Completed Summer Outting

[Elann]

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Elann was a joyous that Garland liked her pick. It was as if he thought she had good taste. It was a simple neutral color though and fairly cheap compared to some of the more colorful brands. It also seemed he liked the multi-thread idea that made them stretchy to a point.

Upon hearing that Garland was low on Mizas, she frowned and wished she had grabbed those extra few mizas to help pay for things. She shrugged and said, “Well I don’t eat much, so I think it should be fine.” She was quickly learning how little her people ate compared to Sylirans. In the desert you had to be careful about eating and drinking a lot. Even the use of cosmetics sometimes ran dry and you’d have to make due with other things to get by.

As she headed to the gates she could distinctively tell old stone from new, but didn’t know the reason for it. She pretty much ignored it and instead she nervously drew closer to Garland at the sight of the exit. Her heart began to beat rapidly and she found herself in fear of leaving. What if she died? Her father would never know. As they passed the guards and Garland nodded to them, she was reminded that he too was a fighter, so she felt a little more secure, but in her head great monsters roamed these lands.

Jumping a little at the sound of Garlands voice, she nodded as the shock washed over her. “Okay”, she said nervously while looking around. One of her free hands was upon her belt and a finger wrapped about the string of her slingshot incase she needed to pull it quickly. Her other arm carried the basket for the man and it made her feel useful to do so, if not secure in having something she could throw in the way of her and a beasty. It was a lovely countryside though and she didn’t think she had ever seen so much green in her life.

As they walked she’d often stop for a brief moment as birds would fly out of trees or to watch how certain grains and things worked here. Eventually fear would overcome her and she would rush up to Garland’s side, still taking in everything around her in silence. As they reached the campsite, it hardly seemed like time even had passed. She was so focused on what was around them, that looking back, they actually had walked a great distance. The springs were beautiful to her, and the steam rising from the water was a strange sight. She stood there a good long moment, even after he asked her to help. Eventually she snapped out of it though and went to help him.

“I’m sorry...sure. Are we going to start a fire?” she asked as she went about helping to lay out the blanket flat. She wondered at that water some more as she finished, wondering if it was safe to get into with it steaming like that. She didn’t know what she was thinking when he said Hotsprings, perhaps she wasn’t paying attention as she thought they were just springs. No wonder people had to come here.

She set down the basket on the blanket and brushed sand over any nearby ant holes to keep them away with a swish of her foot. “Are we getting in the water? Is it safe? Or are we going to eat here and swim somewhere else?” she looked to him curiously saying such.

Other's Words ~~ My Words ~~ My Thoughts

[Garland]

“Are we getting in the water? Is it safe? Or are we going to eat here and swim somewhere else?”

Garland placed the basket on the blanket and looked around. "Hahaha! Plenty of question eh? It's fairly hot here, you can start a fire if you want. The water is fine, in fact is very soothing if you have any injuries or such, and we can eat here and swim here, just not both at the same time. I'm getting fairly hungry, do you want to eat now?" He asked and took out two wooden plates and took out a piece of bread and fish.

"I bet you haven't eaten fish yet, it must be a rarity in the desert. Be careful of the bones, I have heard of people choking if they're not careful." He warned her and took a bite out of the bread.

He looked around and noticed a few shrubs and foliage, a good place to change if he needed. Sadly wine and other alcoholic beverages were prohibited in the squire dorms, but he did manage to get a jug of fruit juice with them. "The desert seems pretty bare, I wonder what you people do for food, do you hunt or such? Trade would be the obvious answer, but you must know that trade is usually inconsistent all through out Mizahar."

He took off his boots and laid them down next to him. He ripped off a bit of the fish's skin and took a bite, it was a bit salty, but well-cooked, the squires didn't have the best food, but the fact that they have food was enough to keep the few squire from the shorter end of the economical stick going, but the squires that are use to lavish meals are just complaining to whoever would listen.

"I assume you had guards or warriors in your tribe, I heard you're more like nomads." He asked and continued to eat the food. He wanted to just eat and relax today, hopefully no monster comes and ruins their day or a hungry animal comes and takes their food.

