Spirits of the Earth

It was late afternoon for a rugged fort and village attached to the lower side of one of the mountains. This was a outpost for the Adelan Royal Army and its garrison had been increased recently with reinforcements from the capital. Four weeks ago, a noble lord named Tywin Faridal had been discovered plotting against the Crown in Ketra.

His attempt failed, but Lord Faridal had escaped and took shelter in his fortress home in the Thunderback mountains, mustering his local forces for war with the Army that is coming for his head. For now though many of the peasants, soldiers, and knights were enjoying themselves an off duty break in the fort's popular tavern.

  The lively crowd that occuiped most of the tables and chairs in the wooden hall with a huge fireplace in the back. Yet there was a young man, wearing brown doublet jacket and dark pants with simliar colored shoes who sat by himself by choice at small table for two.

A bard's song played in the background, as Rubin Morrell snip his ale in a wooden cup and thought.

This is actually good ale. A lot better than that goat piss I was forced to drink during that one time in the plains.

He chuckle at his private joke, before noticing some of the knights at the bar stand were staring at him with barely veiled contempt. They whispering to each other, no doubt talking about him, he didn't let them get the satisfaction of seeing him offended though he was a bit inwardly.

How many times must I risk my life for people to realize thaf I'm noting like my father!

Before he could ponder on that sour thought Rubin noticed a newcomer entering the bar at the front entrance.

Elora took one look around the crowded tavern, smiled, and made a beeline for the bar. She boosted herself up onto a stool and held up a finger to the man serving drinks. He nodded, setting about getting her a mug, and she used the opportunity to take another, closer look around the room.

There was nothing quite like soldiers off duty. Personally, she thought it was because they were forced to be so regimented in the rest of their lives that when they got the chance to just be loose they were loose. She grinned to herself, ducking a little further into the hooded cloak that shadowed her face.

Her drink was slid in front of her and she took it, flipping a coin to the bartender before turning on her seat to observe the room again. I will be good, she reminded herself of the personal oath she'd taken when she'd gotten off duty earlier that day. I will have one drink, maybe chat a bit, and then I will return to my lodgings.

She was in the middle of repeating this mantra to herself when someone- a soldier who'd somehow already had more than he could handle- stumbled into her, spilling both of their drinks all over the two of them. She gave a rather undignified yelp and leaped to her feet. In an effort to spare the rest of her clothes, she quickly shucked her cloak, which had taken the brunt of the attack.

The soldier was slurring drunken apologies, but she waved him off with a smile. "No harm done," she assured him, brushing a the few locks of pale blond hair that had struggled free of her braid out of her face. No harm, yes, but they had caused a bit of a spectacle- his rather inebriated pleas for forgiveness weren't exactly quiet, and she knew her hair was eye catching in an Adelan crowd.

She sighed internally as eyes started to drift their way. So much for a quiet evening.

Rubin had noticed that the newcomer was a woman but her cloak, kept him from getting a good look of who she is. He decided to focus back on his drink and did so until hearing that yelp at the bar. When glancing back in that direction, he widen his eyes in realization, upon seeing the lady without the cloak in the way.

It can't be...and yet. He thought while looking at her hair, he only knew one person who had pale blond hair. Elora Braun, that is her name. Many years ago, her family of dragon riders were close associates to his parents and use to visit the Morrell estate often. During those visits, Rubin had gotten to play with their daughter, Elora all over the the house and gotten themselves in trouble quite a number of times.

The last time he saw her, they were both twelve years old and it was before his father's attempted coup. The Brauns remained loyal to the Crown and helped bring down Cristo Morrell and his rebels. He never saw Elora again following those events. Though he did heard about her, becoming a knight like her parents wanted. Taking his cup in hand, he strolled over to Elora once the attention died down minutes later.

Sitting next to the lady knight's left side and commented with a friendly smirk.

"I knew I recognize that hair. It only belongs to a certain little girl who use climb castle walls with me or put a flower crown on my head when I was taking a nap. Isn't that right Elora?"

"Wha-" Elora started, a bit surprised by the newcomer. Then she turned to him and her eyes widened in recognition, a broad smile lighting up her face. "Oh my gods, Rubin!"

Smile changing to a smirk, she said with mock severity, "That little girl is all grown up, you know. Don't be expecting more flower crowns."

But she couldn't keep up the facade for long. Beaming again, she threw her arms around him exuberantly. "What are you doing here? I'd heard you'd become a knight but- gods it is good to see you!"

She pulled away to look at him again, still grinning. She wasn't the only one who had grown up; it was a little disconcerting to see her old friend- who she still remembered as a young, lanky boy- as a grown man.

"To be fair, those flower crowns did made me sneeze a lot." He replied with a chuckle, returning the hug gladly.

"The feeling is mutual Elora. As for me being here, well I imagine it's the same reasons as you are. An uppity lord thought he should sit on the throne and the high command decided to throw some knights like us and an army to punish that scumbag and his followers."

