The question caught Emily completely off guard and paired with the look of concern in the woman's eyes, she didn’t know how to respond.
“Um… I only recently learned my bridge was messed up, but they didn’t tell me what was going on.”
This seemed to illicit a sharp intake of breath from Clarie.
“Aw, honey I’m so sorry. The fact that your own family hid this from you is not excusable”
Emily got the feeling from her angry expression that this was bigger news than she’d expected.
“Um well, what does it mean?”
The woman glanced at her and nodded.
“That’s what we're going to find out. If you don’t mind I need you to remove your cloak.”
Emily didn’t hesitate and lowered her layers, the woman went around behind her and pulled out another monocle.
There was an immediate hum as she went silent for a time, the only sound was a series of glass clinking together as she looked through them.
“...Okay, I’m no Healer but I can tell your bridge is probably not fractured… It is, however… clear.”
If that was supposed to mean something to Emily then she was at a loss. Claire pulled her clothes back up and moved back around to Emily's front.
“That would explain why you’re only rank nine. Listen, do not let this get you down, just because you don’t have a color does not mean you’ll never get a title. Others with close ties to the five pillars may disagree, but you can still live a happy, healthy, life.”
Emily could feel Claire was trying to be supportive, unfortunately, her lack of understanding made it altogether pointless. Asking what the color of her bridge had to do with anything felt like something she should ask Alex when she got the chance.
It didn't feel like she was missing anything, she’d lived a happy, good life on earth without a working ‘bridge’ so the news didn’t upset her. It also looked like she could rank up by killing shit, so she’d have to see if her bridge being clear was truly a bad thing.
Taking a deep breath as though steadying herself, Emily peered up at the woman.
“So what now?”
Claire looked at Emily with enough pride in her eyes to make Emily glance away.
“Well, I've confirmed your rank, so now we move you to the waiting tent, and then you guys make the crossing when you’re ready. The guard unit has just set out yesterday so they should be back in a week.”
Emily smiled and dipped her head, all this had been rather painless, they stepped out of the tent and found Alex and Vail chatting quietly.
Claire nodded to the man as though confirming everything was in order and turning he looked towards Alex.
“Alright well, if you’re that insistent, I won’t stop you, but as a tip, there are a few others who might want to make the crossing today, ask around before you leave. Oh, and get some new blades when you can.”
Alex nodded to the guy and shook his hand.
“Perfect, we know the risk, but we’ll make it in time, I’ll make sure of that.”
Claire suddenly spoke up.
“Hang on just a moment, they’re leaving right away? It’s perilous for you both out there, especially in the state you are in ma’am, you should wait for the guard unit.”
Vail’s face twitched and his voice dropped a couple of octaves, gaining a strange quality to it.
“It is not our place to control these travelers Claire, nor protect them if they don’t want our help. What risks they take are their own.”
Claire froze and then straightened her spine.
“Yes sir, permission to write them a permit for the gate?”
Vail seemed to think this over but then nodded, at which time Claire saluted by placing her left hand over her heart and backing away.
The silence lingered until Vail turned back around with that same smile fixed on his face.
“And you girl, good luck on meeting your partner, just don’t go losing your Innocent title or anything by murdering your brother, and I’m sure he’ll love you.”
It was intended as a joke to lighten the mood but Emily nodded without saying anything.
Alex nodded toward Vail once more before ushering Emily in the direction the man pointed them, pulling Cupcake behind them.
When they were out of earshot Emily whispered to Alex.
“What the hell was that about?”
To which he just shook his head.
“A soldier overstepping her bounds, don't worry about it. He seemed like a pretty relaxed superior, she won’t be punished.”
This answer only frustrated Emily more.
“For what? Did she do anything wrong”
Alex glanced down at her questioningly, they were heading in the direction of a large tent, with a trail of smoke stretching lazily above it.
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“Her superior officer told us we could leave and she went against that order, as a soldier that’s seen as a huge sign of disrespect.”
Emily frowned at Alex.
“For simply showing concern?”
Alex signed at that.
“Sure. That's not her job or her title, but as I said Vail won’t punish her for that.”
Emily went quiet, she didn’t know why, but she felt annoyed.
“Okay, fine but she does have a point, why don’t we just wait till the guard unit comes back around?”
Alex began tying Cupcake to a post outside.
“As I’ve said I need to get to somewhere as soon as possible and you’re forgetting you need a head start or things might get complicated if the others show up. For now, we should just concentrate on finding some allies”
Emily sunk her fingers into Cupcake’s wool as she hummed. Turning away, Emily headed for the tent leaving Alex to tend to Cupcake, pushing the flap aside she entered.
The moment she stepped in, the smell of fresh pork sizzled on the fire, along with a wave of warm air. A thick waterproof tarp had been laid on the floor of the tent and was covered in mismatching pelts to hold in the warmth.
The canvas room was large and had over a dozen people huddled around a fire, as smoke trailed toward the cone-shaped ceiling where openings near the top allowed for smoke to escape.
Several people around the tent looked up as she entered, but Emily’s eyes had homed in on the fire pit.
Where several pots and pans rested, cooking up meager but delicious fares. Emily homed into one pan in particular where thick slices of bacon popped on a black skillet. A child was tending to the pieces of meat and Emily made a beeline towards the firepit.
The kid was standing on the edge of a dry stump, but upon getting closer she realized she had been completely wrong.
The person she had first thought was a child was a fully grown adult. His whole deminer was that of an older gentleman but scaled down to a preteen. Everything from the blade at his waist to the shoes on his feet was smaller.
