Chapter 13: Spirits
Aric sat by the stream, still looking at rocks with his appraisal. Ariel came out of the cabin after a nice rest; she spotted him sitting there and decided to come and sit with him.
She walked to the stream and sat beside him. She folded her legs up to her chest, her eyes on the water as it flowed by.
"There is a lot I don't understand about you. I don't know how you do all the things you have done. I thought about it for a while before I slept, and it didn't make sense.
But I know that I don't know everything, and everyone has their secrets. Many would kill to keep theirs, taking the life of someone that comes relatively close to finding their secrets.
You, on the other hand, didn't try to fight or kill me. Rather, you made me feel safe and welcomed. It took only hours for me to drop my guard around you.
I've lived on the edge, alone, and not trusting anyone, but with you, it felt different," Ariel said.
"Maybe it's because we are alike. Neither of us are people elves saw as any good—we were seen as useless and cast aside.
Maybe it's because you and I share that similar experience," Aric said. He glanced at her and then looked back at the water.
"Ariel, can I ask you some questions?" Aric asked.
"Yes, what is it?" she responded.
"I have little to no knowledge of this world. I was kept inside and kept without their teachings until now, so tell me the basics and what I need to know," Aric said.
"Hmm, alright then. Our world is called Veilrend. She is the mother of all life that walks here. Before I was forced to leave, I read about other continents existing besides our own, but I have never met a person who went to another continent.