The Blackened Steps

Sayyid had tensed his body for death but it did not rush up to greet him in torrent of water and the jagged surface rocks but it did not happen, instead he felt that strange tingling as something raised him out of danger and back onto the bridge. It didn't take a genius to figure out who was responsible for that parlor trick. "Thanks."

Sayyid crossed without a fuss and stood at the end, waiting for his companion to pass over the bridge too. It'd probably be less of a threat to her than it was to him, peeking over the side at the rushing water with a thin grimace.

"You alright passing on your own?"

"Of course," was Anvaera's reply, called over the wind. She strode forwards confidently, only the slightest twitch of her fingers betraying how carefully she was maintaining her balance and placing her steps. Her heartrate rose, but she was well practised in maintaining poise even in the face of fear.

Her light weight gave her an advantage in the crossing, and the planks of the bridge held. Eventually, though her crossing had been slow, she alighted on the far side and allowed herself a single deep breath out to fully regain her composure. "And so we cross from the wastes, I presume. What lies ahead?"

The map was useless now but Sayyid had heard legends of the city that lie infront of them, legends he didn't want to see given life. Sayyid pointed once more in the direction of the truly legendary Wing City. "A city that is larger than most. Twice as dangerous as the rest too." Sayyid said, turning around and standing to attention infront of Anvaera.

"Sayeth Anvaera. I don't wish to visit the city, so I think our partnership lies at an end." Sayyid replied, smiling.

"And where will you go from here?" the priestess inquired, "Or is that not something that your plans, such as they are, consider? You described yourself as a wanderer, I recall." Wanderers, in Anvaera's experience, paid little mind to destinations. They cared more for journeys.

Gazing into the distance, Anvaera picked out a forest beyond the mountains, and a greyish area that might have been the city that Sayyid spoke of. "Does this city have a name? It would do to have a destination I can quote to any I encounter, should I require direction."

"Somewhere, but not there. The name of the city is Wing City. A dangerous place right now, or forever is, I've yet to decide between the two." The shaman replied with a shrug. "You might find a few people between here and there, but I think the danger is gone, the wastes are the most unruly of the nearby places." Sayyid gave her a grim smile, almost mournfully.

He had begun to like this stranger, she was reserved and he had begun to look past her apparent detachment of emotions. They were both chosen of their gods, still, it would be time to split sooner or later.

"I will find somewhere to go. Farewell, Sayeth Anvaera."

"May you walk in the Light's warmth, Sayyid. Perhaps we will meet again someday, if the fates will it." Anvaera inclined her head respectfully, smiling to him. "Farewell, and Maraé bless you in your endeavours to come."

With that said, the priestess turned and began to walk in the direction of the distant forest.