Kane opened the door to the apothecary and the little bell rang out with a crisp clear sound. There was little Kane could do before Nil threw their arm over the disgruntled man's shoulders, practically hanging off of him. Nil smiles wide as he looks over to the woman behind the till, letting go of Kane they walking over to the counter and leaning on it to speak to the clerk. She seems unamused.
Kane just sighs before moving around the store and grabbing what he needs; Yew, Water hemlock, Foxglove, Arnica, Lily of the valley, and Opium Poppies. They're all poisonous plants commonly used in medicine so they're pretty widely grown and sold in Diony.
He grabs a jar of calcium concentrate to add to his pile and walks over to the counter setting all his stuff down on the table and he waits quietly for the clerk.
Nil is halfway over the counter speaking in a hushed whisper while the woman responds in short answers and an unamused face. Nil says something and the woman seems to freeze and be at a loss for word. She shakes off her stupor to help after noticing Kane waiting patiently. She looks at all the things Kane has put on the counter. Smiling her soft voice calls out. "Are you a doctor?"
Kane pulls his hood further over his head. "I don't need to disclose that informat-"
"He is a mage, I am a doctor." Nil interrupts standing straight, their head tilted slightly and lips curled into a thin smile.
"A mage? Those are rare in Diony." The woman hums in acknowledgment before asking, "Would you like to buy a spacial bag as well?" Kane shakes his head and lifts his bag, subtly shooting Nil a glare.
As the two leave Kane spots a group of knights under the crest of Astar, a noble house from down south. They're walking around to all the stores and asking people on the streets some questions as they pass.
Kane turns onto a different route and pulls his hood further over his head. The snow crunches under his feet as he walks and it gradually gets faster as Kane speeds up. The forest outside of town is in sight when someone grabs his shoulder and yanks him into a space between two houses.
Its Nil, they put their hand over Kanes mouth, and a finger to their own lips. Kane looks over to the opening and watches as a group of knights walk past from the direction of the woods. Before Kane can get any words out Nil is grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the woods once more.
For hours they keep walking, until the sky turned dark and the cold bites their skin. Snow started falling heavily, perfect for hiding their foot prints.
Nil hasn't said anything and Kane kept his eyes on the surrounding forest. Comfortable in the silence and focused on putting distance between the knights and themselves.
They stop when they reach a cave, its small and the entrance is formed in such a way that wind won't enter easily. The cave will provide them safety and warmth.
Once inside the cave Nil speaks, they'rethe first to break the silence.
"What was that about?"
Kane hesitates, watching the forest past the cave entrance. "... the Astar family is probably looking for me. What other reason would they have to be in Diony. Especially past the capital."
"Why?" Kane doesn't answer, laying down facing a cave wall and pulling his knees to his chest. Nil shakes their head. "Okay. Rest well."
The night goes by without anything happening, Kane drifts in and out of consciousness while Nil simply doesn't sleep.
The first rays of light shine through the cave entrance falling over Kane. He rolls over to face Nil and simply observes as Nil grinds down herbs, and mixes some of them. Nil glances outside every few minutes before returning to their work. Their face is blank and they seem calm, focusing on what they're doing.
"Mornin'." Nil jumps slightly and Kane can't help but smile in amusement. "Didn't know you could startle."
Nil scoffs and focuses on their plants, their face warming in embarrassment. "I was not surprised, I simply pricked myself."
"Sure." Rolling his eyes at the obvious lie Kane sits up. "Did they go into the forest at all?"
"No, all the knights have remained in the village. They would have startled the birds."
Nodding Kane grabs his bag looking through it. "I would've liked to grab some dried meat but I guess we have enough." Kane looks over at Nil. The doctor isn't dressed for the snow. White button up under a no sleeve vest, all of which is covered by a long white lab coat. All thin.
Kane dug through his bag and pulled out an old cloak, scissors, black and gold thread and a long needle. "Go into town and buy some dried meat, I need to fix something."
Watching as Nil leaves without complaint Kane shivers when their feet sink knee deep in the cold snow. With a sigh Kane turns to the cloak.
He isn't happy Nil managed to follow him but he can't deny that they're useful. Kane doubts Nil will last, they'll probably fall behind or turn back.
He'll just have to wait and see.
—
When Nil returns with a bag of dried meat, bread and a sword Kane is sitting by the wall with the cloak in his lap.
"What is that?" Nil asks setting down their things by Kanes bag.
Kane stands up and tosses the cloak to Nil. "You insist on following me, despite being poorly dressed. Here. So you don't slow me down." The inside is black with designs sewn in with golden thread while the inside is white with designs sewn in black.
"Huh?"
"It's reversible. So you can wear it either way." Kane goes to his bag and looks over the things Nil bought before tucking them into his bag, when he gets to the sword he glances over at Nil. Nils wearing the cloak, Whiteside out. Nil stops adjusting the cloak and looks up.
"For you." Nil motions to Kanes old sword; scabbardless, rusty and chipped. "Your sword won't be super effective in a fight."
Nodding Kane attaches the sword to his hip, then he secures his bag over his shoulder. "We should get going, I want to make it to the Capital in 5 days tops. That means we can't stop or rest. You can turn back whenever."
Nil nodded following as Kane left the cave.
"I will be fine. Do you know the way?"
"Of course. I'm great with direction."
Kane and Nil walked for days, taking slight turns but never stopping. After the forest deceased the terrain was replaced by rolling hills. After 3 days of walking they reached the swampy marsh that the capital is know for being near. And after 2 days of walking through wet, muddy grass and dirt they reached the capital.
The capital is a huge towering city with a large castle in the center. Large buildings made of brick, stone and marble decorating the streets. The city itself sits on marsh land and plains.
"Wow." Nil whispers the word at the way people of all kinds walk the streets. Humans, Half-breeds, elves, you can spot one of every species walking down the cobbled streets dressed in colorful flowing clothes and bright fabrics. The colors dancing in the dying light of the sun. Heading home from work after long days. Kane glances at Nil, curious.
"Have you never been here?"
"Of course I have, however; it has been quite some time." Nil looks at Kane. "For what reason did we come here?"
"I need to visit some friends. First is Mallory."