For the past few days the wagon rolled south. Loaded with iron, it was slow going, first through the valley that was Connlaoth, then into the pass through the mountains that separated it from Serendipity. Now the wagon, a green panelled structure with a rounded roof, travelled a dusty road in Darken Vei, grassland and cattle country extending in all directions. The ox that pulled the vehicle had fattened up nicely in their time here.
For the past few days, Joshua had been casting arquebuses to sell to a mark. The smith was not fond of how cavalier his partner seemed about their objective, so he had been putting together a plan of his own in secret. He did, after all, have a vested interest in his own survival and he liked to hedge his bets.
"So," Joshua said, not directing his speach toward anyone in particular. "Not long now. Hopefully, we should reach this town in the next day or two..."
Tara arched her back in a long stretch with a quiet groan, joints popping. "Good. Gods I'm stiff, sitting up here endlessly can't be good from my back," she muttered as she slumped back against the driving seat of the wagon, almost pouting.
"Tell you what though, I'm ready for a real bed. And maybe drink or two." She sighed and glanced sidelong at her travelling companion. The man wasn't much for conversation- or maybe she just hadn't been pressing the idea of talking. Either way, she found she still didn't know all that much about him.
At least he wasn't going to slit her throat in her sleep. She was fairly certain of that.
Joshua had little to say about himself. That came from the fact he lived - and traveled - alone and he had so many secrets to keep. Though he was aware that Tara was unlikely to use such information against him, old habits die hard. So, the smith kept his mouth shut. He had asked few questions himself, aside from small talk and such.
The peaks of the tallest buildings in town were soon visible over the horizon. "I'm guessing just another half hour, give or take. Have patience that long." From what he could guess, this seemed a tall order for the bard. He said it anyway...
Joshua had no idea what the name of this village was. He had no familiarity with Serendipity, its culture, or anything else really. "Would you mind taking the lead here?" he asked. "I need to park this thing and put up my ox and I have no idea where to go..."
The bard practically vaulted off the wagon the moment int was stationary, throwing her arms wide as though to embrace the sky itself and drawing in a deep breath. A mixture of herb-scented air from the market and wildflower-heavy breezes from the moors filled her lungs and she smiled.
She was a traveler by nature, but Serendipity would always be home.
Tara glanced over her shoulder at Joshua, smile lingering and eyes bright. "Yeah, sure. There should be a place to board the ox for the night at one of the bigger inns, and no one should have a problem with you just parking the wagon in the courtyard or something." She wasn't overly familiar with the town- she thought it was called Farroway- but she'd passed through once before.
Or perhaps that had been the neighboring village...ah well, either way, didn't really matter. She could always just work some persuasive magic if she needed to. "Come on, this way." She started off.
Joshua was thankful for whatever familiarity Tara had with this town. The pyromancer was absolutely certain he looked like a greenhorn and worried he'd be taken for all he was worth if he was not careful. He would eventually unhitch his wagon before following the bard to stable his beast. He was stuck using Connlaothian money, which luckily did not seem to be overly odd.
Joshua accompanied the bard into the inn. "I'll buy the first round while we figure out our next move?" he suggested. He was not familiar with Serenian drinks, but really, how different could it be.
In fact, given the stories he heard, Joshua had expected to see more magic: surreal architecture, people practicing their craft in the streets, but so far, everything seemed mundane...
Tara shrugged and shot him a grin. "Hey, I'll never say no to a free drink. You're on." She steered him into the taproom of the inn and nudged him toward the bar. "I'll grab us a table- order me a firewhiskey, and have whatever you like, it's all pretty good- ah, strong though, if you're used to Connlaothian booze." Most of it was aged magically after all, if not overtly created by magical means.
She turned to find them an out-of-the-way place to sit, and managed to grab a skinny child by the shoulder as she tried to slip between them. Lowering her voice so Joshua didn't hear, she told the girl, "Fork it over," and twitched her fingers.
With a pout, the tiny pickpocket returned the coin purse she'd attempted to filch from Tara's belt. In theives' cant, the bard warned her not to mark herself or her companion again, and suggested she spread the word to the town's other urchins. "You treat us right and I'll see there's a hot meal in it for you, alright lass?" she added softly.
The girl darted away without a word. No telling if she'd take her up on the offer. Tara watched her go a little sadly before weaving her way through the room. She remembered that age, that job. Traveling minstrels couldn't always make ends meet, and picking pockets wasn't so different from plucking lute strings.
At the bar, Joshua placed his order. He collected two drinks: one "firewiskey" as requested and a glass of something he hoped was weak. He was not entire sure, but going by what Tara said, folk in this town favored distilled drinks. A quick sniff of his drink burned his nose; this was not a beverage, it was an antiseptic. Still, it would be rude not to at least try it.
Returning to the table, he set the wiskey in front of his companion before taking his seat. He decided to take stock of what he had ready for the deal. "I have a couple dozen matchlock arquebuses ready for the mark. I can easily render them useless if things go south," Joshua explained, touching on the first part of their plan. "I don't know if his crew will have any mages and unless they're fire users, I'll be useless against them."
He gave the room a once over, expecting a few dozen eyes to be glaring at him. That was not the case, thankfully, since the smith did not seem to stand out in any meaningful way...
"Mm..." Tara accepted her drink as she turned his words over in her head, considering. She sighed and shook her head at him as she took a sip. "Useless against fire users," she huffed. Well, that's what happened when a mage grew up in Connlaoth, she supposed.
Speaking of... She watched the way his eyes darted warily around the room and sighed, then smirked. "Joshua- no one here knows, or cares, who we are," she pointed out with a chuckle. Well, at least they didn't yet.
Guessing that it was an instinctive fear of being found out as a mage, she hesitated, then reached across the table to touch his arm lightly. "You don't have to be afraid here," she murmured a little hesitantly. "At least- not for the reasons you would in Connlaoth."
Joshua could not help but let out a mirthless laugh. "I can see that," he said. He gave his drink a dubious look before taking a sip. The harsh, flavorless burn of alcohol triggered a coughing fit as soon as he swallowed. "How do you people drink this?" the smith hissed, trying to keep his voice down.
He tried to move on to more important topics. "This Karian fellow...what sort of people does he usually work with?" Joshua gave Tara an odd smirk as he added, "Besides crooked gunsmiths, that is." Self deprication at its finest.
Then a thought came to mind and before better judgment could set in, he asked, "Why are you after him, anyway?" Too late to back off now. "All I have is a basic idea, but I'd like to hear what you have to say on all this."
Tara rolled her eyes and teased, "Lightweight," before she downed about half her firewhiskey in one go. At the expression he pulled upon tasting his own drink, she couldn't help chuckling. "Look, I'll order for you next time. Some fruity wine or something, that should be weak enough for you."
But then he started in on the questions, and her expression went blank, eyes hard and cold. She supposed it was actually surprising that he'd waited this long to really ask about Karian- but it still wasn't a conversation she wanted to have.
