RP channel logs: Athawe, Khuldir

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[RP]: (Athawe): Walking back toward Sendar, Athawe had a smug smile on her face. After spending the day before at the Arendish Fair, she felt quite pleased with herself.
[RP]: Athawe was on her way to the tavern to meet with her business partner, and give him a report on her activities.
[RP]: (Athawe): She felt quite pleased with herself.
[RP]: (Athawe): After swindling a cartload of boots from one man, she'd conned another out of his furs.
[RP]: (Athawe): At first, she wasn't sure what to do, but an idea formed quickly. She would use her contact in Boktor and have the furs sown into the inside of the boots.
[RP]: (Athawe): Then, come winter, she could sell them in Northern Drasnia for a tidy profit. Yes, Athawe was quite pleased with herself.
[RP]: Athawe steps into the tavern and sits at an empty table in a dark corner. Ordering an ale, she patiently waited for her partner to arrive.
[RP]: Khuldir walks into the tavern, squinting as his eyes adjusts to the dark interior.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Ahh, there you are, lass. I've been searching for ya.'
[RP]: Athawe looks up and grins at Khuldir as he approaches the table.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Hello, partner. Pull up a chair.'
[RP]: Athawe motions the serving wench over to the table.
[RP]: Athawe says 'An ale for me, and whatever my gentleman friend would like.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Ale please.'
[RP]: Khuldir waves the wench away.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'So, Athawe, how's business down at the fair?'
[RP]: Athawe grins, a twinkle in her eye.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Profitable, my friend. Very profitable.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Heh, I expected that.'
[RP]: Athawe laughs. She tells Khuldir about her boot/fur scheme.
[RP]: Athawe says 'So, whaddya think?'
[RP]: Khuldir chuckled. 'Well done gal! Wish I had thought of it myself.'
[RP]: Athawe inclines her head in a small, mock bow and grins again. Lifting her glass, she waits for him to do the same.
[RP]: Athawe says 'To business?'
[RP]: Khuldir raises his mug. 'To business.'
[RP]: Athawe winks and drains her ale in one swallow. Setting her mug down, she looks around the room with a contemplative look on her face.
[RP]: Khuldir smiles at Athawe and drains his own mug.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'll have to go to Boktor.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Hmm, more business?'
[RP]: Athawe shakes her head.
[RP]: Athawe says 'My contact is in Boktor. That's how we get the furs into the boots.'
[RP]: Siaden says 'Or are we talking from our own inventory?' She laughs.
[RP]: Khuldir nods sagely.
[RP]: Athawe says 'It'll take a me a couple of weeks, probably.'
[RP]: Athawe makes a face.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'll be walking.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Hmmm.. would you want me to accompany you?'
[RP]: Athawe thinks about it for a moment.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I'm free anyway. And I can procure some horses for our trip.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'Only if you want to. Like I said, I'll be walking, so it's likely to be a long trip.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'We'll ride there then. I've the funds for a wagon if you want to.'
[RP]: Khuldir winks at Athawe.
[RP]: Athawe sighs. She shakes her head slightly, then looks at the far wall.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'd really rather just walk.'
[RP]: Khuldir raises an eyebrow at Athawe.
[RP]: Athawe shrugs.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I like to walk.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'You are not afraid of horses are you?'
[RP]: Athawe snickers.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Me? I'm not afraid of anything.'
[RP]: Khuldir grins at Athawe.
[RP]: (Athawe): Her left eye twitches slightly, however.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Oh?'
[RP]: (Athawe): Gives her partner a hard look.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I like walking.'
[RP]: Khuldir chuckles at shakes his head.
[RP]: Athawe rolls her eyes and orders another ale.
[RP]: Athawe says 'You don't have to come with me, you know.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'm perfectly capable of making the trip myself.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'But I want to. I've to protect my interest you know.'
[RP]: Athawe raises an eyebrow and gives Khuldir a funny look.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Still don't trust me, eh?'
[RP]: Khuldir coughs uneasily and takes another sip at his ale.
[RP]: Athawe grins impishly.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Ok, you can come.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'But we walk.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Sure.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Anything you say partner, just don't collapse in exhaustion halfway there.'
[RP]: Athawe grins and winks.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'm not worried about me.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'Just make sure you can keep up.'
[RP]: Khuldir rolls his eyes, disgusted.
[RP]: Khuldir mutters 'Women!'
[RP]: Athawe grins and winks again.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I'll go get ready the supplies, meet me at the eastern gate.'
[RP]: Athawe nodding, she tosses a few coins on the table to pay for their drinks.
[RP]: Khuldir stands up and moves out of the doorway.
[RP]: (Athawe): Watching her partner walk out of the tavern, she stays where she is, her thoughts slightly troubled.
[RP]: Athawe didn't really want him to go with her, but had no plausible excuse for making him stay behind.
[RP]: (Athawe): Grumbling and muttering curses under her breath, she gathers her things and heads out the door toward the partner, who awaited her at the eastern gate.





[RP]: Athawe sighs. They had been on the road, her and Khuldir, for 2 weeks. Leaving Muros behind early this morning, they walked until the sun set.
[RP]: Athawe had set up the tents, and is sitting on a rock, waiting for Khuldir to come back to the site with firewood.
[RP]: Khuldir mutters to himself as he carried some large pieces of wood into the camp.
[RP]: Athawe looks up as Khuldir comes back. She takes some rations from her pack and waits while he lights the fire.
[RP]: Khuldir uses his flint and dagger to start a fire, after a few minutes he manages to get a small flame going.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Athawe, are you ready to start cooking now? The fire's ready.'
[RP]: Athawe looks at him for a moment, then nods. She was in a pensive mood. For the first week or so of the journey, she had been talkative. The last couple of days, however, she had grown quiet, letting Khuldir do most of the talking.
[RP]: Khuldir senses a shift in Athawe's mood, trying to keep the atmosphere light he continues to yak away by himself.
[RP]: (Athawe): Supper was cooking. Athawe sits back on her rock and looks up at the stars twinkling through the fading twilight. She sighs again, and begins to whittle a stick with her dagger.
[RP]: Khuldir moves besides Athawe and sits down.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Is anything bothering you Athawe? You seemed quite reticent lately.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'What? No. Nothing's wrong.'
[RP]: Athawe looks back to the stars.
[RP]: (Athawe): Well, that wasn't entirely the truth. But Athawe didn't think Khuldir would understand.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'll see if supper is ready.'
[RP]: Khuldir stands up and goes after Athawe, catching her hand in his.
