Kiraia looked on as the shadowy figures descended on her hometown. The villagers didn't panic, nor did they run, scream, or try and fight back. The invasion was expected, and they accepted it with no more than a shake of their heads.
War was war, after all, and the less life lost, the better.
“So they're coming.” Her older brother, Ga'ren, noted quietly.
“You think they'll be kind to us?” Kiraia asked absently as she stared up at the sky, clouded with the dragon-riders.
“I hope so.” Her brother replied. “We are foreigners even here, though we were born here, all we can hope for is kindness.”
“If only mother were still alive...” Kiraia sighed. “Mother would know what to do.”
“We know what to do. As much as I hate to say it, we do not need mother anymore.”
“I know.” Kiraia replied quietly.
The villagers nearby just looked at them strangely. They spoke not in the common tongue, but in the language their mother had taught them, since they were young. No one but themselves understood the language they spoke, and as such Kiraia and Ga'ren were often more shunned than accepted, but that rarely happened now. Kiraia was skilled in herbs and was honored to be ranked among the higher levels of Herbalists in the town, while Ga'ren was a skilled swordsman, and had some skill in the magics as well, though that was a less touted skill that he preferred to keep to himself.
As dark shapes grew larger, Kiraia just happened to look up as a shadow fell across their house. “Ga'ren...I think its going to-”
“Move!!” Ga'ren shoved his sister forward and flung himself away from the house just as a large claw smashed into the center of what used to be their house.
“That was a close one...” Kiraia lurched to her feet, and stared up at cold blue eyes staring back at her, just as a gloved hand closed tightly over her wrist.
“Ow!” She winced and automatically tried to pull away.
“Be still or you will hurt more.” The stranger, wearing leather and metal armour over his whole body, hissed at her in the common tongue. She immediately stopped struggling, and his grip loosened slightly.
“All of you, get to the square.” He hissed at the rest of the villagers, who stood there as if frozen. “MOVE!”
That one word sprung them all into action, all except her brother.
“Sis...” He looked from her to her captive.
“I'm fine......just go.” She shrugged, speaking in the common tongue.
He hesitated, but moved to follow the villagers. “As long as he doesn't hurt you...” She heard him say as he left.
She glanced at her captor to see his eyes narrowed, staring at her. “What?”
He just glared at her, and tugged her along as he followed the villagers to the square, where at least a dozen other leather and metal clad men and women were standing.
“We will leave you in peace soon as we have those people we are looking for.” Was the only snippet of conversation Kiraia heard before she was pushed roughly over to one of the female dragon-riders.
“Yasir ne ka.” Was what the villagers heard, but to Kiraia's surprise...she could understand what was being said. “That's one of them.” Was what the stranger had said. She glanced over at her brother, who was being held by one of the male dragon-riders. He tugged gently on his ear and scratched his nose, to let her know that he knew that they could understand what was being said.
:So speaking common was a good thing...: She thought carefully. :But how....can we speak the same language? Mother....what....who....were you?:
“Shit Cameron...we only brought two cages...how are we supposed to fit them all in?” She heard a female ask, and she turned slightly to see the woman who'd spoken standing in front of a fairly handsome young man, probably a bit older than her, who was musing over the problem.
“We'll just have to pair them up with riders I suppose.” He replied. “Lets fit as many as we can into the cages though.”
Kiraia looked around as some of the villagers were being pushed into cages, some of them mere children, others were around her age or older. Her brother was one of them, and so was she, as she was pushed towards a fairly full cage.
“Hmm....she won't fit.” The one named Cameron shook his head. “The last one and she won't fit.”
“I'll take her then.” The man who'd landed on her home stepped forwards.
“Alright Tiernen, you can take her.” Cameron replied. “Lets get moving...before we get unwanted vsitors.
“Are you sure its safe to leave the rest of the villagers?” Kiraia heard one of the other soldiers ask quietly.
“As long as we leave quickly enough there should be no problems.”
Confused, she allowed herself to be dragged back to where Tiernen's dragon was parked on top of the rubble of her home.
“Get up.” Tiernen snapped at her, causing her to jump. “Don't space out like that.”
“S-sorry.” She stuttered, and clambered up onto the dragons back.
