Private Tales An Ocean of Fire

[Skyler]

"Oh yeah," her smirk stretched until it became a smile. "Didn't think you are the type to be easily wounded." Another light quip as he leaned in close. And just as quickly turned away. The hand she didn't know she'd been clenching on the strap of her bag began to loosen.

She managed to keep from fidgeting with the flower behind her ear.

"My brothers. They joined first." It had been the hope to perhaps see them but more than that. "And it may sound naive but I wanted to help others. We heard news there was a shortage of medics or more," she paused not wanting to sound cocky. "skilled healers."

An unassuming shrug.

"I wanted to help," bending down she plucked what looked like a white dandelion and walked up to Rhi. Gently, she'd reach out and take his wrist in her own. A healer's touch. Gentle, warm, but firm.

Then, she'd pass off the plant, her fingers brushing his own as she released her hold on him. "This is chamomile. If you could find a bunch that would be great." Tilting her head, she looked up at him. "What about you? You ever think about doing something else?"

If she understood the laws right, she'd heard dreadlords had a choice now.

 

[Rhidian]

"Ah... we had the same intentions then." He grinned.

He studied the chamomile flower some before casting a glance to their surrounds. Nothing popped out at him, and so he lead them to a slow meander forward. "Mum and my sister are Healers. I was learning from them and thought maybe once my training was over, I could have gone that way... but then, things changed and here I am."

Rhidian twirled the flower in his fingers, giving it a light smell and scrunching his nose. "I don't think my future would have changed much. Dreadlords now work with the Guard, so I guess I was bound to wind up here regardless in life. Of course, I could have chosen to go into the reserves but... idle hands, you know?"

Rhid grinned at her. Cleared his throat and took the two steps to be at her side. Lowering his head to whisper at her ear, "Is that a patch of chamomile over there? In the clearing to your left?"

 

[Skyler]

She could see it.

Charming seemed to come natural to him. And she could see him being BIG TROUBLE in her life. And for now, she quieted those thoughts. Because they weren't even friends yet. Maybe start there. Not read into things. See how things went.

A secret, little smile up at him as her brown-eyes traveled the way he pointed.

"And the student becomes the master," she murmured and winked at him and nudged his shoulder with her own before leaving his side toward that clearing. "I just didn't know you came pre-qualified via your mom and sisters." Wandering further away, she took a seat in the sunlit field and began harvesting some of the plants around them. There was also lavender and some others with golden-star like petals.

"I know it doesn't work like this but if you could choose. Choose to have any magical ability you wanted, what would it be?"

 

[Rhidian]

"I used to want to heal." He winced, letting out a light chuckle to ease himself. "My mum and my sister were naturals, they just knew it all in their bones. I hated the study of it, any study really, but knew I had a knack for it. If I could heal with magic, then there wouldn't be much I would have to remember."

He had to thank Silas and his girlfriend for helping him get his grades up in order to pass the graduation exams. It was not his natural or preferred way of learning.

"What about you? Wish you could wield fire or turn invisible?"

 

[Skyler]

"I wish I had the power to make folk stop fighting," she mused quietly, shuffling things aside in her pouch to make more room, carefully placing things in a way that showed she'd done this a thousand times before. "I know, it's silly." She huffed a strand of darky-wiry hair away from her mouth.

Flopping back, with her back to the sun-warmed grass beneath and her hands falling to rest across her stomach, hair fanning out behind her head she stared up at the lazy clouds that rolled on by. Cast in Rhidian's shadow.

"But maybe to have magic to heal. Sometimes what I do isn't enough." She winced, dark brows furrowing on her black skin. "You seem easy to like, Rhi. Glad we could cross paths. And thanks for not exploding Dravus." A light, husky chuckle and shake of her head.

 

[Rhidian]

Rhidian let out a laugh.

"If I hadn't made the friends I did or got the lessons and training with certain Dreadlords... I probably would have destroyed Dravus." He sounded bitter, as if that alternative was definitely not one he wished to resort to. "But I found the people... healed me."

He had been so frustrated and quick to anger in the early days of his education to becoming a Dreadlord. But Proctor Urahil had faith in him, had patience with him, and looked out for him and his wellbeing. "I know a Dreadlord that has the power to heal... but in order for her to learn to heal, she had to cause pain. A Proctor, actually, and one being wasted at the Academy. Taught those of us that were willing to learn on basic first aid, stuff that would help you survive..." And once he wondered what she had to go through in order to learn such skills.

"Healing... cannot be easy. There is so much we cannot fix... but we can always try, Sky." He smiled, a little wider due to the fact he ended on a rhyme with her name.

 

[Skyler]

"You're right. We can always try." Sitting up, she stood, brushing stray strands of grass off her clothing. Sky knew magic always came with a price. What cruel twist of fate would make a healer cause pain in order to heal? It sounded awful.

Reaching out, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze and then a tug back toward camp.

