(Story Starts Here!)
A light rain had started once out of the thin cover the three had provided. Vegetation had become low lying shrubs and mostly meadow, and the rain was able to chill one to the bones without proper protection from the elements. Night was oncoming, but with the cloud cover darkness began to rule early.
Raina rode aside her brother now, a heavy shield on her arm and a grim expression of attention on her face. She was going to ensure nothing got by her guard. Aislynn had been moved to Zalgus' horse, seated with both legs to one side in front of him. His arms secured her, holding onto his reigns and surrounding her with his cloak to shield her from the rain. She had lost her hat, so her face was hidden in the material of his cloak against his chest.
"Do you think the rain will help hide the trail?" Raina asked, peering over her shoulder. Everything looked a misty grey, almost blurry.
"If we were being followed by physical tells... I doubt it," Zalgus replied. He could feel Aislynn shivering, but could not tell if it was from cold or fear.
"How else could one track us?" Raina asked, glancing at her brother.
"I am of the opinion our stalker has the ability to tap into more mystical means."
Raina frowned, wondering if that meant they were being tracked by their spirits. They had slowed their pace in order to not over work the horses. They were still a good distance away and couldn't risk having to stop to rest their mounts.
"Zalgus," Raina said, staring forward now, "did you have an idea of this when you took her in? How serious the group looking for her was?"
He remained quiet for a time, sorting his thoughts and forming his words. His sister did not like it when he hid information from her, and her mood was already terse. Aislynn had tensed as she was talked about, her fingers digging into his red jacket under the cloak.
"When I said there was someone with interest in Aislynn," Zalgus explained slowly, "I knew it was someone of some clout and influence."
"Someone from the West?"
"It is possible this person was originally from there, but now is in the shadows." Zalgus shook his head slowly. "As of now I am certain this person is allied with no nation nor tribe. There are so many branches of fate that following one is akin to drawing a single string from a matted mess. Every small decision causes numerous more flows, and as time passes they only multiply, never solidify."
"I'm sorry," Aislynn whispered.
Raina blinked once, before turning her head away from the wind and toward her brother. He also looked a bit caught off his guard. The idea that she was apologizing for someone's actions against her did not sit well with either sibling. They committed to helping, and neither were willing to renege on such an important word.
"You have nothing to apologize for," Raina said, a warm smile appearing on her face despite the chilly air. She considered such a caring, compassionate soul as Aislynn's to be quite rare, most of them never survived in the world.
"Indeed," Zalgus agreed, keeping his gaze off into the misty grey distance. "If I had not intended to help I would not have picked you off the street. If you keep fretting you will give yourself wrinkles, and that is something of which I simply cannot bare the thought. Leave the worrying to my sister."
Raina sighed, but her smile grew when she heard their friend giggle. It was so strange. For the well being of others, Aislynn's confidence knew no bounds, but for her own sake, she was suddenly timid and unsure. In isolation she fended for herself, but perhaps she feared being a burden to those she desperately considered friends.
During Raina's contemplation, Zalgus engaged Aislynn in a very long, convoluted puzzle conversation. He always did enjoy them, though it had been quickly learned when he was younger that the game would last far longer if he was the puzzle master rather than the player. He posed an open situation to Aislynn, and then would inquire as to what she would do or say. This would continue until the player solved the puzzle - be it murder, theft, or scandal. One of Zalgus' favorite themes was intrigue, so the puzzle was for Aislynn to figure out the complicated knots of noble family interactions.
"But did you not say the noble's son had run to the military to try to stake claim to an estate of an exiled Barony?" Aislynn asked, thoroughly distracted from her fear.
"I did," Zalgus replied, quietly pleased that her color had returned and her shaking had settled. She was maintaining eye contact more consistently as well.
"Then he had no interest in marriage for a comfortable, cushy home with the vidame's daughter."
"A very sound theory." Zalgus had a small smile; she certainly made this game far more interactive. "It seems the two gossiping maids have moved on, what do you do next?"
Aislynn's mind swirled as the gears clicked together. She found herself very involved with the game presented to her, comfortable in the puzzle Zalgus spun around her. There was no one out for her in this creation of a brilliant mind, and so she took the opportunity to escape and enjoy the mental exercise.
Even if it was only for a short time.
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