Closed The Journey Begins [S'Essy]

[Markus Andres]

Markus considered her words in return. She did place a lot of trust in him. A trust that was not misplaced, only people he would betray her trust to were the knights and only if they ordered him to do so. Made him realize just how much faith she still held in him. If only she knew some of the things he had done in the line of duty in the past years when they had been apart. The things he had seen. But still. She had unshakeable faith in him. Trusted him from the bottom of her heart. It was not easy to tell someone that they were a mage. Markus had only told one person and that had been a spur of the moment. In the heat of combat he had revealed that tiny bit about himself. For S'Essy to trust him so, it would be wrong of him to not share it with her in return. But not in the stables. Not right then and there. For even though only horses surrounded them, he did not want to speak it inside the city. He helped her pack some of her things. Did the best to make sure everything had been secured. He looked to her when she asked him to help her. The red cheeks reminded him all to pointedly why he had fallen for her back in the day. Thoughts he quickly pushed aside.

"Of course. Need a hand to get mounted?" Markus offered. If she said yes he would kneel and cup his hands together to help lift her up on the horse if she could not get up with her own strength. Otherwise he would just watch her get up on her own. "Most important thing is, don't be scared." Markus moved up to her horse and placed a calming hand against the powerful neck. Patted the equine creature. "Very calm. Both feet in the stirrups. Hands on the reins and just stay calm. Your horse is a calm one. Mild mannered. Straighten your back and everything should be alright. Make sure you're sitting correctly in the saddle. Have a good stable position. And don't make any sudden loud noises or jerk the reins. Any questions?" Markus asked as he patted her thigh gently before he turned to his own horse and got mounted. "It is really easy when you first learn it." He said before putting a foot in the stirrup nearest to him and swinging his right leg over the back of the horse. Surprising how much easier it was without wearing full armour. Only breastplate and chain mail made it so much easier to move around.

"You sure you got everything?" Markus had everything he needed. Quiver with twenty arrows. His composite shortbow. Armour. Weapons. Shield. Food for most of the trip. Water and more food, fresh food, they could collect and forage on the way. Should be enough things within reasonable distance for the two of them to gather. "If so, let us get going."

[S'Essy]

She nodded as he offered a hand. She took her left foot on his hand. Placed her right hand on the horse just gently and her left hand on his shoulder. Just two little jumps and she threw her leg above the horse and she was finally sitting on it. Nervously. She was holding the horse's neck strongly, like her life depended on it. Don't get scared. It was easy to say but she didn't feel really comfortable on that horse.

Though she tired her best. Deep breaths and tried to remember that her horse is also calm. If it was, she shouldn't worry herself either. It will do everything just she had to treat it right. She did what just he said to her. Her feet in the stirrups and her hand let the horse's neck and was holding on the reins instead. Which she could squeeze however she want, that could help. She felt ready. Her position felt right. She was ready. It wasn't as scary as she imagined it. "I think so.." She waited for Markus to also get ready. Then as he commanded, with her horse she followed him. Weirdest feeling ever. She tried to ignore the feeling that she might fell off.

--

They were riding for like bells. Or at least she felt that way. It was uncomfortable... in fact really irritating for her bottom. She was keep placing herself to find something acceptable but she also had to make sure she was sitting right and keep balance. She didn't want to start whining. She said she would go, she will do exactly that. But still. Her luck was that they were not hurrying. With that pace she could do it more or less. She tried to hide the expressions on her face. She just looked serious.

She was staring at Markus for a several ticks then turned back for another ticks back to where they came from. Only one day and one night she spent in Syliras since her arrival. But who knew that he would have to go and that was her luck that she got him before that. Although her Call was bothering, she knew she had to leave Riverfall immedieatly. She turned back and gladly noticed that they reached the River.