"C'mon. We should get back. My shift is starting soon." A dazzling smile in his direction. "Rhi, I had no idea you could drop some beats, too." A quiet huff. Sounded like something Ephraim would say and be just as proud.

 

[Rhidian]

Rhidian should have let her hand go, but the gesture itself left him content with her presence.

Of course, if this was back at the Academy, before she had ruined his heart, perhaps Rhid would tug the girl closer and lean down to whisper at her ear. Be charming, smile, and say something witty to her light teasing, but the Dreadlord simply tried to convey all of his thoughts into squeezing her hand in return.

"Remember, I can croon once I have a bit to drink. And I will sing any song you wish to teach me..." He grinned widely, giving her hand another squeeze, but softer this time, before pulling his hand from her own. "I am not half bad, you know. I just need a drink in me to give confidence, but... I can carry a tune."

At least to the standards of those not musically inclined.

"Once we find Arn, maybe I will corral you both for some drinks. I owe Arn one, but I can be persuaded in buying you a drink also."

 

[Skyler]

Sky looked back and saw something lurking in his dark, grey eyes. If she wasn't so attuned to picking up on the feelings of others, it would easily be missed. Easily masked by him. Sky had to wonder what made Rhi put on this faux shield of happy-go-lucky? Of the charm.

Someone had done a number on him.

A delayed smile to him. A smile that didn't quite reach her warm brown eyes. "I'm inclined to believe you. I could be persuaded to go get drinks with you and Arn." A brief, wicked glint in her gaze as she parroted his words back to him. Then a casual shrug. "I dunno. Maybe I'd buy you a drink, hm? We make decent wages in the guard."

Partial truth partial lie.

"You learn a song and I'll buy you a drink. Sound fair?"

They left the field and entered back into the woods that brought the closer back to camp.

 

[Rhidian]

"So, the theory being that for each song I learn, you would buy me a drink for each?" He grinned.

Clearing his throat, he sang softly a song he enjoyed, one his mother taught him to keep him occupied while he had been poorly and bedridden. After his voice had returned to him, he found that the song, although shorter than he wished, was something that felt lovely to sing to his own ears.

"Hang on..."

And he started the first verse, grinning at Sky as he sang about the tranquility of spring blooming in the mountains.

"It's not too popular in Vel Hetren, being all dry and dirt, but I've seen vistas as beautiful as the song on my missions at the Academy."

 

[Skyler]

"Hey, that's CLEARLY cheating." Her hand snatched forward and lightly smacked the outside of his arm as if they'd been friends for a very long time for such a casual gesture. Head tilted to the side, one corner of her mouth twitching upward as she listened to his song.

"Your tone is good." Sky narrowed her eyes at him as if contemplating a secret of Arethil. "Perhaps I've underestimated you. But sorry," she looked away putting on a mock-serious face with a mock-serious tone. Clearly NOT sorry at all. "One drink. No take-backs. You can buy my second, though."

Dark brows rose as if anticipating a challenge to her last sentence.

"Still can't believe you grew up in Vel Hetren. So close to me." Not all too close but things were relative, right? They shared the same border. "Maybe we'll find a tavern with an open performance night. I'll give you and Arn a song. I wonder if Arn has any musical talent..."

 

[Rhidian]

"Fine! Fine..." Rhid grinned.

He didn't think he would be at ease so quickly here, but perhaps he was lucky to have crossed paths with Sky. They could hear the barracks from here, the distant chatter and routine reaching their ears but the forest dampened it enough that he could tune it out.

"You like it here? Made friends, keep busy, all that?" He asked, raising both brows in anticipation of her answer. This would be his second time working as a unit, only this time it was his first time doing so as a Dreadlord. "I am to set off to Vel Castere's Anirian Knights soon. Got to have an interview with the Lieutenant and then we shall see what happens... but, for now... I am sticking around here." He smiled.

 

[Skyler]

As they exited the woods, several other guards glanced their way. Their faces warmed or smiled in Sky's direction with nods or slight waves of their hands. It was clear a lot of people at camp knew Sky. And they were on at least friendly terms with the medic. Sky locked eyes with a few and smiled back before her gaze returned to Rhi.

Warm brown eyes settling with his own.

"Yeah. My unit and I are pretty close. I'm with Arn and a few others. I'll have to introduce you." Oh stars, what would Rhory say? Hopefully her friend wouldn't be too brutal. "We go into Vel Castere for new supplies and briefings every now and again. That fortress rivals the encampments we have on the plains."

A shift of her bag on her shoulder as she cut Rhi another look, weaving her way back to the barracks so she could offload some of the plants they'd just found.

"How're you feeling about your interview? What made you choose the knights?"

 

[Rhidian]

Should he be truthful? A version of the truth? Or... be vague and continue this mystery?

Rhidian shrugged. "Never felt like I could belong with the Dreadlords, and being a simple Guardsman is not going to be the same... so the Knights seemed to be something more in line with what I'd like to do."