[RP]: Khuldir seems embarassed and lets go of her hand immediately.
[RP]: Athawe turns and stares hard at him. She searches his face for a moment, her expression stern, but her eyes betraying a less severe emotion. Athawe says nothing, and turns back to the cookfire.
[RP]: Athawe says 'It's ready.'
[RP]: Khuldir nods.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I'm sorry about that... I didn't mean to do it delibrately.'
[RP]: (Athawe): She just nods, and takes her place beside him on the rock again.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I am just concerned about you... you seemed out of sorts lately.'
[RP]: Athawe laughs lightly.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Me? Nah, I'm just thinking.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'What are you thinking about?'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Care to share your thoughts?'
[RP]: (Athawe): She looks at him for a full minute before replying.
[RP]: Athawe looks at him for a full minute before replying.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I was just thinking about what we should do after we leave Boktor.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Oh?'
[RP]: (Athawe): Was she that transparent? She'd have to curb his natural curiosity before she started revealing things she didn't really care to talk about.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Yep. That's all.'
[RP]: Athawe finishes her supper and scrubs the dish with a handful of dirt.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'll take first watch.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'You don't have to stand watch Athawe, I'm still fresh enough to last the night.'
[RP]: Athawe raises an eyebrow. No, it was imperative she take first watch.
[RP]: Athawe says 'No, I insist.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'You look tired Athawe, go get some sleep.'
[RP]: Athawe shaking her head firmly, she points at his tent.
[RP]: Khuldir shrugs helplessly.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'm taking first watch. You can argue with me all you like, you won't win.'
[RP]: Khuldir lies down beside the camp fire, keeping an eye out for Athawe at a distance.
[RP]: Athawe grumbles and rolls her eyes. Men! Well, at least he bedded down, even if it wasn't in his tent.
[RP]: Athawe moves from the rock to just beyond the circle of light cast by the fire and leans against a tree. Idly playing with her dagger, she once again turns her gaze to the stars.
[RP]: Khuldir shifts in his bedding and tries to keep his eye on Athawe without her noticing.
[RP]: (Athawe): Her keen ears pick up the sound, and out of the corner of her eye she watches Khuldir shift. Shaking her head, she stays where she is. Why couldn't he just leave well enough alone? He didn't trust her, that much was clear. But it wasn't like she was out to steal from him.
[RP]: Athawe sighs and grumbles again. They'd been partners long enough. And besides, she always took her forty percent, nothing more. Granted, she was a thief, but still...
[RP]: (Athawe): Hours later, in the still of the night, Athawe was wide awake and alert. There was probably no need for them to stand watch, but old habits died hard. She sat, her back against the tree, her eyes going from shadow to shadow, watching carefully.
[RP]: Khuldir rises from his bedroll and approaches Athawe silently.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Athawe, it's my turn for the watch now.'
[RP]: Athawe swore under her breath. Standing and turning in the same motion, she already had her dagger out. She stopped just before plunging it into his ribs.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Belar! Don't you know better than to sneak up on a thief on watch?!'
[RP]: Khuldir grins at Athawe cheekily, using two fingers, he shifts the dagger away from him.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I'm sorry about that, I thought you were sleeping on the watch.'
[RP]: Athawe mutters an oath under her breath.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I never sleep.'
[RP]: Khuldir raises an eyebrow.
[RP]: (Athawe): Her eyes flinty, she stalks to the fire and sits, pulling a blanket around her shoulders.
[RP]: Khuldir shrugs helplessly.
[RP]: Khuldir clears the ground, sits down and begin his watch.
[RP]: Khuldir chuckles to himself, thinking about Athawe's actions.
[RP]: Athawe waits until Khuldir is settled, then turns her thoughts inward again. She was certainly better off now, and she didn't miss Khradnak at all.
[RP]: (Athawe): But sometimes, Athawe wondered if it had been wise to leave the den where she'd grown up. Her face softens, and her eyes shine in the moonlight. No, she wouldn't cry. On the outside.
[RP]: Khuldir looks back into the camp to check on Athawe. Seeing her in her blankets, she looks so vulnerable.
[RP]: Athawe feels Khuldir's eyes on her. She lowers her gaze from the sky to settle on his face. He was so infuriating. He treated her like.. well.. a woman!
[RP]: Athawe could take care of herself. And this not trusting business would have to stop. She'd proven herself time and again.
[RP]: Khuldir stands up and dusts himself before moving towards the campfire.
[RP]: Khuldir settling himself besides Athawe, he keeps quiet, not wanting to break the morning silence.
[RP]: Athawe doesn't look at him. It was still early enough to be considered night, and her eyes still scanned the shadows. Out of habit, perhaps.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Shouldn't you be keeping watch?'
[RP]: (Athawe): Her voice is quiet to avoid breaking the stillness of the night.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I think I'll have to tell you something Athawe.'
[RP]: Athawe sighs. A heart to heart, hmm? She nods at him, finally turning to look at him. But her eyes still shifted from side to side as she watched the woods around them.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'We are partners Athawe, I respect your privacy. But I'll not let your mood ruin my business. If there's something bothering you please be honest with me.'
[RP]: Athawe thinks about this for a moment. She had been moody lately. And, though she wouldn't tell him why, it was only fair for her to apologize.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'm sorry. I've just been thinking a lot lately..'
[RP]: Athawe turns her gaze back to the stars.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'What are you thinking about?'
[RP]: (Athawe): Still gazing at the stars, she turns her head slightly so he can't see her face. She thinks for a minute before answering.
[RP]: Athawe says 'The past... and the future, I guess.'
[RP]: Khuldir nods.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'What about it?'
[RP]: (Athawe): How to tell him? It wasn't like she could just bare her soul. For all intents and purposes, he was still very much a stranger. But she had to tell him something. She owed him that, at the very least.
[RP]: Khuldir waits patiently for Athawe.
[RP]: Athawe says 'When I was little, I used to lay awake at night, looking at the stars. Did you know the stars don't judge?'
[RP]: Athawe says 'They don't care who you are, or where you come from. Or where you're going.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The night fades into morning as they sit, her speaking quietly, him listening...





[RP]: Athawe breathes a sigh of relief as the outter edge of the fens looms into view. They'd been wandering, her and Khuldir, for almost two weeks. Athawe wasn't disappointed to finally be leaving the fens.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Phew, we are finally out of that blasted fens.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'Yep, and it's about time too. I wondered if you hadn't planned on dragging us through there for another month.'
