Ereollynda C3.1

We're back for the summer! Chapter three is up and afloat! More art is also underway. I hope to add more sketches and line arts to these over the rest of the season. -7/11/26

Ereollynda awoke to the crackle of a fire.

She looked up at the ceiling rather than the sky she remembered. Nelius’ concern flooded her senses as she rose from her new bed. 

I’m alright, she opened the door to the shed. Her companion got up immediately, tail swishing happily. He gently butted his head against her chest with a content grumble.

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Ereollynda apologized while stroking his head. She started to recollect her thoughts up until unleashing the deep rooted black power. Just like all the other times, she could conjure nothing about the fight afterward. Only the amateur attempt beforehand. Any skill Ereollynda obtained had been purely for survival.

“I have to get stronger,” she said aloud. Nelius made a sound of agreement, lifting his head from her scratches. She gave him a rare smile.

“We both will.”

Late morning sun beamed against the small town. Despite the wintry air, snow melted steadily from the rafters. Ereollynda hurriedly made her way to Axel’s shop. She had no idea how long she’d slept, and promised to work in exchange for all the hospitality.

“Miss Axel! I’m sorry I haven’t been here!” The girl exclaimed when she came through the door.

“Ah, Ereollynda-” the demihuman smiled.

“- it’s good to see you awake.” Axel closed a book after finishing her writing.

“It’s quite alright. Lynne has explained everything.” She came from around the counter.

“How… How long have I been asleep?” The girl asked.

“A day and a half. Considering your magical output, I thought you’d be unconscious for longer.” Despite Axel’s concerns, Ereollynda appeared to be in perfect health.

“How do you feel?” Axel asked.

“Not much different from before.”

“I… Still don’t remember anything when it happens,” she continued. Ereollynda didn’t like the blanks in her memory. The feeling of her mind not being her own was frightening.

“Try not to worry yourself too much,” Axel smiled reassuringly.

“I’ve been with Lynne as she’s mastered the same mysterious energy coursing through you. It may take longer to reach the answers you seek, but stay disciplined and trust your teacher.” Ereollynda nodded to her advice.

“How long… Have you been friends with Ms. Lynne?” The girl asked, having some curiosities of her own. Axel chuckled with a glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes.

“Quite a while now.” There was a pause before she spoke again.

“Stories for another time, perhaps,” the wistfulness passed, and Axel refocused.

“We’ve got work to do before I take a look at Nelius,” she said. Ereollynda nodded sharply at her words.

Being the finest doctor in Olvia, a number of tasks awaited the pair for the rest of the afternoon. Axel began straight away, naming the contents of almost empty jars for Ereollynda to grab. The mage introduced her to the many herbs, roots, and fungi in the store’s collection, each with a purpose. They took the jars needing restocking to a wagon outside.

“The magic of healing is an incredible skill, however I believe the body always takes best to what you give it,” Axel explained. Together, they walked as the mage mapped out her network across the entire town.

“The store-front is connected to where I live. It’s easiest to work from there, obviously. That being said, I need much more space for all the stock I have,” she said. Ereollynda listened intently with growing admiration. Axel greatly contrasted memories of her homeland’s shaman. Every townsperson they passed greeted her with cheerfulness and respect rather than fear.

“I have three of these storage spaces. Everything is carefully processed at these locations,” the mage said as they came to a stop in front of a fair sized building. It had a few small windows, and smoke plumed from the skinny chimney on the opposite side. 

“A few other townsfolk agreed to assist me. They seem to be hard at work already,” Axel said, looking up at the rising smoke. She fumbled through her ring of keys, unlocked the door, and greeted the couple of people inside.The mage introduced her new apprentice, and together they restocked the jars from the wagon.

Ereollynda and Axel spent the rest of the afternoon at the storage house. Nelius’ ears perked when the sound of their wagon came back up the trail. He lay in the shade of a tree nearest to the store. 

“I’m sure he’s impatiently waiting for his check-up,” the mage smiled. The heilang rose and stretched with a wide yawn. 

“You really think I can ride him now?” Eagerness bubbled in Ereollynda’s question. Axel nodded. She continued to smile and held her hand out to Nelius walking towards them. 

“We’ll start with simply walking through town, and progress gradually.” The heilang nuzzled the outstretched hand happily.

“Come. Let’s put these away first,” Axel said. The eager companions followed back up to the storefront. Ereollynda unloaded the full jars. The mage tested her on the contents of each jar before allowing it to be put back on the shelf. Sometimes she needed assistance, but Axel found her retention of the knowledge notable. With a nod of approval after her last correct answer, the girl dashed back outside. Axel trailed behind, and would inspect Nelius’ leg. The shimmering thread slowly faded, leaving a light-colored scar. The purification also appeared to be successful. 

“Yes, everything looks quite well,” she said, straightening back up. The mage gestured for Ereollynda to climb onto Nelius. After a few instructions, she hoisted herself onto the heilang’s back. Just sitting upon him was exhilarating. She could see farther down the town’s paths and over the taller fences. Axel stood beside them, a hand of encouragement on Nelius’ shoulder.

“Good. Now, your focus should remain on the connection. The two of you should think as one when riding and in combat,” she explained. They started with a few steps forward.

“The more unimpeded the flow of energy, the greater you’ll be together,” Axel smiled as they kept a slow pace. At first, everything felt awkward. Ereollynda concentrated on getting used to the feeling of Nelius’ vitality streaming through her. She noticed a significant difference from her previous communications with him. All of his senses ran concurrent with hers. Their breathing and heart rate started to synchronize. She could feel the fur between her fingers, and the grit of the dirt road under Nelius’ paws. They continued through the town streets, each step together feeling more familiar. One command that began as a whisper now grew louder, tempting them:

Run!

Suddenly, Nelius’ walk turned into a trot, then a run. Axel, surprised, could not keep up. Her call of ‘be careful!’ floated on the wind. The mage watched them disappear, left in the middle of the road.

“I guess this means things are going well.” Axel turned to Lynne’s words as the valkyrie sauntered up to her friend. Together, they shared a laugh.

“That’s a better way to look at it,” she agreed.

Nelius ran along the path, dodging people and carts acutely. Ereollynda leaned into him with her grip in his mane. Soon they broke free of the town’s border, and the heilang picked up even more speed. They sprinted through the foliage and down the slope. The forest gave way to a sandy shoreline. Cold, salty wind beat against them as the pair continued on the straight stretch. Ereollynda lifted her upper half higher. The sun started to touch the horizon line, offering a fantastic view. The girl’s eyes widened as she took it in. She yipped and hollered happily into the misty air, encouraging Nelius to continue his sprint until the shore became rigid and rocky. The heilang panted, and his pace slowed. Ereollynda dismounted onto the rocks. She patted Nelius who shook his mane.

“We’ll have to apologize to Ms. Axel,” she said over the crashing waves. Together, they watched the sun continue downward until the sky darkened.