"When Solaris created all things, he imbued within us a spark of his holy radiance, and from that spark, we live, and in the absence of that spark, we die. But in the manipulation of that spark and the spark of others, we become like Solaris, we become like gods."
~ Excerpt from Restricted Book, "The Foundation of Magic."
Author Unknown
Hiking has never been my favorite activity. Whenever I've done it, it has always been more about spending time with the people going on said trip.
So trekking through the woods with two completely silent people and a small candle of fire was not high on my list of activities.
Reinhardt had insisted we avoid the roads. Which I completely agreed with professionally, but it didn't make my legs burn any less after the sixth hill.
As we crested the seventh, I stopped to catch my breath and adjust the strap of my satchel. The leather had started to rub the skin of my neck a little raw.
"Are you alright, Chosen?"
I looked over to the princess and saw that Aurelia was also breathing hard, but still was wearing a faint expression of concern.
Alright, maybe she was doing a little better than I was.
I really wish I got out more back home.
Casting my gaze over to the knight, and even more salt in the sweat-filled wound was that despite his armor and seniority, Reinhardt looked like he could go another 20 miles without breaking a sweat.
I waved off Aurelia's probing. "I've been better. A thousand years in a stone box isn't great for muscle development."
She frowned. Then she looked guilty.
"I'm sorry, Chosen. I still have much to learn about rituals, and your Rite was the first one I'd ever completed as the conductor. Please inform me if you feel any worse. I will see what I can do."
Aw damnit.
Nice one, Chosen, make the traumatized girl feel worse.
"No, that's not what-."
Aurelia stepped closer, stretching out a hand towards my chest.
"I should check your aura; you probably aren't used to the drain your wisp is inflicting. The Rite definitely didn't help. I knew that my image wasn't strong. If I had-."
I lightly pushed her arm away.
"First off, that's not necessary. Second of all, I'm just tired and definitely a little hungry."
She still looked like she wanted to say more, but I cut her off.
"Whatever thing you did was a little disorienting, but I'm fine."
Hopefully.
Her face brightened a little. She started digging in a pouch hanging from her belt.
"I suppose we can stop for a small rest. I managed to get some traveler's bread before I left—." Her face fell. "Oh."
Aurelia pulled a mushy pile of what was probably once some delicious hardtack out from her satchel.
Now she looked more dejected than before.
"The river must have… Argh." Aurelia tugged at a tangle in her hair. "I knew that pouch wasn't waterproof; I never should have trusted Marie to get it for me."
She flung the dissolved biscuits into the woods and wheeled to look at Reinhardt, who had stood impassively against the waves of Aurelia's emotion.
"Sir Reinhardt. I say we should rest for a time before continuing onwards."
The knight bowed.
"As you wish, Lady Aurelia."
Without looking back at me, the princess left to sit beneath a tree, looking distinctly unhappy.
I wish I had the words to lighten the mood, but I was exhausted, and my insightful comments seemed likely to do more harm than good.
"My Lady has always been… upset by the discrepancy between what she wants and the inadequate result of her actions to achieve it."
I flinched a little at the closeness of Reinhardt's voice. I still had no idea how he did that.
I looked at the knight. He seemed to be waiting for me to say something.
So I did.
"What?"
Reinhardt raised his shoulders in what I guess to be a shrug, then reached into his chestplate.
I followed his motion as he pulled out a small leather bag. It had a flap over the mouth of it, with cordage made from leather tying it closed tightly.
I was so busy studying the strange bag I almost didn't even try and catch it when he tossed it to me. I clapped my hands around it, feeling the waxy texture.
"Eat, Chosen, and spare some for Her Ladyship. We must make it to Hunter's Valley before nightfall and I will not have either of my charges collapsing."
I unwrapped the pouch, and found several pieces of some kind of jerky and two hard biscuits.
I glanced back at the old man.
"Did you think Aurelia's magic thing would work?"
Reinhardt tilted his head slightly, and seemed to focus on something past me. When he looked back, it felt like his gaze was softer than usual.
"I have always had the highest loyalty towards King Harold, his father, and the royal family."
The knight paused, and his blue eye chilled again to vague emotion.
"My only duty is to ensure their safety, well being, and to anticipate any eventuates they cannot with the strain of leadership."
I stood there for a moment longer, soaking in what he said. Reinhardt didn't move until I finally replied.
"Understood."
The Royal Protector nodded, and turned away, walking up a slightly rise in the ground.
I watched him for a moment, then walked over to the princess.
As I rounded around the tree trunk Aurelia was sitting against, I saw she was certainly grappling with things. She was looking into the forest, her eyes twitching from brush to bird, her lips moving silently at almost the same speed. The princess also had her hands together, spinning the ring on her finger like there was no tomorrow.
The way things are looking for us, she's probably not wrong,
I stuffed the nagging thought into a mental locker.
"Hey."
Aurelia startled and looked up at me.
"Oh, hello, Chosen. Did Reinhardt see something? Does he need-."
I waved a hand through the air.
"Yeah, actually, he needs you to sit here and eat this mediocre-looking jerky."
She let out a little chuff at the joke, then shifted slightly as I slid down next to her.
As I landed in the dirt, I also pulled out one of the biscuits and handed it to her.
Aurelia raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said jerky?"
I made a face of indignation. "Starting with the main course? How crude."
Aurelia made a tsk sound before she accepted the food and began eating.
I tore off a piece and popped it into my own mouth.
Logically, I knew that whatever stale trail biscuit they had packed would not be particularly tasty. I had to chew it a good bit before a palatable piece broke off in my mouth.
But the second the crumbs touched my tongue, it was like eating food for the first time in centuries.
It was like I had a cold, and all the food I'd ever eaten was just an imitation. It was like I was sick; my senses were congested and they had just cleared.
I closed my eyes and basked in the taste.
When I opened them, Aurelia was giving me a strange look.
"What?"
"Are you certain you are well, Chosen? I don't think I've ever seen someone enjoy trail food quite like you."
"Oh, uh,"
Was I that obvious?
"Well, where I come from, we kind of take all the joy out of cooking, so it must be all the love baked into this, I guess."
"Much appreciated, Sir Chosen."
I turned to where Reinhardt was discreetly standing by a tree, his gaze scanning our surroundings as the two of us ate.
"You missed your calling, Reinhardt. You should have been a baker."
The old soldier's mouth tilted upwards.
"My late mother was an excellent baker, Sir Chosen; the credit belongs to her."
I nodded to Reinhardt. "She has my utmost thanks and respect."
I turned back to my meager meal. It tasted as good as the first bite, and I had to suppress any sound of the happiness I felt as I ate.
Not only was it delicious, but it also made me even hungrier. I don't think I'd ever eaten such a mediocre piece of bread in my whole life that fast.
When I was done, I brushed the crumbs from my lap and stood up. I twisted to work the kinks out of my back, then turned down to see Aurelia gingerly wrap the reminder of her biscuit in a handkerchief before pocketing the bread.
Extending my hand, I gave my best attempt at a cheerful expression.
"Shall we continue our trek, m'lady?"
Aurelia paused for a moment before accepting my help.
"I am glad to see you are feeling better, Sir Chosen."
She was right, I was feeling better. Heck I think I could go all day if needed.
"With such delicacies and company, how could I not."
Aurelia let out a small sigh.
"Even exhausted you are incorrigible. And for your future, it's proper to address me as my lady."
I began striding ahead, and I turned my head to reply.
"If I knew what that word meant I'd certainly agree, my lady."
And we walked on.