He paused before asking.

"So how it feel, being a defender of the realm?"

She shrugged, plopping her elbows on the bar and resting her chin on her hands. "You know, fighting battles, daring quests, rescuing damsels in distress." She wrinkled her nose teasingly. "Everything little kids dream about, yeah?"

Her tone sobered a bit and she leaned toward him. "What about you then? Word is you're starting to make a name for yourself, Sir Rubin."

Rubin scratched his head in slight embarrassment before answering.

"Well Lady Elora it's been an experience to say the least, bit of both good and bad. I was just gald me and the others survived that ambush and my family have something to be proud of again."

He drank some more, following that statement.

She hesitated a moment, then clapped him on the shoulder. For a moment she'd forgotten the other gossip surrounding her childhood friend.

"Well, I'll drink to that," she said jovially, trying to lighten the mood. She batted her eyes at him with a sugary smile and added, "If you'd be so kind as to buy an old friend a drink, that is. Mine seems to have been...misplaced."

"With pleasure."

Rubin called over the bartender and bought Elora's next round. Once that was done, Rubin raised his cup to his friend in a proposed toss.

"To flower crowns." He said in amusment before drinking up the last of his ale. Though he spotted some of those other Knights from earlier still glaring at him and Elora would notice it too. He sighed in resignation before saying.

"I imagine you heard the some less than flattering things they say about me too."

She laughed at his toast, joining in with sparkling eyes. But she bit her lip when his tone changed, glancing away.

"I have," she admitted evenly. Turning back to him, she hesitantly placed her hand over his and said sincerely, "I'm sorry about what happened. Your family didn't deserve that."

Rubin nodded in silent gratitude to Elora. He continued.

"What Cristo Morrell done was inexcusable. Lives were lost and people, commonor and noble alike suffered for that treason. Yet seems like some people seem to forget or ignore that he betrayed our family too. Soni, my mother you remember how she used to smile real big and laugh a lot? Well that so-called man broke her heart and she couldn't manage even a small grin most of the time after all that."

Elora would quickly note how her friend refused to call Cristo, father in that statement. Before the disgrace Rubin had looked up to his father in near-worship and Elora would remember that quite well.

"Enougn about that, lets focus on having a good time. One question, you still nervous around dragons?"

Rubin teased with that latter question.

She sort of wanted to hug him again, but she wasn't quite sure how the gesture would be received. It had been ten years since she'd seen the happy boy with sparkling green eyes, after all, a lot had changed.

So she let him change the subject, not wanting to force him to relive painful memories. "Keep your voice down," she said, shushing him dramatically. "I've got a badass reputation to maintain." She gave a theatrical groan and dropped her head into folded arms. "They're huge and they have a lot of teeth and they breathe fire- how are you not nervous?"

"Because I remember that most of them are allies of our kingdom." Rubin countered with amusement. He tried to control himself but he did slighty snicker at a funny memory that surface in his mind.

"I remember one time when we hiding in your parents' stable from Erin and her brother when you spotted your mother's dragon staring at you with his teeth a few feet away from us. Gods, you screamed so loud that I thought half of Adela heard it."

Rubin said with a more lower voice so the conversation can only be heard between themselves.

"So how did you earn your title as knight?"

Elora had a very hard time resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at him as she might have when they were children.

"Nothing like as impressive as your story," she said, shrugging. "I went through training same as all the other squires and they sent us out for a week in the mountains for survival practice. A rockslide hit- no one was expecting it- and me and this other squire, Lorren, were the only one not too badly hurt to go get help. Managed to lug the others down the mountain side and warned the village things weren't exactly stable, got everyone evacuated."

She shrugged again. "When we got back to Ketra they knighted us. Something about loyalty to our comrades and ingenuity in the face of adversity. You know, lots of big words, bla bla bla." She sipped her drink, feeling the familiar, warm buzz start in her fingertips.

Understanding what Elora exactly meant, he nodded.

"Most impressive Elora, saving lives like that. Also you're right, they use a lot of big words in those ceremonies."

Before he can say something else, a drunken Elf in leather armor, a forgien mercenary attached to the army came over and spoke with alcohol clearly in his breath.

"Hey get lost, those are my seats now."

Turning toward Elora, the merc with a lopsided grin added.

"Well the wench can stay and can have some fun with me."

Rubin was tempted to slug this fool for his arrogance when he stopped himself. Elora was the one who the Elf insulted the worst. As a knight she likely wanted to handle this herself, though Rubin will back her up if their drunken offender had some friends nearby.

She arched an eyebrow, entirely unimpressed. "The wench will do no such thing," she retorted. Then, with a smile sweet as sugar, "And unless you'd like several bones broken in the next five minutes, I suggest you back the hell off. Now."

