Closed X never marks the spot [Eosi]

[Leo Varniak]

”Just the way Kavala teaches riding at the Sanctuary, and the only way I know,” Leo gave the truthful answer, ”she believes in subtler forms of communication with the horse. There’s a place for the reins, of course, it’s just they shouldn’t be abused. That’s the theory, at least.” Well, Leo was far from a subject matter expert and probably never would be, but it had worked for him until now. Ember being a marvelously trained mare helped a lot. With a little bit of luck he might even survive this ride without any embarrassing fall in front of his love.

He could already imagine the little smirks he’d have to endure for days if he did fall.

Leo’s eyes turned up to the sun for a split second as Eosi described the nature of her power. He had to avert his gaze immediately - this particular eye in the heavens was not one you could ever win a staring contest with. ”Popular is one way to put it, I guess. I’ve heard less flattering ones.” There had been a time when Leo had enjoyed the peculiar attention the gods seemed to bestow on him - especially the negative kind. He had once relished the challenge. Possessed by the unique foolishness of those who think they have nothing to lose, he had laughed in the face of Rhysol’s emissaries. That time seemed so long ago now. Yet he knew he wouldn’t trade his situation for any other in the world, and there was no-one he’d rather be than who he was. Because there was a job to do, and he didn’t trust anyone else to do it.

And sure, the quest might not end in death - though Leo thought Eosi’s words rang unconvincing even as she spoke them. He wondered if she really believed it. Perhaps they weren’t meant to win in the first place, just preserve the balance for one more lifetime before passing the baton to the next generation. He wondered what he could even tell his siblings if he did meet them one day. He wasn’t the type for small talk, after all. He suspected it would be awkward. Lots of staring and blinking and fidgeting. Eosi would likely find it amusing.

”Ah, I’ve heard of the place in passing,” he nodded, shaking the ruminations out of his mind for the time being. Lhavit. There had been talk of the city on the ship that had brought him to Riverfall. ”You never know where the road will take you,” he mused, ”we may have to travel there one day. If there’s anything I’ve learned about Ivak’s work… there’s plenty of it all over the place. When you’re out of commission for five centuries, there’s bound to be some backlog.” He cracked a smile at her other desire. ”Skyinarta, though… you might just have a little too much fun there.” Something else worried him about Eosi going there - they wouldn’t take lightly to her half-breed status. Purity was a big deal to them, and he could see them making her a Dek regardless of her worth.

He saw her ride ahead, as if startled from her daydreaming, and took the opportunity to watch her figure in the growing sunlight. Her back was straight and uncompromising. He considered himself privileged to be able to see her back; she was not the type to show weakness to anyone. Strong - too strong, perhaps; sometimes, the price for not bending is breaking. As one who had come close to his breaking point many times before, Leo knew that from personal experience. He lightly pressed his boots into Ember’s flanks and caught up with her in a heartbeat. ”No, he probably wouldn’t be. Sounds like we have to put the moon on hold, but don’t count it out just yet.” He rubbed his chin. ”So, you talked about surveying this Kai’neha place before the Society moves in.” That was typical, sending your newest employee to do the risky parts. ”So why is this valley so interesting? An ancient treasure or just old coins and broken pots?”

[Eosi]

”Interesting,” she remarked softly. Perhaps there were more efficient ways to be riding. It was only in recent years that she even learned how. There had never been the need in Denval, where one could walk from one side of town to the next in a bell or so. Eosi subtly loosened her hold on the reins, eyes thoughtful as they studied the distance.

Leo always had such a self-deprecating point of view. Sure, it was better in a way; god complexes and superhuman abilities didn’t sound like a particularly wholesome combination. But Eosi saw his true worth. Of course he was popular. To those who knew him, Leo Varniak was a brilliant, pious, hardworking man who accomplished all that he set his hand to doing. He was one of a kind. It was through some sort of incomprehensible good fortune that she even found him in the first place. But of course, he wouldn’t think that of himself. He simply couldn’t. Which on the whole, was a lot safer for the people of the world.

