands, using her own, sheathed for safety, to correct her.

Despite the occasional beast crossing their path, the journey is uneventful, only the feeling of being stalked would wash over them now and again, the demi-humans awakening during this time, sniffing the air and sometimes even growling in warning.

Casia got the feeling that if they had not been there, then they would have likely been in more danger.

************

By the time the sun lowered to the horizon and the sky darkened the group had pulled over for a spot to camp, and prepared for a second night in the Wilds; this time they were near a river, allowing them to refill their water skins.

While the camp was being sorted, the area checked, tea made, and food gathered, Elain had spent the time using her dagger to strip a couple branches to use as fake swords; Casia practicing her stance with one for over an hour; learning to strike down- slash across- defend herself- parry- stab.

Elain worked on the young ladies footwork, using dance as a bridge to better explain, and allowing Casia to understand much more quickly, surprisingly showing that she had the potential to become a nimble fighter.

What came after though was the first actual sparring session for Casia.

Dyormah and Siidra sat cross-legged as they look over at an amusing sight; the lord-ling female stood in front of the crazy male both holding wooden sticks in lieu of swords.

Her face blushed red at having changed out of the fancy high class fashion and in to some loose fitting trousers, and shirt, borrowed from Oryn; Casia could feel just how funny she must have appeared in the slightly oversized clothing, but they were better for fighting than her more formal dress that bellowed outwards.

"I look ridiculous!" she pouted embarrassed.

"At least they won't get in the way." Elain commented before looking to Oryn who was stood six feet away, opposite Casia. "Oryn, remember, just defend, no attacking, this is to teach, not to win."

Everyone was watching the princess, making her more self-conscious; all but Melik, who was lay down with a bored expression.

Casia stood nervously before him, holding the stick which as close to what she was taught an hour previously as she could, directly looking towards him as he stands ready, same pose, but more solid, ready for her.

"Any time, Casia." Elain presses; the moment she does Casia raises her stick and jumps forward, stick raised above her head for a strike down, only for Oryn to immediately step forward and whip his own across her abdomen.

Her eyes widen in surprise and due to the momentary sharp pain, gasping out, hands losing grip on her weapon causing it to fall several feet away.

"OWWW!" Casia groans, grabbing her stomach and falling to her knees; Elain could see, as strikes go it wasn't hard, but for someone who had never been hit like that, she could understand Casia's reaction.

It also angered her that Oryn had hit her charge. "Oryn, I said don't attack!"

"S-sorry I… I just… reacted." He muttered, feeling guilty, and moved over to Casia to help her up.

"The goal is not to hurt her, but to teach her to strike first, defend later."

"I know what you told me, it's just…" he stops, Casia back on her feet. "I'm sorry… Milady."

Casia was already feeling the sting of it fading, and the shock wearing off.

"It's fine, just… don't do it again. Last thing I want is to get hurt." With that he moved and retrieved her wooden sword.

"Yes, I'll forget that you struck her highness only so we can…" Elain pauses, realising something.

What she was doing? Oryn had done nothing wrong! To be honest it was no less than she would have done to any other soldier under her tutelage; but this was Casia, so she was taking it easy on her, and that was going against what she intending with the accelerated learning.

"Elain…?" Casia interrupts the warrior's thinking as she had been silent for a long pause.

"For… forget what I said. Carry on as you were." She mutters.

"W-what?!" Casia gasps; shocked. "You… you want him to hit me?"

"No." Elain frowns, a serious expression on her face. "So don't let him!"

"Don't LET him?!" Casia looks lost at what was being said, but she had little time to complain, as she hears Oryn behind her, telling her turn.

She had agreed to do this and didn't want to back out now, but still, that whack from Oryn stung, and once more Casia was confronted by Oryn; when he moved in, feigning a downward strike, she raises her sword to block it; the reaction was fast, but pointless, feeling a whack to her thigh.

"Casia, don't just react to his movement, watch him, and remember the moves I taught you and watch his; if you're unsure back away, retreat momentarily, and let yourself think."

