#thread: ariadne and eska

[machiavxlli]

Closed Starter

Cont from here - @ofholocenemuses

"I can!" Ariadne proclaimed. There was no use in hiding herself at this point, since the other mage had already seen her. She was at his side, a few paces away. Ariadne clasped her hands together, placed her lips upon them and began to blow. The other mage was ready to counter it nut Ariadne was fire. As she blew air, fire came out the other end of her clasped hands. The water mage took steps back, but the flames followed him in similar intervals of his previous ice attack. Flame ate the surrounding ground, Ariadne let her hands fall back to her sides.

"Run!" The mage shouted towards her companion, before grabbing his arm and dragging him away. The water mages name was Rodrick, a mage that had turned his back on his own kind and served the people who wanted all mages dead. He served a tyrant. Ariadne heard whispers of him, and had many unfortunate run ins with the madman.

They came upon a bridge. As they crossed to the other side, Ariadne placed her hands upon the wood. A spark lit up, and the wood began to be engulfed in flames. "It'll make it harder for them to follow us now."

[machiavxlli]

Ariadne nodded, and began to run once again. The cold air pricked at her skin, she could feel her nose and ears starting to ache from the cold. A few minutes passed, and they moved in relative silence. Her heart was thundering in her chest. Her feet ached from the walking and the cold, and she was still shaking from the adrenaline. Her stomach was tied up in knots, unable to rest. They walked and walked, unable to stop for fear of being found. Oliver gave his orders, and they needed to follow them.

Ariadne thought back to the princess and the mercenary, worried that something might have happened to them as well. She saw them flee, but even that was not a sure sign of safety. The mage prayed for Ser Oliver as well, hoping the brave warrior was still breathing.

"Do you think they're alive?" Ariadne suddenly asked, gaze set upon the woods they had long since left behind. The woods looked so small from where they were standing. "I saw your friend and the Princess running, but I didn't see Ser Oliver anywhere..."

Eska gave a nod of approval, his eyes quickly scanning the area for any signs of pursuit. The crackling flames upon the bridge offered a barrier between them and the enemy, providing them with precious time to flee. He could hear their shouts in the distance, but for now, they'd gained a small advantage.

As they made it to the other side of the bridge, he turned to Ariadne. He wasn't sure how long the fire would hold back their enemies, but it was their only hope in that moment. After all, he knew he was no match for such a powerful mage as Rodrick.

"Thank you." He ushered out gratefully, voice laced with admiration. He glanced back at the bridge, now set ablaze by her hands. The same flames that were reflected in her gaze as he looked back at her. "We don't have much time, we need to keep moving.

[machiavxlli]

"Eska! Out the window!" The mage shouted then. Her first command was ignored, hopefully this time he would listen. While Eska fought with Ingvar, Ariadne thought of an idea. The boards on top of them would collapse soon enough. Maybe she could use them to her advantage. The mage snuck behind Ingvar, the shattering sound of ice stung her ears.

Ariadne used all the power she had left, and threw a beam of fire towards Ingvar. The water mage screamed in agony, his cloak now caught in flames. "Push him towards the door!" Ariadne used her entire body strength to shove the man towards the door, and as if on queue the boards holding the roof up collapse. The door was sealed off, with Ingvar under a pile of burning wood.

"Go! We have to leave!"

Eska’s blood turned to ice as Ingvar lifted Ariadne off the ground. The heat from the fire was suffocating, but in that moment he could barely feel it. His focus was entirely on her. On the way her fingers clawed at the ice gripping her throat, and the faint gasp of his name leaving her lips. Panic clawed at his chest.

“No!” He roared, his heart pounding so loudly that it drowned out even the mocking laughter echoing from Ingvar’s lips. He surged forward and slammed his shoulder into Ingvar’s side with enough force to knock the mage off balance. Ingvar faltered, and though it was only for a split second, it was long enough. Eska raised his sword once more and swung.

