Araminta slept in far longer than she should have and found it difficult to wake, but that was becoming more and more common these days. Luckily there was no need to travel by a timeline, so even though there we a bit late to delivering their bounty of branches and sticks to the weapons smith and his wife, it didn’t matter much at all. Freshly supplied with weapons of Theon’s choice (and now a standing credit for the future – Araminta hadn’t realized just how valuable that enchanted dark oak could be), along with some extra food that wouldn’t be at risk of expiring, they were able to set out on their way towards the fourth trial.
The princess did indeed turn out to be a good travel companion for someone who was once a spoiled noble. She had little trouble with camping along the way and learned very quickly what it took to spark up a fire even without a flint on hand. Araminta paid close attention to how he did things and even attempted to join him for hunting their dinner… only to find that it was one thing she couldn’t stomach. Didn’t matter if it were fowl or furry, if she’d seen it alive and killed, she wasn’t able to bring herself to eat it. From then on she left all hunting to Theon and put herself to work on the foraging instead, where she’d known plenty enough about what was edible in the wild wood to collect a sustainable amount of fruits, greens, mushrooms and nuts.
In the evening when they’d settle down for the night, Araminta would either work on stripping the bark off her branch-turned staff or using the bone knife to whittle off the uneven knobby bits. Sometimes she would pull out the shabby lyre and show Theon which string played what note and then strum a song or two before laying down for bed.
There was thankfully no trouble on the road, not from scoundrels or anyone seeming to hunt them, so for the time being it appeared their side quest and delays had indeed thrown followers off their tracks.
An actual problem arose when storm clouds appeared on the horizon and a drizzle of rain started. Araminta found it lucky they were close to a village that was only a few days walk from their final destination. But as they meandered into the little town she started to wonder if she’d misjudged the distances on her map and they’d wandered into the abandoned village of the fourth trial. There were a few ramshackle buildings that were recognizably something, though in such a state of ill repair that it was a bit alarming. Araminta had seen poor shanty towns before, but this could hardly be called a whole town. A resting stopping perhaps… There was an Inn and Tavern with a crooked swinging sign of a boar with an axe. Stables for horses. A few other buildings where people might live or work.
Where normally she’d strike up a conversation with everyone she spotted, Araminta could not seem to spot a friendly face. Maybe the rain could be partially to blame, but the only person to even cast a look in their direction was someone that gave her the sort of leer she wanted nothing to do with!
Araminta heavily debated if it was worth stopping here at all. If rain wasn’t already trying to seep it’s way through her cloak, she might’ve taken her chances out in the woods with the mud and the cold. They really did need a pair of rooms until the storms finally passed.
“I’m not sure about work here… but we should have enough money for a couple of rooms if they have any available. At worse we might sneak in the stables and sleep there for the night?” she asked Theon.
By no means did he think the place was remotely appealing, but he also didn’t find it so uncomfortable that it made the faintest chill crawl up his spine. Rather the idea of getting out of the rain was enough of a thought that he mostly overlooked plenty of the dilapidated details of such a place. Finding the lack of common folk to exchange pleasantries with, practically heavenly. It wasn’t as though he had suddenly become a marvel of extroverted energy, but he did and could confidently acknowledge that Araminta had in fact, been good company. Pleasant to the point that even with her oddest of antics, he hadn’t found them worth gawping at.
No, he saved that for whenever she pulled out her lyre to make him strange at it questionably. Not sure he even retained much of the information given but found it seemed to delight her just enough that he ignored any sort of bland reception he could have offered.
Right now however his gaze preened over the less than stellar village. The rain making plenty of muddle puddles that shoes and pants and cloaks alike were mightily soaked through. Lowering gaze to her a moment when it was apparent she was having a conundrum of thought. Asking for his insight. “Single room would save coin. Here, we may be over charged due to the state of the place.” He indicated with barely a tip of his chin. “People here are likely hungry in many ways. Coin being something of a delicacy. We should be frugal if possible. We can see if there is a room but if not, then we can always chance the stables.”
Though he seemed to consider her more so, “Somewhere warm. Where I do not need to continually watch to see if your leg that is fine may deteriorate further.”
Araminta was not going to argue about her leg, as it would just give him that extra reason to be suspicious about her insistance that it was indeed fine. In fact, when they weren’t running for their lives or doing strenuous activities Araminta was at a nice steady limp instead of the hobbling around like a goblin. Having her staff and walking at an even pace certainly helped.
The rain wouldn’t though. She needed to get dry and tend to herself… though a single room wouldn’t make that easy. An actual bed to sleep in for once was far too tempting of a want for Araminta to start fussing now.
Yet his advice rang true, flashing around anything jingling would bring them nothing but trouble. Araminta had never visited a town like this before, where everything felt a little uneasy, but she did know you didn’t want to look like easy pickings for a thief. She’d been snatched off the road one already, she didn’t want to repeat the experience!
Turning to face him to shield what she was up to, Araminta reached into pockets to retrieve the small pouch of coins he’d given her. With a quick perusal of the town around them and the few stragglers that were daring to be out in the rain, she did a small bit of guestimated math counting out a share of coins that felt reasonable for a poor traveler with only the tiniest bit of extra. The rest she returned to the pouch and gave to Theon for safe keeping. In case someone did snatch her up, they at least wouldn’t get away with all of their money.
Araminta then led the way to the ramshackle looking tavern, up the wooden steps to push through the doors inside to find an absolute horror show of taxidermy in every direction. A giant stuffed bear snarling fangs by the door had her nearly jumping backwards to collide with Theon. Though she righted herself quick enough, the rest of the establishment didn’t appear any cozier. Deer heads, racoons, wolves, slain monsters. The large fireplace at the edge of the greatroom might’ve been cozy if it weren’t for the skinned rug with a head still attached. It seemed the few people that did live in this town were there too, drinking from heavy mugs and carrying on.
At least Araminta and Theon both looked about as ragged as any other traveler, so no one bothered to cast them more than a few curious glances.
Sliding up to the bar Araminta put on her best smile and a greeting of Hello! to only be greeted back by a giant of a man with the most glowering unhospitable expression she’d ever seen. She wiped that smile off her face immediately.
“Do you have a room available?” she asked, perhaps with less confidence then she usually did when talking with strangers.
“Do you have gold?” he asked gruffly.
Her mouth twisted to the side as she opened up her palm to count the few bits of coins she’d pulled out just for this. “How much is enough?”
He eyed what was there and snorted. “All of it.”
“I might as well sleep with the horses for that rate!” she exclaimed. Which was fairly true, Theon’s assessments had been correct and they were going to try and squeeze her for all she had.
“Sleep with me, lassie, I’ll give you a room for free!” shouted one of the patrons from across the room. A torrent of laughter erupted.
“The horses are prettier,” Araminta shot back, quickly, though no without a flushed tinge of red to her face. Especially when the retort sent the lot into a whole new round of chortling and ribbing of their companion. She slapped half of the coin on the bartop with a huff. “I’ll give you this and some more if you have anything hot and edible.”
The man behind the bar glowered even more, if that were possible. Setting both hands to the counter as he leaned foreword, clearly intending to try some intimidation. Yet, he’d taken a look behind her towards Theon and must’ve decided otherwise. He beckoned a finger for a little extra money and when Araminta complied, he scooped it all into a massive palm to pocket, then turned around for a moment.
When he returned he loudly clonked a large tin mug of something steaming hot on the bartop along with a metal key, with an expression darkly daring her to make some additional demands.
“Room is upstairs, third door.”
If there was anything to consider about this place, it was that it felt like it was in the middle of turning from law abiding to no laws included. Needing some additional look over’s as he was waiting for Araminta to determine what she wanted to do next. The idea of the stables was hardly unpleasant seeing as horses often were calm creatures. Only becoming the opposite when there was a threat nearby, proving to be fine warning systems if they needed to be on their guard for something.
However it seemed the idea of testing their luck with the shabby appearing tavern was the way they were going to go. Taking back the coin that was decided to be kept on his person –in case someone decided to tempt their fate, he assumed- it was the smell of the tavern that had him lightly curling his nose.
Able to detect the smell of old pelts, greasy substances and a few other things that were best unmentioned. Unsure if the unmentioned parts were coming from the questionable choice in dead animals arranged all over the place or the people. No less at the way she startled before righting herself to take the charge, things certainly proved to be quite… well they were just as unpleasant as the weather and the appearance of the entire town. Something depressed certainly.
Lining his posture to be readily within reach should it be necessary, he took a due attention to size up the ever so gracious host that apparently was not taking kindly to any sort of cheery demeanor that Araminta usually held in ample quantities. Rather it was swept away faster than any stray dirt crumb in this place. Proving the next bit of an exchange fit the very atmosphere of the entire room. Truly miserable, even if Araminta took the challenge of standing her ground. Claiming that the amount of gold she had in hand was hardly worth the accommodations currently. Inciting or inviting the call of some horny cad in the greatroom to belt out.
Tilting the silver gaze somewhat to lay his attention upon those who were chortling in amusement, arranging faces into mind and which ones were best to be cautious of. At this rate, he would not be surprised that if Araminta stepped out of the room alone, that one or more would be upon her like dogs in heat. Taking what they wanted because asking was far more likely to be shot down. As her initial reply was clearly that.
Adjusting his palm to come and rest casually upon the pommel of sword, the sound of coin being pressed into the bar was enough to pull his attention back. Watching silently having kept that same deadpanned expression as present as it was the first day, the man behind the bar seemed to be considering his luck then. Leaning forward for some reason but stopped before he might have needed to be corrected.
Instead he put down something that was… potentially questionable before them with a key. And he personally felt his stomach twist at whatever the hell was in there. Reaching forward to at least take the key to hold in hand before looking at Araminta. As if silently asking if she was bold enough to take something that was in a tin mug with the meal. Knowing it would do her well before he seemed to look at the man once more. “Hot water. Lye soap.” He stated calmly then, “A small basin with clean rags. Unused.” As for the reason why, he didn’t feel the need to elaborate. “At no additional cost. You’ve already taken more than enough.” His tone was level but it was liable to be altered to a confrontation if necessary. Passing Araminta the key at the same time.
The man behind the bar straightened up to his full, impressive height, seeming to size up Theon in the same ways. Determining after a quick beat that perhaps this one wouldn’t be as easily handled as the lady! His mouth opening up into a wide, almost threatening sort of smile, with front teeth missing behind that grizzled beard of his.
“Aye, but I ain’t bringin’ it up to ya. No maids here,” he replied.
Araminta herself wasn’t sure about that drink, but it was hot and she was practically chilled down to the bone at this point. Whatever it was, likely wouldn’t kill her. Accepting the key from Theon, she knew that was a cue for her to go, and she couldn’t have been happier to comply. Gathering up that steaming mug and the meal offered, with nary a word. Just wide green eyes trying to look at anything other than dead animals on all the floors and walls!
At least not having the sense to rush or run, Araminta skittered her way up the set of rickety looking stairs and down the empty narrow hall of rooms to the waiting third door. With a of balancing the things in her arms she unlocked it quickly and let herself inside.
A disgruntled squeak slipped out to find the room no better than downstairs in terms of… decor. Worse even in her opinion, as they were barely even recognizable animals. Just heads and whole bodies of strange creatures that Araminta wasn’t even so sure were real at all! They almost looked like they were put together out of random body parts to creature undead statues of something entirely new!
So much for having a restful place to sleep! Araminta was going to have nightmares!
She set her mug and bowl down on the barely big enough table that sat neat the empty, cold fireplace along with her things. Seriously considering allowing Theon to keep the room for himself and sneaking off to the stables, where at least the animals were living and wouldn’t be staring at her with dead glass eyes.
Gradually he held the man’s stare. Unbothered by the way he straightened up as if he were a grizzly trying to look threatening all the more. Possible had it not been for the way his mouth opened to reveal that his front teeth were missing. Suddenly looking more fitted for a toddler that had lost the two and were waiting for them to grow back in. However, he didn’t seem to be fussed to even say that much. Merely holding the stare even at the pointed information that there was no maid here.
One could tell. This was a place that was run by potentially dishonest people with the same need for housekeeping, cleanliness and hospitality that a pigsty needed. So long as his request was met, then he didn’t much care beyond that. Content that Araminta took the key and the signal that she was to depart for the room firstly. Allowing him the means of lurking behind as both waiting for the items to be prepared and a sort of open ended show that the miss was not to be alone. That his attention was upon those within the very space.
