Stary Night

Back in the town,

The Foreign army was perplexed. Just what were the screams emanating from behind the canyons. R'einsel was a town comforted by the canyons which formed around it. With a twin town a few hundred kilometers away, and with The city of Eein sat behind. Elevated into a major mountain.

With the greater canyons mothering like a wall around the nation. Stretching around fifty to sixty feet high. But the screams radiated through the town. It had woken everyone up. Even the natives hadn't heard it in a long time.

The distinct voice of the Śeikl of the lake.

To them, it meant the Śeingtt resting place or land had been disturbed. This was a great taboo. But to the Tal Morenn Army, they couldn't care less. They mobilized quickly and efficiently. Stamping and stifling out any signs of hopes. Beating up so-called Prophets and Troublemakers who popped up. They had just subjugated a town; they couldn't afford an uprising.

Not while the defences and preparation for a siege had already begun.

Winning R'einsel was the start. There was still the threat of the rest of the province. Left to remain and deal with.

The posse gazed at each other. Caught in the moment.

"GUYS! Get your shit together and let's go…" Kairui ordered.

"That spirit demon thing did us a favor... let's go now"

"Give us a moment please" Aya requested as she kneeled, resting her arms on Shassii's shoulders.

Kairui rolled her eyes. Chucking two waterskins at Yannu and Quine.

Ussu picked up the sacks helping Yannu.

"I'll take this" Kairui said picking up the long metal rod resting beside Aya.

Squatting down to them.

"Come on you two, get your stuff together. We don't have long…"

Standing back up. She instructed the rest.

"Waterskins"

"Fill them up from now, at the river basins"

"It's a freshwater lake, we should be good…" Yannu advised.

"Ok, just hurry up. I'll take my chances with the river basin water down there. I'll meet you all on the other side of the lake in the forest. Okay. Let's hurry up"

With that Kairui dashed to the river stream.

Yannu did the Same, heading to the lake. Ussu placed her hand on top of Aya's.

"Guys we'll get through this…"

"Thank you… Ussu" Aya responded.

Tears fell from Shassii's eyes.

"Thanks…"

Ussu picked up the sacks. Meeting Quine who helped her refill her Waterskin.

"Listen Shassii, I know you were scared. But like you said to me at the fountain. Get your stuff together and let's go. There's no time left to morn"

Shassii remained silent.

"Aya, toss me your waterskins. I'll refill them for you" Quine kindly reached out.

Aya looked in the sack beside them. Retrieving two water skins. Tossing them at her, one by one.

"Nice catch.." Yannu praised.

"Thanks... Quine. Yannu"

Quine nodded her head. Handing the waterskin to Yannu.

Kairui came jogging back to the group. Passing the two on the ground.

She put her sack down.

"Isn't that heavy to carry on your back"

"What the Sa'quast. It is but don't worry am used to it" she responded.

"Hey, Yannu in my sack there should be three more water skins. Refill them. There the spares."

"Spares??"

"Yeah, that desert is big and can get hot in the daytime. We might need it"

"How far is it to that town you mentioned?" Ussu asked, replenishing her waterskin.

"Maybe four to eight kilometer's… depends on how fast we move and if we avoid the…"

"Avoid, the...."

"That's still going a be a long track still. Without no camels or horseback, can't we just take the carriage…" Yannu suggested.

Quine watched them go back and for the rest.

"No, it will draw too much attention. Plus we're heading there on the hope to throw these guys off our tracks and seek temporary refuge. While my contact meets me" She explained once again.

She looked around at their surroundings and especially at the sky. The moon was slowly setting as its position had shifted.

"We're losing cover…."

The trio was dismayed but they knew there was no other option. It was either this or be discovered soon enough.

"Okay, now that's that. I'll headfirst into the forest. Tell those two to hurry up. I can see the mist barrier on that passageway fading away, and I guess the men will go around if need be. To catch us"

Kairui collected her stuff.

Entering the lake.

She descended as the water rose.

Her movements were fast as she made her way already halfway.

Idolizing her, the trio noticed she resembled a soldier with her temperament. With the way she always had a grip on things. Even with her hands tied in a lake. She trudged along the lake floor quickly keeping her face afloat as the calm waves.

Brushed against her body. Fighting through it, she was slowly starting to ascend as she reached the other side.

"We should probably go now" Yannu instructed looking at Ussu.

"I know it's just…" she replied worriedly. Staring anxiously at Quine.

"Go on"

"You both, I'll stay and get those two" Quine enlightened.

