The Magician, The Wand IX

--- o The Wand IX o ---

   Elly breathed a sigh of relief; they finally set off. The sun was rising now, and Elly could see it encroaching on the thankfully clear skies above. With the cold quickly approaching, she hoped it would be over quickly, though this year had been rather dreary, and she had little faith. By the sound of it, and how grey Iris seemed all of a sudden, it would not be an easy journey, with the expected delays Iris mentioned, turning a few days trip into a few weeks. Still, she couldn’t hold back her excitement for her venture into the unknown.

   She leaned against the wooden frame of the wagon she would call home for the journey, it was spacious enough to stretch a few bodies across, and she already nested herself in the corner where she knew she’d get the best views.

   Narda rode alongside the wagon, mounted on the steed she called her own, a slender, two-headed lizard she called porridge and honey. Shifting on her saddle, she rolled her shoulder with mild discomfort. She mentioned to Elly earlier about her constant back pain when they were chatting idly while they waited for the others to ready themselves.

   Truthfully, Elly wanted to be out there riding alongside Iris, who was up ahead deep in conversation with Thatch and Rebis. But her attempt, her very first attempt, at mounting a steed resulted in her tasting dirt, something that pissed her off, and with Rhodi riling her up, had her temper boiling. Iris promised to teach her once they had time, though she said that many times by now, and often could not find the chance to do so.

   ❝ You don’t get motion sick, yeah? ❞ Narda asked, seemingly out of the blue.

   ❝ Um— No? ❞ Elly raised a brow, not biting her tongue when she did lie, because truthfully she had no damn idea.

   ❝ I do, ❞ Narda chuckled, ❝ It isn’t fun at all, especially with the route we’re headed. ❞

   Elly pursed her lips. Oh great.

   ❝ You’ll be fine, ❞ Narda added, watching Elly’s face turn, clearly she was already feeling it. ❝ I have some medicine in case you do. ❞ Narda added, handing Elly a small vial of clear liquid.

   ❝ Right. ❞ Elly groaned, taking the medicine and stashing it in her pocket, figuring it would be best to use it when she really needed it. That, and she was reluctant to take medicine, even if  she had made herself, though that is mostly basic balms and herbal remedies, nothing too fancy or complicated.

   ❝ Sir Veld told me you have an interest in medicine, ❞ Narda said, as though she was reading Elly’s mind, ❝ The monastery is always in need of apothecarists, I’m sure Lady Fowler will be pleased with having another hand to help. ❞

   ❝ Lady Fowler? ❞ Elly asked, albeit having spent a brief time at the Monastery years back, she did not recall someone with that name.

   ❝ She’s the acting Mother of the Monastery, ❞ Narda replied, her tone changing somewhat, almost as though she was unsure whether Elly would get along with her. They had only known eachother for a few days, but Narda could tell Elly was not the type of person to listen to others or sit idly, often finding ways to amuse herself at others expense. ❝ She is very strict, but she gets along with most people. ❞

   ❝ Mmn. ❞ Elly replied with a disgruntled groan, though she did promise Iris she would be on her best behaviour, it was often one she could not keep for long.

   ❝ She’s put me in charge of training you, so just follow me around and help where you can, yeah? ❞ Narda reassured her, though she was the person in charge of one of the infirmary wings and her own expression was one of acceptance of the fact that she would get even less sleep now.

   ❝ I’ll see whether I can get you on storehouse duty or something easy to start with, but be ready for getting your hands dirty. ❞ Narda was unsure whether Elly had the stomach for it, but she’ll need to get used to it.

   ❝ Thanks, ❞ Elly smiled, somewhat reassured she had at least someone to look out for her when she got there.

   ❝ When I first joined, ❞ Narda broke the momentary silence, ❝ I couldn’t get used to all the blood. Even now it still gets to me. ❞

   ❝ Just— be ready. ❞ For what?

--- o The Magician I o ---