[Viskyia Crow]

She ran alongside him, though not as easily as he made it sound. She was trying to build her own strength and fleetness as well, so this was as much for her as it was for him. Because she was just honing her skill, she looked vastly better than him at a jog. But, if a real runner… say a long distance messenger were to join them, her blatant lack of physical conditioning would be obvious. Every step she took beside him at a jog helped get her closer to where she wanted to be. After the sprint, she brought herself back to a walk, hoping Dzie would follow and tried to make idle conversation for the brief rest.

“I normally have to run alone. I don’t have much weapons training, and I figured if I practiced running enough, I could pretty much outdistance anything or anyone that decided to give chase… including muggers, thieves, rapists. The notion is silly, I know, but it gives me confidence.” She laughed. Her notion of personal safety was skewed, she knew. He must think her a fool. She threw him a grin anyhow. “I’m glad for the company. Even if I wasn’t doing this to learn how to avoid having to fight, I’d have to do this anyhow. I’m an apprentice to Master Titus the jeweler, and with the way I am starting to love scones, I need something to keep me from getting fat leaning over a jewelers bench.” Viskyia laughed at herself, throwing him a smile. For all that she was panting as she walked out the sprint, she was still having fun meeting someone new. She stopped chattering long enough to let him speak up a bit, enough time having passed for him to catch a little breath.

Then, she nodded, tucked her arms up, and when he nodded his readiness, she set off at a jog again. After a few moments she spent just enjoying the run, she turned and studied him. He was struggling again, and she studied him for a moment to decide why he was.

“Dzie, you run like a human! Don’t use your heels at all. Rise up and run on the balls of your feet. Feel your body lighten, and rise up… just push off from the ground.” She marveled that he moved so humanly. She also noted the darkness of his skin for all that his ears were pointed. It was obvious he took after his human parent. They were vastly different. She was surprised she hadn’t seen it before. For all their mixed blood, he was far more human and she far more elven. She was glad for the difference. Life never ceased to surprise her.

She nodded again… it was time for the sprint. As they struck out for the swift flight, she studied him again. All his strength was probably in his upper body. He could probably fight well enough to hold his own. Viskyia hadn’t known many men. Just her father, a few servants, and a dwarf shared her life. She’d never paid them much mind either. There had been no reason too. She also thought about Rhargn, Nydardomond, and now Dzie. They were all so different. Viskyia was definitely starting to see how having a variety of people she knew would be important in her life. Each had strengths, weaknesses, and so far she’d yet to meet anyone who wasn’t vastly more beneath their skin. She suspected the same of Dzie. Absently, she wondered if they could be friends and what life would lead her to think of him. Did he have a lesson to teach her like Rhargn and Nydardomond had? Rhargn had definitely taught her that love came in many forms, even dogs, and that love could drive a man to chase dreams. Nydardomond had taught her that all people weren’t what they appeared. They’d both been valuable lessons.

She was tired and pulled the sprint up early… gasping… tempted to stop… she walked on shaking out her arms and feeling the burning sensation in her lungs. Burning lungs. She turnd and looked at Dzie sharply.

It was obvious he was concentrating on breathing, and she had that sudden horrible thought. “I don’t mean to pry, but… when… uh… when you were.. burned… did it harm your lungs? We might not want to push so hard if… you can’t breath because they are damaged.” She was pretty sure he’d been burned. Skin didn’t take on that melted appearance without getting very hot. She shuddered, pressing back a haunting memory. She hated to ask him, but didn’t want to hurt him by pushing him harder than he had the wind for.