Arleana's bow (Part 1)

CHAPTER 1

A fire crackled before Arleana. Her face felt warm against the rising heat. Footsteps indicated that Remee had returned. She sat heavily next to Arleana; fire wood tumbled out of her arms. Remee began to hum softly to herself. She was shorter than Arleana and her hair was shades lighter than hers.

"Would you like some chicory?" Remee asked, boiling water over the leaping fire, "You look like you could use a bit."

"Yes, thank you," Arleana said absentmindedly as she gazed into the fire, casting eerie shadows on her face. Arleana wrapped her finger around a lock of her wavy brown hair, a habit she had when thinking deeply, "Do you think I’ll ever see her again?"

Remee knew what Arleana meant. The quiver in her voice made it hard to answer, "Your sister is a strong girl, Arleana."

Arleana took her eyes off the fire and looked Remee squarely in the face, "You didn’t answer my question," she said grimly.

"In truth, I don’t know," Remee said turning away and serving the chicory. She handed a small wooden cup to Arleana, and began to sip hers slowly.

When, at last, they where done Arleana pulled out a few thin sheets from her satchel and lay down. The velvety night sky dotted with stars hung above her; "Do you know any of the constellations?"

Remee, with her back to Arleana, also pulled out a few thin sheets from her satchel and lay down comfortably next to Arleana. Brushing her coppery hair out of her face, she pointed out one, "See that one, it is Cassiopeia," and with her finger she pointed out another, "And that one is Pegasus."

"Pegasus," Arleana repeated, "Tell me about Pegasus."

"He was a winged horse in Greek myths." Remee explained to Arleana. Arleana noticed that she said it with ease. More often than not, Remee would shut her mouth and say she didn’t know. Arleana wondered how Remee learned of all these things such as Greek myths. What is Greek? Arleana asked herself.

"I wish I could have Pegasus then," Arleana’s voice was getting softer as she began to drift off to sleep, "Maybe we could find Sandrey quicker."

Remee sat up and almost responded when she realized that Arleana had fallen asleep. She lie down and, too, fell asleep.

When Remee woke, she found the fire blazing before her. Arleana stood near by, her gaze focused on the sky. Remee looked up as well.

"A storm nears," Arleana said grimly.

"We can find shelter in the next city," Remee suggested, "We had better start now." She began to gather her belongings realizing Arleana was fully packed and in her traveling clothes.

Arleana began at a strong pace leaving Remee to struggle, "We must make haste, unless you would rather be caught in the midst of the storm."

Remee found new strength in her as she began striding almost as quickly as Arleana. They kept at this for hours. Finally when the city came into view, the storm was ready to break apart.

"Look, Shirka!" Arleana quickened her pace even more, "Just in time."

Arleana and Remee almost ran into the city. Fancy stone buildings loomed over them and cobble stone streets met their steps. When they were safely walking the stone streets, the heavens opened up as rain poured down like pebbles. With hands over their heads, the two ran into a building named The Old Den. Inside it was warm; candles lit the small pub and a welcoming fire blazed in the mantle. They dried their feet on a rag meant as a mat and took a seat by the fire in a large cozy sofa. Stretching their legs out, the warmth spread through their numbed bodies. Arleana looked around at the dimly lit place. A long bar with stools lined along it stood in front of them, and a bored looking bar tender eyed them from behind it. All the same, his round face gave him a jolly look.

"Would you like some hot cocoa?" he finally asked, "You look as you could use some warming up."