Naveen

Rina:

I hugged her then hugged Maleen. She had her wide worried eyes. I assured her that everything was fine and I would see her soon. She was always able to sense things. I nodded to Dorian. Things had been distant between us since the other night. I made my way back to the courtyard apprehensively.

I waited with Callan, talking with him quietly with my helmet tucked under an arm.

Rina:

I spotted Talon and Callan and moved over to them with my small pack slung over my shoulder. I was wearing a casual green dress that I could move in if needed, but I was looking forward to getting back into my usual attire once we reached the bottom. "Ready?" I asked quietly, not looking forward to the journey down.

I turned to look at Rina, lifting an eyebrow at her attire. "I would have expected you to change into more...well what you usually wear." I shrugged. "Do you want Callan to muffle your senses so you don't have any problems coming down?"

Rina:

“No, thank you. I can bare it.” I said with a shake of my head. It couldn’t be worse than the first time.

I gave only a single nod. "Then if you are ready we can head out after you choose someone to be linked too." I stated gently, holding up a length of rope.

Rina:

I looked him in the eyes for a moment, he didn’t have to ask. “Cant it be to you?” I asked quietly.

I nodded and stepped closer to her. I kept my eyes on her face as my hands began working the rope around her hips. Fingers brushed over her body as I worked the rope against her. Soon enough I pulled it snug and then worked the rope around my own body, staying close to her.

Rina:

I dropped my gaze and felt a light warmth in my cheeks, the actions seemed intimate and it made me forget my anxiety for a moment.

"All set, you ready Rina?" I asked her softly, once I was fully tied.

~timeskip~

Panting softly I stepped out of the fog, a bloody blade held in one hand while I held onto Rina's hand with the other. Calaan stepped out after me his own blade just as bloody, though he was holding his sword arm with a pained look on his face. We had made it. And not a scratch or drop of blood on Rina though the rope that had tied us together was gone.

Rina:

I was tense and my pulse was racing but relief flooded me when the mist had fully cleared around us. My shoulders relaxed but I didn’t let go of Talon’s hand, I felt safe and secure with him now. Aero and Iris buzzed around with soft chirps.

I slowly eased the blade onto my back, noting I needed to clean the blood off later before it rusted the metal. "That was....better than I expect."

Rina:

I glanced up to his face but remained silent. I wonder what he expected that made what we had been through better. As my pulse calmed I realized my hand was still in his and pulled away gently. One anxiety had passed but now I remembered the other more daunting one. And this time I wouldn't have anyone at my side. I took in a deep breath. The sooner I set out the better.

I turned to the two men who had escorted me down the mountain. "Thank you very much for getting me so quickly and safe." I said then hesitation. I didn't want to be left just yet but I had no more need for them.

Talon:

I moved over to a boulder, leaning against it after drawing out the bloody weapon. "Where do you think you planned on heading Rina?" I didn't look at her as I pulled out a cloth to start wiping off the black blood.

Rina:

"I'm going to collect provisions from a scout Brian sent then I'll head south to the bay. He needs me to retrieve something for him." I answered Talon, remembering the last time I had been sent for something it had been a person. I hoped Talon wouldn't question me, or draw conclusions about where I was going. The bay area was known for their worship of the vampire colony that lived in the cliffs.

I glanced to Callan and shook my head with an amused chuckle. "Not what I meant Rina. I am bringing you to Brian or his messenger first. There was something he wanted from me, and until I can be sure you are safely on your way. I will be staying with you."

Rina:

Some of the tension left my shoulders, but I knew it wouldn’t last for long. “He should be camped along the main road, it won’t take long to find him.” I told Talon with a soft sigh.

"Rina. Sit down. Take a breath. Moving through the mists is hell. Even for us. Brian isn't going anywhere, so we can sit here and take a moment to relax." I said before tapping the rock beside me. From my belt I withdrew a wineskin full of fresh water that I set down beside me. I went back to cleaning my weapon. "That isn't a request you know."

Rina:

I went over after a moment of hesitation and sat on the rock next to him. I leaned against the boulder while I took a few swigs of water. I felt tired and now that I was sitting I had no motivation to leave.

"It's hard. I know." I said softly as I worked the cloth into the small crannies of the blade. "The mists...are not easy."

Rina:

“No they aren’t.” I said softly closing my eyes. The mist’s had been hard and frightening, but I was more frightened and anxious for my next task than I had ever been before.

I glanced to her, slowly slipping the blade onto my back. I shook my head and wiped my hands clean before pocketing the cloth. I reached over then to grab the waterskin from her hands to take a long drink.

Rina:

I opened my eyes as his movement and watched him for a moment. My distain for him was gone now, something I could never have thought would happen in the beginning. I gave a heavy sigh and got back to my feet. “Let me know when you are ready. I would like to be on my way as soon as possible.” There was no point in prolonging it, that would only give me more time to worry.

"We were simply waiting for you Rina. You still look like you have something on your mind though." I stood and whistled for Calan who came out of the woods with his arm working again.

Rina:

“I’m just preparing for my next assignment.” I said dismissively clasping my hands in front of me. “I’ll be happy when I’m working again.” It would have been true if it was any other assignment, as it was, my statement lacked certainty.

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