literature

TBOS: Round 2, Part 5

Deviation Actions

hisiheyah's avatar
By
Published:
197 Views

Literature Text

Because it was quite clear to the two Champions that they would not be getting through the desert on foot, their next stop was the stables. Hazel didn't ask how her newfound companion was going to afford horses, or where he'd gotten the money he used to purchase the supplies at the general store. She knew she wouldn't like the answer. Although a small part of her insisted that the citizens of the town were projections of the Book, the rest of her couldn't help but think of them as people.

She kept a close eye out for him the entire walk to the stables, oblivious to Reinald's questioning looks. Only when they'd reached the place, with no one but the stablehands in sight, did she allow herself to relax--and only a fraction. Her mind would be at ease only after they left the town far behind.

Hazel left the bartering to Reinald--whom, she discovered, drove quite a vicious bargain--and before long they were leading their new horses to the edge of town. It was time to figure out where they had to go. She was at a bit of a loss about the matter, though perhaps she could give her companion a few ideas. She hadn't used her power or her influence since she arrived in the Book, but now seemed an appropriate time.

"Did Lady Ink give you something before you came here?" She retrieved the thin square of metal from her pocket and laid it on her palm. Ever since Hazel had used it to escape her hellish prison, she had wondered what else the her gift was capable of, although she couldn't think of a use for a key in their current situation. The symbol embedded in the surface flashed in the sun, and she marveled at the Construct's unassuming simplicity. "She gave me a key. A key that can open any lock I ask it to."

She wordlessly asked the Construct to demonstrate. As the metal folded upon itself to take the form of a key, Hazel saw Reinald's shoulders tense. This seemed to be the first time he'd seen anyone use a Construct before; he regarded the key with an expression bordering disbelief.

But just as before, the expression was quickly masked by another. Hazel could almost hear the wheels turning in his head as he reached into his own pocket.

"A compass," he said, and Hazel's hopes rose. Her face fell, however, when he opened his hand to reveal the V-shaped symbol.

"Oh. I thought you meant the other compass--the kind used for navigation--"

--and the symbol grew before her eyes, sprouting a shaft from its base to form an arrow, black arcs vaulting around to enclose it. Reinald gave a start as the Construct warped and twisted, but he managed to catch it before it dropped to the ground. He held the Gift as if it were a volatile creature that could turn on him at any moment.

And a heartbeat later, he held a compass in his hand. No ordinary compass, however. The casing was reflective black, as if made of obsidian; the arms of the elegant compass rose were unlabeled; the needle wandered back and forth, as if unsure which direction was north. If it indeed pointed north at all.

They stared at the needle, entranced, as it slowed and finally shuddered to a halt. Hazel lifted her eyes to follow the direction it was pointing: one of the many roads leading out of Noatak.

She turned to Reinald, who looked as close to dumbfounded as she figured he'd ever get. He finally tore his eyes away from the compass to look at her, and a wry smile formed on his lips. "Are you sure we should trust it?"

She nodded, almost vehemently, and he raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic confidence. "I trust Lady Ink with my life."

"I can't say the same." The wry smile stayed in place. "But it's preferable to choosing an arbitrary direction and hoping for the best."
Previous | Next

For :icontbos-oct:

In which Reinald’s Construct makes its appearance. It refused to let Anna’s Function steal the show.

Anna belongs to ~FlamebloodQuickblade; Hazel belongs to ~inktress.
© 2011 - 2024 hisiheyah
Comments2
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
DarthVengeance0325's avatar
He did make a compass. :eyes: