Chapter 2 - Worries

The new day didn't delay its coming and, at the first light, Kiira got up, waking up the others.

Their supplies were ready. After a quick breakfast, made with black bread and a bowl of milk, they left.

They had refused the horses, worried to be seen by other enemies and eager to enter the nearest forest, to travel hidden in the undergrowth.

The plan was really simple, as they had no clue at all on how to find their compatriots: getting to the gorge, to the other side of the rock barrier, going out from there and then following the traces left by the others.

When she traversed the gorge, Kiira found out it ended in an arid, rocky, almost deserted land. It was part of that desolated stripe that divided the south-eastern territories from the central ones. The first village they would have encountered after the end of the stripe would have been Dark Pond, so called due to a little pond, only sign of the aquifers that provided water to the village, the first water source after the stripe.

But the road was still long and they couldn't proceed much fast, given that they had not to leave any traces, making them disappear little after them to minimize the danger of being discovered by some soldier or group of crooks.

Kiira was walking in a group composed of ten people, while the other five were wandering around to hide their tracks and to serve as vanguard.

While she was deeply engrossed in her ramblings, a tall, beefy man got closer. 

He had that dark skin, typical of the southern populations, and was chewing some tobacco leaves.

The girl gazed at him and started talking: <>.

<> Irik replied, thoughtful.

Kiira burst in a large laugh: <>.

The man put a hand on the girl's shoulder, gently squeezing.

She looked at him, aware he wanted to comfort her, but not finding the right words to. She got his uneasiness and smiled: <>

Irik tried to disagree, but she continued: <was my fault. You gave me such an important role and I wasn't able to live up to your expectations. But, we had economic strength. I count on swapping future commercial services or free supplies with a place in their cities for us all. It will mean that we'll have to work for a long time without receiving much money and to endure many hardships, yet I'm sure you're strong enough. Otherwise, I see no other way>>.

The southern man hugged her shoulders with his long arm, grateful, but he quickly noticed the girl was everything but comforted and happy.

Irik's daughter approached the two. She was a minute, elegant, young lady, black haired, with the same father's dark skin. She pointed her sharp glance at Kiira's one.

If the statement "The eyes are the mirror for the soul" were true for someone, that one would be Kisya. Her determined eyes were a perfect match for her willful attitude.

Even during the battle, she stubbornly resolved to join her father's side, instead of flying, even though the father threatened her of lifelong punishment if she dared risk her life.

She took one of Kiira's hands and said: <>.

All the group chuckles, amused by the famous Kisya humor.

<> Kiira replied, <>.

Irik looked at the young girl, turned silent, going ahead, looking for one of their patrolling fellows.

His daughter suddenly linked her arm to his and muttered: <>.

<> her father rejoined <>.

Father and daughter carried on walking, arm in arm, but Kisya couldn't stop longer from saying: <>.

Man's face took on a worried expression, but before he could scold his child, she kept on: <>. She finished her argument in such an emphatic, desperate tone, that her father softened and hugged her.

<> he reassured her, <>.