The Way to Warthalkeel, Day 2 (23rd of Flamerule, 1491)
To no one’s surprise the new day showed no changes in the weather. The wind still blew the rain against the sides of the vardo. Thunder was frequently heard rolling across the ocean above the noise of the crashing waves. Flashes of light brightened the sky momentarily before each thunderclap. From inside the vardo, their light crept around the edges of the curtains hanging over the window and through the canvas that separated the body of the wagon from the front driver's seat. Atalaya, having kept watch for the past 8 hours after finishing her own evening’s restoring trance, was standing at the stove preparing breakfast for the group. Hearing Vaz stirring on the pallet he had made for himself under the raised bed that held Nevil, Atalaya grabbed one of the mugs she had set out and filled it with coffee. Ducking down under the overhang, she placed the hot mug of coffee into his hand as she ruffled his hair. “Good morning, Iubit.” Another loud clap of thunder shook the vardo, “If anything about this morning can be considered good. Poor Chakano. I feel terrible that we have deprived him of his nice dry stall in the Greenleafs’ barn.” Making sure that his hands were busy with the coffee mug, she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the side of his head before heading back to the stove. “Breakfast will be ready in a couple of minutes. All was quiet last night, except of course for the storm.”
Nevil was awake for several minutes before she moved. The bed was warm, the rain meditative, and she slept very well. She was thankful for the sacrifice of Boz for her comfort. While Boz was enjoying his coffee below, Nevil readied herself for the day and made the bed above. "Everyone sleep well? I did, best in a while. Thank you Boz." Boz nodded, taking a sip from his coffee.
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Thirty minutes later, breakfast over, Vasilya donned his boots and cloak. He pulled Atalaya into his arms, “have fun talking to Nevil today. I’ll see you when we stop for lunch. Or if I get too cold.” Grazing her cheek with his finger, he hooked it under her chin, tipping her head up towards him. Giving her a quick kiss on her forehead, and then a more heartfelt one on her lips, he picked up Chakano’s nose bag and made his way out of the vardo. While he opened the door as little as possible, the wind and rain still blasted its way into the vardo leaving a splattering of water on the floor.
Shortly after that Atalaya felt the wagon move as Chakano began his steady plodding steps towards the sunken city. And the rain continued to pound on the roof and sides of the vardo.
Looking over at Nevil, Atalaya said, “Looks like we are in for another wonderful day. I hope we can get all the way to Warthalkeel today. I just want to find and hopefully fix, whatever is causing this crazy weather.”
Nevil still cups her coffee, a self-soothing habit. Feeling pretty confident about the identity of the master, she probes further, "Atalaya, you spoke of some of your classmates yesterday and how you were all tasked with an important mission. If that is so, then where are they? They didn't stay to help?"
Atalaya refilled her coffee mug, adding some cream and sugar before she sat down and took several sips before looking at Nevil. We’ve been working on this task for several months since our teacher’s death. But there was a setback and we lost control of an item that really doesn’t need to be in the control of the Vecna cult, with the Pact of Lich, or the Red Wizards. One of those groups seems to have control of it now. And lately Mac and Tif have seemed to be less willing to engage in what needs to be done to fix this.
On top of that, we had a disagreement on the way to Salt Marsh. We had found out that a group of cultists had been tracking Cirilli for the past 7 months, wanting to sacrifice her to a demon. We argued about how best to resolve this. I wanted to confront the cultists and put an end to the demon. Mac and Tif felt that was too risky. They wanted to spend time looking for more information on demons in Salt Marsh and Candlekeep and then maybe go back to do something. They forced the issue and we started for Salt Marsh. But that first night the cult tried to take Cirilli from us. And then the next day they tried again. It was obvious to me that there was no choice but to deal with them, but the more obvious it became the more they wanted to run away. I finally stated that I was going back by myself if no one would come with me, because doing nothing was not working. If we didn’t resolve the issue they would eventually be successful in taking Cirilli from me. We argued. When both Vaz and Sorrow agreed with me and were willing to help me face them, and Cirilli herself wanted to face them, Mac and Tif decided to assist us, but made it very clear that they were really unhappy with the decision and that they thought I was wrong to have made it.
We solved that problem and Cirilli is free from everything they had planned for her.
When we got here, this storm was present and prevented us from taking off for Candlekeep, which is the next place we were planning to go to. We determined that the cause of the storm is most likely in Warthalkeel and were going to head off there yesterday. But now they seem to have decided to not help with this. I’m not really sure what they are doing or thinking right now. Macterah was talking about settling down here in Salt Marsh. I think that she has decided that she just doesn’t want to continue living this life. We have seen and done a lot of hard things since the Master’s death. I think that their hearts are no longer filled with the passion needed to continue. I guess we will find out what they are thinking when we get back.
That is troubling, even as a follower of Eldath, I can see that some things need swift decisive action. “How well do you know them? Did you maintain contact or work together since being students together?”
We were students together 10 years ago. We became really close during that time, but when the Master decided that we had learned what she had to teach us, she sent us out into the world. I returned to the High Forest for about 5 years, learning and working with my father and others from Olaescoa. Then I started wandering through the North Coast. I also spent some time in the mountains north of the High Forest.. Mac, Tif and Ivar all went their separate ways. I hadn’t heard from them until we met again at the Master’s funeral and the reading of her will.
Nevil finishes her cup of coffee. “Ah, well ten years can change a person or maybe they have families to protect. I know it can be a point of contention when others do not feel the same conviction as you. But Eldath teaches us that patience, compassion, and understanding can turn the hearts of even the wicked. And I doubt that they are wicked. It is likely they had some unspoken commitment.”
Nevil stands to stretch and loosen her joints. “I will be glad to be done with this work. Tight quarters are hard on the bones.” While stretching, “this lost item, how did you lose control of the item and when?”
We found it shortly after the Master’s funeral. We were asked by the Master to find a way to destroy it. If we couldn’t do that, we were to continue to guard it. Our first attempt at finding help to destroy it did not go well. The wizard we searched for had been killed before we found him. Fearing to keep it with us, we found a new hiding place for it. But the enemy found it before we could determine either a method to destroy it, or to find a place of greater safety to hide it. That happened a few months ago, maybe, although we did not know about it until recently.
Nevil is greatly curious about this and what happened at the master's home, but she thinks it best to redirect and approach another time. “My it seems you need more help here than I realized. Those are some powerful and dark foes.” Nevil sits again. I'm sorry to intrude, but you mentioned this several times yesterday, I can't help but ask. What happened in Harpshield?”
