On Feathered Wings

[Paladienne]

"All you have to do is polish the wheel, like this." He took her hands between his, and guiding hers, used the rag and the wheel, and gently rubbed the rag around the cogwheels' face and back, and between the spokes. Then he removed his hands from hers once she had gotten the idea, and gestured at the small pile on the worktable. "And there's a few more, if you finish that one. See how the grease is coming off? That wheel should be silver when you're done with it, not that blackish bronze."

Artemis turned then to find a seat for her, pulling a spare stool up to the worktable so she could sit and work. It also was so he could be close to her without invading her personal space, and he could work as well. He returned to his own stool and picked up a small needle and mallet, then leaned over the box itself and began to gently tap at something inside it.

"This music box is very important," Artemis said in a low voice, as if the very vibration of his words would cause him to make a mistake. "At least, that's what Barkus told me. So, once I fix the problem and put this back together, hopefully it'll make someone very, very happy."

[DragonSong]

Shae tensed slightly when he started showing her how he wanted the wheels polished; it wasn't the same tension that she used to have around him, before they knew one another, the kind of tension born of too many years flinching into corners and hiding herself in the shadows. It was a new tension, something warm and a little shivery that seemed to skitter up her spine more and more often around him, especially when he would do things like this--keeping close to her, protective, teaching her.

She shook her head when he moved away to get the stool, frowning slightly. She wasn't entirely naive, it wasn't like she had no knowledge of her own feelings. She was just convinced that it was silly, an infatuation that would eventually pass. And it wasn't worth risking the first really close relationship of her life to entertain those thoughts longer than a moment or two.

She glanced up when Artemis spoke again, nodding along to show she understood as her hands were busy and she couldn't sign to him. The tinkerer had become rather adept at reading her lips over the last few months however, so she mouthed slowly, It might be for his daughter. She married a few years ago. He sometimes sends her presents, things she liked when she was a girl.

It was a nice thought. It sometimes helped her to remember that Barkus was actually capable of kindness, even if it was almost never directed toward his staff.

She didn't have long to dwell on it though--a sudden rise in volume from out in the courtyard made her start, nearly dropping the wheel she held. It sounded like an argument, Barkus arguing with the captain of the soldiers at their gate, most likely.

[Paladienne]

Artemis shifted as he heard the arguing, but he hesitated to get up and go look. He didn't want to cause trouble for Barkus, and if the soldiers were arguing with him about Artemis's presence, the last thing he wanted to do was throw fuel on that particular fire. But looking at Shae's concerned face, the least he could do was make sure the lord was okay. He doubted that the soldiers would dare to harm Barkus with so many potential witnesses around. But... if it came down to that, and there was violence, Artemis would do anything to keep Shae safe, even if it meant burning this manor down around them and slaughtering anyone who chose to stand against him.

"Stay here," Artemis told her. "I'm just going to take a quick peek. I don't think it's anything serious, but better safe than sorry, right? Besides, it's too late for this kind of stuff to be taking place. Some people are trying to sleep."

He winked at her, then pushed away from the table and strode to the workshop's door, opening it a fraction to see what was taking place in the courtyard, and to see if Barkus needed any assistance. He doubted the man did, considering the loudest voice of all was coming from the lord, but there wasn't any reason to take unnecessary risks.

So Artemis opened the door further and stood in the threshold for a moment, then stepped out and closed the door behind him to shield Shae from seeing anything she shouldn't. But he didn't move forward further than that, awaiting Barkus's command or dismissal as the lord saw fit.

[DragonSong]

Barkus was either arguing or just speaking rather passionately with the leader of the group of soldiers that had arrived at the gate; it was difficult to tell with him, as he had that pretty much perpetual frown sketched across his face.

The merchant turned slightly when he caught sight of Artemis out of the corner of his eye. "You. Tinker. Is the raven keeper with you?"

It was sort of a rhetorical question; he'd seen Shae enter the shop, and would have noticed if she'd tried to sneak back across the courtyard to the stairs that led back up to the aerie. "Get her out here, I need her to send a message to these fine young men's commanding officer. They will be seeking shelter with us for a few days--by order of the Duke."

It was clear he wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea, but was in no position to refuse them.

Shae herself was waiting just behind the other side of the door, one ear pressed to the wood as she tried to listen to what was happening. Her eyes widened a bit; she'd thought she heard Barkus say that the soldiers were staying. For how long? Where would they put them all? Why?

