Ascension - Chapter 4

 Izadora was so excited to be leaving and Hagar tried not to dampen her spirits with the practicality of travel, but as the day wore on he suggested they stop for a small respite. They unsaddled the horses and brushed them out then let them graze. They sat together and had a simple meal of biscuits and mixed berry jam. They drained their first canteen bag and discussed their plans for the night. Hagar had bedrolls and a tent that would keep them out of the weather. Luckily the skies had remained blue with fluffy clouds and no sign of rain. They decided to ride on for a while before making camp. During their travels Hagar watched Izadora as she hungrily observed everything her face lighting up with wonder when she saw one of the large antlered creatures that he knew as Mousha. She prattled on about the wonders she was seeing and he felt his heart hurting as he looked on this excited young woman and saw the little girl he and Calista had raised since Kiera died. She looked so much like her mother, though her hair and eyes were not the same.  They were the product of the man that had sired her. He worried about his young niece and if she would be safe out in the world. He knew she was intelligent and tough, so he believed she would be okay, but it was hard not to worry. Her mother had also been intelligent and tough and still she was taken advantage of and treated horribly. He had loved Izadora like his own child since she was 10 years old and he didn't want to see anything bad happen to her. He started to wonder if he would ever see her again and if he did see her again would she be different? Would there be anything left of his little Izzy or would she be a cold arrogant creature like other elves he had heard about. It was true Kiera had been kind and a good friend and he didn't have much experience with elves, but he figured if she had been afraid to return home in her condition they were likely a bunch of uncaring bastards. As the sky began to move towards dusk Hagar called a halt and they setup their camp. As excited as she was to be going, Izadora was thankful to stop. She had never ridden a horse for so long and she hurt in places she didn't know could hurt. When everything was ready they sat down around a small campfire and began to heat up the food Calista had sent along for the first night on the road. It was a hearty stew and once they had finished Hagar took the dishes to the nearby stream to clean them. Izadora followed along and filled the canteens upriver from him and then returned back to camp and climbed into her bedroll. She yawned tiredly as Hagar returned and smiled sleepily at him. "I'm glad you're here with me" she said. "So am I and not to worry we will find someone to guide you that is trustworthy. I wish I could just stay with you to ensure your safety myself, but I know that wouldn't work well for either of us." he replied. "Now sleep little one, we will have an early start tomorrow. "With those final words of goodnight Izadora rolled away from the fire and fell quickly asleep. Hagar laid there for a little while his mind bouncing around and around. Finally he managed to shut down his worries and drifted off to sleep.  The next morning Hagar woke Izadora and encouraged her to get moving. They would need to eat, pack up and get going pretty quick to make good time to Seahaven. He wanted to get there before the moon turned full if at all possible. He wanted to introduce her to a few of his various acquaintances in Seahaven before he sent her across the sea to a land where he didn't really have any contacts except through those they were going to soon meet with. He hoped it would be enough to keep her safe and to get her back to Kiera's people. They spent the next few days in a similar fashion, riding through the day with brief stops and camping overnight. By the time the got to Seahaven Izadora thought she might be okay with never riding a horse again. "I think I may have developed actual saddle sores!" she exclaimed to Hagar as she lowered herself into the seat at the local inn. He chuckled and shook his head, "It's unlikely, but I understand the complaint. Its been some time since I've made such an extensive ride and it has taken it out of me a bit. I will have no problem staying here a few days before I make my way back. Izadora looked down biting the right side of her lip as she often did when worried or thinking hard about something. He waited several minutes and when she still didn't say anything he reached out and nudged her with his foot, "penny for your thoughts lass, what's going on in that head of yours?" She smiled at him and then the smile faltered. "I just realized we should've had someone else come with us. You're going to have to ride all that way back by yourself." He smiled kindly at her pleased that she  cared enough not to be strictly self centered in her wants and needs. "As to that you've nothing to worry about. I happen to know that one of our neighbors sons, Greshin Borgson will be returning from a trip he took across the seas and I offered to accompany him back. Seemed safer for both of us. "Izadora let out a sign of relief. She was so glad to hear that he wouldn't be making the long trek all alone. She wouldn't have wanted to do so and she wanted to know that he got home safely. "I told Calista I will send a letter when I get where I'm going. I will try to send more than just that and to leave a return address for any responses. Will you make sure when you write me back to say that you got home safe? I never thought about how it would be to travel so far away from you both. "He reached out and patted her hand reassuringly, "not to worry, I'll be fine and I'll make sure word of my safety reaches you. I've sent a messenger to a few of my acquaintances here and I expect to see them either this evening or tomorrow. I'd like you to know them and for them to know you. I