Embris couldn't say what she had expected when she had first come through the gate. She'd understood that they'd had to abandon this place because of the winter, but that didn't mean she had thought it would look as terrible as it did. With some buildings looking like they were falling apart where they lay.
A few buildings were still standing strong, which suggested more care had been taken with those, but even still, she could hardly think much about them. Especially since she couldn't say that she had the same feelings about this place as any of the others who had been here before they'd abandoned it.
Although, looking at it, she understood why they couldn't bring everyone there right away. For one thing, they might face a mass desertion if they did. Embris herself was tempted to just take off when she got a good look at this place. Especially since Jenn had written the letter for her and had given it to Tchisa to assign someone to deliver it to the marquis Feon had mentioned in her letter.
One thing that also bothered Embris about this place was the fact that Jenn had disappeared almost right after they'd arrived. Supposedly she'd been given an assignment by the Blue Rose, who had also disappeared, but Embris hadn't been able to get any actual details out of anyone.
If she hadn't known Jenn as well as she had, nor seen Jenn's adopted children, she might have thought that she'd decided to desert herself. As part of her was skeptical about being able to truly make this a place that would become a thriving community.
However, rather than let her remain idle, like she'd been back in the hidden village, Embris had been tasked with locating a place that would make a good quarry. Not that Embris felt like she had any special expertise in that area. Though, she figured that it was at least something for her to do while she waited. Something that would make her feel more useful than she had for a while.
Not that she'd had much luck. She'd walked for two days, each for half a day in two different directions and hadn't found anything. The only thing of any not had been what she'd learned were called 'ogres' and weren't supposed to be any threat unless she provoked them in some way.
Part of her wanted to learn more about the ogres, but another part wanted to stay as far away as she could from them. Not because she had any reason to fear them, but more because of how alien they were to her.
One thing she also didn't mind was walking through the mountains by herself. Maybe it would be better if Nymis or Rephis were with her, as she was confident that they'd enjoy walking in these mountains as well. The only problem was the fact she didn't know what dangers there might be. At least outside of the obvious, as she did witness a landslide right before she'd turned around on her second day.
There hadn't seemed to have been anything that she could detect that had caused the landslide, but she could see trees torn down and devastation to the plant life that had been merely in the way.
Yet, she was somehow certain that she wasn't in any danger at that particular moment. That it wasn't going to happen where she was. Although, the landslide did reveal to her a number of rocks that she thought might be promising in a quarry.
She just hoped that there were enough of them for a quarry.
Although, she hoped that they had the means to bring any of them back that might be useful for whatever the Blue Rose had in mind for the stone. Embris couldn't think of what that might be, but she was at least willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Especially with how much it was clear to Embris that Jenn trusted her.
As she returned to what could barely be called a 'settlement,' Embris was ready to fall on her mattress and sleep. Even getting something to eat didn't appeal to her as much right then. Sleep was the siren's song that was propelling her forward at that moment.
However, as she entered the building where her mattress was, she found out that going to sleep wasn't meant to be for her right then.
"Embris!" one of the young men who helped take care of various pieces of equipment for Tchisa called out to her. "The Blue Rose returned and she wants to speak with you."
It took a minute for the words to make sense to Embris, especially with how her bed was calling her. She really wanted to answer that call, but she was afraid that she'd be woken up if she did. Which wasn't an experience she could say that she enjoyed. Especially when she felt as tired as she did right then.
Yet, while she really wanted to ignore everything and go to sleep, she instead turned towards the rickety stairs that she suspected were likely to collapse at any minute, despite no creaks sounding from them. She would have preferred having the room where the Blue Rose was on the ground floor, but she doubted that anyone would really listen to her complaint about the matter.
Embris knocked on the door when she reached the top of the stairs. She wondered what might be the reason why the meeting had to be as soon as she returned, but she didn't care to voice those questions. Not when she knew how everyone around here respected the Blue Rose. While Embris had entertained thoughts of leaving and going off on her own, she had a feeling the decision would be made for her if she said anything that anyone would consider disrespectful towards, or about, the Blue Rose.
"Come in," a tired voice said a minute after she knocked, sounding like they were a little annoyed by the disturbance.
Embris took a deep breath, trying to push her fatigue away. As if she could just will it away and she'd feel as alert as she usually did. Then she opened the door, hoping this wouldn't take very long. That she'd be able to quickly get to her bed without much more of a delay.
