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Morning dawned in imperceptible shades of grey as it continued to rain outside. Galain sat up in bed, feeling as rumpled as his bedsheets and stared at the gloomy morning light he could see through the open curtains of his window. For a moment he simply ran through the things he needed to do before opening the inn and then he remembered he might as well just keep it closed for the day. There was a guest here who believed she simply had to return to her home first thing this morning.
"Not before I get my coffee," he grumbled to himself as he tossed the bed covers aside and padded across the room to the door that led to his private balcony. He didn't notice the damp chill of the morning against his skin and found the cold drizzle of rain invigorating as he stretched and simply let the rain dampen his hair. Ordinarily he'd have slunk off into the trees and bathed in the river, but it seemed redundant on a day like this.
A few minutes later he was dried and dressed and sneaking down the stairs to perk up a pot of coffee.
“You are rather gloomy for a safe place,” An’Thaya murmured to the Inn. “A little sunshine would be nice. Perhaps a little warmth?” The fire had died out sometime during the night, and as she let the bedclothes slip away the chill of the air hit the Amazon full on. “Good gods.”
Wrapping a sheet tightly around her small body the redhead slid her legs over the side of the bed, then pulled them right back up when her bare feet came in contact with the cold floor. “Bloody hell.” Stretching precariously across the gap she snagged her clothing off the chair and settled back on the bed, dressing in the warmth of the sheet while her teeth chattered madly. “Home… home is warm.” Pulling on her boots she finally braved the air and retrieved her daggers, pausing every now and then to rub her arms and shiver uncontrollably.
Pushing open the door she ran her fingers through tangled red tresses on the way down the stairs, pausing at the bottom to look around the taproom. There were noises coming from the taproom, and a sharp strong odor assaulted her senses. “Hello?”
"Hello!" Galain was stirring up the fire in the great hearth, enjoying the heat the roaring flames put off. Unfortunately the fire was only now beginning to radiate warmth into the rest of the taproom and it was the kitchen that was truly the warmest place to be.
"Coffee?" He asked, lifting the enamel cup he held in his hand. "It's on the cookstove in the kitchen and it's piping hot. Want some?" The elf noted An'Thaya's tangled hair and wondered if she was a morning person. She looked a little blue around the edges in his opinion, though no less lovely than before. She was vivid color in a grey day.
"The fire will eventually get this place warm though unless you keep the fire going in each room, upstairs takes forever. Don't worry about the rain, it'll eventually stop in a day or so."
He was unaccountably cheerful. It was probably the coffee.
“Cough.. hee?” Lithe fingers pulled the last of the knots from the Amazon’s hair and she shook it out down her back. “It smells strong, whatever it is. But, if it’s hot, I’ll willingly give it a try.” She moved closer to the hearth, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s never this cold on Whispin. Hot … its always hot. I don’t suppose you have Mai’Tus juice? Probably not…” An’Thaya was cold, chattering, and talking seemed to help. “Days? The rain lasts for days? As bad as the jungle … It will be good to get home. Oh gods this fire feels good.”
She turned her head slightly, watching the blonde elf out of the corner of her eye. He seemed unusually perky, though it might have been a natural state for him. “You are sure you don’t mind? Taking me home, that is.”
"Cof - fee. Coffee, it's not bad at all. I suppose it's an acquired taste, but it's hot. If you hate I can make tea. Do you drink tea? Mai'Tus? Ummm... I have some juice of some sort," Galain replied. He'd stood still a moment to watch An'Thaya's fingers work through her hair before he moved around the bar counter and into the kitchen.
"Okay, juice has fermented; you probably won't like that. So coffee it is," his voice sounded hollow as he rummaged through the icebox and spoke. "Guess I should have gotten more ice because there goes the eggs and milk too."
The elf appeared with his cup of coffee and another cup. It steamed, filled to the top with the dark, aromatic beverage.
"Yes, the rain lasts for days. It's no jungle here though. Just the Forest." He paused a moment and gently pushed the cup of coffee toward her. "It's a little bitter and with most people has an effect of... well... it sort of gets the blood going, especially on days like this. Gods... your home doesn’t have coffee?"
