With tooth and paw: chapter 4
#4 of Fates of War
Vedrit just keeps getting moved around
Chapter 4: But...I just got here
The next morning, marked by the brightening of the strange lamps, Vedrit woke, his arms wrapped around a pillow, blankets down around his waist.
Looking around through blurry eyes, he could only wonder what in the world happened. Being in the room was proof that it really happened, as well as being naked, but....where was Tiania?
After putting on his pants, wandered around the apartment, but Tiania was nowhere to be found.
Begging to be very confused, and slightly worried, Vedrit donned the rest of his clothes and strapped on his sword to venture out, already going through what rules he knew.
Closing the door behind him, he hoped Tiania would be mad with it being unlocked. He had no key to lock it with, and wanted to be able to get back in.
A little more attentive than when he first went down the tunnel, Vedrit found that the main way had more lamps and the floor paved with polished green stones that seemed to magnify the light from the lamps, creating something of a glowing path. Following it, and on to the first chamber where he was told Ranger apprentices where housed.
The smell of cooking drifted through the tunnel. The smell was light and varied, obviously the result of cooking many different things. No doubt there were herbivores in the Rangers, as well as carnivores and omnivores.
The fact that the Rangers could get both to work together without one wanting to eat the other impressed Vedrit.
Looking the large cavern, Vedrit saw the smoke of fires rising to the ceiling, drifting to hidden vents, going to who-knew-where, and large crowds of people eating or gathered around booths where the food was being served from.
But Tiania couldn't be found in the mass of people, though he did see Tirar. Heading directly to him, Vedrit wondered how he could ask if the fox had seen Tiania, without saying a word.
"Ah! Vedrit! Lost your mentor already?" Tirar joked, much to Vedrits relief
‘Wait...he knew without me doing so much as walking up to him? Either it's common or some things up.' Vedrit thought, trained to be suspicious by the army, and his relief was gone.
Tirar, guessing his thoughts by Vedrits slightly-suspicious look, said "Don't worry. Senior staff, such as Tiania, have various meetings early in the day, and are usually first in line for breakfast. I'm sure she's in here somewhere. In the mean time, join me for breakfast. I was slow out of bed, and only just arrived." And led Vedrit to the booths of food
After several jokes about Vedrits eating habits, several of them being that Vedrit was more herbivore than carnivore, they picked a spot to sit and eat, since there weren't any tables in the chamber.
"So Vedrit, what do you think your first mission will be?" Tirar asked, only getting a blank look from Vedrit
"Oh, right." Tirar tapped his chin in thought, "I suggest you hurry and find a way to communicate. Until such a time, I'll just ask yes or no questions. Want to work with Draconians up north? Perhaps the Republic of Lamia to the south? Saboteur work in the Raven states?"
Vedrit thought for a moment. The Draconians was considered to be a tribal society, since there was no leader for the whole of them, but they were a society not to be messed with. Being dragons, masters of the sky, and fearsome on the ground, and knowing it, they often either stayed out of fights, or went on killing sprees for fun.
The Lamia republic, far south in swampy lands, were often too far to be much use in any conflict. Unlike the Draconians, they recognized a single leader, though that leader was buried in secrecy. It was said that the leader was some immortal, in hiding against some wrath of some sort.
As for the Raven states, that was far too risky a mission. Sure, there were more than just ravens there, but a cat was worse than a black spot on white cloth.
That left Lamias or dragons.
Nod, shake, shake.
"Raven states? Fantastic! You have some spirit!" Tirar laughed, getting a furious glare from Vedrit, followed by an exaggerated thumbs-down
"I know, I know. Draconians are usually the pick." Tirar said, patting Vedrit on the shoulder, "Just giving you a hard time."
"There you are!" Tiania yelled as she approached them, both her and Vedrit trying to hide their happiness in finding each other.
"I was just chatting with your little feline friend. It's always a pleasure to tease the mute!" Tirar said, "And with that, I'll go my way."
"Sorry I left without saying anything this morning, but you were so adorable, laying there." Tiania said, sitting next to Vedrit, who quickly finished what breakfast he had left.
"Which reminds me; We're off for training."
Vedrit choked on a piece of meat, and looked at her with a surprised and confused look
"I know, but we have to make sure you are ready for missions." She said, "Beside, I'll be there with you."
‘Well, that makes it a little better...' Vedrit thought, still not excited about leaving.
"Any questions?" Tiania asked, poking fun at Vedrit
Vedrit thought for a moment, then pointed to his throat and shrugged, hoping she would understand that he needed some sort of means to communicate
"We'll work on that later. We need to get packed and leave." She said as she got up, leaving Vedrit speechless, even if he wasn't sworn to silence.
"We don't have all day." Tiania said, motioning for Vedrit to hurry. What choice did he have?