The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

YAHUR

-Ussi, don't!- The Guider spoke up, raising her palm slightly towards him as Souna felt that evil, unwavering hand crushing her own.

-Why not, Guider?- Ussiariah barked, a glint of fury ignited in his eyes - You witnessed it yourself. This insolent woman just attacked a pledged Yahurian with the intent to kill!

-Because that insolent woman has now become a crucial part of your fated mission- Pahoka-Xe told him, resting her hand on her lap - Let her go.

-My mission was to fetch and bring the Vessel back to you - The Yahurian complained, gesturing to the bright-eyed child, who was looking curiously all around the place from Kohu´s back - Axe is here now, my fate is complete.

-Axe? - The Guider asked with an intrigued squint.

-Well… He chopped a tree down, so now I call him that - Ussi shrugged with indifference- Anyway, I brought him to you, so my mission is done.

-No, my son. Your mission is far from over, in fact it has just begun - The Guider shook her head slowly - Now… Let her go.

Groaning with annoyance, Ussi pried Souna´s fingers open, taking the knife out of her hand, then uncovering her back and snatching the dagger, waving both at her face.

-I turned a blind eye on you being armed just out of courtesy - He hissed, glowering at her, then pushing her down to the ground, before reaching inside her boot and extracting another blade, waving it at her nose - No more special treatment.

Souna remained slumped on the cold floor for another moment, catching her breath and evening her heartbeat.

-Good to know - She replied, rubbing her wrist and smirking at him with scorn- I can only imagine your normal treatment is even more delightful.

-Enough! Both of you! - Pahoka-Xe ordered with a loud voice, before extending her arm at Souna and signaling for her to approach – Come, child.

The Yahurian guards, who had kept their aim at her until that moment, finally retreated, and she stood up with difficulty, reaching for her bag and rummaging through it.

-If you think you would have enough time to pull another stunt before I s***h your throat, think twice- Ussiariah warned, glaring at her.

-Easy, honeycomb – Souna rolled her eyes at him, producing a piece of folded leather and raising it up for him to see - I was just looking for this.

Souna approached the Guider with reverence and presented her the fabric. The woman's eyes brightening when the item touched her hands.

-Aig Yahurah Nahe- Souna greeted her respectfully, bowing her head.

-Ahir Yahurah Kah, my child. How is Anam doing? Many moons have died since I last saw her face. - Pahoka-Xe asked dreamily - Has Lowland finally welcomed her?

-Maybe it would have, if she had not preferred living in a cave all these past years- Souna shrugged off- I just met her a phase ago. Right after the monsters attacked my village and…-She felt a few tears roll down her face before rubbing them away with fury - They looked exactly like that man over there! Golden hair, colorless skin, strange shaded eyes! How can this be? How can he be a true Yahurian when he looks just like the demons that killed my husband!

-All in due time, my child. But first… - The Guider nodded at a young boy sitting by her side, and he immediately stood up, running to the back and disappearing into the shadows - I am sure you are all hungry, is that not right… Ussi? – She spoke, directing her words at the Yahurian, who stood a short distance away, holding the blue-haired child against his bulky chest.

-I am fine, Guider. But Kohu is famished - The warrior responded, glancing at his cat, then waving the toddler impatiently at her - Then where should I set the kid down?

-Pahoka-Xe´s milky eyes sparkled with amusement as she stood up and started walking to the edge of the room without saying a word. The warrior staring at her in expectation when she reached the hallway door and finally returned her attention to him.

-Join me. We are making sure our guest is duly fed. She has made a long journey. And… Bring the Vessel with you - She ordered - It is yours to care after all. As I said, your mission is not over yet. So, he is still under your charge, and I am sure he must be starving as well, given your vast comprehension of a child's needs.

Souna spotted the flash of an outburst forming in the warrior’s eyes as soon as the Guider turned around, pacing away. But a moment later, he straightened himself and started following her steps, carrying the toddler with him.

As he passed beside her, he stopped his march and turned to look at her with disdain.

-After you - He spoke, dragging his voice venomously, gesturing at her with his hand - Do not let yourself think for a second that I am keeping my eyes off you. I do not trust you! No matter who you claim to be.

-That makes two of us- Souna sneered, glaring at him and walking towards the door Pahoka-Xe had just gone through.

Kohu was lying lazily at the edge of an enormous hall, devouring a large bison leg while their diverse group sat at the huge table. The Guider just staring at them in silence as Souna and the child partook of the abundant meal, consisting mostly of meat, bread and some corn.

Souna´s gut rumbled at the sight of her first proper dinner in… She didn't even want to remember when the last one had been. Because that would mean reliving the tragedy, and there was no time for that. Not right now. So, instead, she started silently taking eager bites as she watched the Yahurian handing Axe a piece of bread at the edge of her sight.

-Guider! Pardon me but…- Ussi lifted his mask skillfully, barely letting a glimpse of his jaw show as he took a sip from his cup of elderberry liquor and cleared his throat - Why did you choose not to inform me that the Vessel was meant to be a kid? You sent me into this hunt with blindfolded eyes. I could have failed… Tamensunians could have played me and handed me a stone for all I cared, and I would never have been able to spot the difference!

-Tell me something - The old woman said, her eyes directed kindly at him - When you first saw the Vessel, did you know that you were already looking at it?

-N-No… Not really - The warrior stammered- I only found out later, when some looters tried to attack us, and it slipped out of them, but…

-But you were already bringing him to his destiny. Don't be so doubtful, Ussi. It was your fate. You were meant to find him- Pahoka-Xe laughed melodiously, waving her hand at him- And the reason I did not tell you, is because you despise children. Should you have known, I have no doubt in my soul that you would have rejected your purpose, and I could not take that risk.

-That is not true!- The Yahurian defended himself- I do not despise children. They are just… indifferent to me.

-Oh yes! Those are two entirely different things- Souna chuckled, biting on a juicy meat chop - Thanks for clearing that up!

-I suggest you shut your mouth if you want to keep it functioning- The man muttered in anger- And if you wish to talk, you better start explaining what it is that you want from our kind.

-I told you!- She sighed in frustration, her eyes turning towards Pahoka-Xe- My city was attacked, and it has been invaded. We are begging Yahurians to do what they do best: Preserving peace. Because they are already taking Lowland, and when they are done… Midland and Upland will be next. So, we need your army of warriors to stop this disease before it spreads!

-Oh, but my child -Pahoka-Xe shook her head sadly at her- I cannot grant you what you ask for.