Dressed in only the finest of materials, her hair free of tangles. She stepped out of her home into the early morning light, her blue book beneath her arm.(a book that she recorded her thoughts, ill and fair, within). In an instant, the light breeze thwarted her attempts to look pristine, blowing the golden strands of hair across her face, yet, she was not irritated, far from it. The smile on her lips rarely left of late, for there was an abundance of coin in the coffers and a new love in her heart, even though recent days had been challenging. Making her way through the garden, it's plants swaying back and forth and causing the brave bumble bees to hold on for dear life, she eventually reached the small table set amidst blooms of lilac, yellow and white. Sitting upon the bench infront of it, she opened the book, it's page already marked by the silver writing impliment within, and so, she began to write,
As I sit here, I find myself content. Happy would be too great a word, but content will suffice. My journey to the town of Trestlebridge should have gone unhindered, yet, it was not without difficulties. Why? Men, why is it always men? Rahvic disappearing...Male. The disagreement with Gerlof...a man. The attack on the camp...men. The badger who entered the tent and I thought was Kali?...probably male, yes, must have been. Had we not been delayed, had I gone alone most certainly, then injury would not have befallen Rahvic and Gerlof. What I transported was too enticing to the local ruffians, to them a covered wagon containing who knows what, but obviously a great deal. It was difficult to convey to my sweet sellswords just how valuable, dangerous, the cargo they escorted was. I do hope neither have spoken of it, after all rumours abound, and I have mostly been left alone in regards to the more unsavory aspect of my work. Kalian is right to have contracts formed when working, alas, I was more trustworthy and simply eager to depart. Then, I end up playing nurse to the trader and our dark skinned friend. Yes, I am an apothecary, yes, I can wash, tend to, stitch, bandage and whatever, but really, I am far more than that, though I doubt they see it for to them I am blonde, pretty, a bit like a slender vase that might break if it is pushed over.
As the breeze picked up, her hair covered her eyes. Slender fingers tucked the golden strands behind her ear, sparking a memory of the night before, making her smile. Though she would then continue..
I am being selfish. I do feel guilt for what occured. I feel guilt for allowing them to join me. I only wished to give Rahvic a chance to have coin in his purse, Gerlof a chance to watch over me due to his relentless hatred to sellswords, and Kali..well..to not worry, to still do as he does best by blade and armour, but mostly ensure I was returning unharmed. It didn't go as intended.
Gerlof being dismissed for yet again trying to speak to me as if I were a child, angry that I dare converse with Kali in our birth tongue infront of him, angry that I had two sellswords with me, yet ruthless enough to take a fifth of the profit even though I had told him I would arrange transport there myself, as if his company, his wagon and his insults were a blessing, he even scolded my dog! Why? For raising its leg to relive himself on the wagons wheel. For climbing into the cart. His friendship can be very trying. No one should scold my dog, he is adorable. Yes..yes he did help, and he paid for his help, the bandits placing a nasty stab wound in his side. It seemed to start to fester, though I believe I stemmed the infection. Gerlof..why did you insist on joining me? You hated my company, you have been hurt, and now we do not speak to one another again. Maybe soon.
Rahvic...I did all I could for the man. Firm instructions never to bend the knee, poultices, stitches, blood everywhere..Yet, I see him, on wooden crutches, hopping through the town. I admit, being at home can be terribly boring but, surely he wishes the leg to work again? for the sake of his profession? I am being harsh, for all I can do is advise. What do I know afterall? I am a slender vase. Cheeky though? I couldn't be more proud of my wolf hound, for had he not gored the man who almost took Rahvics life, then the sellsword would not be here to limp around. Such a good dog, bounding over to me with blood all over his muzzle, tail wagging, as loyal as any man could be..no moreso..
Kalian, my stone. I've heard people refer to their significant other as their rock. No, he is my stone, a name that I gave him in frustration, but now find it amusing, for the man is anything but stone like. A little badger like..I mean..anyone could mistake a badger crawling into their tent for their lover. I rather admire his devotion to his work. Once I found it highly irritating, but now? I understand. No distractions of an overly romantic nature, always being alert, yet the one time he lets down his guard, a snake coils around his leg as we kiss. No Kali..it would not have ruined your manhood, it had barely reached your thigh and it was a grass snake. Throwing it with the force you did? Likely a dead grass snake, or one with a very bad headache. He joined me in the Old Forest, even though he is fearful of the place, he joined me, not for coin, not by contract, but to be with me. My stone. Having said this, I must return there, and it might be wise I do when he is elsewhere so that he does not feel obliged to be at my side. He makes me happy, I do not wish to bring him fear. Kali..not Elirior..I knew then, the first time we had strayed into the edge of that forest, after our fateful time at the barrowdowns, the first time I heard his true name. I knew then, he trusted me. I never wish to break that trust, bend it a little, to spare him any discomfort, but never break it.
Turning her head, she waved to her neighbour, the thin, balding man striding up the hill with his young son running further ahead into her garden, the boy greeted by her dog who was easily thrice the childs size and soon smothering the childs head with licks, much to the childs delight. Closing the book, she got to her feet, welcoming the pair before gesturing them both into the home, the dog leading the way.