"His pack changes every so often. Normally because he gets bored and kills them off." She downed the rest of her drink, not quite meeting Joshua's eyes. "So. He works with the sort of people who will take that kind of job. Either arrogant enough to think they'll be the exception, or too dumb to care." She shrugged and propped her elbow on the table, letting her chin rest in her hand.
"I'm after him because he's after me," she continued after a moment. That was mostly true. "I'm not in the habit of playing passive. If I'm being hunted, I'm gonna hunt back. Preferably faster, and with more success." She shot a smirk at her companion.
Hopefully that would be enough to satisfy his curiosity for the moment.
Joshua could tell she was holding back. There was more to this than just mutual aggression but the smith decided not to push the subject further. She did not feel comfortable sharing so let her keep her secrets. It was not really his business anyway. He was here because Tara had offered loot. No other reason...none at all...
He tried another sip of his drink and hissed at the sensation it carried with it. It was not as harsh as before, though definitely still quite fierce. "So," Joshua continued, redirecting the conversation. "How does Karian normally get in touch with his contacts?" He did not like to linger, it reminded him of waiting for a second shoe to drop.
The bard watched him nurse his drink with an amused little quirk to her lips. "Ah. See, that typically depends on the contact. I'd imagine with the lovely man we met back at that inn...he'd probably send a crony into town to fetch him out to a meeting spot. So we need to make it seem like you're the contact. And I'm..."
She frowned, turning over a few ideas. "Well. Probably best if it's not clear we're traveling together. I doubt any of Karian's men have been with him long enough to recognize me, but just in case."
Tara's suggestion seemed reasonable. If Karian was indeed hunting the bard, looking conspiratorial with her was the easiest way to get himself made. But that begged a number of other concerns. "If they know you by sight, you being near might be enough to tip them off," he explained. "If Karian is as bad as you say, he might just try to kill me for leading you to him..." Emphasis on 'try.'
He drank again from his glass, this time more than a sip. The alcohol did not even burn going down and he was already starting to build a very definite buzz. Joshua mulled over a few ideas in his head. Growing up a practicing mage in Connlaoth made one cautious and Joshua was a planner and a hedger. He had no interest in dying for Tara and her vendetta (or whatever she chose to call it). The smith tried to look relaxed as he said, "I guess if we want to avoid suspicion, we should avoid each other for the time being."
Tara sigh dramatically and gave him a nod and a pout. "Unfortunately, what you say is true. I shall have to deprive you of my sparkling wit and charming companionship for the time being. Truly a loss." She laid a hand over her chest and pretended to swoon back into her chair.
She sobered quickly and sat up straight again. "Here, take this." She slid a few coins across the table to him. "Get a room for the night. I think we can risk staying at the same in, but it's probably best if we use magic to communicate for the time being, rather than risk being seen together."
As he took the money, Joshua wondered at Tara's last statement. "At the risk of seeming even more pathetic than I already do," he began cautiously, "But you'll be able to handle that yourself? All I have is my fire." He had, after all, grown up in a nation where mages had to constantly hide or suppress their gifts and trying to connect could get you killed.
The smith quickly drained his glass. He did not plan on having another, though he wondered if the aftertaste he detected would have seemed so pleasant if he were fully sober...
Whoo boy.
He was certainly going to be feeling that in the morning.
Tara suppressed a smirk and nodded in answer to his question. "Should've known you're useless outside pyromancy. Alright, I'll work something out." She made to stand from the table and patted his shoulder.
"Unless something unexpected happens, just...try to blend. Karian's calling card is a blood lily, look for that around town- a real one or a symbol etched somewhere, could be either. I'll see what I can find out and talk to you by midday tomorrow."
Joshua almost corrected the bard regarding his magic. What he did was not pyromancy in the strictest sense. Still, he was not properly sure how else to explain it, though. The smith elected to keep his mouth shut.
By now the room had started to spin a little and he did not trust himself stand for the time being. "I guess I'll see you then." As Tara left the slightly inebriated man, Joshua was content to sit back and study the room. He wondered if he would recognize a blood lily if he saw one.
Just slightly tipsy herself, Tara swayed her way to the innkeep to reserve a room for the night, then made her way up the stairs to her assigned door. She performed the usual, cursory checks once she was in the room, then set up a few basic wards with a softly whistled tune.
It was nice not to have to watch her magic use constantly. She forgot how insufferable Connlaoth could be until she left it.
With a tired sigh, she collapsed onto the bed and closed her eyes.
After Tara left for bed, Joshua has a similar idea, waiting a short while to avoid looking like they were a party. Using the coin the bard had given him, he paid for a room, and still slightly intoxicated, shuffled off to bed. No one had seemed to pick him out, so he figured he would meet a contact tomorrow.
In the morning, the metalurgist discovered how much he truly hated Serenian drink. The persistent throb in his head would linger, he knew. Still, no to worry about that. Dressing, Joshua left his room and ordered a bowl of porridge. He would not be ordering breakfast for the bard since they would not know each other...
Waiting for his breakfast, the man studied the room. It was early and unsurprisingly, few other patrons were about. He wondered if Tara was already about...
"Feeling that hangover, huh?"
Tara's voice would emanate from the air just beside Joshua's ear, as though she was leaning over him to whisper. In actuality, she was perched on a stool at the bar, resting her chin in her hand- and speaking to a small, charmed stone hidden in the curl of her fingers.
Considering the gunsmith had no magical communication tricks of his own, it was the best she could do. He could hear her, but she wouldn't be able to hear him, and it would only work over short distances. But it was better than nothing.
"I'll probably head into town soon, but you can take your time. Look for that blood lily, remember." She paused, then added, "Tap your table if you're hearing me."
Neat trick, Joshua thought as he drummed his fingers. He had managed to look bored while doing so, reinforcing the illusion that he was alone. Still, while he understood his task, he was no botonist and did not know what a blood lily was. Based on its name alone, he knew it was a red flower but there were many red flowers in the world.
Deciding to take a slight risk, he stood and walked towards the bar, leaning against as the barmaid was just in front of Tara. "What is a blood lily?" he whispered sideways to her. He made it seem as though he had addressed the barkeep and when she asked what he had said, Joshua flinched visibly. "I said, 'Where can I find the Alchemist?'" He spoke quite loudly, rubbing his temple in a way that conveyed the gravity of his request.
The smith was, after all, hungover.
Tara stifled a snort behind her hand.
Of course.
"Oh, it's just down the road, love," the barkeep answered with a smile, pointing in the right direction as Tara held her hand out in front of her face and wiggled her fingers, eyelids droopy and bored.
She whistled softly and sparks danced from her fingertips, painting a picture in the air above her hand: An elegant flower with seven wide petals that curved up at the tips, blood red at the edges that deepened to almost maroon in the center in a pattern that seemed to give the collar the illusion of dripping down the flower's throat.
"Oh, a blood lily," the barmaid noted with a bright grin. Tara nearly rolled her eyes; as if she hadn't been obvious enough. "That's a pretty likeness too- not seen one of them since I was a girl. You a mage then, miss?"
"Bard," Tara corrected with a small smile. She curled her fingers into a fist and the image of the flower disappeared. "But I've picked up a few tricks here and there."
