The Third Traveler
Writen by Kate Traylor
Mira stood looking at the two men, and could not prevent a small smirk from
crossing her lips. The Forrestrial- his elaborately decorated amulet and belt
buckle revealed him for what he was- was clutching his sword, obviously torn
between yelling at her and attempting to decapitate her. The Dragonlord was
only a few years older than herself, and so thin that she knew that she could
best him easily in any physical contest. He regarded her curiously, and rather
nervously. Finally, she laughed and extended her hand.
"I'm sorry if I startled you gentlemen. It's just that I often have reason to
be... discreet... as I move about, and I've grown accustomed to traveling under
a light illusion."
The Forrestrial glared murderously at her, and Mira found herself wondering
how he'd stand up in combat, then dismissed the idea as ridiculous. She'd stand
no chance fisticuffing with this one. If things became nasty, she'd have to
rely on wits and magic for defense. However, she wasn't here to be nasty. "My,
you two are awfully talkative, aren't you. I asked if I might..."
"We heard your offer, girl!" said the Forrestrial. "What I want to know is,
how did you run a simple illusion like that without my noticing it?"
"Maybe your awareness is set on the wrong channels, you great lout!" Mira was
beginning to be annoyed. She'd made a perfectly friendly advance, and may
wyrms
take her if she'd stand to be treated in this manner. "I don't know why you
didn't sense my illusion. Why don't you figure it out? At the bronze amulet
level, you should be able to deal with surprises more effectively than by
standing about with your mouth ajar like a sick bandry..."
"A sick bandry?! You impertinent little wench, I'll have eagles at your guts
if you dare to-"
"Brakk." The young Dragonlord had been watching their argument with growing
alarm. Unfit as he was for wilderness survival, he had obviously been trained
in diplomacy for most of his life. He eyed his guide reproachfully. "Brakk,"
he said again, "this is all quite unnecessary. No matter if she startled us,
this girl has done nothing to harm us. In fact, she has made a rather
interesting suggestion, which I'd like to hear the reason behind." He stepped
cautiously over to Mira and took the hand that still hung in midair. "Miss
Mira, exactly why do you wish to join us in our travels?
Brakk reluctantly put his sword away, still looking daggers at Mira. She
smiled. Apparently there was more to this slender young man than met the eye.
Strange, he didn't have the look of the High Lords she had had the pleasure to
encounter in the past. Then again, he hadn't kicked her out of his way with a
comment like "Away, you filthy street brat", either. Perhaps he was just on his
guard after being surprised, but there was the off chance that he was genuinely
a more likable person than the rest of his highborn cousins. She shook his
hand warmly. "Sorry for my rudeness..." (Should he be addressed as "sir" or "my
lord"? That didn't seem to fit...) "...Myst. My temper sometimes gets away
from me. The fact is, I was on my way to Murk when I heard you approaching
from
a side trail. I thought to greet you immediately, but that isn't overly wise
these days. Then the two of you just looked so interesting that I decided to
follow you and see what you did." She regarded
them both evenly. Brakk was glaring slightly less balefully, and seemed
instead to be suffering from a headache. He had been that way for as long as
she had been following them. "I have a few of my own provisions. When those
are gone, I can hunt for the benefit of all, or wildcraft, if Master Forrestrial
doesn't wish to do that himself." She hesitated. "So...?"
Myst eyed her skeptically. "Aren't you awfully young to be traveling on your
own? Have you no family?"
Mira found herself looking at her feet. Noticing this, she straightened
abruptly and answered, My parents are inaccessible. I have no other family, no
attachments-" There was an almost inaudible rustle of wind in her ears, and a
slight weight lighted on her shoulder. She turned her head and stared at the
beautiful green-gold eyes of a kyrrit hawk. The bird was about eight inches
long from head to tail, and was the proud owner of an immaculate set of
sandy-and-black plumage.
Yria ruffled her feathers happily.
Mira broke in. She looked up to see the two men
staring at her. "No attachments except for Yria here, and she travels with me."
Myst smiled slowly, and Brakk did the same. She could tell that both loved
animals, and would not object to her friend and companion of two years. Myst
looked Mira in the eye. "Welcome to our group, Mira."
On to the next chapter?