Written August 30th, 2020 12:13 AM

Birds called cheerfully to each other as the sun shone through the tree canopy, spreading mottled shadows across the ground. It was a peaceful sound, one that had filled Ailith with a sense of calm when she first ventured into the forest two days ago.

But right now, Ailith hated the birds. She hated their chirping, the trees with their rustling leaves, the fresh air. She especially hated the sound of tiny woodland creatures scurrying through the underbrush finding all the edible plants Ailith wished she knew how to find. She was going to starve to death long before she made it to Gaal Alari at this rate. She had been a bit preoccupied when she had left Kaskaden a few nights before, which meant that the few pieces of dried fruit she had stuffed into her pockets were long gone.

Ailith wandered farther into the forest, eyeing up a cluster of bright red mushrooms that she was sure would almost certainly kill her if she ate them. “Well, it’s not like I have any other options,” she muttered to herself bitterly, hunger making her desperate as she bent down and reached for the small knife in her boot. A twig snapped behind her and she whirled around, grasping her staff and coming face to face with a nocked arrow.

Sliding her eyes away from the weapon aimed at her head, Ailith took in the person behind it. A young woman glared back at her, green eyes regarding her steadily. Judging by the hint of a pointed ear peeking out from beneath her red hair, Ailith assumed she was at least half-eleven. Letting go of her staff with one hand, Ailith spread her arms wide in a gesture of peace. When the woman’s demeanour didn’t change, Ailith eased out of her crouch, noticing as she drew up to her full height that she was a couple inches taller than her ambusher. Height would give her a slight advantage if this came to a fight, and Ailith doubted the woman was practiced in hand-to-hand combat.

Taking a breath, Ailith broke the silence. “I’m not going to hurt you,” she reassured the woman, pretending not to notice the scoff she gave at Ailith’s words. “I’m just trying to find some food and then I’ll be on my way.” Lowering her staff completely in a show of trust, Ailith waited, mapping out potential escape routes in her mind.

After a beat, the redhead let her drawstring relax. Still eyeing Ailith warily, she took a step forward, eyeing the mushrooms Ailith had been moments away from eating. “If you eat those you won’t have to worry about being hungry anymore.” She spoke in a quiet, measured voice. “Because you’ll be dead,” she clarified, pointing out what apparently should have been obvious to Ailith.

“Well at this point, dead might be preferable.” Ailith tried for a grin, but her stomach picked that moment to grumble fiercely, a sharp pain making her grimace. She saw the woman’s brow furrow slightly.

“Okay,” the redhead sighed. “I don’t want your starvation on my conscience, sit down.” She was taking pity on her, but Ailith’s pride didn’t care. Ailith immediately flopped to the ground, crossing her legs and laying her staff across her lap. She watched as her tentative companion took a seat across from her and produced several rations from her bag. Gesturing for Ailith to take some, she helped herself to some jerky. Ailith avoided the meat and picked out some dried fruit, groaning with happiness as she chewed. Could it be poisoned? Sure, but at least she wouldn’t die hungry.

“Gods, this is good,” Ailith mumbled, mouth full. “I can’t thank you enough, I mean it.” The other woman had a faint look of amusement on her face, watching the scene in front of her. “Oh! Where are my manners? I’m Ailith.” She wiped her hand on her pants and extended it towards the other woman.

“Feyra,” came the reply after a seconds hesitation, the handshake returned firmly. Feyra’s hand was soft, the calluses dotting her fingers matching the ones on Ailith’s palms.

“What are you doing out here, Feyra?” She seemed at ease in her surroundings, unlike Ailith.

“I’m heading to Gaal Alari. I have business there.” Feyra glanced away then, a look of unease on her face.

“What are the odds, I’m heading that way too! You wouldn’t happen to need a travel companion would you? Two sets of eyes are better than one.” And I do not want to deal with this cursed forest on my own, Ailith thought to herself.

“Two weapons are better than one as well,” Feyra pointed out, eyeing up Ailith’s staff. “You’re welcome to join me until we get to our destination.”

Ailith grinned, not believing her luck. “Deal,” she confirmed, taking another bite of dried fruit. Sitting in silence, Ailith took the opportunity to watch her new travel companion. Feyra was methodical, unhurried. Dressed in muted greens and browns, Ailith thought detachedly that she was quite pretty, if a little feral. More importantly, Feyra was clearly competent and a worthy fighter; she would make a fine ally indeed, for as long as they were together.