"Thank to my and your gods and goddesses!" Came out from her with a relieved tone and her smile also came to her face. Something could cheer her up. She pulled the reins just a bit, to stop the horse. Now coming off from the horse. She wanted to do it alone. Pulled her right foot from the stirrup. Her leg around the horse as she placed her hands on the horse. She felt the ground. How grateful she was for it. She patted the horse's neck. "You are my new best friend." She smiled and turned to Markus. "Okay Ser, you want to be polite again and turn around or since we are not in the city, you can be also not so polite? " Teased him, she missed it, while riding she was busy with something else. Like trying to get used to the thought that she would do that for 30 more days.

[Markus Andres]

Markus turned to gaze at the large masonry that created the entrance to the giant fortress city. The large stones placed to protect the men and women living inside the city. The knights he could both see and sense upon those huge walls. It would be almost a full season before he would see them again. A part of him was wistful at the prospect of leaving the wondrous city. But another part of him was feeling relieved. That he might get a break from the city and the repetitive nature of his patrols. Looking forward to the unexpected. The trials and tribulations of overland travel. To see the city he loathed was not something he looked forward to. Had seen enough of that city in his childhood. But reuniting with his family for the first time in over a decade was a prospect he could get behind. Although he would not admit it to his female companion, the knight was a little nervous about it as well.

Farewell Syliras. Eyes stared hard at the structure. Last time he had been gone for an extended time, he had seen plenty of places he never wanted to visit again. One he was saddened duty had forced him to leave. Eyes fell on S'Essy who undoubtedly wondered what went through his mind. A smile crossed his lips in a simple response to her presence. It was good he did not have to endure the absence of Syliras alone. That he had a good friend like S'Essy with him.

The knight was accustomed to the horseback riding. Extended journeys still left their mark on his bum, but that was to expected when you sat in the same saddle in every bell of the daylight that Syna granted them. Though the bells snailed forward as they made their way towards the Mithryn outpost. Where he had promised his companion that she could peruse the rivers for her aquatic needs. She noticed the river before he could inform her that they had reached the first stop of the day. Her heartfelt voice of gratitude to the gods and goddesses made him chuckle a little. If her butt was already hurting from that small amount of travel, Rak'keli would have her work cut out for her healing her butt. The thought brought more mirth to his smile and for a brief time, the fact that he was leaving Syliras left his mind.

"I think there is a difference between nudity in public and in private, S'Essy." Markus responded in a serious tone as he dismounted from his horse and slowly led her to a tree by the river and fastened the reins loosely to a tree. If she tried to seriously escape, she would be able to, but he doubted she'd just run off without reason. "But I hope you don't mind if I don't turn away. For I will have to stick around for your safety. Imagine if lewd eyes were on the lookout for the bare skin of a Konti." A convenient excuse as any to remain by the river as she bathed. He did remember the spectacle of her bathing in the lakes north of Syliras. It was a memory that had been hard to extinguish - not that he had had any desire to do so. Markus grabbed his waterskin and drank some water before approaching the river.

"Not so polite? But Miss S'Essy esteemed healer of Rak'keli, politeness is the glue that holds society together." He spoke in a overly polite tone of voice. "And sure, I can be less polite if you wish so." Markus shrugged as he dipped the skin below the water and saw the air bubbles burst forth from the skin.

[S'Essy]

Difference between nudity in public and private? She just couldn't care less. She raised her eyebrows at him. "There is no difference, just everyone puts too much meaning to it really. " She followed him to the tree where he fastened the reins to the tree. She just chuckled. "SER Markus Andres, you are a sergeant knight, who am I to tell you what to do? Oh yeah... your healer." She winked and pulled off her clothes and folded them and placed them down to the grass.

Then she went to the river. Not salt water but she didn't mind, she just enjoyed it as much. She didn't swim, she just turned around to see Markus and lied back, so her full body was in it. She was waiting for this. She wanted to this the morning, like it was purifying her. "I don't know who is the god or goddess of rivers, but I thank for them. Though Laviku's seas are still the best. She couldn't complain though.

