Introductions

JP with White_Caribou and Cindy

Shalia would dwell on the shared energy later. She blinked away the tears of wonderment and steadied herself, looking into the sharp gaze of Kaithak. Islana’s words were thinly veiled with something the older witch couldn’t place, but she had no intention to pry this night. The woman's eyes and voice were already shifty with fear.

~No, no! Please don’t be afraid of me.~

The desperate, intrusive thought held Shalia in conflicted frustration. Islana needed fear so as not to cross her. She also needed to see the real intentions of trading her, but even Shalia--in her rusty social graces-- knew this was almost impossible to expect. Still, she couldn't bring herself to be more kind or comforting.
The harsh Aghul in her almost began barking about how grateful Islana should be, how her life was owed, all in rising volume.

Almost. She knew restraint.

“The worst thing you can do to a witch is withhold what brings them power.”

Their bond was evident. She nodded to the falcon with a small smile.
“You are a handsome bird, Kaithak. Even if I tried to get rid of you, I’m sure you would always find a way right back to her. Loyalty is tricky like that.”

Her tone was gentle despite some envy twisting in. Islana’s clear admiration for this creature was a subtle reminder to Shalia that her closest bond was far off in the plains. That she could not call him to perch upon her arm and talk about whatever she pleased, whenever she wanted. That his steely eyes did not follow her across the distance or soar overhead.

From the corner of her eye she spotted the other man she knew, Lerek, carrying two fresh rabbits as he returned from his evening hunt. The small dinner would be prepared soon and then the camp would die down to wake early and repeat. Hopefully she wouldn't find another pet.

She cleared her throat and focused back to their conversation.

“I think we should properly introduce ourselves. I am Shalia Nix of the Aghul clan, advisor and battlewitch to War Chieftain Koshnem.”

It was as if Islana was exhaling a long held breath when Shalia said she could keep Kaithak. Her voice was quiet but still expressed a great deal of gratitude.

"Thank you."

Kaithak was extremely loyal to Islana as the falcon had indicated time and again in the short time the pair had been together.

Islana was silent, for a moment, after Shalia gave her formal introduction. A foreigner born woman to achieve such a status. While she didn't know much about the Aghul the redhead could figure out on her own that was quite the feat. All of that seemed to be verbalized with a single statement.

"That's quite impressive." Something else needed to be said, though it felt weird saying it. "Well, Shalia Nix I should thank you for saving me from the fate that awaited me in the village."

Islana wasn't thanking her for the current situation, as that wasn't a good thing, in Islana's mind but she was well aware it was better than what could have been. Besides, she was desperately trying to stay on the dark haired woman's good side.

It might have seemed strange Islana was almost more impressed with Shalia achieving that rank than the woman's magik. It was probably more so she didn't think the magik, itself as anything to fear - her title meant she had power beyond her magik and that was far scarier to the redhead.

"I'm Islana Annora. I suppose my title is now your slave but in Ostiarium I was a huntress and, more recently, a scout."

Leaving fugitive and enemy of the Creed out of the conversation. The young woman was coming to grips with calling herself a witch. Being raised where that term was met with a hatred so ingrained that most even refused to speak of such things made it difficult, even if the truth was catching up to her.

"I have to admit I am curious. May I ask how you learned to use your ability so well?"

When it came to her own magik Islana felt lost in it, much of the time. Like she needed a map she didn't have access to.

It was as if Islana was exhaling a long held breath when Shalia said she could keep Kaithak. Her voice was quiet but still expressed a great deal of gratitude.

"Thank you."

Kaithak was extremely loyal to Islana as the falcon had indicated time and again in the short time the pair had been together.

Islana was silent, for a moment, after Shalia gave her formal introduction. A foreigner born woman to achieve such a status. While she didn't know much about the Aghul the redhead could figure out on her own that was quite the feat. All of that seemed to be verbalized with a single statement.

"That's quite impressive." Something else needed to be said, though it felt weird saying it. "Well, Shalia Nix I should thank you for saving me from the fate that awaited me in the village."

Islana wasn't thanking her for the current situation, as that wasn't a good thing, in Islana's mind but she was well aware it was better than what could have been. Besides, she was desperately trying to stay on the dark haired woman's good side.

It might have seemed strange Islana was almost more impressed with Shalia achieving that rank than the woman's magik. It was probably more so she didn't think the magik, itself as anything to fear - her title meant she had power beyond her magik and that was far scarier to the redhead.

"I'm Islana Annora. I suppose my title is now your slave but in Ostiarium I was a huntress and, more recently, a scout."

Leaving fugitive and enemy of the Creed out of the conversation. The young woman was coming to grips with calling herself a witch. Being raised where that term was met with a hatred so ingrained that most even refused to speak of such things made it difficult, even if the truth was catching up to her.

"I have to admit I am curious. May I ask how you learned to use your ability so well?"

When it came to her own magik Islana felt lost in it, much of the time. Like she needed a map she didn't have access to.

"We should discuss that another time. The answer is more complex than you'd think." Shalia crossed her arms. "Complex but quite worth it. Look where it led me."
She went quiet and shifted her eyes down as if to stop herself from continuing on. So many discussions locked away for another day. From the looks of it, Islana would be around long enough to partake in quite a few of them.

"We should move back toward the fire, as much as Kaithak and I would not like it. The nights up here are quite chilling to warmer beings. Not long until we can eat." With that she turned and gestured back toward the fire where the rabbits were being prepared.

The animals weren't all beastly and brainless with their aversion to fire Islana had mentioned--a huntress with burning red hair. Flames fueled an intimidated spark inside of Shalia and she wanted them all to be whisked away in the wind the moment they started to give light. The intensity of the heat as they approached left her skin crawling and she made sure to sit with further distance from it.