"Thanks," Joshua said, stepping away. He was facing the barmaid, but his gratitude was for the bard.
Truthfully, the young man had no need of aid; as much as his head ached, he knew it was unnecessary, and not worth throwing away money over his own foolishness. Still, Joshua wanted to kick himself for his pride.
The town, in spite of its remoteness seemed quite large. A number of cramped buildings squated together, most clearly two stories tall. Many of the windows were filled in by glass instead of wood lattice, reminding the smith just how foreign he was to this nation. As comfortable as he knew he should have been, Joshua was not a fan of the nation. He had heard stories about how Serenians could not touch iron or steel and wondered if he could even survive in a nation that had no use for his skills.
Focusing, Joshua scanned the crowd, looking for the red lily that Tara had shown him...
A red lily was a rather striking bloom, and it was easy to spot tucked into the band of an otherwise rather innocuous little man's hat as he darted this way and that through the foot traffic of main street.
Tara decided to idle at the bar a while- she was hungry, and saw no reason to head out into town before she'd at least gotten the meal she'd paid for with the room.
It did not take long for Joshua to spot the flower, but he was nervous about making contact too soon and without Tara. He could go back to the tavern and risk losing the short figure as it darted about. Or he could move forward and bring in the bard later. Neither proved truly ideal...
Then there was the question of stopping the man without seeming suspicious. He already seemed the shifty sort, darting about like a scared weasel. If he was spooked, Joshua would lose his chance to reach Karian.
The smith decided to try something somewhat gutsy. Looking for an opening in the crowd, he "accidentally" bumped into his target, knocking him to the dirt. "I am so sorry, " Joshua said, reaching down to help the little man up. "I hope you're okay. You are yes?" He paused, but not long enough for the man to respond. Instead, he continued to yammer on, saying, "That is an interesting lily...sorry..."
So, Joshua had made his first move...how would the mark react?
The weaselly little man glanced up at Joshua and a glint passed through his eyes. "Y'think so? Thanks, lad." He got to his feet, dusting himself off, and gave the smith a meaningful nod as he moved to slip by him. His hand brushed against Joshua's pocket- not stealing, leaving a note.
"Oh my gods- Tara?"
The bard froze, then slowly turned on her stool. Her eyes widened. "Marie?!"
A tall, willowy woman with carefully braided cobalt blue hair and wide, dark eyes blinked at her, then beamed. "I can't believe it!"
"Marie!" Tara grinned and jumped off her stool to give the other woman a hug, then clasped her by the shoulders as she looked her over. "My gods, how long's it been- a year? You look good! How are you? Work going well? Are you married yet? Can I kill your husband?"
Marie laughed and flung her arms around Tara in another warm hug. Over her shoulder, the bard noted a small, twitchy sort of man dart into the bar, glancing around warily. The blood red bloom in his hat caught her attention. Hope you caught that, pyro.
It was not easy to be sneaky around a man who could basically smell heat but Joshua remained still for a time, simply watching his target go. He waited for the man to leave his sight before retrieving the message. A small slip of folded parchment had a row of common. It was a quick read, and he was not quite sure how to feel about what was written there. Slipping the note away, the mage followed the path the little man had taken.
Following back to the inn...
Marie had insisted on buying Tara a drink, and despite the early hour she was never one to turn down free alcohol. The two women sat shoulder to shoulder at the bar, sipping identical glasses of whiskey and chatting amiably.
"So what brings you to town, anyway?"
"Mm?" Tara drew her attention from the door- she kept glancing around to see if Joshua had returned- and smiled at her old friend. "Oh, y'know. Just business."
Marie giggled and leaned into brush her fingers over her arm lightly. "Always business with you, Tara," she chuckled.
Joshua scanned the room, eyes passing over Tara as he noticed her speaking with another woman cheerfully. He quick moved on until he found 'Mr. Ferret' seated off to one side. Deciding against another glass of Serendipity's famous paint thinner, the metalogist moved toward the small man's place. He took a seat at an adjacent table, creating the illusion of the two being complete strangers.
"So," Joshua began, whispering sideways to the contact. "I'm guessing you're here to set up the delivery?"
"Maybe. Where's Farnow?"
The smith had no idea who that was but could surmise that it was the name to One-Eye. And seeing the shifty figure passing subtle glances toward the bar, he wondered at the intent of the question. "I believe you already know how I'll answer that," Joshua said.
"And you let her follow you." It was not a question but it tipped his hand. Tara had been clever to avoid looking friendly with the smith. It seemed Mr. Ferret did recognize the bard and Joshua had been dug into a shallow hole. Now, he needed to talk his way back out...
"Well, I did lose my go between. Figured I might use her to buy some goodwill from your boss..." The selfish always assumed others were as selfish as them so the man preyed upon the ferret's assumptions.
The Ferret shot another wary look in Tara's direction, then nodded slowly. "Aye, I'd say that'd earn you some good will with Karian." He shifted, looked around again, then stood abruptly. "Just be at the drop point tomorrow."
Another quick, jerky movement and he darted for the door.
Meeting over, Joshua found he had the day to himself. There was not much for him to do, though. His trade was iron working, yet the blacksmith knew that many Serenians were adversely affected by such things. Then there was how to meet with Tara to put together a plan without looking like he was doing just that....
The foreigner decided to head for his room and rest until lunch. As he did, Joshua passed by Tara's room. Glancing to ensure no one was watching, he scratched out a brief message on the back of the original note and slipped it under the door. Best she have at least some of the information he did...
"Mm?" Marie shifted from where she was wrapped around Tara, nuzzling into her neck, and glanced at the door. "Did you hear something?"
The bard quickly smiled and rolled them over so she was blocking the other woman's view of the door. She'd caught a glimpse of the note and didn't need Marie seeing it too. "Apparently I'm not doing a very good job of this if you're so easily distracted," she teased, smirking.
Marie laughed and leaned up to kiss her. Tara glanced toward the door again, then allowed her to pull her down onto the bed. She'd deal with it in a minute.
A romp with Marie was just as...athletic as she'd remembered it, but thankfully it left the cobalt-haired woman completely exhausted, passed out on the bed. Tara managed to slip toward the door and scoop up the note Joshua had left, reading it quickly before she tore it to little pieces and dropped it behind the bureau in the room.
The drop point was a rock formation just outside of town, the entrance to a system of caverns, if she remembered correctly. She'd have to be there before dawn to beat Karian and his crew.
Lowering her voice, she sparked the spell to life and told Joshua, "I'll be at the drop point tomorrow. Don't do anything to show your hand until I give a signal."
The smith heard the message loud and clear. The trouble was, he had no way to reply. Joshua had to trust that had a plan had finally wormed its way into the other mage's head. He had had one himself, but if she was going to the rendezvous without him...Joshua just hoped this Karian did not kill him on principal alone...He had, after all, already promised to deliver Tara.
The "pyromancer" took out his knife, ensuring it was properly, frighteningly sharp...
At the arranged time, an ox cart rolled into sight to a large cave. Joshua was nervous. His sense of heat could tell him how many people there were and where they were positioned so an ambush would be meaningless. That did not make him immune to the weapons themselves; after all, the mage was no warrior and a group of bandits could likely out fight him.