She turned away from him, taking another swig of her drink and looking to Rubin as though the elf didn't exist. "Where were we?" She knew that wouldn't be enough to deter the merc, but she had really been trying to be good tonight, so she gave it a shot.

The tall elf with white hair snarl at the rebuff. It seem either he was too intoxicated to notice he was mess with a knight or he simply didn't care.

"Nobody talks to me like that, you whore!"

Suddenly the elven merc grabbed for Elora's left shoulder with one arm. Rubin had a feeling in this very instant, the drunken sword-for-hire had just made his biggest mistake of today.

Rage, fueled a bit by the small amount of alcohol she'd consumed, lit her up from the inside and she bit down on a growl. She twisted easily out of the drunk's hold, surging to her feet.

Her hand went to her hip- she may not carry her sword all the time when she was off duty, but she always had a long dagger. She jerked the blade from its sheath and twisted so she was pressing the elf back against the bar, hiding what went on between them from most of the tavern.

She held her dagger to the fork of his legs, putting a fair amount of pressure on it. "Unless you want be to take your favorite toy, back. Off," she hissed through gritted teeth, the gold flecks in her eyes flaring with anger.

Faced with this very real threat, the elven thug turned sober out of sheer fear. The offender looked like he was about to soil himself, Rubin thought while pretending everything was fine. He doubted most of the Adelans here would stick up for a foreign sellsword. Of course, he understood that Elora didn't want to gain attention for getting violent during an off duty hour.

Even so the other knight was a still bit surprised by how vicious she can get. It seems they both have grown up in many ways. As for the elf, he shook his head yes to Elora's command and when let go he quickly made full haste away from them.

"I say that fool learned at least not to mess with you Elora. Personally, I would broken his jaw and one of the arms too if he laid a hand on me. Oh well different solutions, same results. So how your family been?"

She shrugged, sheathing her dagger. "I'm not a fan of mercenaries, but he must have been hired for a reason. Figured I shouldn't break anything too important just before a fight."

She plopped back onto the stool, sipping demurely at her drink as though nothing had happened. "They're...you know. Good. Mom's mom and Dad is dad, the great Generals Braun." She twirled her finger by her head. Her parents had always been fierce members of the Adelan military, but it wasn't until she was thirteen and sixteen that they'd been promoted to such high offices of command in the dragonrider corps.

"How are the girls?" she asked cautiously, referring to his sisters. She'd heard about his mother's death and was a little worried about bringing up his family, but she was curious about his siblings.

Unlike the talk involving his so-called father, Rubin was more comfortable discussing about his sisters.

"Yvette is up in Serendipity, attening a school for future ladies in waiting. She apparently loves it there and is taking lessons in painting too. As for Delilah, she already working with my aunt and uncle to reclaim the Morrell estate for all of us. Although..."

He paused with a labored sigh, before finishing.

"I haven't had much time to see them to be honest. Duty and all you know. Thankfully we still write letters to each other constantly."

She put her hand on his again, her heart going out to him. She may not have any siblings of her own, but she could tell how much he missed his sisters.

"Hey, another round!" she called to the bartender. He nodded and soon enough they had two more mugs in front of them.

"So how'd you end up assigned here?" she asked after taking a long gulp, her "one drink tonight" rule completely forgotten. "I mean, me I get, I just got knighted, but you- aren't you too valuable for this sort of thing? I'd have thought it'd be mostly foot soldiers and mercs."

For some reason, Rubin felt very comfortable around Elora. Her hand on his own had a pleasant touch to it, he considered. He slighty blush, remembering that awkward crush he had for Elora years back. They were kids back then and it had just silly feeling he tried to himself. He didn't know if she had exactly felt the same way during that time.

Rubin don't go there, she's a colleague now. This isn't the time to think such things.

Even so he finally manage to put on straight face to answer his friend's inquiry.

"Truth to be told, I actually vonlunteered for this mission. I feel I can do more good outside the capital. The higher-ups felt that adding an extra knight wouldn't hurt. They offically assigned me and some others to personally make sure the traitor Tywin doesn't escape again. Dead or alive."

In the back of his mind Rubin knew this quest was also another test of loyalty. He imagine there will be more to come but one day at a time.

Elora thought she understood what he wasn't saying. She supposed it made sense, in a very cold and calculating kind of way- send the child of a traitor after a traitor to test his loyalty.

Still, she hadn't expected to hear that he'd volunteered for the job. She shrugged darker thoughts away and gave him a small smile, squeezing his hand once before releasing it. "Well, I'm certainly glad you're here. Gods, can you believe it's been, what, ten years since we've seen each other?"

She was bluffing a little with her "fuzzy" dates. She knew exactly how long it had been since she'd last seen Rubin, to the day. She tried not to dissect that too much, it could only lead to trouble.

Probably.

She needed another drink.

"It does feel like ages ago. Still worth it I would say." Rubin remarked. Perhaps the drink was getting to him, but it seem he was getting a good vibe from this reunion. Just to be in the company of someone he knew and cared about was good enough for him. After nearly emptying his latest round of ale, an idea occured to Rubin.

