Private Tales We met by Road

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Serelai Virelle​

---

Sunlight. Far as the eye could see, it dominated the Amol-Kalit desert like nothing she'd seen before leaving Falwood. Thankfully the worst was soon to past, for midday would last but a few hours longer. For now, Lilette pulled her habit to shield her eyes and continued trudging in the direction of Maraan, a trade hub where, Gods willing, she'd find a carriage to her destination.

For now she was on foot still, tugging the straps of a laden backpack that clattered like a tavern kitchen.
Occasionally the pommel of a sword would glint in the afternoon sun, despite her best efforts to hide the weapon in linen wrap.

In this state though, she cared little if it caught the eye of bandits. At least then she could stop.

The feeble nun stumbled on the gravel, hopping awkwardly on one foot to keep the comically large bag—and herself—from tumbling.

"Steady thyself," she reminded pensively, "Thou shalt persevere."

 

[Serelai Virelle]

The desert had long since lost its quaint novelty.

It had been rather beautiful for the first hour. By the second, it was tedious. By the fifth, it had become something of a mortal enemy.

Serelai trudged across the dunes, cloak drawn close, boots sinking into sand. The sun pressed down hard enough to feel deliberate, as if the sky itself resented her existence.

"Elbion," she muttered under her breath. "A college of mages. Scholars. Fantastic geniuses... And yet somehow, they weren't all smart enough to choose somewhere other than the desert for their stinking college, or make accurate maps with the right roads on them!" She kicked at a pebble, and regretted it instantly as her foot caught a handful of sand that slipped into her boot and settled between her toes, sticking to sweat. She whined long and loud into her empty surroundings, and at that she felt the faint shimmer of her patron speak to her in the language unique to themselves and their bond.

"Yeah yeah, character building," she went on, voice increasingly hoarse. "But... sunburn." She glanced at her arm that was slowly turning bright pink, dropped it dramatically to her side and let out another exasperated groan.

The heat shimmered ahead. A mirage, she thought, until it moved. A lone figure, struggling under the weight of a massive pack, stumbling like a pilgrim made of laundry. Serelai squinted, one hand shading her eyes.

"Either I've finally gone truly mad," she sighed. "Or the desert’s finally offering entertainment."

She adjusted her satchel and began toward the figure, each step slow but measured, her expression caught between curiosity and disbelief. The faintest shimmer of violet touched her eyes as she muttered to herself.

"If she’s real, perhaps she knows the way to Elbion. If not..." She furrowed her brow. "I’ll die hallucinating... a nun. Lame." She raised her arm up and waved as she walked closer, yelling across the sand. "I say, hello there! Please be nice! Are you nice? This lovely damsel could do with a little help!"

Lilette Blackbriar​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Serelai Virelle​

---

How strange, it sounded as if.. Lilette came to a sudden stop, sniffing the air. To her great chagrin it seemed her senses were duller than usual today, but if she could hear something now, it must be close indeed. Too heavy to be another desert fox, but too light to be a mount nor orcs.

The nun spun on her heel almost before than Serelai breathed out to speak.

"Oh!" she waved daintily, "salutations?"

"Debatably, so some claimest."

Eyes like unalloyed-silver began an appraisal of the oncoming elf, noting darkened dyes and the wear of travel. A wanderer perhaps but unlikely by choice, she thought, and certainly ill prepared for a wasteland journey.

"Art thou injured, or lost perhaps?"

She walked a few paces closer to make the jog easier if so, already loosening the straps of her bag just in case.

"Speaketh what ails thee, Elf-kin."

 

[Serelai Virelle]

The closer Serelai got, the clearer it became that the figure was, in fact, very real. Not a mirage. Not some cruel desert trick. A woman, pale beneath a habit, silver eyes bright even against the heat-haze. Serelai slowed her steps, squinting, and muttered.

"Oh good. You are a nun. I was hoping my heatstroke came with a little salvation to keep the day interesting."

When the other greeted her in that lilting, archaic accent, Serelai blinked, then smiled despite herself, a little crooked thing.

"Interesting accent. I can’t decide if it’s charming or if I’m delirious." Might be both, she silently finished in thought.

She trudged the last few feet, brushing sand from her cloak and tossing her raven hair back from her face. Her green eyes caught the light, a quick shimmer of violet when she gave a faint laugh.

"Lost? Injured?" She glanced at herself briefly nonchalantly. "Both, probably. But I promise I’m not contagious, unless exhaustion spreads through proximity." She stopped mid-motion. "...It doesn't do that, does it?"

Her gaze lingered a little too long on Lilette’s face, flushed from the heat, framed by that habit, and she continued before she could answer her spontaneous rhetorical question.

"You’re awfully pretty for a hallucination, though. If you are real, perhaps you can point me toward Elbion before I melt into a very dramatic puddle. And I might get cranky. I'm no fun when I'm cranky."

She gave an exaggerated sigh, glancing to the horizon.