Counting heads and listening to anything that could be considered questionable.
It took a little bit –likely longer than necessary- for him to get the bucket of heated water, basin and rags with the lye soap. Doing barely a second glance at the clerk before helping himself to the same route that had been taken twenty some minutes prior. Only that he stopped at the assigned door to knock as not to just barge into the space.
He might not have that many social cues but he did know Araminta was a young woman. And the items he asked for weren’t for himself. He’d wait till that door opened so he could decline head with a formal approach to carry the items in. Unfortunately to see the arrangement of the room was no better than the rest of the place. Bunching brows, “Questionable.” Theon commented but set the items down with a open handed gesture. “I will remain out there.” He pointed to the door, while pushing cowl off head. “Take your time. It is no bath but it will do better for you to remove the chill. Let me know when you are finished and I will return the items to our host.”
Knowing Theon wouldn’t dare touch food he didn’t catch and make himself, in all the time it took Theon to wait, Araminta had polished off the bowl of… well. Some sort of mystery meat and vegetables that didn’t taste very good at all, and she hoped wasn’t one of the creatures hanging on the wall. At least it was hot and filling and didn’t taste so bad that she couldn’t stomach it. The drink itself was vile. A watered down beer or ale or grog that tasted as if it was brewed in hell itself. But that too she at least drank as many swallows as she could stand, for having some warm was worth it. The swishy feeling it gave her helped too in tolerating the nightmare of a room.
She’d managed to light a small fire in the stone fireplace by the time Theon joined her with requested items of hot water and soap in hand. Apparently for her! Perhaps she should’ve expected as much, he was always sneaking these little things. For once she wasn’t going to fuss about it either, it might not be a full bath but in that moment just getting dry and cleaner seemed like the best thing in the world. So she nodded her affirmation on the instructions and gently closed the door after him.
Stripping out of her wet clothes as quick as she could down to nothing but a thin camisole and underwear, she draped her wet things across the chairs near the fireplace so they could dry. (And her cloak over the face of a particularly gnarly looking beast.) Araminta set to work on the intricate task of attempting to scrub as much dirt and grime off herself as humanly possibly from the mess of her ebony hair, to her face and arms and then her legs. Those being an even trickier task as she had to finally sit and peel off the bandage that was precariously set over her wound.
Not that it was covering much anymore. No longer was the gash red and inflamed, it was just as black as the stuff trying to ooze out of it. Araminta grimaced with a pained hiss as she pressed to see if any blood was going to come along with it… Idly wondering if that was her blood now. The black spidering had only spread farther down her thigh in all directions. Who knew a demon’s horn could do so much damage… At least it was going along at a snail’s pace. Araminta figured she could get through most of the trials before it finally poisoned her to death. Or would she turn into a demon?
She didn’t want to think about it. At all.
Luckily she’d left cleaning up that wound for last, for the black stuff seemed to stain everything it touched. The water and the rags now streaked with black the same as her leg. Using some of the supplies in her pack she made a nice tight new bandaged to keep it covered and clean, wrapping it around her leg to be extra sure it wouldn’t shift around. Then turned to grimace at her still damp clothes, not wanting to have to put them back on now that she was at least some semblance of cleaner and almost dry.
Glancing around the terrifying room, her mouth twist into a thoughtful frown. Finally falling on the bed. Crossing over she checked the blankets and sheets… looking for bugs and giving them a sniff before deeming them good enough. She stole away the lighter of the sheets to wrap around herself, a sort of ridiculous looking toga style dress, but it was plenty enough to spare Theon from being scandalized and to keep that wound of hers out of sight.
Then and only did she finally open up the door to let Theon back inside. Casting him the brightest of cheerful smiles now that she felt more like a human person again.
“It is safe now, thank you,” she said first, only to pause and cast the dead monsters a wary look. The ones not covered by her cloak, anyway. “…mostly safe.”
The time in the hall had been incredibly uneventful. Something that was approved of, even if there was one or two curious peeks that had been one or two men that suddenly seemed to forget where they were going once they realized he was literally on the outside of the door. Humming and hawing their way one way down the hall and back with that sort of smile that sucked lips inwards. The sort that was supposed to seem unassuming when in reality, they likely had nefarious thoughts on their minds. Urging him to be ever more present in the situation.
While he might have a lot of blood on his hands and the whole working as a certified assassin for the queen was hardly the jig that most would find a mere funny anecdote; he didn’t understand the stalking of women. Of any sort.
It seemed he was going to have to be more alert than possible at this rate. Or they might need to discuss ways of making Araminta look like the back end of a horse to avoid those sort of looks that were of no good kind.
Unless she enjoyed that sort of thing… he actually had no idea.
Before that thought could even be purchased as something to study, the door was opened once more With the young woman looking certainly far more mortal and less road weary. Save that it seemed her selected commentary of safety was in precarious holding. Seemingly due to where her cloak had been hung. No less, he didn’t present his gaze to be considering her selected attire. Merely stepped in and pushed the door closed. With a long look at the handle before making his selected choice of placement to be just that.
Right there.
Slipping down without a single care about his own soggy attire, and plopped at the door. Folding one leg out and the other up to rest a wrist upon, gaze lingered on the covered creature. Trying to recall in his short stint of before, to what was behind it. Unable to recall, rather he chose instead, “Few came up looking for you. May be potentially dangerous.” Was all he had to say about the matter.
He’d alarmed her at first suddenly turning and slipping down to the floor, that for a moment she was worried that somewhere along the way he’d been hurt or was so tired he was passing out right where he stood. Yet he seemed to be perfectly fine when he spoke. A relief, even if the statement confused her for a moment.
First, why on earth would they come upstairs looking for her? Surely they wouldn’t be THAT bold to come trying their luck, especially when it was well clear she wasn’t alone. Secondly, well… she spoke to say as much.
“…Theon, there is a lock on the door. That’s what locks are for,” she explained, quite patiently, and almost with amusement. Even if a couple of the drunken louts had decided to come up the stairs and come knocking to menace her, she doubted they’d try cracking locks and infer the wrath of the inn keeper in order to do it. A girl wasn’t worth that kind of trouble.
“You at least need to get out of those wet clothes or they won’t dry properly,” she grumbled, kneeling down to steel his boots away. If he was going to be a living doorstop, it meant she couldn’t escape to the stables, but Araminta supposed if any of these beastly heads did decide to come alive in the middle of the night, at least Theon was there. On the floor, being ridiculous.
Mercurial eyes rose up at her and her reminder that the door was already fitted with a lock, he found himself doing little to remove himself from it. “Inn keeper likely has a master key. A lock would do nothing, if they are swayed to baser instincts.” He seemingly either had seen such things before or he just had a theory resting uncomfortably on his head that provoked him to be the wedge. At this point he wouldn’t be unconvinced that Araminta had been the first pretty woman anyone had seen in this town for a while. It was better to be overcautious than not enough.
Just it seemed that she was going to be a bit feisty by kneeling down with stealing his boots once more. Was this about to become a thing with her? Promptly causing him to pull feet up into a cross to avoid her snatching anything else easily away. “I will be fine.” He determined at the idea of wet clothing. It hardly bothered him and while he suggested the means of a single room for a variety of reasons, he was not about to make himself too comfortable anyways.
Wet clothing wasn’t even on the top ten things of a list for him to even find discontentment with.
Baser instincts! Did the man think those dummies downstairs were going to go feral just because they’d seen something pretty? They’d made her uncomfortable for certain, but that didn’t mean she was so worried that she needed a living doorstop. Crouching down on her toes, she deemed it necessary to at least try to convince him into some sort of reasonable compromise. From this angle and up close, it was easier to catch a glimpse of a long mark on the back of her arm. Not so recent that she’d gotten it during the trials, but recent enough that it still had that freshly healed pink scaring.
“We’re going to be stuck here until the rain stops, so I doubt the Inn Keeper is going to put paying customers at risk,” she explained first.
Then she reached out to thump her finger against the armor at his shoulder.
“There is no reason to keep all this on, even if those very tired, very drunk scoundrels downstairs dug up the energy and decided they wanted to pick a fight with you. I suspect you could beat the daylights out of the entire lot even if you were buck naked and swordless.”
That brought up some very amusing mental images that Araminta promptly shoved right back out of her head before she started giggling.
“So at the very least you can safely take off all the armor and go sit by the fire to dry faster?”
If there was one thing he was starting to come to realize, there was little to no reason for him to voice even stray thoughts. When they did come out, they appeared to be considered inconsequential that she found it worth correcting them. It proved commonly that her blood was a royal and there was expectation in those words. Seemingly that he was being foolish, something he was familiar with when it came to veering outside that drawn path of what he was meant to do.
The motion to the armour with the pressure of her finger –seemingly taking notice of the scar that was bared currently- he waited till she was drawn back then.
Complying once more to the motion of being told to what she wanted him to do. Articulating body to stand, shuffle and at least remove armour as spoken of. Setting each piece carefully down as to keep them in order, till he was once more situated at the flame side. Glancing at her then with a silent is this better, sort of look.
That look he gave her was bordering on sassy. ..or at least as sassy as Theon could get with that stoic face of his. Drawing Araminta to sigh softly as she stood. Sometimes Theon was so much like a wild street dog, in that he couldn’t seem to recognize the difference between someone trying to care for him and someone yanking on a chain. Which, she found quite ironic considering he was always so thoughtful and kind to her! It was as if he didn’t believe anyone would ever do the same for him. Infuriating and sad, and there wasn’t much Araminta could do about it beyond remaining patient lest he revert back to being a mute statue in the corner.
Still, sometimes she just wanted to kick up a fuss about it.
For the time being, Araminta moved to the table to pickup that now tepid mug of horrible brew to have another sip. Making an absolute wretched face from the taste, but continuing to drink it anyway. Wandering over to the window where she could peer out at the town’s muddy single street. It was hard to tell if it was late day or closer to dusk with all the stormy clouds and the torrent of rains. She could even see flashes of lightning in the distance and hear the rumble of thunder growing closer.
Araminta had never disliked storms before, but now they made her a bit uneasy. It didn’t help that when she looked back at the room’s harrowing decor that the fireplace and lightning strikes cast all of glassy eyed beasts into awful displays of shadow and light.
“…the bog hags were less frightening.” she remarked darkly, having another drink and not being happy about it at all.
He actually made a face at the whole watching her drink whatever it was in that mug. Light as it was, it was still there. Evidently he was not sure why she was drinking it. It could have been brackish old man bathwater for all they knew and she was sipping at it. Turning his stomach with the unwelcomed visual upon it. Requiring a turn of attention to consider the flame dancing in its contained hearth.
“Bog hags?” Asking then not sure what that meant at all. Warranting a fresh consideration back at her before humming. “I do not think a sandwich will appease whatever you deem more frightening then them.”
At such a statement Araminta gave a renewed look of discomfort at the taxidermized beasts around the room. Both the ones recognizable and the ones not. Even if she had a sandwich to give, she doubted a single one liked bread and cheese with those sorts of pointy teeth. It’d be all fresh meat and blood!
A sudden boom of thunder far closer than the rest made Araminta jump, and that was all that was needed to make her cross the room and take up residence in a chair next to Theon and the fire. Where she would be warm and less likely to be bitten should the light fade out and something come leaping off the walls. She certainly found them a more immediate concern than the men downstairs. Araminta knew what to expect from people – not from stitched together animals with vengeance in their glassy eyes.
She ended up taking her shirt off the back of the chair and tossing it over the head of another of the blasted things.
“Would you tell me about your favorite place you’ve ever visited?” she asked, deciding that might be a better topic than their dreadful room. “Have you been through all of the twelve kingdoms?”
The rattling crack of the outside sky seemed to provide an added pep to her step. Suddenly coming over to the space of the empty chair beside and made her new dwelling there. Looking the part of frightened kitten, if he was going to be honest with himself. Trying to absently recall when he had bared even a vague witness to her being startled by anything. Let alone scared.
Finding that he was coming up with nothing concrete to express he had. There always had been a rather cheery front and a strange determination that he didn’t know was possible to be broken.
