Chapter 6: Jailin

We were heading north-west. The shipyard was just outside the old war temple about three weeks travel away; a distance we unfortunately would have to travel by foot. The sun was setting after the first week of our journey when Neilara decided we could use a rest.

When we came to a small clearing in the forest just large enough to make and sit around a fire she said, "let's make camp here. I have something to do can you set up?"

"Sure I'll do it." I responded. That girl has some stamina. The week of nonstop travel was slowly taking its toll on me. I was glad to stay in one place. I didn't mind setting up camp.

I began by drawing double layered boundary in the ground. The first line around the edge of the clearing. The second a little ways into forest; we at least wanted an alert if we were attacked. I then proceeded to set up the fire. I took one of the flatter rocks from the edge of the clearing and moved it to the center. I then traced the fire symbol on the surface. The interlocking lines of the symbol carved themselves into the rock. I then went out to find some scrap wood.

When I returned Neilara had moved a large log to sit beside the fire. She was looking up at the break in the trees at the stars. It was a night of a new moon and the sun was setting fast. I walked over to the rock I had prepared and placed a few pieces of scrap wood on the surface. I stepped back. I had learned from experience that if you weren't careful you might get burned from a fire. Pressing the tips of my thumbs, pointer and middle fingers I composed myself and activated the fire seal. Flames leaped from stone slowly consuming the wood I had placed on its surface.

"Do you want some food?"

"Sure, it couldn't hurt. I'll do it. I never like what you pack anyway."

Whatever she wants. I sat down on the log she had pulled over. She stood up raising her right hand. She tapped her index finger in the air. The air began to shimmer and you could see the faint outline of the pocket that began to open. As she pushed her hand inside, the symbols now drawn in the air parted slowly for her. She pulled her hand back now with a pot and some supplies. Closing the pocket she had just opened in space she walked over to the fire and began to cook.

"What's for dinner?"

"Shut up wont you."

I sighed. She was a better cook, but she didn't need to yell at me like that.

When she was done, and we had finished eating we got ready to turn in for the night. The fire had consumed the wood and at my command the stone itself. There was no reason to leave a foot print. The ash was picked up by the wind and blown back into the forest. We were perfectly happy with sleeping on the ground close to nature so there was no reason to pitch a tent. To rest ourselves and to pass the time until morning we lay down and quickly fell into a light sleep.