:Watch your footing.: A deep voice spoke into her head just as she slipped. The dragon wrapped his tail around her waist in time to keep her from falling onto Tiernen down below, and lifted her into the riding saddle up top.
“Th-thank you.” She stuttered, as Tiernen hauled himself up.
“Lets go Cavan.” Tiernen called out. “We've been here way too long already.”
“Hang on.” She heard Tiernen say as the dragon lurched forwards and leapt into the air, wings beating furiously. She grabbed a hold of the edge of the saddle in front of her, scrunching down as far as she could to avoid getting blown off the saddle. She felt an arm encircle her waist and grip her tightly. :At least he's keeping me from falling.: She sighed.
:Well of course he would, you don't think he's the kind of guy to let you fall do you?:
:Err...well...I'm not sure honestly.: She replied. :Who...is this?:
:This is Cavan, you're riding on me. And I must say I'm plesantly surprised to find a mindmagi among our group of rescuees.:
:Don't you mean kindappees?: Kiraia replied sardonically.
Cavan let out a tremendous roar. She could swear he was laughing. :My what a sense of humour you have. Such spirit, it is good to see. Rarely do we see that anymore.:
:But....how...why...?: Kiraia was confused. The dragon, Cavan, wasn't making any sense.
:Later...I will explain later. For now...just enjoy the ride. This will probably be the last time you will ever ride on a dragon.:
Kiraia opened her eyes carefully, not realizing she'd had them squeezed shut, and straightened up a bit in the saddle. Tiernen's grip on her waist didn't lessen one bit however, and she was finding it a bit hard to breathe.
“Could you...loosen your grip a bit?” She managed to gasp out. “I...can't breathe very well.”
He obliged, but said nothing.
:What a grouch...: She thought. She heard Cavan chuckle in her mind, but saw no reason for it to be a funny situation.
Glancing around, she looked down at green pasture, shimmering lakes, and the odd dead patch here and there, that became more frequent as the day wore on, until they were flying over nothing but dried out land, withered trees, and empty holes where lakes used to be.
“Such devastation...” She murmured, just as her stomach growled. Glancing behind her she saw Tiernen chewing on an apple, and her stomach growled again.
“I'm glad your hair is short.” She heard Tiernen say as he held an apple in front of her. She took it tentatively.
“Why?” She asked as she rapidly devoured every bit of the apple she could.
“Because it would be in my face if it weren't so short.”
“Oh....I suppose so.” She replied. Looking once more down at the ground, she sighed. “Why....is the land like that? There were dead patches way back when we first left, but now its just a continuing stretch...” It made her stomach lurch to see such devastation where green pastures and lakes and rivers should be.
“Believe me or not, but it is the work of the rulers of your land.”
Kiraia looked back at Tiernen, shocked. “Our rulers? But....how....”
“Tainted magic.” Came the short reply. “Ever hear of black magic?”
“Ye-es...”
“It drains the life out of whatever it touches, it needs energy to be used...your rulers are using the energy and life from the land and people to fulfill the needs of the dark magic.”
Kiraia was horrified, and unsure. She kept her thoughts to herself...but they'd been taught long ago that it was the dragon riders who plagued the land like so. At least in the schools they'd been taught that. Her mother had taught them differently, saying they shouldn't always believe what they hear or see, but believe what they thought to be the truth, what their inner self thought it to be, for her mother had always said to believe in your inner self, for it was rarely wrong.
“How are they using the dark magic?”
“Mages...or Magi...people who can manipulate the energies of this world. Depending on what you want to do with the magic, it is either classified as Dark or Light. Other than that you don't need to know anything. I don't even know why I bothered to explain that much.”
Kiraia said nothing, and neither did Tiernen, for the rest of the trip, which lasted well into the night.
Up high, as soon as the sun set, Kiraia felt the temperature drop quickly, and was soon shivering, her teeth chattering.
“I guess we didn't really capture you all at a very warm time in the season.” She jumped as Tiernen wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding a blanket. “It wouldn't do to have you freeze to death I suppose.”
Kiraia couldn't tell whether it was sarcasm or disgust, but either tone was not really welcome. Though she did warm up quickly, with Tiernen wrapping a blanket around them both.