What she saw before her wasn't something she'd expected to see. First, she saw five young women in front of her, one wore the mask and hooded tunic of the Blue Rose, with the hood hiding her hair as was always the case that Embris had seen. Second, she recognized Jenn as one of them, when she couldn't say that she'd expected Jenn to be here of all places. Then Third, it was clear that the Blue Rose was in bed with one of the young women.
She recognized each of them, though she would have thought that none of them had anything to do with the Blue Rose. Especially like that. She saw Jianopra, Oleania, Saelea, and, of course, Jenn in addition to the Blue Rose.
For some reason, Embris had always thought of the Blue Rose as asexual. Like she really didn't have a real gender, but was merely a construct that could move around and give directions to help them out. Yet, seeing this scene, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe the young women before her were lovers of the Blue Rose. Including Jenn.
"I'm sorry," Embris blurted as she started to turn around, ready to leave and risk getting woken up to learn what the Blue Rose wanted from her in the first place.
"Hold on, Embris," Jenn called out to her. "What's wrong."
"I didn't mean to see any of this," Embris said, feeling like she stumbled onto a secret she shouldn't have. One that could get her kicked out of the mercenary band before she'd be ready to do so herself.
"Any of what?" Jenn asked, sounding so confused that Embris couldn't help but turn to look back at Jenn. "We were just getting ready for bed. What was there to see?"
Embris couldn't help but let her eyes drift to the Blue Rose in bed with the young woman, one whom Embris suspected didn't have any clothing on under the blanket covering both of them.
"I see," Jenn said, apparently having seen where Embris was looking. "If you need to know, they're both married, so whatever else you might be thinking, it's probably wrong and just your imagination."
Embris looked back at Jenn, suddenly aware of how much her entire face was burning. She wasn't sure how else to describe it.
"Despite that, I wanted to ask you to be in charge of the security on the expedition tomorrow," the Blue Rose said. "Any others who will accompany you will be decided by Tchisa, who will be leading the expedition. Jenn will go as my representative and will be second in command."
Embris nodded, not sure why any of this couldn't have waited until the morning, but again, she didn't want to say anything wrong that would get her kicked out of the mercenary guild. Besides, it also could just be something the Blue Rose wanted to get out of the way so Embris would be able to mentally prepare or something.
"I understand," Embris said, not sure if she should bow, salute, both, or something else entirely. However, she found that she'd saluted the Blue Rose before she was even conscious of doing so.
"So in the morning, when we call out the names of those who will be accompanying us, you will be expected to stand next to Tchisa, on the opposite side of Jenn. That way everyone can see you and know you're not just someone they can push around."
Embris nodded, a little grateful for an explanation, even though she didn't feel that they needed to make one to her.
"Anyway, that's all. Have a good night."
Embris nodded and turned to walk towards the door, feeling rather stiff. She couldn't say what the reason of that was, just that her body didn't feel like it wanted to move the way it usually did.
When she closed the door behind her, she felt like she could suddenly breathe again. Embris wasn't sure if she ever wanted to be around the Blue Rose again if that's what she could look forward to with her.
"Got a minute?" Jenn asked, stepping through the door and closing it behind her, surprising Embris.
"I didn't know you knew the Blue Rose that well," Embris said, feeling like she should in fact be treating Jenn with more respect and not as casually as she had before.
"Well, the Blue Rose saved all of us from being slaves," Jenn replied. "So, it's not like we didn't know who she was then."
Embris merely shook her head. Jenn didn't have to explain all this. She fully understood. Though, it did feel good to have someone whom she could call a friend that close to the Blue Rose. A feeling she hoped wouldn't fade away over time and become 'normal' for her.
"So, what did you need?" Embris asked, wondering what else might be required of her. Although, since it was Jenn asking, Embris was certain that she'd do her best to take care of whatever Jenn wanted done. Assuming it was a task for her to do.
"Well, I was just wondering if this makes things weird between us," Jenn said, leaning against the door. "I mean, I didn't let you know about my connection with the Blue Rose, so I wasn't sure if you might have an issue or whatever with that."
Embris shook her head. "Why would I? I mean, the Blue Rose is supposed to be the one whose made this whole place possible, right? Is there some reason I shouldn't be happy to learn you have such a connection with someone like that?"
Embris wasn't sure what Jenn was getting at, but after a few minutes, she felt like there was something that Jenn wasn't saying, but not for any malicious reason. Rather, it felt more like she was holding it back because she was scared about something.
While Embris had that insight, it only lasted for a moment before it was gone and Embris was left wondering if she'd merely imagined it. She didn't think that she had, but she also couldn't be absolutely certain right then. As it felt like she had imagined it, even though at that moment it didn't feel like she was.