Harpshield. That seems like a long time ago although it was actually during Mirtul that we were there. Did you hear about the takeover of Julkoun earlier this year? How the orcs overran the town, killing or driving off the villagers and burning the surrounding area? Many of the villagers actually survived and made their way to Riverport. But others were caught and made into slaves. Are you familiar with this tale?
Nevil seems deeply concerned, “Only in vague rumors. That's hard work. How were you and Vaz involved?”
“Now that is a long story.” Atalaya settled herself up on Vaz’s bed with a refilled cup of coffee and then gestured for Nevil to climb up and join her. “It’s going to be a lot more comfortable sitting up here.” She stared unseeing across the bunk as she looked back into her memories of that trip. Once Nevil was settled she pulled herself back into the present and looked at Nevil.
“We needed to get to Shining Falls. There was something we needed to do there for our overall problem.” Holding Nevil’s gaze she asked, “How much do you know about the Gurs?”
Nevil is beginning to feel this is a deeper conversation than she realized. “Only that they are a fairly insular nomadic people who are frequently misunderstood due to their rarity and cultural differences. I have only made the acquaintance of a few in passing. So, very little I am afraid.”
“They are both insular and nomadic,” Atalaya repeats. “They are tinkers and traders for the most part. From what Vaz has told me, there are also those who make their way as fortune tellers with an actual gift for psychic insight. Vaz has a little of this ability, but because he lost his family before he was trained in its use, he doesn’t really understand it or have it under his control. I guess at times he just gets flashes of something. When he tries to control it he gets really bad headaches. But I digress.”
“Anyway, Vaz had a ‘knowing’ that pointed us to Shining Falls. We left the kids with Seraphina in Parabor and made our way up the Delimbiyr River towards Shining Falls. The first of the towns that we passed was Julkoun. When we got there it was evident that something terrible had happened there. A rough palisade had been thrown up around the town and a moat dug around it. Most of the outlying farms appeared to have been burned down. And there were signs of goblins all over the place.”
Atalaya looked directly at Nevil. “There was no way we could just bypass the town. We had to know if there were any of the townspeople being held within the town. We had seen no sign of people fleeing from the town, but I couldn’t believe that everyone had been killed. I wasn’t willing to believe that.” She settled into silence for a few moments as she remembered what she had seen and done there. Finally taking a sip of her coffee she continued.
“We found a way to sneak into Julkoun. It was bad. Really bad. There were goblins, orcs and bugbears everywhere. One of the first things we found was a priest of Chauntea who had been hung on a bridge into the town. When we found the temple it had been horribly desecrated. We cleared the town of those we found and continued eastward towards the next town. We brought the priest’s body with us, intending to bury it when we got to Secomber.”
“We met up with 3 priestesses of Chauntea that had managed to flee. And found signs that others had also managed to get away, but didn’t find any others alive. We escorted the priestesses to Secomber. That town we found in the thrall of a group of scoundrels who made those of the town that remained ‘pay’ them for their ‘protection’ of the town. But the temple of Chauntea was still intact and we were able to leave the Sisters and their dead compatriot there.”
Smiling to herself, she added, “And we cleared out the scum that had taken over the town. It felt good to be able to leave that town in much better shape than when we got there.”
After pausing again to drink some more coffee Atalaya looks at Nevil. “Am I boring you yet? I could skip things until we get back to Julkoun?”
Nevil looks shaken, “what was causing the raids? I've done my share of escorts and settlement defense to know that's a hard business.” Nevil pauses, also remembering her work in the north. “More so, that's not the Delimbiyr I remember. Has it changed that much? No, not at all, please continue. Were there survivors?”
“What was causing the raids?” Atalaya mused. “That is the question, isn’t it. We didn’t know at the time. Now I would say that the ultimate cause is probably the Red Wizards and/or the Vecna cult.” “As to survivors, well that comes into the story later.” Looking into her coffee mug and finding it empty, she leans down and places it on the nearby table. Pulling out her Mielikki token, she starts flipping it over and over in her fingers.
“We had another big encounter in Zelbross. Ended up fighting some nasty 3 eyed frogmen. If you ever go to Zelbross don’t let anyone there interest you in going to see their ‘famous’ blue diamond. It’s a trap. The place is full of bufonem. Sorrow and Joan were captured by them and they were using their blood to try to enact some type of devilish ritual. We were lucky to get Sorrow and Joan free of them.
So this is where you met Sorrow and Joan? Yes I can see much has changed. Too many attempts to sacrifice to demons to be a coincidence.
Oh no, they have been a part of Vaz’s family for a long time. Vaz, Seraphina, Sorrow and Joan. They all showed up in Parabor a few weeks after my teacher’s funeral. What happened is that Sorrow got charmed and when Joan missed him, she went out in search of him. They were both captured. As you saw, we got them free, but it was not easy. Sorrow seems pretty easily charmed, we have to watch out for him. … And Vaz seems to draw sharp pointy things into his poor tender flesh. We have to watch out for him too.
But back to Zelbross, my father showed up there with his friend, a dragonborn whom we met after the Master’s funeral. It was nice to have a chance to talk with my father and Alcaeus, and my father was able to expedite our traveling from Zelbross. Actually we didn't have any trouble in either Loudwater or Shining Falls. Our expedition into the wilds outside of Shining Falls is a whole story in itself and maybe I’ll tell you that sometime. But we were able to successfully complete it and started back home. The trip back home was much faster and we managed to avoid any problems.”
Nevil, sets her cup down and settles into a half lounge for the long haul.
“From Parabor we then headed to Salt Marsh and got sidetracked with a little problem there. Then we sailed down to Riverport. And in Riverport what should we find, but a huge influx of refugees from Julkon.” She smiled at Nevil. “See, I’m finally getting back one of your questions.
“No, no, it's ok, I haven't gotten this much fresh news from the valley in a long time.”
“The Duke was not happy about having all the refugees there. He kept them outside the town wall, but did allow them to camp. There were several people there working with the refugees, helping them to recover from what happened to Julkoun and encouraging them to go back home. And teaching them some basic self defense to help ward off future raids. But no one knew what was actually happening out there.
Nevil, testing the water's to look for a reaction, looks disgusted at the mention of the Duke. “Incompetent fool putting lives on the line. I'm sorry, please go on.”
“He is. The one with sense and who thankfully seems to be able to subtly guide the Duke is Regus. And there was a point in time that his sister needed to take over. She seems a little bit better at running things than he is. But when we are in Riverport I tend to rely on Regus and the captain of the guard, Captain Mercutio for information about what is happening and pointers towards any ‘jobs’ that might need taking care of while we are there.
