For Glory or Gold

Mountain High

The sun rose quickly over the rising waters in front of their home. Torin watched as the sun traced it's patterns along her bedroom wall and the reflection of the water danced on her ceiling. Views that have become more familiar with each passing day. As she watched the light move across her ceiling,she knew she needed to get out of bed. Her family will have woken and will be about ready to leave soon. She dressed in comfortable clothes and double checked her pack, ensuring that she was ready to leave when she needed to. Torin ran her list through her head one more time and after looking around her room she saw Nel sleeping on the bed, her black fur shining in the morning light. 

"I should plan to bring you," Torin said to the small cat. She turned and packed a small harness she had fashioned for her to wear on hikes and a lead, she also packed a small bowl for her water and food.Placing a large empty water bottle in her pack as well. "I can fill that when they leave." She spoke to Nel, as she watched her stretch from her spot on the bed.

An unfamiliar voice could be heard down the hall from her room, one that appeared to much deeper then her father’s. Torin quickly fixed her loose hair strands behind her ear and then exited her room. She made her way down the hall from her room, listening to the voice that reminded her of rolling thunder. Stepping into the kitchen she greeted her parents, like she had every other morning.

"Good morning, Ma." She spoke as she turned to grab a cup and pour water from the pitcher, "Good morning, Pa." She took a long drink from the cup in her hand. 

"Good morning, dear." Her mother said as Torin heard her stand from her seat. She turned in time to watch her mother walk outside. 

Torin turned to her father, he was seated at their table with a tall gentleman. He had raven, black hair with firm brown eyes, his soft features were a deep contrast to his attire. He wore a brown leather tunic and had a charcoal black cloak about his back. The clasp of his cloak was in the shape of a tree, with the trunk being the pin that held the cloak together and the branches the surrounding horseshoe shape. Torin was deep in thought about the peculiar detail on the clasp, as the gentleman rose from his position beside her father.

"Good morning, miss." He gave a stiff bow as he approached, extending his right arm out, offering a cloak to the fawn haired girl. "I come on behalf of La’Koda."

"You're my ambassador?" Torin asked, as she firmly grasped the heavy cloak with her right hand.

"I am. My name is Estien." He bowed again slightly, as he released the cloak into her care.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Torin greeted politely, as she brought the cloak into her arms. "I am Torin." Wrapping the cloak about her shoulders, she found that it covered her body as well as the long sleeved shirt she wore.

"Allow me," Estien approached slowly and took a cloak pin from his pocket, reaching up under her chin he gathered the cloak and pinned it securely in place. 

In the eyes of the village Torin should have married by now. She had not been viewed as a child in many years. To her parents and all that were concerned, she was an adult, even though her build would give her a younger appearance. As it happened, the brief touch of Estien as his hand brushed her chin, caused her to blush profusely. She quickly turned her head away. He was a very handsome man, being tall and broad shouldered, with a hint of familiarity about him.

"When do we leave?" She asked, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks and the nervousness in her voice.

"We will see your family off first." Estien said, with a sly smile in the corner of his lips. Torin looked into his eyes as he spoke, his tall height increasing the attractiveness to his appearance. He was another head over her Father, who was not a short man to begin with. She nodded in response and excused herself to her room to gather her things. She lingered longer in her room then expect, causing Fenrick to come check on her.

"Dearest, you ok?" Her father said as he entered the room.

"Yes, Pa." She smiled up to him.

He reached down and grabbed her light jacket from the floor, holding it out for her to take it. "You know, the village laughed when I said I wasn't planning to marry you off."

Torin took the jacket from his hands. "You knew then, didn't you?"

"Aye," he smiled as he let go of the deep purple cloth. "I didn't want you to have to explain yourself to anyone." His eyes scanned the room, "was it this empty last night?" 

"Aye," she nodded as she folded the jacket and placed it in her pack. "I planned to travel light." 

"You've known for a while now, haven't you?"

"I've known I wasn't traveling with you, I just wasn’t sure where I was going yet." She hefted the pack from the floor, but was stopped by her Father's hands.

Sensing her tension in the matter he spoke frankly, "Dearest, Estien is a child of the forest. I could see his runes beneath his cloak. He had them hidden, but not well." Fenrick looked her in the eyes, "I believe you can trust him. He said La'Okta sent him personally, and he called me by my birth name.” He paused briefly, noticeably shaken by hearing that name spoken.

"When I married your mother, I took the name Fenrick. It was a strong name that was fairly common." He released her hands and grabbed a pair of socks from the bed, "Your Grandmother gave me a different name at my birth, one that I dare not repeat, for the woods have ears." 

Torin watched him whisper these words to her, as if the walls and water outside could hear him.

"Come, we must be off." He ushered her out the door. 