"Say Elora how about we walk around the fort? It would give us some time to talk more and a better chance to get sober."

She made a face, downing her drink. "Ugh. Sober. Who needs sober?" But she stood and offered him a smile. "But I won't say no to a stroll."

Feeling a little playful, she bowed at the waist and threw him a wink. "If I may have the honor, Sir Rubin?"

Pleased to have more time to spent with her, Rubin lead the way, escorting Elora out. Minutes later they walking around side by side, taking all of the activity at work here in the fort. Of course, once or twice Rubin had glanced at Elora, when he was sure she wasn't looking. It was like dream, to finally reunite after all this time. Being a bit drunk, Rubin less cautious to taking pleasure in eying up her figure.

He looked away to the front when she turn an eye toward. To break the silence, he asked a serious question.

"Uh Elora, beside training what experience do you have in combat?"

She glanced over at him. "A few border skirmishes. Nothing too serious though, this'll be my first real test as a knight I suppose."

A little tipsy, she flashed him a slightly flirty smile in spite of the voice in her head telling her that was a bad idea. "Why, you worried I can't handle myself?"

"Oh just curious." Rubin tried to excuse away in an embarrassed matter.

"I already figure you can handle it, considering how you earned your rank and the way you taught that sellsword some manners."

He enjoyed that smile of her she was directing at him. The male knight steady himself to maintain what left of his discipline. Sober thoughts entered his mind and it forced him to get more serious.

"Just do your duty, keep your head on straight and whenver necessary take a risk if you feel it's worth it."

Elora wrinkled her nose at the mention of the sellsword, muttering an insult under her breath. She walked beside him in companionable silence for a while, pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it was.

"This is nice," she said, glancing over at him again and realizing she had to look up to do so. Smiling crookedly, she commented teasingly, "I remember a time when I was taller than you, Sir Rubin. I'm not sure how I feel about our positions being reversed."

It was probably the alcohol still buzzing in her system that made her rock up onto her toes, trying to cross the difference in their heights.

Rubin answered with amused smirk.

"Deal with it."

They climbed up the steps that lead to the northern quarter of the wooden wall that surrounded the fort's interior. They came a to spot far between the sentries on patrol. There Rubin took a glance toward the green woods below towered over the sides by several harsh shaped mountains.

He admired the trees more than the rocks, though he could respect the awe the mountians can produced.

Looking back at Elora, he inquiry further.

"What weapon do you favor? Warriors like us usually do have preferences."

"Longsword," she answered immediately. "I like to be able to fight from horseback if I have to. You?"

She looked out over the mountains and the woods as she talked. Far in the distance, near the peak of one spire of rock, she thought she saw a brief spark that may have been dragonfire. Her body shivered with an instinctive wariness and awe.

Shrugging, Rubin answered.

"My prefence is usually a sword and shield. I'm good with either fighting it out on foot or horseback."

The way Elora shivered a moment looking out in the distance later told Rubin she was likely spotted something to do with dragons. Those mighty beings do tend to favor these mountains after all. As much he loved to tease his childhood some more about her "caution" with the dragon species, he felt they needed to talk about the coming campaign.

"Faridal is a rat but he does know a thing or two about the art of war. Plus he fighting on homeground and knows the lay of the land rather well, along with having an impressive fortress to hold up in. It's going to be a hard fight no doubt of that, yet I believe we will crush him. What's your impression about our troops' morale so far?"

She gave a small snort. "Judging by the level of drunkenness in that tavern, I'd say morale is doing pretty damn well," she said with one arched eyebrow, looking at him. Up at him. Damn that was going to take some getting used to. "Who knows what it'll be tomorrow when they all have to deal with the consequences of tonight.

Shrugging, Elora looked back out over the Thunderblacks. "But like you said- we'll crush him. Probably literally. He knows his fortress, and he knows how to fight a siege, but there are just to many of us. He won't last."

He smiled, thinking about how punishing the hangovers will be among the soldiers later. Rubin knew Elora will likely get have the same problem, considering her own consumption he had witnessed earlier.

"Sure we will, I just hope our general, won't be reckless with the soldiers' lives while doing so. Warriors suffer or die on the battlefield, no denying of that, but there is a difference between sacrifice and waste. Well that's what Uncle Carl taught me anyway. Sorry I didn't mean to preach."

She shook her head, flashing a smile at him. "No, you're right."

With yet another shrug, she put her back to the view and leaned up against the rampart, tilting her head at him. "This is my fist active military duty. I've never worked under the general before- you have any idea what he's like?"

Exchanging glances with Elora, the other knight answered.

"General Gera Hardin? I don't know her personally, but she has won many engagements and does have a fierce reputation on and off the field. She's known to be an expert on quashing revolts. I guess that why Command chose her for this."

