The night was strange to Larisa. The last few days, nay, weeks even, Larisa has spent in the jungle. Surrounded by be it a tall tree, a lean palm or a wet and cold cave, with luscious vegetation as a blanket. This time around there was none of that.
As Larisa laid down on this cot, as Ha’na has called it, she immediately felt that sleeping on this would be impossible. It was simply a piece of cloth stretched on a wooden frame. And even though there were multiple layers of different fabrics laid down on it, it had no softness, and yet Larisa felt herself fall into it a bit too much. She couldn’t do this.
“I’ll sleep here.” Said Larisa as she laid down at the foot of this cot. Her bear skin was soft and Larisa was used to the way it hugged her. The floor of this tent was simply grass covered by more cloth so it almost felt familiar. Yes, this she could do. Though, she wished the ceiling was none existent. The Moon always lulled her to sleep fast.
“Oh, why not Larisa? You needn’t be modest. It can fit us both if we get close enough.” Ha’na whined out. Although, Larisa felt like Ha’na could compel her to do most things, this was non-negotiable to Larisa.
“This feels better.” Larisa answered.
“Oh, don’t be like that-“ Ha’na started to say and even came closer to where Larisa laid down but then Farre spoke up.
“Leave her alone, sztafaz.”
The reaction from Ha’na felt like a cold breeze of air. It almost felt as if Larisa was standing at the top of a tall tree and the cold mountain air flew right at her, making her shudder.
“Coz powidzic ty?” Ha’na spoke coldly like the snow Larisa once experience deep in the mountain. It froze her skin and made the heart inside her chest shudder with trepidation. She couldn’t understand what she’s said but it didn’t really matter, did it?
“You heard me. Ni badz perweniusz.” Farre answered and turned on her cot with her back to both of the other women. Larisa subtly tried to look at Ha’na’s face and she saw that her cheeks have gotten redder and her brows even sharper against her beige skin. She looked like she was deliberating saying something more, but the slow exhalation made Larisa think that was that. As she turned back, to finally get some sleep, the Essence shifted and the fires that were illuminating the tent disappeared from the weird looking sticks.
Ha’na’s control was astounding to Larisa. She thought that maybe she should ask her more about it later. Now, though, Larisa tried to fall asleep without thinking about bad things. She tried to focus on their plan to get the odd thing from Ha’na’s professor and making sure the state of the jungle remained as it is.
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The morning was uneventful, but surprisingly nice. Larisa woke up first, then Farre and lastly Ha’na. Upon the awakening Ha’na called the guards outside to bring the breakfast and basins with water.
After a few moments, Larisa had before her food she has never seen before and a bowl of water with a piece of cloth next to it.
When she looked at both Ha’na and Farre they both started to eat and after their meal one after another went behind a standing wall. Larisa could hear water splashing in a bowl and a sound of cloth against skin. They were washing themselves. It made sense, Larisa supposed, since the last day was full of emotional ups and downs some anxious sweat and nervous smells tended to cling to the skin. Larisa also felt a little bit dirty, but not enough to warrant a full body wash. The most pressing matter was the food.
Larisa looked at the bowl presented to her. It was a wooded bowl, seemingly masterfully widdled out, without any stray splinter jutting out. Inside was a thick and off-white mixture. Larisa could only recognize some nuts inside. There were also some red pieces that looked like fruit, but that was only a guess.
“You’re not hungry?” Farre asked Larisa as she was staring at the bowl with some growing suspicion.
“What is it?” Larisa asked as she pointed to the bowl of weird-looking mush.
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“That? That’s a porridge. I guess, you’ve never had it before? It’s good. Here.” Farre gave Larisa a wooden thing. It had a long handle with flatten out end. Larisa used pieces of wood like that to eat sometimes too. “Use this spoon and try it. It’s good. There are some walnuts and cranberries in it.” Farre encouraged Larisa.
She took the spoon, got a healthy chunk of this porridge on it and gave it a taste.
It was good. Larisa liked how full one bite made her feel. She liked the acidity of this cranberry and the soft crunch of the walnut. The consistency was not something she’s ever experienced before but it wasn’t as off-putting as it looked like.
