Warrior Of Light [Complete/Editing]

Chapter Seventeen - Part One

The morning dawned, chilly and overcast. In the gradually strengthening breeze, the dying grasses of the plains blended together, looking like rolling waves on a golden ocean. The large collection of elves had already been travelling for nearly an hour.

Yena had assigned Edileth the task of watching over Marrik, as a form of discipline for her rash behavior on the day prior. While the lupak plodded along – following the Ferlians by instruction of Rikku – Edileth strolled beside Marrik. She pushed aside a sense of anxiety over the slower gait and forced herself to focus on keeping the pace that had been set for the lupak.

Edileth had made no attempt to start a conversation with Marrik; choosing, instead, to walk in silence. However, now – as the sun strained to sneak through the dense cloud-cover – the roth awoke from a brief doze. He glanced about, bleary-eyed, and then his gaze rested on Edileth.

"So, you're still here." His voice held less accent than usual. The scholar was making great effort to speak as a Narendhian would, to match Celik's pronunciation.

"Yes, this is the punishment for my foolish outburst."

Marrik feigned a look of injury.

"Is that any was to speak with your brother-in-law-to-be?"

Edileth sighed.

"Hmm...I see. I'm not your beloved Benorelt, so you can't be bothered."

"That is not true, at all, Fendrith. I love you dearly as though you truly were my brother. I feel anxious; that is all."

"Oh?"

The simple word held all manner of meaning. Leaning over with a display of confidence that she was far from feeling, Edileth laid her hand atop Marrik's.

"Can you really blame me? I'm surprised that you should be without worry, after your...incident."

"Why should I worry; I am a child of Feridh, aren't I? He shall protect me. And if I die, I go to Faedhmíl."

Edileth nearly sneered at the pointed look that Marrik gave her.

"Yes, yes; I know."

They settled into quiet for a time, as the grasslands slowly passed by. The breeze was rapidly becoming a stiff, gusting wind. Edileth clutched the cloak tightly about her frame. With the slightest shiver, she moved close to the disguised litter.

"Are you comfortable? Do you need another blanket?"

Without waiting for a response, the female began tucking the blanket closer about Marrik's quivering form. She then swung her pack off one shoulder so that she could pull it to her side. Edileth unlashed the cords that tethered her bedding to the pack. Unfurling the fabric with a couple flapping shakes, she spread her blanket over the injured male. He lifted one dark brow, the hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"So nurturing."

"What?"

"I've never seen you behave so...feminine. And you've never been so kind to me."

Edileth blinked in surprise.

Feminine?

The rothnak glanced at the woolen dress that was so different from her usual attire.

"Why do you dislike me so much?"

Marrik's question caught her off-guard.

"Erm...I don't...not like you..."

"Oh, of course not," he scoffed. "You've only been avoiding me at all cost."

Shame washed over Edileth and she suddenly felt the need to justify her actions.