Before he can finish another voice with clear authority spoke up from behind them.

"That and my stunning good looks too, Sir Rubin."

Swiftly turning around, Rubin saw a heavily armored Orcish woman around forty years of age, with amused smirk plastered on her expression. Wide eye, the young knight stood at attention with a crisp salute.

Elora snapped into a salute of her own, though perhaps a tad more relaxed. She had the alcohol in her system to thank for that. And she couldn't help smirking a bit at her old friend's reaction. "She's not going to eat you, ya know," she teased. Then added as an afterthought, "Well. Probably."

Addressing the older woman, she nodded politely and stood at attention. "Forgive my ignorance, General," she said, voice brisk but deferential. "I have yet to serve under true military command. Sir Rubin was sharing what he knew with me."

"I heard everything Lady Braun, there no need to explain." The general answered almost like a mother would, while Rubin kept himself in his slighty fearful posture. The Orc officer went on.

"Your uncle taught you well Morrell. Rest assure the only lives I intend to waste will be the traitor and his ink. Though don't expect me to be soft either. Anyway, I'm quite aware of both of you, having read the reports throughly. I like to be informed of the knights under my command you see."

Elora moved to clasp her hands behind her back in an "at ease" posture- elbowing Rubin gently as she did in an effort to get him less rigid- and nodded at their commanding officer. "Of course, General," she said, nodding respectfully.

Feeling like maybe she should add something else, she bowed at the waist and muttered, "Thank you for accepting me into your service. I know I am inexperienced." She glanced at Rubin out of the corner of her eye as she straightened up, willing him to say something so she wasn't the only one talking.

With Elora's slient nudging, Rubin finally took at ease posture as well. He followed his old friend's example and bowed respectfully by the waist. Straightening up, he spoke again.

"Understood general. Rest assure we will serve in whatever way you command as best."

Quietly, he wondered if Hardin will treat him with distaste like plenty of others have before. So far it didn't look to be the case, but one couldn't be sure. Then the commander herself looked at her two young subordinates in great study and back forth before commenting further.

"As matter of fact I'm in need of both of your services. Elora Braun, you will be reassign to serve as part of my personal bodyguard. Don't worry you will have plenty of opportunities to learn, because my staff tends to complain that I lead charges too often for their care. As for you Rubin Morrell, a company of infantry who just came out of training lost their commander a few days ago due to a riding accident. Considering your rank and experience I'm placing you in charge of them."

A bit stunned, Rubin recover enough to bow again and humbly said.

"I live to serve crown and country."

"As- as you command, General," Elora stammered out, a bit surprised. She flashed Rubin a wide-eyed look as she dipped into another bow.

"Shall I report to you then directly?" she asked as she straightened up. She'd been under the impression that she would be mustering out with the rest of the foot soldiers when the time came.

Shaking her head no, General Hardin explained.

"You're both still off-duty for now. Enjoy your break, until it ends, then report to your new stations at once. Morrell, one of my staff officers will you direct to the company."

With a salute and a playful wink the general turn away and left the young knights. Rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand, Rubin stated the obvious.

"Well...that was interesting."

Elora snorted. "That's certainly one word for it."

Then she turned to him with a grin, elbowing him playfully. "Well hey, look at that! Given a command before we've even hit the field. You must be feeling pretty pleased." The gold in her eyes glinted up at him.

She was happy for her friend, and oddly proud of him. She knew he must have been having a hard time of it since the scandal his father had caused, and she was glad their General didn't seem to care and was giving him a real chance to prove himself.

"A bit terrified in all honesty Elora. The only unit I ever lead was a small squad temporaryily during a skirmish."

Of course, he didn't mention the part that he observed how his uncle Carl and other officers, good and bad commanded troops over the years. He just didn't want to brag that he learned much about it. He looked sideways and smirking at Elora.

"You don't got such a bad position yourself. Bodyguard to General Hardin herself, rather impressive for a new knight. That means you're going to be on the front a lot. They say she likes to get in the thick of the fighting whenever the chance present itself."

She puffed herself up dramatically. "What, you don't think I can handle it?" she teased, bumping her shoulder against his.

Sobering a bit, she said with a soft smile, "I'm sure you'll do fine, Rubin. She wouldn't have given you the command if she didn't think you'd be good at it." A gleam lit her eyes again and she added, "Besides, you're a born commander. You've always been a bossy little thing, even when we were kids."

Bumping his shoulders back at hers, he countered humorously.

"You did scream and cry a lot back then heheh. It's no wonder I had to take charge."

Lowering his eyes for a bit, he added.

"In all seriousness though, thanks Elora. So how about I escort you back to your lodgings? I imagine you want to rest before heading to headquarters."

She couldn't quite stop the impulse to stick her tongue out at him this time, but then she smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks." She turned to go, asking over her shoulder, "Where are you staying then? If we didn't see each other until the tavern tonight, I assume we're not in the same lodging house."

