“Do we even know where we’re going?” Rowela said from behind the three running women. They were jogging slower than when they started, with Ha’na needing to be pulled lightly by Larisa to keep up. The taller woman held her strongly by her hand.
“Let’s just go as far as we can first.” Farre said. She was the best runner out of all of them. With jumps nimble and quick, as well as graceful and careful steps, she led them forward.
The vegetation around them did not change as much compared to previous area they’ve been at. Larisa noticed a small change in the kind of trees that grew here, though. There were much more trees like hikora, with gentle and thin leaves, instead of tall palms. Larisa knew that could be due to them coming closer to the mountain. Vegetation changed drastically nearer the centre.
“We should head east. Closer to the mountain.” Larisa offered with a laboured breath.
“Why there?” Farre asked.
“Vegetation’s dense there and it has a higher vantage point.”
“Sounds-“ A shaky breath in. “-good-” Shaky breath out. “-to me.” And that was Ha’na’s input. Larisa could feel that she needed to pull the black-haired woman more. It was not going to work for much longer.
“Stop for a second.” Larisa asked the women.
“Why? What’s happened?” Farre immediately got nervous.
“Rowela, hold this, please.” The tall woman gave her fellow nachtek the satchel with the book in it. Rowela took it as she nodded. After that Larisa kneeled next to Ha’na and turned her back to her.
“Ha’na, get on.” She needed to carry her or else the running was not going to work.
“Are you sure? Your arm is still tender.” Ha’na’s voice was still shaky and her breathing fast.
“I’m going to be fine.” Responded Larisa.
It was true that her arm was still tender and going down the spur so quickly definitely didn’t aid in healing it but what other choice did she have? She couldn’t leave Ha’na to die of exhaustion.
“Your not. I can see how your shoulder is dropped. You were barely able to hand me this bag.” Rowela said from Larisa’s side. “Get up and take the satchel and the axe. I’ll carry the lady.” The blacksmith offered and Larisa felt a weird sensation settle over her heart.
It was not something she felt before. Of that she was quite certain. It felt almost like she wanted to punch Rowela. That couldn’t be right. Right?
“Don’t look like that at me, kin. I’m not going to take your woman.” Rowela was starting to feel irritated. The Essence around her squeezed itself closer together and danced in a chaotic pattern.
“My woman?” Was Ha’na Larisa’s woman? She didn’t think so. Could you even own a woman? No book said so.
“Merciful Hal take pity on me.” A whisper and then. “Larisa, come on! Listen to Ro. Ha’na, get on Rowela.” Farre ordered everyone and Larisa reluctantly agreed. She didn’t want to argue. Not with Farre.
“Don’t worry Larisa. You’re the only one for me.” The black-haired woman made a small laugh after she said.
As Ha’na passed the blond woman, she took a hold over her good hand and squeezed it quickly. Larisa squeezed back. Ha’na’s tone seemed to hold some sort of amusement that Larisa couldn’t quite understand the source of. The black-haired woman’s eyes shined with a gentleness Larisa was getting accustomed to. She let her hand go.
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“You’re so useless.” A tiny whisper came from where Farre stood. Larisa looked over where she stood but the red-head quickly turned and resumed to walk.
“Here you go.” Rowela helped Larisa put the satchel on her back and gave her the axe. Larisa held it in her left hand and was surprised at how heavy it was. She usually only used a dagger and a bow. Two things that were not that heavy. She felt a bit impressed with Rowela. Being able to move this axe as smoothly as she did was surely not a small feat.
Larisa watched as Ha’na hopped onto Rowela’s back and she couldn’t help but grate her teeth. What was this feeling?
With an irritated huff, the blond woman turned and followed Farre.
She had to figure out what this feeling was quickly or else Larisa felt as if she was going to explode.
----------------------------------------
“So, you definitely don’t have a map?” It was maybe a hundredth time Farre asked that question.
“No, I don’t.” It was always the same response from Larisa.