“Normally I wouldn't go to this trouble, but the others are in the cages, with spells to maintain the temperature and they also can huddle against each other.” He spoke casually. Kiraia raised an eyebrow skeptically, but said nothing. “So its only fair that you get to stay warm too.”
“Gee thanks I feel so appreciated.” It slipped out before she could stop herself, and winced, expecting to be struck as she felt Tiernen tense up.
Cavan roared again, and she felt Tiernen relax. “Cavan has the oddest sense of humour I've ever seen, but I admit that was amusing.”
She relaxed.
“Just don't do it again. We're in forgiving circumstances right now.”
Kiraia felt her spirits drop. With the way her attitude was, she'd be better off dead.
“That mouth of yours will get you into more trouble than you can swallow one of these days...” Her mother always said...
:mother....: She thought sadly, looking up at the stars. :I miss you....:
“Wake up sleepy-head...we're here.”
“Mmmmhmmm?” Kiraia shook her head and rubbed her eyes, just in time for her whole body to be jarred by what she considered a rather rough landing. “Holy-”
Tiernen caught her and pulled her back into the saddle. “No falling on your head now. Would rather have you in one piece.”
“Gee...” She shut her mouth before the rest of the sentence emerged. “Thank you.” She managed to grit out.
Tiernen just shook his head and slid down off Cavan's back. The dragon himself solved how she would get down by wrapping his tail around her waist and depositing her on the ground.
:Until later...: He spoke into her mind, and with a beat of his wings he leapt off the cliff they'd landed on, and soared off.
“This way.” Tiernen grabbed a hold of her wrist and pulled her along behind him. She followed willingly, knowing that resistance would only get her into more trouble.
He shoved her through a door, none too gently, and she landed face down on cold stone. The door shut behind her, and left her in total darkness.
“Who's there?” She heard one of the women from the village call out softly.
“It's me...Kiraia...ow.” She hit the wall with her head, and put her back against it. “Who else is in here?”
“Just the women. They took the men somewhere else.” Came another voice.
“What do you suppose they plan to do to us?”
“Who knows....as long as the men don't touch the younger ones all should be well...”
“What about those who haven't been married yet?”
Kiraia cringed as she figured out what the others were talking about.
“Aside from Kiraia the only ones who haven't married are the three younger ones, and they're all under 13, you don't think....”
“I don't know what to expect from these animals...so expect the worst.”
Kiraia sighed, and let her mind wander, like she always did when trying to find a solution to a problem. She began to panic, however, when she couldn't sense the other women in the cell, nor could she tell if there was a guard outside the door or not.
:Oh, sorry about that. I had to put a lock on your gift, you see if the mandragons had sensed anyone with a shred of the gift in them they would've tracked us down and killed us immediately. I'm afraid I'll have to leave it in place too, please don't go and try to undo it, you will give yourself a headache.:
:Thanks.: Kiraia replied bitterly.
:I do apologize, but it needs to remain hidden for now. You will see why in a bit.:
:Wait...what do you mean?: Kiraia's eyes widened, but no answer came. No matter how hard she tried.
It was several hours before they heard any movement outside the cell where they were held captive. The door opened and several men appeared.
“Get up. Lets go.” They growled.
Kiraia found herself pushed along the hallway and into a massive room with lots of tables and chairs.
“Have a seat, please.” A short, grey haired woman stood at the front of the room.
“What if we don't want to?” One of the younger women sneered. Kiraia shook her head and sat down in one of the chairs.
“Then you can stand, but this will take a few hours.” The woman replied, ignoring the sneers and distrustful looks.
“What is this all about?” One of the other women asked as she took a seat next to Kiraia.
“You will learn what is expected of you, and you will be told the truth behind your rulers, and the plague they have brought upon themselves that they are blaming on us.” The woman replied. “Now if you would please sit down...”
“You expect us to believe you?” The same woman who'd spoken before shrieked. “You've taken me away from my husband, my children, and you expect me to just behave myself and do as I'm told??”
“You will live much longer and be able to see your family again if you behave yourself and do as you're told.” The woman now glared at the one speaking, her calm demeanor gone and replaced by anger and frustration.