"It does, Ser Markus Andres, knight of Sylir. This is his name right? " She didn't remember well the gods he told her once about. Just slightly. She was just enjoying what the river was offering her. She couldn't describe how refreshing it was. "Be whatever Markus, be whatever. I'm just glad I'm with you again." She lied her heads back to the river. Closed her eyes. Calm.

Maybe calm was not that a bad thing. Which she didn't like on Mura. But spending several years somewhere else, she started to give credits to it. Her memories was coming to her about her home island. Memories with a smile on her face. "If you would have just seen me in Mura. " She started without no reason. "I told you once, I left Mura because I really couldn't stand there." Her childhood came first obviously. What a terrible child she was.

She chuckled and looked back at Markus."I was not polite at all as a child. Oh if you would have just me." She repeated the sentence."I always was searching for trouble or if I didn't find it, I made one. Always with my cousin... my dearest cousin. I just didn't want to accept the responsibility what Rak'keli gave to me as a child. My mom tried to teach me and I hated it. I just wanted to enjoy life, didn't understand why would I have to learn at all? " It felt like yesterday for her, memories of those were clear for her. She regretted all of them, she regretted that she acted like that. "Because Rak'keli marked me to enjoy my life... So I did, I was a really bad daughter of my mother. And I pulled my cousin with me. She was the same. She was a healer, we just wanted to get out of that island. And we did." She just realized that she was babbling a lot as always. Let out a laugh. "Sorry, didn't know where this came from. " She was getting up from the water, but didn't came out yet. "Do you want to join and enjoy the water or shall we go?"

[Markus Andres]

"I'll remember that next time I barge into your room. To ogle at my heart's content." He stated with a warm smile and a raised brow. Staring at the woman, wanting to gauge her reaction to the tease. Though she seemed about as liberated as him about nudity. Although Markus had always had a strange relationship with nudity when he had an attraction or history with the person. It meant so much more if he liked the person as a character. Made it so much deeper. Made the movements much more enticing. Markus placed himself at the edge of the river and casually observed the Konti lady as she floated in the water. He snorted and a grin crossed his lips as he leant back and rested the back of his head in his hands. It was a wonderful day. Warm yet not suffocating. Birds were chirping and looking for possible mates. Attracting them. The knight still wore the heavy breastplate, but had quickly dismissed the cloak as Syna had risen to brought them both warmth. Quickly making it too hot to wear a cloak. Markus closed his eyes and tried to push aside all thoughts. Hear the birds. The splashing of a Konti in the river. The stream and trickle of water against the rocks.

The sound of S'Essy talking. The soft happy voice as she enjoyed the water. The name of the goddess of the rivers escaped his mind at the moment she spoke. Also the one who governed rain he believed. It was rather discomforting that he had forgotten her name. He should have known her name. But it slipped his mind at the moment. Though her mention of Laviku did bring about a memory he did not want to revisit. He sat up straight and watched the coursing river. Saw the stretched limbs of the healer and the curves of her body.

Why did you have to leave... Markus lamented a little as he forced his gaze away from her. "It is." He responded as she asked about the god. Reborn god. He wondered if she knew about that or if she only remembered he was a knight of Syliras. Did she know he carried a leaf on his shoulder symbolising his commitment to the great cause of Syliras. Probably not. Markus brushed those thoughts aside. The more time he spent with the healer, the more he realized how much he had missed her. The sergeant leant back again and watched the blue sky above him. S'Essy spoke about her time on Mura. About her childhood. That she had been trouble for her mother. Brought her cousin into trouble as well. Markus pondered a little. "Was this Alaia?" Markus asked. He recalled S'Essy talking about her cousin when they had been younger. A name out of the blue. She had been restless. Much like how Markus had felt in Syliras recently. It did help put it in perspective. Out on the road. The freedom to choose a different direction. It felt good and it felt liberating. Markus sat up again and looked at the Konti lady standing in the water. Inviting him to join her. There was a moment of hesitation.

