Post by VecaVjestica on Jan 17, 2011 13:18:44 GMT -5
Nura rode alongside Barax, tired and stiff, and feeling all sorts of things she really didn't need to deal with right now - fear, uncertainty, doubts. They had left Sureeta Dawn days ago, taking to long way towards Dubica to avoid being seen anywhere near Cormorac, staying away from the main roads and any kind of human settlements unless they couldn't avoid it. The morning they continued their journey, three of the men from the plantation followed. The first stop they made was the closest office of magistrate, the one in the nearby city of Brummel, where Nura presented the royal magistrate with the letters she received from the King and informed him in short that the plantation of Sureeta Dawn will now be run by it's workers. The magistrate insisted on details, but Nura cut him of with a cold look and asked sternly: "Are you questioning an order from a royal emissary, empowered directly by the High King himself?" The man went pale, which made Nura smug. She hated admitting it (because made her feel like one of those bad people who abused of their power), but having this kind of power was kind of fun. Once the magistrate stopped doubting her word, Nura felt confident enough to give the second order - that a letter of credit be granted to the workers of Sureeta Dawn so that they might purchase all items necessary to return the plantation to it's former glory. The letter was drawn out swiftly and assigned to her own letter of credit, the one that the King gave her. It was the first time that she was using it, and it made her remember what Barax and she discussed when they left his parents' house - that they would buy something for them and send it as a thank you for the hospitality they showed and the provisions they gave them. Only it turned out that there wasn't anything in Brummel that the Shadens could have any real use of, and since both Barax and Nura agreed that his parents were more likely to return the gift than to accept it unless they buy them something they really need but cannot afford, they decided to wait with that until they run into something of that sort.
But even those occupations and doing her part of the chores on the road, tending to food, clothes, Shine, and helping Barax with the little she could do when he had to repair the cracks and bruises on his suit, couldn't keep her mind busy enough to chase away or at least suppress the images of that terrifying night at Sureeta Dawn. They kept appearing in her mind at any time of day or night, like vengeful spirits out to drive her insane. And, at daytime, it wasn't so awful. She'd just get a blank look on her face, as if she were watching it play out all over again before her eyes.
But at night...
Barax insisted that she slept inside his Templar Suit. She knew he only had her safety in mind and she appreciated it, but she didn't feel comfortable inside that contraption. Machines were never really her thing. Not even the agricultural aids, like the hay balling machine, she never managed to learn how to use them even though she grew up working on the fields and for a very long time didn't know how to do much else. She always felt uneasy around any kind of larger machinery because of her fear that she might push the wrong button or break a spring or do whatever small thing that didn't seem like much to her but would quickly turn out to be of crucial importance for the operative abilities of the machine. Barax had to check his suit for any kind of malfunction often enough as it was, and she was no making his task even harder. She felt bad because of that, but she never complained, knowing that he felt more at ease if he thought her protected inside the suit during night. She may not have been able to fight or use weaponry like he was, but at least she didn't have to cause him worry.
But she, personally, felt no safer. Sleeping in the suit wouldn't save her from Calasi Ascendant...and even less from her nightmares.
She'd have trouble falling asleep, and then wake up, breathing heavily and covered in icy sweat at least once after her weary body would finally give in and allow her a bit of respite. At least she didn't scream, she consoled herself. She would've hated to give Barax more reasons to be concerned.
It was odd, how much their relationship had changed in such a short time. They didn't bicker or peck on each other any more, though they weren't exactly talking all that much either, but she knew that wasn't because of any kind of strain between them personally. It was the events they survived recently and the feeling that they constantly need to look over their shoulders because of Calasi's threat. But even so, despite the stress, their interaction was much easier, much more friendly, and that felt good on Nura's tortured nerves.
Traveling in the mountains, as lovely as it was on the eyes due to the amazing beauty of the scenery, wasn't quite as easy on Shine or on the mechanism of the Templar Suit, the nights were much colder and fresh water was harder to come by, but at least they weren't dying of heat during the day any more. The summer temperatures were much more pleasant in the mountains, but the higher they went, the colder it got. It was a good thing that amongst the little of her belongings she packed were some warmer clothes and boots; Nura, who grew up traveling the lands, was smart enough to pack light when she left Swordstoke Moors, but to pack at least one of each item she might end up needing on the road. She figured that she need not pack much because of the letter of credit the King gave her, which enabled her to purchase whatever she or Barax may need in the towns large enough to hold banks and lawfully licensed money-lenders offices, but she should still be prepared for any eventuality, because one never knew what mishaps they might encounter...
...and, obviously, she had been right.