[Elann]

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Garland mocked her questioning and she chuckled sheepishly. She supposed she was being a bit nervous. At his words, she decided it was best to remain cautious and just enjoy herself. He assured her that the water was fine and she looked to it briefly again. It looked like boiling hot water and not something she wanted to get into. She would of course have to let him go first. He suggested that they eat and that made her own stomach rumble slightly.

“Alright”, she said as she kneeled down upon the blanket, and then leaned to the right on her right hip. She propped herself up with her right hand and took her plate closer to her. She waited until he put the food on her plate and then would pick at the bread and fish.

“We have fish in Yahebah as it is close to the ocean. Fresh fish even, but in my father’s tents? No. We rarely ever would have it. Mostly what we eat is Lamb, Mutton, or some things much like your beans, but much smaller. Lentils? Humus? Honey cakes, Soups and stews. Those sorts of things." she said in her normal Benshira accent. She took very small bites of her food, picking it apart with deadly accuracy, as though she herself was a bird with a beak. It seemed that by the time Garland would be done with his bread, that she was about one fifth of the way done with hers. If he would present fruited juice she would drink a lot of it, more so than eating.

He asked her then about her homeland and what they do for food. She shrugged slightly, there was so much variety really. “The desert is bare, but there are hidden treasures here and there. Flocks of birds that blacken the sky chase after flocks of locusts that block out the sun. All of this is food. There are Tsana, wild goats, and many living things in the desert, even if it is hot. We just know where to look. But we also trade. My father is a rug maker and makes weaved tapestries as well. We then trade occasionally with other tribes and with cities like Yahebah for things we need. Or if we have all we need, then we trade for luxury items like gold and horses. Things of that nature.” She smirked at the thought of Yahebah.

“What about you in Syliras?” she asked in continuance, wondering how things were done here. “Where does Syliras get so much food?” she evidently thought that Syliras had a lot of food. Although it wasn’t a wonder, how by the time he finished with his fish she wasn’t even done with her bread yet.

The man took off his boots and relaxed, which she thought was bold of him; yet to him might have been a bit of movement that meant nothing. Slowly she set down her bread and began to pick at her fish, trying to see how it tasted. It was like how she had tasted salted fish back home, however it was a bit odd flavor.

“Hmmm....This fish must be different than what we have. It tastes odd. Odd but good.” she ate some more of it and then inclined her head when he asked more about her people. With a smile she nodded, “Yes, there are many great champions of Yahal amongst our people. Every young man is forced to train to fight for our people and to serve the military for a time if the need arises, but otherwise yes, we are very nomadic. I think we don’t want to be though” She thought on this for a while and then said, “Wells, rivers, and Oases all run dry eventually and we are forced to move once more to find more water to sustain us and our herds. But it has been nearly a generation since my family has had to move their tents to find water, and I think if we could, we would love to be able to stay like that forever. Basically we long for the green meadows of Yahal and the blessings he will bring us into one day.” she sighed wistfully and a slight grin came upon her face.

She couldn’t finish another bite and placed a hand on her stomach showing she was full. “Oye. It was good” She was about half done with her plate and obviously the girl hardly ate anything at all according to their standards. She made up for this by having heavy creams and milks in the morning hours usually from local sellers of their cow’s milk. She would wait for him to finish his food, hers as well if he wanted, and then would look to the water with curiosity.

Other's Words ~~ My Words ~~ My Thoughts

[Garland]

Garland smiled and finished up his food and took out two cups and a jug of fruit juice. "You must be thirsty." He filled up the two cups and handed one of the cups to Elann. The juice was light red color, almost pink.

He took a sip of the juice and smiled. It tasted sweet, was it watermelon? He couldn't quite tell mostly because he hasn't eaten watermelons in a long time, he doesn't quite remember what they taste like. It was also a bit tangy, maybe a bit of orange juice too? It was a mix of fruits and it just tasted great, it was an amazing mix of fruits, the juices and tastes weren't colliding but instead they blended together in sweet tangy concoction.

He took drank a bit of more of the juice, smacking his lips together contently. "Not bad. I like this, I should thank the person that made this. It's quite good." He said and stood up. "I'm gonna go over there to put on my trunks."

