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...