Diverging Roads

[Saruna]

May 18, 122PW

Continued from Healthy Wife, Happy Life

The morning dawned bright and clear, but for once Saruna didn't greet it with a smile. The air was crisp and smelled of spring's warmth, but there was only a chilly ache within Saruna's bones. She stood still at the edge of the village, separate from the morning traffic that made its slow way towards Marn along the forest road. It was normal to go to Marn in the morning, and that was why she stood there.

Truthfully, the need to appear normal was a result built from abnormal desires and behavior. Saruna, together with her ragtag collection of compatriots, had intentions within her heart to act in a way most uncivilized. Good citizens would not want to overthrow their government. A good government would not inspire rebellious thoughts in its citizens. Saruna had to believe that, for otherwise she would not be able to live with herself.

Ran had helped her with her early morning chores, and together they had amassed a full basket's worth of baked treats to further normalize the morning meeting. Ran had then left for his surprise visit to Kori, a smaller bag of the sweet treats taken with him with the idea they might soften the edges of the northerner's raw pain. Not that food could ever fix the pains of the mind, but Saruna knew well the value of temporary comfort.

Saruna clutched her basket to her stomach, and stared back into the village, dust rising about her from the passage of the villager's daily trek. Nervousness clutched at her gut, and she waited.

[Breda Dreaughan]

She could have slept for ages. And should have, really. What was she doing here? She didn't know these people, or what they wanted from her, any more than they knew her, or what she wanted from them. She didn't even know what she wanted from them.

But there was still the feeling she'd first got at Aura's cottage, the feeling that she had been swept by the tide, no longer able to control her own destiny. Meeting these people right after meeting the Paragon's men probably was a coincidence, but not one she could ignore. She had to meet them properly, and find out what they were up to. Otherwise she would always dream of the eyes of broken men.

Approaching the edge of the village, she could see that only one person had made it there before her. The older woman. That made her feel a bit better. The group would be tense in the presence of a stranger, and the woman appeared less threatening and consequently more easily approachable than the others. Even Fayane made her feel nervous now.

So she walked up to the woman, but as she reached reasonable talking distance, she realized she didn't know what to say.
"Morning," she managed after an awkward pause.

[Jerial]

Jerial hadn't slept. He tried to meditate again after Fayane drifted to sleep, but he couldn't seem to find concentration in any coherent form. He did not know what it was that disturbed him, which was troubling of itself. He stared at the dusty ceiling, dim under the indirect light of the moon.

When the sun rose, Jerial rose from Fayane's side. He paced around the room, waiting. Feeling frustration over his insomnia, he decided to wake Fay. A touch on the shoulder was all it took to wake her, just a brush of his fingertips. She seemed groggy, but that didn't make him regret his decision.

Jerial heard her mumble something, but he couldn't catch exactly what it was, so he generically replied: "I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry." He wasn't sorry, and now he felt the guilt seep into him for his deception. The night had made him feel rotten, and his voices pestered him throughout the night. Insomnia and fatigue always made it worse.

However, his mind was so fuzzy that he could block them out, at least for a while. Perhaps that doctor could make him something to either temporarily clear his mind or temporarily knock him out.

"Fayane, you're the only person I've ever held in my heart. Do you know that?"

Why did you say that?

I don't know. I don't know anything right now.

I would rather you refrain from speaking under this level of fatigue.

It's the fatigue that's creating you right now, so be grateful and shut up.

Through this, Jerial was sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring into his lap.

[Fayane]

She'd been sleeping so peacefully, so deeply, when just a brush of his fingertips woke her. She opened her eyes, so heavy, so tired, to see his exhausted and pained ones.

"Jerial? What's wrong, love." It came out as no more than a mumble, and judging by his response he'd barely heard her. I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry. He paused for a moment, emotion flitting through his eyes. Fay tilted her head, wondering what had gotten into him. Perhaps it was the war? Perhaps it was the people she was allying herself with, or the pressure. She watched him closely, suddenly very concerned.

"Fayane, you're the only person I've ever held in my heart. Do you know that?" She didn't. Her eyes stun slightly, from tears she realized. It was the single most loving thing she'd ever heard said to her. Certainly Jerial hadn't been lax in his affections by any means, but he hadn't hit that depth of emotion either. She watched him sit, his head bowed and his eyes flitting from side to side, almost as though his voices were bothering him again. She pushed herself painfully from the bed and slid down to kneel before him, reaching out and pulling him close.

