Lost and Alone

[Flamebird]

Obviously carrying a sassy personality, the woman motioned with her arms. I looked around, gazing upon the long dunes of snow. They stretched as far as the eye could see. It made me nervous. This was like a flat version of Eiskalt, without the protective mountain prisons looming over me. The landscape was exposed, like Corone, and for this arctic climate it was frightening. I looked back to the woman, who was scooping a steak from the stone top to her plate.

"Why, you're in Scavia, lass!"

Oh no! Salvar!

I gasped, reaching to hug myself then wincing. Man, I hurt! I had insisted on dressing my own wounds, knowing that my own blood was toxic to other people. The bandages and wrappings I had applied kept my blood inside my body, but did nothing for the bruises and bumps. How did I get so decimated like this? Why was my memory failing me?

From behind me, I heard boots crunching in the snow. I turned to see the man who had been skinning the cat walking up to the fire. He had a more golden skinned complexion, and I could sense a faint magic within him.

"I might have a theory."

I raised my head a bit higher in expectation. He bent down, pulling his blood soaked gloves off and enjoying the fire. "I'm descended from the Sinai, the Naurim to be exact. I can kind of sense magical energy because of it."

The woman snapped her fingers, causing my gaze to snap back to her. She wore an excited grin. "Yes! It was Annor who sensed you in the first place, lass!"

I looked back to the much calmer Annor, who reached up and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. Nothing was there, then there you were. I think..."

I felt myself freeze at his conclusion, "You were somehow teleported."

[Flamebird]

"Try and walk, Felicity"

The familiar voice echoed in my mind as I dreampt a shapeless, formless dream. Shinsou?

"Felicity, listen to me."

This was not some imagined enigma or magical mind play. I could just tell the voice was from a memory.

"Hey, hey, hey. Listen to me."

I squirmed in my sleep. I felt his sympathetic care and desperate plight in his rushed tone of voice.

"I didn't recruit you because I didn't believe in what you can do. I don't bring losers to Whitevale."

I awoke in a hazy daze. I looked up at the tent skin ceiling, held up by a bone spike. Here I was, lost in Salvar again. It was cold, and I needed to get up.

I flung the heavy fur blanket off of me.

I pulled open the animal hide flap of the tent. I was met with a landscape laden with sparkling snow, spanning forever and ever. I gulped. On this brisk morning, I would start my long journey home.

Thaynes help me, if you can hear me!

From a smoldering fire nearby, Sash ran towards me with a furry lump in her arms. I realized that I recognized the saber tooth cat fur from yesterday. Sash grinned as she skidded, spraying some snow on my pants.

"Hey!" I took a step back, but felt enticed by this playful energy. I was so tempted to kick some snow back at her, but the situation was far too dire. Sash did not seem to notice, however, as she held out the bundle, "Ta da! Some proper clothes, you little stripper!"

I felt myself flush in embarrassment. I had never imagined in all my years that I would ever be called a stripper. My heavy shirt and loose pants covered plenty! Yet, I reached out and took the soft furs, coming to the understanding that this was an entire outfit! Still flustered, I hastily nodded to Sash and reentered the tent as she laughed.

As I dressed, I still felt the effects of minor bruising. Thanks to my connection with magic, I had practically healed overnight from my injuries. One or two of the bigger cuts and bruises remained, but were rapidly healing themselves with no time to leave scars. If only my healing factor could bring my left pinky back... The glove I pulled on humorously flapped in the empty pinky sleeve.

I was newly garbed in Salvar appropriate gear. I was ready.