After everything Emily had seen since getting to this world, she decided it wasn’t that notable and continued to the tiny man’s side. A couple of sets of eyes tracking her progress but she ignored all but one.
“I would like a slice of that.”
The small man had been so busy tending to his food using a set of tiny tongs, that he hadn’t seen her approaching, and promptly jumped when she spoke from directly beside him.
“Woah there lass, didn’t your mother teach you not to interrupt a man while he’s cooking?” he punctuated this by clicking the tongs together.
Emily shrugged.
“No, and I don’t see the relevance, but you do have quite a bit of meat there, you willing to share?”
The small man squinted at Emily and despite himself, a small smile played on his lips.
“Look lass, this is shard boar meat, not something I could ever catch, if you want a slice you’re going to have to talk to Miss Ashe.”
Emily's eyes widened, this was the very same creature that Wyrm had feasted on, If she had known this was how the meat had smelled when prepared, she would have tried to take some from the remains, Wyrm smell be damned. Pulling her eyes away from the sizzling meat long enough, she looked into the man's eyes.
“And where’s she at?”
“That would be me, and I’m not too keen on sharing unless you’re willing to pay?”
Emily looked over to a nearby stump where a woman resided and even sitting she was a head above most people in the room. She was wearing long green robes and her eyes glittered like gems in the dark.
The woman wore a polite yet guarded smile.
Emily shook herself from her stupor.
“How much?”
“One oval”
Emily wasn’t sure but that sounded like too much for some meat, though Alex had said it was a difficult beast to hunt.
“Hmm, too expensive. Are you sure you don’t want to feed a down-on-her-luck maiden?”
Ashe chucked, her features coming off as graceful, but the lone scar running vertically down her cheek to the bottom of her jawline gave it a darker feel.
“Hmm, can’t say I do. I’m going to need all the strength I can get if I’m going to make the crossing soon.”
Emily was about to make a rude sound with her mouth when she paused.
“Well now hang on a second, you want to cross? Why didn’t you say so, my companion and I are looking for people to join us this afternoon.”
Ashe’s narrowed his eyes at Emily, but it was the small man beside her who spoke.
“I don’t mean to be rude lass but are you any good in a fight? And for that matter who is your partner.”
Emily’s smile remained even as the man scrutinized her.
“I’m adept in combat, as is my ally, he’ll be in shortly. The question is are you up for it?”
Emily knew it was a long shot and yet they didn’t turn her down immediately.
Ashe bit her top lip.
“I’m not saying yes but about my friend here, he has a non-combatant title, can you fit him into the group? I’m a Mage by the way”
The way Ashe dropped her title was like she expected it to make up for her friend.
Emily shrugged.
“As long as he’s willing to take the risk then I don't see why not. With you two that will bring our number up to four.”
Ashe looked Emily up and down for the first time.
“There only two of you?”
Emily shrugged.
“So far, yes, but looking at this group, I'm not seeing a whole lot of talent so it could just be the four of us.”
Emily was not lying either, the first time she’d done on entering the tent was cast her eyes about for people she thought could fight. Unfortunately, not many of the people here looked like they had the metal required.
Ashe glanced at the small man and back at Emily.
“I’m sorry but while I am in a rush, I don't see the benefit of leaving early with such a small group when I can travel in relative safety in a week. At least right now you're not making it worth my while”
Emily nodded her head in agreement, but just as she was about to continue, Alex entered the tent.
When arrived beside her, his eyes flickered over to the other two participants but froze on Ashe, widening slightly.
“Ah, Alex, I was just extending an invitation to these two, but it looks like they won’t be joining us.”
Seeming to nod to himself, Alex refocused on them.
“That’s a shame, we could use all the help we can get. Actually, I have something that might change your opinion of us. Would hear me out, Ma’am?”
Ashe studied Alex for a few seconds but nodded, getting up to follow Alex to one of the tent corners.
Alex’s sudden behavior piqued Emily’s interest, especially the way he just began talking to her in a relaxed manner.
“So sorry lass, I completely forgot introductions. My name’s Journ, how bout as compensation I give you part of my share.”
Emily had almost forgotten the man was there, but he now held a small rasher of shard boar towards her he had her full attention.
Emily swiped the piping hot piece of meat and gulped it down. The juices were salty and spiced to perfection, it was made all the better in that he’d cooked it to a wonderful tender texture.
“Shit, Journ, that's amazing!”
This just caused Journ to laugh.
“It should be, or my ranks in Cook would be going to waste.”
Emily needed to know more and apparently, the title came with skills that helped him tell when the meat was cooked to perfection in the center.
She was still asking questions when Alex and Ashe returned.
Ashe had an amused yet solemn look on her face.
“Change of plans Journ, I’m going with them.”
Both Journ and Emily looked over surprised at the complete one-eighty.
“I mean sure Ashe, but what changed your mind?”
Ashe glanced at Alex.
“Alexander makes a persuasive argument. But suffice it to say my reasons are selfish, that's why I won’t force you to come with us. It would be safer to leave in a week when the guard unit returns.”
The two shared a look between themselves, and Journ shook his head.
“No, you’ve done right by me, I’m not defenseless and I need to get there too you're not the only one with family waiting for you.”
Emily grinned triumphantly.
“Wonderful, seeing as we’re all getting along how about sharing more of that meat with your new allies?”
Journ glanced at Ashe who nodded.
He grabbed a couple more pieces of that tender meat, producing two wooden plates as he did so.
Emily was just about to dig in when the tent of the flap opened once more, letting the daylight in.
Turning to look Claire made her way into the space holding a sealed letter. Her eyes glanced over the people in there and brightened when they landed on Emily.