Casia only grumbles and steps back, moving to where she originally started; only to feel a poke in her back from Oryn.

"Don't turn your back on your opponent." Elain points out.

"HEY!" she shouts, annoyed.

Watching Oryn, Casia holds out her stick sword, cautious to what he would do, watching him carefully as she moves forward, inching closer.

When in range she suddenly strikes out, stabbing towards him, losing her balance a little as she over does the motion, Oryn side stepping, and was about to strike down across her back again, only to find she wasn't there, having side stepped, and rolled on to the ground.

He moved in quickly, and she guarded with her sword blocking his strike; she smiled happily, proud that she defended herself, only to feel a whip to her side.

Oryn had not hesitated at her dropped guard.

"Praise your-self later." comments Elain.

Oryn stepped back, and Casia looking ready to cry.

"Can we stop?" she asks.

"Are you giving up?" Elain asks.

"It HURTS!" she shouts out, standing up and throwing her stick to the ground "I don't want to do this! It's STUPID! I'm NOT a FIGHTER!"

"No… you're not." Elain says. "But I can't protect you like this!"

"But we have Oryn, Dyormah and Siidra to protect us!"

"AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PART WAYS?" Elain cries out. "WHAT IF I HAD DIED FACING THAT WITCH?"

Casia steps back aghast at the champion's frustration.

"You said you didn't want to feel defenceless again; we all feel that now and then, even the strongest of us, like I do now, but… but what I can do to help is make you feel it less."

Casia looks to her feet, the stick lying on the grass; remembering how she felt unable to help herself, and relying on the others; but like it had been for a while, when faced with putting in the effort an hitting a bump she was ready to give in.

(I cannot leave this place to my brothers' machinations so easily, but neither can I worry about you.)

(Then... then I can help… I'll u-use the magic I've been learning and-)

(Perhaps… one day we will stand side by side as we battle… just as your mother and I once did, but today is not that day.)

The image of her father, the last she saw of him, her wanting to help him, despite knowing she was unable to filled her thoughts.

Silence filled the camp for several awkward moments until… "You're right… I want… I want to help father… I will… continue."

And with that, she picks up her stick sword and readies herself, still nervous and hesitant, but a little more determined.

For the following hour Casia tries to hit Oryn only to receive sharp strikes to her body, all the while Elain giving the new student further tips to improve her form, and how to hold herself; they slow down at time so Casia could understand a certain motion when it became an obvious issue for her, and then they would practice it until she got it, before restoring the previous pace.

Afterwards Casia was happy to lay down on the ground, her body felt bruised all over; sweat drenching her body.

"That was good, I think you got it by the end there." Elain compliments Casia.

"I hate you!" Casia pouted. "He hit me with that stick so many times I'm gonna look like a grape in the morning?!"

"I'm sorry, but it's the quickest way to learn, you began to develop a sense for getting hit, and by the end there was dodging more; though I would have preferred you to block and then counter more." Elain sighs. "I can't go easy on you and… it's not over."

"W-What?!" Casia blinked.

"I want you to practice your magic from now until you sleep."

"Oh come on!" Casia groaned.

"You're already quite proficient in basic magic, but you need more. So I want you to do your basic exercises."

"I hate those exercises, they're hard and boring."

"Good, that means you need to practice them."

"UGH!!" She cries out, not wanting to, and Elain was worried the princess was about to throw another tantrum, but instead after a few moments to think, Casia sat up, and achingly moved in to a meditative pose, sat, legs crossed and hands together to begin her mental exercises; It was certainly easier sitting like this while not in a dress.

Magical exercises are very similar to physical ones, it is a matter of using muscles; though these were partly mental, entering in to a state where the magic user would 'commune' with the ethereal plane from which they drew power; or at least that's how Elain understood it; for Casia it was like trying to swim in a bottomless ocean and trying not to drown; it was overwhelming and took a lot of concentration to 'keep afloat', and that's what she had to practice.

In time she would eventually be able to draw upon an increasingly larger amount of energy easier and faster than she could now, as well as manipulate it far easier and allow her to learn higher grade spells.