Truly, Farre’s and Ha’na’s people were smart to think of something like that. Larisa quite enjoyed all of these new things. Pillows and porridge. She didn’t like the cot, but that was a single thing. She wondered what else was out there.
“You’re ready? Then come close, we need to iron out the plan.” Ha’na called as she came from behind the standing wall.
The day was full yet, but time was of the essence. Larisa wanted to take care of this issue as fast as she could. She eagerly came closer and they started to hush out what tonight will bring.
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The Moon watched with its eye wide open as the three cloaked women sneaked through the now-asleep camp. Their path was clear and without distraction as they turned over dozens of corners to reach their destination.
As their steps slowed and their breaths quickened with nervous exhalations, Larisa looked up at the biggest and most robust tent she had seen yet. Its peak stretched high and from it a luscious piece of fabric fell into a complex and neat looking shape. The same as the other tents around, this one was also red, though the shade appeared to be richer, deeper. It reminded Larisa of blood.
“We’re here. Like we talked about, when I make the professor come outside, you go in.” Ha’na said as she looked to Farre and then Larisa. “You, sergeant, will be our lookout. If anyone comes, you pull this rope.” Ha’na pointed to the piece of small and thin rope that was attached to Larisa’s ankle. It was supposed to signal Larisa if things were to be going wrong and she’d have to get out of the tent. Larisa thought it was a simple and smart plan. One that she had no trouble understanding.
“This is insane. You both realize that, don’t you? We will get caught for sure and then what? You’ll probably get scot-free, you will get dragged for some gruesome interrogation and I will get executed. Are you sure we need to do this?” Farre said.
“Yes.” Larisa’s response was instantaneous. There was nothing to debate here. Either they’d do this or the jungle would end up in the flames. She couldn’t have that.
“You’re being dramatic. This is a good plan. Larisa said she can do this and I have a feeling that’s true. You’ve spent the most time with her, so you should know.” Ha’na remarked to Farre, who huffed and puffed and sweated so much Larisa could see a sheen on her forehead. Her hands fidgeted with the rope she was holding and she shuffled her feet once a while. Larisa came closer.
“It will work, yes? I’ll go in and out. Don’t stress.” Larisa tried to calm Farre down, but because she was wearing that stupid rock necklace she could only rely on her perception.
There might’ve been less fidgeting, but Larisa couldn’t tell with full certainty. She hoped her words worked.
“How can I not be stressed?!” Farre’s whispers turned aggressive and heated. “I told you I might literally die if they catch me! Soldiers like me are nothing! The captain wouldn’t help me out of from something like this and definitely not know if he knew we were about to destroy his scheme. After this, they would try to find who robbed them, you both realize that? We would have to disappear.”
They haven’t actually talked about what will happen after this heist gets concluded. The whole day has been used to plan out something efficient, quiet and almost sure to be a success. If Farre had these thoughts before, she only shared them with the others now.
“That is actually true. We would need to get away from here. Somewhere where even if those two knew where we went they wouldn’t follow. Somewhere that few people before us dared to go. It would be dangerous; ancient beast and malicious flora would try to kill us at every step, but then at one point we would come across a forgotten and secret ruins and discover a hidden treasure!” Ha’na seemed to wind herself up again.
“Hal, why are you doing this to me?” Farre seemed to ask this goddess person under her breath. “Hey, you! Yes, you! Crazy nutter! Calm down and face reality! This ain’t some book adventure shit! This is real life!” Farre reached out to Ha’na to shake her by the shoulder. She managed to bring her into a state that was more in touch with what was happening. Her previously clouded eyes, filled with some far off fantasy that she managed to construct for herself, became clearer and focused on the two people that depended on her in this situation.
“Ah! Of course! Well, my point still stands. If we go into the jungle nobody would follow us. And we have Larisa! You know all about what’s in there, don’t you? We’d be perfectly fine!” Ha’na said with surety.
Larisa nodded, although, she wasn’t sure if she knew everything. She knew the important bits.
“This situation is getting more and more ridiculous.” Farre sighed with defeat and seemed to gather herself up for this. “Let’s do this before I change my mind.” She then whispered some more to herself, but Larisa heard it anyway. “Trying to be good sucks sometimes, doesn't it?”