“Just sit down Marilyn, please, we aren't in any situation to be making accusations.” One of the older women took the younger womans arm and forced her to sit down. “Now be quiet, please.”
“Thank you.” The older woman sighed. “Now, as much as it seems unfair, we are doing you a favor.”
The one named Marilyn looked ready to say something but bit her lip when the others glared at her.
“How so?” Kiraia asked quietly.
“Lets just say all of you have the potential for being magic users, and to save you from the torments of Necromancy, we've taken you and brought you here.” The woman replied. “What Necromancy is...is control over the dead. You make corpses walk, cast spells to kill, and other sorts of abominations that should not be allowed on this earth.”
:Keep yourself safe...my brother...: Kiraia thought quietly. For as she knew, it was not Necromancy that her brother practiced, but if it could be interpreted as such, all she could do was hope that they did not discover it.
:Necromancy is very obvious...we'd have figured it out or not whether he was a Necromancer just by the aura around him.: Cavan replied into her mind.
:Do I get no privacy what so ever?: She asked angrily.
:No.: Came the emotionless reply.
Kiraia sighed quietly. :Alright. Fair enough.:
:No screaming arguments?: Cavan sounded mildly surprised.
:Why should I? There's no point....in arguing against what one believes to be the truth.: Kiraia replied hesitantly.
:Hmmm...good point there...and you do realize you cannot lie to me...correct?:
:I wouldn't even if I could.: Kiraia replied honestly. :Lying never got me anywhere when I was young...I stopped that a long time ago.:
:Good enough. Now...pay attention to what Mizara is talking about please.:
Kiraia returned her attention to the old woman, to find her talking about the same thing that Tiernen had been talking about while they'd flown over the dead spots in the land.
She listened for what seemed to be several hours, as Mizara went over duties and expectations.
“So...we have to do these for everyone here in this...”
“Clan.” Mizara finished for the one who spoke. “And no, you don't. You will be assigned to one person in the clan, and you will do as you are asked.”
“Does that include....” One woman spoke up warily. “You know what I mean.”
“Indeed I do, and that is up to whomever you are assigned to. You will mainly be an assistant, as those you will be assigned to are warriors defending our home, you are to make their lives a little easier.”
“But what about....” An older woman stuttered, and her eyes strayed to the three youngest, all three no more than 13.
“We are not barbaric, the children will be assigned to women in the dragon-riders.”
Mizara replied.
“What...what of those who haven't been married...” Another woman spoke up.
Mizara raised an eyebrow at that. “Surely you...”
“I haven't.” Kiraia spoke up. “They are talking about me.”
“You've never been married? How old are you girl?” Mizara was surprised.
:Hmmm...I will see what I can do about that situation of yours.: Cavan spoke into her mind. :I'm sure I can arrange something.:
:Thank you.: Kiraia replied, relieved, to Cavan. “I'm...19...”
“Goodness your mother must be ashamed...” Mizara shook her head.
“She's dead.” Kiraia spoke shortly. “And my brother may have been a bit too choosy on who was allowed to court me.” :Not to mention I wasn't exactly around the village during those years when I should've been courted:
“Ah. I see.” Mizara replied. “My apologies.”
Kiraia shrugged. “Past is past, not much can be done.”
“Wise words from one so young.” Mizara nodded her approval. “I shall see what I can do about your...predicament.”
Kiraia nodded. “Thank you.”
“Alright...now that you've been given the information you need, please let the guards escort you back to your room and wait there.” Mizara replied, standing up slowly.
“And we shall see you all tonight.”
“This is absurd, do any of you believe what we were told? Its preposterous!”
“Shush already Marilyn, please.” Someone else sighed. “We're sick of hearing you talk, save your energy for other things.”
“You can't expect me to go along with this forced slavery and...and...prostitution!”
“Language! Not in front of the young ones.”
“Oh...and little miss 'I haven't been married yet' gets the special treatment.”
“Enough already Marilyn. There's no guarantees that any of us will or will not be forced into that situation.” Kiraia spoke quietly. “I could get the one interested in...other activities, and you could be stuck with the one who just wants you to pull his bath for him before he gets back from drills.”