Atalaya paused and recollected her thoughts. Somehow it was decided that we would go back and make sure that the goblins and their friends were not in control of Julkoun again.”
“Once we got back there it was obvious that the town had not been left alone during our absence. It was back under the control of a mixed band of goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears. After a lot of effort we were able to kill most of them and drive off what remained. They had put a chain across the river to prevent travel by boat past the town. We were able to remove it to allow for traffic up and down the Delimbiyr River. We contacted my father to tell him that the town was ready for the people to return to. But during this, we learned that some of the villagers had been taken as prisoners and led somewhere to the north. There was speculation that Harpshield was where they were being held.”
“So we headed for Harpshield. Although we split up on that mission and Vasilya and his family (Seraphina, Joan and Sorrow) went back to Riverport and the rest of us, that is Ivar, Mac, Tif and myself, headed to Harpshield.”
“Are you still wanting to hear more, or are you done listening to my ramblings?”
Nevil very much interested, “No, please continue”
“Let’s see. There is a really nice inn in a little town called Underwillow that we usually stop at when we are traveling between the Parabor and the coast. When we left there, Vaz’s group headed to Riverport. The rest of us went on to Salt Marsh. We left our wards with the Greenleafs and used our ship, the Hond Ebrath, to sail to Waterdeep and from there we made our way to Harpshield. We found an old Gur campsite on the way there with some Gurrish symbols there. It was too bad that Vaz wasn’t with us, as he could have interpreted them for us. He’s teaching me the language, but we haven’t gotten into the symbols they use to mark places.”
“As usual, the place was full of foul creatures; orcs, orogs, zombies, ogres, and probably some others that I have forgotten about. But no Julkounians. We did find the Duke’s missing stone, the Delimbiyr Bloke. And an artist that was missing from Riverport. Unfortunately, he was already dead by the time we got there. And a few items that made it seem like someone is very interested in taking over the area around Riverport and along the Sword Coast between there and the Ardeep Forest.”
Atalaya stopped talking and looked at Nevil. “It’s been a long time since I have had someone outside our own group to talk things over with. I’ve let myself say maybe more than I should. Will you keep that last comment to yourself?”
Yes but which part?
“The part about the Stone and about other items we found there.”
Recognizing Atalaya’s connection to her longtime allies and friends, “I can already tell we are aligned with our intentions and I have no love for the Duke. Whatever your business with those items may be, it is agreeable with me.”
Nevil sits up and looks quite serious, “I have been away from this area for sometime and hearing of these changes does not bode well. I believe you are correct. I also feel a broader movement to destabilize or control the valley. It can not be a coincidence these attacks on these pillars of our community like your father, Sossheni, the master, and likely others. This is not the valley I left just a few years ago and it troubles me deeply.” Nevil sits thinking for sometime. Then she speaks, “I have been feeling like my impact on the woes of this world has been blunted by my isolation. Despite my discomfort, I see now my place is here. I do not think I will be returning to Tribor.” Nevil looks directly to Atalaya with playful and concerned eyes, “do you know anyone needing a healer?”
Atalaya smiles back at Nevil. “I do. Are you volunteering? The monetary rewards vary considerably depending on what type of jobs we take, but the companionship is generally excellent.” Looking more serious, she adds, “Seriously though, we really could use someone with your skills. And I like you. I think that you will fit in with our little group, if you are up to the challenge.”
“Wait a minute, you know Sossheni?”
Nevil looks a little nervous but somewhat relieved, “I think it would be good for me. I don't need a lot of pay if the job is right. I'm not really in it for the money.” Nevil looks sorry to disappoint Atalaya, “No, I never heard of her until you mentioned her yesterday. It's just with everything happening, the other attacks, and such a clearly targeted attack on your friend, it seems relevant, maybe even coordinated.”
“It might have been. I didn’t make that kind of connection at the time. There is alway some fool who thinks that killing a dryad is a good idea. Usually they are easily taken care of, by the dryad herself. But this idiot was a little smarter than most, and Sossheni might have been in trouble if we didn’t come along.”
“Our pay is either what someone can afford and or any spoils we manage to take. I said it’s variable because sometimes we can go for quite a while without earning any tangible income. Are you okay with that?” Atalaya continues to manipulate the small leather token in her hands, as if she is unused to not having something for them to do.
“I wish it would stop raining even for a little bit. I need to be outside and doing something more active than just sitting here.” Atalaya stirs restlessly on the bed. She placed her Mielikki token back into her pouch. Then, with a quick fluid movement she jumped down to the floor and stalked over to her backpack. Pulling out her notebook and pencils she climbed back up to where Nevil is sitting, looking a little sheepish. “It’ll keep my hands busy while we talk. I hope you don’t mind?”
After getting set up, the notebook resting on her lap, she looks back up at Nevil. “Have I bored you yet? Or do you want to hear more about our doings these past few months?”
“We’ll figure out the pay, honestly just keep me warm, fed, and with a purpose and I'm good.” Feeling somewhat settled with a new life's purpose and hopeful, Nevil snuggles in a little bit. “I do want to hear more of what has been happening in the valley, but first; I've been wondering about your drawing from yesterday. Is that a place you know or something that just came to you? I was hoping to find a good spot near Salt Marsh to worship the Goddess. Somewhere private, with a waterfall, or spring, something like that. Do you know of any? Communing with the Still Mother would do me well after these few days.”
“Around Salt Marsh there are marshes, cliffs and the ocean. There are a few copses of trees around, like where Ferrin lives. Not anything like what I drew. That is more or less one of the glades in the High Forest. Not necessarily a particular one though. It just kind of came to me while I was drawing. I was thinking about the Unicorn Run when I drew it. So maybe it is one of the tributaries to it, coming off the Star Mounts. There are a number of waterfalls in the Star Mounts and to the north where the Nether Mountains meet the High Forest. Within the rest of the High Forest, there are many streams and creeks that form glades, and some of these may have small waterfalls in them, but nothing as tall as what I drew.”
Atalaya looks thoughtful. Looking up at Nevil, “If you are looking for a place to help you feel close to Eldath in Salt Marsh, I suggest that you find a spot along the river near where Ferrin lives. I think that would be easiest where we are right now. Or perhaps you could ask Cirilli. There may be a place on Cirdan’s estate where there is a small pond. She has spent a good bit of time there and would have run all over the place with Ivar’s young relatives.”
