Naveen

Rina;:

A deep crease formed between my brows as I mounted and nudged softly to move forward. “Knowledge of a prophecy is often was completes it, and then people try to apply it to their life and fit it in like puzzle pieces, yet the same prophecy could be applied to many, is that not true?” I asked.

"It's what makes them so dangerous. Numerous ways, numerous situations, and only one is ever fully right." I agreed softly after mounting my own steed and following after her.

Rina:

“Well I wont let it rule me. I have guided myself so far in my life, and I intend to do the same no matter what some gypsy in the woods says.” I affirmed

"Good. Never let anything rule over you like that Rina." I didn't fully agree with her words, but I wasn't going to stop her. Each had their own way of dealing with the known future. This was perhaps hers.

Rina:

I was quiet for a time as we rode. “What of yours?” I asked finally, after being too hesitant to ask the first couple of times.

"What of mine? Do I believe it? A bit. Our High Priestess spends her day inside a chamber in our temple for the solstice days and the day after she see's the future and people come to her for fortune...." I said carefully. "She predicts right, but we know strongly that the future is what you make of it and interpretation can only happen after the fact."

Rina:

I had been absorbed in my own fortune that I had not given much attention to his own. Now I though back on it what I could, unwilling to admit to myself that it made me a little bit jealous.

I let the silence stretch, using it to slowly go over my fortune, line by line as I leaned over the neck of my horse. Though I had said not to dwell on it, I was doing just that. Trying to find the hidden meaning and words within with no real luck.

Rina:

We were nearly out of the forest, with no more encounters by nightfall. But the day had been overcast by the fortunes, and both of us, though we did not admit to it, were dweling on our own.

As the sun dipped below the horizon I shook myself free of my thoughts and called us to a halt. Leading the way to a small clearing just inside the forest I dismounted and started getting ready to set up camp.

Rina:

I helped get things ready for the evening. “I wonder how the girls are.” I said once everything was set up, and dinner stewing in a pot. The part of my prophecy about friends had me thinking about them.

"Fine I'd imagine. Between Maleen, Wren, and Damien they all should be quite content." I replied as I settled on my rear with a log underneath.

Rina:

“I hope so.” The fortune-teller was right about one thing, I did not love easily, but I thought those two girls might be some of few who I did love.

"They balance each other well. Maleen and Wren. Wren is innocent but has a good head on her shoulders to knowing the hearts of people. Maleen is experienced but a bit naive. They are fine. Dorian will protect them well." I replied as I stirred the pot.

Rina:

“He's only human.” I commented. Compared to those I had seen recently, we seemed like a fairly weak race. Our power was in our sheer numbers alone.

"So are you." I remarked. "And yet here you are." I gestured to her with the spoon carefully. "A princess in disguise, using magical weapons, flirting with an elven lord and dealing with magical creatures as if it was your everyday."

Rina:

I laughed humorlessly. “It has become my every day. I think I'm more comfortable dealing with other races than my own, and facing magical creatures. I am not at home with my people, though I wish to protect them.” I ran a hand through my hair with a sigh.

"Why is that?" I asked softly as I focused my gaze into the fire. I didn't wish to pry but I still wondered.

Rina:

“I think the deepest evil comes from my race.” I answered after a long silence. “Not from all of us, but from many. I look at Maleen, and Wren and how loving and sweet there are, even when I had not been so kind. And you, and your people, how you accepted us into your home. But humans have forced all of your kind into hiding. Enslaved you. Used you to further our own state. We have sent soldiers out, like Dorian, to kill innocents. Killed entire villages just for power.” I gave a heavy sigh. “I think when I became a warrior and saw what we could do, I decided I didn't want to be a part of it, rather simply to protect the innocents on the sidelines.”

"Humans adapt so quickly, multiply and fill every corner of where they spread. While races like mine are slow to adapt, entrenched within tradition and time....humans are not all evil, but evil seems to rise to the top and the rest follow blindly." I murmured after her long spiel.

Rina:

I couldn't keep the prophecy from flickering into my mind. She said I could have darkness in my heart. What would happen if I did rise up and lead the people? Would they follow me? Could I be the evil he spoke of? I was silent.

I left her to her thoughts, dishing up our meals and settling down once more to enjoy my meal. I pushed the prophecy from my head, letting it fade to the background as I just let peace return to my mind.

Rina:

After finishing my dinner I set the bowl aside and scooted up to him. I needed the distraction from my own thoughts and wanted to be close to someone. I leaned my head against his shoulder.

I slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Do you know the names of the stars?"

Rina:

I looked up to the sky. “No, not the real names.” I said looking at the bright circle of sky visible in the clearing.