"Nel!" Torin called as they walked out the door of the small room. The small cat quickly bound up to her owner and climbed her backpack to rest on the girl’s shoulder. A place the tiny feline had become very familiar with riding on. Rounding the corner that would take Torin to the pantry and then out the back door, she found Estien seated on a barrel. 

"Is all well?" He asked as he rose from his seat, looking from Fenrick to Torin.

"Aye" The pair replied in unison, they laughed at their response and continued to chuckle as they exited.

"Will the cat be joining us?" Estien asked as they exited the house.

"She will, her name is Nel." She reached up and scratched at the neck of the purring bundle. 

A huff come from Estien as they continued outdoors. Nel hopped down from the shoulder she was perched on and chased after a butterfly that danced around a nearby bush.The familiar cry of Harpy had yet to be heard that morning, and Torin was concerned for her. Turning to her brother, as if about to say something, the loud screech she was searching for came overhead. The large bird soared overhead and they watched as she circled back after getting a few hundred feet away.

"My word!" Estien's response caused me to turn, "Is that a harpy?" His hand moving to his sword at his waist.

"Don't you dare!" Torin reprimanded, laying her hand on his arm, her touch causing him to freeze. "Her name is Harpy, but she is a bird." Torin turned to search the sky for her once more, "A very good bird." Her hand remained absently on Estien’s arm as they watched the aerial display, before Harpy parked herself on the table they had eaten at the night before. Torin slowly brought her hand back to her side.

Osha reminded Lars to not go near the bird and Fenrick laughed telling him he'd lose an arm. That stopped all attempts at trying to pet the bird. Torin sighed and shook her head. It was mere moments later when they were hugging and saying their goodbyes.

Osha and Torin whimpered as they hugged, tears streaming freely as they parted from each others arms. Lars and Torin hugged briefly, but he pulled away before they could get a good hug in. 

"I'm not gonna cry like Ma!" Lars stated as he walked away from his sister to join their mother at the edge of the house. 

"Remember what I said," Her father spoke in a soft whisper as he hugged her tight.

"I will, Pa." She inhaled deeply through her nose, trying to commit his scent to memory, just like she had with her mother.

"You will protect her?" Fenrick had stopped in front of Estien.

"With my life." He saluted him in an odd gesture of his right arm and Torin watched intently as her father returned it. 

"Good." Fenrick returned to his daughter and handed her a small hunting dagger, "I know we trained you well, trust what we taught you." He kissed her forehead, "May the forest bless you on your journey." He spoke softly, his lips hovering over the area he had just kissed, his warm breath on her skin and the words he spoke filling Torin’s heart with joy. 

"And you on yours." Estien replied to his words from behind her. Torin could feel a hand on her shoulder as Estien stood guard over her, this sense of security at his presence washing over her.

Her father nodded to Estien, he trusted him, this man Torin had never met before. She wanted to not trust him, but something drew her to him. They stood there, his hand on her shoulder as he towered behind her, watching her family disappear down the path that would take them across the mountain. About a days journey around the mountain and they would arrive at the road that will take them beyond the ravine they lived in. On the other side of the ravine they would have a long journey to reach Qorta.

As their shadows faded out of sight, Torin turned to look at Estien. "Shall we?" She shifted the pack on her back and watched as Estien nodded back to her. As they left the house Harpy took flight. Her screech could be heard overhead as they made their way further up the mountain. The path they took was one Torin had been very familiar with. Nel caught up with them, as they entered the forest, bounding across the path and leaping onto her pack. 

"Torin," Estien broke the silence they were walking in, "I know this must be hard for you." He glanced to his left and then looked to her as she walked along his right side, "Know that I will not betray the oath I gave your father. On my life, I will protect you."

Torin gave a tight smile in response, but her thoughts were not where she needed them now. She was walking away from the only home she knew, what she grew up in, the village she knew and the only family she had. The adventure before her gave her a thrill of excitement, but saying goodbye to those she loves was taking its toll. Nel was in tune with how she felt, as she purred and rubbed her head along the girl’s cheek. A smile graced her face in response to her display of affection and responded with a soft trilling noise.

They came to the first of many clearings just before dusk. In the middle of the clearing sat a half dead tree, one that had obviously been beaten by many buck in its time in the meadow. On the highest branch of the tree sat a large bird, it's wingspan stretched to be wide as Estien was tall. Torin watched as the bird moved around on the perch, then it gave a loud call that was all too familiar.

"Is that Harpy?" Torin looked out into the clearing, but the twilight hours madeit hard to determine if it was her.

"It would seem she doesn't want to leave you." Estien said as he looked to ensure the clearing was safe.

"So it would," she replied with a halfhearted focus. Her eyes still on the bird as she followed Estien out into the meadow. 

"We should be able to make it across the meadow before the sun fully sets." He offered his arm to her to help steady her across the uneven meadow ground. "We can set up camp there." He nodded toward the edge of the small clearing.