[RP]: Khuldir scuffs his foot in the dirt, looking very sheepish.
[RP]: Athawe grins, and winks at Khuldir.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Just kidding.'
[RP]: Khuldir gives a helpless shrug. 'Oh well, its getting late. I'm going to find a place for us to rest for the night.' he says.
[RP]: Athawe nods absently. She trusted him, for the most part. She knew he'd find a good place to camp, then they argue, per usual, about who would take first watch.
[RP]: Khuldir reaches a forest clearing with Athawe following behind. 'This looks like a good place to camp for the night.'
[RP]: Athawe looks around for a moment, then nod. 'I agree. If you'll start a fire, I'll see to supper,' she says.
[RP]: Khuldir nods and goes off furthur into the woods to search for kindlings.
[RP]: Khuldir chuckles to himself as he recalls the relief on Athawe's face when they finally reach the edge. 'Thank god she doesn't know that I'm lost too.'he says to himself.
[RP]: Athawe continues preparing for supper while Khuldir gathers wood. They'd been traveling for almost two months, and Athawe realized she was glad for his company. Strange. She'd always been content alone...
[RP]: Khuldir returns to the camp with a large armload of firewood, smiling at Athawe as he places the load beside her. 'That should be enough to last us through the night.' he grins.
[RP]: Athawe looks up and nods. 'Yes, that should be enough.' she says, then turns back to her supper preparations. Before long, she hands Khuldir a plate and sits on a rock to eat.
[RP]: Khuldir gets his own plate of food from Athawe and moves to sit beside her. 'Athawe.' he nudges at her.
[RP]: Athawe raises an eyebrow.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'I just want to let you know that I have enjoyed the past few weeks travelling with you.'
[RP]: Athawe raises an eyebrow.
[RP]: Khuldir begins to blush as he continues 'And....I..I do love you.'
[RP]: Athawe blinks, then just stares at him. Did.. he just say...No way. Absolutely not. She wouldn't stand for it. Standing up, her expression hardens.
[RP]: Athawe says 'You.. love me? Khuldir, you hardly know me. How can you possibly...? No..'
[RP]: Athawe she glares at him, her face hard, but her eyes telling a much different story.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Did I say something wrong?'
[RP]: Athawe stares at him incredulously.
[RP]: Athawe says 'We're business partners, Khuldir. Nothing more.'
[RP]: Athawe glares at him for a moment, then turns and walks away. Love? How could anyone possibly love her? She was.. well.. unlovable. The tears had started rolling before she realized it, and still with her back to Khuldir, she looked up to the stars. Love....





[RP]: Khuldir sits silently by the fireside, stirring the dying embers with a stick, trying to figure out what he had done to incur Athawe's wrath. 'I shouldn't have told her how I feel, what a fool I've been.'
[RP]: Athawe watches Khuldir from the trees. She had silently crept back to the campsite, still afraid to approach him. It really had been unfair of her to be angry with him.
[RP]: Khuldir hears the near silent footsteps of someone approaching the campsite, he slowly placed his hand around his dagger, waiting for the unknown person to approach.
[RP]: Athawe sighs. She should've known better than to sneak up on a Drasnian. Stepping out from the shadows, she speaks quietly. 'Khuldir.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Ath.. Athawe? I'm sorry.. for making you angry. I... I just want to let you know how I feel.'
[RP]: (Athawe): Walking to him, she tentatively reaches out and takes his hand. She looks up at him, her eyes shining. She pauses, uncertain. "Oh fer cryin' out loud." Prodded by an unknown force, Athawe kisses Khuldir gently, then steps back and looks at him, a haunted, fearful look in her eyes.
[RP]: Khuldir looks bewildered at Athawe's kiss, unable to come up with a proper response he stands at his position and gapes like an idiot at her.
[RP]: Athawe bites her lip. Ok, so that was unexpected. Now he looked confused, and rightly so. Athawe sighed again. This was going to be very difficult for her.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I...I wish ... no, that's not right.... I'm sorry I was angry with you.'
[RP]: (Athawe): Ok, she'd said that. Now for the really hard part.
[RP]: (Athawe): Taking a deep breath, she looks into Khuldir's eyes. 'This is very hard for me to say...' Her lip trembling, she forces herself to continue...
[RP]: Athawe says 'I love you.'
[RP]: (Athawe): A single tear escapes and rolls down her cheek. She ignores it, trembling, waiting for Khuldir to respond.
[RP]: Khuldir widens his eyes as he hears Athawe's confession his mind tried to register it.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'You.. you do?'
[RP]: Athawe nods.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I....I think I do...'
[RP]: Athawe finally wipes the tears from her eyes. She squeezes Khuldir's hand, and tries to smile up at him. Her lower lip trembles, however, and fear shows in her eyes.
[RP]: Khuldir moves forward to embrace Athawe and begins to gently kiss her lips.
[RP]: Athawe kisses him back, slightly surprised. Pulling away from him, she sits on a rock in front of the fire, and beckons him to join her.
[RP]: Khuldir sits besides Athawe.
[RP]: (Athawe): Stirring up the fire, she starts to speak, her voice hushed.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I met a man once, in Kotu. His name was Khureid..'
[RP]: Khuldir nods. 'What about him?'
[RP]: Athawe pauses, then begins again. He ... I loved him. More than anything in the world.
[RP]: Athawe says 'We were meant to be married.'
[RP]: Athawe pauses again, tears welling up in her eyes again.
[RP]: Khuldir nods.
[RP]: Khuldir puts an arm around Athawe, hugging her closer.
[RP]: Athawe says 'It was a beautiful day. I wore my mother's dress, and my father was so proud of me.'
[RP]: Athawe puts an arm around Khuldir and takes a deep breath. 'He never arrived. I waited in the chapel until the sun set, and everyone had gone home.'
[RP]: Athawe blinks as the tears begin to fall. 'My parents found me the next morning, sleeping under the altar.'
[RP]: Khuldir gasps in astonishment.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I searched for him for three days.'
[RP]: Athawe says 'I found him, lying in a ditch outside of the city.'
[RP]: Khuldir shakes his head.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I swore off love that day. That's why I was so angry with you.'
[RP]: Athawe sighs. She looks at Khuldir, then kisses his cheek. In a quiet voice, she talks about how she came to be the cold-hearted, distant person Khuldir met in Sendar.





[RP]: Athawe smiles happily.
[RP]: (Athawe): The three weeks since she'd finally confessed her true feelings to Khuldir had passed quickly. It was amazing, she noted, how time flew when one was happy.
