The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 8

Amihan hears grumbling from his pillow and he groans back, burrowing himself into it deeper. "Five more minutes, Ditse." He mumbles as he tosses and turns for a bit more. The pillow had an earthy scent to it, Amihan finds that he quite likes it.

And then, poking. By his arm, then his shoulder, and then finally his sides. He shoots up immediately, feeling goosebumps. He awakes to the sight of Banawag, amusedly looking at him while wagging his pointer finger. "Still ticklish, ah?" Amihan flushes and gives a weak, "Shut up." Banawag brings himself up, his state looking better compared to when he was in the prison chambers. "Do I make for a good pillow?" Amihan looks away, finding the river beside them very interesting. "No", he says. 'Liar,' A voice in his head quips. It sounds a lot like Ditse.

Ditse and Ate, right. He was no longer in Kiling compound. They ran away last night, Amihan essentially abandoning the life he lived for...He takes a peek at Banawag, stretching his limbs and hearing him curse as he encounters a cramp. "FUCK, OW!" Amihan is rethinking some things but he already jumped in head first, might as well go through the whole journey.

Speaking of their journey, "Where's Hiwaga? Is she alright?" Asked Amihan as he heard some rustling on the forest clearing beside them. He quickly grabs the pair of arnis sticks and stands in front of a still-cramping Banawag. The man winces before whispering, "Why the shit does it hurt so fucking much, ow, ow, ow." Amihan hisses back quietly, "Stop cursing, there might be something in the woods!"

As soon as he said that, he heard a familiar voice "Relax, gentlemen. I just foraged some fruits for us to eat, there is no need to be on guard." Amihan lets go of his defensive position and puts down his arnis sticks. Hiwaga appears before them, a little pale and lethargic but otherwise okay. In her hands were some atis and mangga. Amihan comes over to help her carry the fruits a bit while biting his lip, "Hiwaga, are you sure you're alright? Have you rested properly? Was there any trouble last—" Hiwaga shoves a quickly sliced atis into his mouth, stopping his barrage of questions.

"Calm yourself, I've had enough rest", says the High Priestess, "Don't doubt my abilities." Amihan chews on the atis, its refreshing taste filling his taste. After he swallows the slice, he questions, "What happened last night?" Hiwaga shrugs gracefully, "Nothing I couldn't handle, but we do have something to discuss later, with your companion especially." Hiwaga walks towards their campsite and sees Banawag suffering from a cramp. She sighs, "Incompetent as he may be."

But she goes to him with little complaint, pushing his foot upwards against the leg cramp. Banawag didn't hold back his scream, "AAAAHHHHHH!" Hiwaga reached to pinch his nose tight, which made Banawag protest, "Ow, what was that for?! Am I a child?!" Hiwaga retorts calmly, "Nice to know one of you has self-awareness, now zip it."

Amihan is a little confused by their group, but Hiwaga helps and Banawag takes it with all the indignation of a rooster. He thinks this is enough.

***

"Do you see anyone?" Hiwaga questions as they're all pressed against a wall in a discreet alleyway. Amihan, being the look out, watches for any familiar colors. His eyes glazed over the Kiling marketplace, swarmed by people of all kinds. So far, he couldn't spot any lavish purple clothes, orderly formations of party searches, nor any familiar metalwork from his House.

"We're clear." He declares, "but there might be people disguised, so it's best to remain careful." Hiwaga crosses her arms and looks at the cloak around her. She removes it quickly and tosses it at Amihan. He catches it as he hears the familiar sound of magic. He looks up at Hiwaga and then suddenly tilts his head down, where he sees that she's changed her appearance once more. She looked more average and little of no remark on her stature, she looked ordinary which made for the best disguise.