Chapter 15: Verdant Whispers

Amani was looking at the map on the quest sheet from the Guild in one hand and dragging Iskatl through town with the other. Blinking twice, he jumped up before snatching the map!

"I'll take that, ma'am!"

"Heyy!"

"Last time you guided us, we were lost for half a century. I'm good."

With puffed cheeks, she nodded. The sun was high, but the trip would be long and harsh. Making sure her tiara was fastened tightly into her hair, she folded her arms as the tiara did its job, converting a portion of the sun's light that beat on her into moonlight to soothe the sun's harsh rays, if only by a little. Humming in delight as she looked to Iskatl, who was reading the map before looking off into the distance.

"Do you think we should visit the tribe while we're there? It's been quite a while, and I kind of want to see Katja and the others."

"Hmmm? Well, I don't see why not, Iskatl."

"I suppose I'm just anxious. It's been a while, and we've nothing to show for it."

"What are you talking about? You melted a dragon!"

"Huh?.."

"You seriously don't remember?"

"Nope."

"What..."

"All I remember is blacking out, and then when I came to, the dragon was just bones. I felt really hot, like every part of my being was burning and melting. Like I was a raging inferno, being unleashed on the world. Then, I was on my knees and being helped to my feet by you."

. . .

. . . 

"I see."

He'd tilt his head and continue on toward their destination. Looking around at the scenery, they were still surrounded by vast forests and greenery. He sighed softly as he looked content, dumping some of his mana into his robes to form a translucent, fiery barrier of sorts out of his mana.

"Iskatl? Who's Vyarra?"

"Heh? Where did you hear that name?"

"Well, when we first went to the Capital, you said you were their son. Sounds like a woman's name. Is that your mom's name?"

"Yeah... I was thinking about her, and I just blurted it out. All I know of her is her name."

Amani's eyes narrowed; she clearly didn't believe him, but she didn't press the issue.

"I care about you. You know? Even though you're kind of an oaf, and despite all these smarts, you don't really think things through. You're great, and I'm glad we stuck together."

"I think you're pretty swell too, Amani."

He patted her head, avoiding the tiara, and she sighed.

Travelling through the land, they'd pass through a small village, at which Iskatl reached into his pack for some of their quest reward gold before blinking twice. He had gotten distracted and forgot to collect their reward gold!

Amani sighed and produced it as she noticed him scrambling around, searching in his bag.

"I at least did something while you were talking to that hag."

"Hey, she was a nice lady! Be nicer!"

"No."

Puffed cheeks before she headed to the town's inn, Iskatl following behind her. The inn was just on the edge of town, and it was a nice wooden building with a green-tiled roof.

The pair entered the building and went over to the innkeeper, before placing some gold coins on the counter. "Room with two beds, please."

An older-looking elf with grey hair looked down at her and counted the gold before smiling, golden eyes shining as he gestured for them to follow him before climbing up the stairs to the first room on the right.

"Enjoy your stay, you two. I hope to see you again on your return trip from wherever it is you're headed."

A smile from Iskatl as he opened the door for Amani, waiting for her to enter before entering right behind her. A soft nod from her as they both began shedding layers until it was just their basic clothing on.

"Well, let's get some rest."

Amani nodded at his suggestion before climbing into bed.

There she was again, in the darkness. This time, it was illuminated by a bright orange flame intertwined with pink light. Amani was alone in this area. Like last time, she couldn't make out any details, just an idea of her surroundings.

Her bare feet caused the stone beneath her feet to ripple and echo before, with a soft hum, she'd find that door from before and press her hand against it gently. Then it opened before her; Iskatl was still awake when Amani woke up. She looked at him as her skin glimmered in the moonlight, wondering if he was dreaming or if, in his sleep, there was only darkness.

She began to dress herself and walked outside the room to buy breakfast from the inn. Purchasing some eggs for herself and paying for a meal for Iskatl for when he awoke.

"So... Have you heard of the Emerald Tyrant, sir?"

"Ah, Moon Maiden... Are you on the hunt for him?"

A sly grin before she nodded. "My compatriot doesn't know, but I know for certain that the dragon we seek is the Tyrant. I want it dead. It would be a true test of his might to see if this man is someone who can take out a Dragon Priest; if the Emerald Tyrant can fall to him, I'm confident a Dragon Priest can."

"You sound sure of yourself, but from what I can see, you had a bad scrape on your last quest. Didn't you?"

"Tch. The sun was out."

"No excuse. The Moon Maiden shouldn't be getting dispatched so easily. What held you back?"

"Him."

"Ah, I see. Adorable. I presume something happened back home and that's why you're here, no?"

A nod from her, before she heard Iskatl shuffle down the stairs, to which the innkeeper handed Amani her plate, and began on Iskatl's. He looked at her with a tilt of his head. Avoiding eye contact. Shifting considerably, and turning away from him. A sign of guilt.

"What's up with you?" Iskatl asked.

"Mmmm? Nothing." Amani answered, stuffing her mouth full with eggs before a plate was given to Iskatl.

Amani took another bite, and another, stuffing her face full almost uncharacteristically fast. Then, she was finished and ran up to the room.

Iskatl stared at her, with a look of surprise and worry before he began to eat slowly. By the time he finished, Amani was ready to leave and so he'd bow to the innkeeper, "Thank you for the meal," then follow suit.

Now they were on the road again, considerably closer to the forest.