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Cerdik watched the food with a yearning look in his eyes, but did not ask for any from Adencia, nor did he complain at all. He was patient, and he would wait until it was offered to him. After all, there were starving children in the world. Surely Cerdik could wait a few more seconds for some food. As Garren became Isarelle, he was able to distract himself from the food. He only nodded, though, as he didn't feel up to speaking at the moment. He turned to press his right side against the tree trunk and faced Adencia, shifting the leather satchel upon his thigh.

Cerdik smiled and accepted the food gratefully. Immediately he began eating. While he ate quickly, he also ate cleanly. He didn't make a mess and leave scraps all over, but rather ate all that could be stripped from the produce, leaving seeds and a few unedible bits nearby. When his food was gone, he smiled and wiped his hands on his thighs.

When Kendica was mentioned, he paused a moment. A flickering, dim memory was just beyond his conscious reach, but he knew there was something... Kendica... Where had that been heard before?

"Kendica..." He spoke in a soft voice, almost a whisper, "Is a small port homestead, is it not?" It was a genuine question, but before anyone could answer, Cerdik remembered. He had once been a resident in Kendica...

Days playing on the docks and piers with what were once his friends, now nobles, and knights, and priests of good fortunes. Meanwhile, Cerdik had failed to continue growing... Little Cerdik, hiding in the priests' library and devouring their books hour after hour... And meeting Gram, his first and only teacher... Spending hour after hour in Gram's library, practicing the simplest magics, and learning everything. Herbalism, geomancy, pyromancy, telepathy, vargent... The memories were fresh, again.

"It is. Best we avoid it, though... They give unkindly to... misfortunate souls." He stared at the grass for a few seconds then stood up, clutching his satchel strap tightly. Although he felt a little dizzy, he managed to retain balance until the dizziness passed. Now he felt fit and ready to go, and told Garren as much. "I be ready."

Cerdik nodded in silence, giving no response. Despite how healthy and alive he was feeling a few moments ago, the idea of returning to Kendica was not the most appealing. He felt weighted, having to carry mixed emotions now. With that in mind as a perfectly reasonable excuse, he stood next to Adencia and leaned against her. "I b-b-be unf-f-fully steady," he murmured, gently grasping her arm just above the elbow with one hand, and clasping the other about his satchel. Sighing silently, he felt a little better about having to face the past. At least this way, he could distract himself with the comfort of the moment, and cozy (and some not so cozy, he realized) memories of the last twenty-four hours.

He put a tentative hand against her back and nodded, his eyes toward the ground. Although the cloak did keep him dry, the gentle touch of the rain sent shivers down his spine, the air around them already chilly. He tried to press himself a little closer to keep warm. Then he realized how awkward that must have been, and eased away just an inch or so. With a trembling jaw, he tried to speak. "M-many Th-th-th-thanks. J-j-just ch-ch-chilled." He managed a wane smile, but never looked up from the ground to display it properly.

Tanyeera enjoyed the cool breezes and the feeling of water droplets cascading against her skin, but then again, it would be hard for her to find a weather she didn't like. She just felt at home with elements. Of course, occasionally she felt too at home which could lead to problems, but all in all, she was okay with it.

She noticed Adencia and Cerdik were getting along very well and smiled a little, her contentment with the day only increasing. They would be reaching a port town today, and then they'd be upon the sea. Their journey was progressing very nicely and today's walk promised to be nice and peaceful since bandits and other annoyances were unlikely to be about in this weather and furthermore, yesterday should have provided an object lesson to anyone thinking of accosting them.

Yes indeed, Tanyeera was feeling remarkably content today. She wasn't even that annoyed with Bellaream for sending her on this mission, which was turning out to be not quite as stupid as usual. Not even the thought of whatever she'd have to do for Sazimeca's "entertainment" later on could darken her mood this day.

Her mind wandered as she strolled along thinking about her companions for this quest and the possibility that they might even become friends...

Ruins. Blood reek. Faces, so many faces... missing an eye, a slashed open cheek... crushed skulls... twisted broken limbs.... and the blood, oh the blood! She howled in exultation.

NO!

She broke from the flash of day dream and stood stock still for one moment, breathing raggedly as a cold chill crept up her spine. No, not again! Not now of all times! Damn damn damndamndamnitall!!! After... Tanyeera counted... two hundred and fifty seven years, eight months, and nine days, why freakin' now?!

Tanyeera's legs moved again to catch up as she continued to think furiously to herself. She'd have to strengthen the blocks tonight, as well as the rest of her defences. No more going unconscious either, an unacceptable risk. Deep meditation would do, she'd gone through this before, she could go through this again.

She touched her throat for reassurance, or, more accurately, the golden collar around her throat which was covered by her turtleneck. She had never taken it off, not once during her two and a half centuries of peace. She was extremely glad she hadn't now. It was extremely necessary at the moment though it could chafe at times.

As for her quest companions... she must now think of them as simply... associates. Yes. Forget friendship. Tanyeera felt a wave of resigned regret. Damnitall... she'd gotten soft hadn't she? There was a time when she would have suppressed all emotion rather than simply abstain from friendship. It was really a very small thing, friendship. But... she'd become accustomed to at least casual companionship by now. Perhaps...? No. Let the distancing begin now. When under siege, it is necessary to cut back to essentials.

Adencia nodded to Thorn, understanding what he meant.

“We must be careful when out in the open at that town. I’m sure that if we come at the right time Garren and Isarelle will be fine. Me . . . I think I can handle it. Once we get to my friends’ house we will all be fine. They once knew some people who were cursed and the last time I came through they were quite nice to me. I’m sure they would help us.”

Isarelle looked to Adencia curiously. She wondered who these people were, it was rare that you would come upon someone who knew a cursed and understood.

Cerdik again smiled, but weakly, keeping his head down. He clutched the blanket with the same hand that grasped his satchel ever so tightly. Briefly, he wondered how well the books were doing in this weather, despite the cloak and blanket. It was probably pointless to worry. He had two layers between his satchel and the rain, and the satchel itself closed quite tightly. He sighed silently and nodded. "Again, again, m-many thanks..." he murmured.

He really shouldn't worry. Everything was fine. The blanket was warming him up quite nicely, the books were dry, he had Adencia to help him along, and they weren't very far from the little port town that Cerdik had once called home...

Greatly, I wish not to return... What should occur, letting the possibility that I be recognized? He sighed again. So things weren't... perfect. He would have to endure, and he would have to hide, but he shouldn't worry so much.

Then again, it was that same paranoia that had told him to leave town...

Wait, what did that have to do with anything? Well... He had been walking, and had found the little orb of light that led him back to Isarelle's home. That had been a long trip... but not long enough for people to forget his face.