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Journey to the East

Once in the tent, it seemed that Noah was tired. Finally able to see his face clearly, she was dumbfounded.

"You look tired. You slept all evening? Are you feeling sick or something?"

She had known that he wasn't feeling the best before, but perhaps that was over? Elann undid her furs as she waited for him to answer and then slipped them off of her, as well as her breast band. With a leap, she was in bed and under the covers in mere seconds so that no cold would take her warmth.

There she squirmed restlessly in comfort until the feelings of the good fuzzy blanket he had given her subsided. Little pleasured sounds came from her at the feelings until she lay there motionless. In the tent was their change of clothes for tomorrow as well as the tools for Noah to shave himself should he wish.

"Love, do you want me to shave you or do you want to do it?"

Elann already knew better than to ask him if he wanted to keep his growing hair. It was like asking an eagle if he wanted you to pluck some of his feathers off. Noah was very clean and organized, sharp, much like his eagle form, so it would be a complete surprise if he did want to keep it.

Journey to the East

"Oh, I see," she voiced as he explained. It made sense to her. Yahebah's temple was like that for Yahal, sacred ground. While she was wrong, she was at least glad that Noah didn't get pissy with her for supposing wrongly that the people heard the loud sound of Zulrav. Instead, he kindly explained to her and it was all well with her.

Quietly she moved back to camp, lost initially, but then after looking to the dark mountains she figured it was the way they were headed. Aimee seemed to lead them directly to camp, and while Elann knew the general direction, she would have been off quite a bit in relation to the camp.

Noah set off his cloak as they reached the wagon. The dim light of the fire was still present enough on the dark night to see him more clearly as well as the fact that they were not under trees any longer.

"Yes please, though I'm going to run and stand next to the fire for a moment."

Without another wasted moment, she moved in a huddled fashion over to the fire. Only embers remained, but embers were better than nothing. Taking a few twigs, she tossed them in and blew on the orange light, leaping up a flame a moment later. There was not much heat, but it was enough to warm her hands and in turn, her body. Once they were warmed, she placed them onto her face until they were trading temperatures, then she would repeat.

A chime later, she felt secure enough to return to her husband and to her tent, but before it, she would bid Aimee a good night and then would head inside their tent with intent to light the lantern.

Journey to the East

It seemed that the god said something to Noah, though it was not translated to her. She continued to shiver at the cold of the night, let alone at the cold of the wind. Fortunately she hadn't died yet from the cold or sickness that came with it, but standing in the torrent of wind certainly didn't help. Ultimately the winds died down and she was very thankful, yet still appreciated them and for the sake of worshiping Zulrav.

Her husband then raised her hands and kissed them. What was more appreciated than the kiss, was the warmth of his breath on them afterwards.

"It's fine. Thank you for that."

While she was thankful, it only made her long for the day when he saw her God in the same light and consideration, but given him and zulrav's personality, that was never to happen. Elann couldn't hear Aimee approach, and in the darkness and torrent, assumed she hadn't left their side.

As Aimee brushed up around her, Elann's hand closest to her wrapped body would come down and scritch down her back, unable to see any indicators of what she wanted in the darkness.

It was a sharp contrast between what her God had said when he had come to her and how overjoyed he was to be with her, and Noah's God who didn't seem to give a care about her and was only there because of Noah.

"Well, that was illuminating. I'm sure there..." she paused, "I'm sure there are some people awake now from that."

She shivered again, clacking her jaw as she pulled her cloak about herself with her free hand, awaiting to see if anything else was expected of her that evening.

Journey to the East

While Noah may have been, Elann was not. It was likely if the horses were not tethered well, they had fled with great haste from the region. Even Elann's head would tilt to the side in reflex to the mighty noise, protecting her ears since her hands were occupied. It was the loudest thing she had ever heard in her life.

She heard Noah's translation and the God's personality was starting to make some more sense to her. In a way he was much like Noah, uncaring and all about himself in the will of what he wanted to do.

It seemed that Elann was correct in part in her worship of Zulrav, having come to the appreciation of his power and trembling before his might. She had stopped viewing him in a bad light and she had been trying to understand the inner workings of his storms and wind. A small smile came over her face as he noted that she continue in what way she was heading. It answered her question and gave her the insight she had wanted.

"Thank you, mighty Zulrav."

The wind continued to blow around them in mighty force, but as they stopped speaking, it seemed the thunder and winds became swirling again. She could likely perceive that since Noah was like Zulrav in many ways, it was realistic then that Zulrav didn't care about even the Gods, even Yahal. Yahal was important to Elann, and she had thought the two Gods deemed it best to work together with their chosen mortals. However it seemed more likely the two of them were distant and yet brought together only because of the two before them.

