@adjective-mordant asked: [ LISTEN ]
Eri cradled her head in her hands as she watched the crackling fire. Her cheeks, smeared with dirt, took on a ruddy hue from the warmth of the flames. She and David were taking shelter here for the night, inside a cave overlooking the calm river below. Travellers had carved a path up these rocky mountains to reach the ruins of a temple that was rumoured to be built on top. They were close to the Fiery Mountains that lie to the north of Zerrikania. She had begun to speak about what she could remember of her past, growing up amongst the tribes where she looked so different from every other child. David’s attentive silence encouraged her to carry on.
She talked of her disciplined but loving upbringing by her mother. She woke at daybreak every morning to offer prayers to the dragons, then spent half an hour meditating with her mother. Then she practised writing and reading, especially learning of alchemy, medicine, and acupuncture. If there was a subject her mother didn’t know, she would send her to another priestess to learn. She was also trained in combat, survival, and strategy. Given all this, her days were never dull, and she always slept like a log after the full day of education and activity.
“And of course we always had hearty meals of roasted meat and vegetable stews to finish a busy day,” Eri added, her soft smile half-hidden behind the licks of fire that danced between them. “My mother’s secret spice mix can arouse the smallest of appetites.”