Another night had fallen and, after some searching for a favorable spot, Barax finally extinguished the Templar Suit while Nura dismounted, and they set up camp. As always, Barax needed to thoroughly inspect the machine and Nura, as by her newest habit, built a fire and put a kettle with water on and began preparing their supper. By the time he was done, the pottage she made was ready to be eaten and she served him before taking some for herself as well. Since they had no flour and they've eaten the bread they brought with themselves yesterday, she put extra potatoes to make up and fill them well. The dish was simple, made of vegetables and cured meat, but after a day of travel and in a cold night, a hot stew did them both well. They didn't stay up for too long after that. Nura cleaned after diner while Barax made their bedding, his on the ground and hers inside the armor. For once, she was happy to sleep there; this night had been not only cold but windy too. "You'll freeze on the ground, Barax," she said worriedly as he spread one of their blankets next to the fire, but she didn't bother hoping that he will change his mind. He was stubborn about this, much like he was about...well, pretty much else. But that didn't mean she cared about his well-being any less. Knowing arguing would be of no use, Nura simply put more logs in the fire and climbed inside the suit. Closing the door behind her, she wrapped herself in her riding cloak and tried to make herself comfortable, which was a hard task. She hoped for at least one night of calm sleep, but she doubted her wish will be granted.
And she was right about it.
But the reason she didn't get to sleep was not she suspected would ruin her night's rest.
But even those occupations and doing her part of the chores on the road, tending to food, clothes, Shine, and helping Barax with the little she could do when he had to repair the cracks and bruises on his suit, couldn't keep her mind busy enough to chase away or at least suppress the images of that terrifying night at Sureeta Dawn. They kept appearing in her mind at any time of day or night, like vengeful spirits out to drive her insane. And, at daytime, it wasn't so awful. She'd just get a blank look on her face, as if she were watching it play out all over again before her eyes.
But at night...
Barax insisted that she slept inside his Templar Suit. She knew he only had her safety in mind and she appreciated it, but she didn't feel comfortable inside that contraption. Machines were never really her thing. Not even the agricultural aids, like the hay balling machine, she never managed to learn how to use them even though she grew up working on the fields and for a very long time didn't know how to do much else. She always felt uneasy around any kind of larger machinery because of her fear that she might push the wrong button or break a spring or do whatever small thing that didn't seem like much to her but would quickly turn out to be of crucial importance for the operative abilities of the machine. Barax had to check his suit for any kind of malfunction often enough as it was, and she was no making his task even harder. She felt bad because of that, but she never complained, knowing that he felt more at ease if he thought her protected inside the suit during night. She may not have been able to fight or use weaponry like he was, but at least she didn't have to cause him worry.
But she, personally, felt no safer. Sleeping in the suit wouldn't save her from Calasi Ascendant...and even less from her nightmares.
She'd have trouble falling asleep, and then wake up, breathing heavily and covered in icy sweat at least once after her weary body would finally give in and allow her a bit of respite. At least she didn't scream, she consoled herself. She would've hated to give Barax more reasons to be concerned.
It was odd, how much their relationship had changed in such a short time. They didn't bicker or peck on each other any more, though they weren't exactly talking all that much either, but she knew that wasn't because of any kind of strain between them personally. It was the events they survived recently and the feeling that they constantly need to look over their shoulders because of Calasi's threat. But even so, despite the stress, their interaction was much easier, much more friendly, and that felt good on Nura's tortured nerves.
Traveling in the mountains, as lovely as it was on the eyes due to the amazing beauty of the scenery, wasn't quite as easy on Shine or on the mechanism of the Templar Suit, the nights were much colder and fresh water was harder to come by, but at least they weren't dying of heat during the day any more. The summer temperatures were much more pleasant in the mountains, but the higher they went, the colder it got. It was a good thing that amongst the little of her belongings she packed were some warmer clothes and boots; Nura, who grew up traveling the lands, was smart enough to pack light when she left Swordstoke Moors, but to pack at least one of each item she might end up needing on the road. She figured that she need not pack much because of the letter of credit the King gave her, which enabled her to purchase whatever she or Barax may need in the towns large enough to hold banks and lawfully licensed money-lenders offices, but she should still be prepared for any eventuality, because one never knew what mishaps they might encounter...
...and, obviously, she had been right.
Another night had fallen and, after some searching for a favorable spot, Barax finally extinguished the Templar Suit while Nura dismounted, and they set up camp. As always, Barax needed to thoroughly inspect the machine and Nura, as by her newest habit, built a fire and put a kettle with water on and began preparing their supper. By the time he was done, the pottage she made was ready to be eaten and she served him before taking some for herself as well. Since they had no flour and they've eaten the bread they brought with themselves yesterday, she put extra potatoes to make up and fill them well. The dish was simple, made of vegetables and cured meat, but after a day of travel and in a cold night, a hot stew did them both well. They didn't stay up for too long after that. Nura cleaned after diner while Barax made their bedding, his on the ground and hers inside the armor. For once, she was happy to sleep there; this night had been not only cold but windy too. "You'll freeze on the ground, Barax," she said worriedly as he spread one of their blankets next to the fire, but she didn't bother hoping that he will change his mind. He was stubborn about this, much like he was about...well, pretty much else. But that didn't mean she cared about his well-being any less. Knowing arguing would be of no use, Nura simply put more logs in the fire and climbed inside the suit. Closing the door behind her, she wrapped herself in her riding cloak and tried to make herself comfortable, which was a hard task. She hoped for at least one night of calm sleep, but she doubted her wish will be granted.
And she was right about it.
But the reason she didn't get to sleep was not she suspected would ruin her night's rest.