As Terakiel was staring forlornly out the jagged opening in the cavern wall, he heard stirring from behind him. The young woman moved slightly and let out a muted moan. Her exposed eye fluttered open and she immediately made eye contact. There was something in those eyes that struck him as odd. She seemed. . . sad? He wondered what important duties he might have torn her away from and felt his guilt return once more.
She rose to a seated position slowly, stretching out her long, slender arms. She let out a long, exaggerated yawn as if to say "Why yes, I did just wake up!" and locked eyes with Terakiel again. She blinked a few times, ostensibly to acclimate herself to the light level in the cavern. Her eyes were a lovely brown color, more intense than the pale brown of her fine straight hair. Her gaze was commanding; though she had not yet said a word Terakiel felt compelled to listen to what she might have to say.
Like Aisen, she was young--quite possibly even the same age as Terakiel. She was dressed in a blue blouse bound at the waist by a black sash. Around her shoulders was a darker blue cloak, the hood trailing down her back. He was uncomfortably aware of how he must look to this woman--shirtless, filthy, and covered in bruises. He crossed his arms nervously, scratching at a nonexistent itch on his elbow.
The woman cleared her throat before finally speaking. "Hello, Terakiel."
"Y-you know my name. I suppose I should not be surprised."
She hesitated before replying, as if worried what she had been rude. "I spoke with Aisen while you were resting. Although. . ."
"You knew already."
"Yes," she smiled.
"I'm so sorry for bringing you both here," Terakiel sighed. "I-I don't know why this is happening. I promise I will find a way to get you back."
The woman nodded, her smile not fading. Terakiel was taken aback by how cheerful and optimistic her demeanor was considering the circumstances. Aisen's reaction to his plight had been somewhat similar--was this kind of thing commonplace outside Lakara? Were travelers constantly being deposited at wrong destinations?
"My name is Casnie," she continued. "I was not sure if you knew."
Terakiel did not reply, but he nodded in acknowledgement.
"I-I come from Sidea. Do you know of it?"
What did she know? What had she seen through his eyes?
"It is a great city far to the south," she continued. "It is considered the premier city for Stranders in all of Illatha. . ."
She knew what he was--that much was certain. She may have discussed it with Aisen or. . .she might know for other reasons.
Seemingly unfazed by Terakiel's refusal to reply, Casnie continued. "In Sidea, those with the talent are taught discipline in the ways of the Strand. In most cases this training begins at a very young age, but I'm sure exceptions--"
"Stop."
"I am sorry if I said something to offend."
"You seem to know a lot more about me than I know about you. I'm curious as to what you have learned."
"W-well. . ." The mournful look in her eyes returned.
Terakiel sighed deeply. "I--I do not think it is the time to discuss such things."
"B-but. . "
"I have promised to deliver you back to your home--and I have made this same promise to Aisen as well. I intend to honor these promises regardless of what happens to me. It is because of me that you are both here and I should be held responsible."
"I admire your sense of duty, Terakiel, but with your lack of discipline you cannot be blamed for what strange effects result--especially in the presence of an artifact of such power." She flashed a glance at the crumbled stone in the middle of the cavern.
"I thank you for your understanding," conceded Terakiel. "We will likely have to work together to return you both to your homes. I will try to provide for you both as well as I can."
"Thank you!" Casnie exclaimed. "In return, perhaps I could teach you some of what I know about the Strand?"
Terakiel let out a ragged cough. He would prefer if he could forget about the Strand completely. If he had never awakened to those vile energies then he would not be sitting there in a damp and chilly cave, exhausted and in pain, still mourning the loss of his father. He would be living the life he had always lived--that simple life where his biggest worry was whether or not he would live up to his brother. That lofty aspiration had long since faded. He could concentrate only on being able to live with himself now.
"I don't. . .think so."
She looked disappointed. "Very well. Do not hesitate to ask if you decide otherwise in the future."
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