The words turned in her head as she wondered if it was about dalki? Or something bigger? It came to her that it didn't matter what the threat was that she needed to be stronger against. The fact was, she needed to get stronger. Another thought came to her. Why was she listening to a beast of all things one that was obviously disguised?
The color black could mean foreboding. Her thoughts turned to the beautiful man at her side. Her husband. At some point he would be fighting the monster to keep her safe. He is part of her strength. We are stronger together. I'm not doing enough, clearly. I will do better. Minx nodded to herself as she completed her thoughts.
"Earth to Minx?" Sil's voice broke through her reverie.
"Minx, responding to Earth. Go ahead, Earth." She giggled.
Sil chuckled as did those immediately behind them. "Something tells me you know where the beast went?"
Minx giggled, "Well, "something" is lying to you because I have no clue where it went."
Her expression turned more serious. "Let's keep going and find cleaner air. We should be about out of this muck if the map is correct."
She wasn't wrong. Thirty minutes later, their feet were back on solid ground. They decided to put up the shelter and lab. Everyone welcomed the idea of a shower and freshening up. Fresh food was grown and a well-deserved break was taken.
Minx scrubbed her hands and arms really well and prepared a robust meal after the energy they had to expend in that terrain. She made a mental note to avoid that area if she could. It wasn't the strange beast that made her think that but the odor. The wet. The feeling of helplessness as her feet broke through the ground and she plunged down before she was caught by Caser or Sil. That was an area to never go alone.
Sil and Minx were going to be the last to hit the shower. There was a line so they decided to wait in the back of it while they talked about what just happened..
Sil took this time to probe about the mysterious beast. "So. What were you thinking about?"
Minx giggled, "does a woman need an excuse to think?"
Sil's expression turned serious. "Immediately following a beast attack that vanishes into thin air and you were not where I put you to protect you?"
Minx sighed, "Not everything is a threat but that was definitely veiled to look like one."
Sil raised an eyebrow waiting for more information.
"Why are you so forward with me but so demure among the others?"
"You're my wife. And you're dodging the question."
"It had some sort of time-stop ability. It said it had a message for me. To get stronger. Then vanished."
"My musings were trying to figure out what it meant by "get stronger" because there are many avenues of strength. I wonder if it's to support you? If it's as my new position as a family leader? Do I need to get stronger in politics? Or does this have something to do with earlier. The message of the tree. Do I need to get stronger with that sword? Frankly, politics are less terrifying than the sword. But maybe that's the point? Face my fears? Face the past and not let it control me?"
Sil shuddered as her words hit home. Not let the past control him. Face my fears. He's so strong, though. Can I really do it?
Minx saw the look on his face and realized he was affected by her words. She smiled gently, "you are the one who pressed for an answer,"
He nodded, coming back from his thoughts. "What are you going to work on?"
She smirked, "Multiple things."
She reached in and hugged her husband closely. "I don't get enough time with you. What I'm going to work on right now is showing you how much I love you and what you mean to me, so you don't forget me when we're apart."
Sil gasped, "do you really think something like that is possible?"
She sighed and pulled her knees into her chest. "Sorry. Despite everything I still feel insecure sometimes. The fact I get the honor of knowing the real you should prove that you love me, yet I still doubt sometimes. Like the black horned horse said. I need to be stronger."
"Stronger than what? Than who?"
Minx thought for a moment. "You think I'm trying to compete with someone for strength?"
Sil looked her in the eyes, "If that were the case, then it wouldn't be you. You have always focused on the strength of others."
"Outwardly yes. My strength must come from within. By studying, training, and supporting others, I grow my own strength."
She looked away then fear stuck her eyes. "The sword. Perhaps me learning what I have with the sai was all preparation for that. To face my fear of the past repeating itself."
Sil smiled, "you're too smart to let the past repeat itself."
The words sounded final in her ears and she smiled brightly. Just as she was getting ready to kiss him, the door opened.
"The shower is ready for you. It's just been refilled."
Caser was the first to get a good scrub-down. He was so happy he was purring when the stench was finally scoured from his flesh and fur. Once he was squeaky clean, he lay by the door and purred while he watched his bi-ped parents. Mom and dad ensure every crevice on each other's bodies were also squeaky clean. They wanted to do more but knew they needed to get this hunting trip resumed.
Clean, dressed, full, refreshed and repacked, the troupe once again returned to their hunt to help the strongest ability user they ever saw get even stronger.
About 2 hours later they could see dumping baits off in the distance to their left. They looked like tiny ant hills from this distance. Minx knew they would be ending their hunt soon and heading home but they had seen nothing since leaving the swamp. Her inward dialogue was interesting.