And then it hit him that she'd asked him a question.
"I don't mind... taking you home. You'll be safe?" He was running at the mouth and went silent. "Try the coffee. Then we'll try a portal."
“Coffee,” she imitated his inflection perfectly this time around, and accepted the mug, a relieved expression on her face when the warmth seeped into her hands. Bringing the cup up close to her face she inhaled softly then choked a bit. “No doubt, its enough to stir the blood without passing my lips,” she muttered. “And no, there is no Coffee on Whispin. Tea we have though.”
The Amazon took a hesitant sip and her delicate features screwed up in momentary distaste. “Well … it is definitely hot,” she said, then sniffed at it, “Probably be better with a shot of something sweet in it.” Shrugging she took another sip and huddled close to the fire, “Thank you, on both counts.”
An’Thaya stared sightlessly into the flames for a minute, seemingly lost in thought, then blinked and set the cup aside. “We should go. I … well… I have the coordinates for the portal in my head, is your race telepathic? It is … more of a general impression of the location than anything I can give you aloud. I’m sure you’ll be able to here me … if it is alright.”
"Kahlua's nice, so's Irish Cream. Or just plain sugar," Galain had said in suggestion of the coffee needing something sweet. He'd been amused by An'Thaya's reaction to the coffee. He'd just nodded when she thanked him.
"Maybe, if you return here again it will be on a sunnier and warmer day," he said as he watched her stare into the flames. He waited a moment and then she spoke again, suggesting it was time to go.
"All right. I -- telepathic? Well... I guess. I don't usually let folks go poking around my thoughts though," he replied, arching an eyebrow and grinning. "Coordinates will help. Go ahead. Hit me."
Perhaps that wasn't the wisest choice of words.
“Hit you? Oh, you mean … ok. No poking, I promise.” The puzzled expression that flickered across her face was replaced with concentration as she opened her inner vision, the vibrant emerald galaxy of her soul pulsing as she accessed the Aethyr, but not her conduit. That she hid carefully away as she let a filament of green reach out, seeking to brush against his spirit and transfer the information. Her mouth relaxed a little in quiet awe as she touched on a glowing gold aura … it was … beautiful.
Shaking her head she retracted her soul and shut off the inner sight. Even behind the wards, it was best not to attract attention. “Ok … that should do it. I’m ready if you are.”
Galain just smiled though for a moment his eyes widened as he realized she'd almost misunderstood him. He relaxed as she gently touched within him. A sigh escaped him as he sensed the gem-like green that brushed his mind and shared what he needed to know. When he opened his eyes he realized his mouth was forming a perfect "O" and he looked rather foolish.
"Glad you're ready," Galain replied then and vaulted over the bartop to stand beside her. "But brace yourself, I'm not the most brilliant type when it comes to portals." Before she could protest a golden slit rent the air before them and grew into a doorway big enough for them both to pass through. "You can hit me later," he said as he snagged her elbow and stepped them both threw.
Anyone entering the Green Heart at this time would have heard at least one elf shrieking with dismay as things went garbled and jumbled for Galain. He always got horribly disoriented when he did this and he desperately latched onto the images An'Thaya had given him.
"Here we cooooommmme!" He yelled as they appeared on the other side of the portal -- in mid-air.
They stepped from the gloom of the taproom, into the pitch black of a jungle evening. An’Thaya let out a gasp of surprise when her boots found nothing but air and the heavier gravity of Whispin hit them like a ton of bricks.
She landed on top of him, her breath rushing out in a gasp that left her wheezing for a moment, face first in the Elen’s chest. “Oh … my … Gods. You might have told me you had problems with portals. Do you smell something burning?” Lifting her head she looked around, a thatched hut looming into view, as well as the faces of several startled Amazon’s.
The burning smell, was attributed to the fact that the Elf beneath her had landed backside first in a campfire.
