Hrafen started preparing the wagon for travel. It was clear he's done this a lot from how naturally he moved. Checking for broken parts, securing the horses that would pull it, everything you could think of. Until eventually he motioned to her battered body. "So, how did you end up like this?"

Yoka climbed aboard the back of the wagon. "I don't know. But shouldn't I be asking you the questions? Who are you? We've never met, not like I'd remember if we did. Why am I not allowed in the city? Why do you have a raven?"

He chuckled. "Slow down, no need to rush. First, I am Hrafen and this is my partner Corba. I just found you after I was done at the city market. A hunch told me to get you on this wagon. But you don't seem any special to me. Either way, they don't allow fox spirits inside because of tussles at a neighboring city."

"So I'm a spirit? And what do you mean by tussles?"

"Do you not know anything? Fox spirits are seen as liars, everyone knows that. Some of your kind stole valuable items, and are faking innocence while the city is trying to have them arrested."

Yuka briefly took notice of Corba, which was perched next to him, its gaze transfixed on her, unfaltering. "You seem too young to know about this stuff though. And look, I'm not an idiot, I hardly remember anything that happened before a few hours ago. I lost my memory. All I know is I woke up injured next to a river in those woods", she said, pointing.

"I have some helpful sources. Also, what's this about lost memories? That sounds infuriating. We can talk about it in a minute, as soon as we get this wagon moving." He quickly finished preparing the last pieces and approached the front. "Ready? I'm taking you to my place a couple of hours from here, so make yourself comfortable."

"Yeah, let's go", Yuka replied, gently lying down on a pile of cloth.

The wagon began its trek down the dirt path, heading the same way where she came. Each bump and lurch caused her to wince, but she tried to endure the best she could. Yoka took the time to gather her thoughts. "I have lost some of my memory, everyone I've met is hostile to me, and the only person who isn't is some weird kid. He sure looks insane, those clothes don't match at all. But he seems friendly from what I've seen so far."

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"So", Hrafen said, "you claim you lost your memory? What stuff have you forgotten? How are you able to speak if you can't remember anything?" He glanced at her, eyes narrowed.

Yuka rolled hers and thought for a few seconds. "I somehow can speak, I knew what things I saw were, I somehow remember being burned before, yet I have no clue when or how."

She replied, "I can remember basic things to live, as well as some non-important stuff. I remember getting burnt once. I remember words. Yet anything major is gone. I forgot who I've met, who I used to be, and everything I've been through."

"Okay, and the mark on your stomach? How did you get that?"

"How do you know about that?"

He smiled. "Lucky guess?"

Yoka cast a suspicious stare his way before she raised a part of her torn shirt, revealing the mark. "I don't know, but it's burnt onto me."

Hrafen took the time to turn around and look at her. "That mark looks like a rune, a nasty one. No wonder your memory is gone. See that teardrop-looking thing? That creates a fragile soul. A soul is a part of every being, and any damage to it would impact them greatly. It being broken would explain memory loss. Have you been feeling off lately?"

"My limbs have been sluggish and I was dizzy and sick when I woke up. How do you even know this much anyhow? First, it was the politics, and now this?"

Hrafen grinned before he quickly turned his head away, but Yuka caught the drop in his face. "Doesn't matter. The other symbol is neutral. It can either help you or harm you." His voice was somber.

She didn't feel right asking what was wrong, so she carried on their convo instead. "What does it mean though?"

"The power your soul uses depends on your mood. If you're angry, it'll rampage, if you're happy, it'll shine."

"Oh, okay I guess." Conversation ceased as Yuka went deep into thought. "That was vague. Anyways, how did I get this mark to begin with? Did I do it to myself or did someone do it to me?" Yuka glanced over at Corba, which was still staring at her. "What is up with that raven? It sure seems intent on staring. Also, Hrafen mentioned souls, and how mine is broken, but what exactly are souls?"

She decided to ask that last question aloud and Hrafen replied, "Souls are the core of every living thing. I already mentioned how it is connected to your body and mind, but a soul also holds power. You can use it for magic."

Yuka wondered what he meant by magic, but figured she could figure that out easily later. She instead asked, "So if my soul is broken, as you said, then how do I fix it? And will I get my memories back?"

"I don't know. Not many people have had it happen, and they usually just die. All I know is a soul impacts you mentally and physically. Besides, you're a spirit, your kind are more connected to souls."

"Well, that's extremely unhelpful," Yuka replied, glancing at him with annoyance.

"What can I say? The best way to know is to find out yourself. I know some stuff, but not everything. That would take too much effort", he said, then yawned.

"Whatever. I am gonna take a nap, wake me when we are there." Yuka rolled over and tried to doze off.

"Sure thing", came the reply.