Nevil nods, “ I will ask Cirilli when we return. So much is changing for me, I feel a need to connect with her.” Nevil looks at Atalaya, “you have shown me your prayer focus before but I see you work it with your hands a lot. Are you always seeking counsel or a reminder, or is it just a comfortable habit?”
Atalaya pauses in her sketching for a moment, to better concentrate on Nevil. “I have a hard time just sitting still. I repaired all the arrows I could get my hands on yesterday, and a moving wagon isn’t the easiest place to draw. It helps to keep me from tearing my hair out just to have something to do. When I do pray, I like to have it in my hands. But of course, in the middle of combat there isn’t time to pull it out. When I was younger it helped me to achieve the trance state that I need for resting and healing, but I haven’t used it in that way for a long time. It was given to me by Sossheni when I turned 10.” Putting the colored pencil down carefully, so that it wouldn’t fall off the bed with the bouncing and rocking of the wagon, she pulled out the small token again. Cupping it in her hands for a moment as she took a steadying breath and then silently acknowledged Mielikki. “Would you like to see it?” she asked as she handed it to Nevil. Look, this side has Mielikki’s symbol embossed on it. The wreath around it is optional and can be made of either oak or ash leaves.” Flipping the token over in Nevil’s hands to show the other side she continued, “and this is a much older symbol of Mielikki. Again, the star can be on either an oak or ash leaf. Ash leaves are used on both sides, because this is a gift from Sossheni, and her tree is an ash tree. So, this token was designed for both prayer and as a remembrance of my friend Sossheni.” She lets Nevil examine the token and takes it back when she finishes and returns it to her belt pouch.
Nevil appreciating the moment smiles. “Thank you, for sharing. I have known several from the High Forest, but none have mentioned personal relationships with Dryads. If you don't mind me asking, it seems a little unusual. How did that come to be?”
Atalaya looks a little startled. “I’ve always known her. I can’t remember a time that I didn’t. We would visit her every year on my birthday. I can remember as a small child climbing up in her ash tree to nearly the top and then settling in to talk with her. I didn’t realize at the time that she was providing me with branches wherever I needed them to make the climb. As I got older, less and less branches were needed to help me up.” She thinks back, her face becoming very peaceful. “We had such wonderful talks. She would ask me about what I had done during the past year, and then would really listen to everything that I had to tell her and she would ask questions about what I was thinking about. And questions about what I liked and didn’t. She never judged, just listened.” Twiddling with her pencil, deep in thought Atalaya continued. “At times we just sat and listened to the forest sounds. And sometimes she would tell me about her life too. The things that she had seen and done. When I was ten years old she gave me that token of Mielikki as she told me that I was old enough now to take care of it. She often told me stories of Mielikki and Silvanus. And a few about Eldath too. I heard more about Gwaeron Windstrom, Lurue and Shiallia, who served Mielikki as Mielikki served Silvanus.”
“After we talked I would climb back down and join my family. We would have a wonderful picnic there in her glade. My brother, sister and cousins and I would run and play while our parents talked. I frequently noted that Sossheni would often take my father off by himself to talk, but he never has told me what he spoke to her about. I didn’t really even notice that until I was older. He always seemed more relaxed after speaking to her. Now I wonder if they were talking about problems that might have been occurring in the High Forest. Perhaps he was getting or giving information to help on whatever projects he was working on at the time.”
“She is not the only dryad I’ve met. The other one has to do with the prisoners from Julkoun. I’ll tell you about that, but first I need a story from you. Please, tell me something about you. Maybe about your childhood? I feel like I’m doing all the talking.”
Nevil listens intently and looks genuinely happy, "It is wonderful to have such traditions, and it is very special when each child gets such individual guidance from their elders. Having that shared experience really binds a community together in hard times. Similar to students sharing a teacher, no?"
“Well, at least for my sister and myself.” Atalaya looks pensive. “I had my father and Sossheni, and at times my mother. My sister had my mother’s teaching. She is an excellent midwife herself now and works with our mother. My brother though… well, he just sort of pushed everyone away. Especially our father and his elven relations. He does love our mother, but never had a calling to any type of healing. He’s a farmer now, and has a place outside of Loudwater.”
Nevil stands and puts on some regular tea, "Ah well, let's get ready for a long haul. Stop me when you've had enough." Nevil begins, "from my earliest memories, it was really just my grandfather and I. Mother passed from fever when I was very young. My father was a seaman and worked long stents at sea to support us. When mother died, and with father away, Papa stopped building ships and took me to raise full time. His body could no longer keep up with the demands of the trade. So for many years it was just me and Papa."
Nevil sits at the table waiting for the water to heat, "It's not that I didn't love my father. I know he tried his best. He just wasn't around. And I never felt like we were lacking. While our home definitely lacked a feminine touch, it was warm and safe and we had enough food to share. We lived next door to a tavern and inn and Papa was well respected. Between the two, we felt a strong sense of community and in many ways I had several parents."
"Being a master shipwright, Papa was a learned man. While his body was worn his mind was sharp. He could read and write, speak several languages, and could keep ledgers. It was important to him that I could too.” Closing her eyes to remember his words,”I remember him saying, ‘they can take your health, wealth, and freedom, but they can't take your education’."
Nevil stands to pour the tea and returns to sit. "Around the age of ten, Papa started to teach me basic swordsmanship. He had developed his skill for the blade in militia service defending against pirates and raiders. He said "everyone has a responsibility to defend their home." At the time it seemed like a fun game. Looking back, I think he was preparing me. With the King's desire to expand his garrison, Seaton was becoming a hard place for the working class and a port town can be rough for young girls."
"When I was a teenager, papa passed away in his sleep. With father still at sea for long periods, the local innkeeper and his wife, whom we had known closely, took me as their own. It was exciting, to watch the goings and comings of travelers and to hear stories and news from distant places. I learned of local politics, other cultures, and rumors galore. For the most part, a teenager's dream. But it wasn't all roses, it was still a tavern."
Atalaya initially sipped her tea as Nevil told about her childhood, but soon became so intent of what she was hearing that the cup remained unregarded on the tabletop.
Nevil takes several sips contemplating how far to take the stories. Knowing that the truth about her connections and past life will come out eventually anyway, she decides to lay the groundwork. She sighs and continues, "then one day father came home. A topsail had broken loose in a storm and fell to the deck. His back was never the same and he had difficulty finding paying work. With no means to produce an income, father was arrested for failure to pay his due taxes. He said the taxman was corrupt and trying to extort our family. The men of several other families were in similar situations. With the other families we saved all the money we could scrape together to free him but the debt was too great and he remained imprisoned. Nevil looks visibly disgusted, "The Duke, or at least his corrupt men, were squeezing every ounce they could from us."