[RP]: Athawe looks at Khuldir, and feels her heart lurch. It was a happy lurch. She really did love him, and had proven it in the most beautiful way possible their last night in the fens.
[RP]: (Athawe): Boktor, their final destination, loomed on the horizon.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Phew, we've finally reached Boktor.'
[RP]: Khuldir looks at Athawe and smiles, thinking himself to be extremely lucky to have won this beautiful girl's heart.
[RP]: Athawe giggles. Khuldir, she'd noticed, had a knack for stating the obvious. It was a quirk she loved, like everything else about him. Except for his fondness of horses. Athawe shudders. Horses.
[RP]: Khuldir grins impishly, 'We could've gotten here much faster if we're on horses...'
[RP]: Athawe gives Khuldir a hard look. 'I don't do horses.'
[RP]: Khuldir chuckles. 'Really? I wonder why?'
[RP]: Athawe raises an eyebrow and shudders, but says nothing. She instead turns her attention toward Boktor. 'If we pick it up a little, we could probably make the city by nightfall.'
[RP]: Khuldir smiles at Athawe. 'Sure.'
[RP]: (Athawe): They picked up the pace a bit, and made Boktor by nightfall. Imagine that. The girl was right. Athawe grins and kisses Khuldir fondly. 'See? What did I tell you?' Winking at him, she scampered ahead of him through the gates.
[RP]: Khuldir chuckles and chases after Athawe, nearing knocking into the gate keeper in the process. 'Sorry!' he shouted over his shoulder.
[RP]: Athawe giggles and squeals as she jumps just out of Khuldir's reach. 'Ha! Can't catch me!' With that, she runs down the street, giggling over her shoulder at him.
[RP]: Khuldir picks up his pace and manages to gain on Athawe with his long strides. Catching her by her arms he grins and wheezes. 'Caught ya.'
[RP]: Athawe squeals and shrieks in mock protest as Khuldir catches her. She giggles, then throws her arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. Breathless, she holds herself close to him, while her heart slows down. 'That was fun.'
[RP]: Khuldir looks at Athawe's pretty and flushed face, staring deep into her beautiful blue grey eyes and says without thinking. 'Gods, you are beautiful.'
[RP]: Khuldir lowers his head to kiss Athawe on her lips...
[RP]: Athawe blushes and is about to kiss him, when suddenly she makes a face. Turning her head away at the last moment, Khuldir ends up with a mouthful of hair.
[RP]: Athawe lurches slightly, then pulls away from Khuldir. She had an odd feeling in her stomach and... Yep, she was gonna... Turning, her stomach wrenches and she is violently ill.
[RP]: Khuldir looks concerned, patting Athawe's back gently, he asks. 'Are you alright dear?'
[RP]: Athawe starts to nod, then changes her mind as the rest of her supper makes a grand entrance onto Khuldir's boots.
[RP]: Khuldir winces at the mess, 'Let's get you to an inn...'
[RP]: Khuldir pulls Athawe closer to him as he supports her to the nearest inn in town.
[RP]: Athawe can only nod as Khuldir leads her down the street. She had begun to tremble and her stomach still heaved.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Innkeeper! A room please and make it fast.. and oh, where's the nearest medicine man?'
[RP]: Athawe says 'Wait.' She stops, then shudders through a series of dry heaves. She had nothing left, but her stomach still protested loudly.
[RP]: (Khuldir): The Innkeeper looks bewildered at all the bustle in his main hall. 'Yes good sir. The nearest medicine user we have is right next door and she's the best around this town.'
[RP]: (Khuldir): The Innkeeper hands over a key to Khuldir, 'I'll get her right away good sir.'
[RP]: Khuldir tries to support and grab key from the innkeeper at the same time.
[RP]: (Khuldir): As Khuldir leads Athawe out of the main hall hastily, the innkeeper hollers behind him. 'Your room is the second on the right! Ask if you need anything else!'
[RP]: Athawe closes her eyes as another series of tremors passes through her. She'd never felt this sick before, ever. She vaguely realized that they'd reached an inn, and that Khuldir was leading her down a hall to a room.
[RP]: Khuldir unlocks the door and kicks it open, half-dragging and half-carrying Athawe to the bed.
[RP]: Athawe opens her eyes long enough to stumble into the bed. She looks at Khuldir and tries to smile, her face very pale. At least her stomach had stopped heaving.
[RP]: Khuldir lays the back of his hand on her forehead and frowns. 'Strange... no fever.'
[RP]: Khuldir says 'smiles at Athawe reassuringly. 'Let's get you out of your soiled clothes first.'
[RP]: Athawe nods and closes her eyes.
[RP]: Khuldir undresses Athawe out of her clothes and tucks her in bed.
[RP]: Athawe sighs and closes her eyes, her hand reaching for Khuldir's. She felt a little better, and now all she wanted to do was sleep. She opens her eyes once to look up at Khuldir, then closes them and drifts off to sleep.
[RP]: Khuldir finds a tub and a pitcher of warm water, taking a towel from the shelves he carefully sponges the perspiration from Athawe's forehead while he waits for the healer.
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer bustled quickly through the streets of Boktor. The message sounded urgent, and she wasn't one to keep paying customers waiting.
[RP]: (Athawe): Arriving at the inn, the healer spoke to the innkeeper for a moment, then hastened to the room rented by Khuldir. She knocked on the door, then waited.
[RP]: Khuldir sits on a stool besides Athawe within the inn, worry lines creases his forehead as he looks at her.
[RP]: Khuldir hears a knock on the door. 'Finally, she's here.' he mutters.
[RP]: Khuldir hurries over to the door and opens it to let the healer in.
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer entered the room, and looked at the woman sleeping on the bed. Her face was pale, but she didn't -look- all that sick. 'You sent for a healer?' she asked of the man who'd let her in.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Yes. What took you so long?'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer raised an eyebrow. He was worried, that much was clear, but it was no reason to be rude. 'I was busy.' she replied shortly. She looked at the woman on the bed again. 'You'll have to wake her, of course. I can't heal a sleeping person.'
[RP]: Khuldir wanted to rebuke the healer further but thought better of it. Frowning, he went beside Athawe's bed and gently pat her shoulders. 'Athawe, the healer's here. Wake up dear.'
[RP]: Athawe opened her eyes slowly. She looked at Khuldir for a moment, as if confused. Then her mind cleared and she remembered. She looked at the healer and nodded.
[RP]: Khuldir beckons at the healer. 'She's awake.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer nudged Khuldir aside, then sat on the bed. 'Well. What seems to be the problem here?'
