Bushcraft

The next few days on the road were uneventful.

We would alternate from traveling by road one day and hiking through forest for the next two. Although it seemed like were we not actively being pursued, we didn't want to take any chances.

Eplash continued to show me bushcraft. She was surprised and happy when she found out that I already knew how to identify and forage for various edible plants and mushrooms.

"Mother would take me on hikes in Elkshire," I said. "Whenever we came across something, she would point it out. Then the next time we encountered it, she'd quiz me."

"That sounds like her," said Eplash.

My body started to feel like it was getting used to life on the road. Being able to sleep in a tent on a relatively soft bedroll was a major upgrade from sleeping on leaves wrapped in my cloak. Although the first few days of carrying a pack was rough, my legs no longer screamed at me at the end of a day's journey.

"We need to get you a bow," Eplash said while we ate one evening. "I saw that trick you did with the dagger, but it's rather slow. A good huntswoman can draw and shoot her bow in seconds." She snapped her fingers to emphasise.

I had a vague recollection of my mother saying that a good bowman took years and resources to train. "Won't that take a while?"

Eplash laughed. "You got something better to do?"

"I guess not," I shrugged. Honestly, I still didn't have any clue of what we would do after we found the other two companions.

"What about other weapons?"

"What about them?"

"Aside from that tiny knife, did your mother train you in anything?"

"She showed me some techniques with a short sword, but not a lot."

Eplash looked to the small pouch on my belt, "You rely on the Emberstone then?"

"I wouldn't say I rely on it. I had just started with a tutor who showed me the basics on how to imbue things. Not long after, the cult found us."

Eplash shook her head. "I am surprised."

"How's that?"

"Your mother was a warrior. Why didn't pass on her skills to you?"

I thought about it for a moment. "After we escaped the castle when the kingdom fell, we were in constant danger. We were in several battles before we made it to Elkshire. When the wizard didn't come after us, I think my mother believed we were safe. She told me that she wanted me to have a normal life."

"And why is the wizard after you now?"

"I wish I knew. He's been in control of the land for about 12 years now. As far as I know, my mother made no moves to reclaim the throne. Maybe he thinks I'm a threat somehow."

She narrowed her eyes for a moment. "Are you?"

"I don't think so. I don't remember anything about being a princess, and there was nothing royal about my upbringing. Even if I took the throne, which I have no ambition for, I wouldn't have the first clue about running a kingdom. Maybe that's what my mother wanted."

"And, what do YOU want?"

I sat, staring at the fire.

"I don't know. Before the cultists came my only ambition was to leave peacefully in the village with mother. Right now it's just survival."

Eplash stood, shaking her head. She raised her hands to the sky and shouted something in the Giantkin native tongue. I have no idea what she bellowed, but from Eplash's body language, I could tell she was angry and frustrated.

The large woman walked over to me and hauled me to my feet. She bent down on one knee so she was eye level with me.

"You've no plan, no ambition, and no drive! You're mother gave up everything to save you so you can LIVE. She may have wanted a peaceful life for you, but right now that's no longer an option. I will help you, I will guard you, and I will guide you, but you need to pick a direction RIGHT NOW. I can make sure you're safe until the end of my days, but what will you do after? Will you just let life happen to you? Will you just wait for someone to come along and give you answers?"

I was speechless. I had never seen Eplash, upset before. It was scary, especially in the glow of the firelight. The thing was, she was right.

I somehow believed that the companions would be the answer to everything, but that wasn't the case. My mother didn't tell me to find the companions so they could have the thankless job of protecting me for the rest of my life, she wanted me to find them so they could help DO SOMETHING. My mother had tried to protect me from the world for all those years, but she had ultimately failed. In her last act, telling me to find the companions, she was trying to correct the misstep that she had taken. It was not longer time to be passive.

"So, I ask you again girl. What do YOU want?"

She stared at me with the most intense eyes. My brain whirled. So many things flashed through my mind at once. Part of me wanted to shout, "I DON'T KNOW!" but I couldn't let that happen. I considered me options, thought about where I was in life and I grabbed on to something.

"I want to know what happened to my father," the words slipped out. I don't know where they came from, but I knew that they were true.

"Is he not dead?" Eplash asked.

"I assume so yes, but I don't KNOW. We left the kingdom before finding out what truly happened. My mother told me that he had gone to delay Jall so we could make our escape. My only connection I had to him was the book that I lost in the goblin raid, and now that's gone, so I feel like I need some sort of closure."

Eplash nodded. Her eyes softened, and she clapped me on both shoulders.

"Good," Eplash said. "Your mother would be proud."