“It was soon after that I made the acquaintance of a fiery young halfling woman who was organizing a coordinated community response to address the sufferings of the people. I loved to listen to her discussions about just governance and people's rights. More people of a like mind started to meet regularly in the tavern. It gave us hope.”
"Three months later, my father's body was returned to us. They said he hung himself, but his body was bruised and broken. A taxman and guardsmen came to the inn about a week later. They said my father's debts remained and I was to be indentured into service until they were paid. Having heard rumors of what had happened to other girls and with an increase in slaver activity, I could not have been more thankful to know the halfling woman. She overheard the claims of the taxman, threw down a bag of gold, and sternly pointed to the door."
Atalaya’s visage darkened as Nevil continued her tale. “You were lucky to have been rescued by that halfling. She sounds like a good woman. Did you have any problems with the Duke’s men after that?
"Believe me, I know. Of course we did, but never again regarding that matter. In thanks, I did whatever she asked. It was just small tasks; watching for someone or passing notes. By the time I was eighteen, I took more independent, farther reaching, and more dangerous work. And that's what started my life in service. It started with paying a debt and ended up a community and a calling.”
“I’m glad that you were able to be with your grandfather as long as you were, He sounds like he was a very kind and protective grandfather. It sounds like he gave you a good upbringing while you were in his care. But what happened to your father is just wrong. I prefer the structure of the High Forest. Each village is independent for the most part. The rangers with the help of the druids and some others provide protection to all law-abiding folk within the forest. Perhaps the fact that the area is not as populated as the Sword Coast makes that possible, but I cannot abide the corruption you speak of. The Duke failed in his responsibility to the King if he allowed this to happen within his lands.”
Atalaya takes several deep slow breaths in an attempt to calm herself. Looking at her cooling cup of tea, she makes herself pick it up and drink what was left in it. Not able to remain seated, she stood up and walked to the stove so that she could refill her cup. When she had control of herself, she sat back down, looked at Nevil and said, “It seems that you have had a hard life. I …”
Nevil reaches out, "Atalaya, do not be troubled so. It sounds worse than what I knew it to be. I speak with the hindsight of an adult. In my memories, I was a child loved by many. Just like with your home, children are shielded from troubles as long as they can be.” Knowing Atalaya would have heard this from her raising, “When there is balance, the rabbit does not see his life so burdened, though he is hunted by the fox.” As I grew older, Seaton just became a town out of balance and I became more aware. You can see now why I have no love for the Duke.”
“I know it may not seem this way, but it is not that different for you. Although the High Forest is more sheltered, there are still those like your father who maintain the balance so that most never feel the struggle. But nothing stays balanced forever. Have there never been times that there was struggle in the High Forest? If not, then why does the Enclave Exist? There are other groups which seek to maintain the balance, just in different ways, in different places.”
You are right. Based on what my father has done during his life and a lesson from the Master, the Enclave is about protecting nature and maintaining its balance within the world. It is about preventing the unprincipled use of magic that threatens mass destruction. And it is about providing aid to those in need when they are unprepared for the realities of being in the wild. And you are right, there are other groups that try to maintain the balance in other places and ways. So you were trying to maintain the balance in Riverport and Seaton?”
“Well at that point neither. I was too new and still learning my way.”
“Did you remain with the innkeeper and his wife during that time in your life?” After a moment she added, “It seems like you did continue to interact with the halfling. Did you become friends? Was she able to help you keep away from the tax collectors?”
Nevil grins, “Yes, the halfling's name was Poppy and she and I became close friends. She was never around for long, but she guided me and took me under her wing. After about another year of remaining with the innkeeper, she saw I was eager for more. She sent me away from Seaton to run errands for her work and she connected me with others with a similar calling.”
Nevil looks lost in storytelling as if she's seeking the comfort of the past, ”I was in constant motion, traveling up and down the Sword Coast; however, most of my work was between Riverport, the High Forest, and Seaton. That's where I found myself. Frequenting those areas, I made some strong connections. I was introduced to the teachings of our Goddess Eldath and learned to revere nature and seek balance. I loved my fathers, but in an odd way, my life felt more stable than at any other time before.”
“So, yes. I want to hear everything about what has been happening. It's a part of my ‘home’.”
“Okay, I guess that you have earned some more of my story,” Atalaya says laughing. “Where were we?” Thinking back, “Oh yes, Harpshield, orogs and a missing stone, but no missing Julkounians. Let’s see. We cleared much of the creatures that we found there, although there was one area we didn’t get into. Then, taking the stone we returned to our ship and then from there to Riverport.” Smiling to herself, “We made it back in time to celebrate Vaz’s birthday.”
“During our time apart Vaz, Joan and Seraphina got involved with some of the people in Riverport that were helping the Julkounians that had made their way there. Perhaps you know them from your time in the area? There was a priest of Tymora named Curran, and also Sir Isteval and his friend Kelson.
“Sorrow was there also, supposedly researching some information we needed at the Bard’s Hall. But instead, he was being seduced by what appeared to be another tiefling, but wasn’t. My personal opinion is that she was the same entity that was seducing the Duke at that time.” Atalaya shakes her head. That was a mess and it left Sorrow really upset and hurting for a long time. He and Joan left for a while as he worked through what happened. But that is his story to tell.” Atalaya looks pensive as she remembers that time.
“Oh, seductresses are never good. They are hard to get over. I don't need to know the details, is Sorrow doing alright now?”
“He seems to be doing alright now. But it took a long time for him to resolve it. We were really worried about him at the time.
Taking another sip of the cooling tea she continued, “We spent time talking with Sir Isteval and his friends and decided that perhaps we needed to look for the missing villagers at Firehammer Mine. So we headed back towards Julkoun.”
“We went on to Firehammer Mine and that was indeed where the villagers were taken. Some dark dwarves had taken over the mining hold and were using the prisoners that were taken in the raids around the Sword Coast and the Delimbiyr Valley as slaves to mine the iron there for use in making weapons of war. We were able to liberate those slaves that were still alive.” Atalaya is silent and she looks away from Nevil. “It was a dreadful place. Many people had been killed. I found a … “ Atalaya falls silent again. “It was really bad.” After another couple of moments where Atalaya forces herself to calm herself she looked up at Nevil.