She smiled enigmatically, but said nothing. Perhaps she would have fun amongst the Inarta, but likely not. As much as she secretly missed her Father, her place was not with him or further, among his people. Eosi had reconciled that a long time ago. She just wanted to see, to understand. Perhaps by learning where she came from, she might better grasp where she was headed.

Not that the path wasn’t clear. As she and Leo walked moved side by side, she realized that things would often be just like this. They’d share dialogue and silence in equal measure. They’d travel the length of the land together, Eosi as the shield-maiden and Leo as the sword. This would be her life for a long time and funny enough, the thought did not bother her in the least. She was strangely content this way. Perhaps the Gods had appointed her to his side far before the day she was even born.

”You and your broken pots,” she said, grinning wryly. One hand went to retrieve the map. ”We’re not entirely sure, yet. Kai’Neha is close enough to the river that there is a likelihood people once lived there. The Valterrian changed a lot of things, but not so much that we can’t at least guess at where settlements had once been. I certainly hope there is something to find, or the archaeologists will be terribly bored.” She unrolled the piece of parchment and glanced at the details.

”We’re on the right path.” Eosi mentally stepped back to survey the road ahead. The mark she wore thrummed happily upon her flesh. ”We’ll be taking a fork to the right in about half a mile.” The absence in her eyes suddenly dispelled, as she returned to single sight. ”As much as I’d like to race you, given the quality of my steed and all, perhaps it’s best if we stick together.” Just a little bragging never hurt. Perhaps she could goad him into a little race when they were on their way back home.

”So…” Her voice trailed off, suddenly possessed by a thought. ”When will be leave Riverfall? And where will we go next?”

[Leo Varniak]

Leo thought archaeologists must have uncommonly high boredom thresholds. From what little he knew, most of their work did not take place on the field, digging up ancient tombs and running from rolling boulders - the way people often imagined them. No, they were meticulous gatherers, scribbling and compiling and filing away. And yes, they dealt in broken pots a lot. He’d heard a joke once, that if they happened to dig up a pot that had somehow survived the centuries in one piece, they’d promptly proceed to smash it into a form they found more familiar. Regardless, an awful lot of an archaeologist’s job consisted of discussing the cross sections of pre-Valterrian pots and this was a fact.

”What can I say? My family were potters, I like pots,” he said smoothly in response. He liked pots that were not broken. His mother’s husband would get mad over a broken pot. If he happened to be drunk or hungover, then he could easily beat the one responsible. Leo had never liked the shards either, so cold and sharp they could draw blood. He had been a dark, brooding child, but blood had somehow disturbed him. Even as a killer, he seldom drew blood at all. He liked it clean.

He watched Eosi focus on the map, taking secret delight at her deep concentration. She had a bookish side that was adorable in its own right. Her attention to detail never ceased to amaze Leo - this being a short ride, one would not expect her to keep checking their route over and over again. Her mark flared briefly, revealing that she was seeing through a different eye, and then she returned to him. Apparently they were getting closer now; the day hadn’t stopped being good and carefree; the air smelled like grass. He could use more days like this.

”Don’t worry about that. I understand, I really do,” he deadpanned at her bragging. And then, turning his head her way with the faintest trace of a grin: ”Anyone would be a little scared being left behind. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Little girl wanted to play with him? There was this thing about Leo - if someone pushed, he pushed back. Always. She would know that better than anyone. The challenge quickly left his eyes, though, and his expression changed all of a sudden. He looked as if he’d just been cast down a mountain. ”We may have something to work on, here in the Sea of Grass. When, I don’t know yet. But it’s the oldest tale in the world. Men discover power. Men toy with the gods’ creation. Gods say enough is enough.” He was putting it in light words, but his tone was definitely serious.

”It could be dangerous, love.”