Freedom to choose, right? And it will be nice in the water. A good place to cool down before further travel. He thought, without addressing the issue of S'Essy.

"Hmm. Sure. I'll join you." Markus said as he undid the leather strap that kept the metal breastplate in place. Soon it was palced on the ground. Belt removed and Peacekeeper and the smaller cousin placed on the ground. Next to the breastplate. He removed the chainmail. And soon removed all the softer clothing and placed them in a neat pile on the ground. Stood there for a moment. Much had changed since last she had seen him naked. Broader shoulders. Muscles better defined and larger as well. The symbol of Sylir, a windoak leaf on his right shoulder. Ticks passed before he ventured into the water. Body already glistening with sweat before he entered the water. The water was cool. Cold even. But compared to the heat of the spring it was a refreshing change. Syna would dry him soon enough. He waded through the water over to S'Essy. "You were right. This is comfortable." His emerald eyes kept to her eyes. Didn't ogle at her feminine features.

"Sounds like we were both a pair of rascals when we were kids." Markus said with a warm smile. That soon turned mischievous and a flicker in his eyes. The only warning she would get before his right hand shovelled through the water and sent a cascade of water in her direction. There was freedom in being relieved of the burden of command. Live life a little. He followed the first shove of water with another. In his younger days he would have ducked below the water and lifted her out of there, but that would be a serious breach of their personal space now that they were not together. Though the juvenile kid in him still wanted to do that. The water would have to do for now. He would keep up the splashing for a while. Before he stopped with a grin on his lips and a glint in his eyes. Laughing a little at the childishness of his own actions.

"And I believe I owe you a massage, miss healer. Want it now, or later?"

[S'Essy]

"Ogle?" Came the obvious question. She even hardly said it. Her tongue was still not as friendly with Common as she wanted it to be.

She was suprised that he remembered the name. "Yes.. My dear Alaia. Like you, she was the only person who understood and accepted my... humor." She had to admit, she was odd and her joking and teasing could be annoying for people. Though she had changed a lot, there was a part of her which refused to be serious. She still wanted to have fun. She stopped these memories in her head. Probably it was time to go.

She was getting ready, for some reason she assumed he wouldn't want to come to the water. She loved it more than him. Or she reckoned, but she was wrong and she was happy for it. She drowned her body to the water, he joined to the swimming. Pleasent suprise. As she put off her clothes, she noticed an unusual tattoo on his shoulder. Not any tattoo... She could tell from its look that it was from the divine. "Who blessed you?"

She was staring at his green eyes. Those emerald green eyes she missed so much. She knew that Markus could be like her but she was curious was he like as a kid. But before she could do anything, his gaze changed... he was up to something again and before she could react, she was splashed by him. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed it. Didn't lean away or swim away or shovelled water back to him. Only she was smiling at him. Her voice changed and tried imitate her younger self, a young girl. "Mom, an evil human is splashing me with water just because he thinks I'm a fish!"

She was thinking about his offer. Well she didn't tell him when and if they were enjoying themself here he could just do it now. She swam closer to the land."Wanna do it while the sun is drying us or would you stay more in the water? Either fine for me. Also wanna share some stories from your childhood? Or you don't?" She would understand if no, she didn't share her past with a lot, she wasn't exactly proud of that time. She was looking at him, with her eyes examining him. She turned away quickly... "What are you doing?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus tilted his head a little. Had he never used the word ogle around S'Essy before? When they had been together he must have done little else than ogle at that magnificent body glistening in the water before him. He did not allow his mind to wander. To entertain the thoughts that undoubtedly lingered just beyond the steel cage he had entrenched his mind behind.

"It means, to stare at something. Sexually."

Markus swam in the cool liquid. Washing away the sweat that had come from the short ride. It felt good. Though her sudden exclamation when she noticed what the mark on his shoulder meant. He responded with a soft laughter and swam a little sideways. Contemplating not telling the sweet Konti lady what she wanted to know.

