Fall Writing Challenge!
I’m taking part of the Fall Writing Challenge by @thewackywriter using the cast and location of the book I am writing. Prompts have minor editing done to them.
First up: “Wow, look at the trees.” “They’re just trees.”
The travel from the deserts of Ragal to the forests of Coilleku were... interesting to say the least. Rydia was confused and conflicted on the behavior of the two newest chosen that have entered their band. Knowing how she felt did not change the fact that Chitlali did not seem perturbed in the slightest.
Rydia urged her own stallion forward and abandoned her position next to Neeraja to take the spot next to Chitlali as she led them over the rocky landscape.
"Are you not bothered? I thought they were trained fighters, warriors like yourself Chitlali." Rydia had to crane her head up to look at her protector. The Orc did not respond immediately, instead taking several minutes taping her chin. She had a look on her face as if she was trying to solve a puzzle before she turned her head towards Rydia. A ghost of a smile was on her face before she looked over her shoulder. Her braids drifted softly in the wind and for a second the glow of her eyes dimmed before returning back to the normal fire.
"They are Rydia. Remember that they come from Ibumka and where they hail chosen are figures to be kept on a shelf. To be trained in war and philosophy but not have it used. To never have their feet burned by the sands, their stomachs feel the cramp of hunger, or to feel any discomfort that a warrior would feel. Look at yourself, had you ever seen the ocean before you were handed to my care by your Monks? Had you ever felt the heat of the wind as if blew over the sands?" Her eyes sent no accusation to the younger girl but still Rydia realized how cruel she could sound on her judgments towards Henry and Aleayear.
She felt her face heat up from embarrassment and lowered her eyes. She looked over her shoulder at the pair as they chatted with each other in amazement. Chitlali put her hand on her shoulder before trotting her horse forward with a soft tug of the reins. Rydia let herself slow down and match the pace of Aleayear's own bay colored horse, he himself not paying much attention to her. He instead scanned the the horizon with the forest in the far distance. He practically bounced in his seat, his long hair danced around him and the extravagant jewelry he wore jumped with each movement with himself unaware. His eyes were glistening in the midday sun as his excitement was almost palpable in the air around him. Henry and Rydia's eyes met and he shook his head with a smile on his face at the elder's actions.
“Apologies. I know this must be odd for you Rydia. After all, you grew up in the Coilleku didn't you? To see old ones such as Aleayear and I acting like children over leaves?" He let out a soft laugh, the first time Rydia had heard him laugh at all since they met in the streets of Ibumka. The sound of his laughter and the tinkling of Aleayear's jewels made her own face break out in a grin. Before she could answer Henry's own words Aleayear broke between their conversation to join them.
"Rydia! Look! Have you seen so many greens! Just... Wow, look at them! Look at the trees!" She joined in the laughter that now escaped Henry as well before nodding her head.
"Yes, Aleayear. They are trees." She continued to smile at him as he continued to babble in excitement as they continue to approach the looming forest.