[Eosi]

Well, he was delightfully glib. Eosi raised her eyebrows in incredulous amusement, but kept silent. He’d know precisely what she meant with by her expression alone. Who knew that Leo Varniak, Descendant of Queen Kova had a real, tangible sense of humor? What a well-kept secret that’d been. But of course, just as readily as he jested, he began to brood. She allowed him this, too. Whatever details he went over in his head, they were not hers to know. Not until the day he granted them freely, at any rate.

But before long, he was watching her again. She was acutely aware of his gaze and where it liked to go. Sometimes, it distracted her – he was a man, after all, and virile at that – but this time it simply made her blush. Until he decided it would be better to goad her, in which case he was sadly mistaken. Still, this was her expedition. She wouldn’t let him get the better of her.

Well… Not right now, anyway.

”Speaking from experience, Zaital?” She absently admired her cuticles. ”With me, you have nothing to fear.” And even though it was partially in jest, she meant it. Of course, this being said to the man who could easily summon an active volcano from beneath their feet. She was at least humble about that.

Unfortunately, his answer was intentionally vague and worse, cryptic. She hadn’t known him long enough to know what that really meant. Was he overreacting or should she be concerned? After just a moment’s consideration, she decided on the latter. It’d be rude not to take him seriously and he was the one taking orders from their God, after all. ”Sounds like it,” she replied softly. ”So is this life that we lead.” She smiled almost apologetically. ”I just hope I won’t get in the way.”

Factually speaking, he was a league beyond her in terms of how to handle these situations. Eosi hadn’t the slightest idea of what she was getting into. Perhaps she would be strong enough, perhaps not. There was a greater likelihood of her being a hindrance to him, which was something she could not abide. The only recourse was to get stronger.

”I will do my best.” She said simply and without any warning at all, tore down the path at full gallop.

And they say cheaters never prosper.

[Leo Varniak]

This was all very new to Leo. He had little fear of losing his own life - he had other and stronger demons to keep at bay, such as the worry that all he did was futile or counter-productive - but Eosi was a different matter. It wasn’t even proper fear, for Ssena’s mark made that impossible, but the lack of shivers did not make it any more pleasant. It wasn’t that he did not think her capable: he knew she was strong. She just happened to be a variable outside his control, yet one he was so suddenly, and so heavily, invested in. It would take time to get used to this haunting, lucid thought that she would simply slip between his fingers and be lost forever. He wasn’t in control.

’We are riding the tiger for as long as it will let us. And when you ride a tiger for too long, you will start thinking you are a tiger, too.’

”You’re far stronger than you think,” he dispelled the brooding with a faint smile. ”And destined to grow stronger still.” But he hadn’t caught her true intention, and found himself speaking to thin air in the vacant place that Eosi had occupied up until a moment before. Leo felt rather ridiculous addressing the emptiness while his love galloped forward, giving the real answer to his doubts. He bit on his lip. ”You little…”

His boots dug into Ember’s flanks. ”Go, girl, go!” He threw himself into the race with pure abandon, because he was Leo Zaital and when he committed to something, it was never half-heartedly. Inside, he was burning with the challenge, and as he set Eosi’s graceful silhouette in his sights, he burned also with the desire to pin her down on the grass and show her who wore trousers (or didn’t). Maybe, just maybe, there might be punishment in store for the naughty schoolgirl. Eosi was fond of discipline, after all, something Leo had found enjoyable to deliver.

But first, he had to catch her. And she had a head start and she knew the route better. Leo remembered a smattering of circles and squares, but if not for Eosi’s guidance would get hopelessly lost in the Sea of Grass. She had mentioned a fork somewhere. Left? Right? It might be an opportunity to gain some ground. Such was his competitiveness that a reflex almost kicked in, urging him to shoot some firebolts. But no, that wouldn’t do. Frustrated, he watched her lead widen slightly by the moment - she had far more experience as a rider than he did. The air was slapping his face as Ember raced behind Ice, but it wasn’t enough. What was left?

