Lessa of Grimwood Part 50

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by Causticutie

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Lessa of Grimwood

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Lessa had awoken alone next to the ashes of the fire. This gave her a start and she checked to see if her possessions were still there. It was, the Brass Tack that is, though she remembered she could have just taken it back if Eilers had made off with it.

So Lessa looked for signs of a struggle she may have slept through but found none. 'Maybe we should have taken turns on watch for each other...' Lessa poked around for a time before sitting at the campfire and gnawing on a bit of green wood.

After a time Eilers returned with a sheepish smile. "Sorry Lessa Id hoped to return before you woke but I wandered farther than I had guessed!" Eilers was carrying the black sword of the Goon and a sack made of a familiar blue cloth. 'Maybe she had those yesterday and I failed to notice in the dark' Lessa thought to herself.

She was of course aware that Eilers had refitted the Goon's chitinous hide into a maille but hadn't thought she would repurpose her old smock. At first unsure how she felt she decided it was pretty clever, actually! Though hopefully a property that wouldn't be called on purposefully...

"That's quite alright Eilers. Though I was curious what became of you..." Lessa squeaked "I was getting nervous!" Eilers looked guilty for moment and said "Yes, sorry... I was foraging. I woke up hungry enough to eat this thing around my neck! I had to go so far because there's surprisingly little to gain from these woods!"

"Ohh I see! Yes the earth itself here is foul! There are patches where it's nicer but this land is an accursed one!" Lessa paused before changing back to the topic of food "Did you find any poisonous mushrooms? I know a spell to make them safe to eat!"

Eilers balked at the notion "You've eaten these poisonous mushrooms?" Lessa's face lit up "Yes! Actually I think they taste better than the standard sort. Sporeveiled Widowmakers are my favorites but you have to wash them or the textures all wrong. Here I'll try and find one-"

"Er, no, we should press on to this Wolfhound!" Eilers said

"But Eilers you said that you were starving?" Lessa objected

"I... did eventually find something... There wasn't enough for the both of us I'm afraid..." Eilers admitted

"Oh. I understand. I'm glad I guess. You probably need it more. I come back with a mostly full belly anyways." Said Lessa

"Come back? ... Oh of course right... Um say about that..." Eilers began "Well it is awfully dangerous in this forest already without attempting to go on a quest with an evil wizard or what have you! Perhaps you can extend this immortality to me as well?"

"Well I mean... I don't know how to do that! It's a closely guarded secret amongst the mystics! Even amongst them it's one of the last things taught! I received this spell only because of desperate circumstances. I expect it to be dispelled once my mother awakens" Lessa said

"Well can you bring me back to this Mystic-" "Starnose" "-Starnose. This mystic Starnose will she cast it upon me?" Eilers pressed the topic but Lessa had to inform her "No, I do not believe so. Eilers my mother and I are close friends with Starnose. She's practically as a grand mother to me! She knows I would never abuse such a gift with so much attention stake. Though I truly do wish someone else had taken up this quest, believe me."

Lessa finished her statement but something felt off about it. Before she could could process this though Eilers continued "So, these Mystic's spells must be dispelled or they proceed?" Lessa loved feeling like an expert in these subjects for a change! "Well yes, the process must be done in reverse! Otherwise it continues until the original caster's death. So I guess you have good reason to keep me around huh?"

Lessa turned to give Eilers a goofy grin to see if she could coax a laugh out of her. Eilers smiled and relaxed some. "I suppose you're right. Hey how bad can it be right?"

Lessa became serious at this question "It's awful out here. It is profoundly awful. Please for both of our sakes stay ready and beside me"

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