Steel met ice with a deafening clang. For a second he thought he’d failed once more, but then a fracture split through the ice, and the frozen hand shattered into pieces.

“You’re not burying anyone!” Eska growled.

Ingvar jolted backwards, clutching what was left of his arm, and his gaze darkened.

“Bold words from a man standing in a burning building…” Ingvar mused in reply.

Smoke coiled around them. Above them, the wooden beams groaned under the weight of the flames. Embers drifted down like fiery snow. The inn was coming apart, and if they didn’t move soon, they’d be buried beneath it.

[machiavxlli]

Ingvar was a terror to look at. Long, white hair. Pale skin, with dark circles under his eyes. The man very much resembled a ghost, a specter from a time long past. There was also a twinkle in his eye, the kind that belonged to a person who did not care for human life. Ariadne would not surprised if the man sold his soul. Ingvar moved away to dodge Eska's attack, but was not fast enough. The mercenary nicked him on the arm, a hiss escaped the mage. "I am going to bury both of you!" The man screamed.

"Eska, duck!" Ariadne then let out a gust of flame, the wood around them caught flame. Ariadne heard screams, briefly looking out of the window. People ran out, the innkeep holding his wife as they stumbled out. Ingvar tried gathering himself from the mess, balance lost.

"Look what you've done." Ingvar laughed, eyes taking in the destruction Ariadne caused. "All that training...and for what?" Ingvar threw an arm towards her, it suddenly becoming longer with a trail of ice. The ice hand grabbed her by the throat, lifting her up from the ground. "Eska...r-run..."

Eska had barely anytime to process the inkeepers words before his instincts kicked in. He threw himself sideways as the shards of ice scattered the door. He was on his feet in mere seconds, his hand darting to the sword at his side as he glared to the water mage infront of them.

He edged himself forwards, positioning himself infront of Ariadne. He knew he couldn’t defeat him, but in that moment he was willing to give his all to protect her. His sword sang as it slid from its sheath, and his fingers tightened around the hilt, muscles coiled, ready.

"Trapped? I have heard worse odds." He muttered under his breath.

"You think that little blade of yours will stop me?" Ingvar mused, tilting his head, a wicked smile upon his lips.

“I don’t need to stop you.” Eska replied, voice steady despite his heart thundering in his chest. “I merely need to keep you busy.”

Then he lunged.

[machiavxlli]

"We're going to have to wait and see, I suppose." The mage laughed. She liked it when he laughed, or when he smiled. Why was that? Was this what people said when they felt an instant attraction? A knock came from the door, startling the mage. "Madame?" It was the innkeeper on the other side of the door. "What is it?" Ariadne asked. She looked at Eska in the eye, signaling for him to be prepared. "There's someone here, claiming to be your husband?" Something was very wrong here.

"Eska, duck!" An ice shard shattered the door, lodging into the corner of the roof. Ariadne gasped. The door swung open now, and there he stood. Ingvar. "That was a nasty trick you pulled before, setting the forest on fire." The water mage spoke, stepping into the threshold now. His eyes fell on Eska, he was balancing his odds. "Now you're both trapped here, so..." His arms turned into large, ice spikes. They covered his arm all the way to the elbow, the end was sharp as a blade.

"Any last words?"

Eska chuckled softly, setting the remainder of the bread down on his plate. “Friends, huh?” He said, leaning back, crossing his arms across his broad chest. “I suppose I can live with that…So long as you don’t try to feed my horses that stale bread. Unlike me, they have standards, you know.”

His tone was light, but her words lingered in his head. I think we're becoming friends. It wasn’t the first time someone had called him a friend, but coming from her, it felt... different.

He watched her, her smile brightening the dim room like a flicker of sunlight cutting through the clouds outside. “You’ll have to visit then.” He continued, his voice quieter now, almost as though he were testing the waters. “I’ll show you how to properly care for a horse. Who knows, you might even come to like them.”