To cheat, obviously. ’Two can play this game.’ The air was the key - Leo realized it was slowing him down. Just one of those intuitions that come to you at the strangest times. It was like being underwater, except air was thinner. Thinner, but still a wall hindering your every motion. ’If I can breach this wall…’ He formed Res and had it float ahead of himself to his either side. From there he started to pull air from his front and towards the sides, effectively creating a corridor with reduced friction. He knew he couldn’t keep this up for long, but he was going to give her a run for her money. ”I hope your riding is faster than your climbing, Barlowe!” he shouted in her direction.

[Eosi]

Ice plunged triumphantly through the morning air, and she relished in the feeling. Her body swayed awkwardly upon her mount, though she did her best to ride with the horse rather than against it. With a surge, her Invalti released, granting her two separate pairs of eyes to see with. It was a right at the fork, then a straight ride to the valley proper. Leaning slightly forward, she pressed on, hoping he’d remember the way to go.

But he was gaining on her! Over the roar of the wind she heard his cry. How in the Ukalas did he manage to run so fast? Windrunners were supposed to be the fastest mounts in all of Mizahar. Fuming, she dug in her heels, eyes keen on the road ahead. Leo Zaital was infuriatingly good at all he did and in her supreme arrogance, Eosi had underestimated him – again. Not only did he remember the way to go, as they raced to one side, but he was well on his way to passing her.

”You…” The itch to toss a fireball suddenly overwhelming, but it just wasn’t going to happen. The Inarta could barely ride at full gallop, let alone go about blasting her opponent with spells, the likes of which she could barely even wield at all. Sighing, she quietly resolved to do the best she could, already well acquainted with failure.

They both tore down the dusty path, throwing up clods of dirt as they went, descending swiftly toward the river nestled in the grass just below. Down the hill they rode, Leo at her flank, and for a brief moment she felt triumphant. Perhaps she wouldn’t win, but this was victory enough. The sun kissed her cheeks; it nestled against her heart. The wind swept her hair from her face. The birds sang, chorusing throatily from tree to tree, singing songs of love and nests, all things beautiful and short-lived.

She sighed. He was going to catch her.

They plummeted to the very base of the hill, toward the heart of the Valley. The land looked arable, though there were no broken pots in sight. It wasn’t the first expedition the Antiquities Society had planned to Kai’neha and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Perhaps it’d be a rather uneventful and they would get to simply relax.

Then again, and largely due to the Snarlwings, probably not.

As she finally skidded to a halt, it was no more than an inch behind him. Grumbling, she swept off her mount. ”You..” She tried to find the words, but couldn’t. So Eosi recited every last insult she knew in Nari. ”How on Mizahar did you manage that?”

Whee!Back in action! *kicks down a wall*

[Leo Varniak]

Faster. Faster. Faster. There was no such thing as golden mediocrity to Leo Zaital. Had anyone been witnessing this chase, they might have believed the woman in his sights to be one of Rhysol's Druvin, and certainly there was nothing playful about the way he was pursuing Eosi. And why should it have been otherwise? A contest is a contest and that is how you show your respect to the opponent: by giving it your very best.

Or at least, this is what Leo believed right there and then. Zapping to her side, so close their legs almost brushed, both stretched forward as if to get there faster, arrive before their shadow did. It was a good day to be alive in the world. Whenever he stole a sideways glance at Eosi to see who was leading, he couldn't help but be distracted by her grace. She should have been royalty. He always felt she looked her best when straining to do something. It was like her spirit spilling out, not enough room in there.

He didn't even realize they had made it to their destination until Eosi slowed and came to a full stop. It felt like time resuming once more. There seemed to be little of interest to his untrained eye in the valley. At first sight it truly looked like another patch of wilderness, a lake of grass in the Sea of Grass. Perhaps a little less hostile-looking than the average, if only a little. Leo drew a long, calming breath and dismounted as best he could. He wasn't exactly saddle-sore, but the race had had its fair share of bumps.