He went behind the bush and took off his clothes and such. He pulled up his shirt, showing off his body, there were scars but none were worth mentioning, they would heal in time. He then took off his pants and quickly put on his swimming trunks.

"Hey, Elann. I'm gonna go take a quick dip, do you want to come?" He asked and went over to the edge of the spring. He dropped in slowly. The calm warming waters enveloped his body. He gave a content sigh and spread out his arms on the edge of the spring.

He looked over to Elann and invited her in. "Come on, the water feels great. Not too hot and not too cold. Ahhhh~" He sighed again and watched Elann with a tiny smile. He closed his eyes and watched the misty area, there doesn't seem like there was anyone else here, besides the two of them. Yet he had to keep an eye open, he was the one with the sword, which reminded him. "Elann, can you bring my sword over? Just place it on the edge of the pool."

[Elann]

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Taking the offered cup she smiled and nodded to his question. She was quite thirsty, not having drank in a couple days really. She didn’t drink so very often as people up here did, but as she tasted the fruit drink she closed her eyes, trying to understand what was happening in her mouth. He too seemed to enjoy it as she could hear him smacking his lips together. She drank a good amount again, nearly emptying her cup and held the liquid in her mouth a moment before swallowing. It was delicious.

“Oh wow..I agree. I’ve been trying to experience your various fruits up here, but this is really good. I should learn how to make this.” She tried to use her tongue to tell her what was in it. It was some of the fruits she had eaten thus far and one was definitely orange. Elann’s eyes followed him as he stood speaking about putting on his trunks. Her heart jumped up in pace and she seemingly a bit nervous, said, “Alright”

Elann had learned so much about Yahal these past few months that she just brimmed with information. Before she would have been hesitant to come out on an outing like this to an underpopulated place, even with the likes of Garland. She felt secure and knew that her God watched over her even here and prayed that he would protect her. She made sure not to look in his direction, finishing off her drink. When he was done however she could hear him trying to entice her into the water. She looked over to him, shirtless and in the water.

“Umm...okay…” She figured it was alright and slowly set her cup down upon the blanket, finding a spot where it would not fall over in the soil underneath. As she rose he asked her to grab his sword and she picked it up with two hands. She could feel the weight behind it and dreaded ever having to use such a weapon. Holding it out in front of her she almost looked for a moment that she was going to swing it, and surprisingly enough she did. Perhaps not fast like a sword swing, but enough to get a feel of the weight of it. She then carefully and gently sat it down on the edge of the springs as though it were on a pedestal.

She briefly looked up to him and he seemed to be relaxing with his eyes closed for the most part, but she wasn’t sure in the light and shaded areas of the trees that dotted his face. It wasn’t the first time she had seen a man without a shirt on, but it was the first time being in a secluded area with one as such. She slowly drew her slingshot out and set it down gently upon the ground near his sword as well as her pouch and then began to undo her clothing. She turned away from him and moved to the blanket to undress. As she undid the wrap about her waist everything fell loose. A brilliant red could be seen from underneath the drab exterior of her rectangular tunic. Slowly she lifted it off and folded it and the wrap on the ground carefully. She was an organized sort.

Eventually she presented herself at the water’s edge in a swimsuit that had leggings down to her knees with golden lacing around the bottom. It flared out like a short sleeved dress with buttons traveling up the middle and even had a nice little collar around her neck. It covered her skin quite well and yet from what little could be seen of her flesh on her legs, she could be seen as a skinny girl who wore baggy clothing.

"I'm kind of nervous to get in...Is it deep? Are there living things in there?" She didn't see him get in so she didn't know.

Secret :

Her suit is something like this

Other's Words ~~ My Words ~~ My Thoughts

[Garland]

He couldn't help but smile at Elann when she revealed the dress she had picked out. "You look stunning." He said with a tiny smile. She was quite curious about his sword. "That sword is special, I have got a story to tell you if you're willing to listen."

"I'm kind of nervous to get in...Is it deep? Are there living things in there?"

He looked at her with a reassuring smile. "I'm as tall as you, and I can stand just fine, and no, there aren't any creatures living here I think. I doubt any fish could survive these hot waters for too long. Anyway, the water feels absolutely great by the way. Come on in."