Taking his arm. she nodded. Electricity ran up her arm as she held onto his leather clad arm. Pretending like she didn't feel anything, as he seemed unaffected, maybe it was just her. She gripped his arm tightly as her footing slipped slightly, a gasp leaving her lips. She felt Estien's left arm come about her to help her steady. 

"You good?" His brown eyes were sincere and she saw for the first time, the flecks of gold hidden in his eyes.

"Ya," she smiled nervously, "I am."

They passed by the half dead tree, where Harpy sat perched high upon her seat. As they passed her by, she shifted to watch over them. Torin glanced back several times and the bird would still be seated there. At the edge of the forest she glanced back one more time and saw her take flight. She soared high into the sky and then disappeared into the night sky.

"Time to hunt." Torin spoke absently as she watched the outline of the large bird fade into the night sky.

"It would seem." Estien smiled as he took to gathering wood for a fire.

"Is a fire a good idea?" She spoke up as she helped him gather some wood.

"It will be cold tonight," He placed several small pieces on a pile of dry leaves he had sorted, "we will need a fire."

She nodded handing over the few pieces of wood in her hands. She pulled my water bottle from her pack and took a long drink. Nel was eyeing her as she drunk deep, so she poured a small amount in the bowl she had for the feline. 

"You should save your water." Estien said as she set the bowl down for Nel.

"We'll be fine." she smiled, pulling a wineskin from the pack. After Estien had started the fire, Torin took up a larger, flat rock from the space they were in. She placed it aside the fire and set her only cooking pot upon it. She pulled the stowed cups from the pot and set them aside. From the wineskin in her pack, she poured leftover soup from the night before. 

"We'll get plenty of fluids from this tonight. Mother made sure we had enough for the first few nights." She capped the skin and placed it back in her pack. Pouring the smallest amount from the pot into the bowl, she set it aside for Nel, who happily lapped up the sweet flavor.

Watching the small animal take in the sustenance made her smile, as she returned the pot to the stone. While the meal was heating, Torin set about unrolling her mat for sleeping and the heavy wool blanket she had packed. She sat upon her mat, crossing her legs in front of her. Nel had finished her meal and was happily cleaning herself on the mat beside her owner.

"My Father taught me to be prepared for this type of thing." She stared at the fire as she watched the meal warm itself, "We used to go out for weeks at a time and he would test me." She watched the fire dance before her eyes. "He would make me search for food, find water and build a fire." Shaking her head to clear the memories, she picked a stick to poke at the fire. "I never thought it was because of this."

"Your father did right by you." Estien settled himself with his back against a large rock, his long legs stretched out in front of him. His broad shoulders rested back against the rock and his soft features danced in the fire light. 

"How tall are you, Estien?"

"Just under 5 cubits." His statement was sincere, yet cryptic and Torin smiled at it. "What about you?"

It was obvious he was trying to make small talk. "Just under 4 cubits." She looked to see him smiling back. 

"Well played." 

They shared a brief chuckle and she checked to find the soup warm enough to eat. Pouring it into the metal cups she had packed, she handed one to Estien.

"Enjoy." Torin raised her cup toward him as he took a long sip from his.

She watched him cautiously raise his cup to his lips. After the initial tasting, the contents did not have a chance to get cold before the cup was empty. 

"There's more in the pot." She motioned toward the pot on the rock and continued to sip down her meal.

"Thank you, but you may want some more." 

"Not likely,” she smiled, polishing off the content in the cup, "I had this for dinner last night too. I think I need to preserve my desire to eat it." She lifted the pot from the rock and poured the last bit of soup into his cup. 

"You made this?" He asked, a tone of surprise in his voice.

"Indeed," Torin chuckled as she took a large leaf and wiped out the pot.

"It's very good." He took another sip from his cup, his eyes seemed to dance as he watched her. 

She gave a smile of gratitude and placed her cup back inside the pot. "I'll need to find running water to wash them out tomorrow." She settled herself on her mat. "We'll also be able to reuse the skins for water when the soup is gone. It's not acidic so it won't damage the integrity of it."

Torin looked up to see Estien smiling at her. "What?"

"You reminded me of someone, just there." 

For the first time since she met him, she saw a look of happiness briefly glimpse his eyes. Torin settled down on the mat and wrapped herself up in her cloak.

"Good night, Estien." She yawned heavily, Nel had already burrowed into her cloak and she chose to use her pack under her head as a pillow.

"Good night, Torin." He replied softly.

She could feel Estien’s eyes on her as she drifted off to sleep. Between the safety of his gaze and the comforting sounds of the woods about them, Torin was able to relax into a sleeping state quickly. She knew there was something about his eyes that made her feel safe, there was something there. It was only moments into her thought before she was sound asleep and dreaming.