Submission (#3936) Approved

Word count: 1,532
Region: Kyendi
Elnin resonance is for: Zinnia
Other elnin: Eyvindr Haar
Mini requirement: Adventuring outfit, Act of Exploration, Include an adult in the act

As Zinnia travels through Kyendi they come across another adventurer who has interesting items from another world in their possession. They know they should not stray from the path but the curiosity of seeing a portal tempts them.

     It was morning already, Zinnia checked their rucksack and pouches to make sure everything was there before they started on their next leg of travel.  Their travelogue was stored right by the small pack of rations, a tinderbox and their bedroll.  On their hip was a small coil of rope, a few pouches for snacks and trinkets, and a pole that could be expanded if the ground got a little too rough for safe walking.  It was their dream to see the floating islands of Kyendi and while their siblings were busy following their own dreams and adventures, Zinnia had decided to go and follow their own.  It had taken a decent amount of convincing, but after helping Nol make a traveling outfit for themself, they were given permission to join the caravan with Primrose's family for a short journey and see the city of Illuran.  They were excited to see the floating islands with both kittoms of the caravan making plans and ideas for what they would do when they got there.  However after Sheppard's Crook got them most of the way, Zinnia took off to travel the rest of the way by themselves as the caravan had business in one of the villages closer to the lower valleys.

     Zinnia kept to the main path as promised and was only a day or so away from the outskirts of Illuran at this point.  They felt the excitement of traveling on their own, enjoying the brisk breeze as it flowed through the mountainside, and kept a decent pace through the day.   As the evening drew close, Zinnia found they still had half a day of hiking before them and decided to break early when they found a cairn just off the trail that was well stocked.   Following the teachings of their mother they took apart the cairn carefully and then replaced each stone after retrieving the waterproof fabric and flint, deciding to gather their own firewood for the night.  They could see the ring where previous visitors had banked the nights campfire and planned to do the same.

     The sun was just reaching the horizon as a long shadow fell over the merrily burning campfire.   Zinnia looked up to see another elnin, their hair floating above them as if they were deep under the water.  "May I join you?"  A melodious voice questioned, and they gave a low bow with a warm smile.  "I am traveling to the valley from Illuran and the time escaped me quicker than I expected."  Their bright yellow eyes peered at the darker kittom with an unfailing stare and whispers of smoke seemed to follow them around giving them a mysterious aura.

     "Oh, yes, you are more than welcome.  I have a mushroom soup here if you wish to have some.  It is a family specialty from Silveil."  Zinnia prided herself on their soup, they had grown the mushrooms theirself with help from their brother Kai.  The kittom pulled out a small cup with a spoon from their travelers pack and offered it to the newcomer.  Zinnia only had sparce cutlery in an effort to keep their pack light but now wondered if an extra set of utensils might be something to add in the future.  "You are from Illuran? I am traveling there to see the floating islands."  The fluffy kittom guessed that the magic that held the elnin's hair aloft must be the same magic that held up the islands.  There had been a small part of their mind which figured that the stories of floating islands were just... stories but now they were sure the storied had truth to them.

     The adult elnin smiled again, this time showing a flash of sharp teeth for a split second.  "Mushroom soup sounds delightful though I have my own bowl.  From Silveil you say?"  They took a wooden bowl from a pack on their back and held it out to Zinnia,  "And yes, I hail from Illuran though I do not live there anymore.  Just visiting a few people while passing through."  After taking the now filled bowl back they tried the warm soup and nodded appreciatively.  "Ahhh yes, that is what hits the spot.  My name is Eyvindr Haar it is very fortunate you were here."  The wisps of smoke that floated about them seemed to grow stronger as it swirled within the steam of the hot soup.  "Quite fortunate indeed..."

     Zinnia felt pride well up from within after hearing the praise and then curiosity pricked at her.  This elnin seemed almost otherworldly and they felt the pull towards the mysterious aura.  "Well met Eyvindr Haar, I am Zinnia and it is a pleasure to meet you.  I have heard so much about Illuran and yet I am always curious to learn more.  It is really a city full of mages?  Are there truly huge magical forces keeping the islands afloat?  Is it true there are portals to many different worlds here?  Have you often been attacked by..."  they brought their voice down low and glanced from side to side quickly before adding,  "Daeva?"

     "Just Haar would be fine, and I can tell you there are many mages within the walls of Illuran city, no one truly knows what magic holds the islands aloft though that does not squash the speculating."  They frowned a little as they continued,  "No child such as you should be worrying about Daeva but..."  Haar paused and raised their spoon in the air for emphasis,  "If it is portals and talismans from otherworlds you speak, I can show you a few that are close by."

     After bristling for a moment at the mention of them being a 'mere child',  Zinnia felt like they should prove themself.   "There are portals near by? Can you show me one?"

     Haar reached into their pack and brought out a stone as big as their fist with a swirl carved into it.  The bluish-grey stone had an odd air about it and also glowed a dull cyan in the soft night.  "I can do better than that.  I found this just an hour before I ran across your camp.  It came from a portal that opened up over the ruins just off the path."  They pointed back the way they came, a little to the right of the main pathway.  "There were others such as this and each seem to do similar.  I believe this portal opens up regularly as it seems it must be the source of these trinkets."  Tracing a claw around the spiral marking, the glow turned from a dull cyan to a bright blue that reminded Zinnia of the bioluminescent mushrooms from home.  "In the morning I can show you the way there and maybe you can help me gather a few more."  They paused before adding,  "Obviously you can take a few yourself to show your friends in Silveil."

     The dark kittom couldn't help but feel excited.  Not only would they possibly get to see a portal to another world, but they might actually be able to get proof of it too!  Zinnia realized that such a diversion would mean that they would be another day before they got to Illuran, it would be the evening at the earliest, but they weighed the alternative and decided it would be worth it.  "Maybe if we start off early in the morning?  Are you ok with trailing back the way you came for a bit?  I don't want to keep you from your own journey to the valley."

     Grinning wide, hair swirling up around them, Harr gave a small shrug,  "It would not be that far out of my way and you would be doing me such a favor."   With that they used a splash of water from their travel flask to wash out their bowl and stashed it away for drying.  "Starting out in the early morning sounds about right.  The laylines are more active then."  They gave a small bow and then turned to set up their bedroll and lean-to.

     Nodding at the retreating figure, Zinnia cleaned away the excess food and stashed the flint into the cairn.  They felt a sudden pang of guilt for not offering the second groundcover but reasoned that Haar would have asked for it if they needed it.  The adult's pack seemed much fuller than their own and probably had more supplies if they traveled alone more often.  After washing and packing away their bowl, cup, and utensils, the small kittom finished pitching their tent and rolled out their bedroll, letting the door stay open so they could watch the stars.  Zinnia tried to keep their excitement level as they thought about the many things they might potentially find at this portal.  Would they get to see an alternate world?  Maybe meet someone like Saoirse did?  Even just finding a stone that glowed like the one Haar had would satisfy.  Zinnia felt a small pang of concern about not following their promise of staying to the main path but they pushed it down.  This trip was supposed to be about learning new experiences and taking chances, this would be a prime opportunity to do both.