Good Morning

I woke up to the sound of Rover gnawing on my bed post. The wyvern has been teething lately and getting into everything. For some reason he seems to have a fondness for my things. My guess would be because my love of cookies leaves a sugary smell on all of my belongings but it might be that he knows I have a soft spot for him despite all my yelling.

I stumbled bare footed into the linkshell lounge to call for Garness, Rover’s master.

“Garness, wake up and get Rover off my bed post! I haven’t even broken this bed in after the last one he ate.”

*Silence*

Really it’s impossible to wake that Galka a moment before he’s good and ready and I really didn’t have the energy to put effort into it this early. I’m not exactly good at mornings.

Brodie was sitting quietly on the sofa reading with a steaming cup of coffee. “Good morning Beautiful.” He said with a smile.

Oh the guilt. I remembered what I had done. It’s not like Brodie and I were officially bound to each other but still I felt there was an unspoken commitment and I had betrayed it.

He got up and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and pushed my wild bed head hair out of my face. “Have a bad night’s sleep?” He asked. “Come sit down for a few minutes.”

In other words he was trying to tell me I looked like I had been run over by a pack of dhalmels. I kinda felt like it. Sleep wasn’t coming easy even before Rover had cut it short.

I really think I should take up drinking. I’ve never been much of a drinker but this might be the time. I’ve noticed it makes for a very convenient excuse for bad behavior. Maybe I was missing out on a good thing there. I could be living the wild life, free of bounds and then blame it all one too many Norg’s Notorious.

I shook my head and chuckled to myself. I knew I never would. My proper Elvaan upbringing would not allow me to act like a wild Bastokian. Guilt is too much of a driving force in my life. No amount of intoxication would sooth my conscience enough for me to abandon my personal code of conduct.

Brodie interrupted my thoughts as he handed me a plate of pumpkin bread and a cup of extra rich hot chocolate.

“I woke Garness for you. He should come out for Rover soon. I didn’t want to be bitten again so I left the wyvern alone. I don’t think he likes me. Maybe he thinks I tell him no too often.” He sat down next to me and continued to read the notorious monster guide he was studying when I interrupted him.

Right on cue Garness stumbled out with his eyes closed knocking over an end table with his shin. He yelled what I can only imagine is some Windurstian swear word and called for Rover. The Galka tossed a raptor steak into Rover’s feed bucket and what was left of my bed post was spared.

“Thanks big guy and good morning. I think I’ll let you wait until after Rover is finished teething to buy me another new bed.” I grinned with delight to see someone else struggling this morning. I am an evil woman.

Garness just grunted and staggered into the kitchen to scavenge.

I watched Brodie read as I held my hot chocolate. If he found my staring unnerving he never said so. He was a good man.

He smiled and reached his arm around my shoulders pulling me in close to kiss my forehead. “So what’s on your mind that you did not drink your hot chocolate yet?” he asked.

I looked up but Garness had not yet emerged from the kitchen. “I met someone during a besieged this week.” I muttered.

“Oh really? Anyone interesting?” he asked.

“He kissed me.” I said sheepishly.

Brodie turned to face me squarely with a serious look on his face. “And did you kiss him?”

“Well no. I hit him.” I replied.

“Do you want me to hit him some more? Murder is fine too. Some men just need a good murdering to get them on the right path.” He said.

“Well, no. I think that would be overkill, no pun intended. I think I can handle it. So you’re not mad?” I asked.

“Mad? No, it sounds like you have it under control. I know you can handle yourself. I’m always willing to help if you want me to though.” His face softened into a warm smile again and he pulled me into his chest and leaned his head on mine. “When you’re happy I’m happy.”

Ouch. Guilt. Really the conversation was very anti-climatic. I really expected a little more emotion. I was almost worried that he didn’t get more upset but I didn’t want to mess up a good thing with over thinking.

I sipped my hot chocolate and wrinkled my nose setting it down due to lack of hotness in my chocolate. I guess I shouldn’t have waited so long.

Beldin

I heard Beldin shouting for assistance from across the Al Zahbi quarter of the city. I grinned to myself as I thought of the adventure I had around him without him ever even meeting me. It seemed like a good time to introduce myself though it might be wise to leave out the, “Oh by the way, I once was hired to kill you,” part.

“Thief at your service.” I said as I drew out my daggers and prepared to battle the swarm of undead that were about to attack the city.

“Well, a female Elvaan Thief in full artifact armor. That’s something I don’t see every day.” He said as he grinned and looked me over.