[RP]: Athawe nods. 'I'm not sure exactly,' she starts. 'I felt fine yesterday, but as we came into Boktor, I just... threw up.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer nods. 'Did you eat anything strange the day before?'
[RP]: Athawe shakes her head.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Not that I know of, no.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer frowned. 'How about drinking? Any alcohol, or any kind of drink you didn't prepare yourself?'
[RP]: Athawe shakes her head again. 'No, I carry my own water, and I don't drink alcohol very often, certainly not while traveling for business.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer continued her questioning, her expression getting increasingly worried as Athawe discounted every possible reason for being suddenly, and violently, ill.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Is anything wrong?'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer shrugs. 'I'm not sure.' Then something occurs to her. She looks at Athawe closely, then turns her head and stares at Khuldir. Her eyes narrow shrewdly.
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer stands up. 'I'm going to have to ask you to leave for a moment.' She shoos Khuldir in the direction of the door.
[RP]: Khuldir protests 'Hey! What are you doing? Why can't I be in the room?'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer sighs patiently. 'I have to ask her some personal questions. You're a man, you wouldn't understand.' She points firmly at the door.
[RP]: Khuldir grumbles to himself sourly as he strides out of the room. 'Bah! Women! Think they know it all!'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer closes the door firmly behind him, then turns back to Athawe. The questions she asked were of a -very- personal nature.
[RP]: Athawe blushes and nods. 'Yes, we have. But I don't see how...' She stops suddenly, realization slowly dawning on her.
[RP]: Athawe says 'You're not serious!!'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer grins. 'Yes, I'm serious. It's the only viable explanation.' She nods in the direction of the door. 'Shall we invite your husband in and tell him now?'
[RP]: Athawe grumbles. 'He's not my... never mind...' She sighs. This was not good. Definitely not good. 'I suppose he can come back now.'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer opens the door, and beckons to Khuldir to return.
[RP]: Khuldir steps back into the room again with a worried expression on his face. 'Is... Is she alright? She's not dying right? Please... please save her!'
[RP]: (Athawe): The healer chuckles. 'No, I don't think this will kill her. She's healthy enough.' The healer holds out her hand. 'If you'll give me my due, I'll take my leave and let her tell you about it.'
[RP]: Athawe glares at the healer. For some reason, she refused to look at Khuldir.
[RP]: Khuldir hands over the healer some coins. Closing the door after her, he gives a sigh of relief.
[RP]: Athawe mutters something quietly to herself.
[RP]: Khuldir asks 'What did the healer tell you dear?'
[RP]: Athawe sighs. This was not good, and it was steadily getting worse. 'I'll live,' she replies evasively. She pulls herself to a sitting position.
[RP]: Khuldir pressed on. 'What's the malediction that's troubling you dear? Did the healer give you any herbs to alleviate it?'
[RP]: Athawe looked at him. She really didn't want this. 'No, she said it would go away by itself.' If only it really would. Athawe stood and walked to a window.
[RP]: Khuldir looks bewildered at the sudden evasiveness of Athawe. Walking over to her side, he asks quietly. 'Tell me what's wrong dear. I want to know.'
[RP]: Athawe turns and looks at him, tears standing in her eyes. 'You might want to sit down for this.'
[RP]: Khuldir looks at Athawe with a sinking feeling in his stomach as he sits down. 'This has gotta be bad news.' he thinks to himself.
[RP]: (Athawe): Well, there was no use belabouring the moment. He would find out eventually anyway. It was sort of difficult to hide.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I'm pregnant.'
[RP]: Khuldir looks stunned for an instant, he can't believe his ears. 'S... say again?'
[RP]: Athawe shrugs. 'I'm pregnant.'
[RP]: (Khuldir): A wide grin begins to slowly form on Khuldir's face. Grabbing Athawe's hands he asks 'I'm going to be a father?'
[RP]: Khuldir hops around like a little kid.
[RP]: Athawe groans inwardly. She didn't want kids, and here he was all excited about it.
[RP]: Khuldir couldn't contain his excitement as he looks at Athawe, grinning like an idiot. 'I wonder if it's going to be a boy or a girl?'
[RP]: Athawe sighs. 'Khuldir, this is not a good thing.' She muttered something under her breath. 'I can't have a baby.'
[RP]: Khuldir splutters 'B.. but why? Having a baby is great!'
[RP]: Athawe says 'Khuldir, I'm a merchant, for one. What kind of life could I offer a child when I'm always travelling?'
[RP]: Athawe sighs.
[RP]: Athawe says 'And for another thing, I'm not even married.'
[RP]: Khuldir looks at Athawe in the eyes, his expression solemn. 'I want to marry you Athawe. You know my feelings about you.'
[RP]: Athawe sighs.
[RP]: Athawe says 'Khuldir, I love you. But...'
[RP]: Athawe she stops. But what? She couldn't think of a plausible reason to -not- marry him.
[RP]: Athawe says 'I just.. I don't know if I can marry you...' Ok, that was lame. She mentally kicked herself.
[RP]: Khuldir asks 'Why can't you?'
[RP]: (Athawe): Why couldn't she? Well, because...
[RP]: Athawe says 'Well.. You're too old for me.'
[RP]: (Athawe): Yes, that was a good reason. He was too old. He needed someone his own age.
[RP]: Khuldir says 'Being old doesn't matter dear, I still want to marry you. Besides, our age difference aren't that far apart.'
[RP]: Athawe bites her lip. He was right, of course. She sat down on the bed, and thought about it. She was scared. She'd given her heart away once, and he'd ended up dead in a ditch.
[RP]: Athawe coming to a decision, she looks at Khuldir.





[RP]: Athawe Ranlien slipped silently out of the bed to avoid waking her sleeping husband. Her mind still reeled not only from the news that she was pregnant, but also from the fact that she was now married.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien walked out of the room, and headed for the noisy tavern beyond the stairs.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Finding an empty table, she ordered ale. A lot of it. Her intent was to drink herself into oblivion, and then maybe, just maybe, all this would go away.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Draining mug after mug, it didn't take her long to begin slurring as she carried on random conversations with people around her.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Emptying the pitcher, finally, she stood and stumbled toward the door. Numb from the brain down, she only had a sense of escaping. From what, she didn't know.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien stirs in his bed, his sleep disturbed by dreams. 'Ath..Athawe?'