Yes, that had been Galain shrieking and now it was Galain who was burning, but before he realized that he'd only been conscious of immense gravity, the fact that it seemed to be night again and wow, but An'Thaya was a very nice package there all sprawled atop him.
"I didn't mention I have troubles? With portals? I have no idea what's burning. Wait." Galain sniffed, and then his eyes grew large.
"It's me! ME! I'm on fire! Get off! Get off! Oh gods! My pants! My ass! It's on fire! I'm on fire!" Galain practically tossed An'Thaya off himself, leaped to his feet, did a mad dance of agony and then dropped to the ground, rolling for all he was worth. He had yet to realize he had an audience of more than one.
The redhead calmly picked herself up and brushed the dirt off, well aware of the curious eyes on her. It had been many years since she had last come home, and the faces here were unfamiliar to her. Aside from one, a young woman who she had never seen before but had Reece’s ebony eyes. “I am here to see Tager Terne,” she said softly, planting a booted foot on Galain’s back when he rolled to close. “I am his daughter, An’Thaya.”
The dark eyed Amazon nodded, then slipped off into the shadows. The remaining sisters gazed at the Elf beneath the redhead’s foot, one blonde brute raising a questioning eyebrow. “Is he yours?” she asked, “and would you be willing to lend him for an evening?”
An’Thaya gazed at the large woman for a moment, then down at the golden haired male on the ground. “Are you sure you want him? He is a little on the crispy side at the moment. I’m not sure he is mine to give, what say you Elf?”
Galain wasn't through rolling and was certain his back end was smoking in the most uncomplimentary manner. But that foot on his back told him his rolling days were over -- at least at the moment. He turned his head and realized there were a lot of women here.
Tall women.
Impressive women.
Muscular women.
Amazon women?
His mouth opened and he immediately half-ingested dirt and grass as he gaped. He spat a bit and stared at the hulking woman who was inquiring into his favors for the night. Of course she could just as well be inquiring into splitting him in half and using him for firewood too for all he knew.
"What?" The elf asked, his eyes raking up and down the tall, blonde Amazon with no small amount of appreciation. Maybe he'd just like to be split in half by her though. "I'm not anybody's -- that I know of." He twisted his head and managed to focus one eye up at An'Thaya. He'd just done her a favor and now her boot was planted in his back. How had this happened?
The redhead raised an eyebrow at the Elf and removed her boot. An’Thaya hadn’t missed the look he had given the other Amazon and her respect had slipped a few notches. “He isn’t mine,” she said in a flat tone, “just a male. You’ll have to negotiate directly with him.”
“She wants you,” she informed Galain, “For the night, though, if she likes you … she just might keep you.”
At that moment the ebony eyed Amazon returned, walking in the shadow of a behemoth of a man that immediately swept the tiny woman up into a crushing embrace. “An’Thaya, you’ve been missed, my daughter. I was starting to fear that you were not coming.” He paused and stared down at the smoking blonde elf, “Who is your friend?”
"What happens if she doesn't like me?" Galain started to ask as he began to rise. He couldn't explain why he felt a sinking sensation though at the tone An'Thaya's voice now adopted. Nor could he explain why he suddenly regretted his words and actions. That grated at him and he stayed on his knees, running a hand through his hair with frustration before a very large man appeared and wrapped An'Thaya up in a hug. He stared openly and felt his jaw drop before he closed his mouth tightly.
Gods... he was still smoking... the elf slapped at himself and then dropped his eyes before he gave An'Thaya a sidelong glance.
An’Thaya smiled and stood on tippytoe, kissing Tager on the cheek. “I missed you too,” she said softly, then turned her head to regard the blonde elf. “This is Galain Alcarin, he was kind enough to help me get here. I … had a few problems along the way.” She paused for a moment, “Galain, this is my … Father, Tager Terne.”
The human studied the elf for a moment, his gaze appraising, then offered his hand and wrist in greeting, “Hello Galain Alcarin, welcome to our home. My thanks, for bringing An’Thaya safely back to us. Please, join us for some Mai’Tus wine.” He gestured to a path that led away from the village, “The cottage is right this way.”