Casia would have complained every few minutes if she let herself. She hated this feeling of drowning; the stifling pressure that would bear down on her when she opened herself up to the sea of magic, but every time she felt like she was about to scream, stomp her feet and quit she remembered her father, and her inability to help.

and there was something else too, a sense that had never been there before, close yet distant.

************

When the moon was high Casia was allowed to finally stop, exhausted and ready to sleep, but also hungry and thirsty.

When going to have a drink of water Oryn hands her a cup; she sniffsat it, and smells the aroma of herbal tea, so sips at it; the moment the sour taste hits her tongue though she pulls away.

"What is this tea, it is horrible!"

"It's medicinal." Oryn replies. "Drink it all, it'll help."

"Ugh… I would prefer proper tea thank you."

"Proper tea won't heal your bruises and muscle aches. That will."

"O-Oh… will it?! Thank… thank you."

After reluctantly drinking it all down with a grim expression on her face Casia shakes her head and exclaims with a "BLEHH!"

"You'll feel better by morning." Oryn states as he takes the cup back.

Casia smiles a little; she hated him a little while for the rough treatment during the training, but when he thought so kindly of her as to give medicine Casia couldn't help but not be angry at him.

Afterwards, while lay on the ground by the fire unconsciousness leaps upon her quickly and the noble is quickly fast sleep, while Oryn began to tidy up the camp, making sure everything of his was packed away in the seat compartment of his wagon.

"Can I talk to you, Oryn?"

Elains voice was quiet as she walks over to the young man, her pace slow a she barely manages to move her stiff and aching body.

"You should be resting." Oryn comments with concern.

"Your potions are helping, so a little walk won't hurt." Elain pauses as Oryn looks to her, she could see a kindness in his eyes she hadn't noticed before; normally they were colder, worn, pained or angry, but her condition genially worried him for no other reason than sympathy. "Casia mentioned something from your map… the Ruins of Ryalthur."

There is a moment's pause at the sudden switch in topic, Elain getting right to her reason for being up.

Oryn doesn't answer though and simply continues to place the final items away and close the seat box.

"I'm just curious Oryn… I don't know, or understand what happened to you, and I have many questions that we don't have the time, or convenience to discuss. At Erideena we will be parting ways, just like I told Casia, but with you I have a better chance to defend her. As agreed, I won't force you to follow your duty, but I would like you to come to Dreyas."

Oryn shook his head. "No… I… I can't. I have… I have… other obligations."

"I know, I was hoping your business would not take long so then I could ask you to continue with us; hearing about the ruins has changed that. Why are you even looking for the Ruins of Ryalthur?"

Once again he goes silent for a moment, before muttering, more to himself "To those I failed. To myself I gave a quest, made in a moment of desperation, my own… failings that start me down a path…"

Elain felt she understood, or at least the intention; this was a mission of grief and guilt, perhaps even a promise, made when whatever made him the way he was happened.

"But if your mission is to find Ryalthur, then it's a…"

He scoffed "A mad man's quest? That's what everyone says. The jabbering fool who's head is full of voices, crazy notions of searching for mythos and mystery." There was a touch of scorn in those words.

"Mythos and Mystery?" Elain knew it was an apt description, Oryn was chasing a fairy-tale!

Oryn seemed to struggle a little, his head obviously throbbed, and he muttering further things to phantoms.

"Oryn… the voices again?" Elain asked, this time her turn to be concerned.

"Never ending… blaming me… praising me… telling me to go left and right… up and down. Hold the sword this way, hold it that way. Do this, do that-" he holds his head, a tear in his eye as he leans over as if he would throw up, resting his head on the wagons side, gripping the edge tightly. "Please, don't ask me anything more. I just… want to complete my mission, and then everything will be good again. Everything that happened… it'll all be fixed."

"One more question then. If you're going to Ryalthur, then are you trying to find the Styxian Gate?"

He glances to her momentarily before nodding.

Elains posture stiffens and she can't help but whisper one final question "Why are you looking for the pool of souls?"

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