So Tara. What was your plan again?
Waiting just outside the cavern's entrance, concealed with magic and foliage, Tara felt herself growing tender by the minute as she waited for Karian to make an appearance. There was Joshua's cart...what was taking so long?
Finally, a figure strode out of the mouth of the cave. Golden blond hair was pulled back in a loose horsetail, and he planted his fists on his hips as he caught sight of the gunsmith. "Hear you're our new contact in Connlaoth," Karakn said, cool and friendly, but there was something in his tone then sent the hairs up on the back of the neck.
Tara had to force herself to keep still, rage bubbling in her breast. Finally. Finally, she was here. She was going to kill him.
Karian looked like an ass. However, Joshua kept his mockery to himself as he stood from his cart. "Aye," he admitted. Glancing toward the cave, the smith wondered if anyone else would be coming out soon. "I'm guessing the man I met before told you about the gift I had lined up for you?" He kept his sense openned, hunting for heat signatures. Something was off; the wagon was loaded with too many guns for two people to carry. Where were the other hands they'd need?
A slow smirk spread across Karian's face. "Oh, yeah, I heard about the bitch. From multiple sources, actually."
Tara froze, her mind starting to race. What...?
With a flash of a silver-embroidered skirt, A lithe figure crowned in cobalt blue sauntered up to wrap an arm around Karian's shoulders, leaning into his side with a pout. "See, love? Told ya they were working together."
Tara's brain shorted out for a moment. Marie? Sure, they weren't exactly loyal bedfellows, but this?! No. No, why- why would she-?
"So where is she?" Karian frowned at the other woman. Slowly, shadows moved in the cavern behind him, cloaking spells falling away as the members of his ambush began to reveal themselves.
Before she could so much as blink, Tara was suddenly jerked upright, her arm wrenched behind her back with enough force to draw a sharp, pained cry from her lips. She couldn't see her captor, but she recognized the voice as he shoved her out into the clearing ahead of him. The Ferret.
"Right 'ere, boss." He snickered and tightened his grip, bending her arm back at a more painful angle. Tara hissed, glaring daggers at the bandits that were slowly moving to surround her and Joshua.
"Ah, little Tara." Karian's smirk was suddenly back and he strode toward her, leaving a sour Marie behind. He reached up to cup her cheek and she writhed in Ferret's grip, trying to bite his hand. Her magic roiled below her breast, but she refused to release it. Not yet, I can still get out of this!
"You always were a viper," Karian laughed gratingly. He glanced toward Joshua. "You, friend, I have no quarrel with. Leave your goods and the girl, and you will be paid twice your original price."
Joshua recognized the woman from earlier. So, turns out it was Tara ended up blowing their cover. That could not be helped now. All that mattered was what came next. He could rush in like a fool, getting both he and the bard kill and still leaving the guns to Karian qnd his crew.
The smith threw up his hands in surrender. "Sure, sure. Guns are in the back." Turning away, Joshau went to the back of his wagon, ready to unlock it for the men Karian would doubtlessly send back. "But seriously," he said, pausig in his tracks a moment. "You gotta tell me your deal with her. I asked but Tara was infuriatingly vague about everything."
"Jackass." Tara hissed at Joshua, ignoring the tiny pang of disappointment that he'd turned on her too. What could she have expected, though, really? Didn't she know better by now than to trust? look where it had gotten her.
Karian just laughed, reaching out to card his fingers through Tara's air. She lunged toward him, teeth bared, but the Ferret dug something sharp and metallic against her side and she cried out, going still. Magic burned beneath her skin, begging to be released. Not yet. Not yet...
"Bit of a long story," Karian replied to the smith with a shrug. "Let's just call it a case of "woman scorned" gone to the extreme- that about says it, don't you think, love?" he crooned to Tara, even as Marie came up beside him to pointedly drape her arms around his shoulders.
Tara's eyes flashed dangerously. She didn't dare move too much, but her lips twisted into a snarl and she spat in his face. "Murderer."
Joshue gave Tara a slight smile. "Finally," he joked. "Some honesty." The bard's earlier justification had rang weak and hollow; if the smith killed everyone that was out to get him, Connlaoth would be gone by now. Justice, even vengeance was something he could recognise and get behind. Of course, Karian's flippancy won him no respect.
Grabbing two arquebuses, the mage stepped out from behind the wagon. "A little help?" he called, raising one of the weapons. "I've got two dozen guns here and I can't carry 'em all." What Joshua failed to mention was that those guns were all loaded, and all facing toward the back of the wagon. One careless spark set that the worst moment would unleash a volley of lead that could prove decidedly inconvenient for Karian's gang.
And the mage had no need of slow matches.
Karian growled, but jerked his head at Tara's captor. "Go unload the merchandise. I'll take the girl."
Tara snarled as she was shoved into Karian's arms. Marie pouted, leaning against him more heavily, and Tara snorted, "Trust me, love, he'll get bored of you soon enough, but it won't be because of me."
Her magic was still building. She'd have one shot at this.
Marie smirked at her and leaned into kiss Karian's cheek. She didn't see the way his mouth twisted sourly and how he tightened his grip on Tara's arms. "Don't be that way cause you're jealous, Tara," she crooned.
The bard didn't bother responded. Her magic was filling her to bursting, and before anyone could react, the moment Ferret turned around the wagon, she threw her head back and screamed. It was a strangely musical sound, high and trembling in the air.
The earth around her in a six foot radius exploded upward, violently.
Joshua had hoped more of Karian's lackies would have come out of the cave, considering how many were there. It would take the Farret a dozen trips to collect all the guns alone...or rather, it would have. With a thought, there was an explosion and dozens of guns went off in unison. The Farret was dead in an instant, the wagon full of holes as the blast scared the ox into a run. It would not be hard to catch later.
Now the smith found himself trapped on a rising platform of earth with Tara, her fromer lover and Karian. "Well, this changes things," he said in a mocking tone. Dropping one gun, the mage quickly hoisted the other into position. Leveling it at the trio, he said, "Here's how things are going to go." With the snap of his fingers, a spark took form and hovered over the weapon's pan. "You are going to let the girl go and I might - might - let you live to see tomorrow. At this range, I can't miss...not with two shots." He then waited for the response.
Marie, Karian, and Tara had all be tossed aside by the explosion of dirt, but Karian managed to keep a grip on Tara's arm. None of them even noticed the initial sound of gunfire, ears ringing from the violent outburst of the bard's magic. She and Karian rolled over each other, scrabbling in the dirt, each trying to get the upper hand.
They both froze, panting, at Joshua's voice. The bandit looked up with a snarl, one hand pinning Tara's wrists above her head and the other at her throat. She kicked and struggled, choking, but he was stronger than her, and without her voice she couldn't access her magic as easily.
He sneered at the gunsmith and pressed down harder on Tara's throat. "Why? What's the little whore worth to you, huh? Just walk away, before my boys come out and make you regret this."