Rubin gladly pointed out where he was staying from their position. His lodgings were at east side of the fort at the lower end corner. Once that was done, he followed Elora back to her place. On the way there, a new question popped into his head, it felt rather awkward to conisder asking about for some reason. Still curious he went ahead.

"Been seeing anyone lately? I imagine you must broke a heart or two by now."

Elora shot him a slightly surprised look, not expecting the question. "No, actually," she said, keeping her voice carefully even as she looked ahead again. "I haven't. Messed about with a few of the boys in training, but it was just for fun, nothing too serious. I haven't...seen anyone since I was knighted."

She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye, curious now that he had brought it up. "What about you then? Must have your pick of the litter with the name your making for yourself." There was something a little forced in her tone, but she told herself it wasn't noticeable.

Perhaps that wasn't the right question to ask Rubin told himself, realizing he may have struck a nerve with that one. Gluping down, he replied carefully.

"As matter of fact I made an effort to avoid people who give me too much praise. They're only shadow people who insulted my family when I'm not around, trying to cash in on that new reputation. "

The next part felt harder to confess but Rubin knew he had to be straight with Elora. She told her side it was only he did the same.

"Like you I...messed around for fun. Just with only some women. No I'm not seeing anyone lately either, it's hard to trust somebody else on that kind of level you know."

Why I do feel this nervous all sudden? He asked inwardly.

They were getting closer to her lodgings. Not wanting to break the conversation off, Elora paused, grabbing his arm so he stopped with her. "Rubin," she said, using her best no-nonsense tone. "You're jumpy. What are you trying to ask me here?"

She'd never been the kind of person to tiptoe around a subject, so she looked up at him expectantly, not realizing she still had a hold on his arm.

The gripe and her voice, compiled Rubin Morrell to stop in his tracks. He can bravely charge against a host nomads or hold his own in a bar fight but right now he felt twelve years ago. In some ways things haven't changed since that time. Rubin knew now that crush was still there yet it seem grown into something more than that along the way. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

Morrell didn't want to ruin this reunion with something that would embarrass them both. Spirits' sake they only seen each other again nearly hour before. Despite all of his efforts to cleanse his family name, Rubin still felt tainted and unworthy. Why should he add a burden to Elora who was just starting her own career? Yet, she demanded an answer, no the truth from him, she deserved no less.

Beating around the bush or lying won't help matters. Rubin took a deep breath before the mustering the courage. Staring into her amazing eyes, he spoke slowly.

"Elora do you remember the last time we were together? We were at your favorite tree in my mother's garden. I bruised my face after falling from a branch we're sitting on. You came down and help me back up and...kissed my cheek to make it feel better. Well it made my face go all red."

He struggle with the words if they would cut off an arm but managed before finally saying.

"I cared about you before then Elora as I do now..."

Lowering his head in condemnation, he continued.

"Forgive me, I had no right to bring this all up. We just only saw each other after all these years. I don't want to ruin our friendship because of my foolishness. You have your own life, who am I to complicate it?"

She simply stared at him for a moment, silent. When she could speak, all she managed to get out was a soft, "I remember..."

Elora bit her lip, just staring at him. The grown woman knew she should probably smile and brush it off, telling him that of course she cared for him too, but it would be easier to just stay friends.

But there was a small part of her, a part of her that still felt like the little girl whose heart would skip a beat every time those green eyes looked at her, that desperately needed to know what could be. She felt that if she didn't act now she would regret it.

"Rubin." Her hand slid down his arm to his wrist, then she slowly threaded her fingers through his, the touch almost a question. Almost without her permission, her other hand went up to lightly touch his cheek.

She opened her mouth but for a long moment no words came out. Finally, cheeks flushing, she murmured, "Do you...want to come in?" She nodded at the lodging house, letting her gaze drop. "We could, you know. Talk. I-" She let out a shaky sort of breath. "I've missed talking to you."

It was the most she could admit just then. I am a damned coward.

The way she reacted and touching his cheek, caused him to pause. Did she felt the same way he wondered within the sanctuary of his mind. He looked up and answered with his own blushing face.

"Yes I would like to."

No matter what happens next, he felt a great load was lifted from him. She wasn't just somone have a fling with she was more special than that, Rubin reminded himself. Following her inside, Morrell commented.

"What do you want to talk about first?"

Elora led him to the small room she was using, nodding for him to take a seat on the bed as there wasn't really anywhere else to sit.

"Oh, I don't know...anything really," she mused. Without really thinking about it, and because she had too much anxious energy to sit down, she began pacing  in a small circle, undoing the ties in the front of her tunic and slipping it over her head, leaving her in undershirt and breeches.

What did we used to talk about? None of their old conversation topics seemed exactly appropriate. She fidgeted a little nervously, kicking off her boots. Was it warm, or was that just her?