He always wanted to push himself, to be better and perhaps rub it into the faces of those that thought him too lowly and unworthy of a girl back home... but the situation had been unfair. He had to cease all correspondence with her in order to keep his life, and joining the Knights of the Western Army seemed like the furthest away he could be...

And perhaps seeing Arn again would be nice.

"Change of scenery. Milestones... that sort of thing."

 

[Skyler]

She paused. There it was again. That shadow of emotion that flickered across his eyes. Something darker and deeper. Was it bitterness? A shade of hurt?

Funny how some cuts tended to be deeper and linger longer than others.

She frowned as she paused outside her barracks. Taking the flower that he'd tucked behind her ear, she reached over and tucked it against one of the leather straps across his shirt. Letting her fingers linger for a moment before withdrawing.

"Seems like you fit in here just fine, Rhi. It was fun showing you around. I've got a shift to get to but I hope you find Arn. Maybe I'll catch you two later?"

 

[Rhidian]

His hand drifted up, almost brushing her own, but Sky had withdrawn it quickly before their hands could touch. The flower was a gift between them, and one he would keep on his bedside for days to come while it lasted.

Near a week later, Rhidian would once again cross paths with Skyler. He wore a grin, outstretching his arms.

"Look at that. We're both on orders to move out closer to Cortosi land." Rhidian brought his hands back in, taking a bite of his toasted bread slice that he had been holding. His appetite had built back up, as it would when he had been training each and every day with other Dreadlords. He had to push himself, remembering that there were eyes watching his progress keenly in addition to reporting for evaluation for the Knights.

Once, he had pulled a muscle in his chest, and had hoped to see Sky when he saw the medics, but found and met Felix.

Today? He couldn't contain his eagerness seeing her again.

"Eight of us joining ranks with the border camp. I'm sad Arn isn't joining us, but just saw him moments ago and he paled at the thought of returning to Cortos..." Now he grimaced, realising it probably was his magic that made Arn nervous.

 

[Skyler]

Sky looked like she had half the camp on her shoulders with multiple bags and straps slung across her slender curves. The girl from the plains couldn't help that twist of her lips upward at the sight of this particular dreadlord. A mirror to his own smile. She'd caught glimpses of the way he trained with the other dreadlords in camp.

Her certainly knew how to fight. And how to move.

Beyond passing glances, she hadn't seen much and wondered if their paths would cross again. Even as Rho peppered her with questions when she'd seen Sky pause and watch the training sessions once. She wouldn't be surprised if her friend had passed him a note on her behalf.

"I'm not surprised," the true meaning of Arn's reaction unknown to Sky. "There's a lot of activity near the border. We might even get in a skirmish getting to camp. I was on a barge not that long ago with wounded down the river and we barely made it out. They were picking us off like luma eels in the bottom of a barrel."

She fell into step with Rhi, shifting one of the many bags on her shoulder as she headed toward the med-wagon. That easy-going grin spread along her lips. "I have a feeling you'll be hard to keep out of trouble, though."

 

[Rhidian]

There wasn't much for him to pack, and it all fit into a leather pack slung across his chest.

Rhidian easily took some of the bags Sky had been hoisting and kept in stride with her. "Oh please, Sky. Have a little faith in me!" He chuckled, but today it was easier to smile at her a certain way.

She looked lovely today, perhaps a little flustered from dragging those bags with her, but maybe he liked her a little frustrated. A little..' happy to see him, as he was with her.

"I am to be on the front lines, yes... but I don't feel afraid like I had been last time. Almost died actually, but if it weren't for the magic keeping me stronger than I had been without it..." He would have succumbed to head trauma.

 

[Skyler]

Her head snapped up to him as she slung her bags in the back of the med cart. “Thats serious, Rhi.”

The nickname slid off her tongue easily as if they’d been friends for a long time. Sky frowned. She’d seen a lot of trauma from her patients and it often went beyond the physical.

“Thanks,” she took the bags he’d so easily snatched up and carried for her. “Glad you made it out okay from last time.”

And she meant it. His smile was infectious. Turning from him and back to the cart, she checked the bags one more time to make sure the supplies were in order. “What’s your opinion on the conflict with the Corrosi?”

She was curious. And she made sure her voice dropped in volume. It wasn’t like talking was against the law but some folk were quicker to point fingers of treason than others. Others were getting their saddle bags or horses ready. Mounting up and starting to head out in a long line.

 

[Rhidian]

He glanced around, making sure no one would overhear their conversation before he answered.

"I think I am rather neutral, to be quite honest with you Sky. Just the... violence and minds of war the Anirians have, makes you feel bad for them. But then the Cortosi wield the same mind and power against us... makes you think, fuck, what do I need to do in order to stay alive? And my answer always lands on supporting the Anirian side." He shrugged.

He didn't know all that much on the conflicts, didn't care to learn. Rhidian was always going to be the one fighting on the ground, be targeted because of the dirt he stood on. Did the politics matter to a soldier born?