Halfway Back To Nillix

Riding alone out of Loner's Reach went fairly smooth for the most part. A handful of random civilians tried to stop you on the way to sell you random goods but you did your best to either politely decline them or purposely ignore them depending how fishy their encampment looked.

As Lexie said, she stayed back with Zoe for the first part of the trip, leaving you alone up front to just ponder the situation at hand. Your mind raced with the thoughts about Rathkin surrounding your Sicilian Sunriders and slaughtering them without them even standing a chance. With no where to run, no where to hide and outnumbered ten to one, you were starting to lose some hope.

It made matters worse because Ashe was one of your most trusted warriors, high commanders but also friends. Ever since you woke up from your coma, Ashe was shortly sent down to help out Rathkin so you really haven't seen her for such a long time. You missed the fiery red head and her aggressive ways and you pray in your thoughts she would be safe.

On the other hand, you thought of Rynlee, your other High Commander that you don't really know. When Ashe took control of leadership while you were out, she trusted Rynlee to be one of her High Commanders and honestly if Ashe trusts her, then you would too. It still doesn't change the fact you don't know her much but hopefully she too, would make it out alive so you could start to get to know her as well.

Leaving the dead, dark and gravel roads behind, you eventually exit the single entrance into Loner's Reach and make your way back into the main continent. The ground almost immediately turns greener, the trees and bushes sprout leaves and flowers and the sky above is turning more crystal blue rather than smog grey. It was almost as if you could finally take a breath of fresh air and finally be rid of Loner's Reach for the time being.

As Lexie said, after a little while she came up from to keep you company, leaving Zoe asleep in the back. "How's Zoe doing?" you ask your love.

"Better, her head seems to be clearing up, her energy was coming back slighty but she still seems tired." Lexie's hand is resting on your leg as the horses in front continue their gallop "That **** really did a number on her..."

"Yeah, tell me about it." you look at her and give a half smile "And to think, it gave her so much energy before only to steal it all away the next day. Makes me feel bad for her but at least now, since we're out of the Reach, hopefully that means away from the Snuff."

For most of the ride, the two of you stay quiet and just watch the scenery unfold around you. The journey itself was awfully boring and seemed as if it was never going to end, especially since your mind was so far gone from the travels itself and just wanting to get to the destination.

After traveling all day, just a little south of Rathkin staying outside it's main border patrols you all figure it is best to call it a day. You could continue to travel if you wanted to but you know the horses themselves need a break from their constant gallop or walk they have been doing almost non-stop.

Pulling the horses up to a small river off the main road, you look around "Good as any place eh?" you shrug at Lexie who is still up front with you.

"Looks good!" she jumps off, immediately moving up front to begin to untie the horses.

You turn to the side and pound on the carriage just briefly "Wake up Zoe, we're done traveling for the day, time to make camp!" you order the girl through the wooden carriage before jumping down and matching Lexie's movements on the opposite side.

Soon after both the horses are untied from the carriage and brought over towards the River where the ropes are tied to the trees to make sure they don't run off. There is plenty of slack so they can wander around, swim, bathe or drink the water as well as graze on whatever grass, fruits or nuts they may find.

"Okay okay okay!" Zoe almost playfully jumps out of the carriage side door "What can I do to help!" she smiles at the two of you as you walk back from the trees where you just tied the horses "I've got energy to burn and ready to help!" she smiles.

"Damn, Zoe!" you smile at her "Good to see you with your energy again." you fold your arms across your chest, giving the innocent High Commander a smile.

"Yup yup yup!" her head nods up and down "Been sleeping all day, resting, recouping my body, I-I'm ready to help!" she twirls in her step "I'll get firewood!" she smiles before almost skipping off in the opposite direction.

"I love her sometimes." Lexie laughs to your side "So, we sleeping in the carriage or outside?" she asks.

"Up to you! Carriage would probably be safer but sleeping outside next to a fire would be warmer."

"Outside it is!" Lexie decides "Plus we can watch the stars if needed...will remind me of the days back in Sicilian, keep my mind off all the horrors that could await."

With Zoe gathering firewood and Lexie making the campsite, you decide to grab some food out of the bags and make sure everybody is ready for the night.

"Here's a bunch!" Zoe drops a huge armful of branches and sticks down "Getting more!" she immediately turns and runs back off into the woods, causing an eye roll from yourself.

Lexie is clearing the ground, moving any rocks, bringing in extra bedding and using blankets in the carriage to help out with padding. Afterwards, she finds many rocks and forms a ring, making a perfect place to set up a fire.

All the while, your pulling out some bread, some fruit and a few pouches of water. It's not the best meal ever but you know it'll at least tide you all over for the night and hopefully the next day until you can get to Nillix.

"Another bunch!" Zoe drops another armful of branches "Getting more!" she starts to move away.

"Zoe!" you yell at her "I think that's enough." you smile.

"Nope! One more load! Gotta stay waaaaarm tonight!" she smiles over her shoulder as she runs off into the woods.

"I'll tell you what..." you grumble to Lexie "After her being out for the entire day, her body seems one hundred and ten percent again." you smile.

"She does seem to have a bunch of extra energy..." Lexie ponders "But yeah, she's been resting so it makes sense."

Seeing her will all that energy just brought you flashbacks of her Snuff induced night. Your right hand goes down to your pockets and you can feel the pouches of Snuff still inside so you know you still have them, which actually reminds you that you'll most likely get rid of them soon. Maybe tonight, you'll burn them in the fire or go walk over to the river you're camping at and throw them in.

As Lexie and yourself sit down on the bedding and look at the fire that is slowly starting to burn you just hold each other close, waiting for your dark haired High Commander to come back with her supposively last bundle of wood.

After that, the three of you will eat, sit, talk and try to get some rest so you can finish your journey to Nillix, in hopes to get some information on your Sunriders and last but not least, hope to all the Syndicate Suns that your High Commander's are safe...