"I know it well, love. Just as you are the only I've ever held within my heart." She paused, thinking, before attempting to crack a joke.

"Mind you, I never thought I had something to the equivalent of a heart, simply an organ that would occasionally make me feel sympathy or pain. Assassination tends to do that I hear." She managed a smile, weak and pained when she realized that that joke likely wasn't too funny, but he needed to smile. There was too much pain, exhaustion and guilt within those grey eyes. She leaned forward and kissed his brow gently.

"We should wake Tanobi and go find the others. I highly doubt Saruna will wish us to remain here, as it's not a building I would deem safe. And I wish to take no chances in us getting caught. There are forces at work that are far greater than anything I've bothered with, and I am starting to believe that secrecy must be maintained." She kissed him gently before pushing herself upwards and staggering towards her armor. Looked like someone had been kind enough to keep it in their packs. She caressed her fathers blades. There was a storm coming, she could sense it, and she would need her father and her love move than ever. With that, she began to arm herself.

[Tanobi Durant]

They came for him dressed for war which to some may have seemed appropriate considering Tanobi's Room looked akin to a War-zone. While at first the aging doctor relished the thought of being able to sleep in a bed after so long he hadn't realized how accustomed to sleeping against a surface had consumed his habits. The sheets of the bed lie in piles upon the ground kicked from frustration and lack of sleep the the pillow lay against the bed unused and the fur used for a blanket had been flipped over the Foot board. Finally the Dissatisfied sleeper lie against the wall fully dressed stick still in hand and propped up against the wall while leaning upon his left shoulder and asleep.

[Saruna]

"Good morning, dear," Saruna replied automatically, smiling at the pregnant woman before she had a chance to let the nervousness affect her. Pregnancy, babies and motherhood was second nature to her, and gave her plenty of solid footing to start off with.

She started worrying at the cloth covering the basket, her mind briefly touching upon the thought of Ran and Kori, and what charged anguish would come to pass between them. But there was no space for that, not with the achingly young mother-to-be in front of her. It was hard not to stare at a pregnant belly; even with so many children of her own, Saruna still found pregnancies full of mystery and wonder. The urge to aid a fellow woman was strong, but her mission was so at odds with the realization of the joys of new life that Saruna found herself questioning her purpose.

So easily I falter?

"How far along are you, dear?" Saruna could not help the question, because she suddenly realized that she did not desire to put this woman and the fragile life within her at risk.

Did not want to, but she would.

Saruna clutched harder at the basket, the tremulous quiver of a penitent sinner breaking the integrity of her smile.

[Breda Dreaughan]

"Around seven months, I think," Breda replied, a little reserved. The question was perfectly innocent, not to mention reasonable, but she was starting to get sensitive to patronization these days.

Especially since she had always considered humans to be the fragile ones. This tiny, old, delicate lady was most likely a lot younger than her, and yet she looked like her life was practically over.

So why is she here? Why is she risking her precious years? What have they done to her?

She glanced over her shoulder, towards the village. Still no-one in sight. "Can we trust the others to come?" She tried not to sound too suspicious, but she certainly was nervous. So far she had not done anything incriminating - as far as she knew - but she suspected that just being involved with these people was enough to get her in trouble.

Old ladies, pregnant girls and ill guards. There's a team to fight the city with.

[Fayane]

Fay lead the distracted Jerial to Tanobi's room, and quickly had the older man get ready. That done, and in record time, the shifter lead the group down the stairs and out to where she'd agreed to meet Saruna and Breda.

They were already there, Fay noted with a jolt of guilt. She hoped they hadn't waited long.

"My apologies, ladies, I hadn't meant to take so long arming myself." Fay murmured. She looked better than she did yesterday, had slightly more color in her cheeks, but her eyes were still exhausted. She smiled gently for Breda.

"I would shift, and act as your shawl once more, but I'm a tad tired so you'll have to forgive me." It had meant to be a joke, but she wasn't sure how funny it was. She looked to Saruna.

"We are ready when you are."

[Tanobi Durant]

"Just a moment Madame, lest we get ahead of ourselves i believe proper introductions are in order; I-as some of you may know am Tanobi Durant, student of the 17 shamans of the Sooqui plains and former apprentice of 'madman' Markov of Marn. I travel as a physician."

Tanobi offers his hand as leverage to Breda coupled with a tired smile. The hands did not leave one another until Tanboi was assured that she was able to stand of her own power and stable. While it was obvious that Breda did not need to stand to introduce Herself, Tanobi knew the group was restless and desired to travel despite their conditions and that this would likely not take long.

