They all fell into an almost trancelike state while working on the illumite field. Perhaps it was the thinness of the air, the attentiveness of their minds to the task at hand, or the subtle song of the dragonshards. In any case, after another successful harvest, Kaus' mind nudged hers and she glanced toward the sun. Nodding, she stood up and stretched, wishing the sunlight offered a bit more warmth to cramped muscles. She carefully wrapped the dragonshard and put it into the bag slung over her shoulder.
Kaus began to gather their tools while she went quietly to stand in Torin's field of vision, not wanting to startle or interrupt him. When he successfully freed another crystal from the cluster she smiled down at him. It was strange for her to look down on someone so much taller than she was.
"The sun has marked an end to our labors," she suggested. "We are gathering up our tools and preparing for our descent. May I?"
She knelt down and spread out a soft, thick cloth to wrap his trophy in. When they returned, their small cache would be displayed and Feada would likely distribute them — the lion's share would stay with her, though some other mages might have use for them if she did not. But something would be offered to Torin and to the twins for their efforts in bringing the dragonshards safely to Starfall.
Kaus agreed to wing the tools down to the cabin for storage, so Kala and Torin turned off the shard beacons, leaving the illumite field to its sunbathing. After a quick, light meal at the cabin, Kaus took to the air and they took to their feet to meet with the airship.
Once aboard, Kala brought Torin to their spot below deck where he seemed calmer for the flying. Hot tea was served, as well as light foods to tide them over until what would likely be a heavier supper in her mother's home. Finally, she broke the companionable silence.
"Another milestone for us," she observed. "The runesmith has made his own tools, and now we have harvested our own dragonshards. I was always taught that it was best to do as much of the work myself as possible to better understand the process of a thing, to better understand the thing itself, the endeavor. You know?"
.Kaus began to gather their tools while she went quietly to stand in Torin's field of vision, not wanting to startle or interrupt him. When he successfully freed another crystal from the cluster she smiled down at him. It was strange for her to look down on someone so much taller than she was.
"The sun has marked an end to our labors," she suggested. "We are gathering up our tools and preparing for our descent. May I?"
She knelt down and spread out a soft, thick cloth to wrap his trophy in. When they returned, their small cache would be displayed and Feada would likely distribute them — the lion's share would stay with her, though some other mages might have use for them if she did not. But something would be offered to Torin and to the twins for their efforts in bringing the dragonshards safely to Starfall.
Kaus agreed to wing the tools down to the cabin for storage, so Kala and Torin turned off the shard beacons, leaving the illumite field to its sunbathing. After a quick, light meal at the cabin, Kaus took to the air and they took to their feet to meet with the airship.
Once aboard, Kala brought Torin to their spot below deck where he seemed calmer for the flying. Hot tea was served, as well as light foods to tide them over until what would likely be a heavier supper in her mother's home. Finally, she broke the companionable silence.
"Another milestone for us," she observed. "The runesmith has made his own tools, and now we have harvested our own dragonshards. I was always taught that it was best to do as much of the work myself as possible to better understand the process of a thing, to better understand the thing itself, the endeavor. You know?"