Yet it appeared the heads of trophies in the room were the things that made her uncomfortable. Only reminding him of how she didn’t fare too well with hunting. The realization that day had only caused him some internal pondering, checking to see which one of them were the odd one between one would hunt and one wouldn’t.
“No.” He replied forwardly at the question if he had been through all the twelve kingdoms. “Some did not need my presences to bow.” Which was true. He had been a closer that was sent when someone wanted to defy the Imperial Queen’s gracious hosting. A messenger of blood that acted swift. And if they were too particularly feisty then Gustav was sent. To be a grim reaper that enjoyed so much more than just a point being made.
But it was the first question that had him particularly paused. Stroking fingers across chin with due consideration. Aptly looking through his mind for anything that could have maybe come close to a place he had been that earned approval.
Just after a long period of silence, he shook his head. “No, nothing comes to mind.” Slightly adjusting his gaze to her. “I wasn’t in places to appreciate them.” After an added moment, he gestured. “Ghost. Remember.”
“Then we’ll be able to appreciate new places now,” she said… only to pause and wrinkle up her nose. “Not, now now. I can find very little pleasant about here.”
All the more reason for her to quickly finish off that vile mug of… whatever awful concoction she’d been given. Araminta should’ve maybe have been more specific about her choice in hot drink – if she’d thought they’d even have something as simple as tea or a cider. Did ruffians even drink tea? She wasn’t willing to ask that gnarly inn keeper. At least the drink did the trick of warming her insides and calming her nervous senses. Though she was sure if she’d drank more than the single mug, those dead monsters would all be dancing around the room.
“The faerie wood was beautiful, maybe the prettiest place I have seen so far,” she admitted. “There are a few fae touched places in Caeldalmor, but I’d never had a chance to visit them. I never really went to the wild places at all, only visited the larger towns and some of the rural farm villages. I suppose I never even thought about traveling at all.”
This was straying dangerously close to the sorts of thoughts that made her throat ache, and there was no one to blame but herself! Araminta took in a deep breath and redirected herself.
“I’d like to see the ocean. There’s no such things up in the mountains. You can’t ever see the horizon in the distance, just stone and rock and snowy caps. I think seeing nothing but blue in every direction would be spectacular.”
Theon considered her correction of not particularly right now. Daring to let sights wander to those heads that seemed to be the problem that was making her so jumpy. Though he would consider the things on the wall the lesser of evils anyways. Though if he was going to have that thought then he ought to chalk himself into that category. After all, what was potentially as evil as him –if one ignore the fact the Imperial Queen was truly the incarnation of such things.
Thankfully it seemed Araminta was content to hold the conversation. Seeing as he was hardly the one that would continue it. Finding that while he had nothing to offer, she had plenty. Mentioning how the enchanted woods had been particularly beautiful with the tagging notion that there weren’t many fae glades in Caeldalmor. That her travels were likely only part of her duties.
A moment was caught before she mentioned wanting to see the ocean. “Port town.” Theon spoke, “In De’cantha.” One of the twelve kingdom’s. “Their ocean is green. Not blue. Or… suppose azure would be best.” He offered her, “It is a busy place. But… tame.”
“De’cantha?” she asked, this seeming to pique her interest immediately. And why not, he was offering her something new to think about, and even better it was somewhere he’d been to see something she very much wanted to see.
Having this new suggestion to occupy her mind, instead of the creepy room, Araminta got up immediately to go digging around in her original leather bag until she found the rolled up map she’d been using for finding her way around the countryside. Something she’d picked up immediately in the Imperial City once she’d agreed to the trials.
Shifting the things on the tiny table so she had enough room, Araminta rolled it out flat and smoothed the edges. Using the now empty tin mug to hold down one corner and the empty bowl for the other. There were little Xs marked all across the twelve kingdoms with numbers, some numbers even repeated multiple times as there’d be more than one location to find certain items of the trial. Along the edges were some of Araminta’s notes about specific supplies.
Once she’d found De’cantha she wiggled her finger at him to come closer.
“Which is the port town? We could go in between at least one of the trials, couldn’t we? If I planned the traveling just right?”
Whatever it was that sparked with the name, he was a mere witness to it. Laying focal points to follow after the spry toga wearing woman to where she fished out a map from the contents of her bag. Prompting a slight tilt but little else. Content to be the observer while she unfurled it upon table with corners being held down to avoid it curling back up.
Which seemed after a moment of preparation, he was beckoned to join. Complying easily enough to make his perch at the right corner to look at the detailed scribbles upon its expanse. Numbers and notes. Nothing of which made any sense to him as he wasn’t the one making these details. Focusing instead at the accuracy of its creation. Following dotted lines that denoted where kingdoms started and ended. With larger names being the bigger places such as the Imperial city and such.
It looked functional.
Still vision went over after her question. Adjusting his stance to rotated around to follow De’cantha and leaned over the map. Following names and lines that were butted against another till coast broke. Leaving a pointer finger to tap along the bottom south peninsula. “Essurn.” A single name. That drew a pause.
Or rather it was because of her. “You’d… go with me?”
“Yes?” she answered immediately, thinking it was obvious.
But what was obvious to Araminta was not obvious to Theon, she realized quickly. Theon who seemed to think his only existence was to stand behind some fire breathing dragon of a master as an unseen, unheard ghost until someone needed dirty work done. He probably thought she’d stash him at the hut and then be on her merry way for a little seaside vacation away from him and the trials. The absolute nonsense that was!
“We’ll go together. It wouldn’t be any fun all by myself just walking out to a sandy beach and staring at azure water. We can try seafood and chase seagulls, and go to taverns to listen to old sailors talk about their sea adventures.”
It actually sounded quite grand to Araminta. All she’d thought about recently was nothing but the trials, there wasn’t much room to consider anything else. Even though she had a goal to accomplish, there was something to be said for replenishing the spirit. Doing things that reminded you why you were trying so hard in the first place.
“…do you want to come with me?” she thought to ask. Just in case. He did say the town was tame, but she wouldn’t put it past Theon to neglect to actually tell her something important, like him hating the smell of salt water or something else as equally as vital.
Staring at the place on the map, he was listening to her spiel after the initial yes. Trying to manifest each part of what she had to say into his mind. A sandy beach looking out to the lapping waters. Unable to really picture it even if he had been there. Likely because the way it sounded, it was meant to be relaxing. Something he had no idea he even knew how to do!
Though he frowned a bit at the mention of seafood, almost guilty seeing as he certainly wouldn’t be enjoying anything like that if it wasn’t done by his own hand. And admittedly, he had no idea how to cook seafood. But the rest, it was intriguing.
Certainly outside the realm of his mere comprehension.
Of course, Araminta asked if he wanted to go with her. Leaving him to do a hard think to make sure it wasn’t something that was meant to be a polite asking that really meant no at the end of it. “Yes?” Now it was his turn to sound uncertain. Tapping the name on the map once more. Something was lingering there but it wasn’t about to be spoken. Just a developing thought that wasn’t quite ready to be something tangible. “Minstrels.” Eyes lifted to her, “Not sailors. There… when I was there, in a tavern that overlooked the port, there was people gathered. Praising the place for having minstrels that played there. It… has music from my understanding. That… that seems more like something you would enjoy?”
“I would love to see minstrels!” she almost even squeaked from excitement! How amazing that would be to see actual minstrels in such a place, with new sorts of musics she couldn’t even imagine or dare to think up on her own. Araminta quickly hugged his arm, letting go just as fast to fetch out her quill so she could circle the port town and scribble down Minstrels!! next to it. Forgetting that one, he was still slightly damp, and two he was shy about his personal space.
“If we come out of the fourth trial in one piece, we should just go there directly while we have a chance! I could surely scout locations for the fifth trial on the way…”
Araminta was already plotting, tapping her fingers to her chin as she considered just what was necessary for such a deviation. It wouldn’t be problematic for the trials, not really… especially if it meant throwing any potential new assassins and followers off their trail. Who would think they’d go so out of their way for just a seaside trip! Although, they’d need quite a bit of extra money if Araminta was going to help Theon actually have the chance to experience a trip that was purely for fun.
“We’ll need extra coin… Do you think the keeper will take me on as a maid while we’re stuck here?”
Well that was mentally chalked down as a good thing he took notice of. Music and those who played it in all sorts appeared to be something she did find thrilling. Eliciting excitement to the point that a circled declaration on the map was etched in its requirement. Leaving him to look upon it along moment next. Addressing that it was a real thing Araminta wanted to go see.
Wondering if such things were even possible to do but found that the more they threw those off their trail, the better.
“Yes.” He agreed that it was likely the keeper would take her as a maid but he wasn’t finished, “But unwise. Bar maids in places such as these are required to do other things. And do not make coin easily. It is skimmed from.” Suggesting that it was likely that the keeper would take most of her profit because she would be an attraction to keep. As long as possible and likely for things that she would not wish to partake in.
While he was standing, he moved over to where the armour had been settled. Stooping to a crouch to move some bits aside before putting the wooden bow forward. Then tapping. “Hunting.” Theon stated surely. “Many villages do not have hunters for game.” Silver eyes rose then to her. “This place is likely desperate for food sources. Pelts. Sinew. Bones and more. If you need coin, then supply what they need instead of offering yourself as that supply.”
“I’ve worked in taverns before. To serve drinks and food, to clean dishes and other things,” she explained. Though, by that slow dawning realization on her face and the faint bloom of red to her cheeks, she was realizing what other things he was getting at. Araminta wasn’t all that afraid of anyone trying to make a grab at her, but there was a bit of a unruly feel to this shabby little town. Last thing she needed was to get shoved into another iron cage by a bunch of greedy scoundrels and sold off like a prized chicken.
The suggestion of hunting had her giving pause, then slowly glancing around the room again. It was a good idea, if the decor was any hint to what the locals enjoyed. They’d be likely to use every single bit of any animal brought to them.
Except Araminta couldn’t. She just couldn’t, and the pained look on her face as she shook her head spoke volumes to it.
“You would have to do it all alone, I couldn’t go with you. In all of the rain too! That really isn’t fair?”
The wheels in her head cranked on till there was the due consideration to what he was implying. Hardly the sort that he figured would be merely cat calling and some swift hands feeling at hem lines to be swatted at. He might have no basis to think that this place would employ her properly, but something told him that Araminta would be like honey to flies. And worth more when she was in a more compromising position. “You are a beautiful woman.” Theon gave her a single comment in hopes it would express further that she would be certainly a new type of trophy that wouldn’t be posted on the walls but some other places.
When her face was red, he figured she understood.
Urging him to cross that distance with a new plan in mind. It was hard to say it wouldn’t work with the ample offerings all around them. And she seemed to understand before looking rather pained about it.
“To ask you to do something you are uncomfortable with, is unfair. I would not ask you to do that.” Theon shrugged, “I’ve worked like this for a long time. Lack of comfort or consideration is not a concept that unnerves me. But if it is not valid, then I will change my directive to what you want.”
It didn’t help cease her flushing when he called her a beautiful woman, as if that was just a plain and simple fact of the universe. Araminta was well used to flattery and compliments of all sorts, but that’s just what they were. Flattery. Meant to fluff her ego or to gain attention and favor. This was just… well it was a ridiculous statement, much like the rest of him.
Still, Araminta crossed her arms and listened to his reasoning, not quite happy about it, considering how much he did already, but not finding any faults in the argument. If she did indeed believe they were now partners, then she was going to have to get comfortable with letting him do part of the work when she couldn’t do it herself.
“You were worried about the door,” she did point out. “Can you trust I will be alright here alone? As long as I lock the door and push a chair in front of it?”
The way she seemed to be soaking in the hues of bashfulness had little effect on him. What he said was obvious and there was no need for it to be beaten around the bush anyways. She surely knew and if she knew, then others really knew. To state it outloud was to point out that very fact. So he was not about to start slinging praises and compliments all over for the favour that he didn’t need.
Instead focusing that he did not think it to be unfair when the challenge of coin came up to hunting. With evidence to this villages enjoyment for such things, it only made sense to sport the bow himself. Where she was tenderhearted and tender-stomached about the entire thing. To ask her to do it now would be cruel.
With a rotation of gaze to rest upon her with the control of impassiveness, Theon gave her a short look up and down at her next question. “I assumed it no longer mattered after the reminder of a lock and the uselessness that I’ve provided in the thought of safety.”