"I have been marked by the great Sylir, m'dear. He blessed me with his mark on the day I became a knight. It was a great honour. Greatest moment of my life." He said with a big grin on his lips. It was honesty. If she had had the ability or gift of Nira'lia she could have touched him and realized it was the truth. Although Nira'lia said her power only worked once... I suppose me and S'Essy have touched each other a few more times than one - The lewd thoughts that accompanied made him snort a little. The Konti seemed acceptive and submissive to his onslaught of water. No splashing back. Which did make him wonder if she just enjoyed his childish behaviour and wanted him to continue. Or if she were being splashed with too much water to respond properly. Her being mainly an aquatic creature told the knight it was most likely the former. Words did come and he laughed at the joke. The implied ignorance on his part. The tone of voice. The youthful bliss. He laughed and sent one last splash of water in her direction.

"Would an evil human offer a massage to a fish?" He said as he moved closer to the Konti lady. Close enough that she could reach out and touch him. Moved closer than that. Waded through the water. Within a foot of one another and she begant o reply to his offer of a massage. He knew that if he could his hands on her body. More things would follow. Desire and attraction to her would manifest itself. Something he would not be able to restrain. He was about to reach out and grab her hand. Not the most amorous act, but enough to lead her to the riverside. Then she asked a question. Asked fro stories from his childhood. It felt as if someone splashed ice cold water at the knight. Markus saw back at those days. Remembered how he acted. Reacted. Commanded. Bade. Begged. The mischief. The chaos. The anger and hatred he produced through his acts of vandalism and cruelty. Howls could be heard. The sight of blood of a child. Markus gasped harshly and stepped back. Wide open eyes. Emerald eyes flickered from side to side. The wall between the child he had been and the man he had become had been stripped away for a brief moment. It had been the first time in a very long time he had thought about those days. Seen the images in his waking hours. His heart accelerated. Markus shut down. Mind didn't allow for explanations and he just stepped away from S'Essy. Images still flickered once in a while. Guilt still welled up. His face became more like granite. As he stepped back and away from her.

"I don't want to." He finally spoke without a hint of the usual warmth in his voice. He threw a glance over his shoulder at the horses. "We should also get going now. Before the farmers get the road crowded around the outpost. Yes." Markus moved for the river bed. For his clothes. "I will give you the massage later. Once we are weary from a long ride. Makes it more... comfortable." Markus had no clue if that was true. He supposed that made it a loophole in regards to Tyveth's laws. If he didn't have a clue, was he lying? He didn't know, but it did bother him a little. He could easily delude himself into it making sense. Her muscles would be sorer. In need of being loosened and made more at easy. But he still wouldn't know.

Unless the Konti had any sudden outbursts Markus would get dressed in silence and move for the horses to get going again. Put the miles behind them and more importantly, put some distance to the childhood memories.

[S'Essy]

She was just shaking her head when he explained what it meant. Stare at something sexually. She didn't bother with it too much, he was like that always. Only let a small smile out. Then she just raised her eyebrows, she didn't understand if she asked something obvious or stupid that made him laugh. Was it generally known what mark he had? Probably not and just teased her and he caught her again.

Her smile was warm as he told her. Sylir's mark, the day he became a knight. She could hear in his voice's tone that it was the greatest moment for him. He was working hard to be one, he was proud to be part of the knights. Ever since he was a squire... the squire who was yelling for help in the forest. She brushed those thoughts aside. She thought she could get over with them... in Riverfall at least, but being with him she couldn't ignore them, but she tried and did her best to do so.

He didn't make her attempts easier. Although it was her fault too, she asked for the massage. He came closer to her, S'Essy looked at him. His body which got just more muscles, his face which hardened a bit... and his green emerald eyes. Those didn't change at all, his gaze was just the same as ever. Her heartbeats were faster and her body just couldn't move. Then something in his gaze changed.