don't have any contacts across the sea, but these people do and those contacts may be of use to you during your travels." Izadora nodded to indicate she understood, but didn't say anything as the server had arrived with their food and drinks. Izadora watched as food is set before her and her eyes widen. She had never had anything quite like it, seafood was rare in their home village, but here in Seahaven, getting red meat was pretty rare. She had ordered based on her uncles recommendations. She sniffed appreciatively the scent filling her and causing her mouth to water. When she took her first buttery bite she let out a little moan of appreciation. "This is wonderful Hagar, thank you for suggesting it. I think after this I'll be more willing to try different types of seafood." At that moment there was a shout from the doorway and a big burly man with dark brown skin and a shiny bald head came striding towards them. Her uncle wasn't a small man, and this fellow made him look small. He was a great bear of a man and he wore loose fitting trousers, a long sleeved shirt and a long vest. As he came closer she saw the glint of gold in his ears, on his fingers and at his wrist. His eyes and teeth were bright in his dark face and his booming voice had a foreign ring to it she couldn't place. "Ajani!" Hagar shouted as he stood to great the big man. They embraced with much slapping of backs. When they released one another Hagar looked to his niece and said "This is Izadora, my niece. She will be traveling across the sea and I worry for her. I wanted you to meet her so that if she were to come to you or your people for help you would know her." he then stopped and continued the introduction "and this is Ajani Bah an amazing fellow that comes from far across the sea to the south west. He comes here once every few months to trade and I wanted you to know him so you can reach out to him or his people the Tembeke, should you need their assistance." Ajani Bah bowed respectfully to Izadora then grinned as he noticed the muscles in her arms, "Ah you are strong, that is good! Strength is needed out in the world." Hagar invited Ajani to join them and he agreed to sit and enjoy a tankard of ale with them. He complained about the stuff from the moment he got it until he finished it. Izadora found this behavior curious. If she didn't like something she wouldn't keep partaking in it. That just didn't make sense to her, but before she could ask about it Hagar had steered the conversation expertly through potentially troubled waters. As they spoke she fell into the rhythm of Ajani's speech patterns and found them to be lovely. He told her about his lands and about his people. He explained it is hot there and all of his people are like him, dark with a few exceptions. She thought this was fascinating and told him she hoped she would have the opportunity to visit some day. They whittled away the evening talking and laughing, until Ajani stood to take his leave. He took Izadora's hand and bent down, she thought at first he was going to kiss it, but instead he touched the back of her hand to his forehead and said, "may Aberash watch over you and bless your travels. If there is anything I can do to help little sister, you need only call on me." She thanked him and bid him goodbye then looked at Hagar, "Who is Aberash, do you know?" He told her he did know who that was and explained she was the Tembeke mother goddess, the creator of all life. She was a beacon of light in the darkness and to receive her blessings from a follower like Ajani is serious business. You are blessed in deed and I am at ease that if you need to travel through Tembeke lands you will be safe. We should probably go to bed soon. I don't think any others will come tonight." Izadora nodded and thought about Aberash and Ajani. She thought about the blessing he had given and how incredibly special it was to share it with her when she was not a Tembeke. She wondered who else she might meet during this trip, would her uncles friends he intended to introduce her to be as interesting as Ajani had been She hoped so. When she crawled into the single wide bed in the room she and her uncle shared she let out a grateful sigh at the softness of the mattress. It wasn't as nice as the one she had at home, but it wasn't the hard ground with a stick or rock digging into her back so she was quite happy to accept it. The next day Hagar took her out to the various shops and markets within Seahaven and her bargain for the items she still needed. Watching him work traders and merchants she felt she learned a lot from watching him. At the next stall he encouraged her to engage the shop keeper and she did well enough he said and then gave her a few pointers on what she could have done better. The day was winding up when they reached a stall a bit further off the main thoroughfare. This stall was draped with silks and had sparkling crystals that caught the sunlight and cast rainbows inside the stall. Hagar motioned her in and called out "Madam Analetta, are you in? "There was the sound of tiny bells, of metal tinkling, and the swish of skirts as a woman drew back the curtain and peered out at them. She looked to be in her 30s, with dark wavy hair and eyebrows. Her honey brown eyes were lined in coal and her lips were stained a dark berry color. Her hair was partially up and wrapped in scarves and over those was intricate silver jewelry. She had rings of silver and semi precious stones, her ankles must've had bells around them for she tinkled as she took a step forward into the light. Izadora was amazed at her appearance. She had never seen anything quite like her in her full circle skirt with a bright fringed shawl tied about her waist. Izadora was surprised to see the decorative silver ring in her septum, she hadn't seen decorative piercings before When she spoke her voice was husky and mysterious sounding, she smiled at