"So, the Blue Rose is married?" Embris asked, not sure what else to say about the subject before.
Jenn gave Embris a satisfyingly startled expression before sighing. "I'll tell you this, but only because it's not fully top secret," Jenn said, looking like she was regretting something. "The one with the mask of the Blue Rose isn't the real Blue Rose. She's just the stand-in for her. Personally selected by the Blue Rose."
Embris blinked. She hadn't expected that. Although, it would explain why it seemed like the Blue Rose's voice changed periodically. "So who is the real Blue Rose?" she asked, almost breathlessly. If her having stand-ins wasn't a secret, would who she actually is be a secret too?
Jenn merely shook her head. "Sorry, but the Blue Rose doesn't want anyone who doesn't already know who she is to know. Though many are confident its only a temporary thing."
Embris nodded, somehow a little relieved at that fact, which startled her more than she'd have thought it would. Since when did she get so worked up over what was going on with these people here? Wasn't she contemplating leaving anyway?
"Well, if I'm heading out in the morning, then I better get some rest," Embris said, the weight of the task ahead already making her feel even more tired than she currently did.
"Oh, by the way, don't forget to give your report to Maelia about what you found or didn't find," Jenn said as she started to reenter the room with the Blue Rose stand-ins.
Embris nodded absently. Though, it wasn't until she was at the bottom of the stairs that she suddenly wondered how Jenn knew who it was that she was supposed to give her report to. She certainly hadn't said anything about it.
As soon as the thought came to her, however, she quickly dismissed it. Not only didn't it matter that much to her, but she certainly could think of a few reasonable explanations. Such as if Jenn knew who the Blue Rose was and that Embris was supposed to be in charge of the security of the expedition that was to set out in the morning, it was reasonable that the Blue Rose also told her about what her current assignment was.
Although, one thought about her new assignment wouldn't leave her alone: What was she supposed to do while in charge of the 'security' of the expedition? What did that entail?
_
Jenn couldn't help but feel invigorated as they journeyed through the mountains. Not only had it really been too long since she really got to enjoy walking through mountains, but she was also finally going to get a few things she'd wanted to take care of since she'd met Tchisa. Such as showing her where she had in mind what lands to give her as well as what Tchisa would think about them as well.
Plus, she hadn't really had the chance to enjoy the mountains when she'd been traveling with her friends before, since they were focused on just the gate, but Jenn was certain that she'd be able to not worry about any of that and could just enjoy the surroundings as they walked.
The only problems was that since she and her friends hadn't encountered the ogres in the mountains before, she couldn't help but wonder what else they hadn't encountered that existed in this world. Not only was it possible that it could be a threat to them, but it was also possible that they'd be able to benefit from whatever there was.
She just wished she either knew what to expect or at least had some idea. Rather than being in the dark like she was. As she would pass that information along, but at the moment, she couldn't help but feel uneasy about what they might find or what might find them.
Aside from ogres, that is. That was at least a possibility of what they might encounter. Which she also didn't need to let the others know about them, since they'd already become aware of them.
"I see why you weren't interested in me before, twig," a familiar voice said as she felt a hand rest on her butt, rubbing it gently. "You were looking for someone who could advance your position."
Jenn sighed. If she had been in charge of personnel for this expedition, she would definitely not have assigned Gishia to this trip. Not because Gishia was negligent or because she was lazy, but rather because of her constant amorous attitude. Especially since from what Jenn recalled, she was Embris' second-in-command in regards to the security of the entire expedition.
"If you're good, I can make sure you're on the same watch as me tonight," Gishia continued, her warm breath on Jenn's neck having more of an effect on her body than she'd like.
"If you really are that desperate for someone to get in bed with, maybe you should have requested to stay at the settlement," Jenn retorted, trying to push Gishia away.
"And let you only wonder what a night with me could be like?" Gishia asked, as if Jenn had really been worried about that.
"And what kind of example do you think you'd be setting if you're more of a danger to us when you're supposed to be keeping us all safe from threats?" another familiar voice asked, as Jenn felt Gishia pulled away from her; leaving a chill feeling where Gishia's hand had been on her butt.
Jenn looked to see her savior in this situation was Yaelish. Which Jenn felt was at least better than it could have been. As at least she had some idea that she and Yaelish would be friends rather than Gishia who seemed to only have a one-track mind. Plus, Jenn suspected that if she did let Gishia get in bed with her, that Gishia would then no longer have any interest in Jenn after that. Which certainly wasn't the kind of relationship she'd want in general with anyone. Period.
Nor was it the kind of way that she'd prefer using to lose Gishia's interest.