“If we had gone there before going to Harpshield maybe we could have saved more of them. As it was, many of them couldn’t have survived for much longer. One could say that we were lucky to save as many as we did, but I still think about the … about what I saw there.”
“We found Jekk there too. He was at death’s door. He was held in another area away from the other prisoners. We almost missed finding him. But between several healing spells, some healing potions and Goodberries we were able to get him to the point where he could make it out of there with the rest of those we rescued. It was a long trek back to Julkoun with all of them, but we made it, with relatively little trouble. And I thank all the gods and goddesses for that favor. And when we made it back to Julkoun we were met by the Julkounians that Sir Isteval and Kelson had escorted back to the town.” Atalaya’s face takes on a much happier countenance as she thinks about the reunion of the town’s folk.
Nevil reaches for Atalaya's hand, “you're not alone, I know well pain like you describe. I want to tell you I know how to find peace, but even as a follower of Lady Eldath, I struggle with it more than I should. and that by itself is a guilt all its own. Regret seems unavoidable in our line of work, but let me tell you, to do nothing is worse.” Nevil gestures to the outside, “And to have these conversations cooped up from the rain… when we get back, we should just go for a day hike or do something ridiculous. I'm open to ideas if you have any? So much heaviness. We need to take better care of ourselves.”
We do need to allow our spirits time to refresh themselves. Maybe a picnic in the woods where Ferrin lives or somewhere else on the Greenleafs’ lands. Or when we are in Riverport we could have a nice dinner at the Green Goblin. The food is always great there and we have always been welcomed there.” Atalaya looks pensive for a moment, but then continues, “We have ever only had one slight problem there, and that wasn’t with the food or the staff.”
Nevil nods in agreement to all these proposals. She hadn't been to the Green Goblin in years. Seeing some old haunts again sounded good. Nevil curious, “what trouble did you have?”
“Some assassins seemed to have it in for us. We took care of it. They were quickly dispatched.
Nevil is pained, but she tries to deflect with humor. She shakes her head, “so assassins like once a month with this group, huh? well I guess you're doing something right. Did you ever figure out which group they were from?”
“Actually that is the only attempt at assassination that we know about. We think that it was arranged by a group known as “The Ceaseless” which seems to be a new crime group trying to move into Riverport. We had been looking into something for Captain Mercutio and it apparently ruffled a few feathers.”
Atalaya picks up her pencil again and starts sketching on her pad. A rough image of Nevil with her left wrist wrapped in her stole seated at the vardo table is emerging. A carved bowl is placed on the table in front of her. After working for several moments she looks up, smiling at Nevil, and says, “Well obviously you have learned some patience from your Still Mother. I had expected a question or two about how dryads were involved in Julkoun.”
Nevil smiles, “Your drawings are beautiful. I did not sit for this, yet the detail is uncanny.” Nevil snaps back into the conversation, “well I find it best to listen more than talk. In all honesty, I don't know that much about Dryads to know if they are that common. I just thought maybe it was some relationship regarding the protection of the natural lands. Why is it uncommon to have relationships with several? But since you brought it up, why their interest with the Julkounians?”
There is a dryad that lives near Julkoun who tries to watch over the people of that town; her name is Oyfanen. But the recent invasions of the goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, druegar, etcetera were more than she could deal with. But she was able to see the druegar taking the villagers away and worried about them and wanted them brought back. So while we were clearing out the pests from the town, she sent one of her birds to lead us to her glade and requested that we find the villagers who had been taken away. She seems very concerned about the fate of Julkoun. After we found and returned the prisoners I took the two Chauntean priestess and James, a young man who had become the prisoner’s leader, to the Oyfanen’s grove and introduced them so that they could work out a way to be sure that Oyfanen’s grove and the forest around it would be kept safe from becoming farmland. They came up with a very equitable treaty between the town and Oyfanen which seemed to satisfy both groups. I also introduced Kelson to her. He was a little put out with me that I didn’t warn him that I was taking him to see a dryad. I must confess that I didn’t really think about her as being an unusual creature for an elf to meet. I guess I assumed that at some point in his life he would have met at least one other.”
Atalaya gets up and rummages through her pack. Finding an previous drawing pad, she searched through the drawings and then showed two of them to Nevil. “This is Sossheni.” Turning a few more pages, “and this is Oyfanen.”
Nevil fingers the sides of the pages so as to not disturb the images. “These are beautiful creatures. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.” Nevil turns to Atalaya Smiling in jest, “I am happy to hear you are a peacemaker too. Not that I doubted it.” With genuine curiosity, “I know nothing of the nature of Dryads. You seem comfortable with them, but Kelson seems to feel differently. Why is that? Are they dangerous?”
“They can be,” she replied. “You don’t want to anger a dryad. They are fey, you know.”
“There are many different legends about the dryads and hamadryads. If you want to be technical about it, Sossheni and Oyfanen are hamadryads. They actually live in their trees. And they are very powerful. They can talk with animals, make plants grow very rapidly, and they care for the trees and animals of their forests. Some can travel between different trees if they are close enough to each other. They can step out of their trees but must stay close to the tree. And if their tree dies, they die. That’s what was so terrible about that mad caster in Sossheni’s grove. He had set her tree on fire and she was not able to put the fire out, deal with him and the sprites that he had convinced to have a war right in front of her.” Atalaya looked directly at Nevil. Very seriously she added, “But they have other powers that are much more… much more dangerous. They can see into your heart to judge the truth of your words. They can charm you so that you will want to do what they ask of you. There are stories of them charming men to be their lovers, keeping those lovers with them for the dryad’s lifetime. There are also stories from long ago about how they save young maidens from the baser desires of men. Sometimes these girls are saved by turning them into trees or even dryads themselves.”
“If you have spent time with the elves of the High Forest, then you know that you should never cut down a living tree without first praying and getting permission to cut that tree. You would never want to cut down a tree that has a dryad bound to it.”
Nevil listened intently, “Ah, I knew the part about prayer before cutting trees in the High Forest, but I didn't know why exactly. I can see why respect is due.” Nevil, looks outside, “I wonder if we are getting close, the coast seems to be changing and we've been on the road for a while.”
“We should be getting close I hope. But whether or not we are close to Warthalkeel, it is getting close to lunchtime. We should get something warm prepared, Vaz is going to need something to warm him up, especially if we are going to be swimming around in the sea today.” Atalaya starts looking through the bags of provisions that had been packed for this trip. “How about some grilled cheese sandwiches, and we still have some fresh greens and vegetables that would make a salad. Hmm… applesauce? That must be from the Greenleafs. We can heat that up as another warm food. And of course some fresh coffee. Hmm, they even provided us with a little cinnamon. That will be good in the applesauce.” Atalaya starts to slice the cheese, after handing the coffee pot to Nevil to wipe out and start brewing.
