#valska

Valska poked at the fire with the slightly longer branch she'd found and looked around at the shadows of the rocky clearing. It wasn't an ideal place to camp but they needed to take a break. Well she did. It appeared than her new ally would just keep going regardless. Valska studied the female Minotaur, Selene she'd given her name as. The flickering firelight occasionally brought forth hints of purple from her dark fur, a purple that matched her eyes. She'd just sat near the fire and not said a word since they'd set up the fire. "Hungry?" Asked Valska as she stopped poking the fire long enough to dig through her pack. Always pack more food than you need, her Father had told her. You never know when you will meet a new friend.

"No." Came the reply. The tone was flat as if the reply was automatic, no thought behind the action.

"You sure? I got plenty. We should find water while we're stopped." Food is good but always find water first. She smiled as more of her father's words floated through her mind. Part of her wondered where he was, but there was time for reunions after she...... no.... after they had fixed whatever was going on.

"No." 

Same word, some tone of voice. Valska paused and looked up from her pack. "Selene?" She said. "You ok?"

Selene turned to look at her. "Fine. You sleep. I will watch."

"Ok. Just wake me in in four hours or so. Then you can get some sleep."

There was no reply. Valska frowned a little as she tore at some jerky. Needed to buy more rations. She wasn't as stocked up as she let on. Still no reason to worry her new friend about that. She glanced over at Selene again. No pack, no bags, nothing that looked like it was designed to help her carry anything. Just the clothes she wore. She took a breath.

"Fae Wilds, right?"

Selene's eyes narrowed. "Pardon?"

"Your eyes."

"Yes." The reply was quiet, almost whispered.

Valska pursed her lips. She wanted to know more but that sounded like something she shouldn't push at just yet.

"Your magic. It's different." She decided upon.

Selene turned to look back at the fire. "If you say so."

"I only just realised it. You don't register as magical and there are none of the usual signs of a magic user about your person." Valska winced a little as Selene's harsh gaze turned back to bore into her. "Sorry. Father taught me to be observant. And to be the best."

"My Father taught me that Information is valuable and must be traded or earned."

Valska swallowed. Oh well. There went that conversation. "Four hours. Then I'll take watch."

No reply as she lay down to sleep.

...

Valska awoke to find the dawn light breaking over the ember of last nights fire. She sat up and looked around. "Selene!"

"Yes." Came a quiet reply from the edge of the clearing.

"You didn't wake me!"

"You needed rest."

"So do you!"

"I am fine. There is a river nearby I procured you some fish and water. You will need to get the fire going again."

You. You. No mention of We or Our. Valska rubbed her eyes and stretched while her mind raced. Take in every detail Daughter, you never know where the Truth hides. More of her Father's wisdom. Selene's choice of words. Her indefatigable aura. "You don't sleep!"

Selene shook her head. "No. I do not."

Once again Valska's curiosity raged from within. ASK HER!!!! it screamed. No. She cannot push this new friend like that. She knew that. Her curiosity would have to wait. She grinned as this time words from her mother rang through her head. I swear you have more impulse control that you Father, that man would march into a lion's den just to look at the cubs. "Fire....... ok... cooking."

"Unless you wish to eat the fish raw." said Selene.

Valska thought about it for a moment and she could almost hear the voice of her father telling her to try, just once, but to try it. She shook her head. Time may have flown by since they last saw each other but she held onto each of her father's words like they were life itself. "No. Cook them. That's the plan."

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