After several minutes of searching, Lukas found Skyla surrounded by a moderate amount of people. Constantly speaking over herself, she gave orders and instructed the group on what to do in the following weeks.
As he approached, he wondered if he should bother her or wait until she was done. But then she noticed him.
"Oh, hello there! Sorry, I'm a little busy at the moment. I don't think we've met before, what is your name?"
Her voice was soft and light, and she spoke extremely quickly, even while issuing orders. Her tone when speaking to Lukas was very cheerful, yet, when she spoke just moments prior her voice was filled with authority and garnered the respect of the people she spoke too.
"I'm Luk-"
"Oh, I know you! You're Weaver of Time, right?"
Her face lit up with excitement, and despite the small scars riddled across it, just for a moment, her face looked like that of an innocent child caught up in wonder.
"Yeah, and I was told that I was under your command for the next few weeks."
"OHHHH, Ha ha ha! Well, that's great, I was just informing my subdivision members on how to disperse everyone for the next couple of weeks. In a few minutes, I will head out to Mistfell. I'd love for you to join me so I can learn a bit about you. Bene has been very vocal about your skill."
Lukas was a little embarrassed by the idea of Bene going and telling everyone how great he was. But he was curious more than anything since he didn't think Bene would be the type of person to speak the praises of others.
But, none of that mattered right now. Lukas was told he would depart with Skyla soon. So he simply waited as she gave out her final orders. He didn't listen to what she said, but how she said it.
When she spoke to him, she was cheerful and energetic. But now, she spoke with a strict commanding voice. One that left no questions of authority to whoever heard her.
Even though she seemed only a few years older than Lukas, perhaps no more than two, she acted with the experience of several years. Several years, forged in a crucible of strife and hardship. One that paled in comparison to what Lukas had been through.
What had she gone through..?
During Lukas' brief reverie, Skyla had finished issuing her orders. The group in front of her split into 10 groups of about 5 people each. Then she turned to Lukas.
"Okay, Weaver, let's go. Have you ever been to Mistfell?"
Weaver...
Lukas was taken aback a little, he wasn't used to titles and honorifics. He understood that it was meant to show respect, but he personally couldn't wrap his head around it. Why not say a rank before someone's name?
"You can call me Lukas, I'm not one for honorifics. And no, I haven't."
Skyla nodded in return and explained to Lukas her plan for travelling to Mistfell. It was simple on a surface level: Go to Shadecross, then to a Fortissimo outpost on the Springrush river, and afterwards take a boat downstream until they reached Mistfell. Easy, right?
Lukas expected it might take them a week at the fastest, maybe two if weather or ghasts slowed them down. But as they left Snakewell it swiftly became apparent that Skyla planned for the journey to be mere days.
Skyla went ahead in what resembled a jog, but Lukas could barely keep up with her and resorted to running, almost as fast as he could. It seemed her strength and speed far surpassed Lukas'.
"Keep up, we have to get to Shadecross by the end of tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!? Shadecross is days away! Are we running all night?"
Skyla briefly turned to Lukas, seeing his exhaustion. He still had a few more hours in him, but she overestimated his endurance.
"Well, we'll take a few breaks as necessary. But that means it'll take us three days, not two."
'She's crazy! Why is everyone in this group so crazy!'
As they continued, every passing minute crawled past at an arduous pace. But Skyla wasn't even fazed, it was like she just started.
"Did Bene not train you in strength and speed."
It took Lukas nearly twice as long to think of an answer, let alone mutter it between harsh, raucous breaths.
"He... did... I tra-... trained my strength..."
"But not speed it seems, guess I'll have to help you during the next few weeks or else you'll fall behind far too quickly."