The rain finally ceased as the temperatures began to rise. As the ground hardened, Morgana prepared for her departure.
As a trader, she had done this many times before. Often it was without proper names, though she was always eager for connections as much as she was valuables. Wealth was something she carefully positioned around herself, trusting in careful investments and partners who had her best interests in mind. These complicated relationships could flourish or flounder if she ever pushed too hard or showed her true hand.
They had to be liars out here, because the world of Outsiders – a world Morgana had been born into – was a place where their superiority could be seen as a threat by neighboring groups. Salsola's protection could stretch only so far, though it's wrath extended far further than this.
It was for these reasons that they had brought the horses, and the hawk, and the man. He was chosen for his fighting skills and Morgana quickly found herself pleased by his quiet, perhaps even stoic nature. She had been less impressed by his desire to remain on foot, but brought the third horse anyway for use as a pack animal . If this man they were meeting had anything they could return with, Morgana intended to make the most of their journey.
Even if he didn't, she could gather other things along the way. Flowers were beginning to blossom under the sunny skies, and the air was thick with pollen and sweet-smells not unlike the ones she had rubbed in her fur and smudged in her clothes.
Lying was a matter of preservation.
I suppose here is as good as anywhere, Morgana said as they looked out towards the borders. It had been a long ride, and one split into two days. They had camped uneventfully in the forest, disturbed only by the sounds of frogs and buzzing insects after their fire had been doused. This was a good sign, Morgana thought, but nevertheless thought of her gods and her faith each morning she woke and attributed some credit to them for her safety.
The horses helped, certainly, as did the man and the girl riding alongside her.
When Morgana howled her purpose was implied. Her strange, yodeling voice summoned first the hawk from the sky, though it settled in the shady boughs of a tree not far behind them.
Pleased by this, the red-haired woman turned her attention forward once more, awaiting a response.