[Paladienne]

"Sir," Artemis replied, bowing low as he was expected to do. He knew Barkus really didn't expect him to give him a straight answer. After all, he was certain that he'd seen Shae and had watched her enter the workshop. It wasn't like their friendship was a complete secret anyway. "I'll get her right away."

He turned back to the door and opened it just enough to slip inside. He glanced to the side as he saw Shae on the other side of the door, but pretended that he didn't see her at all, stepping into the workshop and closing the door behind him. He paused then, simply breathing. Then he looked at her and offered her a small smile.

"You heard him, didn't you?" Artemis lifted a hand and ran his fingers through his crimson hair. "I don't know why he wants to have you send a message for these soldiers, but you might as well hurry up and do as he asks. Do you... want me to walk with you?"

He was asking because he didn't trust the soldiers at all. He was asking because he didn't want Shae to be alone. He was asking because he could tell how scared and uncertain she was, and he didn't want her to feel scared. So he watched her face and he waited for her answer, his expression one of concern.

[DragonSong]

Shae jumped back from the door as though it was burning hot, eyes wide as she stood aside to give Artemis space when he entered the little workshop. She nodded once in response to his first question--she'd heard him, though she wasn't quite sure how she should react. Beyond getting her job done, of course.

Barkus rarely "lent" her to visitors for their own use; typically, if someone wanted a message sent, they had to go through him. But he had made it sound as though she would be taking the missives directly from the soldiers, which was...unusual, if not inherently suspicious or frightening.

...So why was she frightened?

At Artemis's second question she snapped her eyes up to his face, hesitated a moment, then nodded quickly. Her hands flew through her words: Yes, please. If it--Only if it's not going to cause trouble for you. You don't mind?

[Paladienne]

Artemis smiled, and he hoped that it was a gentle, loving one instead of one that seemed overprotective and frightening. That was the last thing he wanted to do to her, make her afraid. He could tell that she was already scared enough. The presence of the soldiers unnerved her - unnerved them both, if he had to be honest - but for her, it was more frightening. The soldiers might think twice before tangling with someone Artemis's size and strength, but they would have no qualms about trying to get into it with someone as small and demure as Shae. Especially since she couldn't fight back. Her station wouldn't allow her to do it, no matter if she really could or couldn't fight. Artemis, on the other hand, had no such qualms. He would fight those soldiers if they chose to attack him, and he would make sure that he was the last one standing. It would mean abandoning everything here, and leaving Shae behind, which would kill him as surely as any blade. To avoid that, Artemis was determined not to offer any resistance. Or, at the very least, defend himself in the most meager way possible.

"I don't mind," Artemis said at last, keeping his voice low. "You should know that by now. I don't mind doing anything for you."

He didn't know how she would take that sentence, but for him, it was an undeniable truth. He would do anything for her. He would kill. He would maim. He would steal and lie and cheat. He would do anything for Shae. To keep her safe. To keep her happy. To keep her innocent.

He looked toward the closed door, as if he could see through it to the soldiers and Barkus standing outside. Then he offered Shae his hand, palm up. "Come on. We shouldn't keep them waiting. I'll take you to the eyrie."

[DragonSong]

Her cheeks flushed, heat surging up through her body to settle in her chest, and she returned his smile a little shakily. She tried to tell herself that he hadn't meant that the way it sounded, that their friendship was too important to risk for something so silly, but her errant heart wouldn't listen, stubbornly skipping a beat in her chest.

Thank you, she signed gratefully, her smile turning into something smaller, relieved. She reached out to take his hand, trying to keep the touch light and gentle while privately basking in the warmth he emitted. She'd never known someone who just naturally ran as hot as he did. It was oddly soothing, sometimes.

Barkus was waiting for them with his customary frown in place, and he shot their joined hands a quick, sharp look when they emerged. "What, will the chit get lost on her way back to the tower?" he snipped, making Shae wince and duck her head. But he didn't seem to really be angry, more annoyed. Probably with the whole situation, but Shae was the easiest target for his frustration.

With a curt wave of his hand, the lord of the manor huffed, "Just get it done, and be quick about it. We want these men put up for the night as soon as we can manage."

Shae nodded quickly, releasing Artemis's hand to sign, Yes, sir, I understand.

Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw one or two of the soldiers watch the movement of her hands with sudden interest, but she didn't really pay it any mind. Plenty of people were taken aback or intrigued by her way of "speaking" the first time they encountered it.

