Oh, For One With a Soul as I

by **Ninus Aurellius** on February 5th, 2014, 5:52 am

The Prince of Rats

Ninus made sure Jack was cuddled up next to the fire, wrapped in canvas and warm. He made sure to bank the fire, to keep it running low and slow all night. They would need the warmth with this cruel winter. He laid one layer of canvas below him, wrapping himself in it. His thin form folded up easily, and Cricet snuggled against his hips and groin. He made a cave of the canvas, cuddled up into it with Cricet snug and warm.

The morning broke through the icy treeline and Ninus shivered in the canvas, opening his eyes to see Cricet nuzzling him intently. She wanted the fire back...despite banking, the coals were still and dead. Ninus groaned and sat up, running his hand through his hair and letting Cricet bound off to relieve herself in the snow.

The poisoner opened his kit to get the knife and struck it against the last of the kindling, managing to coax a fire out of the dry sticks. He added more and more to it, until he was able to break down boughs again and get it running. He shivered and grabbed his canvas, settling down. He hissed when Cricet tried to burrow back between his legs. "Thy feet are sopping!" he yelped, pulling her out and holding her to his chest. He looked over at Sigrun, smiling gently. He'd let her sleep by the fire until she awoke naturally.

He wondered...would she go to Sunberth with him? The roads were dangerous to travel alone, and it was always a good idea to have a companion that could...well...actually speak back to him.

by **Sigrun Dominic** on February 5th, 2014, 8:15 am

She found her coat next to her blade. She had been so distracted with Ninus' story to notice her things arranged neatly by the side of the bonfire. The politeness the young man had, in spite of his past experiences, was refreshing. She laid her coat upon the ground and curled up in it with the fur wrapped around her. She kept her sword by her side but felt that if the poisoner had any ill intentions with her, he would have done so from the very beginning. Her vulnerable state away from the camp while he was eating was enough of an opportunity to take advantage of her, and yet he did not.

The shadows grew longer and longer until they collided into one another and became one. She watched Ninus as he took care of his old horse and his large rat. Slowly, her eyelids began to droop until they were far too heavy to keep open. She dozed off at the blurry sight of the dark haired man feeding the fire.

She woke up to the sound of stone and metal striking against one another, to the sound of the fat rat's footsteps sinking into the snow, fading into the background, and then the crackling sound of the reignited bonfire. She closed her eyes and snuggled into the fur. She had never felt so much peace in such a long, long time.

She realized, as well, that she had not dreamed. Every single night before that evening was plagued by recurring nightmares; harsh memories and malevolent ideas cultivating themselves until they formed roots as thick as those that hold down trees. They had been reduced into a soft rot over time, but it lingered. When Snowe was losing his breath, every demon fell apart. The Inganu's memory, however, became the sole ghost that roamed her mind.

She thought of Ninus, who she could hear breaking more pieces of wood to add to the fire, and how his presence was a huge contributor to her current comfort. It had been a long time since she was this close to a human whom she could converse cordially with. The young man was so polite.

"Thy feet are sopping!" she heard him say. Sigrun's eyes slowly fluttered open at watched with slight amusement as Ninus struggled with the fat rat as it fought to keep its place on his lap.

She smiled and closed her eyes once more. The desire for sleep was still in her, and she welcomed it happily. She didn't know how long the serenity would last. The burnt wood that had turned a stark black from yesterday's fire emitted a strong, almost intoxicating aroma that reminded her of the days her family had been complete and had a lit hearth and a warm home.

She awoke a few bells later to find Ninus silently tending to the fire, enveloped in his large canvas with the large rat in his arms. He looked as much at ease as she surely did.

"Where did you get him?" she asked, her voice cracking as her vocal chords roused slowly from her slumber. She sat up slightly and referred to the large rodent with her gaze. It was an interesting creature, clearly intelligent and domesticated, but unusually large by her standards. He appeared to have had it for quite a long time, considering the connection the two seemed to have.