It was then that he noticed Ember's ragged breathing, a low wheezing sound coming and going with the heaving of her flanks. Ice was tired, too, but not nearly as much. The realization of what had happened hit him as Eosi asked him, in colorful terms, how he'd done this. He gave a little grimace, genuinely sorry for what he'd put his horse through.

"I did something very stupid," he murmured, "I pulled the air in front of me to make her run faster. Didn't realize she had to breathe, too." It was so obvious in hindsight. The first rule of magic - actions have petching consequences - and he'd managed to forget it in the heat of the moment. What was worst, it wasn't the first time it happened around Eosi. He didn't seem to think straight whenever she was involved.

"So, it’d probably be your win if you factored in the idiot points.” He gave Ember a sympathetic pat on the back and resolved not to use this spell again unless in the direst straights. He couldn't chase the thought away that he might have killed her if he’d pushed her any further, any faster. He tried his best to downplay it here, but Leo did not take lightly to failure, especially his own. ”So this is the place. I thought it would be a little more…” He struggled with the word and lost. ”…eh. Let’s just say it could use a few broken pots.” Not that it really mattered; he wasn’t here for the scenery, after all. His hand reached up and touched Eosi’s cheek lightly; hopefully she’d stopped being so vocal about the race. ”You’re a very fine rider,” he whispered, ”by next year you’ll be flying over the grass.” His arms moved to enclose her in an embrace. ”What was that saying again? To the victor…” And he looked at her suggestively.

[Eosi]

Eosi looked upon her lover with a hard gaze. ”I’ll say,” she replied unsympathetically, running a gentle hand along Ember’s flank. He was reckless and that bothered her. She was the type to calculate both risk and reward before finally taking action. But still, she couldn’t be mad at him. Not for very long, anyway. Her eyes softened as he reached to brush her cheek. Damn that Leo Zaital! He had a way of knocking her completely off-balance, every single time.

It was such a beautiful day. She stared into his dark, unfathomable eyes. Just weeks before, she’d looked upon him in recognition, despite their meeting for the very first time. It had been as if she’d already seen him, as if she knew his face. It was a foolish, romantic notion, but entirely possible to consider. Perhaps their souls really had been meeting, again and again, since the start of time. Silly to some (herself included) but feasible, given the principles of reincarnation. She might speak with Kavala about it. Leo had once told her that she'd read his chavi.

His lover reciprocated the gesture, looping her arms beneath his to hook onto his shoulders from behind. She shuddered delicately for a moment before their lips pressed together, bodies flush. Some very dark impulses flooded her mind. Right here. He could take her right here and she would not deny him. It was very appealing, given they hadn’t really had an opportunity in some time. And by some time, she meant a few days. The fire grew. It consumed her.

He made it hard not to indulge. So she did. As their lips moved together, hers parted. There was no doubt in her mind as to where this action would lead. But such was the heroes’ reward. He’d earned it, in spite of his recklessness and she needed it, like a drug, like water, like the sun. Eosi needed to submerge herself in him for just a little while.

The horses whickered quietly in the background. Eh, perhaps they should get situated first. The thought crossed her mind like a whisper behind a shout. Maybe Leo would give pause, maybe not. But for the time being, he ruled her. Whatever he decided, she would surely follow.

[Leo Varniak]

Leo could not help but tilt his head upon Eosi’s hard gaze. What was with women and double standards anyway? They could both have broken their necks on this race that she’d initiated but suddenly he alone was the reckless one? He had heard before that sometimes, with girls, there is no right answer at all and he supposed this was one of those cases. The upside of the entire situation was that he loved her face when she was all serious, almost solemn, like this (but of course, telling her so right now would be a big no-no.) And admittedly, he very much enjoyed having her full attention to himself, filling her field of view. It was positively satisfying.

