The next morning everyone wakes in brighter spirits, especially Ezra now that he had apologized to Lily. The group begins to create a daily routine. Lily and Ezra fix breakfast while the others pack up camp. Then after eating they travel and Lara or Ezra help Lily go over the magic books practicing encantations and the proper movements for some spells. Lily turns out to be a natural, getting the hang of things rather quickly.
The next four hours go fairly slow as nothing dangerous disrupts their travels. Torin directs his horse to the side of the cart riding along side of Lara who is driving the cart while Ezra works with Lily. "Have you given my offer any thought. I know before hand that you didn't want to leave Ezra because he was by himself but he seems smitten with Lily. I think it would be a good time for us to settle down and start a family", Torin inquires looking at Lara longingly.
"You know I love you Torin but I'm not ready to settle down yet. Once we decide to start a family I'll have to give up adventuring and working for the queen and I'm not ready for that. I want to do this for at least two more years", she replies looking at him sadly because she sees the disappointment in his eyes.
He doesn't say anything else but urges his horse forward away from the cart. Lara frowns at his reaction but she knows Torin has his heart set on a family. She does to, but she is also going to be the one that has to give up her livelihood to carry the children. She glances back quickly at her brother to see him going over healing encantations with Lily who is hanging onto his every word. The two reminded her of Torin and herself when they first met and it brought a small smile to her lips remembering the carefree tender moments they shared.
She had been hesitant about Lily joining them at first because she has sensed something dark when they dragon first flew with her in it's grasp. Though when it dropped her, it had disappeared without a trace. She had tried checking the girls memories herself but she had found nothing which was something the girl wouldn't have been able to hide. The girl seemed sincere in her want to join the group and help others and though Lara wanted to believe it she decided she was going to keep an eye on her a bit longer.
Torin watches Lara steer the cart and can't help but wonder if maybe she is just waiting in hopes of finding someone else. He knew she had been hesitant about their relationship at first because he was an elf and her a sorceress but he had eventually wore her down, it wasn't such a big thing anyways. At least it wasn't to him. He knew she felt strongly for him but sometimes he felt completely out of control with her. He was powerless and whatever she said and wanted was what she got. Sometimes he can't help but wonder if he is the only one that is in love.
The group stops to set up camp and tonight Ezra decides to put Lilys magic to use. He gets her to raise the ground making three walls of dirt and then raises a portion of flat solid earth on it as a roof. Ezra looks at the little earthen hut and gives Lily a double thumbs up in praise. She had only broke a small sweat in doing this and the grin on her face was plain as day. She was feeling confident and useful to the team. Her sense of belonging growing and making her feel like the happiest a person can be. They set up the sleeping sacks under the hut before going to fish at the small pond thats a little ways away. Some fresh fish would be lovely broiled on the open flame.
Ezra catches plenty of fish while Lily doesn't get a nibble. "This isn't fair your cheating some how aren't you", Lily asks narrowing her eyes and scrunching her nose at Ezra's fishing pole. Ezra let's out a deep chuckle at her accusations. He stares at her face appreciatively, thinking she is too cute when she pretends to be upset. The truth though is that he is cheating a bit. He sends a jolt of magic down the fishing wire attracting the fish. Luly none the wiser just thinks he must be a very skilled fisher.
Torin removes the scales and then filets the fish while Tarrow makes some spiced beans to go with it. Lara is resting on her sleeping sack complaining she has a headache while Lily reads more in her magic books. Ezra works on some strengthening potion that Tarrow had asked for which requires a great deal of concentration so he takes his project away from the camp.
While reading Lily feels a sudden pain go through her head and it doubles her over. She gasps seeing double and the voices of her group seem garbled.
"Look at you being a little hero, its disgusting", a feminine voice mocks. "Is this really what you want?" As suddenly as it had begun it left, the pain all but evaporating.
"Lily are you okay", Lara asks from above her shoulder her forehead wrinkled in concern. She had saw the girl fall back clearly in pain almost to the extent of unconsciousness.
"There was a pain and then I heard a voice", she whispered clearly afraid of the others hearing. "It seemed upset about me trying to be a hero and asked if this is what I want", she confides. Lara listens to her intently glad that the girl confided in her. Clearly something was trying to possess the girl. The darkness she had felt had been that voice and clearly it wanted its host back.
"Dont worry Lily, I'll get started on a protective amulet right away. It will keep whatever that is away", she promises giving the girl's shoulders a squeeze before walking off to find her brother.