Chapter Text
The dappled sunlight was sprinkled decoratively amid the boughs and strong risen roots of trees, practically begging Kit to succumb to the forests comforting solace. Realistically, she knew she should apologise to Elora, true they argued often, that was undeniable, but never before like this. The energy of the group had wained over the past few days so in contrast the tensions had drastically risen to the extent where a petty remark became a forest on fire, literally and figuratively thanks to Boormans stupendous lack of fire safety awareness. But this wasn't over just a 'petty remark'.
-several hours previous-
' We've been here for DAYS, because what little Miss most powerful Sorceress of all eternity can't conjure ANY fucking magic whatsoever? So what Arik suffers worse than any of you can imagine because she's shit essentially ' Kit spat resentfully.
Eloras face twinged slightly at Ariks name but her ability to keep practically absolute composure infuriated Kit further, she was overflowing with grief and seemingly endless rage yet it seemed as if everyone else was at most minorly upset.
' Kit, please I'm trying, I really am. I know you love Arik I understand how much you care about him but-'
That did it.
Kit scoffed a rush of nausea coursing through her.
' But you DON'T fucking know do you, I've grown up with him. He's ALL I have, you're just one of his many 'girlfriends', he's had many before he'll have many after you. If you weren't Elora Danan you'd be nothing, even as her your useless'
Everyone was silent, Graydon's mouth notably agape but not daring to utter a single noise.
Elora took a step towards Kit, suddenly emboldend with a flame of fury consuming her presence. Kit's amusement was expressed clearly by the daring raise of her brows.
Was she going to punch her? Kit would've preferred her too.
'Who loves you?' Elora questioned venomously... Arik, Sorsha... of course they did it was obvious to everyone here that they did?
'Without duty?
A mother without love for her daughter? A brother that doesn't care for his sister? That would go against biological instincts.
No one loves you because of your personality or anything about you that makes you YOU, your a coward who pretends they're incapable of love and I hope it stays that way because you Kit Tanthalos are going to make anyone who does love you regret ever meeting you'
Kit felt her breath hitch, unable to move, the waves of nausea from before finally crashed leaving her quiet within, uncensored emotions growing ravenously for a reaction. She wasn't going to give Elora the satisfaction of a reaction.
She wasn't a coward simply a victim of shit luck. Her title had betrayed her more often than not, it wasn't her that pushed people away, they simply got bored of the novelty, the thrill of being close to royalty, it was never about Kit only her status so yes she isolated herself.
She was the antithesis of Arik, never giving in, never letting anyone in.
But what did she have to loose, what can be taken when nothing was there in the first place?
Elora was lucky in that respect, growing up as nobody being forced to become somebody.
That was permanent.
Elora Danan was also Brunhilde and Dove.
Kit Tanthalos was all there was and all there ever would be.
-present-
Other than Boorman and Willows occasional murmurings, the oppressive silence hadn't ceased. Elora had been attempting a 'stock take' of resources for the camp and came to the conclusion they had no food. Why it had only occurred to mention it when they had nothing other than some measly scraps of meat was unfathomable to Kit, but regardless hunting was thankfully her forte and the woods were becoming even more alluring as the suns retreating light weaved elegantly through the trunks.
In an attempt of stealth, Kit retrieved her bow from when she was still a child, practically ancient now but it was Madmartigan's and for some peculiar and rather unfortunate reason, she could never shoot with anywhere near as much accuracy with any other bow. Several arrows lay askew across the makeshift weapons tent, the rest had 'mysteriously' disappeared, code for Graydon probably gave hunting a shot and failed miserably, evident by the lack of food.
Speak of the devil.
'Hey' he spluttered
Kit heaved a laborius intake of air.
'Look Graydon, I know you want the best and all but I really can't do this conversation now, I'm starving and i'm going hunting. The longer you bother me the darker it gets.'
Their eyes met in mutual understanding.
'Yeah ok, but I'm coming at least' he insisted wholeheartedly.
At any normal time Kit would offer a sarcastic remark and decline, but frankly she was exhausted and any company other than Eloras was welcomed.