That quieted her down, and not a minute later the lock in the door moved, and the door itself opened. A light appeared, followed by two guards.
“You three kids, come with us please.”
Kiraia noted that the two guards were female this time. A short while later a male guard appeared, and took two of the other women. And again shortly after, until Kiraia was the only one left.
No one came for a while after the guards closed the door on her, leaving her in complete darkness with no company.
“This isn't fair.” Kiraia sighed as she huddled in the corner. The temperature had started to drop, and she guessed it to be getting close to night, or past, since there were no windows, only a door somewhere in the darkness.
She huddled in on herself and tried to sleep, her stomach growling.
She woke up to find herself lying on her side on the cold stone, stomach growling, and her teeth chattering. It was starting to get very cold.
:C-C-Cavan...: She called out. She saw stars as she tried to sit up. Her empty stomach was affecting her vision and her ability to concentrate, not to mention how cold it was. :C-Cavan...am I going to be left here all night?:
:Hmm? Oh my you're still there? Someone is not doing their duty.: Came a sleepy reply.
:Quickly please...I'm about to pass out.: Kiraia replied, her eyes filled up with bright flecks of light, and she felt herself falling into darkness.
“Will she be alright?”
“Hard to tell, if she doesn't wake up soon she'll die of hunger, at least she won't die of over-exposure though.”
“Someone will answer for this carelessness.”
Kiraia emerged slowly from the blackness, first thing she felt was her stomach growling, next, that she was warm. “Hrmmmrrr....” She opened one eye to find a young woman in white garb looking down at her.
“Well at least she's awake. Hungry?” The woman asked.
Kiraia just raised an eyebrow. “No...I'm not...can't you hear my stomach?”
The woman chuckled. “Looks like you'll be fine. No permanent damage.” A flask was pressed to her lips. “Drink this...it'll give you enough strength to sit up and eat some soup.”
Kiraia drank down the contents, and immediately felt better. With help she managed to sit up. “Only soup?”
“You've been out for three days...I think soup is all that your stomach will be able to handle. When was the last time you ate?”
“Umm...on the flight over...” Kiraia tried to force her mind to work.
“I gave her an apple.” A familiar voice said from across the room. Kiraia looked over to see Tiernen perched on a chair not too far away.
“How could you give her an apple? Wasn't she in the cage?” The woman asked curiously.
“There was no room left, so she rode with me.” Tiernen replied.
“Well..good thing you gave her that apple. When had you eaten before that?”
“I...had breakfast.” Kiraia replied. “And then an hour later they arrived...”
The woman nodded. “Very lucky indeed. That apple was the only thing keeping you alive.”
Kiraia sighed and shook her head. “Lucky me indeed.” She dug into the food in front of her, plain soup with bread and water.
“You going to go investigate Tiernen?” The woman asked as he stood up.
“Yeah...its one thing that she got left in the cell...but I think it goes a little deeper than that.” He replied quietly. “Let me know when she's ok to be moved.”
The woman nodded as Tiernen left.
Kiraia continued to eat, listening and watching discreetly. “Ok to be moved?” She asked once he'd left.
The woman nodded. “You know why you are here, do you not?”
Kiraia nodded. “I just don't know who I'm...assisting.”
“Him.” The woman jerked her head in Tiernen's direction. “And I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky to be put with him.”
“Why?” Kiraia asked curiously. She stared down at her empty bowl. “Umm...could I have some more?”
“Any idea why someone would want her dead?” Tiernen leaned against Cavan's side, shaking his head.
:Not that I know of...unless its going to turn out the same as with Amara...:
“Don't mention that.” Tiernen snapped.
:Sorry...but you really do have to get over that...:
“Later...when I have time.” He snarled. He sighed and dropped his head to his hands in frustration. “Sorry Cav...I don't mean it.”
:I know...that's why I'm still here.: Cavan replied gently. :She was a talented girl, Amara.:
“Too talented maybe.” Tiernen replied. “Why did Lord Himuro assign her to me...he knew I didn't want...”