[Saruna]

Saruna smiled reassuringly at Breda, and opened her mouth to offer character testimony about Fayane when the very same woman walked up behind her. She startled, flinching, and turned to look at Fayane. She was serious about arming herself, as was her. . .mate. A practical thing, it was, but Saruna still fretted about them drawing attention.

Much bubbled to the surface of Saruna's mind; there were things she wished to talk about before they reached Marn but coherence demanded she say them one at a time. Politeness dictated she wait her turn.

"Saruna," she said, turning up her smile. "And I do believe we should talk and walk for now; it will take some time to reach Marn and the more I stand around the less energy I shall have for the walk."

She did not shake hands with anyone, but she had shared her gentle smile. Already she had turned onto the path and began to walk. It was going to be a very long day.

[Breda Dreaughan]

Breda smiled faintly at Fayane. "It's okay. I'll manage." I wish I could carry you.

Next, she turned to Tanobi to return the handshake. Even though he too looked tired, the man's grasp was reassuringly strong and steady. "Breda Dreaughan. Blacksmith's apprentice." Since we're being honest.

A physician and two presumably capable fighters. Maybe we have some hope, whatever it is we're about to do.

When Saruna took down the path, she followed without comment. The older woman appeared to be the authority of the group, and as she obviously couldn't beat the others in physical strength, there presumably was a good reason for them to follow her.

Just tag along, Breda. With any luck you'll learn enough of all this to decide whether to run before it's too late.

[Jerial]

Jerial was still exhausted. He felt disjointed from the world, even from his senses. The aloofness was disturbing; he simply ambled after Fayane, dimly aware of a hungering ache in the pit of his gut. He felt uneasy.

He could see the others moving in a group, and his instinct begged him to distance himself from the pack.

Jerial, you stand on the edge of a precipice. This you know as well as I. Look at those around you. None has much to lose, save the filthy animal and her whelp, and not even the pair of them amounts to anything to throw your life away for. Your whore will die along with the withered woman. Events as they are about to take place will leave a choice that you will quickly realize was irrevocable. And if you choose poorly, so I swear, I will kill you myself.

Blackened be the day you end my life.

Indeed I hope it is.

Leave me.

[Fayane]

She smiled and moved to follow Saruna, when something made her stop. One pair of footsteps dragged, stumbled. She turned, concern colouring her features as she moved to Jerial; who looked as though he were in pain. She slipped off her gloves, her sign that she wasn't holding anything back, and reached up to gently take his face in her own hands, stroking.

"You must be exhausted, love. Shift, I will carry you, if you so desire." She murmured, running her fingers through his hair as she attempted to soothe her mate. She turned, watching the group move away and not worrying about it. She signaled Kado and Cerion to move ahead, they'd catch up to them soon enough. She turned back, pulling his head down just enough so she could cradle him. Her limbs were already complaining, her wounds burning, but she'd be damned if she'd let her mate suffer further because of her.

"Shift love, and listen not to those voices who plague you. They sound cruel and vile in nature, and you do not deserve that pain. Shift and sleep, I will wake you when I must."

[Tanobi Durant]

Tanobi having no indication of the direction they where traveling to settled to remain in the middle of the group. Upon realizing he was at the end of the marching line he stops briefly to gaze upon Fay and Jerial to observe weather or not their injuries were holding them back. His eyes catch the male with a look betraying his discomfort, and it mattered not if the pain was emotional or physical as it would likely have to be dealt with swiftly in addition to tact.

Action was to be taken it would appear not by him, but indeed by Jerials significant other as Fay had already taken to private whispers and intimate caresses of the hand. Tanobi decided instead decided to take the roll of a passive observer until it becomes clear weather or not what plagued the man would hamper the progress of the group.

[Breda Dreaughan]

Breda, too, noted Fayane's partner's obvious difficulties. Yet she found the man extremely difficult to approach, even threatening, and Fayane herself was now such a confusing combination of familiar and alien, that Breda too decided to stand back until the two would make some indication that help was required.

Made uncomfortable by the silence, she moved closer to Tanobi instead, who had been open enough earlier.
"So, Master Durant, you said you are a traveling physician? I must confess my ignorance in regards of your mentors." Hesitating, she glanced up at the man's face. "I don't mean to - I mean, I understand if you don't want to share details of your life, given the situation. It's just that I have dreamed of the healer's profession for years."