"And good morning," she added with a soft, grateful smile, "did you sleep well?"

by **Ninus Aurellius** on February 7th, 2014, 9:36 pm

The Prince of Rats

Ninus looked up at Sigrun when the woman sat up and asked him about Cricet. He chuckled. "My dear woman, myself and Jack are the only men here. My lady of the streets is a fine, dear companion...she is from a place far from here, where giant tigers stalk the forests." he said. He rubbed under Cricet's chin. "I found her in the darkness of one of the Syliran streets, cowering from the demons, a young creature whose eyes had not seen much of this world. My knights of the dock took offense to her, and I only found her by their cries of rage and hers of agony."

He stood and wrapped the canvas around himself, tucking it about his shoulders so it wouldn't easily slip from his frame. His horse was already up, stripping pine needles with a displeased look on his face and snuffling about in the snow for slightly more edible fare. He would have to pack up camp and move soon, it was dangerous to stay too close to the road. Bandits were his last concern; he knew how to deal with them from growing up with them. In winter they were foul-tempered, desperate, and unobservant. But if the knights found him like this, they wouldn't hesitate. The rotten bastards.

Ninus began packing up his things, calling Jack with a click of his tongue. "My lady...I wonder if thy sensibility would not be welcome on such a journey as mine?" he asked of Sigrun. "I would relish the company of another who may reply in a voice I hear outside of my head."

The horse grudgingly trudged over and Ninus slid his poison kit into one of the horse's saddlebags. "Thy journey would fear not bandits, and in Sunberth perhaps thy mourning would be eased?" he pointed out as he packed up, Cricet eagerly scrabbling up Jack's tail and snuggling down in the canvas. She enjoyed riding the horse, she was warm against his fur and the canvas, and could sneak a little dog meat if she pleased.

by **Sigrun Dominic** on February 9th, 2014, 3:00 pm

"My dear woman, myself and Jack are the only men here," Ninus responded with a chuckle. Sigrun blushed slightly. Jack, she thought, that must be his horse's name. She watched the rat snuggle against Ninus and felt again the awe that she had experienced earlier at the rodent's docility.

"My lady of the streets is a fine, dear companion... She is from a place far from here, where giant tigers stalk the forests."

And where is that? Her jaw slackened. Her eyes were filled with wonder at the thought of the huge creatures he was referring to. Tigers, she looked back to the stories that she'd heard from her mother. They were like big cats. Wherever it was, it was a place she found herself wanting to travel to.

Before she could ask, however, she found herself distracted by Ninus as he rose from his place on the ground and began to pack his things onto his horse's back. Sigrun's heart immediately sank.

It had only been a good few hours, but she found herself already yearning for more of the man's company, or simply the company of another human being, regardless of who, so long as they could hold a good conversation. It had been too long, and to have a taste of companionship now had made her pine for more of it immensely.

"My lady... I wonder if thy sensibility would not be welcome on such a journey as mine?" the young man spoke out. Sigrun looked up from the waning fire, her ears perking up at his words. A journey? She pondered.

"I would relish the company of another who may reply in a voice I hear outside of my head."

The young blonde chuckled, watching the large rat climb up Jack's tail and onto his back. She'd felt instantly lighter then, knowing that the young man desired her company. He was pleasant to have around and interesting to listen to, in spite of his quirkiness and his demons, but perhaps it was precisely those things that made him so intriguing. His depth of character only made her want to share with him what she thought was her own depth. A journey like this would be a means to share tales and learn, to see the world, and to heal wounds. To recover.

"Thy journey would fear not bandits, and in Sunberth perhaps thy mourning would be eased?"

She tilted her head to the side. "Sunberth?"

She stood up, leaving her coat and fur on the ground while she fastened her blade back onto her waist. She began to pack her things herself, putting on her coat and keeping her fur close to her.

"I don't think I've ever heard of that place," she looked back once more to the tales of her mother, feeling the familiarity of the name but not even the slightest bit of a recognition, "is that the place with the huge tigers?"