[machiavxlli]

"Sounds like something worth fighting for." The mage teased at the mention of ale. Ariadne had a few memories of her home, before the palace. The smell of lilacs always brought her back to her mother's garden. It was a distant memory, Ariadne could not recall what her mother looked like. Not entirely. She was a faceless entity whom she loved, who held a small Ariadne in the vision. Fire was a double edged sword for her. The fire that had welcomed her and protect her, also took her mother away. Ariadne gulped before responding. "I would take a long, hot bath and then sleep for a week." The mage said plainly.

Another giggle escaped her. "If you want me to. But fair warning, I am not good with horses." She said. "Dare I say Eska, I think we're becoming friends."

Eska paused, the slice of bread hovering just before his lips, a gentle chuckle escaping him as she winked at him. She had a playful spirit, that he was sure of, and it lifted the weight on his chest, if only for a moment.

"I will tend to my stables, put Rickard to work whether he likes it or not." He replied, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. For a moment, he lost himself in thoughts of home. The smell of fresh hay, the sound of horses whining in the stables, and the warm laughter of friends gathered around a fire. It felt like a distant memory, almost dreamlike against the harsh reality they were facing. “And a large tankard of ale to follow.”

He took a hearty bite of bread, chewing slowly, savouring each morsel.

"And yourself?" He asked, curiosity piqued as he leaned back, his gaze resting on her. A sudden thought flashed through his mind, and the warrior hesitated before he spoke. "Will you visit me?"

[machiavxlli]

"Of course. Again, I apologize. I wanted to surprise you with some breakfast." The mage sent the man a wink, before taking another bite of her food. The bread was slightly stale, having been baked the morning before but it was the best thing Ariadne had ever eaten. The pain in her gut settled, the nauseous feeling went away with each bite. "We should leave after this. I don't want to remain in one place, should people get suspicious." Who knows, perhaps the invaders already placed posters with their faces on them on any surface they could find.

"I trust your friend, I know he will keep the princess and himself alive and well." The mage prayed for it. The rumours that fell from villagers lips, talk of people dying and vanishing in the heat of battle, made the mage uneasy. It was like a constant shadow, lurking behind you but you could never catch it.

"I will say I cannot wait for all of this to be over. I can go back to my studies and you can return to your horses..." Ariadne tried to fill the empty silence. "When you return home, what would be the first thing you do?"

“Thank you.” Eska replied, voice quieter as he reached for a slice of bread. Truth be told he hadn’t realised how hungry he was until the smell of the food hit him. He chewed, savouring the taste, but also considered her words. If it was true that the invaders had retreated, it meant they had time, perhaps even a chance to find Rickard and the Princess. But of course nothing was certain.

“I hope there’s truth in it also.” Eska agreed, his voice firmer now as he thought of Rickard. His friend was strong, stubborn as a mountain, but he couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at his gut. “We’ll need to move soon, find them.”

His gaze returned to Ariadne, catching the flicker of the firelight dancing over her features. He knew she’d have been thinking the same, though non of them had voiced the fear that perhaps they were already too late.

“As for sneaking out in the dead of night? You were right to be careful.” His eyes softened as he added…“But I would rather we stay together next time. We’re far better off watching each other’s backs.”

[machiavxlli]

Ariadne laughed. She could tell by the look in his eye, that he was worried that she had snuck out. The mage hadn't made it easy on him, not at all. She made a mental note to declare herself in the future.

"Relax. I merely sold some of my jewels." The Princess made sure her companion was dressed in just as much finery as she was, and the mage was ever grateful. In this time, it occurred to her that she needed to give them away for some sustenance. And she did so, without a second thought. She took a seat at the foot of his bed, tray of food placed upon a small table. "Please, eat." The mage beckoned, before rising once again. With her skirts in her hand, she moved to tend to the fire. "I hope your sleep was good. And you don't have to worry, I was careful."