Joshua remained silent for a moment, looking down the sight of his arquebus. He had trouble ticking the higher priority target. Karian was the obvious choice, looming over the mage-girl and pressing on her throat but something told the smith that the other woman might prove just as dangerous if she turned out to be a mage. He could hit one of them, but the other could kill Tara as he raised his other gun.
Trying to be subtle, Joshua had managed to catch the barrel of his second gun with his foot, expecting he might have to kick it up to his hands. Where it rested now, it would be a bitch to aim...but he gave it a shot, shifting his toes as he tried to level the weapon at Karian, the smith tried to buy time. "You're not to bright, are you. Those guys down there? They work for you because you made them certain...promises." Smirking at the thug, Joshua continued: "What do you think they'll do when you're no longer around to deliver? Sure, they might say they'll avenge you but really? Are you that clueless about what you are?" There was the ultimatum. He did not really care whether the man bit or not, he just needed to hit both targets in quick succession.
Tara choked, gasping, and Karian snarled above her, fingers tightening on her throat. His eyes flickered, calculating.
"I hope she's worth it," he spat at Joshua, and rolled away from her. Tara tried to leap up, throwing her hands out to chant a spell- but before she could there was an icy pain in her side and she stumbled, eyes going wide.
Marie smirked, twirling away from her to chase after a retreating Karian, the dagger she gripped bloodied nearly to the hilt. Tara swayed on her feet, desperately reaching for her magic but unable to truly grasp it. Her knees shook, then gave out and she collapsed to the earth, gasping as pain pulsed through her.
When he saw the woman stab Tara, Joshua was shocked. Not that she was so bloodthirsty, he had long since come to the conclusion that those who sided with Karian had no sense of decency. What surprised her was that she seemed to have no sense of reason. Stabbing Tara would prove to be a costly mistake.
As the bard collapsed, the gunman took his shot, floating spark touching to the loaded pan. At this distance, she stood no chance. The explosion hurled the the ball, close to an inch in diameter, over Tara's shoulder, toward the bard's former lover. By then, first gun was falling as the fire mage kicked the second into his hand.
At the moment, though, the smith's main concern was helping Tara. Rushing to her side, he looked at the wound. As paniced as he was, knowing she was in danger, the young man kept his head. "Tara," he called, to ensure she was listening. "I can stop the bleeding by I'll need to use my fire. Do you understand?" Melting flesh closed was a tricky process and excruciatingly painful. She would need to brace herself.
Tara could barely focus through the pain, but she thought she heard a gunshot, and a scream, and maybe running feet, movement in the caverns. Joshua's face swam fuzzily into focus above her and she tried to say something, anything.
She wound up choking on blood. Her eyes were wide and scared as she stared up at him, and weakly grabbed for his sleeve.
Am I dying? She coughed, red dripping from her lips, and rasped out, "Just...do it."
Blue light wrapped around the man's fingertips before it turned to pale flames. Holding his hand toward the wound, the fire moved like tiny snakes, slithering into they cash, melting layers of flesh from the inside out. Joshua was careful to avoid doing too much damage, sealing the wound on layer at a time.
Tara would be left with small burn scar. It would be easy enough to remove later with a real healer but for the time being, it was the best he could manage. Leveing the gun at Karian, he said, "I'll be taking the girl. Try an stop me and I can still end you." In spite of his assertion earlier, there was a chance the men in the cave would still kill the pair if Karian died, if not out of loyalty then out of rage at the loss of their meal ticket. Looking too Tara once more, Joshua asked, "Can you stand? We may need to get out of here." After all, what use was revenge if you died trying to attain it.
Tara's back arched and she screamed as pain lanced through her. Her hand gripping his sleeve turned into a steel claw, scratching at him as she scrabbled for some sort of anchor to the physical, something that wasn't burning agony.
Then it was over and she lay there, gasping. With a groan she tried to push herself up, twisting painfully to snarl in Karian's direction. "Murderer! I'll-"
She tried to stand and lurched sideways, her knees giving out. The bandit smirked, briefly, but his eyes were fixed on Joshua's gun. "You'd best run now," he spat. "Before my boys back me up."
"Good luck with that," Joshua taunted in return. Regardless of his bravado, the smith slipped his weapon over his shoulder for support, freeing one hand to help Tara to her feet. The spark loomed threateningly over the pan, ready to ignite the powder.
"Perhaps discretion is the better part of valor," the man wispered to the bard. He did his best to support her, offering a shoulder to act as a crutch as he lead her back toward where his wagon had stopped. It would not be fast, but if Joshua stayed vigilant, the pair could keep going without needing to stop. His ox had better stamina than a man or a horse...
"No." She shoved weakly at his shoulder as he tugged her toward the wagon. "No, no. I can't just let him go, I'm so close-"
Her magic fluttered around her weakly, small jets of sparks and gusts of wind that played with the ends of her hair. With a wordless cry, she threw her hand toward Karian, trying desperately to get any sort of spell to just work.
A flash of cutting wind for the briefest moment was all she could manage as her strength flagged and her knees threatened to collapse. Her eyes rolled back in her head and with a last flash of magic- a brief twist of fire that scorched across Karian's face- she fell unconscious.
At Karian's expense, Joshua decided to add a little insult to injury, weaving the Tara's flames into a lily-shaped brand where one eye had been. That was his hope, anyway. The smith decided not to stick around to see his little art project.
The ox was hardly quick, but it proved reliably. With a gunner perched on the roof of a wagon, using mage-fire to drive the beast forward, few sane men would give chase and Joshua soon joined Tara in the seat, taking of the ox' reigns. The man was unsure when she might wake but in the meantime, he'd make for a village. Population centers would prove to be safe places to lay low, and if worst came to worst, he'd put them up in a room for the night...
OoC
I'll let you choose where we end up.
Tara had no idea how long she was unconscious, but when she finally managed to open her eyes she found herself laying in the bed of the wagon, and the roofs of a small village were visible through the gaps in the canvas.
"J-" She coughed, throat rasping and sore. "Joshua?"
When he heard the bard call out to him, Joshua pulled his wagon to a stop. He had moved the girl to the relative comfort of the interior once they were reliably under way. It was a bit crowded, given his profession. There was an anvil, toolcase and many purified steel ingots, as well as a portable trip hammer.
Kneeling over her, the smith grabbed his water skin. "Here," Joshau said, helping Tara sit up. Pulling out the cork with his teeth, he offered the sack to his patient. "Drink this," he ordered, holding the skin to her lips.
Joshua refrained from saying too much about what had happened. She would doubtlessly be angry Karian was still alive. The scar they had left him, and the death of Tara's betrayer could prove a nice consolation.
She guzzled the water gratefully, then pulled away with a soft gasp. Trying to push herself up, she groaned, "Wh- what happened? I can't..."
Everything was a little fuzzy. She couldn't quite remember what had happened after she'd been stabbed.
Joshua took back the water, recorking the vessel so that he could set it aside. Fixing Tara with his most understanding expression, the smith said, "We didn't get Karian. I figured you might prefer living over revenge if you had to choose." Pressing a fingertip to her side, the fire mage continued. "Not for nothing though, the guy lost a couple of peons and probably one eye, so I guess there's that..."