Yahal cared deeply for Elann, but wouldn't always be there to protect her. Somewhere in the future he may decide to give her the means to protect herself moreso, but he was not an oppressive God. If Zulrav ended up killing Elann for whatever reason, there would not be war in the heavens, he would simply carry her soul to the green lands. It didn't mean he didn't care for her deeply, whereas Zulrav seemed keen on protecting his investment, even at the invasion of working with Yahal at times. Who knew the future of Elann and Noah, but in the end, she knew it would be something the world had not seen in a long time, if ever.

She squeezed Noah's hand and would not speak unless spoken to by the God, letting him come and go as he wishes.

Journey to the East

The smoothing over her hands was soothing in a way, and nearly caught her attention from the God, but failed to do so. The cloud, while not Zulrav's physical form, seemed to be where he felt like emanating his thunder from, and therefore her attentions were fixed there.

The God was laughing at her for some reason, though she didn't understand. Perhaps it found her humility in his presence humorous? Despite her overwhelming nervousness in the scenario, she wasn't half as nervous as when she met Yahal. She likely died when coming face to face with him. His purity was beyond measure and the impurity in her seemed to weigh her to the grave, yet he found mercy for her. Zulrav was unknown to her, and for the most part others were knowledgeable about the god as well.

It seemed he did watch her and would tell Noah what he thinks of her. She wasn't sure that was a comfort or a bad thing, since he didn't particularly want to meet her. There were many things on her mind then. Nagging questions that longed to be answered, some not so good, and others that were more respectable.

The winds whipped about them like that day she begged Noah to not break their bond and to come to her. Instead of beating her down in retaliation, she instead felt they were protected there. It however didn't mean she wasn't freezing cold. Only his hands kept her from receiving the frostnip she had received the previous time as well as the lack of rain to cool her further.

The God asked what she had on her mind.

"I love Noah, and because I see his love for you, I've wanted to know you more. If you watch me, then you have seen me worshiping you in what ways I know how, but I don't know if that is what you want or not. I have turned my dislike for your might and ways to a respect and appreciation, and while I still fear you, I don't think evilly of you. In my home, the wind would bring the sandstorm, the storms would bring the rain, it would make our lives very hard when it was already hard enough. I was raised to dislike you, but Noah has shown me much more of you than I had thought possible, and I feel I appreciate you more now. I guess what is on my mind is, now that I appreciate you more, how can I better know you? What part can I play besides Noah's wife and guardian that will please you more?"

Journey to the East

It was strange in those moments because when she was unable to see, the lightning gave way to give her enough confidence in walking. She was able to the see the roots of trees to avoid them and even more than that, able to move with more confidence.

While Noah may have been vocally clumsy, Elann was too, however in her writing in her journal that night, she would almost verbatim express what she had experienced in such detail.

They made their way silently into the meadow there and the winds grew stronger. Immediately Elann shivered to herself and remained quiet trying to pay attention to what the wind was telling her and Noah, what the lightning was saying. As it was, she couldn't discern as well as him the signs, especially since they had made it into the meadow.

Upon their standing there, he explained more about his God. She had heard something like it from Morian, but Noah's explanation was better. Elann felt like Zulrav was present in every wind being blown, but perhaps that wasn't the case since her husband would say at times that he didn't sense Zulrav there.

As Noah grasped for her other hand, he would find it wrapped about her, huddled for warmth, though at his request, she would open herself fully to the wind; all for him. It didn't stop her little jaw from shivering, but the disdain she felt when he had first met her for the weather and various elements of it was not there. She had somewhat reversed her position, and while she knew she would die if she had to experience such winds all the days of her life, she respected her husband's god.

When the thunderclap met her, she couldn't but scream before tucking her lips into her mouth. It was so loud she had not prepared for it. It continued and she grew slightly more used to it as it went. She couldn't tear her eyes from the cloud to view Noah's reactions to the voice, but she could feel him through their bond and in the touching of their hands.

Noah seemed then to translate to her what the God was saying and she felt embarrassed and sad at first, but picked up as he spoke about appreciating her for being a guardian of Noah. She was sure she didn't deserve such honor, though thought it unwise to tell the God he was wrong. With a shivering jaw, she nodded toward the cloud.

"Th..thank you. I'm humbled by your presence and attentions to me."

It didn't particularly feel good to have a god as temperamental as Noah was looking over her, not understanding her, and only loving her because she loved Noah. What would become of her if that ceased to be? Surely she would die.

Journey to the East

It seemed she was correct. The gentle nod of her husband in the dark was just barely visible due to his light skin. Sadly, the two didn't account for her eyes failing to see in the dark, which was why she asked if she should bring the lantern. With the moon hidden, it was purely by Noah she was going to get through the night.

Slowly she was led toward the sound, to which she hummed affirmingly in answer to him. Without any indication from Noah, she would stumble over the downed branch, though because she was holding onto him, would not fall. It just would go to show how poorly she could see in the light concealment of the treetops and the clouds.

