Fate - First Reply Time to blow something up.

[Faustina]

Faustina kept silent with Thraah, listening. The battle was over. She almost dared not believe it.

"Thank the Sunfather. Well, it seems we have managed to avoid more bloodshed today, at least. That must at least count as less--" Faustina searched for a word to replace the profane one. A sheepish smile carefully crept to her lips. "Less terrible."

The bells around her neck jingled softly, her robes rustling as she moved hastily for the exit.

"I should go back and ensure they follow your directions. I--"

No.

The voice rung in her head like a gong. More forceful than it had ever been. Faustina froze in her tracks, hand on the tent-flap.

Your people are safe. You must go with the captain. Learn her ways. Make her see the light. When the spear blooms a flower and grace is born in the bower; then you will have completed your exaltation and saved the captain from purgation.

 

[Thraah]

"Hey!"

Thraah's hand waved before Faustina's face and she clicked her fingers three times.

"You good? Do need to sit down or something?"

Watching the other woman go away for a moment frightened her and the concern showed on her face.

"Yeah the fighting is over so like, relax a minute or whatever. You can't negotiate if you can't stay awake!"

To her it looked as though Faustina just had a micro nap or some other form of brief fainting episode.

Faustina

 

[Faustina]

Bronze eyes blinked, before snapping back to clarity.

"Wh-- oh, forgive me."

She held a delicate hand to her temple, rubbing against the invisible nail that seemed lodged there.

"Was I out for long?"

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

"Just a moment but I think you should take a seat all the same."

Gently Thraah ushered Faustina onto the sole chair in her tent and knelt beside her, hand on her arm for what reassurance she could offer. Without much effort at all she lowered the temperature of the tent interior fearing a fever or a flush might be responsible.

"You don't seem that surprised, does this happen often?"
Whatever the cause Thraah could not imagine it was good, let alone divine.

Faustina

 

[Faustina]

Sitting down, Faustina rubbed her forehead. The pain had . . . intensified, compared to other times.

"Yes, I'm afraid so . . ." she mumbled. Some of the cleric had bled from her voice, making way for the village girl she had once been. She took her time to get her bearings, and to attempt to make sense of what the saint had told her.

She was to follow . . . this Anirian? But -- why? What good could that serve?

No. She shouldn't question the voice. It had led her this far, and to even consider the shadow of doubt before the Sunfather was to spit on His name. Destiny had led her this far, hadn't it? All she needed to do was to submit. Help her see the light.

Finally, she raised her head, strands of hair loose from her braids, hanging over her face. She willed herself to look straight at Thraah.

"I think . . . I think I need to follow you, Captain. In -- well, wherever it is you are to go."

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

Thraah's brow furrowed in concern. This was more god-stuff and all she saw was a woman who had a great deal of courage, an understandable amount of nerves and terrible headaches.

And Thraah had plans for her next destination that she felt would not suit Faustina.

"Your Sun-god told you to follow me through a headache...right I..."

*I don't want some loony following me.*

"...you need to rest and I am returning to the Vels after we take your town."

Faustina had no idea what that would be like but Thraah reasoned she should try to explain it anyway.

"You don't want to be there, you'll be seen as a spy or a threat and I can protect you but I already protect my Momni and my sisters and..."

*So what's one more person?*

Her rant lost steam and she looked away to the chair legs and the ground and the tent top.

"... fuck! Okay, I guess I can stash you at my place. It's..."

*A mansion outside the most racist hateful city in all the world.*

"... big and there's a room you can have. Can you cook?"

The question was more to seem easier with the idea than she felt.

Faustina