Ah. No one cared. That was a good enough answer for the elf and he slowly got to his feet after an uncomfortable moment or five of being regarded.
"I am honored," he told Tager, meaning it. "Both to aid her and to meet you." He went nervous under the man's appraisal, and was immensely grateful when Tager offered his hand and wrist as a greeting. He gripped back warmly as he spoke and then staggered to his feet.
No big, blonde Amazons tonight, he realized as he headed after the two. He had no idea what Mai' Tus wine was, but he could learn to like it -- and quickly.
The thick foliage of the jungle soon gave way to an open clearing, and looking up, one could see the moons of Whispin hanging heavy in the sky, moving visibly in their break neck orbit. Behind them drums and voices stole softly into the night, the primal music of the Amazon tribe. Ahead, was the wild, haunting music of the jungle itself. The redhead ran straight to the river disappearing into the darkness and leaving Tager to chuckle softly to himself.
“It is her S’Hean blood,” he explained to the blonde elf, “They are born in the water, it can either stir their blood or calm them down, depending on the moment. Come, join me inside.” The wooden stairs creaked beneath Tager’s boots as he entered the bamboo cottage, leading Galain into a small living room. “It doesn’t feel much like home at the moment,” he apologized, “An’Thaya’s orchids didn’t survive my somewhat questionable care. She’ll likely yank my ears for it. Have a seat, Thaya will be along in a moment.” Saying the name seemed to take a bit of effort, as if he was use to calling her something else.
Three glasses were produced, one set in front of the Elen, and a purple liquid was poured into it. “It is a sweet wine, made from Mai’Tus fruit. I probably have something else around here somewhere if you don’t care for it. So… tell me, what possessed you to aid my daughter? It isn’t often a stranger goes out of their way to help someone.”
Galain looked backward once or twice, having never quite heard the sort of music the Amazons played, and then he stared upward and gaped openly at the twin moons, tripping over a small mound of dirt in the clearing. What did those do to tides on this planet? He wondered. He recovered himself in time to catch sight of An'Thaya running and leaping into the river and gave Tager a look of curiosity before the man answered his unspoken question. He nodded then and followed him inside, not at all minding the state of the place.
"Thank you," he said when the wine was produced. "I think she mentioned Mai'Tus... I'll try it." He took a sip, raised an eyebrow as he swished the wine around a bit and then swallowed. Sweet, but rather good. He was about to take a second and far more appreciative sip when Tager asked his question and he managed a half-laugh before he realized Tager had called An'Thaya his daughter.
"She came to me quite by accident. I own an inn on my planet -- just a little out-of-the-way place. She came in the front door and looked like she needed help. I couldn't imagine turning anyone away anyway. She looked... like she'd just escaped someone pursuing her."
The glass in Tager’s hand dropped, thought it fortunately did not break as it bounced off the bamboo. Uttering a mild curse the human picked it up and wiped it off distractedly. “Pursing?” Cornflower blue eyes met sea green across the table, what could have been labeled as fear in their depths. “What gave you that impression? Did she say as much?” He paused, “No, of course she didn’t … she wouldn’t. Stubborn girl.”
Settling his massive frame into a chair the dark haired man sighed and poured himself a glass of wine. “That one is responsible than more than a few of the grey hairs on my head,” he muttered. “It has been a hell of a chore just keeping her in the free lands of Whispin. She has set foot in the Kingdom of Corin far to many times for my taste, and now she is wandering off planet?”
"Well... she looked a little wild and she was very... skittish. Or is she that way all the time? But she was disheveled and tired," Galain replied. It had just been his impression; not her word and he felt awkward. "I wouldn't say she 'wandered' off planet... Sorry to have startled you." The elf set his wineglass down and ran a hand through his hair. Perhaps it was time he left and he shifted uncomfortably. He wanted just one more look at An'Thaya again before he left and so remained quiet before he suddenly spoke again.
"Is the kingdom of Corin a bad place?" He ventured to ask.