She felt clueless and a little bit silly, but nonetheless she was excited. "I would be delighted to accompany you," she grinned, "as for bandits, I have no problem with that." She grinned and patted the cutlass that hung at the side of her waist.

"I haven't, however, have all my belongings. I have things suited for travel and survival back at the Traveler's Row but I unfortunately do not have a horse."

by **Ninus Aurellius** on February 9th, 2014, 10:21 pm

The Prince of Rats

Ninus chuckled. "Sunberth is a place of chaos and hatred, my lady. It would not do me well to lie to thee, it is a place for hearts of iron and cold eyes. They are nests of rats squabbling with one another...yet were it to organize, it would be a great ally." he said. "Since revenge is but a babe in my heart, and more helpless, it is my duty to make it into the giant it shall be. Hatred shall fuel it, wisdom shall tame it, until it is something to loosen the bowels of the demons of Syliras."

He looked down at her cutlass when Sigrun patted it. "Thy hand would not slay more of my kinsmen before my mother has seen a month through dead eyes." he said. "My mother and father knew many of the men here who choose a life of crime...as did many who sat me on their laps when I was but a babe knew my mother and father. Three sunsets we shall travel, then we shall know that any men who live by the sword there are not my family, nor known to me."

The poisoner stroked Jack's neck, thinking. She needed to get her supplies...perhaps...he frowned in thought. "I shall meet thee at the edges of the wildlands, within sight of the City." he told her. "If thy heart wishes purchase a horse. It shall be a long road."

by **Sigrun Dominic** on February 15th, 2014, 8:35 am

"Sunberth is a place of chaos and hatred, my lady. It would not do me well to lie to thee, it is a place for hearts of iron and cold eyes. They are nests of rats squabbling with one another... yet were it to organize, it would be a great ally."

Sigrun did not quite understand. No definite image of a place so wrought with disorder could form in her head, as throughout her entire life she had lived in a place so well-kept. Syliras, she thought, was so organized that to have it the other way around was simply unimaginable.

At least, it was to her. Her imagination was never good for anything she hadn't already seen. The young blonde moved towards the edge of the woods and gazed over at the morning. She could see Syliras not too far off, and the winding road that led to it.

"Since revenge is but a babe in my heart, and more helpless, it is my duty to make it into the giant it shall be. Hatred shall fuel it, wisdom shall tame it, until it is something to loosen the bowels of the demons of Syliras."

She started to laugh to herself. Ninus said so many things at a time that it was often so overwhelming, and it didn't help that his choice of words felt more suited for a riddle than a conversational statement.

"Thy hand would not slay more of my kinsmen before my mother has seen a month through dead eyes," he said. Sigrun glanced over at her cutlass hanging around her waist. She had never slain anyone, and neither did she find it in her power to do such a thing.

"My mother and father knew many of the men here who choose a life of crime... as did many who sat me on their laps when I was but a babe knew my mother and father. Three sunsets we shall travel, then we shall know that any men who live by the sword there are not my family, nor known to me."

It was silly, but she found herself listening to him most of the time, ruminating over his words and over herself. She nodded softly, smiling as he went over to Jack and began to pet him.

"I shall meet thee at the edges of the wildlands, within sight of the City. If thy heart wishes purchase a horse. It shall be a long road."

"Yes, I plan to," she finally spoke up after a while. Turning around and looking at the early morning sun, she assumed it would be mid-morning by the time she would be back at Syliras, and far past afternoon by the time she was finished gathering her things. Patting the money pouch she had by her waist out of instinct, she hoped she had enough money for everything they would need.

Food, she licked her lips. It was one of the things they would need during the journey. She turned to Ninus and waved goodbye.

"I'll be back late in the afternoon. I'll get myself a horse, maybe a cart, and some food for us."

Syliras City, Windmount District
32nd of Winter, 513 AV

Sigrun was exhausted from the long walk, and even more so from having to maneuver through the crowds within the citadel walls as soon as she had managed to get back. It was a little past mid morning and the winter air was giving her body the chills. She had already broken into a cold sweat.