[Paladienne]

Artemis didn't bother to answer Barkus, since he knew the question wasn't directed at him and he didn't think Barkus expected an answer. Really, his presence was just to comfort Shae and ensure that the soldiers thought twice before trying to tangle with him. So he was a solid wall between her and them, crossing behind their master as they headed across the courtyard. He could see the tenseness in Barkus's body, the anger radiating from the lines of his face. He didn't want these soldiers here. He didn't want to spend the money or the time to ensure their comfort and room and board. He probably also likely didn't want to open up anything to the soldiers, whether it was rooms or anything more. Also, Barkus likely didn't want to be caught with these men within his walls, lest the fires of war come to his estate and place him on one side or the other.

Artemis was careful not to touch Shae once she released his hand. It was bad enough Barkus had seen it, and the soldiers too, but he hoped that they had chalked the contact up to Shae being scared rather than just a symbol of Artemis's feelings for her. He simply moved with her, keeping his gaze forward as they walked across the courtyard to the eyrie.

Pitching his voice low, Artemis asked, "Do you want me to come inside with you?"

[DragonSong]

Three of the soldiers split off from the main group to follow Shae and Artemis up toward the manor; evidently these were the men either high enough in rank to be trusted with bearing messages, or were simply not good for much else.

Possibly both.

When they reached the door at the base of the tower, Shae paused and glanced up at Artemis, then back over her shoulder at the soldiers.

She did want him to come with her, but she thought that might seem...suspicious. And she didn't want to risk angering their guests, for fear of them reporting it back to Barkus for some reason and then--inevitably--he would find a way to be angry with her about it.

So she just smiled and shook her head, reaching out to lay her hand on his upper arm briefly for a moment, giving him a soft squeeze before she let go and took a step back to sign, It's alright, thank you though. I'll see you in the morning?

She glanced back at the soldiers again, gesturing for them to follow her as she started up the long staircase that led to the aerie.

"Odd little thing," one of the men muttered to his companion as they filed up the stairs after her. All three had been eyeing Artemis warily, but now that it seemed they'd be parting company with the strange red giant they had relaxed slightly. "D'you suppose she can't speak, or just doesn't want to?"

"You see the scar on 'er throat?" another of them scoffed, his voice echoing softly off the stone walls. "Garrote mark. Pro'lly crushed her throat. Wonder who wanted to hang her..."

Up ahead, Shae winced slightly, her step hitching for a moment. Unconsciously, she reached up to tug the collar of her shift higher, attempting to better hide the scar.

[Paladienne]

Artemis watched as the soldiers followed Shae into the eyrie, a strange tenseness in his muscles and in his hearts. He didn't think anything was amiss, for he'd heard what the soldier had muttered before the door had fully closed, and it bothered him. Still, he didn't want to cause problems for Shae. Having him come to her rescue when she didn't need to be rescued undermined her own authority, and it undermined her own confidence. Still, Barkus hadn't said that Artemis couldn't wait for the soldiers to leave the aerie and for Shae to return. So Artemis leaned up against the side of the building, folding his arms over his chest, and he closed his eyes, listening for the slightest sound that might sound like a problem. He hoped there wasn't one. He wasn't sure exactly what he would do if Shae sounded like she was in danger. Probably something stupid.

Artemis sighed and tightened his grip on his arms. Maybe he should've gone in after Shae. But she wouldn't have appreciated that, and it might even cause trouble for her. And yet, he couldn't get this strange feeling out of his hearts, that something was tightening like a drawn wire, and that that wire was about to snap, and destroy everything fragile near by upon its recoil.

[DragonSong]

Once she'd led the three men into the aerie, Shae got to work as quickly and efficiently as she could conceivably manage. She wanted these soldiers out of her aerie as fast as she could manage without seeming skittish or rude.

So she handed over some of her stock of parchment, gestured to a small table with pen and inkwell where they could write, and stood to the side to allow them to complete whatever message it was they had to send. As they did, she called down two ravens with a raised hand and a soft croaking sound.

One of the soldiers lifted his head as she did, narrowing his eyes at her in a strange, calculating sort of way. An instinctive chill ran down Shae's spine and she quickly ducked her eyes, stroking one of the bird's glossy black feathers with the back of her hand.

Once the messages were written they were handed over to her, already rolled and sealed. Shae quickly fastened the scrolls to the birds' legs before taking them to one of the lower windows and urging them out into the open air.

By the time she turned back, the three soldiers had left. She glanced around, then moved to the door, intending to shut it behind them, but she hesitated. Was there a chance Artemis was waiting at the base of the tower? She'd told him that she'd see him in the morning, but... She felt off. Nervous and twitchy. She knew being around her friend would make her feel better, even if only for a bit, but she didn't want to bother him for something so silly.