"People are talking. Things have slowed down, it would seem." As she waited for her breakfast, she overheard a few peasants talking. The invaders had lost a battle, their numbers dwindled. They retreated. That ignited hope within the heart of the mage. She did not stick around to listen to more. "I do hope there is some truth in that." Ariadne sat back down, hand darting for her own loaf of bread.

Eska stirred from his slumber, woken by a hand on his shoulder, warm and familiar. His mind responded before he’d even opened his eyes, and he soon shot up, his senses snapping into focus. It’d been a long while since he’d slept so deeply.

“Ariadne, is everything alright?” He questioned, his voice still rough from sleep, but as his gaze met hers, a wave of relief washed over him. He blinked the remnants of sleep from his eyes, shaking off the drowsiness that still lingered in his limbs. His eyes fell on the food she’d managed to gather. Bread, eggs, water. It wasn’t much, but it was more than they’d had yesterday. He hadn’t heard her leave earlier, hadn’t sensed her sneaking away, and that made him uneasy to say the least. He should’ve been more vigilant, should’ve stayed awake. “How did you manage it?” He questioned, genuinely impressed despite everything.

[machiavxlli]

"You too." Ariadne said right back. Perhaps nothing will come of it. They would return to their homes and never think of each other again, or something so beautiful would grow between them that poets would write ballads about it. Ariadne drifted off to sleep before a peaceful fire and for the first time in weeks, she had a dreamless sleep.

---

Dawn cracked through the dark skies. No colors danced over them though, it was just gloomy clouds and shades of gray. It was getting colder, Ariadne surmised. The lake somewhat frozen over, the peasants dashing between the inside and the outside for water. The mage snuck away from the room in the morning, in search of breakfast or something to eat at least. With her powers, she hid herself amongst the patrons of the inn.

By selling a ring of hers, she managed to get them four slices of bread, eggs and cold water. Quietly, the mage returned to their rooms. Eska looked peaceful as slept. Ariadne crouched down, her hand gently resting on his shoulder. "Wake up." She softly beckoned, with a gentle shake to follow.

Ariadne’s comment about his sister made him smile. "That she is." He murmured, more to himself than to her. He could picture his sister’s stern yet kind face, the way she’d scold him for his recklessness. But it was always with a warmth that reminded him that she cared. It’d been age an since he’d seen her, though at least she was safe along with her family, far from the grip of the ongoing war.

As the conversation lulled, he found himself mulling over Ariadne’s earlier question. He hadn’t expected to be asked something so personal, but then again, he hadn’t expected to find himself in such company either. He looked to her once more. Noting how the flickering light reflected in her eyes. She was ethereal, almost otherworldly. A fitting look for a mage, he thought. But despite the power she held, there was something incredibly human about her, a warmth that drew him in.

His gaze drifted down to her hands, now resting lightly on her lap. Those hands had conjured flames fierce enough to keep their enemies at bay, wielding a power that was both terrifying and mesmerizing in equal measure. Hands that seemed too gentle, too refined tohave been the source of such formidable magic.

Compelled by something he couldn’t quite explain, he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers before he gently took them into his own.

“You ought to get some rest.” He murmured softly. His gaze remained fixed on her hands as he held them, his thumb absentmindedly tracing the faint lines on her palm. As if he were trying to merge the image of the powerful mage with the woman now sitting before him, a woman who seemed just as amazed by the connection between them as he was.

[machiavxlli]

"She sounds like a lovely woman." The mage commented softly. Ariadne often wondered how it would be to have siblings, to have someone wondering where she was in the world. If she had eaten, or slept or had anything to drink. If she was alright. Magic came with it's own set of loneliness, as no one back home associated with 'witches'. Ariadne felt less alone with the princess around, the bond the two shared served to mend some scars of the past. But she was not always there, she had duties to attend to and Ariadne had hers.

Loneliness crept through the cracks of joyous moments.