I hope I don't get sick, she frowned, entering the Windmount District after having escaped the busy roads and noisy peddlers. The knights gave her stern looks, seeing as she was rushing through the city with conspicuous speed. She finally slowed down in front of the Windmount stables, where the green fenced pasture was a sight for sore eyes. The luscious color of the grass was a stark difference to the grays and browns that covered the stone walls and buildings. Sigrun sighed and rested against a wooden post, catching her breath. She could hear whinnying from the barns ahead of her.

But which one should I go to? She looked around her, finding that there weren't that many people around.

"Can I help you?"

Sigrun turned around and gasped softly. A young man with long blonde hair, characteristic sideburns, and calm eyes greeted her with a twitch of his lips.

"Yes, sorry, I-" she moved backwards and watched the empty pasture for a moment before turning to him once more, "I'm looking to purchase a horse."

"That barn over there," he pointed to the barn on the edge of the property, "look for Serena."

"Thank you," she nodded and went on her way.

She wondered where the young man was off to and if he worked in the stables. She never frequented the other districts apart from Nettle, and knew only the faces of the people who lived there. The rest of the people in the other districts might as well have lived in different cities. The city was far too large for her to know everybody.

The barn reeked of manure, grass, and hay bales. She could hear grumbles and whinnies coming from each of the pens but found herself more focused on the muddiness of the ground as she walked through the entrance. She was immediately greeted by a woman hand-feeding a dark stallion with a white patch on its forehead.

"Looking for a horse?" the woman, presumably Serena, looked at Sigrun and smiled warmly. Her eyes shined but had a vacancy in them that put Sigrun off, but she nonetheless found the woman engaging. The young blonde found herself envying Serena's rich brown curls. Sigrun nodded meekly, returning the smile as she approached her and the dark stallion, who turned to face Sigrun curiously.

"I, don't have much," she counted the money in her pouch and stopped at 150 gold Mizas before keeping the rest. She brought it out and showed it to Serena with an open palm, "this is my budget."

"Not all our horses are as expensive as you think," she grinned, urging her to follow her with a wave of her hand, "I can give you a good one for just a hundred gold."

Sigrun hummed, eyeing the many horses that they passed. One was a beautiful white, and a couple had silky, rich brown coats and pale manes. They all looked much more than the price of a hundred.

"What do you plan on using one for?" she asked, turning towards a pen and opening it. Before Sigrun could respond or catch up to her, she brought out a tall, deep chestnut, colorsplash horse.

"Travel," she gulped, gazing at the majesty before her.

"I've got a young Zavian that's perfect for you, then," she said, petting the chestnut horse, "unless you'd prefer a Colorsplash?"

"I..." she trailed off, grinning sheepishly, "have no idea what those are."

Serena laughed and tied the chestnut horse's lead on one of the poles before walking over to another pen and bringing out a slightly smaller, yet much stockier horse with a deep auburn coat and a spotted rump.

"I don't suppose you'll want a wagon as well, for your travels?" Serena suggested, "it's only 35 gold!" The brown-haired woman brought the horse closer to Sigrun.

"This is a Zavian," she said endearingly, petting the well-built horse, "perfect for riding, driving, and packing."

"That's a lot of things for just one horse," she chuckled, watching the horse as it responded warmly to Serena's touch. Slowly, reluctantly, she approached the horse and reached out to touch him. The tips of her fingers met with the creature's snout before it exhaled sharply and caused her to flinch and move backwards.

"How much?" she said softly, eyes twinkling at the sight of the horse in such close proximity. It was beautiful.

Serena smiled warmly. "He's Just a hundred gold."

Sigrun took a deep breath and then sighed. "I'll take him."

"And that wagon that you mentioned, as well."

by **Zandelia** on March 16th, 2014, 10:08 pm

Sigrun :

Notes :

Any questions about my grade? Feel free to PM me at any time. Keep writing!

Completed Oh, For One With a Soul as I