Naya and Rula were walking hand-in-hand along the village road, and a mix of humans and halflings stared at them the whole way.
Rula was frowning, but she seemed to take Sarah's words seriously and was likely trying to understand the situation in her own way.
It irked Naya that she couldn't offer any assurances.
Naya understood the situation; it was made clear by Sarah's grave comments.
Her claim that the Flameclaws started the war unprovoked was the most likely scenario. Naya didn't know why they did it; she had assumed it was for more territory per their beastly nature, but she also found it odd they would maintain their beastly desires.
Part of their behaviors as beasts are conquerors. From what she learned in the Academy, they won't just take a small cave; they want the whole mountain range.
But they are still wild beasts, and she would kill them if they attacked the village like Sarah claimed they would.
--What do you think is more likely?--
Naya was surprised and found no words coming to her. She didn't expect Lia to ask her, rather than just explain it, especially with how confused she had been in her own musings.
--I... am trying to not treat you like a child anymore.--
[Good, I am not a child. ]Naya thought for a moment about it. Her thoughts went to their new forms.
She can't imagine why Soranulam would willingly leave successful experiments behind, at least successful to the extent that they obtained humanoid forms. She only had one possibility come to mind.
[I think the Flameclaws did not reach sentience on their own before Soranulam's intervention, and they ended up warped somehow. ]But even that was still odd; why would Soranulam target unsentient beasts?
--It would at least explain why she didn't bring them back.--
[Maybe... though it now makes me wonder why the villagers treat them so well. There's no way they can maintain that facade at all times; just calling them a wild beast made it slip on even the oldest.]
--They- Actually, I'm not too sure either.--
[You're acting too differently.]
Lia sighed. --I want to help you, but I'm unsure how.--
Naya's answer was immediate. [Stop keeping secrets from me.]
--There... are some secrets I cannot tell you...--
The thick trees gave way to dark clouds, and Naya stared at them as she walked.
[Your words... ] It was difficult for Naya to admit to it, but it was obvious from her reaction to them. ...[hurt me last night. It makes me realize you are in too much of a powerful position over me. I did not think about it because you are from my mother, but if our... partnership will continue, it can't be like this.]
--You... --Lia sounded hesitant and didn't respond for a bit.
Naya waited.
She and Rula followed Sarah down a well-constructed stone path toward their destination, unknown since Naya couldn't see any luxurious buildings around.
It seemed the forest was home to halflings and not just a staple of the Flameclaw's village. Naya's thoughts drifted to Rula and how there was no way she wasn't unaffected by it. It hit her that perhaps Rula might want to stay when the quest ended; the place would welcome her with open arms, especially with her talent.
But it seemed silly, even to Naya. After what had happened last night, surely she wanted to leave just as much as she did.
But the thought still made her uneasy.
Finally, Lia released a dejected sigh as if she made a difficult decision. --Okay, will tell you what I can after we deal with the Flameclaws and arrive back at Rozen. --
Naya did not expect that, and she almost froze on the spot.
[Okay... I look forward to it.]
Naya was suspicious but wouldn't reject the opportunity to learn more about the enigma in her head.
Lia had seemed to take her anger last night seriously; as embarrassing as it was for Naya, at least it also provided an opportunity for Lia to learn, so she wasn't the only one being dealt painful lessons.
The behavior change prompted another thought for Naya to consider.
She had only been with Lia for four days.
Naya knew there wasn't any option but to get along with Lia, regardless of how she treated her. Besides, much of what Lia has said to her has had a basis in truth, as irksome as it was.
Still, Naya hadn't sat down and considered what it meant to have a voice that she couldn't get rid of constantly lecturing her, even at the most inopportune times, even if the lessons learned were of any value.
She recalled how angry Lia had made her in Carla's tower. She brushed it aside due to the hectic events, but it was still a problem.
Lia was oddly silent while Naya was considering. That was likely the longest time Naya had been alone with her thoughts in what felt like forever. Though Lia could likely hear them, which made her curious about the connection. Does Lia passively read her thoughts and share her senses, or is it something she manually does?
Naya's musings were interrupted by Sarah stopping before the chief's home.
She had almost absentmindedly bumped into her.
It wasn't nearly as grand as the other chief's houses she had seen thus far. It was only two stories and barely wider than the average home in the village.
"You seemed lost in your thoughts. Are you alright, Naya?" Sarah asked.
Rula had a knowing smile, one that eased Naya. Perhaps Rula reached a conclusion of her own.
"I'm fine." Naya looked behind Sarah. "Is this the home of the hum- of the woman who granted us access last night?"
Sarah smiled and nodded. "Yes, my daughter, Sora. She is a gentle soul; it's a shame the situation she finds herself in."
Sarah turned and pushed open the doors.
That time, it wasn't a larger room with a table like the last two chief houses she was in. Instead, it had a long chair made of various animal pelts, with a woman lying on her back eating grapes like a king.
It was an odd sight. [Humans... It will not be easy. ]
"Did you say... gentle?" Rula's brows were quirked.
"Sora..." Sarah sighed and facepalmed. "What is this?"
"Ah. Hi, Mom." Sora had her eyes gently closed, and she wasn't wearing anything but a small chest wrap and long white pants.
Naya did her best not to stare at the woman's toned, tanned body with various scars from bladed weapons and 3 claw marks that looked as though cauterized on her side.
