Written by Khairra
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Khairra had not set out as early as she would have liked. Sadoma had been correct, and the following day had found her even more weary than before. In fact, when she slipped out of the depths of Treibh Caillte, the sun was already well on its descent to the western horizon. Sighing, Khairra decided she had best hurry on her way.
By nightfall, she had reached the border of the Bog. Just before she crossed, she spotted a lurikeen hunting nearby. Knowing Sadoma and Vonstadt intended to stop her, she was inclined to avoid a run-in with anyone, familiar or otherwise. Giving a wide a berth as possible, she doused her torch and continued alone the border to where the hills were almost too steep to climb higher. If the Lurikeen had seen her and cared, she was unaware. She checked over her shoulder a couple times and did not see him nor anyone else.
Making her way through the gloomy patch of trees on the hills, Khairra nearly ran into an irewood greenbark. Blinking, she quickly stepped back and retreated further into the thick willow folliage before it attacked. As she was getting her bearings, someone ran by her, just mere feet away. Perhaps because of her torch being out and being somewhat hidden he or she didn't see her. At least the person hadn't stopped.
She watched until the figure was out of sight, which wasn't long in the dismal gloom and darkness. Sighing heavily, she continued on. Soon she broke through the cluster of trees and descended the hills back into the flats of the marsh. She had never been further into the Bog than this.. She had nothing to go on but a tattered map and instict. Glancing at it once more, the underhill began to weave her way closer to the heart of the marshlands.
It was difficult avoiding the scattered siabra patrols, but somehow she managed to accomplish this only being pursued once by a lone wayguard whom she eventually outran.
But in her flight, Khairra had gotten herself somewhat off course and lost her bearings. For a moment she felt utterly overwhelmed. There she stood, staring into the murk so thick she could only see a few feet ahead. Blindly she moved forward, squinting hard as if to better see what lay ahead.
And then, out of the gloom, she saw rising towards the dismal pall of the sky a tower. So transfixed on this was the girl, that she ran straight into a Siabra patrol...
Drawing in a sharp breath and instinctively stepping back, she stared back at him and then slowly allowed her gaze to wander to the many, many other siabra about. It looked as though she had come to the right place...
She turned back to the one she had first run into, and trying very hard not to tremble noticably, she spoke.
"I have come to speak to Queen Cliodna..."