Araminta’s green eyes went wide, and honestly she shouldn’t have been surprised at all that was how he took it. The assumption that it was him doing things wrong and needing to be corrected.
“You think that was because I thought you were being useless there?” she asked, it being more rhetorical than an actual question. Araminta didn’t know if she should laugh, or get frustrated and angry about it. Not that any of that frustration or anger was even remotely aimed in his direction. Well, at least now she knew what he was thinking so she could ease his worries!
“Theon, I only wanted you to get dry and warm while we have the opportunity. When you’re with me, I’m safe. You didn’t have to sit in wet sodden misery to keep watch over me.” she doubted that’d be enough reassurance for him, but at least now he knew the truth!
Wrinkling up her nose she took a glance at the room full of beasties.
“But I am a little,” and by little she gestured with her fingers how small, “bit scared. A little. You hunting is the best idea, though, so I will have to be brave and careful while you are gone.”
Any other might have grown embarrassed by the claim. That how he thought had been so misconstrued that it warranted awkward shuffling and bumbling attempts to brush it off. As if the thought had never occurred at all. In his case, he merely agreed. It was of nothing unfamiliar to let his mind consider such things as worthless items. Things that were not meant to be and she as the ruling party seen fit to correct because it was beneath her abilities to have someone lesser in such ways.
“I was not miserable.” He pointed out looking at her as if that was the biggest problem in that entire explanation. Leaving out the parts that might have been trying to grasp that her intention had been genuine concern not bothersome frustration at his witlessness. Still, he was pondering over it all with a good effort of concentration. Making sure he understood rather than misunderstanding. “But… I will try to keep those in mind for the future.” As if he were accepting a new task rather than perhaps basic decency.
Even as his own attention followed her motioning to the way she was indicating her little. “If you have other ideas rather than hunting, I am here to listen. I only suggested hunting as it is something that I know. If you wish to do other things, then I will not contend or feud about your decision.”
Araminta very much wanted to reach out and hug him again. To squeeze out all those insecurities he had with making choices himself, and to be sure that his ideas were actually good ones. Surely he couldn’t have gone this long without giving his opinions and input to someone else… or was it that he HAD and his thoughts were kicked to the side like they never mattered? It still amazed her that he had no idea what he could do!
“Hunting is the smartest idea,” she reaffirmed. “Just because I’m scared doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. We’ll just make sure I feel safe here while you are gone, okay?”
She almost regretted admitting she was scared at all, as now he was second guessing himself. Araminta was just going to have to stuff all of her unease and creeped out feelings about these toothy trophies and this awful town into a little mental box. After all, she’d made it through hags, harpies and horned dark fae… Nothing here was any worse than that.
Araminta did cave in to reach out and gently squeeze his forearm for some encouragement before shifting over towards the bed.
“For now some rest will do us well. I think I’ll take the side by the door in case these things come to life and I need to run. You can have the window side.”
Easily he acquiesced to the idea that he would make the profit necessary for whatever new plan she had in mind that required the wallet to be plumped once more. Just of course he did so with a passing look at the trophies once more. Trying to determine why they were terrifying to another, with no luck. “I will leave my sword. You may not know how to use it but it can still be swung and threaten any who add to that discomfort.”
It might not be a good solution but it was something. A sword was still an object that worked well to make sure those of living variety kept themselves at a distance. Add on that someone who didn’t know how to wield it could be potentially more dangerous than one who could and he was certain that Araminta would be alright. There was unfortunately nothing he could do with the hunted trophies on the walls.
Interrupted with the pressure to his forearm –he gave her a curious tilt- as if it was a silent beckon for him to do something that he was supposed to know what to do, it seemed it might as well have been a suggestion to that of the bed.
In which he heard her loud and clear. “It is yours. Entirely.” He pointed to one of the chairs, “I will remain stationed here.”
Naturally he’d designate himself to a chair instead of something soft, warm and welcoming. Araminta eyed the chair, then Theon, but ultimately decided she wasn’t going to try and argue this one.
Didn’t mean she wouldn’t make commentary though.
“We’ve slept next to each other for a bit now, I hope it’s not because you’re being shy about it?” she asked, maybe a hint of humor in her voice. Already stepping over to the bed herself to pull back the blankets and climb inside.
The mattress wasn’t exactly the most stuffed thing in the world, but it did give way to her weight and felt a great deal better than rocks, dirt and mud. She’d even already checked for bugs and found it to be critter free which was even more of a bonus. Araminta couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept in a bed, and honestly was a bit concerned now that Theon never had either.
“If you do decide you’d like a better sleep once you are well and dry, I won’t mind.”
When there was no obvious rebuttal, his intention was to turn and meander back to the seat. Save that Araminta wasn’t about to entirely go silent on the item. Instead choosing to be clever about how she said it, causing him to look at her, the bed, the chair and anything in-between. Thinking like this was a great problem only he could solve. “You’ve seen my hut.” Was his selected reply.
It was… or had been barren. Simple basic comforts even as a thin mattress was so outside his normality that it was a wonder he was even considered a prince. Well that was only in name. The moment he was able to be useful to that of his mother, sleeping at the castle was not something done. He wasn’t even sure he had a room there, seeing as he spent so much time away from the place.
“I will be fine.” Theon completed the commentary with a slight tip of his head towards her. Settling down in the chair once more before reaching to grab the supplied iron poker to sort the wood. Sparking and shifting to assure the heat continued. While the room might be drab, it didn’t need to be cold either for her.
“Well. If you do change your mind,” she simply said. What else could she do, drag him? As amusing as the thought was, it wouldn’t be practical at all and completely undermine him getting to decide things for himself. Araminta had to be very careful about when she insisted things. At least he was inside here where it was dry and warm, not trying to sit outside the door or run off to the stables for some silly sense that she needed privacy.
Araminta settled in under the blankets and laid down on her side. …Only to find herself staring at a coyote with it’s mouth gaping open and strange crocodile hands. Blinking at the beast she very quickly rolled over to her other side. To find another unblinking beast, this one looked more monster than animal… as if a goblin had babies with a beaver and their children had tusks for front teeth and gnarled stitched bodies.
After rolling onto her back, well… that didn’t help much either, as she had a full view of the entire chorus of mounted trophies! Glassy eyes flickering in the firelight. Had she not been terrified of what the space would be like in the pitch black of dark, Araminta might’ve begged Theon to put out the fire. Instead she pulled the blankets up over her head and curled up into the smallest of huffy balls.
“You should wake me when you wake up yourself,” came out her muffled statement. Araminta knew by now that he was generally up at the crack of dawn, where she herself was struggling these days to even wake at all.
The shuffling of her being was certainly enough to warrant his observation. Waiting till she would stop moving even in the curling up into a ball, a low hum was to indicate he heard her. Though it offered nothing whether he would comply with her asking to be awoken. Turning back to tend to the fire while the room was left back to a silence.
Allowing himself the time of quiet to pick at a bit of substance and drink carried with them while intermitted cat-napping. Keeping himself alert enough that should anything unusual occur, he’d be able to react swiftly.
Of course she was correct that he would be up at the perch of early morning. Though she would be incorrect to think he would bother her when he’d seen how she slept in their travels. The lack of knowledge to him that she was having trouble waking was unknown, assuming she preferred the longer times of rest. Daring not disturb that occurrence. Setting items quietly into place upon himself, he set to pushing a chair under the handle of the door. Assuring it was securely fastened before slipping out the window rather than using the door like a human! The less people that knew he had left the room, the better.
Of course one had to be wise in how they moved upon a rain-slickened rooftop less he wanted to slide all the way down in a dramatic arrangement of flailing limbs!
It would be in his better interest to hunt during the early twilight anyways. When people were usually asleep and the animals were typically awake, getting ready to settle.
Araminta slept so deeply, so soundly, that she didn’t seem to dream at all. At least not that she could remember. When she did wake it was with that blasted goblin-beaver staring it’s beady evil little eyes right into her soul. A startled, muffled huff escaped her as she struggled to sit up… only to find the room was empty and the fire was embers away from dying out. A few curious glances around gave her a good idea about how he’d left, leaving her both impressed that he’d gotten creative, while also being furious he hadn’t woken her up.
The first thing she did was get up to check out the window and get an idea of the time. A sky still full of rain and storm clouds greeted her, with the grey lighting that made it difficult to tell if it were still morning or noon by now. Araminta wasn’t sure how long he’d spend hunting, as it wasn’t the sort of thing you could predict, so she set herself to getting dressed back into her clothes now that they were dry. Then sat down for a meal of what was left in her pack.
She briefly considered going downstairs for something nice and hot, but decided she would wait until the very latest part of the evening if Theon didn’t return. No reason to risk it sooner!
Thus Araminta made herself busy in other ways, mostly in grabbing every dead creature she could reasonably lift or take off the walls to stuff it and hide it under the bed so she wouldn’t have to look at it. She’d managed to get nearly all the small and medium sized ones puzzle-pieced together under the bed and out of sight. Leaving only the bulk of the huge and most monstrous behind. That was better than nothing and Araminta was quite proud of herself.
By late afternoon she’d plopped back into bed, idly dozing and thinking about so many things. Daydreaming about a seaside port town and having a few days of not having to struggle and fight things. Wondering which of the next few trials was most likely to kill her, besides the famed ninth one that no one had ever survived past. A little afraid that Theon wouldn’t come back, and what she’d need to do if that were the case.
It started out as nothing.
And steadily grew.
A sensation that felt like it was bordering on familiarity just at the edges of memory but couldn’t be gripped at. Slipping through fingers with a shade’s breath.
Only leaving the means pressurized agony behind. A coil upon the fleshy beating vessel within one’s chest. Making the effort of breath, of thinking, of existing almost impossible. Tugging him down to knees to feel the looming presence of something entirely not there.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have tested his luck.
A light knock came to the door sometime in the mid afternoon, feeling the efforts of fatigue that were not natural clinging to the very fibres of his being. Still trying to make sense of that grip. The agony that rolled through his entire being that felt a fine impression that whatever it was that took a hold of him to make him abundantly aware that wherever he went, it was going to linger. Idly passing fingertips across the armour incasing the thrumming beat safely within. Sure that he could feel the shadow presence of fingers awaiting to grab at it once more, he should have come back far sooner.
The hunt had been fortunate though he had made a choice to utilize the ability to cross such distances for other villages that he knew would pay with more of a balance for what had been caught. Only keeping a few smaller game to trade within the little abhorred town. Although he wasn’t sure where to trade in this place, having taken some borrowed burlap sacks from the inn this morning to wrap his quarry within. To spare Araminta the sight, but now he would need her skills as a haggler to try and earn some coin here. Where he would later reveal that he had caught more and her purse would be plenty heavy for whatever it was she was planning next.
A knock at the door should’ve meant caution. Araminta knew better deep down, but the princess wasn’t thinking about caution and what was smart in that moment. Only that a knock would mean Theon’s return, as it wasn’t likely that he’d come crawling back in through the window. She’d lept barefoot out of bed in an instant to rush to the door and unlock it. Taking the chair to set aside before pulling open the hinged wood.
“Theon,” she greeted, with a hint of relief there. Giving him that examining look over as she always did, finding with a soft frown that he looked a bit ragged. Hunting it itself couldn’t possibly be enough to wear a man down that much.
Unless he’d done some things he shouldn’t have.
“You’re not feeling well,” she commented, deciding being direct with Theon was often the better route. He always said what he meant, and it would be easier to fuss over him when she knew what he could tolerate and what he couldn’t.
Something inside him wanted to harken caution to her when the door was pulled open swiftly. As one could never be too sure who might have come rattling upon the wooden surface seeking her attention. Though as the very portal was tugged aside, any idea that might have sought the very words was dropped. Nodding at his name being spoken –registering the odd note to it- before feeling the jade of irises travelling his form. As if he ought to be shrieking and crying out that she was invading him with gaze alone.
Save that her observation of his being seemed to collect that the discomfort that had come to find him earlier in the afternoon, was too plain to see. Wondering if he looked far worse than he thought.
No less, he turned to indicate with chin outwards. “It is not something to be mended by gut and bone.” Referencing the means of stitching as she had when he landed on the hilt of sword. “Nor by my magic.” In case she thought he had over used something that was supposed to come naturally to him. “I need your tongue.”
