General Interest
The continuing adventures of Unacera and Isis

"You've done well, Isis," the Archdruid commended her. "Perhaps it is time for a break. I know of a tavern in the town nearby."

Isis nodded in reply, "Excellent. I could use a break and a couple of sakes."

Unacera wrinkled her nose slightly, "How can you stand to drink so much?"

The younger general just shrugged and smiled, making no verbal reply. Her attention wandered as her horse carried her to the farm-worked outskirts of the town, and her eyes eventually came to rest on a strong-looking young man of about her own apparent age. He was wielding an axe and splitting the night's firewood outside a small estate as the two women rode past.

The young man stopped his labors, wiping his brow with the back of his hand, and leaning against the pile of split wood to rest. He watched the two women, regarding Isis with some interest more than her partner, as they passed on the dirt road.

Unacera kept her eyes focussed on the path ahead of her, but turned to Isis as her horse's gate slowed. "Is something the matter?"

"No," Isis replied, shaking her head but never taking her eyes off of the handsome young man. "Nothing at all."

Unacera followed her gaze to the form of the tunicless young man with the long sanguin hair. She smiled and chukled softly. "Ah, I see. You first crush?" she mused.

Isis quickly turned her eyes away and back onto the path before her. She blushed ever so faintly, amusing the Archdruid further.

"You're insane," she scoffed, tossing her long brown hair back over her shoulders. "Why would I have a crush on a mere human?" She nudged her horse into a faster pace and rode ahead.

"There's no shame in admitting it," her companion answered as she once more came to Isis' side.

"So maybe he was attracting, but that does not mean I have a crush on him."

"If you say so."

They rode the rest of the way in silence, and tied their steeds outside the tavern before entering. * * * * *

She ate slowly as she watched the crowded room, carefully considering the path she had been on her entire life and comparing it to the new one Unacera offered. She tried to decided whether or not to persue this new shining path, or to try going back to the Dynasty she had strayed from. No, she thought, The Dynasty Unacera stole me from... she still hasn't told me why she's trying to help me or why she wants me to trust her.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the barkeeper brought over two drinks and set them on the table before her and Unacera.

"Sake?" she puzzled, "I didn't order another sake, did you, Unacera?"

The Archdruid shook her head and looked around. Isis simply shrugged and drank the warm rice wine as though it were nothing more than water. An elbow stabbed her in the ribs, nearly causing her to choke on the drink. "Hey, what was that for? I didn't steal anything!" she whined defensively.

Unacera chuckled quietly at her companion's guilty conscience, then nodded to a lone figure sitting at the bar. "Your boyfriend is here."

"He is not my boyfriend!"

"Keep your voice down. You might diappoint him if he hears you," Unacera teased. "Go on over and talk to him, you know you want to."

"hmph..." Isis turned away and lifted a small clot of rice to her mouth with her chopsticks. She glanced up occasionally to see the young man looking back over his shoulder and smiling at her. Everytime his eyes caught hers she looked down or away, squirming nervously like a small hare under the watchful eye of a predator. She took another mouthful of sake, only to be struck again by the same elbow. She swallowed hard rather than spray the sake through her nose in an embarrassing display.

"I wish you'd stop doing that!" she snapped at her grinning fellow general. Isis immediately straightened up as someone cleared his throat.

"Might I join you two lovely ladies?" asked the voice of the familiar young man.

Isis stammered for an answer as she noticed his presence beside the table. "Well, I-uhh... uhm, well-uh..."

"Certainly you may," Unacera jumped in, "We would be honored."

"We would? I mean of course, we would." Isis said, grinning like an idiot.

Their new companion smiled again and took a seat across the table from Isis. "So," he began, "You two must be new to the area. I've never seen you around here before."

"We're here as a favor to someone," Unacera explained.

"Uhh we are?"

"We are."

"Oh right, we are..." Isis finally agreed and verbally dodged another elbow.

"Excuse me, milady," the gentleman addressed Isis, "Are you alright? You seem terribly nervous."

She grinned again, "Must have been all those sakes."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you'd already had that many when I bought that last round for you."

Isis frowned and sank back in her seat. "Thanks a lot..." she mumbled.

"Oh, how silly of us," Unacera interrupted after having successfully vanquished a fit of laughter. "We've forgotten to introduce ourselves." She gave a nod for Isis to do the honors.

"Indeed, how very silly," she mocked, "Good sir, this is my... friend, Unacera. And my name is Is -- ow!" She was once more interrupted by the same elbow, and fed up she kicked the Archdruid in the shin.

Unacera winced and held back a yelp. The man just blinked curiously. Isis smirked at her revenge and finished introducing herself. "My name is Silverbird."

"If I didn't know better I would have assumed the two of you are sisters, but... Silverbird, is it?" he smiled and kissed the back of her hand, "A lovely name for a lovely lady. My name is Anubis." * * * * *

It was late when Isis and Unacera finally left the tavern. Anubis had accompanied them out and helped Isis, who was beginning to feel the effects of all the sake she had had, to mount her horse. "I enjoyed this evening," she smiled.

"Perhaps we can do it again sometime," Anubis replied, returning the smile and kissing the back of her hand again. "I'd like to see you again, my lady."

She blushed and Unacera smiled as she watched the two. She broke in after a moment, "It's time to get back to camp, Silverbird." Isis sighed and nodded to the Archdruid then turned her horse to follow. Anubis reluctantly released her hand and watched the two depart. * * * * *

The sky was clear and shone a full moon on the horizon, and while a faint tracing of pink violet light began showing in the east, Isis had not slept since she returned to camp. Unacera had long since retired to her tent.

What are these strange thoughts? I can't get them out of my head... But they're not really thoughts at all.. they're just... there. It feels strange, yet somehow... warm. She untied her horse's reigns from the stake in the ground and pulled herself into the saddle. I need to go for a ride and clear my head.

Isis nudged the horse into a slow walk and rode out of the camp and into a thick of trees not too far off. She payed little attention to what lay around her or what sounds echoed in the predawn shadows. She began letting her mind drift again. Was Unacera right? Do I have a crush on him? Well he was rather attractive... for a human... not that I've ever really seen a handsome demon either. She chuckled lightly to herself. But I still don't understand these strange emotions. What are they?

The sudden sound of a breaking branch called her attention, but not soon enough to calm her horse before being thrown to the ground. "Damn. Stupid horse. It was just a falling branch, baka." She stood slowly and brushed herself off. The horse had already bolted.

"Hmph..." she snorted, "Cowardly beast."

"General Isis," a voice addressed her from the shadows. She quickly spun around on her heals, unsheathing a dagger from her belt. "Your father has sent me to retrieve you... and to commend you for your work."

"My.. my work?"

"Yes. Allowing yourself to get captured so we could track Unacera and the other three generals. Thanks to you, we have managed to capture one of them. Please come with me."

Isis nodded in silent shock and followed the shadowed form without a word...