Nevil is eager to help, “absolutely, tell me what I can do.” Nevil takes the pot and begins to prepare the coffee. “Strong brew I assume?” I've been thinking about how we should travel in the future. Vaz can't sleep on the floor all the time and you are going to want some privacy. I'm not accustomed to something this nice. A good tent and bedroll is fine with me. If it wasn't for the terrible rain, I like sleeping where I can hear the night. Also, I've got plenty of experience with horses. When we stop, I'm happy to get Chakano settled and let Vaz come in to warm. If you think he'd be alright with that. I know people can be particular with their horses.” Nevil looks at Atalaya half joking, "just tell me where my place is boss.”
Laughing, Atalaya returned to readying the cheese sandwiches for the griddle. “If you stick with us, your place will be where you make it. And I’m sure that Vaz will appreciate your help with Chakano. The weather is simply awful and he has been out in it all morning.” Reaching for some butter, she slathered the biscuits and placed them butter side down into the griddle. “We don’t always take the wagons, although there are two more of them. Sorrow has one and the other is Seraphina’s. But we found that in many of the places we have needed to get to, the wagons can be more of a hindrance than a help. They are nice while traveling on the tradeways, but they don’t maneuver as well on trails or when we are making our way across the wilds. I have a llama that can help us to carry equipment, but that is also not always helpful. She definitely would not be happy or safe when we have to go underground, and I just can’t seem to put her at risk of the orc and goblin arrows. So… most often we are hiking and using tents. It helped after we acquired some bags of holding. And when we need a more defensible place to spend the night both Sorrow and Tifinin have learned to make these bubble tents. We can see out of them, hear what is happening outside of them and shoot arrows or send spells through them, but nothing comes into them from outside. They are small, with no privacy to them, but they are very effective.”
“I’m not sure exactly where we are, but the meal will be ready soon. Why don’t you check on Vaz and help him get Chakano set up for a little break. I’ll finish up in here.”
Nevil smiles, excited for a change of scenery she begins to prepare for her tasks outside. Having seen Atalaya prepare oats for Chakano the day before, she measures equal amounts in the feed bag and sets it by the door. “I love horses. It will be good to have Shep back. You'll meet him when the weather is nicer and we have a need. He's a gorgeous war horse and a good friend.” Knowing it's a bad pun, “ you could say he's my spirit animal.” [Find steed spell] “He is pretty unique in coloration and hard to miss, so he's been away as long as I have. It will be good to see him again. Unlike Chakano, he doesn't get tired, hungry, or cold.” She redresses the lay of her pants upon her boots to ensure the water will not roll within their creases. Draping and wrapping her cloak, then attaching her sword belt, she checks herself again before peeping through the small curtain by Vas, “Atalaya is almost done with lunch. Find a good spot. I'll come out and you can show me how you like things done.” Vaz responds, “All right.”
After a few minutes more, the wagon stops beside the road. Nevil grabs the feed bag and a hoof pick, braces herself for the wet, and quickly slides out the door to help Vaz. She surveys the tree line and walks to the front speaking to Vaz as she walks to address Chakano. “I worked at an Inn for years, if you want I'll, wipe him down, check his feet, and inspect the straps for hot spots. Go get warm.”
Vasilya’s gaze took in Nevil as he climbed off the wagon. She had the nose bag situated before he was down. She moved confidently around the horse as she worked to make it more comfortable during this break. Noting her ease with handling Chakano’s equipment, Vaz smiled and nodded when Nevil looked up again and then made his way to the door of the vardo. Carefully making his way into the vardo he accepted the steaming mug of coffee that Atalaya handed him.
Atalaya was concerned as Vaz made his way back into the vardo. His hands shook as he reached for the coffee mug that she held out to him. The touch of his fingers on her hand as she placed the mug into them was freezing. As he breathed in the steam from the mug, Atalaya unfastened his cloak and hung it to dry. Grabbing a blanket she threw it around his shoulders and pulled him over to a chair to remove his boots and wrap his feet in another blanket. Taking the now empty mug from his still slightly shaking hands, she refilled it and gave it back to him.
“You should have stopped and come in before now. Nevil or I could have driven the vardo,” Atalaya scolded as she went back to the stove and filled a bowl with the heated applesauce which she placed on his plate and added two of the hot cheesy sandwiches to it. “Eat. It will help you warm up.”
Atalaya turned back to the stove as the door opened and Nevil returned. Setting Nevil’s food on the table she said, “Hand me your cloak. Your food is on the table. How is Chakano?”
Nevil did as instructed. Taking a good look at shivering Vas, Nevil gives Atalaya a knowing glance. “He's holding up better than expected. Wet feet for so long are a concern, but his hooves are in decent shape considering. He's a sweet boy, well built.” Nevil begins to eat. Between bites and looking to Atalaya for permission, “After a rest though, I’m driving. I know the area well enough. Boz, we need you in fighting form.” Nevil grins, “I'm sure Atalaya can get you there before we arrive.”
Boz shivers, tucking into the sandwiches gratefully. "It's like the rain has washed all the warmth and color right out of the sun, yes? Is miserable out there." He sighs, letting the warmth and dry seep into him. "Thank you, 'Laya. This is life to me right now. I feel bad for Chakano in this. My poor pral, he deserves some luxury when this is over. Apples and sugar for him for sure. Nevil," looks up. "Nais tuk for your help with him. Thank you. I was spent, I admit. You are a treasure."
Nevil stands to stretch. She walks over to her pack and pockets several items. She layers a second, thick hide like shirt then her armor. Any water getting through the mail will run away and not settle. Placing her swords against the door, she sits again holding tight the cup of coffee to build a base layer of warmth. After several minutes, she stands again, to check her boots and wrap and drape her cloak. “I get nervous sitting in one place when we are getting closer. If we are right, I'd expect to find trouble.” Picking up her swords, “I'm going to walk the outside while we rest. I’ll knock and crack the door to return the bag. Then get us going again.”
"Look, be careful," Boz says around a mouthful of sandwich. He gulps it down and looks at her, concerned. "I don't like you being out there alone in this place. We don't know what might be around. And the noise of the rain hides sound. "
Nevil with amusement, “Brother, I'm fairly certain I've traveled these roads as long as you have. So, I can't be worse than you half frozen. And I'm not alone, I have Chakano.” Nevil departs.