She just succesfully reminded him about something bad. He stepped away from her, she was about to step closer but her body still didn't move. She was more worried. He refused to, he didn't want to tell. She just watched as he went out from the river to get dressed to just get going... he wanted to forget something. S'Essy's smile also vanished, she felt guilty. The Konti followed the knight to get dressed. With his help she got on her horse and they got going. Only one word came out from her. "Sorry..."

----

Bells have passed, Syna was changing place with Leth on the sky. The Moon was ruling and was providing light for them. It was a long ride for S'Essy, she didn't talk while they were going though. Still feeling bad about the earlier. Though she forgot about it, the other reason she didn't talk because she was keep trying to find a pose or place on the horse's saddle which would be comfortable for her. She felt just right at the moment that it would be a long journey for her and for her buttocks.

She gladly noticed when they reached a cabin. "Finally! Markus we stop here... now!" Demanded loudly and with relief again. She stopped the horse gently, and carefully took off from it. Though she was hurrying so much, she nearly fell off, but she managed to balance herself on one of her foot and keeping one hand on the horse. Trying to not make more sudden moves. She was patting her back with her hand while she was walking toward the cabin. "I don't wanna be rude or anything but since it's a waste time to argue about that I help holding and bringing the items." Though she could have helped with the horse, she totally forgot about it. The only thing in her mind was a bed. She just realized how unfit she was. "Ser, let's test your strength! Can you carry me on your back?" She was tired but she meant it as a joke, though she wouldn't have minded the idea at all. She was following the knight to the cabin.

[Markus Andres]

In the silence he got dressed. Moved to their horses. Helped the wonderful woman up on her horse. There was an uttering of an apology from the Konti lady behind him. He froze again. Unable to respond. Explain what had struck him without having to fight another battle to forget about those shameful days. He felt horrible in regards to S'Essy. Wanted to turn around and hug her closely and whisper into her ears that it wasn't her fault. It was his own personal demons that he had to contend with. It might have been the journey to the town within which these events had transpired that was bringing forth the horrible memories. Perhaps it was indirectly the presence of S'Essy, a door to his past. Markus shook his mind. Refusing to blame S'Essy.

He mounted his own horse with trained competency and without any further words started to ride onwards. Simmering in his own guilt. Both at the actions and the implied guilt S'Essy felt. Believing it her own fault. It would be a very long ride if he kept wallowing in his guilt and shame. But he was not ready to open up about his past. Nor would he ever really want to share those horrid tales with anyone. He would paint himself in a new light to everyone. He doubted even S'Essy in all her good natured self would be able to look past the kid he had been. Onwards in silence he rode.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Markus was weary. Tired and even his body trained for enduring long rides were feeling the effect. So when S'Essy spotted the cabin before him, he was pleased that she demanded they halted. It had been too long a ride in the silence. The order she gave him only made him grin in response. Markus had had every intention of stopping and was just as pleased as her to see the cabin. Get a night's rest. Once he was done with the act of massaging S'Essy.

And what a tedious task that will be He noted sarcastic to himself. A part of him was pleased that it had been postponed to now. Had given him something to look forward to for the ride. Once he had stopped wallowing in his own pity and guilt. It had been a pleasant image to look forward to. Markus dismounted and led his horse and once more tied it loosely by the cabin. Turned to S'Essy in time to see her indomitable spirit. The friendly attitude. The teasing. The ever present light teasing that made him smile despite himself. She was quite a catch.

"Only if I get a prize once more for such a task." Markus turned his back to S'Essy and left a gap between his sides and arms for her legs to rest. "Do be careful. I am wearing a metal breastplate. Might hurt if you jump too energetically." Markus paused. "And I thought you'd be too tired of riding to want a piggyback ride." He chuckled a little. Last he had been in cabin like these, he had fought for his life against creatures of the night. Tonight, he did not have the energy or lust to do the same. He wanted to spend it huddled closely with a woman who he owed an explanation. Perhaps divulge a bit of information to her. Or if the subject was never brought up, laugh at their old times together. Still. He owed her a massage and he always repaid his debts.

