At the end of the day, there was nothing that could really fix how terribly boring any given patrol was. The occasional bursts of excitement that came from battle was more of a highlight. It didn’t save Lilian or her team from the remaining hours of crushing boredom, of which they couldn’t even allow their minds to wander lest something actually get the drop on them. They did specifically come here to do this, that was the job that they signed a contract for, but it didn’t make this part suck any less.
Lilian turned to look over at Calisto, holding onto a pendant and muttering softly under his breath - presumably in elven. His bow loosely slung over his shoulder while they walked. He spoke entirely to himself, never opening his eyes for a moment. She could hear the melodic tone, not quite song but not quite speech either. Her heart felt lighter as he went through the motions, it held some cold comfort in the creature’s death. It didn’t deserve to die, in a just world it was just another one of the Gods’ creatures fighting for its place in this land. It was unfortunate that it ultimately lost, though that was the nature of things wasn’t it? There was no winning for any individual, only staving off the eventuality of losing your final battle.
Lorne likewise had been in silent contemplation. She had seen that look on his face before, the trance to regain the energy spent on those handful of spells. She longed to talk to them both, but both men were completely absorbed in their ritual. Leaving Lilian alone by their side, again. With all things considered it was probably a good thing that she was still cognizant of her surroundings. Lorne in his trance and Calisto in his chant there was no shot that either would spot a potential threat.
Silence in the forest was rarely a welcome omen. But it was the only one that they had, and for now Lilian was forced to pin the blame squarely on her team. The idea that the sound didn’t scare away any of the wildlife or even draw the attention of bigger scarier threats seemed foolish to her, and even if the trio did somehow turn themselves into the image of the biggest baddest predators in the minds of the local fauna dropping one’s guard in favor walking like they’re the cock of the walk was a quick way to get eaten. Along the road though there was a small formation, Lilian peered at it in the low light and realized that it was a shrine. Small candles lit upon a statue of what was probably a man. Getting closer to it she recognized it for who it was or rather who the it belonged to, it was a shrine to Doran the wanderer. She offered a slight smile and relaxed.
“Hey Lorne,” She asked not taking her gaze away from the shrine. “Gimme some of what you got in your flask.”
Lorne snapped out of his trance and looked near offended at Lilian. “And what for? You got your own drink.” He huffed, crossing his arms.
“It ain’t for me,” Lilian gestured at the statue. “Its for Him. I want to give an offering.”
He looked at the statue and then at her. Staring at her for a long while stubbornly. Lilian met his stare with one of her own, not willing to back down in the slightest. He may be her elder several times over, but she wasn’t willing to just pass by this shrine without offering Doran a gift. With a deep groan Lorne reached down and grabbed his flask, giving it over to her.
“At least leave me some when you’re done.” He grumbled.
Lilian only snickered at him as she began pouring the God a shot, the offering cups right there on his altar, she then poured herself one and raised it up to the deity and downed it.
“We’ll do our best to make sure that this place is untouched.”
There was no response from him. To be expected. One does not simply drink to the Gods and expect them to celebrate too. She went through the motions of cleaning the shot glass for the next faithful who wanted to share their offering with the patron of the roads. While she cleaned the whiskey and spit off of the glass she found herself thinking of the mimic again, and looked back up at the statue.
“There was a fawn down the road, a mimic really.” She started, quietly. “Its meat will only rot, and its bones will lay there until they turn to dust. The body will be of no use to anyone, too fearful that it may come alive again from the smallest drop of blood.”
The statue never moved, the shrine itself never giving any indication that Doran ever heard her. Regardless Lilian continued.
“I ask that you take its soul upon your path and guide it to rest, I ask that flowers bloom in place of it, and that new life take root nourished by what remains.”
The candles flickered, and she felt the wind brush her hair into her face. That would be answer enough. Her shoulders fell and a smile crept onto her face, relief finding its way through her being as a warm mug of cider. The promise of a God was never loud, but it was certain. She did a little more sprucing up of the altar, it was the least she could do for him after what he did.
“Rest up boys,” She said as she swept up dust and leaves off of the shrine and out the door. “We’ll be back at it in no time. Think its about time for us to head back to town.”
Both men mumbled agreements as they set about finding their own things to pass some of the time. If they’d planned on staying a while maybe they could sit down and make a proper meal, but the tavern will still be open when they get back so a few coin for some ale and a roast and if they’re lucky? Maybe there’d even be something sweet left. Lorne plopped down near the door, keeping his gaze locked on the evening skies. It wasn’t quite dusk yet, but the afternoon had long since left them. Taking out a small knife and a piece of wood he began to whittle it. Humming a tune while he kept watch. Meanwhile Calisto set his pack on the window and started to rummage through it. Taking out something wrapped in cheese cloth she could still nearly smell his travel rations.
“Are you still snacking on that lichen?” She looked up at him, brow raised.
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“And what of it?” He popped the honey coated greens into his mouth. “Its good.” And only laughed when she rolled her eyes at him. “Cher come on, try it. Elven cookin’ will grow on you.”
“Yea, and then I’ll grow out of my armor.”
Calisto snorted at her, but continued with his snack. Lilian finished up sweeping and put the broom back where she’d found it. Hopefully whatever priest kept this shrine would appreciate it. Dusting her hands off she looked at her companions.
“Alright boys, time to go.” She cast one last look at the altar and bowed her head, she would have to remember to make a return trip, that fawn wasn’t going to be the last of creation that they destroyed. “I for one would love to have a real meal back in town.”