I wondered if he recognized me. Really the curiosity is what drove me to place myself in the situation where I could be caught by a man who clearly had no problem killing when he wanted to.

Ok, to be completely honest I’m a woman after all and what woman isn’t drawn to the bad boy? It’s in our wiring. Most of us have the good sense to ignore it but I guess I was not one of them that day. This is a pirate with slate black hair and a rough beard. Come on! A pirate! Not a stinky diseased ship hand with missing teeth, this was a well dressed sweet smelling captain. He was one sexy hunk of man steak. How was I supposed to stay away from that?

I think I must have been staring and lost in my thoughts when I was jolted back to readiness. Beldin yelled for us to stand together and attack.

I loved these raids. They make my blood rush with the thrill of being surrounded by beastmen who could kill me in four swings if given the chance. We swarmed on the creatures like ants only bringing them down by the shear numbers of us. These beasts were powerful and I craved the feeling I got from bringing them down.

I drew my bow, aimed at the nearest Qutrub, and let the arrow fly. As I refocused off my hard sight used to aim I noticed Beldin just standing and staring at me with a somewhat shocked expression on his face. I guessed he had just figured out that he had in fact seen me before and we did not seem to be on the same team when he first caught sight of me.

He didn’t have much time to worry about it. A lamia sliced her dagger across his back and he turned to fight her. I thought it might be a good time to disappear but I didn’t. I stayed near him and fought until the undead swarm retreated out of the city walls. My blood felt electrified by the thrill of the besieged victory

“Your stance, you bow, and that ring. I think I’ve seen you before.” He said questioning.

“Well I am around a lot. Full time job and all. I’m sure we must have crossed paths before.” I knew where he was going but I wasn’t going to give him answers that easily.

“I want to show you something.” He said as he gestured for me to follow him and he led me to a walkway overlooking the boats coming and going from the dock in Whitegate.

“This is my favorite place. It’s quiet here and the sea is like home to me.” He said as he leaned against the stone wall gazing out across the water. The place smelled of stone and salt and the sound of the water breaking against the deep water port was almost hypnotic. I walked up beside him and took in the view. This little nook was a stark contrast from the noisy bustle of most of the city. It’s as if this walkway was made just for this purpose. It was a good place.

“I think we’ve met before and it wasn’t just a casual crossing.” He said as he took my hand.

I looked up at him with a bewildered expression. I felt like a stupid school girl and blushed despite my desire not to.

“This ring. I remember it. It’s the only one like it I’ve ever seen.” He said with a boyish grin of a child who has discovered a naughty secret capable of getting his least favorite sister in trouble.

I took my hand back and rubbed the ring. It was a gift from Brodie. He made it with his own hands. Rough molded bronze with his name inscribed on the inside of the band, it was my most treasured possession. He was away more and more these days and the ring was a great comfort to me in his absence.

The gig was up. I had to tell him everything. He listened patently without drawing any weapons or accusing me of unforgivable deeds. He was actually smiling at me. One hour turned into two and two into three. We laughed and smiled as time seemed to disappear. I found him to be very enjoyable company. Surprisingly enough we thought a lot alike on many subjects and found we enjoyed many of the same things. Who knew I would have so much in common with such and uncommon person?

The sun began to set casting a rosy glow over the stones. In a moment of silence he grabbed me rather roughly and bent me back at the waist kissing me. I pulled away in surprise and slapped him sharply across the face.

“I didn’t deserve that!” he said in a hurt tone. “It seemed the perfect moment!”

“I think you did. You know I’ve already given my heart to another man. How dare you attack me like that?” I yelled back at him.

“The Hume? Really, you’re an Elvaan. It’s not exactly a perfect match. They are a little short aren’t they? And if your heart is so encaged then why spend so much time with me here? Why not leave and be with him?”

He had me there but I was offended by his outburst. I loved my kind hearted honest Paladin but sometimes I did get frustrated waiting for him to propose marriage to me. In a moment of weakness I had wanted the pirate to kiss me and almost intuitively he had. I was just as guilty, even more so because I didn’t leave. I sat with him until the sun set even letting him put his arms around me as I lost myself in thought.

“Welcome home Kupo!” Moggle said cheerfully as always. “Is something wrong?”

“No Kupo, just a lot on my mind. I think I’ll just go straight to bed tonight.” I replied.

“No hot chocolate, Kupo?!” he said with a shocked tone as he spun around like top in mid air.

“No hot chocolate.” I said as I crawled into bed.

Moggle pulled my blanket up to my chin and handed me my gobbie doll. “Oh this can not be a good sign Kupo.” He said as he turned out the light. I had to agree.