"It does. That's what makes it beautiful though, isn't it?" Ariadne commented. "As gloomy as our situation is now, I am glad to be in the company of someone like you." Perhaps she was too forward, but his presence was comforting.

Eska's expression softened as he continued to listen to Ariadne's story. He could feel a sense of shared loss between them, as if there was a mutual understaning of what it felt like to be alone in the world.

"We were close." He replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "She was the more practical one between us mind, always the one to keep me grounded." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "She’s got a family of her own now, so I don’t see her as often, but I know she’s happy, and that’s all that matters.”

He fell silent for a moment. He found himself feeling more at ease with her than he had with anyone in a long time. Something about her made the burdens of the world feel a little lighter.

"You know…" He said, breaking the silence. "I never expected to find myself in such company. A mage, no less. Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it?"

[machiavxlli]

"No, nobody is waiting for me either..." Ariadne was very much alone in the world, if you discount the princess. A part of her was glad that Eska did not have a girl waiting for him, but she also understood the profound loneliness in that statement. No man was waiting for her. "I am sorry about your parents...it must have been hard." The mage had lost her mother when she was a child, and she had never met her father. No parents, no siblings. Nothing.

"I don't have any siblings...and I lost my mother when I was young, so I could say I know the feeling..." The mage briefly stared into the fire, recalling what her mother had told her. Fire was not always a bad thing, it keeps us warm in the winter and keeps us alive. It was her way of protecting Ariadne, and showing her the true nature of her powers.

"I've always wanted a sister. Are you close with yours?"

Eska's gaze shifted to Ariadne, captivated by her animated storytelling. He could easily imagine the scene in his mind. Her, the horse, and the dreaded fall. She had a contagious energy, and for a brief moment, he felt their circumstances didn't seem as heavy.

However when she blurted out her question, he paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. It’d caught him off guard, but in truth the he didn’t mind it. In fact, he found her curiosity endearing.

“No, no one waiting for me.” He said softly, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. “My parents passed some years ago, and my younger sister…she’s married and has a family of her own now.”

He glanced at her, noting the blush upon her cheeks and the way in which the firelight reflected in her gaze. He’d never been one to pry into others personal lives, yet the warrior felt himself compelled to return the question, quietly hoping her answer was a no. “But what of you? Have you anyone waiting for you?”

[machiavxlli]

"On that we can agree." The mage laughed. "I remember trying to ride a horse once. It belonged to the leader of our village, and the stables were next to his home. I snuck around, and I actually got on it..." The mage explained, her hands moving as if they explained the story. "The horse threw me off, I nearly broke my neck." Ariadne recalled the memories fondly. Memories of her village before she was chased out, they reminded her of simpler times.

"Why apologize? This is the most fun I've had in a while." Ariadne reassured. In this lighting, Ariadne noted the details of his face. The fire light made his eyes enchanting, and if Ariadne didn't know better, she would say she was being put under a spell. Eska was a handsome man, and Ariadne had a hard time hiding the heat that spread across her cheeks. In a moment of curiosity, a question was blurted out.

"Do you have anyone waiting for you back home?" The mage cleared her throat. "I mean, nevermind that. Sorry, I did not mean to ask that-"

Eska nodded thoughtfully, a flicker of amusement in his eyes at the mention of Ser Oliver and his past as a butcher. The man was a mystery in many ways, often keeping to himself and revealing little about his life before becoming a mercenary. But one thing was for certain, he was skilled and loyal, qualities that Eska certainly respected and admired.

"Horses are magnificent creatures." He remarked, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "They’ve a spirit that's hard to match…I’ve always found peace in their company." He paused, reminiscing about the days he’d spent tending to the stables and the horses in his care. “I remember we had a stallion once. Dark as night with a white star on his forehead. Beautiful creature, but one hell of a temperament.” He bit his lip, fearing his rambling might bore her, and with a sheepish smile the warrior appologised.