Hoping to transition to more pressing matters, the smith asked, "What about you? Holding up okay, all considered?" It was likely a dumb question, but he was willing to take her ire for a moment.
Her eyes closed and she leaned back again, gritting her teeth. "Fuck." With a sudden burst of movement, she slammed her fist into the bed of the wagon, uncaring of the pain it sent shooting through her side. "Fuck!"
Panting lightly, she rolled onto her side and tried to push herself up, then collapsed back with a soft groan. "Damnit," she whispered, eyes clenched shut. For a moment, she sounded dangerously close to tears, and when she opened her eyes they were over bright. "I was so close."
Then she took a breath and curled in on herself a bit, preparing to make another attempt to get up. "I'm fine," she ground out, not looking at him. "Where the hell are we? How long was I out?"
"You were out for quite a while," Joshua explained. "I brought us north of that last town so we're pretty close to the border now."
The smith took a beat, then, glancing at Tara's scar, he said, "I asked about a healer and the villagers here said they have someone who might be able to do a better job than me." Offering another hand to help the bard stand, Joshua added, "We're here now, if you wanted her to take a look at you."
"I don't need a damn healer." She smacked his hand away and tried to stand- and promptly dropped back with a cry of pain, followed by several imaginative curses. "Fine."
Glowering, she grabbed his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. "Maybe I do need a damn healer."
Joshua smirked at the bard's reaction. She was a proud woman, but pride was never enough to survive on. As Tara was able to stand, the smith ducked under her arm, supporting her with his shoulder. He would have outright carried her, but he doubted, even in her current state, she would let him get away with that. Instead, he lead the girl out of the wagon, careful to avoid aggravating her wound.
Inside the healer's office, he found a dark room. There were shelves all around with various salves and potions, ingredients, vessels. Toward the back of the room was a curtain, situated behind the counter. "Hello?" Joshua called. He got no respons and wondered if the proprietor had stepped out for a time. He decided to head for the curtain, if only to check he was not wasting time here.
Tara bit down hard on the inside of her cheek to hold in another torrent of cursing as he helped her limp into the healer's office. That wound hurt.
"Just fucking fantastic," she muttered as it seemed they were alone in the room. "I decide to see a healer and no one is fucking here." Grumbling, she tried to pull away from his supporting shoulder, then yelped and leaned back into him again as her knees threatened to give.
"Damnit. Don't suppose you know how to use any of this stuff?" She nodded toward the medical supplies. Maybe they could just take what they needed and figure out how to use it.
Before Joshua had had a chance to check the back area, even as he was turning back to Tara, a sharp voice came from beyond the curtain. "A'right, a'right. No need to put your knickers in a twist." Entering the office a slighty dressed woman came out, flipping a jacket over her shoulder. "So love, wha's got ya shoutin' my walls down?"
Caught off guard, Joshua shifted away from the irritated healer. Clearing his throat, and lowering the bard into a seat, he explained, "We were attacked by bandits. My friend was stabbed. I did what I could to stop the bleeding, but..." The fire mage snapped his fingers, summoning sparks that quickly darted toward every candle and lamp in the room, bathing it in subtle light. "Fire magic isn't-"
"Aye, aye, ye closed the wound but cocked up anyway." The healer's crass language was a bit jarring, but Joshua could only nod. "Right, well..." They healler, who's pale blue hair reflected the light of a half-dozen flickering flames, knelt before the girl. "Let's 'ave a look at the damage love. Need to know what I'm workin' with."
Tara had to resist the urge to smack the healer's hands away, and reluctantly lifted the hem of her tunic to show the wound. Just that movement was enough to send pain shooting up through her ribs and she clenched her jaw tight, screwing her eyes shut.
"Just stitch me up and I can be on my way, right?" she muttered irritably.
"Who's the healer, you or me?" the other woman snapped, looking at the scar. Looking at the fire mage, she mocked him. "Next time let 'er bleed. She'll almost be better off." The healer did not wait for Joshua to reply. He attention returned to Tara and she explained. "Ya ain't bleedin' love so there ain't anything to stitch. Trouble is yer fella, trying to save you, filled you with scar tissue."
The healer rose, hurrying over to a desk. "I can cut out the scars and actually heal you. But it will be a bit pricey-"
"I have no problem covering the cost," Joshua interrupted.
The healer passed the smith a knowing look. "Ah, good on ya." She then looked at Tara, joking, "Got yourself a catch 'ere, love. I'd hang onto 'im." She finally fished three things out of the desk; a sedative to knock Tara out, an obsidian scalpel to excise the wound and a paste to accelerate clotting. Squaring with the patient, the healer held up the sedative. "You take this, I'll take it as consent to operated."
Tara's breath became a little ragged, and she was suddenly too panicked to pay much mind to the assumption the healer had made that she and Joshua were a couple.
"I-" She backed up a step, legs shaking, as she eyed the scalpel like it might suddenly come to life and attack on its own. "I don't want-"
Pain lanced through her side and she swallowed a cry, bending forward and pressing one hand to the wound. Her other hand gripped at her companion's arm and she turned into his body unconsciously, panting sharply.
"Fine," she spat when she could speak again, thrusting out a hand for the sedative and taking it in trembling fingers. "Just...just get this over with..."
Her indigo eyes flickered up to Joshua's face as she downed the bottle. Almost instantly her lashes began to flutter, her body growing heavy. She clutched at his arms, shivering. "Don't- don't leave me alone..."
She almost didn't realize the words had left her mouth. Damn, she hadn't meant to say that out loud. Darkness flickered at the edges of her vision and she leaned more heavily on her companion, swaying slightly.
Joshua's arm shifted but rather than pull away, he clasped the bard's hand. Her request had been sincere; how could he deny her this rare moment of vulnerability? He would stay through the brief surgery...
And it was brief. The sedative she had taken would only last about a half hour and in that time Tara was moved too a hard bench in the back. With the practiced grace expected in her craft, the healer undid the damage the pyro had caused, removing layer after layer of scar tissue until the bard's blood flowed again. A quick spell and a smear of paste stopped the flow out of the narrow wound. Joshua decided to add the jar to his bill, paying with a Connlaothian gold coin. It was more than the healer was asking but the smith did not bother haggling.
When Tara woke, she would find herself still on the bench, head on a soft pillow. The room was dimly lit, but Joshua held onto the girl's hand. Most of the damage repaired and with a mild numbing agent in the paste, most of the pain would likely be gone.
Consciousness was an elusive thing, and Tara came to it foggily. The pain in her side was a dull throb rather than the aching, stabbing agony it had been before. There was a soft pressure on her hand... She squeezed lightly, instinctively, grasping at the warmth.
With a soft groan her eyes fluttered open and she found herself frowning at the ceiling. "Did...it work?" she rasped after a moment, trying to push herself up into a sitting position.
So far so good. No shooting pains. It was only once she was fully upright that she realized she was still holding Joshua's hand. She snatched her hand back as though she'd been burned and rubbed at it absently.