Tager was silent for a moment, staring at the bottom of his wineglass. “It is now,” he said, “Once upon a time it was a peaceful place, ruled by a just King. Now … now it is a crumbled mess beneath the iron fist of a madman. The Jungle is one of the few free lands left on Whispin. Tallin Modar controls Corin, Sargasso, and a large part of the Obsidian Basin. It is only a matter of time before his attention turns toward the Amazon’s and the Centaurs. The S’Hean King refuses to take action, without the Sword of Peace there is no treaty.”
He shrugged, “The prophecies say that Light’s Hope will lift darkness from the land, but the time has not yet come. She is not ready … or maybe it is me that is not ready. I’m an old man, and the fight has been a long one. If An’Thaya was being pursued by the person I think she was… time may very well have run out. I thought we fooled him with the death of Reece Nightfall … perhaps I was mistaken.”
Galain was having a hard time believing Tager was an old man. Perhaps he was by human standards and the elf shifted again. He listened intently, more than a little curious of course. Despite himself he wanted to know why An'Thaya had been running, why she was the way she was. The names meant little to the elf but he was understanding quickly that he was in free lands on this planet.
"What's the Sword of Peace? Besides a sword... or is it?" Galain had the feeling there were a lot of capital letters and meanings he was missing here. He didn't know who Reece was and bit his lip.
Blue eyes sparkled with a bit of amusement for a moment and Tager smiled a warm expression that softened the hardened warrior’s face. “You are very astute Galain Alcarin,” he chuckled softly. “You read between the lines.”
“I’ve been asking that question for years,” An’Thaya’s voice interjected softly from an inner doorway. She had taken the back way into the cottage, and was now dressed in a light shift, her hair hanging in damp tendrils around her face. “What is the Sword of Peace? I think it is time for answers … Father.” Bare feet carried her across the hard bamboo floor and the diminutive Amazon took a seat, holding an empty glass out for Tager to fill.
“We both know even that is an untruth, you are no more my Father than he is,” she gestured at Galain. “So why have you raised me as your own? I am a D’Riel, that name … it is Elven, but it is whispered like a secret in the Kingdom of Corin. Who am I? Where do I come from?”
“You know who you are,” the human said softly, “you are An’Thaya D’Riel, half-Elven. The rest is not for me to divulge, I am but your Guardian, and have been from the day of your birth. You are Light’s Hope, Arminiea’s chosen child. The rest, you must go home to learn.”
Crimson eyebrows rose in unison, then her delicate brow furrowed. “I AM home,” she pointed out, “and if I am Light’s Hope … than does that mean Sword of Peace is a person too?”
“No An’Thaya, this is not home, not to the S’Hean part of you. Home is the Kingdom of S’Hea and it is there that you will find your answers.”
“S’Hea? But … I’ve never been there, and who do I look to for answers?”
“The answers will find you, I should think. The D’Riels know their own. Once you cross the wards … you will understand.”
“So what, now I get to wander back across Whispin and hope that Tallin doesn’t catch me along the way?” The redhead set down her glass, purple liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. “He chased me down in the Obsidian Basin, I barely escaped him. Every time I use my magic, he finds me. You have to come with me, I can’t do this on my own.”
“I can’t, An’Thaya, I have my own task to perform. I would come with you if I could … I wish that Reece was still alive to guard your back, but he isn’t … so I’m afraid that, yes, you are on your own.”
At the point that An'Thaya entered the cottage resplendent in damp hair and a light shift that left nothing to the imagination, Galain just slid downward, trying to be invisible. As it was and given the argument between father and daughter, that was easy. Guardian or not, Tager had the air of An'Thaya's father and he respected him duly. And more names were tossed around, but it was all right. He was simply the guide from one planet to another. But he was rather caught up in the young woman's plight. Caught up in her in fact.
"So she stays here until someone can take her across? I saw what she was like -- forgive me -- but he'll chase her until she dies, right? I'm not the Reece you name, but... is it presumptuous of me to ask to help?"
Nope, he had nothing invested except an infatuation. Maybe more.