 Ironically, not considering what being on the bed could lead to, Rubin sat on it. Watching how Elora circle around and slighty undress, made the man become more aware of how the situation could lead to. A part of him welcomed the possablity but he refused to take advantage of it, unless Elora really wanted that.

"I seem to recall that you had some crazy cousins who use to visit. I forgot their names to be honest. They were a quite the bunch."

She laughed quietly, dropping onto the bed next to him. "Aunt Scara's kids," she said, nodding. "Oh they used to make me so mad. They called me names, then said I was a crybaby."

She pouted dramatically. "Well of course I was upset! I was seven years old and Darren had taken one of my toys. And then he threatened to break it if I told Mother." She glanced up at him, eyes softening a bit. "You got it back, remember? I never did find out how, just- there you were, holding a silly doll out to me with this shy little smile..."

Looking away again, she cleared her throat. "Look, you can, you know. Get comfortable." She gestured to herself as an example. "I certainly don't mind."

It was only then that she realized such action may not be entirely appropriate. She hadn't really been thinking about it- it was Rubin for gods' sakes! She remembered once they'd gotten themselves so filthy playing outside that he mother had refused to let them back into the house until they were cleaned and they'd wound up sharing a bath in the maids' laundry washbasin.

But that had been a long time ago, and the rules were different now. She folded her arms; she didn't like the new rules.

"Oh yes, I managed to steal back from Darren and evaded him in amazing chase, worth telling in legend." Rubin declared with over-dramitic voice to be funny but yes he did all of that minus it being epic but just downright silly.

When Elora offered allow him to get comfortable, Rubin examined her debeating with himself.

"If you're okay with it, then I will." He offered, Rubin wasn't a perfect man. He sometimes wasted money on brothel visits or threw himself into danger recklessly. Yet he was a gentleman and more importantly how Elora felt about this situation mattered the most right now.

Forcing herself to relax, she gave him a small smile. "I don't mind, really. It's nice to just be able to relax with you. It's certainly been awhile."

She flipped back onto the bed, absently undoing her braid and combing her fingers through her hair so it fell around her shoulders. "You nervous?" she asked abruptly, feeling the need to say something. "About tomorrow I mean."

Granted, Rubin slim his grab to the same level as Elora. With her new question, Morrell groaned some before laying his head on the bed opposite of Elora.

"Little more now considering my new assignment. I bet those recruits are as green as grass if the general wants the likes of me to lead them."

Rubin noticed how lovely his companion's hair is before asking.

"And you?"

She turned onto her side to look at him. "Yeah, a little. But only an idiot isn't nervous before a battle, right?"

"Right" Was Rubin's answer. He looked at her with unspoken gentleness. It was so wonderful to be here with her. He brought up a hand and touched Elora's cheek with it.

"You're so lovely Elora."

She dropped her eyes, feeling her face heat, but she didn't push him away. "I'm not," she muttered, feeling ten different kinds of awkward. "But...thank you."

Letting her gaze drift back up, she smiled a bit and said softly, "You didn't grow up so bad yourself." That was an understatement. Hesitantly, almost carefully, she reached up to cover his hand with hers.

The touch was innocent enough. So then why was she so nervous?

When their hands locked together, Rubin smiled. Without thinking much about it, he moved closer to Elora and kissed her on the forehead. When Morrell fully realized what he just done he tried to speak.

"Uh...I"

He couldn't say anything further, worried that he went too far.

Elora blinked, then smiled. "Always so articulate," she teased quietly, moving her hand to brush her fingers across his cheek.

Almost experimentally, she leaned forward to peck him on the lips. She drew back quickly, watching him with an expression that was almost wary. Ok, just breathe. It's fine, it's just a little kiss. Just breathe.

With that kiss to his lips, Rubin became arouse. Though it was light peck, it's more than enough to send his head spinning. He was tempted to go further he restrained himself, Elora's expression was what stopped him.

"Elora, I want what you want. If means leave I will do it for you. If not...well we can find out."

"Enough talking," she decided firmly, leaning in to kiss him again. He hadn't pushed her away, and she would take that as a victory. They could deal with the more complicated stuff later.

Her hands slid up to wrap around his neck and she shifted closer, deepening the kiss.

Pleasantly, taken aback Rubin retuned Elora's kiss with vigor and wrapped his arms her as well like she was doing. They wrestled tongues for a half minute before Morrell stopped them both with a lopsided grin.

"Let's do this right." He said in a way that made Elora understood what he was exactly implying. Getting up to the side of the bed he pulled his undershirt off and then dropped out of his pants. Rubin let her take a good look of him.

She sort of let her eyes wander up and down, trying to reconcile the lanky boy from her memories with the very much grown man standing in front of her.

"Guess I should return the gesture," she said quietly with a small, wry smile. She sat up and shucked her own clothes- and immediately folded her arms over her chest, sort of shrinking in on herself. It was just so strange to be...doing this. With Rubin.