They picked up the sacks. Stuffing the spare waterskins in Yannu's sack.

Yannu took the first steps in, waiting and reaching out his hand for Ussu.

She held it firmly, taking a few steps in before pausing to look back at Quine.

"What!???" Quine asked surprised, her arms folded and her face looking exhausted.

The crew had been up for what was now six hours into the night.

"You know Quine.. past this hardened exterior, you're really a nice person. Loving deep down!" she answered back, smiling as she turned around following Yannu into the lake.

Quine halted taking her words in as she saw the couple slowly descend. They giggled and shuffled as they struggled to walk together in the shifting lake. Each soft wave brushing past them. Yannu held Ussu up making sure the weight of the sacks didn't drag or slow her down.

Quine let a soft sigh, laughing at the thought of Ussu's words.

Turning round to Aya and Shassii. The two were still reflecting.

Walking towards them.

"Hey guys, come on. Wrap it up, we gotta go now!"

"Just, a minute…" Aya requested.

Quine groaned.

"Fine, make it quick"

She kicked a pebble that was stuck to her boot away.

Aya and Shassii knelt staring at each other.

Wiping the tears from her sister's face.

"Come on Shassii, let's go… please. They will kill us if we stay"

"We're already dead…" Shassii muttered her breath.

"Don't say that.. we made it this far"

"I've seen it.."

"Seen what…"

"The future… the Śeikl showed me"

"Me too! But it's all just visions, none of it is real"

Aya stood up. Rubbing her hair.

"Quine, don't worry were ready to go now"

Quine stopped playing with the rocks.

"Great"

"I'll grab your sacks for you… yeah"

"Okay. Thanks"

Shassii slowly stood up with the help of Aya, holding her up.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Shassii asked Aya, tears streaming down her face.

Aya turned back to look at her.

"Tell you what?"

"Fath…"

Shassii choked on her words. Speaking it out made her lose her breath and footing. She felt like vomiting as the pain in her heart left her distraught.

Her head rotated to the Mystical misty gate blocking the passage gateway.

"What is it?? Shassii, come on..."

"Shassii"

"Father is…. Dead!" she muttered out finally.

A strong gust of wind came sweeping over the lake and the crew beside it.

Aya's eyes bulged out. Her hair fell, hiding her face. She remained quiet hearing Shassii's words.

"Why didn't you tell me Aya!?"

"AYA, WHY!?"

"Were supposed to be sisters, aren't we? Or did you forget that, at the bridge? Just like how we up and forgot Chainik!"

"Your… your confused" Aya spoke out. Her lips quivering in fear and dread as she got her words out.

"Confused?"

"fathers not dead… you have it mistaken.. surely you… do"

"LOJJUINN IS DE.."

Aya slapped Shassii cutting off her words before she could finish muttering them out.

The slap froze Shassii as her tears flew across colliding and kissing Aya's face. Their eyes met, tracking each other as the slap rang in and then out.

Quine dropped the tied sacks rushing over to them.

Shassii caught a small glimpse of Aya's face as the slap hit her.

It was filled with scorn and hate. Her eyes were sharp, and her veins rushed out, her eyebrows slanted down as if pitchforks. A terrible grin was on her face as if she was biting her tongue down.

"Are you guys good… over here??" Quine asked concerned as she tiptoed closer to the duo.

"Yep, absolutely"

Aya replied.

A fake smile covering her face as she spun around spotting the intruding Quine.

"Don't ever say something so stupid again. Dear sister.. okay!" she warned Shassii, smothering her cheeks. Her nails slowly dug into Shassii's skin.

Shassii was shaken and shocked.

She could feel Aya's grip tighten inch by inch each nail-pierced into her skin before letting up.

Aya wagged her finger at her, disappointedly as she finished speaking.

Shassii rubbed her cheek.

Smirking and smiling back at the audience. Now staring across the lake.

"She's right… am okay now. My mistake. Let's go"

"Okay then, let me lead the way" Quine spoke out, trying to break the ice.

As they treaded through the lake, Shassii contemplated, something didn't seem right. But she decided to drop it for the group's sake.

Just now! What was that?? That look Aya gave... she's hiding something or maybe denial. No, it seemed like she was happy. Like she dazed out for a bit, like she wasn't herself. Did she…kill father?

No, she would never. Maybe am wrong. Maybe father lived and the Śeikl was messing with me. Today's been a mess altogether. Śeingtts bewith!

The last of the three made it across.