Elemental Witch: Child of the Earth (Part I)

Twilight

Verana had given her report to Sencha before crawling into her bed in their camp and falling into another deep sleep, barely remembering the moments when she was shaken awake to eat a meal. While awake, she had been told that he had not yet returned before being allowed to fall back to sleep, sinking deep into the embrace of the earth. 

She wasn't sure how long this had gone on but when she had fully awoken, there was still no flag signalling a message in Keepsal and Sencha still had not returned from his report to the Council. Doubt began clawing at her, leaving her unable to do more than pace back and forth in the clearing they had occupied. After a couple hours of the restlessness, Verana grabbed a bow and went out with the hunters, though she was cognizant of the fact that she had been eating most of what the hunters had been bringing in every day.

 The world kept turning and she realized for the first time, how odd it was to be removed from that constant turning of events and time. She had never cared about the world outside the Wild before but she craved knowledge of what was being said or decided while she was absent.

Sleep that night came easy but it was a normal nocturnal slumber that left her waking as the dawn was rising over the trees, bringing birdsong and the smell of warmth to the day. Slipping from the light blankets that made up her bed, she moved quietly away from the camp. Slipping through the trees with nods to the guards who were settling down to rest after a night of watching the camp. 

Verana quietly picked her way to the edge of the forest, watching the stones of  Keepsal light up gold with the sunrise n the distance. As the gates opened, she watched an influx of traffic wind its way out of the gate and down along the river, following the road that curved along its banks. The humans were up to something interesting and she fought a tiny wave of disappointment as she glanced to the flags on the Keep and realized that none of them flew green. She was still not needed and she wondered if the activity was a signal of something malicious.

"The entire Island is full of human activity. There are large groups either on the road or taking to their ocean boats. The ones on the roads seem to be moving this way as far as we can tell. Should be converging here within the next week." Sencha's voice was low as he slipped out of the woods, his movements beyond her abilities to hear. She ignored him as he stepped beside her, watching the activity at the Keep alongside her for a few moments. "For good or ill, your words have been heard."

Verana nodded carefully, letting out a slow breath as she forced the words from her mouth, " and by the Council?"

Sencha nodded, side glancing to her, "will this King's protection extend to the rest of our people, while this is going on?"

"It is something for me to ask, I suppose." Verana nodded though, it wouldn't make sense that it wouldn't. She would have failed if the only Feysha who could be around the humans was her.  After taking time to contemplate the thought, she glanced to the man who had been her teacher for most of her life. "So they agreed to all of it?"

"Yes." Sencha paused, watching her, with an odd emotion over his features. "So you know, with all this movement, Shaktayleva will be bringing his fighters down. You know he will take this opportunity. And I will be as well."

Verana frowned then, feeling doubt sink along her spine once more. "What if the humans are right? That their strength, and heavy weaponry, is a clear advantage?"

Sencha's expression was thoughtful, before offering a shrug to communicate the lack of his concern. "My only concern is the age of our weapons. Do you think your Smith will have replacements for Shaktay and myself by then?"

"I don't have your speed." Verana asked softly, though there was no question in her words. "I am not enough Feysha... I know I am not. I try, but there is so much that I lack."

"Don't." Sencha barked sharply, turning to look at her, baring his teeth in a growl. "Don't ever doubt your worth because of what you think you lack. Your difference does not make you less, it does not mean you are not enough. It means you are more. You are my best student, Verana. Allow yourself to be yourself and it will come."

Verana bit back her angry retort for as long as she could, yearning to believe his words, not understanding how he could say them with such conviction. He almost made her believe him. "Why do you always speak to me with the words of the Council? Just say what you really think."

Sencha blinked in shock, pulling back from her as if she had physically attacked him, "the Council limits what I can tell you, for now, but the only words I speak are my own, Verana. Why do you always doubt me?"

"Because I know what you say when you don't think I can hear. I've stopped listening, because those are the only words that reach my ears." She her head angrily and turned away from him. She forced calm into her body and voice, growling through gritted teeth. "I will get you your weapons and some for Shaktay if they are ready but only if he understands that these fights are not to the death."

Sencha growled once and then he was gone, his scent fading into the woods. His departure leaving her alone with her doubts and anger once more. Verana stood for another moment watching the sunrise reflected on the human walls, before sighing and starting off in that direction to speak to her humans.