Amaro listened intently. Every sound and creek, howl, and hoot in the night’s forest made him want to jump.

“Y’know Amaro,” Tulos said with a smug look on his face, “There’s nothing to worry about when the forest is noisy. It’s when it’s silent that you’ve got something to worry about.”

“Oh yeah? And how many sleepless nights did you spend before you figured that out, Tulos?”

“As if I needed to be kept up at night by the forest to skip sleep.” He stretched, yawning, “but I promised someone I would get good sleep before the Siren Ceremony took place. Plus, I managed to get all of my forgework done, so now I can just coast and focus on my more… personal projects.” Tulos dove into a pile of bedding on the ground.

“How can you sleep like that?”

“By only sleeping four hours at a time everyday. If I’m honest, the one thing I miss about home is the beds. The other thing is the bathrooms.”

“Is one of your ‘personal projects’ to set up a plumbing line in camp?” Amaro snickered.

“It wasn’t, but I think that’s something to add to the list for sure!”

“Well can you put it at the top of the list?” Sancta said, entering the tent, “It’s utterly horrid out here, and I need to bathe for the next five years to get this filth off me.”

“For a life magic user, you don’t like nature all that much, huh?” Tulos said.

“Oh I love nature when it’s beautiful and refined. When nature is vulgar and filthy it’s hard to enjoy it.” she said, sitting down with a huff.

“You’re such a prissy girl at the end of the day. It’s hard to believe you’re good at fighting.”

“Is it so bad I enjoy good hygiene?”

“I wonder if the tomboy in you is going to come back out. Seeing as father won’t be around for the next two years.”

Sancta turned her nose up, “As if. The days of me being a rowdy little gremlin are over. I’ve matured since then.”

“Yeah, gremlin was a good way to put it,” Tulos jeered.

“Shut it!”

“How are Anitus and Raktus?” Amaro asked.

“Raktus has been sparring with him ever since he lost again. I doubt they’re going to join our tent at any meaningful hour.”

“I guess Anitus wants to make sure he doesn’t lose a third time.” Tulos said, resting his cheek on his palm, “It’ll be a little while before Raktus can catch up to Arik, though. She’s quite the talent.”

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Sancta and Amaro looked at him, “She?”

Tulos raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into yet another smug smirk, “Oh? You didn’t know? I would’ve thought you’d know a beautiful lady when you see one. I like to imagine Sancta would’ve looked similar if she had not ‘matured’.”

Sancta laughed dryly, crossing her arms.

“I suppose they do look rather androgynous. I have to wonder when you figured it out, Tulos.”

“Oh, I’ve just got a sense for these things. I knew from the very beginning.”

“You know I can tell when you’re lying.”

“Really? How so?”

“If I tell you my method, you’ll correct it.”

“Fair enough I suppose.”

“Well let’s not talk the night away, I’d much rather get some sleep.” Sancta said, “Or at least try to…”

“Yeah, better get to sleep before the hour when the rats start nibbling your toes.” Tulos said, turning over in his sleeping bag.

“Shut it! That’s not true!”

“Sleep well!”

Amaro closed his eyes. It was more difficult than he thought it would be to sleep on the ground. His shoulder ached, and he constantly had to readjust. It was after the third time that he decided he needed to go to the bathroom.

Amaro grabbed his cloak, a hand shovel, and his katana.

After finishing the deed he turned to head back to the tent. Something cold brushed Amaro’s neck. He whipped around to see what it was, hilt in hand.

Nothing.

The wind… calm down.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut. A sixth sense was telling him someone or something was lurking nearby. He felt a chill realizing what was wrong.

It’s silent.

Even on a moonless night, the dark had never been a hindrance to his perception. He locked onto movement to his left.

Three pale white figures moving from one tree to the other. He noticed that they didn’t seem to be stalking him.

Looking closer, he noticed each figure was donned in a fur cloak that seemed to perfectly mimic the snow they trudged in.

"I wonder what those three are up to" A voice rumbled in his ear.

Amaro would have pissed himself if there was any left in his bladder, his hand unsheathing his sword, only to be grabbed at the wrist.

It was Anitus with Raktus close behind.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Amaro hissed.

“Keep it down, brother. That wind user might be deafening the air, but they’re highly perceptive.”

Amaro looked to the three cloaked figures in the distance, “Are you following them?”

Anitus nodded, “Couldn’t help, but notice they left their tents, and I got curious. Raktus said he overheard them talking about Malaki or something.”

Raktus nodded, “I was nearby for… scouting reasons!”

“Who are they? You said a wind user?”

“Surprised you don’t recgonize at least one of them considering how much you ‘study’ her silhouette.”

“What is Kaara doing out this late with them, I thought they were… living life without regrets?”

“Dunno, but I thought it would be a fun late night activity to follow them.”

“Well I’m not much for stealth, but I’m still curious.” Amaro said.

“Then hang back with Raktus and follow me. Keep your soul hidden.”

“Lead the way then,” Amaro said, letting a slow breath out through his nose as he suppressed his magical power.