Alanna of Trebond (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
the_lioness) wrote2008-05-01 03:49 pm
the_lioness) wrote2008-05-01 03:49 pm
445-446 HE
It's dark in the stables. Dark, damp and cold. Alanna kicks her boots against a stone wall and watches the snow fall away. There's a frown on her face and a haunted look in her eye, but the set of her shoulders is all stubbornness and determination.
She lights a small lamp with her Gift and begins checking off the items piled before her. In the middle of an internal debate over whether or not to bring a pack horse, she hears a noise in the tack room and quickly douses the pale light.
She's not alone. She really wanted to be alone.
Peering down the aisle, she starts forward.
She lights a small lamp with her Gift and begins checking off the items piled before her. In the middle of an internal debate over whether or not to bring a pack horse, she hears a noise in the tack room and quickly douses the pale light.
She's not alone. She really wanted to be alone.
Peering down the aisle, she starts forward.
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Look at him innocent. Oh how he innocents.
"Be honest. How bad's the nose."
Like an innocent raccoon, that took a long walk down a very dark alley and got hit in the face really hard by something he should have seen coming.
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The snort escapes unconsciously.
"I've seen worse. It has to feel better than my ribs. But, really, you should've seen the camel. Do I still have cactus needles in my shoulder?" she asks, turning so he can see.
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"I don't see nothin', you feel anything?"
Slowly he works his way to his feet, residual bits of dried on bog flake off as he moves.
"Here, lemme see."
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It's been an interesting week.
Alanna is close to laughing again when he shuffles over. "Do you get the feeling someone is having a laugh at our expense?"
Honestly, those hillmen sprang up from nowhere and they had three shamans! (And a very angry camel, once Alanna used a fireball to remove its rider.)
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He sighs again, but this time it turns into a chuckle towards the end.
"My fault though. I mean, I am the jackass that said things couldn't get no worse. I think you do got one here. Main part broke off but there's still some swellin'. Here hold on, lemme get a knife."
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Or at least not cause any further damage until she finds a healer with more delicate instruments.
The absurdity of their situation strikes her anew, and she starts laughing hard, eyes crinkling at the corners, like it's all she can do to breathe around her amusement.
"Perhaps it would have been-" Wheeze. "-wise to stick to the road after all."
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A throwing knife spins in his palm.
"Hold still."
His grin is as sharp as his knife, provided one ignores the massive bruising just above his top lip.
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Still seized by the aftershocks of laughter, she grabs his wrist and shakes her head.
"Not that I don't trust you with my life, but I'll survive with it as it is." She smirks. "Besides, I doubt you'll let me heal you."
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"There's a difference here, you ain't allergic to sliver removal."
He shrugs, stowing the knife.
"Suit yourself."
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Relaxing, she rolls her shoulders and reaches into her pack for a strip of dried beef. Even Alanna is looking forward to more pleasant dining experiences in Tyra.
"This isn't quite what you expected, is it?"
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"How do you mean?"
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"When you decided to come along, I'm sure you were expecting something more..." She makes a broad gesture with her hand. "Glamorous?"
That's not the right word -- why would he, of all people, expect that from her -- but it's the best she can find at the moment.
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Many pans were killed in the making of this comment. Many.
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"I'm glad you did," she admits. And yet, the air grows heavy with the potential for a 'but'.
Eventually, she adds, "We aren't far from Tyra now."
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"Bet you're lookin' forward to court, huh?"
Because he isn't, and not just because he's decided that he's not going...
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Her smile is sharp, almost dangerous looking.
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"After dinner though, right?"
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A glance up at the gradually appearing stars tells her that night is almost fully upon them. Alanna frowns, thoughts elsewhere.
"I think I'm going to turn in early tonight." She smirks. "We've earned it."
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Never know, camels are spiteful that way.
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She stretches, wincing at the sound of cracking bones, and lowers her head to her overturned saddle.
"Raph? Thank you."
It's not his fault his presence is making it hard to work out her issues.
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And he's certainly not going to start now.
Oh he keeps watch, that's for sure, but once he's sure that she's drifted off to sound sleep he begins packing up his meager belongings.
He can't handle court right now, not like this. And he certainly can't handle more of the feeling that he's holding her back. No this is a good plan; he'll make for the closest town, barter what he can for what provisions he'll need, get a new shirt, and be on his way before she's even awake the following morning.
One thing is for certain, no more alcohol. Not until his head is back on straight. And if that means forever, well...that's just as well then, seeing as there's not a drop of Jack to be found anywhere anyway.
Once he's all packed and ready to move he...pauses.
"G'bye Alanna. Goddess protect you and see you home safe. I'll make this all up to you someday, promise."
And with that he's gone.
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"I know, I know," she grumbles. "Raph, why didn't you wake me up for the second shift!?"
Nothing but silence answers her annoyed demand.
Rubbing her neck, a scowl settling on her features, she awkwardly gains her feet. A night's sleep like that, dead to the world, can leave a person feeling old. Her disposition worsening by the second, she stomps around the camp looking for Raph.
He's not there.
Neither are his things.
(This is all my fault.)
Alanna sinks into a crouch and runs through her repertoire of curses. Maybe he just went for a walk, she tells herself. But if he had, would he have taken Cloud? No. He's well and truly gone.
"Goddess, please watch over him," she whispers. "I know he's not yours, but now he's Tortall's."
By the time she's broken her fast and saddled Mithros, Alanna is already thinking about stopping by the nearest garrison and picking up the escort she'd eschewed weeks before. It's only sensible, now that she's alone.
(Alone)
That word doesn't hold the attraction it once did. Still, she takes a deep breath and heads for Tyra's border with a small smile on her face. Wherever he is, whatever he does, she's certain he'll make his way back eventually.