Larisa was never much of a climber. She could climb, of course. It was a necessary skill to survive in this dangerous place. Whether to simply get up to see in the distance or climb up to avoid a suspicious terrain or a beast. Or, like previously shown, to climb up the rocky spur that hid away a cave.

The blond woman always thought herself to be physically strong and nimble, as she never had much trouble with her body, be it in a fight or during a strenuous activity. But climbing proposed a different kind of challenge for her. It was not a question of physical ability but more so a mental one. It was always hard for Larisa to admit to herself, and now to others, that there were things in which she was simply not adept at.

When she was high up a tree, overlooking an impossibly never-ending stretch of greenery that she called home, her heart could not stop but long for the ground. She loved to feel how the earth would bend to fit the soles of her feet, or hear the rhythmic thuds her walking or running would make. Up high, she missed how with every step there were thousands or even million angles she could turn to. Up high, Larisa wished to get down.

Of course, there were passing thoughts of being a bird and soaring high above the trees, feeling the wind in her hair and how it would glide along her wings. But those were the feelings an imaginary bird would have. Not those of flesh and bone Larisa.

Those reasons on why she was not much of a climber were why having a damaged arm didn't hurt as much during this conversation.

“I don't know how to climb a tree. Can someone else do it?“ Ha’na asked the group.

The four of them decided to climb up a tree and see if there were any signs of them being followed. Everyone agreed that it was a swell idea and one that would perhaps make them feel a little bit better, and hopefully much safer. Of course, assuming that there was not anyone on their tail.

What was left to discuss was who would go up.

As the women stood beneath an enormous and tall hikora tree, which trunk was impossibly thick, and its bark looked like a wall of a mountain, a discussion took place.

“I don't know how to climb a kurnet tree either. Don't look at me like that.“ Farre answered Ha’na’s query in irritation. Lately that was pretty much it for Farre’s feelings. A swirling cloud of perpetual frustration and agitation floated over her head. It's been two days since her breakdown and not much has changed.

“Then how about you, Rowela?” Ha’na set her sights on a mountain of a woman. Larisa couldn't imagine her to be much of a climber either. Not with that physique.

“No.” Short and concise. Larisa did not get the strange feeling again. Actually, the more time she spent in Rowela’s presence the more she found herself liking the woman. The past two days offered little time to do anything, except for running or walking, eating or hunting, as well as sleeping and guarding. The nachtak exchanged little words between each other. To Larisa though, it was enough to look at Rowela in a more positive light.

After Rowela’s answer, a quietness has befallen over the group and Larisa dared not to break it. She really didn't want to climb that tree either.

“Hal!” Farre exclaimed as she threw her satchel to the ground. “I'll do it, but if I fall someone is going to catch me, understood? My leg’s still tender.” She said some more as she pointed to every one each of them.

“Of course I'll catch you.” Rowela said as she patted Farre on her head. Larisa noticed that's something she liked to do to Farre. The blond woman wondered if she'd be able to do the same one day.

“I will try, of course. No guarantees, though.” Ha’na’s response made Farre scoff and turn around to the tree.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Any advice for me, big girl?” Farre asked Larisa. The taller woman noticed that she called her that often as of recently. Larisa didn't mind, although, she wasn't quite sure why Farre decided on calling her that. Rowela much better fit the description.

“Make sure you trust where you step. And only let go of one limb at a time. When you see a latavi just jump. More chance of survival if we catch you.” There was not much wisdom one could share with the other about climbing a tree.

“You're getting a sense of humour. I like it.” A smirk and a burst of amusement pierced through the thick cloud of irritation. Larisa’s cheeks felt warm.

But why was she funny again?

Before she was able to ask, Farre grabbed a sturdy looking protrusion for the tree’s bark. Larisa really didn't want Farre to fall.

“Be careful, Farre.” Ha’na said from near Larisa.

As Farre took a step after a step with a stray kur once and twice the three women put down their baggage and stood closer to the tree. To catch Farre in case she'd fall.

As the three of them stood there Ha’na grabbed Larisa’s hand. The black-haired woman was the most touchy-feely out of all of them and Larisa didn't mind that at all. She liked how Ha’na’s skin felt like silk against the rough palm of her own hand. The blond woman liked to stroke her thumb along the surface of her delicate hand. She enjoyed the connection.

As the women were looking up Farre appeared to disappear into the crown of the tree at one point and that left some room for conversation.

“Rowela, why are you so big?” Larisa asked the taller woman. She wasn't jealous of her fellow nachtak’s physique but if there was some secret as to why she grew so big and muscular Larisa would be happy to know. For curiosity’s sake.

At her question Rowela’s brow rose and an expression of amusement took place on her face. The Essence mirrored that.

Ha’na hummed calmly next to Larisa.

“Tell me, kin, how old are you?” Rowela’s voice sounded like a deep pond to Larisa. It was even and had depth to it which Larisa wanted to hear more of. Maybe she'd find out what's under the surface then.

“Twenty, I think.” It would correspond to when Vitash arrived. Larisa had little reason to doubt that.

“Mhm, I see.” Rowela’s hand reached for her chin and she gave it a small but prolonged scratch. “I'm big because I ate a lot of vegetables and used a hammer before I could even walk. At least that's what the person who raised me has said.” As she spoke her eyes met Larisa’s and the blond woman noticed how light blue they were. Almost grey. Almost white.

“But I eat vegetables.” Larisa responded to Rowela’s insight. Ha’na looked at her funny. Larisa noticed. She had great peripheral vision.

“Well, did you have a hammer?” Rowela sounded a good question. Larisa thought about it for a second, but as with most of her memory she couldn’t seem to pierce the veil that hid them. But there was no ever the vaguest impression of ever needing to use a hammer. She knew what a hammer was, at least.

“I didn’t.” The blond woman responded with some disappointment.

“There you go then.” Rowela made a funny sound with her fingers as she brushed her thumb and middle finger together. Larisa had to try that later. “But don’t worry, little kin, you’re plenty big. What’d you need to be bigger for, hm?”

Larisa thought about it for a second. Seemed like Rowela asked good questions.

“I don’t know. I guess I want to be strong.” Responded Larisa. It rang true in the blond woman.

“And why do you want to be strong?” Rowela asked a follow-up question. When she thought about wishing to look more like Rowela, thoughts of strength and how valuable it was, surfaced. It would be nice to be so strong to not have to worry about anything. To not have to worry if she’d be able to protect anyone. Larisa thought back to the bialrys. The memory gave her a realization that maybe she cared about something more than her own survival. She cared about the survival of others. Farre and Ha’na. Rowela now too.

“Hey, guys! I see something!” A scream pierced the air from up top.

“What is it?” Ha’na screamed back. It was so loud to Larisa’s ears. The sound the yells created bashed inside her skull and echoed throughout her head. She let go of Ha’na’s hand and stepped back.

“I’m not sure! Below the mountain! Ruins or something!” Farre voiced out.

“You know something about that, Larisa?” Ha’na asked.

Larisa only went once that close to the mountain, at least considering how Farre described where this place was. She’s never seen any ruins of buildings there. Only rocks and more rocks.

The blond woman shook her head.

“Then I guess we have a goal now! Ruins! How wonderful!” Ha’na went into an overdrive and Larisa felt intrigued but also scared. Why didn’t she know about such a place before?