The party gathered up their things and started out once again. Walking back towards town and as they fell back into comforting silence they shifted into their alert patrol once again. Lilian in front, Calisto in back, and Lorne in between them both. The sound of the crunching dirt below them and the wind blowing through the trees being their only comfort. Sound had returned to them, if she tried hard enough Lilian could even hear the sounds of crickets starting up. Her attention snapped towards a sound that wasn’t there just moments before, rustling in the grass and bushes. Coming to a stop she put her hand on her hilt, staring at the brush waiting to see what it was.
It was another fawn. Similar to the first, though not nearly in a similar state. Lilian wasn’t fooled though. Its development was too uneven, spots in the wrong places, and had just one too many toes on its hooves. It was another mimic for sure, but given this one’s size it was more than likely it was an actual juvenile. It hadn’t fully learned from its sire, and it was vulnerable like this. But, she had a job to do.
She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, she had a job to do. Drawing her sword she eyed the fawn, pathetic bleating noises as it tried to call for aid.
“I’m sorry little one, its wildfire season.”
She swung her sword in an upward strike, catching it on the side of the head and cut a deep gash on the side of it. Bone against steel she moved in time with its panicked jerky escape. Falling over itself when arrows sprouted from its flank. She watched for only a heartbeat as it writhed on the ground, staining the grass red with its flailing.
She once again held her sword up, taking the grip in both hands, “I’m sorry little one,” She whispered softly. “Its wildfire season.” And drove the tip through its skull.
Feeling the blade take root in the ground below it writhed for only a few seconds more, but as the seconds passed its twitching from the last dying gasps of its being stilled. They all stood so far from the shrine of Doran, but even as Lilian turned to look back at it she could still see it. She looked back at the body of the fawn, her gaze lingering there. Taking a deep breath she mumbled that same prayer. Waiting for his answer.
“Come on,” Lorne said nudging her softly. “Let’s go, we’re burning daylight.”
“Yea.. yea.. I’m coming.” Lilian replied, though not really looking at either man. She leaned down and picked a few flowers, resting them on the body.
This is just how it was, this is how it has always been. The strong decide who among the weak deserve to live. It was the cold logic of the sword, prove your worthiness to not only live, but to take up space. To take up resources. She wondered what made her different from these mimics, aside from the obvious. She would not be here today without someone giving her the materials to survive, she would not be here without someone taking the time to teach her. Not at any point did she earn any of it, it wasn’t until she was grown that she could have even began to earn her keep. And she did so by steel.
“Lily,” Lorne said a little firmer, though no less gently. “We should go. We’ve still a whiles to walk.”
She nodded, finally tearing her gaze away from the fawn and started walking with them. Calisto in front, Lilian in back, and Lorne by her side. Calisto kept his bow at the ready, this battle was a little quieter but there was always the chance that something new was going to be on the prowl, there was always the chance that something new might be distracted by an abandoned kill. He didn’t feel confident in expecting it to be the latter, especially with the state of things. Lorne watched Lilian from the corner of his eye while she cleaned off her blade before sheathing it. He held his hand out for the rag and automatically she gave it to him, the markings that had been carved throughout his skin lighting up a gentle flickering orange as he took a breath drawing in aether. Releasing it sparks and embers flowed from his mouth and the rag caught fire, dropping it onto the ground to watch it burn.
“It’ll get easier,” He said stomping it out. “I know it don’t seem like it but it will.”
“We have a job.” Lilian’s voice was without emotion, “Its what we’re being paid to do.”
He considered her as they walked, looking at her as he chewed on his words.
“Yup, but ain’t nothin’ sayin’ that we gotta do it to the letter.” Lorne looked at her seriously, “We do it to our judgement, to what we think is safest for them folk.”
Lilian tried to look at him in return, to decipher the expression that the dwarf had, but looking into the bearded man’s face she only found the pathways that were painstakingly worked into his skin. The white lines that crisscrossed and wound all over his face following the natural channels in his body that connected him to the world’s leylines.
“They won’t want that,” She said finally, “They want to feel safe, not just be safe.”
“There’s no such thing Lily Pad.” Lorne pat her on the arm. “There’s no such thing. Safety comes and goes, safety is the hearth. Iffin they work at it, then they will feel it. They just gotta stoke the flames and be ready for when it was for naught.”
She glanced back towards Calisto, who was either pretending not to listen, more focused on making sure the way was clear, or simply had nothing to say.
“But that’s why they hired us, to make sure it wasn’t all for naught.” Lilian looked a little frustrated at him and put her gaze firmly on the road before them.
“Mhmm, like I said that is what we’s gettin’ paid for. But they ain’t gonna get what they want, if they want perfection then they could save the gold and just ask the gods.” He threw his arms wide, much like a priest would. “The gods provide, they protect all those who honor them. Long as ye giveth the coin all will have their shield!”
Lilian snorted at his theatrics. Watching him gesticulating wilding as he preached. “You have a point, but still, they do still have a standard, and there’s a very real chance they might want to try to call in another team because our work isn’t good enough.”
“Let ‘em try then.” He said puffing up his chest. “We’s the only team within a country mile and they’ve already piddled around for too long, iffin we leave? They’re on their own.”
She shook her head, looking back towards the road. The trio had come a long way from the shrine, and the town was in sight. It was all that they needed, some food. Some rest. And now with they lay of the land, they could start one of the more important parts of this whole ordeal, planning.