The damnable weather had grown unbearable. The creaking of the wood in the wind was driving Freda up the trees, not to mention having to carry these two everywhere - why was duty so harsh on her? She questioned all of these with water clinging to her clothing and beneath it, with a downpour still running down her. Which did not sit well with Freda. Her gambeson jacket had become a soggy piece of mess that weighed double what it did before and her shield had just been slung Miriam's way after nearly a day of arguing about it - an unnecessary weight, given she was forced to carry the half dead blonde girl everywhere.
She was not keen on holding it, for obvious reasons - it weighed more than she did, Freda guessed.
"[i]We will rest when we can. Right now? We cannot. I have given you... occupation of pathfinder simply because it benefits us all.[/i]" Freda complained.
Miriam was quick to jab back, the fire between them only grew hotter. [i]"Well, I could just stop and then what would you do? Yeah. Figured.[/i]" It hurt more knowing it was true. 

She followed the Huntress into where she decided to camp without much a question and upon arrival chucked the half-dead Ellie next to a tree as delicately as one could with "throwing"; carrying her had started to get on her nerves - and the rain had snapped quite a few; it remained very visible in her demeanour. Ellie landed with a soft thud to down onto the wet foliage, which she soon draped in her very damp red cloak and whatever she could scramble together to keep her from dying of the chill that had set in from the freezing rain. Freda plopped herself down beside the Spirit Walker and peered at her. Thinking. Leia had joined them, as-well. This damn dog had started to grow on her, probably because they connected somehow - before long the wet dog forced its way into her lap and licked Ellie's hair calmly as she settled down for the night.


Moments passed in reflection before a thump and wet fire-wood was presented out before her. [i]"Hey, does your God grant wishes like... you know,[/i] [i][b]'Dry my firewood, oh great and powerful deity!'[/b][/i] [i]'cause, that'd be great. Probably, somehow could get this going. Ugh.[/i]" Freda stared her down for a second and knew it'd shut her up. Which it did, knowing that any further argument would end badly for her - she liked to keep up the strong facade, even if she would never actually hit anyone unprovoked. It was amusing, though. 
The resourceful hunter had a few tricks and with dedication bore fruit. She managed to catch a spark into some dry tinder she had been collecting along the way, as with some twigs she kept dry to try and get the fire going - it was more smoke than flame but it had enough fuel to keep going and the thick, huge canopy above provided ample protection. This girl had potential, she figured; if a muzzle was added.
Freda snorted at that, gaining the attention of the dog and the Hunter at the same time - both making around the same noise which made her laugh further, pulling the dogs head up to nuzzle against, muttering at the mutt. "[i]Stupid dog.[/i]" 


[i][b]Later...[/b][/i]


The fire crackled and burned, illuminating a very small area in the woodlands. Ellie had begun to mutter once again, how this girl was alive still amazed Freda - though any attempt to converse with her was just void - it was either madness or silence. Miriam had taken to sleeping on the other side, bundled up in all those ridiculous clothes. Freda had taken the watch. She couldn't sleep anyway's. It had been nearly a full day or more now than her initial episode. Or whatever it was; she had no true idea or the gravity of it all. Why was she chosen? Was it some device of some other deity. Some darker one. The Flame would guide her - what had it not? It was the Phoenix's guiding light and reverence that she was still alive. Still kicking and now she had a straight shot duty in these two wayward souls.



Suddenly, a huge crack smashed through the forest as if something massive had just parted a tree from its roots. This awoke everyone, even the comatose Ellie with a scream. Leia barked and Miriam sprung to pick up her bow and readied it - drawing an arrow to knock into her bow and immediately looking to the sluggish warrior. Freda kicked the fire out and picked out her spear and shield, she had a faint idea what this creature was and how to react.
A forest Troll. The most elusive creature and perhaps the most deadly in the woodlands. Six metres tall and fuming. Some claim they were created out of powerful void magic long ago, likely why they were so angry and scarce. The massive bellowing that followed and cracking from splinters flying everywhere. In the darkness it even terrified the Phoenix. "[i]Miriam, take Ellie and go. Be quiet and don't draw attention. If you reach the Fort and I do not, tell them I sent you; make sure they tend to the Walker - but do -not- tell them what she is. Keep the healers quiet.[/i]" She squinted in the gloom, nodding. Miriam was antsy but she knew better than to argue at this time. Freda had her duty to uphold and took no arguments, moving out to face this colossal threat - she expected death, but who didn't when facing such darkness? In the darkness. 

[i]It was almost quaint.[/i]

The thudding grow stronger and stronger, the booming of the beasts nostrils and the smashing of the logs it found displeasing. It was said such creatures could eradicate an entire forest in a year and all its wildlife. A bear would be a worthy fight for the Knight but a Troll? Freda was questioning her ability every second. Before long she had thrown her shield aside, it was useless - it would require speed and two weapons to overcome this enemy. Somehow. She bore her broadsword and spear in both hands and advanced towards the creature, which slowly began to get closer and closer - it would of been on them long before they could run away. It sounded miles away a minute ago, no doubt having taken on the smell of flesh; stories spoke of the Troll's ravenous hungers, a tale to tell children that they will be devoured if they were bad. Now she felt even worse, recounting all these damn stories. A scream boiled up in her throat from the frustration which she bellowed forth.
Seconds past. Utter silence fell, the woman's roar had silenced the woods for but a second before it was returned, the Troll had already arrived; towering over the woman and filthy. He roared out, spewing spit and snot from its massive maw right back at the warrior. This sent a shiver down her spine.


[b]This would be her last fight, she concluded. Freda was not about to make it an easy one.[/b]