He paused realizing the oddity of that statement. Repeating it mentally and deciding that was entirely incorrect. “Haggling. The few things caught, I do not feel secure in haggling as you do. Would… you help?”
Araminta stared at him for a long moment before she erupted into a sudden laugh. Need her tongue! Had she heard it from one of the patrons downstairs, she’d have been concerned and disturbed, but from Theon it was another of his unintentional hilarious statements and she couldn’t seem to hold back the giggles this time.
“Of course I will help,” she said quickly, just in case he thought she might be laughing about his request. “Would you like to rest for the evening though? Or should we go now?”
He’d declared he wasn’t wounded and hadn’t exhausted himself through magical means, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to worry all the same. Araminta quite well from personal experience too about keeping some hurting things all to yourself, so she wouldn’t doubt in a minute that he’d be clever enough to leave something out if it meant keeping her from fussing at him. It almost made her question whether or not she should tell him about her old wound.
That would require talking about it, though. And Araminta didn’t want to.
“Let me get my boots,” she announced anyway, quickly moving away to fetch them and pull them on her feet.
Something about the way she burst into giggles almost felt like he ought to be toeing the floor with his boot. Bashful and a bit embarrassed about it all but truly he couldn’t find a bother to even attempt it. Instead waiting till the melodious sound ended and she agreed that she would help. “Sooner would be best. Perhaps can push for a secondary meal for yourself that is less…” Theon frowned then, “Questionable.” Seeing as he did not think what she ate the day before was very palatable.
The idea of resting seemed to linger at the edges of thoughts. Unconvinced that it would sooth the phantom lingering nor did he want it to seem like he was frayed either. She had been resting from what he could tell and it would do neither of them any good if he was less than optimal. It would be fine enough to leave unmentioned to the strangeness of what occurred. If there was one thing he might have been able to pick up, it was they didn’t inconvenience another with potential botherments.
At the agreement that she would procure her boots, he took a peek inside. Noticing that the walls were seemingly more absent from the beastly things hanging there. Not the largest of the bunch but enough that the room almost looked hospitable for mortal life. “You were… unbothered today?”
“The keeper’s talents surely isn’t in cooking,” Araminta agreed, tugging on her boots quickly and then reaching for her cloak, only to pause and debate it. Finally with a quiet sigh, she pulled it down to unleash the horror that was the largest of the beastly trophies back to the room again. Glad she wouldn’t be there to have to wither under it’s gnarly stare.
“I was worried for nothing, I suppose. Not a thing tried to eat me and not even a single booted footstep wandered upstairs. You’ve successfully warded them all away, I think.” At least that was Araminta’s assumption. Despite all of Theon’s kindnesses, that blank stare of his could speak so many things when he wanted it to. Which seemed to include being intimidating to unruly strangers.
Not forgetting the key, Araminta joined him and made sure to lock up the door. While she did worry a little bit about the items she was collecting, they were the sorts of things no one would snoop at and think to steal. Any prowling thieves would be more likely hunting for hiding gold under the mattress or tucked into a corner.
They’d just find a bunch of beasts under the bed, which secretly delighted her imagination.
“Since this seems to be a rest stop town, there’s not going to be a market for selling. But there should be a local supplies shop that’ll take just about anything you’ve caught. We could sell most to the inn keeper directly too, as I bet he’d like to get a deal and not have to pay the suppliers upcharges.”
One didn’t have to convince him of the keeper’s less than stellar cooking habits. He was no chef either but he could certainly tell what looked good and what looked like it had already been chewed by other teeth. The idea was enough to make him shudder. Promptly turning away from that subject less he encourage his imagination to assure that he lacked an appetite for months.
Asking rather if she had been hounded by nosy ones that were sniffing about for any sort of weakness. “Warded them away?” He asked with a lightened curiosity. “What do you mean?” he didn’t exactly see himself from the outside after all. What he might consider as a emotionless bone bag, others probably seen differently. So to ask about this was to invite his interest. A seemingly new thing that was becoming somewhat bold since being in her company. That and the ability to speak a little more frequently.
Colour him fascinated.
A peek back at the door once it was sufficiently shut, he trailed quickly behind her to scoop up the burlap that had been kept out of sight, so he might carry it. Humming to her suggestion that there was no market here as there had been at others, but a local supplies shop might find interest in the catch. Or the inn keeper which had him considering that thoughtfully. “Which would be more lucrative for what you need?” Of course keeping in mind he had a nice little bundle of coins tucked away on his person that he would give over to her after they finished everything now. Not about to flaunt additional coin seeing as the people here seemed to be scraping for every little bit they could.
“You are an effective guardian,” she explained with a wide delighted smile. Knowing those looks of his weren’t practiced in a mirror, just something that came naturally from being such a to-the-point person. Araminta was certain if he did try his hand at haggling he’d be quite good at it – a stone faced wall, unmovable by tricks. He really didn’t need her at all to help him sell his catches, but she did appreciate that he came to fetch her so she wouldn’t have to spend the entire time idle in their room.
To his second question she paused in the hall, considering it quickly.
“We could use the inn keeper’s favor, I think. In saving him some money, he might be more friendly and accommodating. It’d be nice too knowing what he’s throwing in his stew pot.” Aramina would eat mystery meat when she needed to, but that didn’t mean she liked it! At least knowing Theon caught what was going in the pot, Araminta wouldn’t be concerned she was eating old leather boots and horse hooves.
That… didn’t solve any questions he had. Actually, it added to it. Trailing after her left with a problem trying to be solved like some wooden toy. Unsure what she had meant that he was an effective guardian. Apparently by the way she grinned at him, it seemed like it had some joke value attached to it. To high over his head for him to grasp at.
Maybe for the better that he didn’t understand because it would only incite more questions and he wasn’t sure if he should even do that!
Instead leaning to her expertise on how she wanted to make the coin for her ideas. Nodding promptly to agree that there would be something pleasant knowing there was a source of meat that didn’t come potentially from whatever ran across a vermin trap. If they had vermin traps.
Re-entering the great room, you’d think they had never left in the first place. Certain that those who were present with a tankard in hand were the exact same as yesterday. Perhaps forever glued to the seats and just made their peace with it. Though the keeper appeared to have some mobility about himself while hand knotted upon the top of the burlap bag. Waiting for the ever so pleasant keeper to take stock of them, so he could offer up the catches of both two large jackrabbits and three pheasants that would prove good food. If not their feathers for a nice price.
Araminta hopped onto one of the barstools to have a seat, politely folding her hands together on the counter top and simply waited. She didn’t smile or try to catch the bar keep’s attention. Didn’t shout out an order or even her intentions! This had to be some sort of strategy, as the longer she sat there doing absolutely nothing, the more the keep grew irritated with her presence. After a few minutes of this nonsense he finally came over to lean his meaty hands on the bar and down eye-to-eye level with Araminta, practically snorting his disdain through his nostrils.
“What do you want,” he grunted out. “I can see that bag he’s got, you cheeky lil’ shit. So out with it.”
Araminta smiled wide.
“A trade? I gave you all my money yesterday and the rain hasn’t let up yet. So if you like what’s in that sack, we’d like to stay an extra night, a nice dinner, and a pitcher of something that doesn’t taste like sweaty old boots.” A reasonable request for anyone to make, honestly, even if Araminta was a little more sassy about the request than she would be at a usual market. Sometimes you had to match people for their mettle, and she figured being too sweet wouldn’t get her far with a man that hated friendly smiles.
“Yeah? How ’bout you and your man take that sack and hop on in the well then?” came his retort.
Not unexpected. Araminta sighed and turned to Theon.
“I guess we’re going to have to sell to the supplier after all,” she muttered.
This seemed to catch the barkeep’s interest, sending his big caterpillar eyebrows furrowing and him rubbing his grizzled beard.
“To the supplier eh?”
“Yes. To the supplier who I’m sure charges you more than he’s going to pay us, I bet. More than what a room and dinner costs. I think there’s enough in this bag for you to give me my money back too,” she murmured, taking a lean in her seat to eyeball the sack. “Enough to make a nice profit with customers or some new decor for your Inn.”
That gave the man pause to think, though he didn’t look too happy about it at all. He even took a good hard look at Theon, trying to assess exactly how truthful her statements were, and perhaps even what he might be able to get away with.
“I’ll see what’s in the bag first,” he grunted. “I ain’t givin’ nothin’ if it’s just a bag o’ snakes and weasels.”
The waiting game was fine. What he didn’t much care for was the rude language being cast at Araminta for simply sitting there. Patiently one might add without a single wave down, call or even insistence of a tantruming sort. To be called a little shit, well he could surmise that this place rarely had repeat customers that weren’t three sheets to the wind and well accustomed to verbal abuse. The comment earned the man a blithe look that had its corners lightly crinkled to express a slight displeasure with the abrasive behaviour. However if he was about to get involved, he knew better than too.
To watch instead and be the observer of this interaction.
He knew it was likely to turn around seeing as Araminta always had something up her sleeve. In a manner of seconds, it seemed the idea of them leaving was enough to trigger the man into giving in. Looking first of course.
Something that he accepted. Raising the bag to put to the counter with a silent motion that the man was welcomed to take a look at. Knowing what he caught was good items but it would be left to wonderment if this keeper would try to take them for a ride.
The keeper snatched up that bag immediately and took a look inside, even pulling one of the jackrabbits right out by the ears and holding it up to inspect. Araminta stiffened and straightened up in her seat immediately, and somehow by the grace of pure willpower didn’t alter the expression on her face to cringe, though she did appear to hold her breath and freeze there until the dead rabbit disappeared back into the bag.
“Not a bad catch,” admitted the barkeep, to which Araminta could only nod at this point. He went for his belt, pouring out a bit of the coin, first counting out the amount Araminta had paid and then scattering it across the counter along with a bit extra.
Araminta reached behind her until she could catch Theon’s wrist and tugged him closer, shooting him a pleading glance to answer if that was enough. Being unable to find her voice now, and a little bit worried that she was going to open her mouth only to start crying about that poor dead rabbit. At least for the inn keeper and any curious spectators, it’d seem like she was simply bending to the opinion of the ‘man in charge’.
There was a lack of elegance to the whole exchange. Noted and practically starting to feel as a normal within this rundown hunker of a place with its keeper much the same. Although he was personally sure that inspecting the items didn’t need to be so aggressive or visual by pulling the rabbit from the bag. Needing not to look to know that Araminta was affected. They had hunted together to learn and the result had been rather swift to show the girl had no stomach that could handle seeing the ceased creatures.
Once it disappeared back into its sack and the princess had managed not to break down into a fit of upset, she instead grabbed him. Laying the rings of polished verdant upon him in such a way that it spoke volumes. Urging him them to look at the coins across the counter with a due inspection. Counting what had already been given for a room that was much too pricey. The bit extra was moderate and truly he was not worried about the coin seeing as he had more but he wanted to push elsewhere for the discomfort that now Araminta had suffered through. “Good.” He nodded but indicated he was not finished so the keeper had better not go rushing off. “A proper meal for the young lady.” Theon stated in a matter of fact, “No added cost. I know what the pelts alone are worth and that pheasant feathers are used for both decoration and utility.” He knew what they were worth but that didn’t mean this lunk was going to give that. “No mystery meat.”
He lifted his chin up to keep a level eye on the man. Indifferent as it might be, he would take back the hunted bundle and go elsewhere. And to take Araminta with, even if the weather was terrible, it was not worth the mental weight of staying in a place that treated their guests like dirt and scarred her for life with the amount of trophies on the wall.
That inn keeper met Theon’s stare and held it with an irritated squint before those eyes moved down to the young lady who now seemed to be silent as a mouse. Araminta could practically see the gears and wheels turning in his head – the man himself wasn’t stupid. He might have had ghastly hobbies and a disgruntled attitude, but he seemed to be the sort that was real frugal about money. He was getting more than a good deal here, Araminta didn’t need to see everything in the bag to know that. But she could tell he was thinking real hard on whether or not he could squeeze a little more.
Araminta did enjoy the back and forth involved in trades and deals. Were she not presently thinking about poor dead rabbits and their families, she might’ve gone several rounds with the inn keeper. Until one of them got a good deal or he got mad and thrown them out!