"To be frank, I think I will share some of the burden with you. Can't have a freeloader following me around for thirty days. Have to work for the food. So you might have to carry your own backpack." Markus paused. Allowing the woman on his back to gasp in surprise if she so desired. "I know. It is a gross violation of our sacred bond. But I think the time has come. You are ready for the extra responbility. You have shown yourself extremely capable of lifting yourself. Up until the current predicament, naturally!" Markus was rambling. Having his fun with it though as the grin on his lips indicated as he carried the Konti lady through the door leading into the cabin. He should have checked it for anyone first. But he was leading the way and wearing a breastplate and chainmail, so much of his body was covered in case of any attack.

Through the door he went without incident. The cabin was dark and deserted. Only the usual cots and hearth was to be seen. Markus placed the tired Konti on one of the cots.

"Well. If you get the stove started we can both get something hot to eat. I don't know about you, but my stomach is rumbing quite a bit." Markus left to get their things. Bedrolls for the cots. Their tents. Unburden their horses. They could use some rest as well. Somewhere to graze if they wanted to. But he had to get their feeding bags as well. Markus carried in the items and made sure the horses were well tended to and did not have any injuries. Their bodies warm from the long ride. But the cooler evening air was doing much to help them alleviate the heat problem. Markus went inside and dumped the rest of their things on the ground. Including the saddles he had moved, quite tediously, one by one to somewhere the damp or moist wouldn't get to it. Finally he was satisfied and looked at S'Essy.

"How goes it with getting a fire started? Don't tell me I will have to embarrass myself again to show you how to get a fire started. If so, you will have to give me a massage in return!"

[S'Essy]

She was suprised that he took her joke seriously but again she wouldn't mind, she hardly walked. She chuckled, energetic jump. "Dear... I'm not sure if I have the energy to jump, but I'll do my best." So she did and hopped on Markus' back. Her legs were secured by him, she put her arms around his chest. Not much more comfortable than the horse but she was more confident. And most probably she didn't have to fear that he would drop her by making a sudden move.

"Fine what prize you want?" she asked after she yawned. She was tired. For a moment she placed her forehead on his shoulder. Closed her eyes, took a few breaths and tried to gather some of her energy. A bad morning never helped. But she couldn't complain about the swimming. Her whole body needed to get used to the travelling. But who would have expected that she had to leave Syliras right away she arrived. The gods... She raised her head and openned her eyes.

She was staring at the cabin as it was closer and closer to them. They could eat and rest finally. "My backpack is always with me don't worry about it. Gross violation? Markus, you have forgotton the statue?" she asked as she was grinning but he couldn't see it. Nor much else for her luck. As being this close to him was making her feel nostalgic. She tried to drop these thoughts.

The cabin was empty and dark. Only a hearth and cots were there. Not much else they needed. She was tasked to fire the stove. She didn't complain as he gently placed her to the cot. She took off her backpack and was searching for the flint and steel. As she found them she headed towards the fireplace. There were still woods next to it. She threw them in and was trying to spark some fire into there.

One stroke, two stroke....tenth stroke. Nothing. She sighed and turned back to Markus. "Don't count on it, I want my massage." She said and tried harder. A chime or maybe even more must have been past when after 312th try S'Essy managed to do some sparks and light up the hearth. She clapped her hands together and made a big smile. "HAH! I made a glorious S'Essy-made fire! " She said excitedly."Now you can put down that armor finally... seriously is it that comfortable?"

Asked the Konti as she took her flint and steel back to her backpack. She was tired and lied down to the cot and stayed there. Was just staring at the fire and was staring what Markus was doing."I feel so pathetic... I'm not kidding, I was really more fit back in Riverfall."