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It should not have surprised her in the slightest to look up and see him gliding in her direction, a world of gleaming color come to grace the bleak world below. Yet it did, for some part of her- previously disregarded- had held hope that she had escaped him, and her body tensed in anticipation of yet another flight in vain. Her weary muscles protested, and her still-wearier mind agreed. For what good what it do, when all the miles had not saved her, had not kept her hidden? Perhaps in the darkness? But the suggestion was immediately discarded, for even in her fear, she knew that lurking in the dark was a greater terror still. Only a silver tongue could save her, if anything, or one sharp enough to call the blade quickly. So she stood frozen, mind racing but with minimal cohesive thought.
Yet, enough awareness remained for her to realize that something was wrong in this scenario. He moved just a hair too slowly, too luxuriously, too… effeminately? She blinked dry eyes for the first time in several seconds, and the scent on the mild breeze told the truth. It wasn’t him at all. She was slender and supple where he was bound in coarse muscle, a pretty face with a broader blaze and a slightly shorter stature. Wide eyes softened slightly and fear dissipated, though the shock remained. The golden mare’s voice barely made it past the pounding of blood in her ears.
“Particularly on the path of a dry road.” Her voice was raspy and hesitant, dried from lack of use and moisture of the recent days. The familiar taste of copper reminded her of that terrible habit of chewing on the tip of her tongue when she was nervous, something mother used to always fuss about. She began slowly to recover her sluggish thoughts long enough to assess her new companion beyond the initial reaction. Perhaps one of his underlings, or a priestess, sent in his stead? She was certainly lovely enough, this child of the sun, but a goddess? Does a goddess need to drink? Perhaps to sustain the life of a mortal shell, fair enough. Even he had to supply the coil with nutrients, not unlike her own pale body. She barely caught the visitor’s next words through the haze.
“Eng- Naoi. I am Naoi.” She shook her head slightly, trying to clear the dull fuzz that was returning as quickly as the adrenaline dissipated. Visions of sleep flashed across her mind and she nearly smiled in response, blinking quickly before recovering herself. A yawn that she had stifled fought its way out of her jaws, eyelids fluttering for a moment before looking murkily back to the mare. She heard no knife and saw no blood, and silently pleaded for the end to come quickly, if it will. The bloodstains had long since washed from her coat and the bruises were slowly healing, but the wolf would always be at the door. She almost laughed bitterly at the thought, for his plan became clear. Teach her this final lesson- let her beg for the mercy he was so eager to dish out. Focus, she told herself, recalling that another question had been left unanswered.
“… of nowhere.”
Well, love, I’m waiting.
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