The Journey - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Trudging through the woods, we desperately needed shelter from the storm that raged above us. I and my companion Soka, had never seen a storm like this before. It ripped the sky in half with lighting, and rocked the ground with thunder. My gear, sopping wet, was slowing my progress and making it difficult to maneuver through the thick brush.

The rain seemed to be going to great lengths in soaking me specifically and thoroughly. I had dawned my most favorite robe that was proficient in keeping out the cold. But like any good thing, it had a flaw; it was also very fond of collecting water. How was I supposed to know that it would rain as if the world was ending!  Sure, I could have woven a spell to deflect the battering of the storm that loomed above us, but I needed to save my energy for other, more important things. Besides, I seemed to be the only one affected by the rains presence.

Soka was marching onward in long purposeful strides, not even bothering to look back and wonder how I was fairing. She gracefully bobbed and weaved through awkwardly placed tree limbs, vines and brush as if it was a sixth sense. For her it might as well be, she was a huntress after all. Soka must have spent almost every day in the woods.

I on the other hand, was a second rate magician who preferred to spend my time in libraries expanding my magical knowledge. I only spent my days out doors if I absolutely had to. On the rare occasion that I do go outside, I go foraging for natural ingredients and sometimes visit the traveling caravans for the not-so-natural and rare things I need.   

She knew these woods better than I so I followed her lead. The hair that clung to her back and water that fell from her clothes was the only sign I had to determine that I wasn't just dreaming up this storm.

Soka: "we are almost there, and must move faster if we want to reach the ruins in time" she said flatly over her shoulder, without even bothering to glance at me.

Soka was not an unkind person; she was just a very straight forward, blunt, to-the-point kind of woman. In her bluntness, I often found hurt in her words, but I know she only speaks her mind and does not mean any harm. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity we reached the ruins. It was an old abandoned watch tower. It must have been left behind ages ago. Being made of stone did not seem to make a difference however. The tower was weathered and littered with cracks. Vines clung hungrily to the sides, making their way to the top, patches of grass found residence in cracks of the tower. It seemed that Mother Nature was reclaiming her property.

When I thought of a place to rest and take sanctuary this was not what I had envisioned, but it was shelter non-the-less and I was grateful for it.

Upon entering the tower, I happily sat on a fallen piece of debris and with a wet plop I set my things down. While Soka hardly showed any sign of fatigue, I was exhausted and relieved to finally arrive at a resting point.        

"Are you alright Carra?" Soka asked with a concerned look on her face.

"Fine" I wheezed.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure"

"Well, then I am going to investigate the rest of the tower to make sure no one is here as well."

"What? I can't let you go by yourself! Wait for me, I'm coming with you."

"Carra, I am perfectly capable of defending myself." she said, gesturing at the long dagger at her hip and retrieving her bow from her back.

"No really, I'm coming with you."

"You are in no condition to accompany me. Stay here."

Rising from my makeshift seat I was determined to make a case for myself.

"But I want to help! I have magic, I can handle myself!" I insisted.

"No"

"But I..."

"I said NO!"

Narrowing her eyes, she pointed to the piece of rubble I had been sitting on moments before.

"Sit." 

"...Fine."

I begrudgingly sat on my rock and crossed my arms in defiance. She lit a torch and proceeded to walk down a passage way. As soon as I was sure that Soka was out of hearing range I was determined to have the last word.

"Bossy" I mumbled to myself.

"I heard that!" Soka shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. Darn.

"You were supposed too!" I shouted down the hall, even though she wasn't.

With the storm still raging on outside the stone walls, I decided to busy myself for the next few minutes by going through my bag to rid it of any unwanted water.