Joshua did not press the issue. She had been vulnerable, now she was not. Instead, he filled a glass from a nearby pitcher, offering the cool water to the bard.
The smith shifted to things less urgent yet still relevant. "So," he began. "About Karian..." He let the subject hang there for a time. "What is your next move?" He did not want to presume he would be of further use in her quest. After all, he had been meant as her way in.
She took the glass a little shakily and brought it to her lips, gulping a few swallows down before she risked speaking again. "I..."
Her voice wavered and her vision went fuzzy. Hazily, she realized she was tearing up. She didn't really have the energy to care. So what if Joshua saw? He'd be gone soon enough, right?
"I don't know," she whispered. Her head bowed forward and the glass shook in her hands. "I...I just don't know. I don't know what to do..." Tears started trickling down her cheeks and she let them fall.
"You should have left me there," she whispered. "This is worse. This is so much worse."
Seeing the tears spill from her eyes, Joshua felt the urge to comfort her, to step forward to wrap his arms around her. He would have too it he knew her a little less than he did. Instead he reached forward, pressing two fingers against her forehead, tilting her head up. Looking the bard in the eye, he asked, "How exactly is it 'worse'?"
Retracting his hand, the smith elaberated on his question. "The way I see it, if I had just left you there, you'd be dead now. Sure, you would be beyond caring but Karian would still be alive anyway. This way, you can still chase him, find him." Joshua took a seat beside Tara, patting her on the knee. "That was my thinking at the time, anyway. Or am I wrong?"
"By the way," Joshua said, deciding to broach an older topic once more. "You called Karian a murderer. I don't mean to pry but who did he kill?"
Tara shook her head, more tears fighting their way free to streak down her cheeks. "I was so close, and now I- I'm just..." She choked up, her throat suddenly thick with whatever tears she'd managed to hold back.
"I'm back where I started," she whispered after a long moment. Her hands clenched into fists against her knees.
Well. Not exactly where she started. She wasn't alone.
Maybe it was that thought that spurred the words from her mouth, the thought that she wasn't alone anymore. Even if Joshua was only with her for the moment, at least he was there.
"Everyone," she rasped, shoulders curved forward and eyes fixed on her lap. "He- he killed everyone. Lana, Evergreen, Syrus, Lock...everyone. They're all dead." She dropped her head into her hands and then she was sobbing, she couldn't hold it back anymore. Maybe it was the sedative still lingering in her system, maybe it was exhaustion, maybe it was just that she hadn't let herself say their names aloud since she'd buried them. Maybe it was all of that.
Whatever it was, she couldn't stop crying. Shuddering with sobs, she turned and hid her face against Joshua's shoulder. "It's my fault," she gasped raggedly. "It's all my fault, I trusted him!"
This time, Joshua did embrace the Bard. She was vulnerable and the smith knew she had a right to be. She also had a right to what comfort he could provide and he took a moment to reasure her. "It's not your fault," he said. "You didn't kill anyone; Karian did. Do not suffer the punishments of another..."
Still, going after the bandit again would be difficult. Joshua was now a known quantity and he had already proven himself unwilling to negotiate with the marauder. He doubt he would see the man again, though an arrogant notion hoped he might; it would be interesting to watch his skin boil off.
A possibility came to him. "I might be able to put you in touch with someone who might be able to help better than I could." Joshua hesitated to continue. He did not want to get her hopes up too high. The woman he had in mind was a mercenary. Tracking a bandit might be beyond her interest, if it turned out to be too much trouble, or the price turned out to be too high.
She shook her head again, mumbling, "My fault, it's my fault," over and over under her breath. Her arms went around his waist and she clung to him, a part of her ashamed of the weakness, but a much larger part simply too tired to fight giving in to it.
Eventually, the sobs died down to sniffling, though she didn't raise her head. She listened as the smith spoke, offering a possibility, but she was too drained to really put much thought into it.
"I...can't think about this right now," she whispered after a moment. She seemed to almost collapse in on herself, all the life and sparking energy that was normally so present just...gone. "I- I think I need to rest."
She didn't move to let go of him though, honestly so starved for a genuine touch, a connection, that she was unwilling to give it up when she had the chance. She knew she'd regret it later, but she was too tired to really find it in herself to care.
Joshua understood. It had, after all, been a trying day and they were both plenty tired. However, he had simply left his wagon in front of the shop. "Tara," the smith whispered. "I'm not going to leave you but I need to put up my ox. I'm going to ask the healer about stabling him and storing my wagon, then heading to get a place to put up for an evening. Do you want to come with me or just lay down here a moment?"
"Okay." Tara leaned back, dragging a hand down her face. Kia, she was going to start feeling foolish in a few minutes. "I'll...stay here for now, while you're getting things sorted."
Shifting slightly, she twisted and tugged a small coin pouch out from its hiding place at the small of her back, handing it over. "Here. I'll pay for my half of the room. Just...come get me when you've got a place?"
It really did not take long to get things squared away. If anyone was bothered by Connlaothian money, they did not mention it and soon enough, Joshua returned to Tara, room and meal paid for.
Returning most of the bard's money, the smith offered a shoulder if the girl wanted support. "If you wanted something to eat, there's some waiting. Otherwise, I can just help you to bed..." He willfully ignored any potential suggestion tied to his offer.
Tara was in and out of sleep by the time Joshua returned, and more than a little groggy as he helped her stand and offered a shoulder for support.
She sort of had to smirk a bit and tease him, "Right to bed? My, aren't you forward?" She chuckled quietly, though it quickly morphed into a groan as her side twinged painfully. No where near as bad as it could have been, but it's pribably take another day or so before the soreness faded completely.
"Sleep sounds good," she mumbled, the playful glint bleeding from her eyes.
The smith let Tara's teasing pass. It was a sign that she was feeling better and he would have even been willing to jump at the bait if he thought she were in a condition to appreciate it.
Ducking into the girl's armpit, Joshua supported her back. Rather than ask permission though, the young man's other hand slipped under the bard's legs so that he might carry her. "Figured this might be easier on you." Scooping her up, the smith began to make for the exit, careful not to injure Tara further.
"Oi!" She thought about giving a token struggle, but honestly it was easier to just let it happen. "Thanks," she grumbled, frowning at him, before she allowed her head to come to rest on his shoulder with a soft sigh.
"...Why are you being so nice to me?" she mumbled after a moment. She probably shouldn't have said it, but honestly she was too exhausted to keep any sort of verbal filter in place.
Joshua said nothing for quite some time. The smith was halfway to the inn when he finally came up with his answer. "Honestly, I don't really have a good answer for that. I guess more than anything, I just don't have an excuse not to." The rogue mage paused. He was unsure if what he said was believable.
"I survive largely on a combination of trust, goodwill and pragmatism. That's a necessity when you live the way I do..." The pyromancer turned off the main street and the inn came into view. "For me, all these things are two way; I recieve only what I am willing to offer." He liked to think these were the only reasons...
"Mm." The bard wasn't really sure how she should respond to that. It was...not exactly a philosophy that she was familiar with.