This back and forth has been going for a good hour, Larisa thought.
The women finally stopped after a tremendously exhausting marathon. Even Farre looked tired which was telling something. Out of all of them Ha’na looked the most immaculate. Her black hair was least dishevelled and Larisa thought she looked cute with the baggy armour on.
Since they stopped, Larisa couldn’t leave Ha’na’s side for some reason. It had something to do with Rowela’s presence, she suspected. But a clear explanation for her behaviour still eluded her.
“This is so bad.” Face in hands was Farre’s favourite move to show how disappointed and frustrated she was. “Ro, you got anything?”
“Nothing, I’m afraid.” Answered Rowela who splayed herself over a whole log. Such a waste of space.
Larisa and Ha’na on the other hand sat closely together on the bear skin. Ha’na said she was cold so they needed to keep close to each other. The night was approaching.
“You really didn’t take anything from them?” Farre was insistent.
“No, Farre. I didn’t have time to steal while sneaking around. It was a miracle nobody noticed me.” Rowela mention before, when they sat down, that she sneaked away with a small platoon of soldiers that were heading into the jungle. Apparently, she knew Farre quite well and couldn’t leave her alone. Which meant going into a treacherous jungle. Larisa respected her for that and for some reason it also frustrated her.
“We can navigate the jungle the old-fashioned way. The night sky has been clear for the past couple of days so we should be able to look to the stars.” Ha’na offered from underneath Larisa’s arm.
“That’s viable, I suppose.” Farre gained some energy. “This whole thing just feels insane. I thought the army wasn’t going to come in the jungle and now we have a squad after us. All for some stupid scale we stupidly decided to steal.” The Essence around her buzzed with spicy agitation. “This is your fault, you know that?” Farre pointed a finger at Larisa. “If it wasn’t for you, we would not be in this situation.” She finished with anger lacing her words.
Larisa didn’t like the tone nor the sentiment. Before she was able to say anything Ha’na interjected.
“Speak for yourself. And by the way, if it wasn’t for Larisa you would be dead. We are all in this situation together. You don’t have to like it, Farre, but you should at least try to be civil.” Ha’na leaned closer forward to where Farre was seated. Her expression conveyed irritation and anger.
Larisa felt strangely warm after Ha’na defended her.
When she looked to Farre her eyes were downcast and she was tightly gripping her amour. Larisa could tell from the strain she saw on the back of her hands.
“I know. Of course, I know it’s not anyone’s fault.” A shaky exhalation and a sob. Larisa sensed how the Essence around Farre swelled with sadness. “It’s just-It’s just not something I wanted, you know?” Another choked sound.
Rowela stood up and came closer to Farre. They hugged.
“Shh, little one. It’s going to be alright.” Rowela’s strong hand covered Farre’s shoulder and head. The smaller woman hid herself underneath the blacksmith’s chin and Larisa could hear small hiccups coming from Farre.
Larisa’s heart ached, and her mind struggled with a sudden realization. She’s never asked Farre if she felt fine with this. Even back at the camp, despite Farre’s reluctant attitude and constant waves of fear coming off of her, Larisa never stopped to question how others might feel with her actions. Ha’na seemed to be along for the ride, so to speak, but with Farre Larisa felt she neglected obvious signs.
“I’m sorry, Farre.” The blond woman spoke. She wanted to fix it, to make Farre feel better, but how was she going to do that? “I’m so sorry.”
Neither Farre nor Rowela responded to her apology. Ha’na brought Larisa closer to her shoulder and squeezed her so gently and warm that Larisa felt a prickle in her eyes. Just like Farre, she wanted to cry.
The women went to sleep quietly, with Larisa standing watch.
The Essence around the makeshift camp, that they made in a hurry, was heavy with serious feelings. Sadness, frustration, despair, and guilt swirled around the midnight air. The small fire they made tried to warm Larisa, but for some reason, even when she brought her hands closer to the flame, she felt so cold.