Naveen

Rina:

After dressing, we made our way toward the light of the temple. The rain had ceased and was replaced by a strong wind. The upside, though it was bitterly cold, was that it helped to dry our soggy clothing. During the trip I barely spoke, my energy was thoroughly spent.

I kept glancing at her as we walked, wanting to be sure she was okay. I was more than willing to carry her back to town, but I wanted her in warm, dry clothing first.

Rina:

When we finally made it to the Temple, my dress and cloak was all but blown dry. The blue, heatless candles were still lit, but the attendants were gone. I went immediately to my things and changed into my more comfortable outfit, sitting down on a bench only once I was dressed with my tangled hair tied up.

I adjusted my armaments on my body, finding my leather armor was harder to dry after being soaked, but it was something I could deal with. I checked out my blades while she changed and sat down, joining her soon after.

Rina:

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “Sleep here and leave first thing in the morning?” I asked, exhaustion clear in my voice and body.

"Weren't the Morrisons expecting us tonight? I can carry you back. I don't mind." I offered softly as I relaxed beside her.

Rina:

I shook my head. “It doesn't matter when we get back. It would take hours anyway… I just want to sleep.” I said tiredly.

"Alright then. Sleep Rina, I'll keep watch alright?" I instructed gently as I adjusted myself on the bench to get comfortable.

Rina:

I looked over at him. “You need rest too you know.” I said softly barely restraining a yawn.

"I know. But for now, I have plenty of energy I can burn through to stay awake for a time." I said softly, reaching over to gently touch her shoulder.

Rina:

I frowned but after a moment my body begged me to just give in. I laid down on the bench and laid my head in his lap, it was better than the cold wood of the bench, and I desired the closeness.

Gently I brushed the hair from her face, murmuring softly to her in my people's tongue, "Sleep little light, the moon and her own watch for you tonight."

Rina:

His words were the last thing I was aware of before warm blackness welcomed me into a deep sleep.

I smiled softly, still gently running my fingers through her hair as I turned my attention away from her to wait for morning.

Rina:

I slept like the dead, no dreams, no moving. Morning came, filtering pink light through the stained glass, but it didn't wake me like it usually did.

I stayed up through the night, my marks slowly dulling out as the moon's power was slowly burned out. The sun filtering into pink light brought a smile to my face and my first check on the girl who still had her head in my lap.

Rina:

I dozed soundly. My body was greedily soaking up the much needed rest and not eager to move again.

Carefully I shifted her around until I carried her on my back, piggyback style. With out a word I slowly started my way out the door of the temple and down the path.

Rina:

I stirred a little bit when he moved me, but it wasn't for a while longer that I actually woke up. “What… What are you doing?” I mumbled groggily, my limbs still hanging limply.

"Taking us back." I said with a gentle smile over my shoulder. I kept up a steady pace, but kept it slow enough to not disturb her rest as I carried her.

Rina:

I blinked and moved a little. “Let me down.” I said softly, then, “Do we have water?” My belly felt empty, but more than anything, I was thirsty.

"Yeah, here." I gently knelt down to let her off, and once free of her weight I pulled a waterskin from my belt to offer to her. "How are you feeling?"

Rina:

I moved to sit down on a rock by the pathway. I drank deeply from the water skin before answering him. “I could have slept for hours more if I had been in a bed I think.” I said honestly. I didn't stand immediately, needing a few moments to wake up fully.

"I figured it was better to get us moving. Unless you found the rock comfortable?" I teased the question her way with a gentle smile as I watched her wake up.