'Fine, lets go'
A faint grin crept onto Graydons face in triumph, they were all truly lucky to have him and if it came to it he'd at least be a kindhearted husband.
But Kit really hoped it didn't come to it, even if she couldn't or didn't deserve to have love.
Graydon of all people deserved love, and to marry someone he adored, was enthralled by, and couldn't manage life without. Of course Kit wanted that too, she wanted to find home in someone and equally for them to feel the same towards her but her top priority right now was survival.
The forest was exhilarating, the air was crisp and with every step the argument felt less significant. Growing up, nature was debatably the biggest comfort for Kit, being outside the confinement of the place without any judgement. Nature doesn't care who you are, what you've done or where you've come from, its home to all if you allow it.
Around half an hour had passed, light was becoming increasingly sparse, they didn't have long. For Kit her exhaustion began to outway her hunger, she'd often been sleep deprived but not to this extent, from much experience she was well aware that in this state she was far more likely to slip up. Something she couldn't afford to do when accompanied by Graydon, he was many things but a skilled fighter wasn't one of them so she had to protect him. 'For the record Kit, your not unloveable' Graydon sighed forlornly, pausing in an attempt to muster the right words. 'You and Elora, you have what the other wants, don't get me wrong, your completely different personalities but your united by your the love for Arik, we're still here on this quest because of love, any sane person would've headed back long, long ago' Kit grinned slightly in agreement, 'I'm really glad you're here you know' leaving Graydon smiling bashfully towards the ground.
Kit felt her eyes drooping sluggishly when suddenly her senses were heightened by the abrupt scuttle of most likely prey. The two stopped instantly, remaining stationary to track the source of noise. It appeared to be hidden amongst the unhinged array of undergrowth, treacherously accompanied by a mass of indigo, blade-like thorns. No way were either of them going near that THING.
In a mutual agreement to stay away from whatever the fuck that was, they progressed into the further darkening woods. Had willow figured they'd left yet? They should've at least brought a source of light, Graydon didn't exactly have 20/20 vision, more like 10/5, if he wasn't careful he'd get a faceful of that unfriendly bush on the way back.
'crack'
Instantly the two turned to face eachother, Graydon gestured subtly to the source of the noise. About 5 yards ahead behind a staggeringly humongous sequoia tree. Kits mouth practically watered at the thought of food. Graydon took a cautious step sidewards, angled so he could possibly see the creature, in defeat he shook his head. Odd. But Kit wasn't giving up that easy, she'd heard something and she wasn't going back to camp, back to Elora empty handed, screw that.
As light footed as humanely possible Kit crept instead to the right and drew her bow, now a mere metre a way from the 'target' she soothed her mind, returning to the rare state of absolute nothingness. Just her and the bow, the arrow flies true because i'm true, the arrow flies true because i'm true. But it wasn't exactly the animal she expected as she turned the corner.
A burly mask-wearing, well skull-wearing man, 'man' being a loose term as he could easily fit in many other (not particularly pleasant) categories greeted her. Greeted her by lunging at her. How pleasant.
'GRAYDON RUN' Kit yelled, desperately evading the mans swings at her with a rusted cutlass, which looked like a scrape from it would give you a deadly infection alone. Graydon was by her side. GRAYDON WAS BY HER SIDE?
' WHAT ARE YOU DOING I MEANT RUN THE OTHER WAY!' Kit exclaimed, breathing rapid shallow breaths, hair falling from behind her ears with each dodge.
Graydon opened his mouth as if to reply, but was interrupted by the hyper aggressive 'man' turning his attention to him. Unsure if it was due to sexism of maybe the mask was compromising his vision, but Kit was thankful either-way as it gave her the opportunity the strike. Unsheathing her sword at rapid pace, she was confident she could do it, kill him. She'd never killed anyone before but it was necessary, she was saving Graydon's life, it was inevitable she'd have to eventually. Like her father and those before him.
But they were in the wildwood afterall,
this wasn't going to be a fair fight..