[machiavxlli]

"Hm, must have been scary for two young boys." The mage commented. Back in the west, they had mandatory military service for at least a year. Upon her own observations, Eska and Rickard seemed trustworthy and both had their individual quirks. Rickard was loud, perhaps a bit arrogant at times. Despite the mercenaries attempt at being quiet, Ariadne heard most of the superstitions about mages he expressed. She liked him well enough, though. She expected it, in fact, for someone to be skeptical of her presence.

"Ser Oliver never mentioned much of his homeland, only that he used to work as a butcher and left when he was in his early twenties." Ariadne smiled when Eska mentioned being a stablemaster. "I love horses. I always wanted one when I was a girl, but we could never afford it."

Eska listened intently as Ariadne’s recounted her story, his gaze unwavering as she spoke of her past and her service to the Dragon Queen. It was evident she’d been through so much in her life. Hardships and sacrifices were a common theme threaded through the lives of those in the Kingdom of late.

“In some ways.” He began, a grin forming at the edges of his lips. He’d been his closest friend, a brother in arms who had stood by his side through countless battles and hardships. But it hadn’t always been that way. The two were nothing more than mere boys once, intent on getting into as much trouble as humanly possible. “I’m a stable master by trade.” He began. “But when the call to arms came, Ser Oliver roped us both into service.”

[machiavxlli]

"Hm..." The mage let the hum out before she could stop herself. The scar was prominent, no doubt painful upon the first blow. "I am sorry for asking. I did not meant to bring up any bad memories." She crossed her legs, elbows resting on knees. Ariadne turned her body to him, her hand falling on her shirt. She pulled the hem of the shirt down, exposing her collar bone and part of her chest to him. "I got this from an attack back home, they tried to capture me since I was one of the last mages in the village." Ariadne remembered that day with dread. How the blade slashed her open, and how much she ran even as she was bleeding.

"Guess we both have some painful reminders..." The mage figured it was only fair, for her to show something of hers since she saw something of his. "Do you ever miss it, your home?"

Calloused fingers traced the scar that marred his shoulder. It was an old wound, one that had long since healed but never truly faded from his memory. The memories of that battle were still vivid in his mind, the clash of steel, the taste of blood, the overwhelming desperation to survive. He remembered the moment when the blade had found its mark, tearing through his flesh and leaving behind the scar that now adorned his shoulder.

"I was lucky." He continued, his gaze meeting Ariadnes, his voice softening. "Many men weren’t so fortunate. It was a skirmish with group of bandits in the northern mountains, but we were outnumbered.”

[machiavxlli]

"Thank you." Ariadne gave him a nod. She found it rather endearing, whenever someone found her magic fascinating, instead of dangerous. "Of course." Ariadne moved closer to the warrior, until she was almost knee to knee with him. Her hands moved carefully to remove the chainmail, careful to not cause strain to the man. She could tell he was tired, she was tired as well. A deep exhaustion had settled in her bones, muscles ached with small movements.

The cold had a way of creeping into skin like knives. Ariadne always hated the cold. "Easy now..." The chainmail slipped off, small tingling sounds were heard in the room. "This is heavier than I imagined it would be..." The mage commented, before pushing everything to the side.

Instinctively, she grabbed Eska's cloak and laid it out in front of the fire. With a raise of her hand, the fire roared more. A wave of warmth filled the room. "Does that feel better?" Ariadne questioned, before her eyes landed on his bear shoulders. Her eyes caught a rather prominent scar, and curiosity got the best of her.

"Where did you get that?"

Eska hesitated, not accustomed to such kindness. Her gentle demeanour and the warmth of the fire urged him to accept her offer. But he was a creature of habit, used to bearing the brunt of his burdens alone. The exhaustion in his body weighed down his limbs like lead, and with a deep breath he collapsed next to her, the warmth of the fire bringing some relief to his weary body.