:You have too much to do to worry about little things...that week you went without a bath...:
“Ok I was really busy...if it wasn't for the fact that I had to sleep I wouldn't have slept at all.” Tiernen sighed. “Maybe you're right...but for whoever it is to do this so quick off the bat...”
:We still don't know if it was purely accidental or if there were alterior motives...it may actually have been targeted at you to make you look bad, you, Captain of the Dragon-Riders, loses two assistants...:
“I hadn't thought of that...but it is altogether possible.” Tiernen replied. “But...how to protect this girl against an unknown enemy...”
:Tell her the truth. She's smart enough.: Cavan replied.
“If you hadn't located her, realized what was going on...”
:I always keep tabs on the girls assigned to you...you know that. I was blocked from sensing Amara for some reason...I still don't know how it was managed.:
“Which means it may happen again. We can't let it.”
:I know. Now you'd best get moving before that nurse gives poor Kiraia a heartattack...the girl means well but telling your current assistant how your previous one passed away...:
Tiernen was off like a rocket.
:...Is not always a good way to start off a relationship.: Cavan finished quietly to himself.
Kiraia was staring, wide-eyed, at Kimuri, when Tiernen entered.
“Kimuri please stop telling stories.” He spoke sharply.
Kimuri squeaked, whirling around. “Oh...sorry Tiernen.”
“Is she ok to be moved?” He asked.
“I can move relatively well.” Kiraia answered for herself. Kimuri's tale sounded mildly far-fetched, and she wanted to see some more of the area.
“Then come with me.” Tiernen replied. Kiraia stood up and followed dilligently.
Tiernen slowed as they neared his quarters. “How much did Kimuri tell you?” He asked, his hand on the doorhandle.
Kiraia jumped at his cold tone, but choked back her reply. “N-not much really...”
“I see.”
Kiraia wondered at his cold tone, but followed as he pushed open the door into a relatively spacious set of rooms. “These are my quarters.” He spoke, almost coldly. “The bedroom is there, the bathroom there, store-room there, and this is the sitting room.”
“Alright.” Kiraia replied quietly.
“The only thing I ask is that you have a hot bath pulled and food ready for me every night. Think you can handle that?”
“Ye-yes.” Kiraia stuttered. “As long as I know how to get to and from the kitchen I suppose.”
“I'll show you that now...its not hard from here.” Tiernen turned and left the room, leaving Kiraia to hurry after him.
:A little cold aren't we?: Cavan spoke gently into Tiernen's mind.
:With Kimuri telling stories I'm just a little frustrated at the moment. This girl grates at my nerves for some reason.: Tiernen replied sharply, then took a deep breath and forced himself to relax as he led the girl towards the kitchen. :Sorry Cav...just...:
:I know...lots of stress.: Cavan replied. :I suggest you treat the girl a bit better though...she's just woken up and has barely had any food...you're leaving her behind you know.:
Tiernen turned to see the girl leaning against the wall, stumbling. He caught her just before she fell.
“S-sorry...” She managed to gasp out.
“It's my fault.” Tiernen replied gruffly. “Come on, the kitchen is just up ahead, you can get some food there.”
Kiraia forced herself to stand upright and walk. Her head spun a bit but she ignored it and concentrated on remembering how to get to the kitchen. Once there she all but collapsed into a chair that Tiernen pointed her towards.
“Mary, food for her now please.” He spoke to a girl a few years younger than her, jerking his head in her direction. “Then help her find her way back to my quarters please.”
“Aye Cap'n.” The girl replied, and scurried away.
“Once you've finished eating Mary will show you back to my quarters.” Tiernen spoke quietly. “Just rest for now, once you get your strength back you can start your duties.”
Kiraia nodded. “Thank you.” She replied quietly.
Tiernen said nothing, just turned and left. :That girl...: He shook his head. Now was not the time, with winter fast approaching they had lots of work to do.
“I don't envy you miss.” The girl named Mary sighed as they headed back towards Tiernen's quarters.
“Why?” Kiraia asked curiously.
“He'd lost his last assistant to a malady of some sort, though word has it she'd been poisoned, though we've no idea by who.” Mary's voice dropped to a whisper. “And he's a downright grouch, I've never seen him smile.”
“Oh.” Kiraia nodded. He didn't seem to be the smiling type. :Poisoned? Odd.: She thought.
