Firey Friendships

[Northen Light36]

Flame smiled. "Not as rare as outsiders might think," she replied.

"But rare enough, and it only lasts a few hours usually," Alec added. "It lasts a bit longer here because it's cooler down there. Come on, we can tie the horses to that dead tree over there and go down and explore if you'd like."

[Kender Bard]

"Yes!" Luminous agreed; she'd just been about to ask if they could do just that.

Once the horses were tied, Luminous explored the lush, verdant wonderland carefully, mindful of the cactii. "Are any of the plants here useful in medicines or similar?" she asked, sniffing at a colorful looking bloom.

[Northen Light36]

"A few are," Flame replied. "That one, that one and... Those ones over there." She pointed the plants out and pulled out her belt knife. "Actually, I'm going to harvest some for Aideen while they're still in bloom. Call me if you need me." She wandered off to cut some of the blooms, leaving Luminous and Alec in semi-privacy.

"That over there is dragonfruit," Alec added, pointing out a rather ugly, but sweet smelling plant. "It doesn't look great I know, but it's very sweet and good to eat." He picked one for her and quickly peeled it. "Here, just bite into it like an apple."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous gave Alec a skeptical look but took a small bite, making a pleased noise at the taste. "Oh!" She accepted the fruit and took a larger bite, giggling and offering it back to him so he could have some as well. "It's very sweet. Thank you." She licked her lips. "Sweet like you," she added, blushing a bit. Alec was really proving to be excellent company and very kind.

[Northen Light36]

Alec grinned. "I'm flattered you're enjoying my company, Princess. I'm certainly enjoying yours." He took a bite of the fruit and passed it back. "Here, you finish it and I'll pick some more for the trip back." He pointed out a few other tasty treats and warned her away from a few things that looked nice, but were actually poisonous. "You know," he remarked. "If we ride for another sun mark, there's a small springfed waterhole that's great for swiming. Cool enough to beat the heat, but not enough to make you feel cold there. Would you like to see it?"

He hesitated. "It is just beyond the inner boarder, but it's still in Fira's territory so we'd have to be a bit careful, but we shouldn't run into any trouble." He smiled at Luminous. "I certainly wouldn't put you in danger, or Flame, but there's a slight element of risk since that area isn't quite so patrolled by the scouts."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous considered it; it did sound like fun... And she wasn't too concerned. EVERYTHING had an element of risk and she still felt fairly protected by having Flame there with them.

"I think it should be fine," she said. "I'm getting a little hot and I wouldn't mind a swim." Not to mention she'd enjoy the luxury of semi-privacy. Her mind wandered on that tangent. "Don't you ever feel a little smothered in the clans?" She wandered a few steps away and picked a flower.

[Northen Light36]

Alec considered the question for a minute as he walked with Lumi. "Sometimes, but not often. There's a lot of space out here and it's always easy enough to find some task that lets you do something useful while being on your own."

"Speak for yourself," Flame called out, with a note of resigned amusement in her tone. "Some of us are lucky to be allowed to use the privy without an escort."

"You don't have it that bad, Flame," Alec called back. He grinned at Luminous. "What about you? Doesn't being inside city walls make everything seem closed in and suffercating? I don't know it I could stand it myself."

[Kender Bard]

"No not really," Luminous replied with a smile. "We might be together but people keep to themselves for the most part. Not to mention I spend a lot of my time in my home, which is quite big for holding so few people. I have my own rooms; in fact, if anything, it's a little lonely sometimes. But that's what visiting my friends are for."

[Northen Light36]

"Friends are always good," Alec agreed. "I hope you'll feel you can count Flame and myself among your undoubtedly many friends. Let me know when you've had enough of exploring here and we'll head to the water hole for a swim. It's almost as pretty there as it is here."

[Kender Bard]

"Oh we're going to a water hole? That sounds fun!" she smiled. "Let's go now, I think I'm done here. And yes, I do count you and Flame as friends. I wouldn't say I have many but I do have a number of acquaintances. It comes with the job of being royalty. Someday, who I know might influence the course of Caelium's future. But I like being surrounded by companions anyway, so it works out well." As she babbled she made her way to her horse and saddled up, untying Pegasus.

[Northen Light36]

Alec raised an eyebrow slightly but before he could speak he heard Flame whisper to him mentally.

~Just let it go, Alec. Luminous forgets things sometimes or repeats herself. She can't help it and pointing it out will only hurt her feelings.~

Alec gave the young Heir a slight nod as the two fires untied and remounted their horses.

"So what do you think of the joys of Naurorod, Luminous?" Flame asked Luminous with a grin. "Prettier then you expected, I bet."

[Kender Bard]

"I've been here before," Luminous reminded Flames. "But this is one of the better trips that I can remember. Certainly more hidden beauty than I would have credited the desert for." She giggled. "It's nice to know it's not all sand and heat." She stuck her tongue playfully out at Flame. "Just like how the far north isn't all snow and ice."

[Northen Light36]

"From what I remember, you haven't been out of the clan its self much," Flame pointed out. "And the far north practically is ice and snow, don't you agree, Alec?" She grinned to show she was only playing around.

"Not quiet, but it's chillier then us Naurorod natives are used to," Alec replied diplomatically. "Speaking of which, how are you holding up in the heat, Princess? Do you need a drink?"

[Kender Bard]

Luminous shook her head. "I have my water," she replied, patting the half-empty flask at her hip. "Though I am getting rather hot. It'll be nice to cool down somewhere."

[Northen Light36]

Flame smiled. "We'll cool down at the water hole," she promised then glanced at Alec. "Perhaps Alec will play something for us when we get there?" She looked pointedly at the wooden flute she could see poking out of the boy's saddle bag.

Alec laughed. "Why wait?" he replied. "If Luminous has no objections, and you're willing to take the lead Flame, I'd be happy to play as we ride."