Ultimately it seemed he wasn’t going to try his luck with Theon. Leaning down instead to point a finger practically at Araminta’s nose.
“I ain’t bringing it up,” he told her firmly. “Come down and get it or you ain’t eatin’.”
To which Araminta nodded an affirmation too quite quickly as she scooped all those coins off the counter and fumbled to deposit them into her pocket. When she turned around in her stool and slid off, to peer at the inhabitants of the greatroom, she found most of them were pretending that they were minding their own business, while one or two bolder folk were busy snickering.
Taking Theon’s hand, she tugged him along with her to the exit, where they could step out onto the front decking and she could get herself some fresh air. Araminta just really needed to be outside for a few moments!
One had to wonder what might have happened if the Inn Keeper decided to try go a few verbal rounds with that of the impassive redhead. Just it wasn’t about to happen as the man stopped giving him the surveying eyeball and decided that the meal would be completed. So long as they grabbed it themselves rather than expecting the charming soul to grace his presence anywhere besides behind the bar. Truthfully, it was better this way. No one needed to be dogging it at the door anyways.
With a easy nod to agree that was perfectly fine, it seemed with a hurried slip of coin into the purse, they were promptly being moved to the outside world. Once more greeted by the steady pitter-patters of rainfall while blissfully avoiding it hitting them in the head from under the little bit of overhand from the inn. Daring a glance at the broken dangle of a sign before looking to that of Araminta.
Feeling a sense of guilt that she had been scandalized by the view of the deceased animals. Although he wasn’t sure how to voice the means of apology anyways.
Settling to idly rub the spot that had been victimized earlier as attention drifted around to the rainy world. Waiting a span of seconds before retrieving the other pouch of coins to offer to her. “From my other hunts.”
Araminta had closed her eyes and taken in a nice deep breath once they were outside, appreciating the fresher smells of rain and mud compared to the stuffiness of dusty dead old critters, hoppy beers, and other odd smells of the inn. She’d grown so used to being outside all of the time, that even thought it was quite nice to be inside somewhere warm, the stuffiness of such a foul tavern was almost claustrophobic.
She was confused at first when he’d handed her the pouch, testing the weight in her hand before opening it up to find a variety of coins. A lot of money. A ridiculously large amount of money for what she was expecting from a simple hunting trip. Araminta realizing this explained some of his haggard look. Theon must’ve ran the entire countryside as the dappled grey horse to hunt and sell in places that could pay better than this derelict little rest town.
Araminta closed it up and held it tight to her chest. There was enough she didn’t even have to think about money for a good while. Enough that when they stopped in a village they could get a nice room that had an actual bath tub and maybe even running water. They could have some nice additions to their traveling food, so that their meals on the road would be more rounded and satisfying. Araminta could even potentially get some light pieces of armor for herself to help shield from angry monsters during the trials.
It was so silly to get teary-eyed over a pouch of money! He had no idea how much of a weight this lifted off of her.
“You must be a prolific hunter,” she said with a wide grin. Taking his hand to place the pouch in it, as truthfully it was safer with him than with her. “But please don’t do so much that you hurt yourself? I worry about you when you’re gone.”
His lips parted to express that he had simply caught something larger in the means of a red deer buck. The antlers alone proved to be quite profitable alongside the pelt. Of course it proved to be quite the money maker but he found himself not wanting to say that. Knowing how she was about the life of the critters, it seemed cruel to tell her about it. So he didn’t.
Growing more confused to when she put the pouch back into his hand. Eyeing it as though it needed deep consideration. Had it not been enough or was it too much?
Brows furrowed then in a way that had not yet been truly animated. Still he nodded and put the pouch back to where it had come from. Tilting line of vision up just enough to look at her from under his brow. “I hadn’t overtaxed myself.” It was the truth and he realized then and there, unlike her, he was going to have to reveal the truth less she start to assume he was always doing too much.
Chest inflated carefully, “When I was hunting… I was fine. I had not over exerted myself in physicality or magically. But something occurred… I am not sure how much time passed when it happened. Merely that it felt as though something had clawed into my chest and was squeezing that of my heart.” He explained rather mundanely. “It passed eventually but there is still heaviness that I do not have control over. It felt familiar but not from my own limitations.” Theon straightened then and gave her a proper nod of cordial acceptance. “It is not my intention to cause you worry. Nor should you feel as such.”
It seemed it was a day for surprises, as Theon was finding himself more comfortable with telling her potentially vulnerable things. Of course Araminta was certain to be just to get her to stop fussing more over him… this was their back-and-forth struggle, that likely was never going to end. (Nor did she want it too, as silly as it was, she liked that their biggest argument was who was taking care of whom.) This level of trust was good for them, though. As friends and partners, as in if they could trust each other with these vulnerable moments, they would be much stronger for it.
“That’s frightening for you,” she remarked taking a look where his hand had pressed previously, so tempted to reach out and touch him herself. Knowing there was no way it would help at all to discover what the issue was, just that she was forever wanting to soothe him. Theon seemed healthy enough and if he weren’t attacked by something, nor having some long term ailment… Araminta guessed perhaps magic was at play.
Was his mother finding ways to reach out and remind her son who held the leash? Could she even do that? Araminta realized, she wasn’t certain just how much power that woman actually had. The Imperial Queen had nations at her command and political prowess… but in magic? Araminta was so out of her depths when it concerned magic.
“I’m going to worry anyway, that’s just what friends do. They take care of each other when and where they can,” she paused there, realizing there was a bit of problem. Here he was opening up to her, trusting her, with something that concerned him while she herself had her own painful secret. If she wanted to consider him her true friend and partner, shouldn’t she also trust him too? What if something happened to her because of it while he was away, and then he’d never know why she suddenly perished! What an awful thing to come home to!
As much as she didn’t want to talk about it, or even think about it, maybe it was time to.
“Theon, I- hm.” A false start at first, Araminta not sure why it was so hard. Having to pause to take a breath before she could continue. “My leg is not fine at all. It’s quite bad, honestly, and doesn’t want to heal and I’ve had it since– Since before. I didn’t want to worry you either, since you’ve already done so much for me. It’s good for us to talk about it now though, isn’t it? Because we trust each other?”
“Suppose I am not familiar with such things.” One admitted to the idea that her worry was simply something done in the action of what she called friendship. An eluding topic that might as well be far more fantastical than the fae themselves! Though he found a soft little blend of warmth bundling in his chest at the idea that she even thought to care at all. Such a strange sensation it was too. Practically alien and had he not been slowly finding its existence more often, he might have considered himself terribly ill.
However, if they were finished with this topic and his reveal that what happened to him was not of his own accordance, it appeared Araminta wished to say more. His name starting and faltering off shortly to where he gave her a slight tip of the head. Expressing he heard her and was waiting for her to either continue or not. Having no need to pressure an answer for it was her choice to be vocal or not.
What came to be spoken was about that of her leg. The thing he noticed seemed to annoy her at specific points to where she stumbled. But had been expressed numerous times that there was nothing wrong with it. Had he been an expressive sort or sarcastic, he might have applied either fitting motif to a reply here and now. Instead he waited till she was finished to lend her the show that he was not about to interrupt.
“I trust you.” Three words that were monumental in their own special way. “If I did not, I would have not settled to acceptance of what you had to say about your leg or anything else.” A straight fact in that, before he seemed to pause. “Healing?” Theon asked, “Have you been to a healer to see? Or do you wish for me to try to heal… I do not use my healing magic for many. If often.” Another pause due to thought, “For you, I would.”
Now the door had been open and Araminta couldn’t close it back up again. Were the wound something as simple as an accidental or a wild animal, or even from one of the trials itself it wouldn’t feel so massively… uncomfortable to talk about. It was as if she’d left that mountain pass, and locked up everything that happened there behind it. A vague memory of knowing everything there was terrible and that she needed to go back, but never wanted to think deeper on it, to remember any of it, let alone even talk about it beyond her occasional blasé comments meant to brush it under a rug.
Araminta had to remind herself this was a good thing. If it hurt, it hurt, she wouldn’t be able to avoid it all forever. How nice it was too to have someone she could actually talk to about things deeper and darker and scarier than ridiculous frivolous things.
“I saw someone at first,” she started slowly, clearly uncomfortable, but willing to speak regardless. Araminta was glad they were outside in the cool rainy air where she could at least breathe. “There were a lot… It didn’t seem so different from all the rest then. The rest all healed, slow maybe, but have moved on to scars none the less. This one just got worse and worse and I didn’t quite have the money to see a healer again.”
She had to pause casting him a curious, dubious glance with a fresh coloring of pink in her cheeks. Araminta hadn’t known he had healing skills too – which was certainly a good thing! Only, to let him try his hand at it, meant he would have to properly see it, and it was such a vile and ugly wound by now.
“It’s very, very bad,” she tried to stress. “Bad and awful and maybe too much? But you could try?”
It wasn’t his prerogative to push at her for any manner of thing. This being included. Needing not to be a mind reader to guess that there was a very specific reason to why she wasn’t saying anything about this prior. Whatever it was, it was hers to keep. He was merely here now if she needed assistance. Asking if she had seen a healer and if she needed, he could attempt it as well.
Healing magic was quite the useful tool, unless it required healing himself. Then it was about as useless as lighting a flame under water. For another, well, as he said. He would do it if she wished for him to try. But first was hearing that formally she had other wounds that seemed to have all healed into scarred tissue. Which made sense but it was the way she gave him such a look with the way her cheeks stained into a soft pink that had him almost stepping back with a strong apology for even saying anything. Unsure of why he was on the receiving end of such a thing.
“If you wish for me to try, I will. Only by your allowance. I will not do anything that you do not wish for, Araminta. If it makes you uncomfortable, then it shall be forgotten about and left at your discloser. No others.”
“It isn’t you that makes me uncomfortable,” she tried to explain quickly, lest he start to think that she didn’t trust him with herself. As she very much did. And truthfully, if she continued to ignore it, things would only grow considerably worse. Araminta had to be brave at some point.
“It’s… it’s it.” she murmured. “I’d rather not think about it at all, but that’s a very foolish thing to do.”
The longer she lingered outside with him, the harder it was going to be, Araminta decided. Cause she’d likely work herself up into an embarrassed tizzy and then find some excuse to wave it off to another day, and then even more excuses to put it off further. It’d be all too easy to get wrapped up in the trials and never mention it again. Somehow she was going to have to just dig up the courage.
“You can look and see what you can do,” she affirmed with a deep breath, reaching out to grasp his hand to lead him back inside. If only because that helped give Araminta the extra boost of confidence needed to even do so.
With the latching onto his grasp to insist they were to return back to the interior of the place, he found himself silently milling over the new information. Nothing too ostentatious but he could tell even with a little margin of comprehension, that whatever this wound was it seemed to have a broader implication behind it. He couldn’t accurately say he had seen her this resistant or challenged to do anything. So far, she had been pretty steadfast and steady. Pushing through with a sunny disposition that apparently all it took was for the leg itself to be brought up by her own lips to crumble the very personality.
Stealing a look to the inn keeper –as if guessing when he’d have to make a return downstairs to grab the meal- he followed diligently along. Keeping near without stepping on her heels to the point of the room. To at least offer some gentlemanly behaviours to open the door to the horror room. Then paused between the doorway of in and out. “Should I wait outside till you are ready. I would be guessing that it is not on your foot, so I would not wish to be a presence until you are prepared.”
“I’m not bashful,” Araminta instantly replied. Though once she’d already pulled him fully into the room and closed the door behind him, she did have to pause a minute and debate whether or not that were actually true. There might have been a time where she’d balk at the very idea of baring too much skin in front of someone that wasn’t one of the trusted castle servants, and certainly not to anyone of the male persuasion!
Of course, back then she also never wore pants or slept in the dirt or tussled around with monsters. Araminta was quite the different person now. And with Theon? She’d be much more concerned about scandalizing him, then any sort of embarrassment or concern on her part.
With that in mind, Araminta made a few select choices. First taking off her cloak to toss back over that terrible beast over the fireplace, as there was no way she would have that hanging over her head staring at her, then to shuck off her boots out of the way.
She’d turned Theon gently to face a different direction while she wiggled out of her traveling pants and had herself a seat on one of the chairs. Figuring the bed would be far too intimate for something that was likely going to be so messy.