Garland looked at her slingshot and bullets. "Hmmm... Are those really effective?" He looked back over to the sword. "Oh right the story! Do you want to hear it? Well, its not really all that interesting really, kinda boring in fact, I don't know much of the details myself."

Garland had a forlorn look on his face, he was thinking of something, he had thought he had gotten over this, but it seemed that it might haunt him forever. He gave a small forceful smile at Elann. "This sword is older than I am, I've had it restored a few times now. They found this sword where they found me, wrapped up next to it with my name written on the blanket I was covered in. I was too young to remember anything, so I'm just basing off the stories of the knights that had gone on that mission."

He sunk down under the water for a short tick, taking in the warm waters that covered his entire body. He resurfaced, his hair covered his face and eyes, he flipped his hair back and looked over to his desert dwelling friend. "The story goes..."

There were a terrible duo of bandits roaming around the countryside, it had been a small miracle how they avoided the knights and patrols that were searching for them, they had robbed and killed many travelers on the road, they had set up traps on the road, these two were deadly, they could take out a dozen armed caravan guards if they plan it right.

The knights needed to capture or kill those two, a survivor from a recent attack tipped them off to where their hideout was.

Around the night of the raid, my parents were travelling from Sunberth to Syliras, they spotted the cave where the thieves were hiding out. They took it for shelter for the night and the thieves were out for gods know what, and by dumb luck the knights raided the cave and attacked my parents. My parents ran away from the knights, but the knights caught up and...

Killed them, they returned to the cave and heard me crying next to this sword. They took me and returned me to the city. Oddly enough the attacks stopped, and the stolen goods were returned. I guess the thieves left to find a new hiding spot or something.

Garland took a deep breath and gave a small smile. "I was mad at the knights when they told me, but it was a mistake, I'm not the type to hold grudges. The knights didn't raise me, and I basically raised myself. It was quite an ordeal growing up almost alone, but I'm fine now. Better to hit the sword while it's hot than when it's cool, right?"

[Elann]

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Elann now really felt a strange mix of emotion. He said she looked stunning and so she felt, perhaps it was too revealing for Syliras? She tried to ignore it, but she thought it was modest enough. Perhaps he was just being kind to her? It was best to focus on the sword as she swung it around and brought it before him. She however didn’t say anything in response.

He assured her that the water was fine, and it made sense. Likely anything like a predator fish would be cooked alive in here like if placed in boiling water. In her mind, water was supposed to be different. “This is very weird. Water is supposed to be cool, clean, and not boiling hot” with that she moved to sit on the edge of the dirt of the springs. With a wary yet cute foot, she brought it out and dipped it. A warm sensation met her heel and it was almost hot. She repulsed from the water and cringed her toes. “El, el, It is hot!” She could see how he had gotten in, and so being brave she stuck both her legs into the water. With a disgusted almost painful face, she endured the heat. Her whole life she spent time and did various things to ensure the coolness of her body. Now she was trying to make it warmer. “Ok ok…” She said as she slowly slid into the water and let out a little bit of a girly scream as it filled the inside of her dress and came up to her chest. Then she felt the bottom and she could finally let go of the edge. In a strange way it did feel good and she slowly moved to sit next to their weapons

She couldn’t really talk much yet so she just gave him a nod “yes” to his story. As he spoke she looked to the sword briefly and then back to him. It was interesting how he ended up becoming a squire or knight, she didn’t really know what he was, but after what happened, she could see him being bitter at them. He however said he wasn’t and she admired that in him. “That’s very good of you Garland. I’m glad they actually brought you into the city." She contemplated what he said, because maybe she misunderstood, "So were you raised in the orphanage? Or by a family? Surely you weren’t on the streets right?” She seemed to be getting used to the water more and sunk a little deeper into it, to let her hair get wet. At his phrase she rose out of the water and asked, "I don't know what that means...'hit the sword while hot'?" She didn't really get phrases and such, but curiously she asked after he answered her, “So what makes this water so hot?” she began to tread water, to try to float and swim with her legs lifted off the ground a little.

Other's Words ~~ My Words ~~ My Thoughts

[Garland]

Garland just gave a small smile. "I was raised in the orphanage, but a few knights visited me there from time to time. Actually, my sister... err... I mean my patron raised me as well as she could, she was the one that found me in the cave, she was just a squire back then, her first day as a squire I believe."