Elann continued to listen to him speak, thinking him quite strange to follow the wind wherever it blew. To her, and pretty much anyone else, following where the wind blew and lightning struck was odd behavior. If he wasn't a stormwarden, she would be worried for him. As it was, it seemed he was trying to display to her one of the ways how Zulrav communicated.

Unlike her husband who had curtly sent off any hopes of a kindred spirit in sharing an important part of her, she actually listened as he displayed information about his God. When the wind stopped, they stopped and he faced her once again, waiting for the next sound to come or wind to blow.

While the wind had died down it blew only on her ears, speaking words that Noah was currently saying, but at a delay, not that she could really notice, except it seemed as though the wind itself was what was whispering in her ear. Elann didn't know what to say, if he wanted her to ask any questions or if there was more he was going to teach her. Either way, she just remained silent, trying to feel out for anymore wind that would come, or sound of wind, and would wait to see if they were going to head that way.

Journey to the East

Having heard the wind, the bugs and many other sounds of the night, she was glad when he was more specific. She took in a breath and nodded. In her mind, this was very ritualistic, feeling quiet vulnerable out there, yet among those who she knew would protect her with their lives. Something was going on that was beyond her.

Lightning illuminated her face, as well as the trees and the top of her husband's head as he looked down at her. No thunder came, but what did come was Noah's voice, telling her to listen for the wind.

Growing tales of the turning leaves to her right sounded the presence of the wind. She had heard it before when he first asked her what she had heard, but now she filtered out all other sound. If it were not for the lightning flashes, her eyes would have been closed. While her initial reaction was to fear, she responded bravely and put her trust in Zulrav and her husband that no harm would come to her.

"I hear the wind, the creaking of the woods as it presses on the tops of them...over there mostly."

She curiously looked up to him, not sure if that was what he wanted of her. Elann was trying to be patient and observe all she could, because it was obvious he had brought her out there for a reason. Part of her wondered if this was a significant place, something her reading into events would gain her some insight, but she mostly was focused on her husband.

Journey to the East

There was a reason he didn't want food, but she didn't know it. The plate ended up going to the dogs of the camp and it wouldn't go to necessarily waste on the ground. Elann was near full by the time he was offered the food, so she couldn't take more of it in.

Eventually it was time to go, and the denial of her bringing weapons was a curious one to her. It showed on her face and a sudden fear came over her. The thought of entering the woods where the great Bear Goddess resided without weapons meant she would have to trust well in Yahal. At the urging of Noah, she set them aside and nodded.

For the first time in a while she was nice and toasty. She gave him her hand, slightly warm considering it was usually cold, and he led her out of the camp. She tried her best to be quiet, having learned the skill significantly more from the first time she had been hunting. Then she had no idea she had to be quiet or how to walk quietly, but after hunting with his family it began to make sense.

Aimee came into sight, and Elann had a spike of fear at something undiscernable in the darkness moving toward them. There being no moonlight, no torchlight, she was relying on her husband for sight, but he didn't seem to be worried. As she drew closer, it was seen to be Aimee and there was a breath of relief from Elann. They trekked onward and Elann did her best to remain silent, doing quite well considering. A sense of urgency was growing in her, with nervousness, fear, and worry at what lay ahead. She could sense that something was coming up ahead of them, or their destination was drawing near, but didn't know how or why.

As he let go of her hand, she quickly grasped his again, only to realize he was letting go on purpose and she only then released his hands. As he stood before her, she calmed a bit, letting him soothe her- though that may not have been his intent. She could just make out his face in the darkness under the trees.

"I don't know, maybe?"

The sounds of some bugs at night could be heard but had gone silent in the immediate area, she could hear the wind and trees in the distance only due to her eyes not being able to see much of anything and redirecting her senses.

"What am I listening for? It's very quiet here."

Journey to the East

With permission, Elann zipped off to do her duty. The caravan still had plenty of meat for the remaining days and if she had anything to do with it, she was going to show the cook how to at least cook his spices into the meal so it tasted better.

After the meal was done cooking and everything smelled nice, the bell rang. People queued up and Elann took her own plate and her husband's the wagon. It was a type of stew, but tasted significantly better than previous stews he had made. With the collaboration of the two it turned into a tasty meal.

Elann then gathered a piece of bread for the road in wherever they were going, but one thing did surprise her, her husband wearing clothes.

"Oh...you look gooood," she would say, fawning over him a moment before moving to finish her own meal. Like always, she would eat slowly and silently, and when she had had her fill, Noah would receive the rest of her food.

As time drew on, people would start to go to bed once the evening meal hit them, but some stayed up drinking ale and laughing, as for some reason the end of their journey lifted the spirits of some who had not lost anyone. Eventually they too would either pass out near the fire or would head to bed. Then their time would come. At that time, Elann would have changed into her winter furs and put on her thick travel cloak, then donned her bow and arrows unless he otherwise instructed her not to. She also would bring the dagger she gave him, handing it to him just in case.