He fought against his tiredness as he worked to remove his cloak, struggling with each layer until it was finally discarded. But it was the chainmail that proved to be the biggest obstacle, its links clinging tightly to his bones. He grimaced. With each tug, the chainmail seemed to tighten, as if mocking his attempts to free himself from its grasp. He glanced towards Ariadne, a silent plea for assistance lingering in his weary eyes.

“I’ll admit.” He finally spoke, pausing for a moment. “I don’t know much about magic or its limitations, but your powers…they’re impressive.” He’d never been one to ask for help, but in that moment, the weight of his exhaustion and the stubbornness of his armour left him with no other choice. "Ariadne…could you…lend me a hand?"

[machiavxlli]

"Very well." Ariadne kept her hood over her head, the warmth now made it easier to ignore the coolness of her wet clothes. She followed suit, and took her seat. The wood under her creaked, by the look of the place, the wood was probably decades old. Ariadne reached for her own drink, and took a sip of it only for her face to scrunch up. She smacked her lips a bit. "That is terrible..." At least it was warm. The mage kept her hands around the cup, letting her fingers bask in the cold leaving them. "I hope he gets the room ready soon, all these people are making me nervous." Ariadne followed Eska's gaze, in a way trying to emulate his constant vigilance.

Wait...he said room. Just the one room? The thought made Ariadne's cheeks blush, but it was no time to complain now. Besides, they might end up not sleeping here at all. The mage cleared her throat, taking another sip of the wine despite not liking the taste.

"You should know, I uh...my powers don't work in the rain. It'll work in here, if needed." The hearth that burned in the center of the room provided excellent fuel. Minutes passed, Ariadne's anxious mind kept going back to the princess and the guard she was with.

The innkeeper approached them, stating the room was ready. He was a older man, with a big white mustache and a large belly. But his eyes seemed kind. "You and your lady here will be quite comfortable." Ariadne raised an eyebrow, a small smile spread over her lips. "Thank you." The mage took the lead, walking towards the old wooden stairs. The room was quite cozy. A fire burned in the fireplace, a large bed enough to welcome two, a table with some vases, and a window. The roaring of rain mixed with the soft cracks of the fire. If they could stay, Ariadne knew she could have a good nights sleep here.

The mage settled herself in front of the fire, sitting on the carpet. Her cloak was removed, spread in front to dry. "Come, sit. You'll fall ill if you don't dry yourself."

Eska followed Ariadne's gaze towards the distant inn and the warm, inviting light that flickered amongst the darkness. His mind raced with the possibilities - safety, shelter, perhaps even allies. But his instincts remained cautious, a shadow of doubt lingering at the back of his mind.

“We don’t have much choice." Eska finally spoke, his tone resolute yet tinged with apprehension. "But we can't afford to let our guard down, not now. I…I’ve faced dangers before, but never creatures such as those wraiths as you call them.” They couldn’t outrun them forever, and even if the inn offered a few hours respite, they had to take the chance.

Together, they made their way, footsteps muffled by the soft earth beneath them. As they drew closer, the sound of muffled voices and clinking glasses drifted towards them, a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty that had plagued them moments before. The door creaked open as they entered, casting a warm glow over them as they stepped inside.

The inn was bustling with travellers and locals alike, far too engrossed in their own conversations to pay much attention to the newcomers. Eska pulled his cloak tighter around himself in a bid to hide his armour and ushered Ariadne through the room to a secluded corner. At least there they could sit without drawing much attention to themselves. “Here, I’ll see to getting us a room.” He motioned for her to take a seat while he approached the bar to speak with the inkeeper. Eska returned with two steaming mugs of mulled wine, sliding one across the weathered oak table before taking a seat next to her. “Hopefully this will warm you up a bit.” He said, taking a sip of his own drink. He lifted his head from the mug within his grip and scanned the room, ever watchful. “Innkeeper says he’ll have our room ready in a short while. If he asks, we’re merchants travelling from the south. Best keep to the same story.”

@sxrcerxss