Naveen

Rina:

The look in his eyes made my body tingle and I had to avert my eyes until I reached the horses. “You didn’t have to agree to come with me… but thank you…” I said softly looking down.

"I'm coming because I want to Rina. The gift from Brian was welcome, but even without it I would have offered to join you." I said softly, my own eyes averting. "I can tell the Vampires cause you distress..."

Rina:

I sighed. “That they do.” I muttered as I mounted my horse. “Did he tell you what their names are? The horses?” I asked him as I patted the neck of my bay.

I shook my head. "He didn't quite seem comfortable in our presence. He left before Callan did." I swung up onto my roan, leaning down to whisper softly into it's ear before straightening.

Rina:

I nudged her around and started us down the road. “There’s an Inn on the road. We should be able to make it before dark.” I told him. I knew we would be camping most of the time, it would be nice to have a bed and a warm mean one last night.

"Then let us ride." I said with a small tap of my heels to get the horse moving on.

Rina:

We rode in an awkward silence for the the next few hours. I was grateful for him coming with me, but also a bit embarrassed that he had to. We reached the inn close to dusk. They took the horses to the table and we went in for dinner.

I ordered us a meal as well as a room. I frowned at the words spoken to me but in the end I nodded, accepting the last room they had. A room with a single bed. I moved over to join Rina at a table, sitting down as I placed the room key between us.

Rina:

I looked down at the key on the table and guessed that there had been only one room left. I didn't address it, it could wait until later. a young girl brought us both a mug of weak ale. She was maybe eighteen but had a fully woman figure, some of which was nearly overflowing from her dress. Her red hair was tied back in braids, and her freckled fave blushed when she looked at Talon.

I thanked the girl, giving her a brief once over before turning to Rina again. "What would you like to eat? What is the owner cooking up tonight?" I addressed the last question to the barmaid.

Rina:

“Lamb and goat’s leg stew.” She answered, deeply pleased that he had spoken to her. “That’s fine.” I nodded with an amused look at the girl.

I didn't pay attention to her blush only nodded. "Two bowls and some bread if you would then Miss."

Rina:

I sipped the ale as she left. “Someone has an admirer.” I commented casually, but my eyes were watching him.

I met her gaze. "I didn't notice. And even if I had...I have an interest already."

Rina:

I dropped my gaze. “I hope that isn’t the reason you came.” I murmured, taking another sip.

"No. That isn't the only reason. A part perhaps. But in truth. I want to learn more about you Rina before I come to a decision on that front. On the other side of it...I have an odd desire to protect you that has little to do with personal feeling or emotions." I shrugged my shoulders, my armor creaking slightly. A small pause was given to let me drink a few swallows of ale before I lowered the cup. "But I won't let a friend go alone to a place they fear."

Rina:

It was touching what he said, It made me almost wish there could be something more between us. “That’s all we are, you know. Friends. That’s all we can be.” I said softly. I had been with men before who I had feelings for, but I was not the kind of woman who could follow them. I had decided a long time ago that I would never have a husband or a family.

"I never expected anything more. One day I have to return home for good. Be an actual lord. Perhaps not in your lifetime, as short as it is. It is presumptious of you to think I expected more. I am well aware of things Rina. I know how you look at me. How the barmaid looks at me. To your kind I know I am seen as attractive, ethereal like I am out of a dream as one woman called it." I twisted the mug in my hands. "I know you hold yourself back as well. But Rina, I know we could never be more no matter how we wished it. I will outlive your great grandchildren. And I have felt the pain it is to watch someone I care about die before me of age. Something I will not feel for a long, long time."

Rina:

Oh. There it was. Suddenly the reasons why I had taken such a strong dislike to him in the first place came crushing back. He was arrogant, and pretentious. “What is your interest then, Talon?” I asked flatly. “Just sex?” I didn’t hush my voice as I spoke. Why would it bother me if he was? Wouldn’t that have been what I wanted? There was just something about the way he talked, like I was just another human caught up in the spell of someone so deeply attractive. It got under my skin.

I let out a soft breath, wounded by her words though it didn't show. "No. I wanted more, but around you it is hard to know what I truly wish." I stood slowly, pushing the key towards her. "Enjoy your evening Rina. I will meet you in the morning."

Rina:

I felt guilty immediately. Here he was doing me a favor, what right did I have to snap at him? Even if he was arrogant. “Don’t be ridiculous, Talon, sit down. You haven’t even eaten yet.” I reached out to grab his hand to keep him there.

I paused at her grabbing my hand and I looked at her with sadness. "Some battles I can win Rina...such as a battle with the Vampires. But the walls you throw up around you. Those are things I can't fight through. Trying to scale them brings me crashing down much like they have now. You call us friends. That we can only be friends. But even friends share something mutually. You share nothing of yourself." I gave her hand a squeeze before pulling the hand out of her grasp. "Tonight...just think on what you truly wish from me." I didn't say another word as I left the inn.

Rina:

I was alone when the young girl returned. "Is your companion comping back?" She asked with a little pout. I shook my head and she set down only one plate in front of me. I ate alone and drank the ale from both mugs.

It was a restless night wrought with dreams of Talon. I woke up to the last one, an echo of the night I had spent with him. I dressed when the hint of morning light creeped in my window. Quietly I made my way down to the stables. Only the cook was awake and starting up the oven fires for breakfast. I knew I wouldn't be staying long enough.

I stood in the stables, rubbing down the horses with a brush. In a small sack beside me was food for two. Fruit, cheese, bread. Purchased from a nice old man.

Rina:

I found Talon with the horses. "Morning." I said softly, tucking a strand of unbrushed hair behind my ear. I didn't know how to be with him after last night. Why did it always end like that with the two of us? I couldn't be the only problem... He was setting me off...

» Naveen
» Naveen
» Naveen