“An rumours have it that now you're being targeted, you nearly died didn't you?” Mary asked curiously.
“Yes...I did...but that was from being left in the cell. It got very cold and I hadn't had anything to eat, since I'd left my town.” Kiraia replied. “I was lucky I'd eaten a large breakfast that morning apparently.”
“Mmmhmm.” Mary nodded. “Indeed, else you wouldn't be here now.”
“No...I don't suppose I would be.” Kiraia replied. “Oh...we're here.”
“Hmm? Ah good, you can recognize the Cap'ns room already.”
“Yes...” Kiraia replied. :Thank you good memory.: She thought quietly. “Well, bye for now I guess.”
Mary nodded and bobbed her head. “I'll see you later then.” she replied and took off.
Kiraia opened the door quietly and shut it. “Just rest huh?” She muttered quietly. She took stock of her surroundings, examined the furniture and everything else in the sitting room. She looked through the bathroom, and figured out how the hot and cold water worked. It was far more advanced than what she'd ever seen, you turned levers and the water came out of a spout already heated. “Interesting.” She muttered out loud.
Next was the storage room, filled with so many odds and ends that she just shut the door on it. “Maybe later.” She chuckled. “So despite the cold exterior he does leave a mess...” The bedroom was last, and as she opened the door she sighed. “Great...” There was only one bed, and it was big enough to fit at least five people. There was a dresser on one side and a closet on the other, both, upon inspection, filled with clothes. She was now keenly aware that she was still wearing the clothes from the trip up over three days ago.
“I probably need a bath...” She murmured. “But I have no clothes...”
:I will remind Tiernen of that fact.: Cavan spoke into her mind, causing her to physically jump.
:I asked this already, but do you listen in on all my conversations, aloud or in my mind?: Kiraia asked crossly, leaving the bedroom.
:No.: Cavan replied. :Well...I listen, but if it is not of pertinent information, I tend to ignore it, but the clothing issue needs to be addressed.:
:Th-thank you.: Kiraia stuttered. :About the bath...:
:Go ahead and have one. Just go easy on the hot water ok.:
Kiraia nodded. :For clothes though...:
:Ah well...wait until he returns tonight with the clothes I suppose. Oh, and despite what he said, you may want to go get some food for him and also pull a bath. It has been a rather stressful day for him.: Cavan cautioned. :And he tends to get rather snappy when his day's don't go well. Winter preparations are upon us, and are always a constant headache.:
:Alright...uhm...what...does he eat?: Kiraia asked.
:Well...: Cavan was mildly surprised. :I'm surprised you asked. He usually likes meat pies, potatoes or rice, he's not too picky, and a vegetable, usually peas or carrots.:
:Alright...I'll see what I can do about that.: Kiraia replied. :If im hungry I just go get food from the kitchen yes?:
:Exactly. Now if you'll excuse me, my attention is required elsewhere. He should be ready to return to his quarters in about 3 hours.: Cavan spoke quickly, and the link was cut off.
“Meat pie eh...” Kiraia chuckled and hurried to the door. “I guess I'd better see to it.”
Tiernen slumped against a rock next to Cavan. “Gods that was tough.” He was soaked, battered and bruised from the harsh winds that had come up suddenly in the middle of the hunt. The winds were inhuman, able to batter a Dragon to exhaustion in mere seconds.
:Indeed.: Cavan replied. :Oh...before I forget...I believe Kiraia is going to need some new clothes.:
Tiernen groaned. “Can't it wait?”
:Would you like to be walking around in three days of grime?: Cavan shot back.
“Point taken. I'll see to it.” Tiernen forced himself to stand up. “Ow...everything aches.”
:Get along now...and try to be a bit more cheerful towards the girl please.: Cavan spoke gently but sternly.
“I'll try.” Tiernen sighed. “Kiraia...that's her name?”
:Indeed.: Cavan replied. :Now get going.:
Tiernen climbed the stairs slowly, still stiff and sore, though no longer wet. As he reached the landing his room was on, he smelled something that made his stomach grumble in protest, reminding him that he'd only had breakfast.
“Too bad its not my....dinner...” He'd opened the door, and stopped in shock.