"Well. Thanks, I guess. Again," she mumbled. It was so hard to keep her eyes open. The healer had worked wonders, but her body still had a lot of mending left to do on its own. Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks as she fought to retain consciousness.
It was while Tara was in her half concious state when Joshua returned to the inn. As he had promised, he made a bee line for the room he had rented. Setting her upon the bed, the man asked, awkwardly, "Did you need help getting into bed?" He blushed at the implications of his suggestion and ammended, "Otherwise, I was going to get some stew." It was clear he was growing gradually less tense as he seemed to begin fixating on the bard's physical privacy.
Tara shook her head as she clambered clumsily into the bed. "M'fine." She sighed and closed her eyes the moment she was even mostly on the mattress. "Just make sure no one cheats you- sometimes they'll up the prices for a foreigner," she mumbled tiredly, already half asleep.
"I'll keep that in mind." Joshua was familiar with that sort of behavior. It was easy enough to haggle to a reasonable price given the metallurgist knew the value of an ounce of gold and a bowl of lentils. "You should just get some rest."
The foreigner bought his food and ate quickly. It was a light meal but enough and he did not order seconds. Joshua wondered if he should return to Tara. It seemed a waste, just sitting around but between having nothing else to do and concern for the bard it seemed his best option. Shrugging, he returned to the room, content to sit in the corner until the girl had need of him...
Tara had never been much for dreaming. She normally slept so quickly and deeply that it was like she blinked, there was a moment of darkness, then she was awake again.
Today seemed to be the exception. Twisted, bloodied images haunted behind her eyes, gnarled fingers reaching for her, a bright, sickeningly happy giggle echoing in her ears.
She started to fidget, then practically writhe on the bed. Her brow was drawn into a tight line and small gasps and whimpers escaped her lips as she clutched at the sheets, trying desperately to twist away from an invisible enemy.
The smith noticed Tara's panic. Quickly closing the door after himself, Joshua hurried to the girl's side. Grabbing her shoulder, he tried to shake the girl awake. "Tara," he said under his breath. He wanted to be gentle while still drawing her away from whatever old ghosts had been called back to haunt her. "Wake up," he demanded. "It's not real."
She flinched away from the touch at first, then suddenly threw herself into him as her eyes snapped open, wild and unfocused.
"Alex!"
Tara suddenly found herself pressed against someone's chest, her hands clutching at his forearms. For the briefest moment she thought she was still dreaming. "Joh...Joshua?"
The man had quickly found himself cradling the bard. "You were having a nightmare," he explained. "I was worried."
Causiously, Joshua tried to disengage from the poor girl. Tara had cried out for someone; a name he recognised from earlier. Looking her in the eye, the smith asked, "I'm still here. Do you...?" He paused, unsure whether to press. Discarding his concern, Joshua asked, "Do you want to talk? About Alex, I mean."
Tara sat back with a shaky breath, wrapping her arms around herself. "No," she murmured, looking away. Gods, what was wrong with her? She shouldn't be falling apart so easily, just seeing Karian shouldn't have done this. "No, I don't."
Exhausted, though all she'd done the last few days was sleep, she reached up to rub at her eyes with a sigh. "How long was I out?"
"Not that long," Joshua admitted. He shifted, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Figured you wouldn't get much rest tossing and turning all night." It was true enough, but given what had happened, the smith was also fairly sure it had something to do with fear and pain. "You go ahead. Go back to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." This was his clumsy way of reasuring her; perhaps knowing he was there would comfort her enough that she could sleep more restfully.
Stepping clear of the bed, the man began to unbutton his shirt, ready to wad it into a makeshift pillow to set on the floor...
"Wait-"
Tara reached for him, than stopped herself, her hand hovering in the air. Lips slightly parted, she tried to think of any way to say this and maintain a scrap of dignity.
Seduction was an option, she supposed, but she knew the smith well enough by now to know that it would just make him uncomfortable.
"There's...plenty of room on the bed." She cleared her throat. After a long moment she admitted, dropping her eyes, "I hate sleeping alone...Please."
Joshua paused, attention quickly returning to the bard. Truthfully, the smith was a peculiar man. His mind could not help but to flash to the idea of adopting an intimate position with Tara and he blushed unconsciously. However, he also understood her meaning. Whatever had happened to her had shaken her; Karian reawakened that fear...
Tara deserved better. Though there was a hint of a blush to his face, Joshua offered a kind smile. "Alright..." he said, setting his jacket on aside. Slipping down to his linens, the smith returned to the bed, once again kneeling next to the poor girl. Out of habit, the man slipped his knife under the pillow as he lay down beside Tara. "Insurance," he assured her.
Given his school of magic, it was child's play to snuff out the oil lamp, robbing the fire of heat enough that it dimmed, flickered and died. "Good night, Tara. See you in the morning," Joshua whispered, a subtle promise...
Tara let out a soft sigh of relief as he climbed into the bed. Part of her hated this, hated how weak she felt, but a larger part was honestly just too tired and scared to care. She needed the comfort.
"...Thanks," she murmured after a few moments, curving almost unconsciously toward the heat of his body.
Sleep found her quickly after that, and sometime in the night she rolled to face Joshua, curling up and somehow managing to tuck herself into the curve of his body as she shifted and fidgeted in her sleep. She was obviously still restless, occasionally whimpering or gasping quietly, but it was no where near as bad as her previous nightmare.
The smith, for his part did not interfere with Tara's sleep again. Having fallen asleep some time after the bard, Joshua awoke in the morning in a surprisingly intimate position. As awkward as it was, he could not help but enjoy the position he was in. Much like the girl beside him, Joshua was a loner. There were few opportunities for him to genuinely care about people. And for perhaps the first time in his life, someone seemed to genuinely need him...
The young man had to be careful he did not abuse Tara's trust. That would be that last thing she could deal with.
"Mmm..." Tara shifted in her sleep, nuzzling into the warm body beside her. Alan? No, there was no smell of lamp oil. Who...?
Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced up into Joshua's face. "Oh." She blinked. Still half asleep, she mumbled, "Exactly how naked did we get, and should I be apologizing for anything?"
Joshua was still half asleep when her hear the girl speak and was caught off guard by her joke. Even as his ears turned red, he began to chuckle. Though it was a brief bout, his body shook at the force of his laugh. Turning to Tara once he had stilled, he replied. "No apologies needed." He struggled for a rebuttal and quickly stalled. "Shit. I don't have much skill with humor."
The smith slipped out from under the sheets, freeing Tara to get up when she was ready. The blade stored under the pillow moved back to the pile of clothes. As he was reaching down though, he caught a subtle odor clinging to his smock. Not surprising, it had been a couple days since he had found time to bathe. "I was going to see about washing off. Did you want me to have something set up for you?" It was an honest question and as suggestive as the bard would likely turn it, Joshua did not blush at the offer...
She couldn't help smirking. "Well now," she purred, unfolding herself from the bed. "And here I thought you were too shy to go propositioning me." She widened her eyes and batted her lashes at him, then snorted and shook her head, dropping the act.
"I wouldn't mind a bath, sure. Thanks."