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Staggering down the street, she tripped over an itinerant cat. Giggling, she hit the ground hard and sat there. Passers-by ignored her, turning up their noses at this drunk tramp in the street.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): Bleary-eyed, Khuldir feels around the empty space beside him, looking for his beloved.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien mutters 'Where did she go?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien giggled again, and burped indelicately. She wasn't even aware of what was going on around her. She picked herself up and staggered into a wall.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien changes and steps out of the house hurriedly.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien rubbed her eyes and looked around her. She was.. where was she exactly? Oh yes. Boktor. Business. Yes, that's why they were here. Business.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): As he steps down to the tavern, Khuldir sees an inebriated Athawe leaning against the wall.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien giggled again. Some business. She laughed out loud, startling some random member of nobility.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien suddenly didn't feel so good. She put a hand on her stomach, then leaned against the wall that had so graciously stopped her from falling again.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien hurries over to Athawe. 'Athawe! What happened?'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien clutches Athawe by her shoulders in an attempt to support her.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien blinks. Oh. Khuldir. Yes. She remembered. She glared at him. 'You!' She staggered away from him. 'This is your fault!'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien tripped over her own foot and hit the ground again. Tears streamed down her face, and she babbled at him. 'I didn't even want kids. And you made me get married.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks bewildered at Athawe's outburst. 'You are drunk dear, let's get back to our room.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien holds Athawe gently in his arms as he helps her up from the floor.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien says 'Don't you "dear" me.' She tried to tug off the wedding ring she wore, failed, then scrambled to her feet. 'Why? Why did you marry me?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sobs uncontrollably. She balled her hands into little fists and beat on his chest, babbling incoherently at him. The words hopeless and worthless cropped up frequently.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien turns Athawe around to look at her in her eyes. 'I've told you once, and I'm going to repeat it again and again till it gets to your head. It's because I love you.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien shakes her head and tries to pull away from him. 'I'm not worth loving, Khuldir.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks at Athawe intently. 'I think I am the one who is suppose to decide who is worthy of my love Athawe, and I have never regretted my decision.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien says 'No.' She avoids looking at him. 'You don't know the kind of person I am... The things I've done...'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien chuckles wryly. 'What ever you have done in the past does not matter to me. I love you just the way you are.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sighs, her sobs under control. Her speech still slurred a bit. 'I .. I wanted to kill the baby, Khuldir.' She dropped her head in shame and turned from him.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks stunned for a moment. Hugging Athawe from behind, he asks 'Why? The baby is innocent dear.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien says 'If .. if I didn't have the baby, you .. wouldn't have to marry me.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien turns Athawe around and holds her by her shoulders, staring deep into her greyish blue eyes he says. 'I believe you are sadly mistaken. Even without the baby, I will still marry you. I love you Athawe.'
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Tears spring into her eyes, and she looks at him, finally. She knew he was right, but she was afraid. Deathly afraid. Khureid had... left her. And she didn't want the same thing to happen to Khuldir.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien wipes the tears away from Athawe's cheeks with his finger. 'Let's get into the tavern dear. Your body is still quite weak.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien doesn't trust herself to speak. She nods, and allows him to lead her inside. Her body trembled, and she had to hang on to him so she wouldn't fall.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien holds Athawe close to him as they enter the tavern. After tucking her in bed, Khuldir stares at her sleeping form silently for a few minutes before kissing her on the forehead and slips back into the blankets.





[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): It is early morning. The sun peeks over the edge of Boktor, and Athawe slips out of bed, careful not to wake her husband. She steps silently to the door, and heads down to the tavern to order breakfast.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The tavern is empty, save for a few snoring drunks. Athawe sits, awkwardly, and waits for the kitchen to open.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien snores loudly.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien wishes the baby would come. She is tired, and more than a little irritable. Sighing, she glances up the stairs, then looks back toward the kitchen, still waiting.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien rolls over to his side, draping his arm across...his wife? 'Ath..Athawe?'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien sits up on the bed and yawning and rubbing his eyes. 'Hmm.. Where did she go?' He slips off the bed and heads down towards the tavern.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The kitchen finally opens, and Athawe beckons to the cook. Her breakfast ordered, she shifts uncomfortably in her chair. Glancing back toward the stairs, she smiles as she sees Khuldir starting down them.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): A smile lights up Khuldir's face as he sees his wife sitting at the tavern. With a radiant glow of motherhood on her face, she looks beautiful despite of her swollen belly.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien beams a smile at Khuldir Ranlien.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien says 'Breakfast is on the way, love.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien points to the empty seat next to her.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien grins at Athawe as he joins her on the table. 'Mmmm, how are you feeling today? And how's kiddo?' he says as he places a hand on Athawe's belly, stroking it gently.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien makes a face. 'He's huge. That's how he is.' She shifted again, and leaned over to kiss Khuldir's cheek.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Breakfast is served, a huge plate of eggs with bacon and sausage and freshly baked bread. It looks to be too much for one person.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien picks out portions of each dish and serves it to Athawe before starting on his meal.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien looks at Khuldir, and snatches his plate from him. This is mine. Get your own. She sticks her tongue out at him and giggles, then starts to eat.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks at Athawe's small frame and chuckles. Lately her appetite has increased sharply. 'Oh well.' he shrugs helplessly as he gets another serving.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien giggles again. 'I'm sorry love. I'm just so hungry today.' She polishes off a helping of bacon, then reaches for some more. 'How did we make out with the fur buyers?'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien replies 'Hmm.. they are coming out nicely.' He chuckles. 'They are gonna be very unhappy when they found out their fur's real value on the market rate.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien chuckles. 'I can hear the screams now. Oh, and some Nadrak wanted to ask you about the boots we wer'e selling, but I ...' She stops suddenly, and blinks a couple times. 'I told him that he'd have to wait until .. oh!' She stops again and places a hand on her swollen abdomen.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks concerned at the sudden change of expression on Athawe's face. 'Are you alright dear?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien doesn't answer him. She doubles over in pain, then gasps as her water breaks, fluid gushing down her legs and pooling on the floor.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien gasps. 'Innkeeper! Send for a healer! Hurry!'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien starts to panic. 'Belar's beard! What do I do now?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien reaches out and grabs Khuldir's arm as another contraction grips her. 'I'm ... I'm ok..' she gasps.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): The innkeeper rushes into the room and blanches at the scene. 'I.. I'll send for one right away sir. R..ri...right away' he stutters before moving out of the room as fast as his legs could carry him.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien nods in response to Athawe, his face turning pale. 'Er.. D..do yyou need anything dear?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien cries out, her grip on Khuldir's arm tightening. 'I need to not be having this baby...'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien says 'Hush dear, I am right with you. Now... take deep breaths.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien glares at Khuldir. This was his fault. She gasps again, and tries to stand. No matter what, she was not going to have this baby in the taproom of a tavern.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): The innkeeper suddenly bursts into the door, dragging a very disgruntled looking healer behind him. 'Here she is good sir. I got her here as fast as I could.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien smiles weakly at the healer. 'Good. Because I'm feeling dizzy right n...' as he passes out.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The healer smiles faintly, then turns her attention back to the woman in labor. 'Let's get you to a bed, missy' she says in a quiet voice. She steps over the inert form of who must obviously be the father.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien nods, and looks at her husband. She sighs and steps over him, asking the barkeep to see that Khuldir is carried to their room at some point during the day.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): The barkeep looks as if he's gonna faint himself, but he tries to keep a smooth face as he nods at Athawe.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The healer leads Athawe up the stairs, pausing every few seconds for Athawe to catch her breath. The contractions were intense, but still a few minutes apart.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Reaching their room, Athawe breathes a sigh of relief. Khuldir had forgotten to lock the door again. She wasn't sure she could find her key at this point. The healer opens the door, and leads Athawe to the bed.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The healer looks out into the hall, and nods as the barkeep and a few men carry Khuldir up the stairs. She points to the room next to her, then turns her attention back to Athawe, firmly closing the door behind her.





