Thread: Daughter Of Dune (Ursus Peregrinus & darkangel76)

A strange sort of hushed silence seemed to rise as they began to pack up their things and ready themselves for another long trek through the harsh deserts of Dune. Hersilia felt her insides flutter with nerves as she glanced over at Marid, his hands going to work as he carefully moved things from one pack to the other. She bit down on her lower lip as she watched, noticing that he seemed to be rearranging the way of their things, altering the load from how it had been the night before. A rush of emotion swelled through her briefly, though she did her best to not show too much of a reaction to what he was doing. However, the gratitude she felt inside coursed over and through her, prickling across her skin. Once they were on their way, Hersilia quickly checked her stillsuit the way she'd been taught and then took her pack. Adjusted her robe, she followed Maridkeeping pace, doing as he did. The pace was fast, though not as brutal as the night prior, something for which she was thankful, and the heat of the night didn't seem nearly as offensive either. Glancing upward for a moment, she found herself smiling, feeling as if fortune and fate were somehow on their sideat least for a time. She looked in awe and wonder at the great vastness of the lands around her. Never had she ventured outside of Arrakeen and now that she was out in the deep desert, she felt truly small. It made her wonder what she'd feel if she ever saw the great sandworm with her own eyes and not just in the swirling color of dreams. For a moment, Hersilia could hear the echoing roar from her dream... the sound nearly as real as the sight of the impending storm that had approached and engulfed the great creature. Hersilia continued to trek through the sands, her ankles twisting and trying to learn how to move with efficiency as she followed her protector and guardian. Her blue eyes fixed upon his form as she followed, her ears listening to all he had to tell to help her learn. Her lungs burned as she moved to keep up, her muscles tiring slightly. Just when she felt the urge to rest, they slowed, Marid gesturing that she still and that she quiet herself. She listened to him as he spoke of the foxan animal like the Fremen of oldher blue eyes blinking as she watched it move with quick and fluid grace. She saw the tiny mouse it held, ironic that it was the very mouse in which her grandfather had taken his Fremen name. Perhaps there was a reason she saw that now, the legacy of Muad'dib coming to its end as a new era was about to embark. As she continued to watch, she tilted her head and smiled. Looking over at Marid, Hersilia watched him point out their final destination in the distance. It still looked so very far. Licking her lips, she narrowed her eyes slightly trying to gauge how far away it truly was. It seemed like distance was distorted out in the desert. Setting her jaw, she nodded. I... I'm ready, Hersilia stated. There was a slight hesitance in her tone, but there was determination as well. She knew she'd make it. Somehow. She had to. Her family was depending on herher mother especiallyand she wasn't ready to give up nor did she want to let Marid down or be a burden to him. Plus there was still so much to learn, that she wanted to learn. She truly felt as though her education was truly just beginning now that she'd begun this journey into the desert. Hersilia's eyes found those of Marid's and she smiled. Adjusting her pack, she swallowed hard and gave him a nod. Her expression showed willingness to continue, the want to press forward. She was unsure of what lied ahead, but as she looked over at her guardian, she knew she could trust him. Out in the desert as they were, she knew that was imperative. How far away is that ridge? Hersilia then asked, though after doing so, she had to wonder if it was better not to know.