“Hm, okay you can look,” she mumbled, grimacing when she tilted to take a look herself. The spider webbing of black had moved even further while she’d slept and had reached her knee. Whatever it was was spread faster than before, likely exacerbated by all of the heavy travel and the trials themselves. Araminta was a little afraid to look under the bandage itself.
He might say otherwise but here he was. Within the room rather than outside of it as if she was trying to make a point. Either to him or to herself. It wasn’t clear which. Nor did it matter in the end. As long as she didn’t push herself so far outside of her comfort zone that things became misconstrued to a point where Araminta could no longer look him in the eye. For reasons he wouldn’t ever be able to dissect to comprehension.
It was his intention to at least re-stock the fire as she went about whatever was necessary for her to feel appropriate to continue. The way she turned him to face away however indicated his idea was not to be done right now. Seeing as she was apparently roosting upon one of the chairs and he needed to face the opposite way. Compiled with as he made an effort to look around this side of the room. Finding it just as uninteresting as the other now that most of the items on the walls were absent. Still wondering where they had gone. Knowing they had been there this morning when he had left to hunt.
Upon approval to turn around, he shed that of his cloak. Folding it in arm to turn and allow his attention to drift upon that which was bandaged. And doing a poor job at hiding the darkened lines that declared itself rather loudly even to the untrained, that this was no simple graze or massive blood blister that came from a bruise. It had a fell sort of look about it.
Stepping closer, he folded his cloak over her lap. Draping it as to give a method of decency as not to bare her so much to the air. Merely needing to see the portion that was obviously affected. Taking hands to themselves to rub, “So they are not cold.” He stated in case she was wondering why he was doing so. Blurring them faster till friction assure palms weren’t a icy pair, to lightly work the weave of light through that of fingers. Over, under, through and around. Glowing palms to gingerly settle to that of bandage and other to knee.
He wasn’t convinced then and there that his healing would do much. Maybe a little but this looked rather ghastly from what he could see. But he needed not to know how she came about it. “Tell me, if it is uncomfortable.” Was all he asked as one moved to try and thread the magic into wound and the ick that seemed to be where it didn’t belong.
Araminta watched him curiously with only the smallest sense of unease. She wasn’t really afraid, but now to acknowledge the wound itself to another person made it feel like this overwhelming finality. It was too real. It and how it came to be was too real. Maybe she was afraid after all, it just wasn’t about Theon or this moment. An aching lump in her throat was threatening to make this awkward in ways it didn’t need to be. Crying would not be reassuring for him at all!
“No questions, then?” she managed to ask, watching his face to see if maybe she could see a flicker of his thoughts there.
It did tingle and Araminta wasn’t sure if it was because he was touching her of it were from the magic itself. She got the answer very quickly when it went from a little twinge to out right burning, causing Araminta to turn her face away and clamp her hand over her mouth. Thinking to herself that she ought to have known that any light magic would react that way to a demonic wound. Of course she didn’t know if that were a good or a bad thing, only that it was growing very quickly beyond uncomfortable to flat out unbearable and–
Oh those are sparkly spots, was her last coherent thought before she completely blacked out!
“No.” It was a simple response. It was none of his business to how this happened. Why or what. Those were privy to her and her alone. If she wished to explain then that would be by her own choice, rather than himself making those sort of asking. The only thing apparent to him was she did not like the wound for a multitude of reasons and that was good enough for him to try helping.
Leaving it to her to express whether or not it was uncomfortable, as it wouldn’t be him that felt it. Nor could he give a proper explanation of what healing magic ought to feel like. The ability itself had not been used on himself, so there was no correlating grasping of what was good, bad or neutral.
But he could figure that out rather suddenly when she went from merely being situated in the chair to slumping over in a state of unconsciousness. Promptly pulling his own grasp away to rise up. Certainly startled –someone could tell his face to act that portion- “Araminta?” A name spoken though the means of respond was likely not to come. This reaction ought to be enough for him to figure out that whatever it was that caused the wound, would not respond to light magic. Or his own. He was no priest or herald saint by any means!
Not that it mattered.
The response now was to get her comfortable. Taking the cloak he had put over her, to pull and carefully nudge it around under her legs so the effort of picking her up could be done without any accidental grabbing of places not meant to be touched! To instead deposit her to that of the bed before making a short departure from the room to annoy the inn keeper not only for the former meal but fresh water and cloths once more. Much to the keepers loathing. And growling, he might add.
It was a quick exchange –likely because the man wanted his presence out of the way- before returning to the room.
Healing would not work, all he could do right now was at least try to cleanse the wound and debate if there was a herbal aid that could be of use. Though he would take due care not to remove the bandage as he didn’t think it wise to get that personal with her awake or unconscious. Merely doing what he could before pulling the covers up to keep her securely nestled and went about putting the fire back to heating the space.
It would seem the wound itself might be more than even his abilities could mend. Though that shouldn’t be too much to believe either.
Araminta did not awake immediately and it must’ve been well past sunset when she finally did, as when she rolled to peer towards the window, all she could see was darkness and the streaks of rain on the glass. She felt heavy and tired – not so unusual when it came to trying to wake up these days. Only now if came with being a bit dazed and hazy. As if she’d been drinking tons of wine and now her limbs were floppy, heavy noodles, and her head was full of dreamy nonsense.
“Is it okay now?” she murmured on draaaaagging herself to sit up. Pushing the covers back – Oh, but bed was comfy, maybe she wanted to lay back down? No, they were doing something important here. Araminta pushed the covered out of the way, twisting to get her legs free with every intention of getting right up out of bed.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” pleasantly declared — only to discover when she attempted to stand and hit the floor instead that was because her leg was now dreadfully numb. “…that’s new,” she muttered from the floor, seemingly amused with this in a delirious sort of way.
If she didn’t wake within the next day, he likely was going to have to extend a means of finding someone of a priesthood quality. Although something told him that she would be rather upset if he had, there was little else he could have done! With the way his head sort of boggled in a silent rebellion at the idea that Araminta was so unwell, it told him that he wouldn’t have been very pleased if he could do nothing to help her. Something had to be done and it meant having to overstep potential boundaries that might leave her fuming with him. He wasn’t sure if she would grow so frustrated that she would lash out but he also knew he wouldn’t mind if she felt it necessary.
It appeared by the time of later eve that her body or brain had managed to find itself strong enough to begin moving the rest of itself. Looking more akin to the living dead –if he was going to be silently frank- if she was intending to get up and take a frolic around the room, her own limb declared that was not the thing to be doing. Urging him to stand from chair to cross over and kneel before her. Offering both hands to help, “No. It is not well. I could not heal it. Likely because I do not possess the level of healing magic required to tend to it. I may have made it worse and I will serve penitence for doing you gravely wrong.” The clarity of his tone suggested he wasn’t kidding about it.
Expecting to be reprimanded for doing the direct opposite of what was intended. “May I help you up?”
“Oh, but I feel so much better, Theon,” she breathed with that dreamy sigh of relief. Araminta really, truly did feel much better! …although that might’ve just been because she couldn’t feel anything at all. But it really was such a nice contrast to always being pain, that she found she didn’t mind it in the slightest.
She leaned forward peering at his hands with some confusion until she realized she was actually on the floor still. Reaching to place her hands in his, though without making any sort of motion to even attempt to stand. Araminta was certainly thinking it – thinking about standing. Just nothing was happening. That did register slightly that it was a problem, but for the moment she didn’t much care at all.
“You’re very strong. We’ll try again, I do feel better,” she said instead of answering his question. “Have you ever seen a bull get so mad at a coyote that it charged flipped right off out of the pasture? It was quite like that, you know. You’d think I’d have gotten my neck broken. Worse than hags and harpies by far…”
Araminta seemed to loose her train of thought, or rather backtracked in time? Furrowing her brows and frowning at him, to lean even closer.
“What did you do wrong?” she asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
He was certain she had not hit her head when she passed out suddenly, although now he was rethinking that. Had he missed it? As he was not sure what could have transpired to make her seem as though she had just polished off three bottles of wine privately. Sounding the part of lethargic and blessed drunk. Instead of someone that had a rather ghastly wound on her leg. Suggesting she felt better.
The very thing he was certain was not fact.
With the dainty palms coming into his own, it was apparent she was not about to get up on the two limbs anyways. Urging that he was likely going to have to help her up himself, ignoring the idea of being told about his strength or that they would try again. Something he would avoid repeating.
Gray rings looked upon her when she mentioned something about a bull flipping a coyote out of his pasture. Not even sure how to vaguely remark on that. Wondering in moments next if she was the coyote referenced. Was the wound from stepping into a bull’s territory and being the unfortunate victim on the receiving end of some horns? Gored then thrown?
Whatever had happened, she was clearly delirious. Had his magic and the wound mingled negatively in such a way that it was invoking itself to seem like she had been binge drinking?
“I failed to mend your wound. And it seemed I’ve made things worse in ways I could not understand.” The man ignored the way she leaned closer. Rather using it to his whims to adjust his grasp from palms down to waist. “Apologies for my grasp, Araminta.” They wrapped firmly to pick her up enough that her bum could be sat on the edge of the bed. Keeping his own knees upon the floor before her, just in case she decided to tip forward or to the sides. At least backwards would be on the bed.
It was funny how this was surprisingly frustrating him. Not her, but rather the inability to aid when it was important to do so. Somewhat loathing the fact he had the ability to use healing magic but it still proved to be impressively useless for when it mattered. “I am sorry, Araminta.”
“Could you be still a moment,” she murmured, seeming to concentrate very hard as she lift her hands. Waving a bit in her new perch before firmly grasping both of his cheeks in hand. That was better. He didn’t look quite so squigglie now. Less dizzying.
“You’re a clever fae, you’ll fix it,” she declared with all confidence. Pulling back one hand to hold up a single finger to pause any speaking he was dare gonna do. Apparently ready to say something else, but losing it in the ether somewhere. Trapped there glancing around the room as if somehow it was going to remind her of the very thing she was going to say.
Araminta did not enjoy being drunk, but this numb, fuzziness feeling was a lovely time.
“Oh! It was a demon, did I tell you?” she asked earnestly. “I have so many scars I can show you, sword, and spear, and demon’s horn. That is what it was, a demon’s horn. Light is good, isn’t it? Maybe we did it wrong…”
The more she tried to think, the more her skull started to thump. A terrible omen that the nice warm fuzzy feeling was started to fade, which meant the pain of it would come back and Araminta would be back to being quietly miserable again. But there was something here, she knew it, even with all the fuzzies in her brain. They must’ve just approached it wrong.
“It’s like… it’s like a dead body in a water well,” Oh that was a terrible, grim, horrible descriptor. Araminta wasn’t sure if that conveyed what she was thinking correctly at all, or if maybe she had tipped over into poisoned senility. But if she was aware it sounded bad, that at least meant she still had some sense? In examining Theon’s face, Araminta wasn’t so sure!
The grasping at his cheeks to make him stay still –though he wasn’t sure it was him that was moving all over the place- he sort of wished he was wiggling back and forth. The suggestion of both being clever and a fae seemed to be two hot strikes against his own being. Quiet tucked away emotions burned under such things like a bug on a hot rock. Searing uncomfortably in ways that he wanted nothing to do with. Merely swallowing it all down back into that bleak silence that lingered on adhering to another’s wants. Needing anything else to focus on though he wasn’t sure anything Araminta was about to offer was part of those selections.
Leaving him to sort of internally gasp at the means that her wound was caused by that of a demon!
He knew light counteracted dark but he knew next to little about demon’s. Seen them from afar of course, avoided them as much as the next person. But the means that she had been so close that she’d been scarred by it. Gored in the same way he thought of as the bull.
In all feasible means, he had no idea how to deal with a demon’s infection. As that was what he was assuming this was. The means of knowing he might have done something to it that encouraged it to react in such a way did little to soothe whatever this was that lodged like a prickly thorn within. With due care he finagled his freedom from her. Correcting any bit of potential leakage of animation from features. Unsure if he could even suggest she ought to rest a while longer seeing as it didn’t seem to link up into her thoughts currently. Though he doubted she would have heard him even if she wasn’t bordering on this toxin blur she was present in.
Truthfully, he had no idea what to do now.