Her ears twitched, and she raised her eyes to the ceiling.
[Promiscuous humans!]
Naya hadn't seen another person naked since her time at the Academy when she was younger. Even if she wasn't fully unclothed, it was disrespectful and improper for a meeting.
She did not like how this made her react and didn't want to see this. She resisted the urge to leave the room.
Naya switched her thoughts.
The woman was clearly a warrior. However, Naya didn't expect much since she was only human, as evidenced by the scars. She did have the three claw marks, which could indicate a battle with a Flameclaw.
"Sora... we have guests; one of them is an Elf, you're making them uncomfortable." While she spoke, her head was shaking, and she had a resigned expression.
"I'm fine." Rula had no indication of a problem; she was just staring in curiosity at the scars the woman had.
"BAH!" She spit the grape out of her mouth and animatedly rolled behind the long chair. "I'm sorry!"
There was a scramble behind the seat as various forms of clothing were thrown into the air.
[This a human lord? So far, the ones I've met haven't been very proper for their position.]
Though she had only met two, both of them did not look or act like they led large groups of citizens.
To Naya, It further emphasized the chaotic structure of human society.
"She isn't usually like this, Naya, Rula. She..." Sarah started upon noticing Naya's unamused expression.
"Fuck, shit, where is my cool shirt!" A plain white bra landed in front of Rula.
"...is usually much better behaved..." Sarah facepalmed again and turned away.
Naya opened her mouth but quickly snapped it shut.[ Vulgar...]
Lia was still silent.
Rula bent down to pick up the fallen bra, but Naya instantly kicked it away.
Rula eyed her curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Naya hastily said.
Naya waited a moment, but the teasing comment she expected from Lia didn't come.
It felt like something was missing without Lia saying anything.
A moment later, Sora jumped out from behind the chair, wearing a regal-looking black shirt with golden patterns lined on it.
It made her look like she was a queen, with her black hair flowing to her waist and piercing blue eyes.
However, that image was ruined in Naya's mind over her earlier appearance.
Naya shook that memory away.
Sora cleared her throat. "Welcome to my village, Naya and Rula."
She bowed slightly, enough to show respect but not enough to appear subservient.
Naya felt her opinion of her improve a little.
"You're the leader here?" Rula asked suspiciously, an eyebrow raised as she looked from Sora and Sarah.
"Forgive my earlier display," She sent Sarah a quick glare but instantly put her warm smile back on. "I was not expecting you until later."
"I would have waited, but Naya has said she'd be willing to assist us in our plight," Sarah explained.
Sora's eyes widened, and she snapped her head to Naya. "Really?!" Her faux-professionalism vanished.
It was clear how worried they were over it.
"I will aid in your defense, but you guys will not be able to kill even one Flameclaw, so just let me do it," Naya said dismissively. Though her tone sounded rude, she meant it. If they helped, they would die, especially if there were more than 2.
Sora looked upset by that but didn't say anything.
Sarah looked disappointed. "You likely know more about them than us, but you are underestimating our abilities."
Naya recalled Sora's scar, which meant that at least she could survive. But she hadn't killed one before; otherwise, Sarah would have told her.
Naya realized she had spoken too crudely again but couldn't help it. That was precisely what she believed; she would not hide her true thoughts.
She might be willing to control her actions, but she found it difficult to control her words.
Naya noticed the glares and realized she did not have any reaction to those looks. It made her feel slightly better because it meant to her that as long as she didn't do anything evil, people would not treat her as a monster.
Lia again did not say anything, which was starting to worry Naya. It was also odd how used to Lia's interjections she had gotten in the last 4 days.
She shook her head, which caused both Sora and Sarah to look a little upset; they misunderstood her action.
"My mother is an accomplished Ice mage, and I am her student." Sora straightened her back and glared at Naya. "You may be an Elf, but my mother was a Vanguard of Arcanum!" She looked proud as if the achievement was her own.
Naya's expression didn't change. [I have no idea what that means.]
However, she did know what Arcanum meant. That was the study of magic, a word used to bring all studies of Arcana under one term.
[Arcanum? An organization? These humans are more arrogant than I thought.]
Even the Elves, who focus their lives on studying various forms of magic, would not name an organization after it. Mainly because there were so many applications of magic that to place it all under one group would be impossible, and to claim otherwise was ridiculous.
She had forgotten Lia's silence, and it was slightly embarrassing to talk to herself as if someone would respond.
"Your human titles don't tell me anything."
"I never heard of it either!" Rula adds diplomatically.
Naya wanted to know what the so-called Arcanum group was but didn't want to ask a human to explain it.
"Right, I had forgotten how isolated your people were." Sarah sighed. "As for my post, we will not discuss it, Sora."
"Mother, she-"
Sarah shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I have a better idea." She walked forward to stand closer to Naya. "I understand your desire to fight them yourself, Naya."
Naya released Rula's hand and stepped back; she knew where this was headed.
Sarah crossed her arms and smirked. "You think we would die, that we would only get in your way."
Naya nodded lightly. If the humans wanted it, she would oblige. Besides, she hadn't had a chance to see human battle magic before, and this was a perfect opportunity.
Sora also smiled and stepped next to Sarah, mimicking her actions.
Sarah continued. "So, how about I show you why the Flameclaws haven't already attacked us, the first village on their path to domination?"