[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The healer closes the door behind her, and steps quietly down the stairs. It is early morning, and she'd been up all night, helping with the delivery. She leaves the tavern as the sun peeks over the horizon.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sighs and smiles at her newborn sons. She is very, very tired. She sits in bed, propped up on many pillows, and sends the barmaid to the next room to summon Khuldir.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien opens his eyes to the maid shaking his shoulder, he remembers seeing Athawe giving birth before he... passes out. Sitting upright in a bolt, he asks the maid urgently. 'Has she given birth? Is it a boy or a girl?'
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The maid just smiles at him. 'She's asking for you, sir.' the maid says quietly, then leaves the room.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien frowns after the maid. Without even wearing his shoes, he runs barefooted across the hall to look for his beloved and child. He gives a sigh of relief as he sees his wife lying on the bed, with a baby boy on each of her arm, smiling wanly at him as he enters the room.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien gasps slightly as another thing hit him, one.. two.. babies!
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien looks up as her husband enters the room, her eyes shining with love. She smiles at him, and in a quiet voice, beckons him to the bed. 'Come and meet your sons, Khuldir.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien smiles warmly at Athawe as he moves to her side. 'Sons, and two of them. Thank Belar for blessing me with you. I love you dear.' Khuldir whispers as he pecks at his wife's cheek.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien whispers 'I love you too.' She kisses each baby on the top of his head, and moves herself over as best as she can. 'Want to hold them?'
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): Carrying one of them gingerly in his arms, Khuldir looks at the calm sleeping face of his son with a sense of pride and paternal love. A frown creases his face as a thought came to him. 'We have not thought of a name yet for our child yet dear.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien smiles at him, and looks down at the baby still cradled in her arms. 'I know, love.' She had an idea for a name already. 'What do you think we should call them?'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien thinks for a moment and grins. 'Kydarel.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien thinks about it for a moment then smiles. 'Kydarel. I like it.' She pecks Khuldir on the cheek, then looks down at the infant in her own arms. With tears in her eyes, she says in a quiet voice 'I'd like to name this one Khureid.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks at Athawe and smiles. 'That is a good choice. Kydarel and Khureid, our sons.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sighed happily and snuggled closer to Khuldir. She'd endured much in her journey from Rheon, so many years ago. And now, at last, she felt complete. Silently, not needing to speak, the new family spent the rest of the day getting to know each other.





[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): A snow blizzard blows through city of Boktor fiercely, covering it with a thick layer of snow. Peering out of the frost covered window, Khuldir gives a slight shiver, glad that he is within the cozy tavern at this time.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien shivers. Her boots are wet and she sniffles a bit. The snow is blinding, but she knows the route well. After leaving the babies at her parents, she looks forward to a night of
rest.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien narrows his eyes as he sees a dark figure stumbling through the snow. 'Athawe?' he mutters. Grabbing his fur coat and another smaller coat, he dashes out of the door and hurries towards her.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sneezes and stumbles over an empty crate. Cursing under her breath, she picks herself up out of the snow, and looks around, shaking the snow off her cloak.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien reaches Athawe just as she picks herself up, placing the warm coat around her, he tries to yell above the roaring wind as he leads her towards safety and warmth. 'Let's get you to the tavern first!'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien smiles at her husband. She can't hear him, but his intent is clear. She allows him to lead her to the safety, and warmth, of the tavern.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien quickly ushers Athawe into the common room of the tavern, bringing her close to the fireplace to warm her. 'Belar! What are you doing in a blizzard dear? I thought you were at your parents'?
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien shivers and nods. 'I was. Mother said I should leave the boys there and spend some time with you.' She sneezes again. 'I think she just wanted to spoil the babies.' She makes a face, then sits cross-legged on the bearskin rug in front of the large fireplace.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien mutters quietly under his breath. 'Grrr, she's sending you to your grave is more like it.' Looking at Athawe's cold and sorry state he forces a smile and says 'Heh, well, I must say it's pretty considerate of her. Let me get you some warm clothing first dear.'
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The fire burning the dry logs gleamed with a warmth both the Drasnians could not understand. It melted their coldness and brought forth a surge of joy.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): A spark cackled upon the sizzling bark. The welcoming orange hue of the fireplace provided an aura of protection from the icy winds outside.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien nods absently as Khuldir dashes up the stairs to fetch her some dry clothes. She scoots closer to the fireplace, her fingers tingling as they warm.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The flickering flame reminded the woman of a swift wavering snake.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): For a moment, she withdrew, feeling fear. But she realised that it was only a friendly flame burning inside the harmless fireplace.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien returns to Athawe with a bundle of dry clothes, dripping all over the floor as he does so.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The smiley bar man approaches the couple. 'Anything to drink, Sir and Madame?'
