Even muffled from the mask that was rapidly losing that visceral terror that had frozen Zamara to the spot, the young dancer could detect the strange and somewhat halting speech from this figure. It was as though they spoke rarely which, Zamara supposed, was probably accurate. Or perhaps every word was intentionally chosen, as though there were deeper meanings behind each syllable.
Strangely, that same initial fear was not just leaving her but becoming something new. This was a veritable adventure already and some small part of her was hoping for some deeper meaning other than a foolish young woman fleeing from the only place that accepted her. Could this odd shamanistic-looking person represent an archetype from the fables that she had grown up idolizing? Was there, somehow, the hand of the gods in this possibly portentous meeting?
It was an altogether too innocent hope and Zamara knew it, but she could feel herself indulging it all the same. Here was a person from Torchline- if they were to be believed…but perhaps they claimed this just to make her feel at ease. A wise woman would be wary, she figured.
Moving slowly, she pulled herself backwards and away from them until she was perched more readily upon a flat stone. While she could not stand, she had no intention of becoming easy prey if the figure proved deceptive. A well-timed illusion could turn the tide in her favor and Zamara kept the option close at hand.
”I…had little time.” She eventually decided to utter. ”And no coin to speak of. Who are you?”
Strangely, that same initial fear was not just leaving her but becoming something new. This was a veritable adventure already and some small part of her was hoping for some deeper meaning other than a foolish young woman fleeing from the only place that accepted her. Could this odd shamanistic-looking person represent an archetype from the fables that she had grown up idolizing? Was there, somehow, the hand of the gods in this possibly portentous meeting?
It was an altogether too innocent hope and Zamara knew it, but she could feel herself indulging it all the same. Here was a person from Torchline- if they were to be believed…but perhaps they claimed this just to make her feel at ease. A wise woman would be wary, she figured.
Moving slowly, she pulled herself backwards and away from them until she was perched more readily upon a flat stone. While she could not stand, she had no intention of becoming easy prey if the figure proved deceptive. A well-timed illusion could turn the tide in her favor and Zamara kept the option close at hand.
”I…had little time.” She eventually decided to utter. ”And no coin to speak of. Who are you?”
Zamara