Clearing her throat, Elora glanced to the side, face burning, and drew her knees up so she was more huddled on the bed than sitting on it. She had never felt so exposed to another person before, and it made her shiver lightly.

Sensing her hesitation, Rubin with compassionate eyes, stroll back unto to bed with Elora. A breath away from this beautiful woman, he raised her chin to with his left forefinger and thumb to get her attention.

"I want what you want." Rubin Morrell repeated. Titling his head, showing her his friendly expression as if to remind her this was wasn't a stranger in disguise.

"I'm not offering perfection Elora. Nor am I seeking it from you. Yet know that this man you see cares too much to break that trust we both share. We're equal partners in this, whatever happens, whatever you decide afterward, please remember that you're still you and I'm still me."

Gently, he planted another kiss to Elora.

Slowly she relaxed, tilting her head into the kiss. Her arms dropped from her chest to grab at his shoulders, arching her body up for more contact.

Elora shivered lightly, then broke away. The gold in her eyes flaring, she ran one hand over his chest to rest above his heart, feeling the beat of his pulse.

She smiled. "I'm pretty sure I've loved you since we were ten years old. Now get over here so I can prove it."

With the happiest grin he can displayed, Rubin reply back.

"With pleasure, my love."

He pressed to her body with his own. Rubin wrapped arms around Elora's waist and gave another deep kiss to her, lowering them down flat on the bed. From that point forward on they made passionate love with one another as if time just stopped.

Wide-eyed and more than a little breathless, Elora lay beside him afterward, skin hot and flushed but still somehow craving his warmth.

"Gods," she whispered. And a completely irrational giggle rose up in her throat. Turning her face into his neck, she wrapped her arms around his waist, grinning widely.

"I sort of can't believe that just happened," she muttered, letting her hand run up lightly over his chest as if to assure herself that he was real.

"Hmm...was so good." Rubin whispered back. He stiffen his own laugh before placing arms on Elora's back to hold her closely while smacking her with his lips. That is been quite the experience Morrell noted to himself, this was more precious and enjoyable than those affairs with other women. He took a good guess that it was because of the connection they shared.

Pressed her chest to his together, Rubin noted with mirth.

"I got another confession to make Elora. One time when we're twelve you thought were bathing by yourself at the pond near your house. Well I was heading to the manor when spotting you, getting out of the water. I hid the bushes till you left. You remember I couldn't stop blushing for the next few days when we saw each other. It was an accident...uh it started out as such."

Rubin displayed a naughty smile, all in good nature.

Elora squeaked and swatted at him lightly, face flushing. "You little cad," she accused, laughing. Shaking her head, she added with a chuckle, "What could you even have found so intriguing? I hadn't exactly- well, filled out yet."

She raised an eyebrow, rolling them so she was lying on top of him, chest pressed against his as though to make her point.

"Being a stupid boy at the time I didn't know anymore my dear." Morrell said in his defense, while trying to keep a straight face but failing at that. Looking at her hungrily he added.

"We sure did filled out."

Then he gave a light spank to Elora's right butt cheek and rubbed it.

She gave another squeak, then glowered at him. "You'll pay for that," she growled playfully, bending to bite his neck, hands gripping his shoulders. The nip relaxed into a kiss after a moment, one hand sliding up to fist in his hair.

Rubin laughed at her attempts at retaliation. He softly gripped her back with his own arms and playfully rubbing their chests with one another. Then Rubin began planting kisses on Elora's neck too.

Elora hummed in the back of her throat, almost a purr, and let her head fall back to give him better access to her neck. She let her hands wander to his back, scratching lightly. "Don't think this means you're off the hook for being a peeping tom," she muttered, voice trailing off in a contented sigh.

With an acknowledged grunt, Rubin continued until they made love again for a little bit longer. Once done, the two Knights got up from the bed and began redressing themselves, they will be back on duty soon. With pants on now, and mostly occuiped with strapping his booths, Rubin Morrell wondered aloud.

"I wonder what comes next for us?"

Elora shook her head, straightening her tunic. "I don't really know," she said quietly. Rubbing her hands down her face with a sigh, she mused, "I suppose, for now, we fight this battle. We...can take a look at things when we've made it back."

Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she leaned toward him and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "I'm not sorry," she told him softly. "Just so you know. I know things may get a little...complicated. But I'm not sorry."

"Me neither." Rubin stated in the same tone as Elora and gave a final kiss to her cheeks too. They do have a revolt to fight against, concern for their future togehter can be considered later. With their different positions in the army it is likely they won't have too much time to even glance at one another's direction. Such is the lives of Adelan warriors like them.

Even so Rubin enjoyed every moment of this reunion with Elora and looked forward to continuing this growing relationship once this current crisis was out of the way. After they finally got fully clothed, the two Knights reported to their new posts. Then the next day, General Hadrin's army marched out of the fort and advancing further into the Thunderbacks for the upcoming struggle ahead.