[A] Lost {Intro/Open}

Auralei tucked a strand of muddy hair safely behind her ear and rubbed her horse’s neck. The animal was warm and the heat comforted Auralei; made her feel safe. Her eyes were restless as Killian spoke; they flicked from the ground to the treetops, absorbing what they saw with curiosity. An owl perched quietly on a branch, its eyes as round and bright as the moon. He had a mask of dark feathers on his face, just around the eyes. The sight of it brought up uneasiness in Auralei; not necessarily fear, but more of a superstitious feeling. The owl let out a string of quiet hoots before its wings spread. Its head whipped around, and she could imagine, if it were possible, his eyes narrowing with precision on some poor, doomed field mouse. With a mighty flap the owl launched himself up and away, streaking though the night after its prey.

So absorbed was she, in witnessing the owl, that she almost didn’t register that Killian was speaking; least of all to her. “I was not alone. I had my horse,” She gave him a brazen smile. Auralei pushed herself straight-backed and twisted to face Killian as well as she could. She would act the part of a mannered lady, despite her current appearance and location. “Pleased to meet you, kinda-Lord Braose.” She dipped her head; the closest thing to a curtsey she could accomplish while straddling a horse. “I’m Lady Auralei da Cava, from Terebinthia.”

Maybe he would know Lord Drinian. She figured he would; maybe not personally, but still . . . She rubbed her palms on her thighs, trying to rid them of some apparent grime. “The Telmarine camp? Would Lord Drinian be there?” She kept her voice light, “We’re on his land, no?”

Auralei took a moment to scoff, “I’m good at looking for ruins. You just haven’t caught me in a good example,” she glanced away bashfully, as if not willing to brag of her skill. But a small, joking smile remained fixed on her lips. “Being truthful, I’ll admit I only know archaeology through books, and little tips from my father. And I did have tools; two of them, right here,” she pointed first at one eye and then the other, “observation is the best strategy.”

And then, in an afterthought added, “Sure, I’ll accompany you. I have no where else to go right now.” Energy seemed to have returned to her body, but deep down Auralei knew that it was just exhaustion pumping adrenaline through her blood that kept her from falling off her horse and into sleep. She felt hollow with fatigue. She wanted to close her eyes, but they seemed like they were peeled open. Hunger had long stopped sending pains through her abdomen and resided to a dull ache. “How much farther?”