He hoped he’d not soured her day with his overzealous antics. This was supposed to be an opportunity to spend some time together on the Sea of Grass, not really relaxing… for there was no such thing as relax outside the protection of city walls… but enjoying a few bells of normalcy. Besides, the last thing he could handle was Eosi in a darker mood, and he’d handled Druvin before. The redhead had proved her unpredictability time and again, and in spite of his powers of emotion Leo never quite understood the precise form of her train of thought. What always held true about Eosi was that her reactions were never lukewarm. Leo would not have it any other way.

This time was no exception. The hard glare dissolved into something intimate and contemplative. He found himself holding his breath in anticipation and had the impression that the valley was doing the same. It was as if she were holding his fate in her hands at that very moment, as she prepared to read her verdict. Not guilty. Or at least, not guilty of anything that might preclude a kiss right there and then. He had been waiting for this, the chaste peck from that morning having done nothing to sate his hunger for her. Finally able to feel her against him, Leo was in no hurry to let it end anytime soon. The expedition would not be here until later (why were they here again? And where were they to begin with?) Time was the gift no-one could ever return, so they may as well make the best of it.

What he hadn’t anticipated was the depth of Eosi’s craving. The parting of her lips made the invitation as tremendously obvious as it was irresistible. The kiss deepened by the moment as her taste invaded him and threatened to turn his consciousness into a blank space rocked by lightning. He held her closer, tighter, his few remaining thoughts beginning to focus on her clothes and how she might be separated from them in the most efficient manner. An array of enticing possibilities lay open in front of the two of them, and if this was indeed the heroes' reward, it made a very convincing case for embracing a heroic lifestyle.

Except he was a Champion, and he had responsibilities. Especially to her. He had to draw back just a little, panting and flushed. His hand did not remove itself from her chest area, though. ”You said…” he tried, feeling his intellect regressed to the level of a chimpanzee. ”Something… snarlwings… predators… we need… camp… I have an item… to make it secure.” The emphasis on the last word gave it the meaning of secure enough for our purposes. His eyes had something apologetic to them, but to be honest he had not drawn very far from her, and he was pretty much at the limit of his self-control. It was almost unfair she could do this to him.

[Eosi]

She flushed with pleasure as their bodies moved in unison. It seemed for a brief moment, that practical considerations were to fall to the wayside. That was, until he began to slowly draw away. ”Snarlwings are nocturnal,” she breathed, moving to rest her forehead against his. There were a whole host of other excuses she could make, but she was having some trouble concentrating. Eosi’s eyes darkened, hazel shifting steadily toward a rich, chocolate brown. She knew if she pushed, he’d topple like a house of cards. But some very remote part of her brain registered his words. Safety. She’d be a hypocrite to deny him. Practical considerations were making a comeback, it seemed.

Trying not to sigh, she moved to give him the space he needed. Eosi was the picture of sexual frustration; hair slightly askew, clothing ajar in certain places, eyes wild. Even her muscles were tightly clenched in anticipation. But she couldn’t complain. Leo filled a void she’d never even acknowledged before. Deep at the heart of her lust, hid love. She loved him in the same way the sands loved the tide. As he moved to accomplish whatever it was, she watched him with a certain degree of satisfaction.

’Mine.’

Eosi was unashamed by the way her eyes followed him. She bore a fey smile – a rarity, in her world of fact and consideration. He would never understand how endearing he was to her. How irreplaceable. It was difficult not to be swallowed up by the depth of her feelings. One day, perhaps, they’d be forced to part ways. Such was the will of the Gods. But she could endure that. Her love for Ivak was just shy of the love she bore his Champion.

If he were to return to her, which would be inevitable, she’d resume their previous activity with abandon. Rational thought would be thrust aside in favor of its darker sister. Passion and tenderness would be one. Sex had always been something Eosi understood. But through Leo it was something more, deeper and more profound. It no longer existed in the vacuum of physical need. She now truly understood Nikali. The need to serve was no longer a game of power and control. It was reverence. It was worship.

She wanted to worship Leo in the same way she did a God. Perhaps she was the worst kind of idolater. But then again, perhaps not. Ivak too, had a place in their devotions. Their individual fires burned brightest when made as one.