Tager’s face registered surprise, though no more than An’Thaya’s. Both spoke at once, a resounding yes falling from her lips, a no from his. Both turned to look at one another, the Amazon furious, Tager exasperated.
“I hardly know him! He isn’t Reece!”
“Know him or not, he has seen you safely home. He has offered to help, from the looks of him he can handle a sword, and has already proved he can open a portal.”
“Oh yes, the next time I intend on barbecuing a hind quarter of Elf, I’ll be sure to give him a call,” An’Thaya snapped. Shoving away from the table she growled, unheeding the glass that spilled across its surface. “I don’t want a babysitter! I want Reece! Or you!”
Implacable blue eyes met hard emerald greens and the ex-General simply raised an eyebrow. “I’m taking the choice away from you. You WILL accept his help. Galain is right, Tager will hunt you down until you are either dead, or he breaks you. The Conduit is the key to everything in his eyes.”
Speechless the redhead looked about ready to explode in rage and she opened her mouth, as if to say something, then closed it again. A frustrated snarl was all the Amazon managed before she turned and stormed out of the room.
Tager laughed softly and turned his gaze back to the Elf. “I wish you luck my friend. I’m not sure which will be more difficult to survive. Tallin Modar, or An’Thaya D’Riel. I’m afraid … I’ve raised a HellCat.”
Yes from her, no from him... Galain hadn't expected such a reaction from either person though it was An'Thaya's that intrigued him the most. He listened intently, embarrassedly and then waited until the... Amazon left the room.
"I hardly mean to babysit her. Accompany her... provide backup. She doesn't know how desperate she looked I guess. She looked like she'd ridden a horse to the ground and then run further before she made an escape." He shrugged. "Hellcat or no, even cats get cornered."
He was sold now. He'd go with her whether she liked it or not.
“Don’t take it personally,” Tager laughed, “An’Thaya has a hard time accepting help from anyone. She is tough as nails that one. It took Reece years to win her confidence and he was the only person she has ever put her full trust in, aside from me. Be patient, try not to piss her off, and you’ll do fine. My thanks, Galain, and please Gods, take good care of her. You have no idea how accurate a description Light’s Hope is.”
He sobered for a moment and rapped the side of his hand off the edge of the table in an irritated gesture, “Tallin is a dangerous man. He has destroyed anything that ever came between him and her. Obsession is a terribly powerful thing.”
Straightening in his chair the human ran a hand through his short dark hair. “Alright, well, you might as well stay here for the night. There is an extra cot in the back where I sleep; Thaya has the master bedroom when she is home. The two of you can start out at first light. Probably safest if you portal to DyreWood and go from there. But, we can discuss that in the morning.”
Galain couldn't take An'Thaya's reaction too personally. She'd already threatened him once with a dagger, but he decided not to share this tidbit of information with Tager. Instead he just nodded, wondering who Reece was and why this Tallin was so determined to get hold of her and...
Gods, he's just awakened and felt a rueful smile cross his face.
"It's funny, but where we just came from its dawn. We just got up. I suppose I can lay down for a bit," he said. And then he stilled and looked seriously at Tager.
"I swear, sir. I will take care good care of her."
“Well, are you ready to go?” The Amazon burst back in the room fully dressed, “We might as well go now, can you see in the dark? I don’t see the point to waiting. We’ve slept and Tallin won’t expect us to be moving about at night. I’ll give you the coordinates to Dyrewood, and you can try not to set us on fire this time.”
She tossed a pack at Tager’s feet; “He’ll need to borrow a bedroll I imagine. Go, get, grab him one, and some provisions would be good too.”
The human stared at his ward for a moment, then laughed and pushed to his feet. “Alright then, I guess…. Wait here.” His eyes slid back to Galain for a moment and nodded, “Good.”
“Good what?” Thaya asked, but received no answer as the large man disappeared deeper into the cottage.
Galain's jaw dropped at An'Thaya's sudden return. He gave her a startled look, then gave Tager one. So much for discussing things in the morning... The elf barely had time to nod back at Tager before he eyed the Amazon.
