Merevaika brushed back her hair, pulling it out of her face as she rested against Eryunt, back pressed against his own. Beast sat a little way off, staring firmly into the distance. She could see in this darkness, but what she could see, Merevaika couldn’t know. What she did know was that the celebrations had almost all finished. Of course, there were still the small groups that gathered at their own pavilions, but most were drunk and tired, keeping to themselves.
She had been watching them, of course. Now that she had arrived, she had her eyes trained at the city at all times, waiting for the right moment to strike. She needed supplies: clothes, survival gear, food. Some she could get using the wild. For most, stealing seemed like a much better option.
Rising, the Drykas reached out for the knife that lay beside her, fingers brushing the hilt before getting a firm grip. It sat in her hand well, but quickly, she slipped it into the scabbard that hung at her belt. For lack of something better, Merevaika pulled her cloak around her shoulders, feeling almost uncomfortable in such a fancy piece. But it was warm and had served her well as a blanket. Now, in the cold wind of the night, it would shield her in her original purpose. One day, she would get the wolf skins she had fashioned into a more fitting cloak for a warrior, but for now, the fancy cloak and expensive necklace would serve her.
First, she signed to Eryunt in the light of Leth, whispering the words lightly. [i]Stay[i/] she asked, knowing that on horseback, stealth and theft wouldn’t happen. It was strange, sometimes, walking without a horse, but it was necessary, too. Then she repeated the sign and word to Beast, who simply growled in response. As Merevaika walked away, none made a move to follow her. Good. She wanted to break the law alone.
She had a list, in her mind. She needed yvas bags, a tent, tarp, a lantern, a bedroll, blanket, a backpack, an eating knife, flint and steel, clothes, supplies for hunting, her bow, arrows, food. So much that she doubted she would find it all. But Merevaika knew that she needed to try. She stalked forward, slinking into the streets lined with tents. Eyes watched her, but none suspected anything – she was just another returning home from the celebrations.
Before her eyes manage to adjust to the darkness, she stumbled across the rope of a tent, flailing her arms. The rope made a sharp twang and she caught her breath as she landed on the dirt. But no one came out, and Merevaika rose, brushing the dirt from her knees. It was a close one, and she hadn’t even been doing wrong. Just walking. She had to be more careful.
She had been watching them, of course. Now that she had arrived, she had her eyes trained at the city at all times, waiting for the right moment to strike. She needed supplies: clothes, survival gear, food. Some she could get using the wild. For most, stealing seemed like a much better option.
Rising, the Drykas reached out for the knife that lay beside her, fingers brushing the hilt before getting a firm grip. It sat in her hand well, but quickly, she slipped it into the scabbard that hung at her belt. For lack of something better, Merevaika pulled her cloak around her shoulders, feeling almost uncomfortable in such a fancy piece. But it was warm and had served her well as a blanket. Now, in the cold wind of the night, it would shield her in her original purpose. One day, she would get the wolf skins she had fashioned into a more fitting cloak for a warrior, but for now, the fancy cloak and expensive necklace would serve her.
First, she signed to Eryunt in the light of Leth, whispering the words lightly. [i]Stay[i/] she asked, knowing that on horseback, stealth and theft wouldn’t happen. It was strange, sometimes, walking without a horse, but it was necessary, too. Then she repeated the sign and word to Beast, who simply growled in response. As Merevaika walked away, none made a move to follow her. Good. She wanted to break the law alone.
She had a list, in her mind. She needed yvas bags, a tent, tarp, a lantern, a bedroll, blanket, a backpack, an eating knife, flint and steel, clothes, supplies for hunting, her bow, arrows, food. So much that she doubted she would find it all. But Merevaika knew that she needed to try. She stalked forward, slinking into the streets lined with tents. Eyes watched her, but none suspected anything – she was just another returning home from the celebrations.
Before her eyes manage to adjust to the darkness, she stumbled across the rope of a tent, flailing her arms. The rope made a sharp twang and she caught her breath as she landed on the dirt. But no one came out, and Merevaika rose, brushing the dirt from her knees. It was a close one, and she hadn’t even been doing wrong. Just walking. She had to be more careful.
