The Eternal City, Part 5

Nessa woke to the smell of cooking meat. For a moment, she imagined herself back at the fortress outside of Windhold Haven, where she had taken her training, waiting for the evening meal, gossiping with the other novices.

Soon, however, she recovered herself, and remembered. Another vision. This one more vivid than the last, in plainer language. She sat up and looked around.

A small campfire burned nearby, and the girl sat on the other side of it. Her back was to the fire, gazing southwest. Over the fire, a rabbit hung on a spit.

Nessa yawned. “Will you share your rabbit with me?” Nessa asked.

“My name is Kira,” girl said. “If we are to travel together, you might as well know my name.”

“I am glad to know it,” Nessa said, slightly embarrassed that she had skipped introductions. “I am Nessa. Thank you.”

“The rabbit is for you,” Kira said. “I’ve had mine.”

“Might we not speak face to face?” Nessa asked.

“The Firbolg sit with their backs to the fire,” Kira said. “They depend upon their night vision.”

“The Firbolg also have no need of sleep,” Nessa replied. “Not so, with us. Have you slept?”

Kira did not reply.

Nessa sat quietly for a moment, and then began to eat the rabbit. Between bites, she asked, “Would you like to tell me about Hero? The farmers at the edge of the forest tell me he is fearsome.”

“He is gentle and quiet!” Kira snapped. “They know nothing.”

“Where is he now?” Nessa asked.

“Gone,” Kira said.

“There was more blood in that battle down there than a Troll has in its body,” Nessa said. “Was Hero injured?”

Kira shifted slightly, but didn’t answer.

“It is said that the Firbolg have special places where they meet,” Nessa said. “They go there when they are wounded, also. I will help you find him when we are done.”

Finished with the rabbit, Nessa settled back down, and went to sleep. When she awoke, the sun was just poking its head over the distant mountains. Kira was asleep on the other side of the smoldering campfire.