"No, I can't see in the dark. Don't tell me -- you can?" Galain eyed her dubiously. Cats could see in the dark... and of course at that moment he peered at her more intently and realized her eyes were peculiar. Beautiful, but peculiar.
“Yes, I can. The nights are sixteen hours long here, which I assume is why at least the Elven population is built to get around after dark.”
Unfortunately,” Tager said as he entered the room, “the human population isn’t as blessed. Aside from the Obsidian nomads.” He tossed Galain a bedroll and set a pack of provisions on the table. “As I was telling Galain, well, you obviously overheard the part about Dyrewood. From there, you’ll need to travel due north. You will be in Tallin’s territory, so be careful, don’t use your magic … not for anything. The wards will let you know when you have reached the S’Hean border.”
“Let me know? How?” The Amazon swung her own pack onto her back and started a weapons check. “If there are wards, how are we suppose to get through?”
“They recognize blood, they’ll know you. Though, you will have to hold on to him to get him through,” Tager pointed at the blonde elf.
“Oh, well there is a pleasant thought,” the redhead snorted.
“Be nice An’Thaya, he has offered to see you safely to S’Hea, the least you can do is be polite.”
“I didn’t ask for his help, I didn’t accept his help, you did.” Despite the ice in her words, she stood on tippytoe to kiss the human’s cheek, then turned on her heel, brushing by Galain and on out the door.
Galain was smiling in a bemused fashion. The creature that stood before him spouting off snide remarks and exuding a ton of attitude was quite different from the one who had somehow found her way to his inn. She was as wild as before, more there was an extra dose of acidity in her manner that apparently was meant to warn him off.
"I guess that's my cue to go. It would have been nice to stay a little longer... but what the lady wants, the lady gets, I take it." Galain shrugged, sketched a bow to Tager and turned before he stopped.
"Thanks for the directions," he said, a wry smile on his face. The way things were going An'Thaya would probably be quite happy to leave him blundering about in the dark, and with that thought the Elen hurried out the door and back into the night. He was shouldering the pack and bedroll and wishing he might have know what had been ahead of him when he'd arrived here. He'd have brought his coffeepot.
"An'Thaya?" He asked, and promptly bumped into her.
“Bloody cryptic instructions,” the Amazon was growling, “never a bloody straight answer out of that ma … nahey!” Tossed forwards it took the redhead a moment to regain her footing and she turned around to glare at Galain, not that he could see her. “You are a brave fellow, I’ll give you that. You have no idea where you are, what you are getting yourself into, and still … you are putting your life on the line for me. Why? I’ll tell you right now, I’m not sleeping with you. So if you think you are going to get yourself a little action on the side, you can turn right around and head back to … what ever the name of your planet was.”
She had seen the way he had reacted to the blonde Amazon back by the huts. Obviously an Elf that was use to certain… favors from the women he kept company with.
"Berelath," Galain murmured, flushing scarlet. He was also biting back a grin. Her very protestations were revealing and he tilted his head to one side, letting his blush subside.
"I'm more of a curious fellow actually," he said. "The inn can take care of itself, but I'm not exactly sure you can take care of yourself. And if I find any action on the side I'll be sure it's with anyone but you. Okay, pussycat? Now give me the coordinates for this Dyre place we're going to and we can get going."
Silence greeted the Elen’s ears for a moment, hanging heavy in the darkness. Then it was broken, by a sharp slap to his face. “Jerk.”
The coordinates followed shortly afterwards, a short burst from her soul to his that barely registered on the Aethyr. “Try not to land us on anything sharp or hot this time, alright? And, for your information, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. It is Tager that seems to think I need a babysitter.”
Galain couldn't help himself. It had been a while since he'd been slapped like that and he was grinning. He rubbed his face, bit back a gasp when she shot the coordinates to him so rapidly and then laughed aloud. H'd hit a button. He wondered how many more times he'd press that button and get another knee-jerk reaction.
"Yes, m'lady. Anything you say," he said, further amused by her manner and words. He opened a portal and stepped back. "How's about you go first since you're so brave and mighty?"
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