"Maps, as it turns out, are lies. Vicious lies, trapped in infernal parchment intent on bringing about the downfall of civilisation. I was going to learn advanced elemental theory and such. Now I’m just hoping for shade and a merciful death." Her eyes then glanced to the nun's satchel.

"Hey, you got any snacks in there?"

Lilette Blackbriar​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Contagious? The nun craned her neck to one side.

Eccentric behavior, lack of self awareness, perhaps she really was delirious. Lilette loosed her pack and began fumbling for something inside, only to freeze at the word "pretty".

"Thou thinkest so?" she said softly, peering up at the elf.

Oh yes, this one was definitely delirious. She was a monster, off-putting to all before Serelai.

Her pale skin stung the second her face tilted into the sun, giving the illusion of lively colors until she resumed her search, rummaging through assorted pouches and bags within bags.

"Yon road wilt leadeth thee to a city called Maraan, the folk of which may possess a better map."

"Their lot are traders and merchants thou'st see, and amply efficient at that."

To the woman's complaints though, she chortled.

"Shade and a dreamless sleep? I hear thee, I hear thee."

Snacks however gave her pause. She needn't ration herself, not the mortal way at least, and so she'd packed nothing of the sort, not even water.

"Hmm."

"Nay, I've naught for food." she sighed.

She pondered a moment longer, then excitedly picked a small, green bottle from her things.

"Mayhaps a potion would'st satisfy! 'tis acidic of taste but energizing brew."

She offered it up, cupped in slender, pale hands.

---

Serelai Virelle​

 

[Serelai Virelle]

Serelai blinked when the nun, who apparently was indeed real to her immense relief, spoke again. Her accent rolled through the air like honey over old parchment, all lilting vowels and formality that somehow made even snacklessness sound regal.

"Charming and adorable," Serelai mused aloud, grin tugging at her lips. "If I die out here, at least it’ll be to the sound of poetry."

When Lilette presented the potion, Serelai eyed it suspiciously, squinting as if it might sprout legs and scamper away. She took it delicately between her fingertips, their hands brushing for a fleeting second, warm skin against cool porcelain. The elf paused, gaze flicking briefly up to meet silver eyes, then with theatrical solemnity she uncorked the vial and sniffed. Her nose wrinkled immediately.

"Smells like a blacksmith’s armpit."

Then, sighing, she took a sip... and immediately shuddered.

"Oh gods. Acidic, she said. You undersold it."

But the effect came fast. She could feel the hum of energy flood back into her veins, warmth rising to her cheeks, her pulse quickening. She took another gulp, then another, finishing the potion in a few swift swallows before exhaling sharply and wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

"Well," she said, color blooming again in her face. "That’ll wake a girl up."

Her eyes gleamed emerald bright, when she handed the bottle back.

"Cute and a miracle worker."

Serelai adjusted her cloak, glancing sidelong at Lilette.

"So, where are you headed, if not into certain death? You seem far too composed for this wasteland, if a little... pale." She smirked faintly. "Don’t tell me you’re off to convert the sand."

Lilette Blackbriar ​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"A-ah?" she said, unable to hold the woman's gaze.

Absolutely, positively delirious, she concluded. The potion was, thankfully, taken even if with complaint, and already it seemed to be working it's proverbial magic. The lively hues her patient exhibited brought an uncharacteristically warm smile to those pale lips, even as she again called her "cute".

"Cute, thou claimest?" she stifled a nervous chuckle.

"Few would'st, for mine pallor and mayhaps antiquated way o' speaking doth afflict most with unease."

The nun finished repacking her bag, hoisting the unwieldly thing over her shoulders again. They seemed to be heading in the same direction, and so she began walking leisurely down the road with her new traveling companion.

"Nay," she replied tiredly.

"Tis the work of a missionary, friend. I art charged with simpler duties; healing and tending the poor."

"Mine affairs however," she chimed, "taketh me to the College of Elbion."

"First I shalt stop in Maraan, where I hope—By Astra doth I hope—to purchase carriage. This road hither will't taketh us there, then North to the Elbion stone, and finally East, to the city proper."

"Mm." it occurred then that she'd not introduced herself, possessed by chivalrous fancy as she was.

"I am called Lilette, by the by." she bowed her head.

"Sister of the Celestialist temple."

"And thou art?" she spared a curious glance.

---

Serelai Virelle​

 

[Serelai Virelle]

Serelai couldn’t help it. When Lilette stammered and flushed, it drew a grin from her, sly but genuine, her emerald eyes gleaming with mischief. She fell into step beside her, keeping a comfortable pace, the desert wind tugging faintly at her sand-coarsed hair.

When the nun introduced herself, Serelai gave a half-bow that was somehow graceful even in her travel-worn state, cloak sweeping a little sand aside.

"Serelai," she said smoothly. "A... traveller, mostly. No titles or holy vows or anything like that. And I promise I'm not normally one to get so... lost." Her tone carried a lilt of humor, though her eyes flicked over Lilette’s habit with quiet curiosity.