Boz raises an eyebrow and cocks his head. "Fair enough."
Atalaya gathers her own plate and bowl and sits down near Vasilya. She watches him as she quickly eats her own lunch. “You really should have come in earlier. You look more than half frozen and it’s Flamerule. When Vasilya finishes eating she gathers all their dishes. “You need to lie down on your bunk under all the covers and get warm. I’ll just take care of these.”
Vasilya pouts, “It would be warmer if you were with me.” He starts to climb up the ladder to the bed area. Looking over his shoulder he added, “Yes, I would warm up much faster if you were here with me.” Seeing Atalaya searching for something to throw, he quickly got himself under the covers, moving the bound journals aside as he got in. “These are yours, yes?”
Atalaya looked up and, seeing what he was holding, nodded. “Yes. Those are mine. I was showing some of my drawings to Nevil earlier. She must have put them there when she straightened up the bed.”
“Ah, well now you can show me. I have waited a long time for you to show me what these contain.”
Atalaya shakes her head slowly. “You never asked to see them. Let me get these things cleaned up before Nevil hitches up Chakano and starts us moving again. Then I will show you.”
Vasilya waited a little impatiently, the covers pulled around him as he continued to shiver slightly as Atalaya completed her self appointed cleaning task. A knock on the door announced Nevil’s return. Placing the feed bag in its place she picked up her mug, poured herself a small cup and drank it quickly. “Chakano seems rested and ready to go again. I’m going to hitch him up and get going. I don’t think we have all that much farther to go.”
Atalaya took the mug from her as she finished. “Alright. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get the weather back to something approaching normal,” she stated. And then under her breath added, “At least I hope so.”
Nevil headed back outside as Atalaya finally made her way up to Vasilya. Vasilya had scooted to the far side of the bed and pulled the blankets aside, inviting her in. “Much warmer with two to share their heat,” he repeated.
Giving in, Atalaya grabbed the journals and plopped them on the bed between them as she settled down under the covers. Turning to her side to better show him her drawings she opened the older of the books. “Nevil and I were talking about dryads this morning and I showed her the pictures I drew of Sossheni and Oyfanen. See, here is Sossheni in her tree. Well in her tree before the fire we had to put out. This is what the grove should have looked like when we got there.” Atalaya flipped a few pages to an earlier drawing. And this is Oyfanen in her oak grove outside of Julkoun when we went back to bury the elf ears and to introduce James, Sister Shonda and Sister Jeminah to her.
Vasilya turns the book to more easily see the pictures. “Yes, I remember this.” He then turns to the very first drawing. “Tell me about this one.”
Looking at the picture, Atalaya smiles. “Those are the twins when they were much younger. Or at least how I remember them when they were in their early teens. And that is me trying to keep up with them. It was a long time before I stopped being jealous of the fact that they were four years older than I was.” Turning the page she said, “And here is my father’s home. See, Ailwin is making a new bow. Atalaya grows silent. “You aren’t saying anything. Don’t you like them?”
"I do. I love them," he says, gazing with wonder at the scenes before him. "you're so good at this. What a wonderful life you have had."
He looks a little wistful. "Am I to be part of this life?" He looks at her, his eyes a little too bright. "Would I fit in?" He looks back at the drawings and takes her hand. "There are too few pages in my life that look like this. But you have drawn some with me. " He smiles. "It makes me happy that a few of these pages have me in them. It's a collection of a life well lived."
Atalaya glances at the page Vasilya is looking at. The scene shows Vasilya and her sitting by Shining Falls with White Plume Mountain rising behind them. The moonlight sparkles across the pool. You are in many of them Iubit. Especially after this point. But there are times when I miss my family.” She pauses for a moment, staring at the picture. “Now I have two families.” She continues to help Vasilya look through the album, replacing it with the second album as they complete the first. The second album is almost exclusively scenes from their recent adventures or portraits of her friends. Many of them are various sketches of Vasilya in his many different moods and quite a few that were most likely drawn as she watched him sleep. Atalaya blushes as what he is seeing dawns on him.
He looks up, his eyes shining. He nods. "You see me this way?" He draws in a deep breath and lets it out. "I love you," he says.
Atalaya stills as the impact of Vaz’s words sink into her heart. Closing the journal, she hesitantly reached up and traced her finger along his face. Soft elven words flowed from her as she gazed directly into his eyes, “I love you too. You are my anchor and my resting place. I need you… I want you … I am no longer complete without you.” Then pulling him towards her she leaned in and kissed him softly. As the kiss deepened, she clung tightly to him, the journal forgotten. Pulling away and taking a long breath, and finally remembering the Gurrish words she had learned from him she said, “Mangava Tut. Si eu te iubesc Vaz.”
Nevil could hear a breath of low, throaty laughter from Boz, and a rustle of fabric, a faint creak of the ropes beneath the straw ticking of the bunk. Smiling to herself,, and she decided to pretend she didn't.
She clicked her tongue at Chakano, urging him forward along the sodden mud of the rutted road ahead.
Inside the vardo, Boz was mentally attempting to tally exactly how many more miles they had to go and how fast they were traveling. "We have to stop," he mumbled, gritting his teeth at the feel of 'Laya's hand wandering into the collar of his shirt. "She's going to come back here and then what?"
The wagon lurched into a particularly treacherous void in the road, and he caught himself on the frame of the bunk as the movement nearly pitched him to the floor.
"Whoa," Atalaya's hand shot out and grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt, steadying him. "You're probably right." Her whispered voice was breathless and not entirely convincing. She hauled him back over toward the middle of the bunk. "You don't need to crack your head on the cabinet down there. Stay away from the edge."
The wagon lurched again and he sprawled across her, the two of them nearly rolling into the back wall. Atalaya found herself looking down into his face, his lips bee-stung and his hair tousled beneath her. We've got several miles to go...don't we? Her mind raced. Nevil probably won't come back for a bit, right?
The rain roared against the tin roof. She bent and kissed him again, the sweetness of his mouth almost too much to bear. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer.
The wagon rolled abruptly to a stop. With Herculean effort, Vaz pulled away from the kiss and drew in a deep, shuddering breath. He blinked.
"Well," he said unhappily. "We're here."
Sighing, Atalaya looked just as unhappy. “You are going to owe me what that last kiss promised when we get back to the Greenleaf’s home. Then giving his beard a playful tug, “Come on we better get down from here before Nevil comes in.”
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