He went so quiet, and so still. Retreated deep down within himself, and Araminta in her fuzzy state was having difficulty in pinpointing exactly what she’d said to have him withdraw so. Realizing slowly that her tongue had been too loose, that she’d blurted out too much and now placed all of this on his shoulders when he’d already had such a weight of his own to carry.
“You’re afraid,” she whispered soft. Wanting very much to reach out for him again, but giving him that space instead. “It’s okay. I’m always afraid. We don’t have to figure it all out right now.”
That reassurance likely wouldn’t be enough, Araminta knew, but she could help ease his worrying in other ways. Scooting back into bed and retrieving the blankets to drag over her lap in a clumsy, but determined movement. Smoothing them out and showing she was, for the moment, not going to try and get up and make things worse or give him any more cause to be concerned.
“After the next trial, on our way to Essurn, we’ll do research and think of something else?” she offered, finding now that her nice euphoric feeling was fading even more quickly. Glad that she could start to think a little more clearly, but wistfully wishing she could hold on it a little longer. Even if he seemed to think he’d done something wrong, at least for a few minutes Araminta wasn’t hurting and it was so tempting to beg for him to try again so she could have that feeling back. A dangerously desperate sort of desire she’d have to be very careful about.
Was he afraid? It didn’t seem right but it also wasn’t so incorrect that he found the entire mention of a singular word so laughable either. Merely accepting that it could be the labeling for what was bouncing around in the container of private thoughts. Just, what could he be afraid of?
Now that was a question that appeared to have no reliable answer. From him or any other.
Gaze rose somewhat to consider that of the fair woman. Like looking upon her would suddenly provide him with a grand eureka moment rather than the fact that it was just as clueless as previous. Knowing somewhere deep inside that while he had emotions, he didn’t know what purpose really any of them served or how they correlated to particular moments.
Once it appeared she was making herself cozy, Theon rose. Turning to take the meal that had been prepare –though cold now- and brought it over. Hearing her mention about research and thinking of something else. Setting the tray to the level of the mattress with an unspoken sentiment that maybe some food might help. Leaving him to wander back away to poke at the fire.
He had no idea what could help with demon taint. Actually, he didn’t even know if anyone would. Demon’s were well… for lack of a better word, rather taboo things. It was rare people even lived after an encounter with them after all. No wonder she was keeping it so hush hush! To speak about it to anyone else was liable to have them brandishing a religious relic at you with ranting psalms from their own belief’s. So what combated that of a demon on an equal plain… angels, likely. But that was insane to even think about.
Suppose her words about constantly dying might be more on point than he originally thought!
Araminta certainly wasn’t going to complain about cold food, especially when she could actually recognize what it was, instead of a gloopy mash of mysterious brown slop. She rest against the headboard, wiggling her toes and silently cursing that sensation was coming back to her limbs. Aching joints and sore muscles. That dull throbbing in her leg and the way her head felt heavy and tired. Coming back to harsh reality was a bit disheartening, but she kept those darker thoughts herself. More concerned that Theon had retreated to his silent self again.
“I’m sorry, Theon,” she sighed, picking at her plate. “Everything about me just seems to get progressively worse, doesn’t it?”
Imagine meeting a princess that doesn’t die like she’s supposed to, and somehow systematically dissects and destroys the life you’re used to! Maybe she’d already been transformed into a demon, a life ruiner that was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode into a feral murder machine! She was already technically hiding dead things under the bed. It was both dramatic and true. That Imperial Queen really had a wasted opportunity in trying to kill of Araminta. She was probably going to do so many more terrible things.
These were ridiculous, stupid thoughts, however. Araminta managed to catch herself before she got too carried away. If at least because she knew this dreadful, morose feeling couldn’t last. They were currently warm and being fed, with plans of actual enjoyable things to do. She was far better off now than she’d been weeks ago, she was just a bit shaken up by pain and magic.
Head shook. “It is not upon you for what has occurred. I severely doubt you asked to be harmed by a nefarious creature such as a demon.” He knew that but it didn’t soften that uncomfortable twist in his chest either. Likely because he didn’t have an answer for her that would magically make her wound better. “To apologize for that is redundant, is it not?” A glimmer of gray was aimed her way across shoulder. Letting the remains of his words hang in the air to be taken or shooed away.
Scuffing hand through that of the crimson locks down to the scruff, he came to properly settle within that of the chair. Truly at a loss on how to handle that of her infection. Almost mentally cursing his lack of knowledge rather than knowing to understand it all was a tall order to ask of any mortal.
“Holy water… may be an option to tend to the wound. But it is not easily accessible. At least not within the Imperial lands.” He offered her then. As it was a last chance grasp at something.
“I can apologize that I’ve made it your problem, though,” Araminta responded stubbornly. Still, even so, maybe deep down she was a little relieved too that it was not longer a deep secret she held. Theon now knew everything there was to know about Princess Araminta of Caeldalmor… minus the exact details, but all that was large and important and weighing on her. Surely it would be a gradual climb upwards?
He even seemed to still be pondering. Apparently using that quiet silence of his to come up with new ideas, despite the fact she’d told him they really didn’t have to keep trying right now. With all of this she was learning more about Theon too. He as a man that liked to solve problems and fix things. Here Araminta was being the ultimate problem that needed solving!
She ended up smiling, she couldn’t help it. Theon being Theon was quite a special thing the witness.
“Holy water sounds like a good idea. I’m sure we’ll stumble across some while we’re traveling? There’s bound to be paladins and churches and curious selling tables at markets too. And I’ll tell you when I don’t feel well, okay? So you won’t have to worry as much?”
That made next to no sense but was he about to argue with her about the semantics of why she was apologizing. No. Simply offering her a unreadable stare before allowing the rest of his thoughts to play catch up and focus. Trying to determine any sort of fathomable way to deal with the injury without inciting an angry mob with pitchforks and torches.
Enough that the mention of holy water was the first thing that came to mind. Folding his hands down to flop unceremoniously into his lap. Blinking once then twice at the mention of paladin’s.
That… was likely a good idea. Paladins’ were the warriors of the light. They fought the great harrowing beasts of hell like it was as common as breathing air. Just where would they stumble upon one was going to be left to the means of random chance. “You do not have to do anything outside your comfort. If you do not wish to express discomfort or illness, I cannot force you to.” As if he was trying to assure her that he was not about to expect her to do anything in the means to open anything further in the means of communication. “I will amend the efforts of not raising or showing any signs of worry as well.”
“Oh no, Theon i don’t want you to do that,” she remarked with surprised, too fast too, as maybe she shouldn’t have. Sometimes he took these to be meant as orders, which for certain wasn’t what she wanted… but Araminta also very much wanted him to actually express himself the way he wished and needed to as well! Knowing darn well, he never had an opportunity to do so before!
“Not that- Not that I want you to be twisting in discomfort over me! Only… it’s comforting knowing that it matters? That you care enough to worry.”
Maybe it was a little embarrassing to tell someone you were so starved for simple caring. With a slight warming to her cheeks she slid down in her seat a little lower, quickly stuffing a piece of what looked like poultry into her mouth. Bland as it was, it certainly was a huge improvement of the strange stew of yesterday. Likely to be one of the animals Theon had caught yesterday. Araminta counted her blessings that it wasn’t the rabbit.
“I don’t mind talking to you about things either,” she confessed. “Sometimes it’s difficult when it’s about the harder things… but you are easy to talk to? You’re thoughtful and considerate, and I enjoy your company, Theon. Even for uncomfortable things.”
Well he wasn’t sure what to say in that moment. For the better or worse of it all. Baring witness to the way she seemed to be mildly embarrassed as well after a moment of taking time to express what she meant in totality. That what he did was apparently comforting in some odd way. A thing that felt peculiar to even had said at all.
Only for it all to grow further into something he was sure he didn’t know how to handle remotely. “I… don’t know what to do or say to such things.” Suggesting that compliments of any sort were about as alien as it came. “It is… awkward.” He decided that was the best way to express that her candidness left him feeling out of sorts. Almost wiggly and a desire to leave the room because it was outside the normality for what he was accustomed too.
Araminta nearly snorted out a giggle, having to press her hand over her mouth before she outright laughed, else he’d think she was laughing at him and not just at the fact hearing a man as tall and serious as he say something was awkward.
“That’s okay, you don’t have to say anything at all. We can move on to other things,” she acquiesced easily. Having no want to have him twisting and fretting about it, nor any need to have things verbally reciprocated. Theon tended to do enough through actions alone, that by this point she had all sorts of sweet and sentimental thoughts about him. Things that’d most likely have him very uncomfortable and overwhelmed, potentially even regretting even accepting her as a friend at all!
“We’ll leave in the morning if the rain has let up, yes?” she said, offering that very change of subject. “I haven’t tried fishing yet, so it’ll be an education trial. I doubt we can get in much trouble trying to catch a fish.”
The polished rings of silver took a leisurely stroll upon her bed sitting form. Not sure what the purpose was of the hand to mouth bit that subsided to say he didn’t need to say anything. Which was appreciated for someone that had been so talkative lately. A near chatter box that couldn’t shut up if one were to look at the past to now. Finding far more comfort in the fact that silence had been the company of his lifetime with no more than the internal voice within his own head as a companion. The allowance of quiet, the lack of reply, was likely one of the best things she could have given him.
Settling to stand guard over the flame ready to poke and turn logs over. At the change of subject, head was bowed to agree that should the rain have relented its downpour, they could leave. Before, “Fishing is better when it is raining.” Theon stated softly. “They bite. More often.” But he once more was looking at her, “Still would need bait. Digging for worms is also easier when it is raining.”
“Worms…” there was a wrinkle of her nose and that obvious hint of displeasure. Of course, if it was what they needed to do, Araminta was going to do it. She might not like wrigglie slimy things, or bugs, or creepy crawlies, but if that’s what fish ate, it’d certainly up her chances of catching the foul fish she was supposed to get once they’d reach the old abandoned village marked on her map.
“Then we’ll leave in the morning regardless of rain. I’m sure we’ll find some houses or barns still standing that’ll be a safe place to camp out of the weather.”
Ideally, Araminta would’ve spent some time in the current town, asking questions from the locals to see if anyone had useful information about the location she was headed to. But she had a feeling, even the Inn Keeper wouldn’t be too helpful in answering questions. Nor did Araminta feel all that comfortable approaching the drunken louts downstairs. Luckily she was fairly confident now that she and Theon could figure things out quickly and handle any surprises.
They were a good partnership. A shame she couldn’t give him his praises without him feeling so awkward!
Having eaten most of the plate, but finding herself growing weary by the second, Araminta slid the tray over and nestled down into bed with a tired sigh. She was so tired of being tired! At least she had the opportunity to sleep, though, and she was certainly going to take it.
“Don’t just cat nap, Theon,” she murmured quietly, settling herself to sleep. “Try to lie down at least for an hour or two.”
There was an easy nod to agree that come the morning it would be best to leave. He suspected their Inn host’s hospitality would wane even more so by then. Likely not wanting them present a day longer to try his patience for something else. Nor was he about to waste his own efforts on placating a boar of a man anyways to play nice when it should be a practiced natured. At least for anyone that actually wanted to make coin and have their rooms full. A neatly run inn likely had more coin than they knew what to do with.
Although now that he had a chance to think about the upcoming trial, suppose a mere worm might not do it for what she was fishing for. It might need something more unappealing to lure it’s mouth around a hook. And he wasn’t even sure how large the creature could be.
Ears figuratively perked at being told not to just cat nap. Not that she could stop him from doing so when she was resting herself. Rather he simply hummed before rising to cross over to take the tray from its moved placement. Avoiding any accidental flipping of it or rolling into it, to set aside. Making his position back to fire guard. To allow his mind to ruminate about the upcoming trail and percolate quietly on her state of being, with some paladin wonderments even further behind.
Whatever Theon had done, even though there didn’t seem to be any visual effects or lessening to the wound itself, it did seem to give Araminta a bright eyed and energetic boost come morning and in the few days it took to travel. Waking wasn’t quite as difficult and her limping not as noticeable. It certainly had Araminta pondering what he could’ve done had she not passed out and scared him to death. While she didn’t know anything much about healing magics, she could make some clever guesses that they must’ve been missing some steps. At least he seemed to think positively at the idea of holy water and paladins, so they had a solid goal once they’d left the fourth trial.