"The College of Elbion, then?" she mused as they walked. "Seems I’m bound the same way. Though I’m not entirely sure what to expect, or if they’ll even let me through the gates without a few miracles in my pocket." A faint laugh escaped her, light and self-effacing. "You... you want to study there too?"

The question came softer, but her mind wandered a little as she said it. A nun, studying magic? Her brow furrowed just a touch. She wondered how faith and arcane will could coexist, if the gods truly cared for those who devoted their lives to them, or if they simply delighted in the devotion itself. The thought brought a flicker of chill across her mind, dark and cynical, until she felt it. That gentle brush in the back of her thoughts, the reassuring warmth of her Patron. Not a voice exactly, but simply a reminder. She exhaled, almost smiling again.

"Still, it’s nice to have company," she said lightly, glancing sidelong at Lilette. "And you... Well, you really are pale." The words came out with a half-laugh, teasing but tinged with real concern. "Are you feeling alright? You’ve not even broken a sweat. I think I’m melting and you’re—"

She leaned in slightly, peering at the nun’s face in mock inspection, then straightened with an exaggerated shake of her head.

"You must tell me your skincare routine sometime. Some kind of... divine moisturiser, I presume?"

A little smirk curved her lips, but her gaze lingered a heartbeat longer than necessary before flicking back to the horizon.

Lilette Blackbriar​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"Well then 'tis a pleasure to make thine acquaintance, Miss Serelai." she said with smile.

The woman's questions gave her pause though, those silver eyes dropping to the sandy ground below.

"Agh, I am afeared I've naught for magical prowess."

Naturally this made her destination all the more strange, and she was certain more questions were imminent. And they were, multiple in fact, though all towards her sickly complexion. She averted her eyes, staring in silence at the dunes to her side for awhile longer.

When words at last made purchase, they were quiet, personal.

"I art afflicted, thou'st seeth. Though 'tis no contagion, I assure thee."

She cleared her throat uncomfortably, panic that Serelai was onto her knotted around her stomach. It was time to play that game she did with all; a concoction of lies chased with enough truth to sooth her conscience nonetheless.

"Mine family wert always possessed of an otherworldly pallor and silken hair as I, though of course this sickness hath accentuated mine features. Naught is known about what ails me, but 'tis been a struggle I doth confess."

"Tis why I study medicine."

Her gaze returned to meet Serelai's a moment too late, catching only the sudden shift.

Had she been staring?

---

Serelai Virelle​

 

[Serelai Virelle]

For once, Serelai didn’t have a quip ready. She caught herself looking again at the woman beside her, and then quickly shifted her gaze to the horizon, pretending to study the dunes instead of the faint sorrow that had crept into Lilette’s voice.

"That’s..." she started, brow furrowing slightly. "...unfortunate." Her tone softened, the bite gone from it. "I hope it’s not painful. Or... well, not too much."

There was a quiet stretch of sand-crunching footsteps between them. Serelai’s fingers toyed idly with the clasp on her cloak as she wrestled with the faint prick of discomfort that came from sincerity. She wasn’t supposed to care. Not about strangers. Not about anyone. Not anymore.

Still...

"If I make it into the College," she said at last, glancing sideways again. "And I learn anything that might help... Well, I’ll... do my best to help you find out."

The words surprised even her as they left her lips. Her brow creased again, this time at herself, like she’d just realized she’d tripped over her own heart. She gave a small, awkward shrug, trying to chase off the weight of the offer with a wry half-smile.

"Don’t... get used to it," she added lightly, her usual edge slipping back in as if trying to hide any threat of vulnerability she may have accidentally exposed. "I’m not in the habit of making promises. The desert heat must be cooking what’s left of my good sense."

But her eyes lingered on Lilette just a moment longer, less teasing this time, but rather quietly thoughtful, before flicking ahead to the horizon again.

Lilette Blackbriar​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"Hm." there would be no answer.

She tugged at the straps and was swallowed by the all encompassing silence to follow. The road steadily became steeper the longer they went, approaching the taller dunes between Ragash and Maraan, though tired feet were thankful to pass the rockiest part of the journey.

Lost in thought, Serelai's voice caused the nun to glance up suddenly.

Her freckled features pulled tight in surprise.

"Truly?" she said, "But I've naught to offer thee?"

Ah but her quip brought a faint, knowing smile to the nun's lip. The selfishness of strangers was more familiar, easier to account for, though she'd certainly remember the compassionate quality of those green eyes for some time to come.

"Ah, I shalt make note." she half chuckled.

The silence tried to take hold another moment, but a thought intruded upon it's grasp.

"When Elbion we reacheth, I shalt stay awhile longer and perhaps we may assist one another." she accepted.

"Ere then however, I've business 'o mine one with a sorcerer in that place."

"Mayhaps then I wilt speak more about this condition mine."

Truth be told there was some degree of hesitance in her voice, though perhaps she could at least tell her of the illness that killed her, instead of the one that brought her back.

"Till then," she offered a softer smile, "may we each find what we seekest."

---

Serelai Virelle​