Hagar, "Ah my dear man, I have not seen you in some time. How may I serve you today?" Izadora thought this an odd turn of phrase, but she could tell the woman wasn't from this area of the world and so she watched her uncle. His eyes lit up and his smile widened. "Ah Analetta, you are as lovely as ever. This is my niece Izadora" he began and she held up a hand to stop him. "Of course I will darling, come" and she beckoned them to follow her through the curtain. They entered a small space draped in silks, there was a table set with candle light and a few decks of cards. There were other items she wasn't familiar with as she looked over the table curiously. "Come and sit child, I will read for you." She said with a purr in her voice. Izadora stepped forward and sat down. She reached forward and indicated that she wanted Izadora to lay her hands down palms up. She did so and watched as Analetta stared at her palms intently. Occasionally she would murmur something and trace a long graceful finger down the lines of Izadora's palms. When she had finished inspecting them she let her hands hover over the decks of cards and then pulled a dark deck from the back and brought it forward. She began shuffling with her eyes closed. After a moment she opened them and they glinted in the candle light. She began to draw the cards and laid them in a specific pattern on the table, most of the cards were face down. She watched as Analetta followed the pattern in a seemingly practiced order and studied each card as it came available. There were a few "hmmms" and "ah, I sees" but otherwise the exotic woman was quiet. Izadora started to squirm in her seat, she was wondering what would be the reason for all of this. As she fidgeted Analetta held up a hand and said only "patience" and she stilled her movement. When she looked at her uncle he smiled at her encouragingly. Finally the woman looked up and made eye contact with Izadora. "You will have an exceptionally long life. Longer in fact than any human I've ever seen." She smiled softly when Izadora's eyes widened. "Not to worry my dear, your secret is safe with me. I have no qualm with your people. Now, I believe there is a question about your father. I can tell you he is still living, He is also far from this place and it will take you some time to find him. There was some question surrounding your conception, it seems possible your mother is unsure who exactly your sire is, and now it seems it is too late to ask her." "Can you tell us anything about his identity?" Hagar questioned.Analetta shook her head, "that information is veiled to me at this time. I see big things in her future, I see danger and acclaim, love and loss. I would caution against trusting too quickly. There is trouble waiting on the path of your travels and if you are not wary it will take you and cause much pain." Seeing the look on Izadora's face she spoke again, "Not to worry queen, there is no need for you to be afraid. You will achieve greatness in your life time if you continue to persevere even when you feel you cannot go on." Izadora stared at the woman for a moment, "How do you know these things?"Analetta shrugged a delicate shoulder, "It is my gift and my curse to know more than most. I won't often read the future unless I feel compelled to do so. I felt it the moment I set my eyes on you. There is something about you that screams 'I will be' and I cannot resist the magnetic pull of your personality." When Hagar set some coins on the table, she smiled at him and slid them off the table. Izadora heard the clink as she dropped them into a pouch somewhere on her person. "Thank you for your time and wisdom Analetta, as always I am grateful. "Yes you are aren't you? That is not all you're wanting from me though is it." She paused for a moment her eyes slightly squinted as if she was trying to bring something into focus. "Ah, safety and company as needed. Yes I can do that." Izadora found herself a bit lost at the cryptic way Analetta spoke, so she tried to pay close attention and tried to decipher her meanings. After a moment she turned her attention back to Izadora. She took a necklace from around her neck, it was a small metal disk and it had a stylized carving on it's face. She held the trinket in her hand and as she began to speak quietly Izadora saw a faint shimmer all around her hand. After a moment she opened the hand and inside was the same necklace, except it now seemed brand new, the lines were crisp and clear. When Analetta handed the necklace to her she took it reverently. "This will help keep you safe among your enemies and will be a symbol among my people of safe passage. I come from the wandering tribes of Targu Mures. We travel all over and have met many different peoples in this world and we get along with most. Be sure to wear this necklace in the open should you come upon a group of travelers." Izadora reached out and took the necklace from Analetta. She looked at it in awe as it still had the slightest glow upon it then she slipped it over her head and felt a shiver go down her spine, it was a strange sensation to be sure, as if she had been dipped in cool water. "Thank you Madam Analetta." At that point Hagar motioned to her and led her out of the stall and back out into the dusky light of evening. They walked a little ways in silence and when Hagar spoke Izadora jumped in surprise. "Sorry didn't mean to startle you, I just wondered if you had questions or thoughts about  Madam Analetta or the services she provided?" Izadora nodded slowly, she had been lost in thoughts about what had been said, "I believe I understand. Do you think her ability to read a person is legitimate?" Hagar looked down at her, "I do. I have seen things and experienced things she predicted for me come true. I trust her and her gift." With that said they continued walking in silence towards the inn. Both lost in their own thoughts and concerns.