“Hmm?” The girl came out of the bathroom, and, seeing his dumbfounded look, hurried to apologize.
“I'm sorry...but...I was bored.” The girl, Kiraia, stood there, fidgeting as Tiernen remained rooted to the spot.
“Er...no...that's fine.” He managed to stutter out. How had she...
“Are those...for me?” She asked carefully, indicating the bundle in his hands.
“Oh, yes. Here.” He handed it to her, thankful for the change in subject. “I thought I told you to take it easy...” He levelled a stare at her, which, to his surprise, she returned.
“I got bored.” Was all she said, before turning and retreating to the bathroom.
“Women.” He mumbled under his breath as he sat down at the small table. Staring at the food in front of him, he had to shake his head again. Meat pie, potatoes, and peas? “How did she know?” He muttered out loud as he started to eat.
He finished eating just as the girl re-emerged from the bathroom.
“I'm...not sure I operated the bath correctly...” She stuttered. “I've never seen it work like that...”
Tiernen stood up and stretched. “No matter, as long as it's not scalding it should be fine.” He watched as she nodded meekly and began to clean up the dishes. He was about to say something, but several of his muscles cried out in protest, and he headed for the bathroom, which was relatively steamy. Testing the water carefully after ditching his clothes, he was relieved to find it bearable, if a bit hot, but his muscles ceased their complaining once he was fully immersed in the hot water.
“For once having it a bit too hot is a good thing.” He muttered. “For now...that girl is about as close to a godsend as she'll ever get.” He sighed through the steam. :I suppose I'd better tell her the truth about Amara, and our suspicions, eh?:
:If she hasn't already figured them out herself. She's quite smart.: Cavan replied. Tiernen sat up.
:You sound a bit too proud of yourself Cav...did you put her up to this?:
:I merely suggested that she do as you'd requested, that today had been a relatively trying day. This was before the storm hit mind you, I merely thought to get the girl moving, to feel that she'd accomplished something.:
:And you told her what I most enjoy eating too.: Tiernen sighed.
:Only because she asked.: Cavan replied gently. :She asked me, I didn't tell her.:
:Really?: Tiernen was surprised. :Well...smart she is.:
:Yes, so stop being so harsh on her.:
Tiernen sighed. :I know...I just...don't want her to get to close to me.:
:Afraid she'll fall for you?: Cavan asked.
:Afraid that she'll end up dead or worse.: Tiernen replied.
:Indeed, now if you'll excuse me I have my own meal to attend to.: And with that their conversation ended.
Tiernen sighed, and nearly leaped out of the water. “She asked him...but...how?” He winced at that, his head hurt too much to be thinking about that right now. He climbed out of the bath, drained the water, and toweled himself off, grabbing a pair of clean trousers before walking out of the room. “Don't need to give the poor girl a heart attack.” He muttered to himself as he pulled them on.
He opened the door to find the girl nowhere in sight. “She must've gone to get some food, she did take the dishes back.” He noted with a sigh. “Maybe having her around won't be a bad thing after all...” He smiled slightly at that. “Sleep.” He shook himself out of his stupor. “Sleep now, before it gets to the point of week-long hunts. Gods I hope that doesn't happen.” He pulled the covers back and crawled into bed., asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.
Kiraia returned from the kitchen and openend the door quietly. She didn't see Tiernen anywhere, but soon learned his location as she looked quickly into the bedroom. “Must've been really tired.” She sighed as she went into the bathroom. “Now, bath for me. Don't use all the hot water Cavan said, so...just warm enough for it to be classified as a bath I suppose.” She sighed. Once the bath was full once again she stripped off her grimy clothes and slid into the warm water. Scrubbing every inch of her body and her hair thoroughly but quickly, she was in and out of the bath within about twenty minutes. Rooting through the clothes Tiernen had brought back with him, she found what she assumed to be sleeping apparel. Pulling it on, she left the bathroom, and was hit with a dilemma. “Where...do I sleep?” She shook her head and looked around. There were no blankets anywhere, so she curled up in one of the overstuffed chairs, and tried to fall asleep. After about an hour she drifted off into blessed unconsciousness.
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