She looked back at Vrondi after her statement, seeing a group of what looked like bandits leaving. Her sharp ears picked up on their conversation, but there wasn’t much she could do on it now. Sighing, she looked back at Mirror. “I’m still not your ally. This is just for that desire. You’d better keep her safe in Sunfire, I swear to the gods...” Her mumbles carried on, then she saw the King near. It felt like her rib cage locked around her lungs. He was right in front of her, and before she knew it, he was talking to her. She didn’t realize herself slowly nearing until she vanished, and she had to blink several times to center back on reality. Exhaling quickly, she turned around with her chin high, waiting for further instruction.

***

She hated being belittled like that. She knew how to carry herself in heavy armor, geez. The sword, though, was certainly new. She still had her crappy halberd on her horse, but she knew the sword would do her better in the long run. Taking a deep breath in, she managed to give a final glare to Mirror, before their horses took off.

Every mark on the land made her frown. Cemeteries, lone swords standing in the grasses, scars on the earth. She didn’t know what to do but watch, as they passed by in streaks, marked with white from Kou’s hair. She just had to ignore them for now. For her desire.

They arrived in the forest in no time, with her cheeks pink from the wind and her hair whipped around. She hopped off her horse by now, looking at her comrades. How did she get in a situation like this? Hearing the stream, she knew her holy horse did too, as it was quickly drawn to it. Then they came across her- the mountain.

She paused before the churning stream, watching it in fearful awe. She clutched her arm, trying to pinch herself discreetly. “Well... I hope you guys aren’t afraid of heights,” she joked, a little uneasy. Kou whinnied, making it’s way to the stream, starting to take a long drink. She shifted uncomfortably in her armor. 

She hoped they weren’t like dogs, smelling her panic as she stood there. Heights never led to anything good. She took her first step in the stream, feeling her boots get a little soggy. Taking careful steps across, she used her shield to balance herself, until she was on the other side. She paused, looking back at her allies, thinking back. Where were those bandits? Would they be ambushed? Was the mountain any safe? Could she trust armor from Mirror? Her mind kept on a downward spiral, her breathing becoming shallow like the stream. She had to carry on, still. She agreed to this. She had to remind herself of what desire she was doing this for- mom.