The King's Quarters

This room has been well maintained, being the area where the king should sleep every night. Decor of red and blue motifs oof Conerian images and paintings can be found on the walls. In the middle of the northern wall is a large four post bed, fit for a king. Behind the bed is a large window that overlooks the Northern Swamps.

Razz frowned, her brows burrowed in her sleep. Cold sweat appeared on her small, pale face, and her breathing quickened slightly, having enter yet another disturbing dream. They've never quite ended, of course, some are just more violent than the others. They consists of the general things that one would expect her to be plagued by in her dreams, as I trust we all can guess what they are. So it was in the midst of one such dream that she woke, again, happy to find that it was all a dream, yet still heavily disturbed by them. Well, when in doubt... "Justin? Are you there?"

Justin is there. Where else would he be? "Umm... you okay, Razz? Sleep trouble again?" With a quick slash and dot, he ends the page he's writing and adds it to the stack, and stands. "This is really wearing on you, isn't it?"

Razz shook her head. "I'm getting better, I think," she answered, and sighed. Urgh, she doesn't feel good. "What are you doing?'

Justin shrugs, "Nothing. Wasting the king's paper and ink. I've been having trouble sleeping, too, but I have to do something." He reaches the bed, takes a seat near the end. "What was it this time?"

Razz drew her knees up and bowed her head, pressing her forehead against her knees. "Nothing, I don't even remember very much of it anymore... it just... another one... about..." she murmured, then paused. "I wish I could see, Justin... I'd feel better if I can see light again... then I wouldn't feel... as if I can't wake up..."

Justin's expression twists; it's good that there's no-one to see it. "I don't know what to say. I can't think of anything more to try. An Ancient might be capable of restoring your sight, but damage of that sort seems beyond the power of mortals to repair. I'm sorry."

Razz lifted her face again. "Kaze said that he's talked to an archmagus, and that he'd be willing to take a look at me... Do you think that might help?"

Justin blinks at the 'Archmagus' mention. But... "...sure. It couldn't hurt anything, and if it's the Archmagus I know it's the next best thing to asking an Ancient."

Razz nodded, and laid her head back down on her knees, for a moment. "Aah... I... Would you come sit here again?" She gestured to the side of the bed.

Justin moves up from the end of the bed to sit beside her. "...I'm sorry about all of this. There's too much going on. Things might be better once we get home to the Tower, but..." He sighs. "I don't know."

Razz shifted over and practically climbed into Justin's lap, and laid her head against his collar, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. "Should we go back? We left the last time because Crulath kept coming...."

Justin wraps his arms around her, a bit awkwardly. "I don't see why not, really. The hall is a deal more fortifiable, now. And you heard and observed what Natdog was saying; he can't kill us directly. The real obstacle, I think, would be getting Kaze to let us go."

Razz snuggled into Justin, feeling quite warm and cozy now. "Why wouldn't Kaze let us go?" She asked, her eyes closed.

Justin sighs, quietly. "I don't know. I just have suspicions. He does seem rather fond of you, I'll note, and Kings are not noted for being quick to let go of things of which they're fond."

Razz frowned. "I don't understand... he wouldn't let us go because he likes me?" She shook her head. "I think he's a nice person..."

Justin nods. "Yes, and he thinks you're a nice person, and he'd much rather have you here where he can be around you than off on another world, I'd think. I know I would."

Razz's heart stilled at that for a moment, again. He would... but he probably doesn't. "Ah..." she said. "You would?"

Justin looks down at her, and tightens his hold, unconsciously. "Well, if I have to be anywhere, I want to be where you are."

Razz felt her eye watering up again, so she pressed her face against Justin's robe. "Really?" She asked again.

Justin nods, "Truly. I don't know why you don't believe me."

Razz sniffled, a bit. "Because you love Lexi."

Justin draws a long breath, and holds it, silent, for several moments. "I... do love Lexi. But she's gone. Never to return. I will always love her, but she is the past, now." He fights his voice back to his normal level tone. "We, each of us, still have a lot of future, now. You are the future, now."

Razz reached up and wrapped her arms around Justin's neck, burrowing her face into the nape of his neck. She doesn't say anything in reply, she just holds herself closely to him.

Justin is a little more sure of himself every time he affirms his love to Razz, but more and more things force him to question whether they really /do/ have that much future. While a premature end would trouble his soul little-- part of his jennamaedanten teachings-- he has yet to find anyone /truly/ prepared for the end at any moment. Razz is his to protect, now and forever, and there's nothing else for it but to guard her in wariness, everlong.

Razz's arms loosen after a while, and her breathing even. Off to dreamland again, a pleasant one this time, as they all are when she sleeps within the confine's of Justin's arms.

Justin smiles, fatiguedly, wishing he could relax as easily. But, Razz can relax precisely because he can never let his guard down. A consequence of his life of persecution; he has enough wariness himself for three of her. Still... he can draw a little comfort from knowing that she's safe and happy here with him.