"First off, we're low on food and have no water. We're going to have to solve that before the end of the day." Juliana said.
"We should also be thinkin' about headin' back. We have tools and materials at the pillar." Thomas added.
I considered how to phrase it in the most understandable way possible. "I don't know if any of you heard, but the question the Ancient asked me is whether I would protect this Temple of Swords. I agreed, so it seems counterproductive for me to suddenly move a day and a half away."
My stomach growled, as though to remind us it was breakfast time. Julia pulled out our dwindling supply of meat.
"I'd like to stockpile more food, at least." Juliana said as she handed out portions, "preferably some berries and vegetables to add variety, though anything will help. We have this and lunch, unless we start skipping meals."
A cold chill passed through the small field. I immediately looked to Silence. A huge wave of ice, prickly and taller than her, stood - or at least existed - where her blade had passed. She showed the rare emotion of surprise.
The rest of us sat in stunned silence. I mean... I had talked to Ancient about powers, but this was a whole nother level.
"I think that solves the food preservation question." I noted.
*We will see if the Dragon feels so generous.* the Ancient replied.
"Do you think we could also melt it down for water?" I asked.
"Maybe," Thomas replied, "but where did it come from? Will it go back if we melt it?"
"We can try. It's not too risky."
"What if... What if it explodes?" Juliana asked.
"It's ice."
"You're always so carefree, Marcus. One of these times it'll get you hurt."
"It has hurt me," I whispered, just loud enough for them to hear, "it's why we're here in the first place."
I stood up, and went south into the forest, Ancient in hand. Silence stopped me as I was about to enter.
"I have to use the bathroom."
I want to say her face looked sympathetic. She let me pass.
I didn't lie. I had business to do. No #2, so I didn't bother burying it. I instead wandered in another direction, trying to say conscious of where I was.
I found a tree with cushioned bark, and sat against it.
"No one's said it, but they don't trust my decisions, even though I've ended up being the decision maker. They think I'm crazy."
The Ancient waited a moment to respond. *Are you sure of that?*
"I may be carefree, most times, but I can usually read most people pretty well. It's one thing I've always been good at."
The Ancient let me stew on my thoughts for a while before speaking again. *There is something that you blame yourself for.*
"Is it that obvious?"
*To someone who also blames themself, yes.*
"I failed to save the world. What about you?"
The Ancient didn't respond. After a while of waiting, I gave up on getting an answer and leaned back.
The bark was smooth, almost scalelike. It gave a little when pushed.
"What was this tree called?" I asked.
"Scaled Leafberry. While smooth and scale-shaped, the exterior is still wood. Just under the scales is a tangle of stringy fibers responsible for its cushion. Its core is raw wood like other trees.*
"That's... You know a lot, don't you."
*I am one of the oldest Soulblades on Valade. I have had many carriers with many passions.*
"Have you met the oldest Soulblade?"
He didn't answer me. Another thing to talk about after we've known each other for more than a day.
A projectile shot through the trees toward me. I flinched, caught unable to do anything. A blue disk appeared inches from my chest, catching the projectile, a smooth, pointed rock. The rock stopped dead in its tracks and dropped to the ground as the disk disappeared instantly.
"Handy trick," I said, sweating.
*An impact barrier. Now please move before the comjing fires again.*
"The what?" I scrambled to my feet
*Comjing.* he showed me a mental image of a spined reptile with a huge head, large forelimbs, and tiny hind feet supporting a tail. It was maybe a foot and a half tall. *Small reptilian monster that spits rocks or bones that have been shaped in its mouth.*
"Thanks for the information." I jogged in the direction I thought the Temple was.
*A little to your right.*
I thanked him again, following his course correction and arriving quickly at the clearing in front of the temple. The others had a large fire going with one of those pink spiny things upside down and full of water. The ice wall was gone.
"Marcus!" Katie exclaimed. Obviously more awake than earlier.
She was sitting by the fire, which Thomas was tending.
"Hey," I called back, with an ashamed wave.
Juliana approached me. "I'm sorry. I know what you're doing - and what you've done - for us. I don't want to be ungrateful about that, so, I'm sorry.".
The Ancient pushed a slight feeling of "I told you so" through our connection. I shook my head.
"No, I'm sorry. I ran off and endangered myself, just like you had pointed out."
We continued to go back and forth with that for a while.
"You two can apologize to each other later," Thomas finally interrupted, "We still need to make plans. I want to at least see how my snake leather turned out. Plus we still have half-done tools and some good shell at the other camp."
"You sound like you want to go back. I don't mind sending two or three people back to get stuff from the other camp, but we should all get a crash course on how to use our new swords." I said, holding up the Ancient horizontally.
*Stepping in to be a leader again?*
*I guess so.* I replied.