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The rug beneath Athawe snuggled close to her.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The barman cleared his throat.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): Patience was with the good tempered barman.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien raises an eyebrow at the barman. 'No, thank you. We're just fine.' She then pointedly ignores him, forcing him to wander back to the kitchen where he belongs.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): Seeing the wet floor, the bar boy came along to mop up the mess.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): 'Excuse me good sir, you're wetting the floor,' he muttered to Khuldir.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The rug continues to snuggle to the woman.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien stands and takes the dry clothes from her husband. She raises an eyebrow at him, then giggles. Sweety, you're all wet.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The bar boy finished with the mopping and leaves, swearing never to return again.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The air in the tavern smelled of hot, roasted boar and sweet ale.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks surprised as he realises that he is wet too. 'Oh my, I believe you are quite right. Guess I'll have to change too.' he sighs.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien looks around carefully, then grins, an evil twinkle in her eye.
[RP]: (Merchant Czrel): The gently cracking of flames and the soft melody from an unknown corner of the tavern were the only sounds audible to the couple.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien quickly strips off her wet clothes, and giggles at the look of sheer horror on her husband's face.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien giggles again, then dons the dry clothes, draping the wet ones over the backs of some chairs to let them drip dry.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien shakes his head at Athawe's... stunt. 'Oh well, since she started it...' he mutters. Stripping out of his wet clothes quickly, he gasps in horror as he realises that he did not bring his dry clothes down.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien gasps as she realizes what Khuldir Ranlien did.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien giggles and throws her semi-dry cloak around her husband's naked body.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien says 'Love, I think we should probably adjourn our room?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien grins evilly at Khuldir Ranlien.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien blushes deeply as he tries to cover himself as much as he could before running up to their room, with Athawe giggling after him.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien snickers and picks up their wet clothes. She watches as Khuldir tries, and fails, to keep himself covered as he runs up the stairs. She runs after him, catching him just outside their door, and kisses him.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien eyes Khuldir Ranlien up and down, leering like a filthy pervert!
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien pulls Khuldir into the room and closes the door firmly...

Continues in Athawe, Czrel

[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): She stood, silent, tears streaming down her face.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): It wasn't possible. The man she'd seen, couldn't have been Khureid. It just couldn't have been.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): So she stood, alone in the crowd, the tears flowing freely.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): The sun shines brightly, the crowd bustles past. Athawe slowly, almost gracefully, crumples to the ground.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien paces around the room impatiently, Athawe is taking too long for her purchases. Unable to wait any longer, he grabs his coat and goes out of the tavern to search for her.
[RP]: (Khuldir Ranlien): He finds her sitting in the middle of the road with a tear-stained face and a lost expression on it. Helping her up, he asks gently. 'Athawe? Honey, are you alright?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien stares at Khuldir uncomprehending. Khuried's face was forefront in her mind. His blue eyes twinkling. No, it simply wasn't possible. Dazed, she allows Khuldir to help her up, nodding absently to his question, though she hadn't really heard it.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien holds his wife in his arms, unsure of what has happened to her. Leading her back to the tavern, he settles her in a chair before ordering a glass of whiskey for her.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sits, her husband guiding her. She is in shock, still unaware of what is happening around her. All she can see is his face, Khuried's. He was dead. And there her mind balked. It was him in the market, she knew it. But, he was dead.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien looks at Khuldir, her hand in his, and blinks. Khuldir. That's who sits before her now. Not Khureid. The tears flow again, and she drops her head into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien pushes back the chair and moves besides Athawe, hugging her tightly against his chest and feeling her tears drenching his tunic while he waits for her sobbings to subside.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien clings to her husband, and finally dries her tears. She sniffles once or twice, but doesn't let go. She speaks, her voice faintly muffled but audible. 'I saw him, Khuldir.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien looks bewildered. 'Him? Err...Who? What?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien pulls back and looks into Khuldir's eyes, her own shining with tears. 'Khureid. I saw him.'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien says with a puzzled expression on his face. 'Khureid? Is he not with your parents? Oh.. Khureid. Wha..what? Khureid?! You have seen him? Where?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien nods. 'He.. he was at the marketplace..' She sniffles and the tears start to flow again.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien says 'Are you sure?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien nods again, miserably. 'I'm sure. I'd know him anywhere.' She starts to sob again. 'Khuldir.. he was dead! I saw him, with my own eyes!'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien holds his wife at an arm's length and looks at her in the eye.'He is dead dear. I am sure who or what you have seen isn't him, he might be someone who bears some resemblance to him.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien shakes her head and wipes the tears from her eyes. 'No. It was him. I'm sure of it.' She couldn't explain it. She knew in her heart that it had been him. And by the gods, she still loved him. But she loved Khuldir too. And therein lay the problem. She didn't need this, not now.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien peers intently at Athawe.'Well... shall we search for him then?'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien looks up sharply. 'Search .. for him? No. She shakes her head. No, I think it's best if .. we just .. let the past stay buried.' She would search for him on her own. She wanted answers, but need to find them alone.
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien says 'But.. but.. he still owns me some bollocking dear.'
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien peers intently at Khuldir Ranlien.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien falls down laughing.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien kisses Khuldir suddenly. 'I do love you, you know that?'
[RP]: Khuldir Ranlien blushes.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien knew now why she'd married this man. She kisses him again, then takes him by the hand, leading him up the stairs and back into their room.





[RP]: Athawe Ranlien is wide awake. The sun shines brightly over Boktor, and the sounds of her husband and children sleeping make her yearn for the blissful nothingness of slumber.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): It had been him. She knows it deep in her heart. And she must find him. Sighing, she leans over to kiss Khuldir gently, then quietly slips out of the room to the streets below.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien ignores the crowd, lost in her thoughts. She must find him, if only to find out why, and how, he was still alive. She'd seen his body in the ditch, felt his cold skin. She'd avenged his death many, many times over. And yet, he had appeared before her eyes.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien sighs again, and shivers in the morning breeze. The air is crisp, quite right, she feels, for a journey into her past.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): And suddenly, he was there. She blinks a few times, as if to force the vision from her eyes. And yet he stays. Her eyes meet his, and he smiles sadly. 'Khureid' Her voice is hardly a whisper, but he hears, and nods.
[RP]: Athawe Ranlien trembles, not trusting herself to move. He stands where he is, across the square, as if he too is afraid to move.
[RP]: (Athawe Ranlien): Khureid stares at her, tears welling in his eyes, then steps back, melting into the crowd. Athawe waits, unsure. People shove her aside, but she ignores them. As the day wears on, she stands. And waits.

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