"I don't know what that means...'hit the sword while hot'?"

"Oh, it's a forging metaphor, like hammering the sword while it's hot rather when it has cooled." He said with a small embarrassed smile. "Sorry." He dove down under the water to get his head wet.

He resurfaced with a large splash, soaking Elann with the hot waters. "I'm sorry!" He said, trying to hold in his laughter, Elann looked so cute when she's mad. "P-Phfft, I-I'm sorry!" He repeated, followed by a few snorts.

There was a rustling in the bushes near where they were. Garland grabbed his weapon and pulled himself up. "Who's there?" Garland called out. The rustling of the bushes continued.

Inching closer, the squire unsheathed his sword and raised it, ready to attack. As he grew closer to the bush, the rustling grew louder and fiercer. The tension in the air was deafening.

There was a loud screech and something stripped lunged pass Garland and towards the picnic basket. Garland reacted with a downward slash, but missed completely.

Looking over to the picnic basket, Garland saw that it was a raccoon. The raccoon hissed at Garland and ran away, carrying an entire fish. "Hey! Get back here!"

Garland looked over to Elann with an angry look. "He took my fish!"

[Elann]

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Elann listened closely as Garland spoke about his time at the Orphanage. She didn’t understand the patron/squire relationship, but was now starting to understand it.

“Oh, Well at least you had her. I try to visit the children at the orphanage as frequently as I can manage. I feel guilty every time I see them, how I can’t take them with me and care for them myself. But I’m in no position to.” she sighed sadly and as she was swimming he clarified for her what he meant.

“Ahh okay, I think I get it.” She watched as he dove down into the water and stayed under for a little, then shot up and splashed Elann. What was out of the water now dripped with wetness and she did look a little pissed. Blowing the hot water out of the vicinity of her mouth she reached up to wipe the rest away. She then gave him a sort of smile and a glare.

As there was some rustling in the bushes, Garland grabbed his sword, and she moved to the far end of the pool, grabbing her sling shot and fitting a good sized rock into it as she waited. From where she was she could see a Raccoon valiantly rush outward and Garland missed. It was no wonder after how it vaulted itself past him. She however took aim as it snagged the fish. Pulling back, she felt the tension in the slingshot and could hear Garland yell to her.

She let a rock loose at it, hitting it right in the ribs, causing it to yelp, hiss, and spin around in pain. It dropped the fish and began a series of running in rings, trying to figure out what hurt it and biting at its fur. Meanwhile Elann loaded up another stone. If Garland looked to her, he could see that sure enough, she likely faced down bears and lions with this slingshot. She had the look of a brave warrior behind her cute face. The raccoon was making sounds that one wouldn't think a raccoon would be like to make as it howled in pain and it became harder for it to breathe.

Other's Words ~~ My Words ~~ My Thoughts

[Garland]

The raccoon felt the pain run through it's chest, the raccoon hissed at Elann and tried to run away, leaving the fish behind. Garland went over to the fish and it was covered in dirt.

"It's gone Elann, you're really good with that slingshot. Have you used it much." He sheathed his sword and laid it down the blanket. He looked at the dirty fish. "We can't exactly eat this now can we? I'll throw it into the woods."

He went over to where the raccoon ran away and threw it into the shrubby. "We've already eaten our fill, right?" He went over to the jug of juice and poured out two cups. He handed one over to Elann and sat down on the edge, letting his legs wet with his feet.

He drank a bit of the juice and smiled. "There's still a bit of juice in the jug if you want it." He slipped into the water again and relaxed after the whole raccoon thing. "

He sighed and swam next to Elann. "I'm guessing you don't know how to swim? I vaguely know how to swim but you wouldn't see me swimming against Konti or Sverfa." He said with a tiny laugh. "I should probably practice my swimming when I have time. My finance has a small ship and judging from her stories of adventure, I might need to learn how to swim better."

Garland sank below under the water, holding his breath. A few bubbles floated up to the surface while he was underwater. It didn't take long for him to resurface, only a few ticks. "Ah! Ha... Holding your breath is sorta fun." He smiled and wiped the water off his face. "Do you want to try?"