nearly the end of a long, long night

Odin's description of their travels left much to be desired but when it was clear that was all he was going to get, Ben returned to his friend's side. "You do not do things lightly, do you? This sounds pretty serious."

"So it seems." Josen did not feel like conversing. His wounds were paining him, his shoulder most of all, and his head ached from the weight of his thoughts. He longed to rejoin his companions and finally allieve his body from some of this tension. He wanted a bedroll. Beside him, he felt Ben's perplexion. It wasn't like Josen to be aloof to his friends so with a sigh he began the monologue that would give Ben the information he craved and bring him up to date. It was over by the time they reached camp.

Sai'a was the first to greet them and Ben affectionately kissed the back of her hand. They had first met back in Ulis, when Josen was still coaxing her off the streets. She then gave Josen's poor and bruised ribs a fierce squeeze and glared at Odin, who was tending his horse. "You couldn't find some hole to stick him in and bury him?"

"No." He was in no mood for her sarcasm and made his way past her to the fire. It was evident something had transpired while they were gone. The air was thick with aftermath and Dase, though he immediately stood and gave him a hug, held a solemn, woebegone look in his eyes. Josen wondered what had put it there.

Ben stopped for a quick word with the redhead before joining the others. Even after all the details Josen had given him, there was still something missing. He couldn't place his finger on it but Saia's comment gave him a hunch. "Why do you dislike him so?"

She tore her hateful gaze away from Odin's back. "He is a liar." Then she turned and walked - no, stalked - her way back to the fire. Ben followed, wondering if he'd just put his finger on the button.

After the introductions, Dase picked away at his meal while Ben and Josen both devoured first and second helpings. Dase gave up halfway through his plate. Airy had gone silent and still, which worried him. He could still feel her close by, feel her presence in his mind, but he feared he'd hurt her feelings. He wanted badly for Tamy to take him back, to tell Airy things were alright and he wasn't angry but Tamy was in no condition for another go round and truthfully, neither was he. He was tired and worn and just plain overcome. He wanted a bed and a warm, comforting hand.

It looked as if Josen had worries of his own so he left the mercenary alone. Dase never knew he'd had a son and the information left him feeling somewhat lost. Where would that leave him once his son was found? Would Josen still want him around? He would have to start learning to control Airy better so as not to anger him further. Sai'a, too, was preoccupied. She hadn't stopped frowning since Odin's first arrival. He didn't know what she was worried about. There were more than enough of them to take him down if they needed to. He would even bet Josen or Val could do it by themself. Or even Airy.

She stirred next to his shoulder and his spirits lifted just a little, as did hers but it didn't help waken his senses. Josen, seeing the droop of Dase's lids, ordered him to bed. Dase didn't argue. He trotted over to where his bedroll had been lain out, dragged it next to Tamy's and slipped inside, boots and all. When later he felt her lay down beside him, he grasped her hand for comfort and Airy, as if feeling his growing relief, ceased her stillness to weave through their fingers. The movement lulled him to sleep.

>^_''_^<

Josen thought the bond between Tamy and Dase endearing. He stared at their quiet, sleeping faces and mingled fingers for a long moment, thinking wistfully back to a woman with long, golden hair cradling an infant in her lap. It was true; Dase very well could be the image of Christian. That is, if Christian weren't practically a grown man by now. He thought of the viking ship and what it could mean. He wondered again about this castle but cautioned his hopes against relying upon the word of a man as shady as the dark robes he wore. Ben's words were much more solid than any assurances that would fall from that man's lips, at least as far as he was concerned.

He turned, his attention smack back in the present, then went searching for Torbin. He found her moments later, nearly under his feet and had to place a hand on her arm to keep himself from running her over. She apologized, though the fault was his own, then asked how he was faring.

"Quite battered, actually," he answered reluctantly. "I was wondering, if perhaps... you could..." She wasn't going to make him actually ask, was she? He was relieved when she nodded, not that he had a problem with admitting he was in pain. Just that he didn't want to admit it if he didn't have to. "You don't suppose we could go a little deeper into the woods? I don't wish to put on a show for wandering eyes." Especially one particular pair.

She agreed, leaving briefly to obtain her herbs, and they trekked a good distance away. When Josen was comfortable with thier surroundings he stopped and with her help, pulled off his shirt. His shoulder and ribs were agonizing, though there wasn't much to be done for his ribs. Another cool poultice on his shoulder, however, would feel like heaven. The wounds healing on the rest of his body didn't concern him although if she insisted he wouldn't argue. She knew what she was doing, after all.

Watching her, it was hard not to realize her beauty. If the circumtances had been different, or if he'd not been so injured, she was just the type of woman he would pursue. Authoritave, womanly, both tender and firm, able to draw steel one moment and lay a soft hand on a child the next. She carried an aura of both danger and feminity that Josen was attracted to but was not about to act upon. He wasn't sure if he was yet ready to tackle the depths of a relationship and he doubted she would appreciate being one of the brief affairs he'd grown accustomed to having.

Her face came close, her fingers moved aside the leather thong at his neck. He removed it, thinking this might be the one time he didn't return it. Her hair was shiny and golden in the corner of his eye, so much like Melisande's that he willed to reach out and touch it but closed his eyes instead. I am losing my mind. The pendant pressed it's indent into his palm.

He kept them closed for the duration, wincing or squeezing his knuckles when her touches, though executed with care, became harsh. In a few minutes he was dressed, includig the thong, and she was gathering her supplies. When she turned to lead the way back, he grasped her arm lightly. "Wait." There was still something he needed to ask. "I noticed there was some tension when we came back. Is that because of Odin or did something happen while we were away?" The flicker of her eyes answered him immediately though he pretended not to see it. "If you do not trust to speak of it, then do not do so." If something had happened, and it was something she wished to keep from Odin, he didn't want to press her into telling. Who knew how far his talents stretched?


>^_''_^<


Sai'a was not at all happy Odin had returned. She had half hoped Josen would see the light of it and do away with him before he came back. Ben was a pleasant surprise, though. He sat against a tree, sipping a wineskin and observing the members of the campsite. She wondered if he was having second thoughts so she walked over and asked him such.

"No." He patted the ground beside him. She sat. "I am just watching. Tell me, if this mission is such a danger then why are there children here? And if Odin is the one with all the answers, as far as where we are going and how, then why is he over there alone and not charting out a trail to follow, or map?"

"Those are good questions," Sai'a stated without offering an answer. She had none. "So does that mean you are staying?"

"Do you think I'd miss out on such a good fight?" He grinned.

She grinned back. "It is good to have you."

"It is good to be here, I think." Then he looked up and pointed to Val. "Who is he to you?" Only a blind man could miss the sparks between those two. Even then, he'd be able to feel them.

"What man?" Sai'a feigned ignorance.

"That man," He nudged her Val's direction and she involutarily blushed. "Ah," said Ben, "That is what I thought." He gave her a teasing grin then stood as he saw Josen reemerge from the trees, Torbin close behind. Was something going on there, too? "Excuse me, milady." He wanted to bid his friend a good night.

Sai'a decided now was a good time to go and prepare for her watch. She stepped over the peacefully sleeping children, hesitating a moment to take in their innocence, then plopped herself comfortably against the tree nearest. She sat with her arms folded, knees pulled up, glaring at Odin's back every time the opportunity arose. It didn't look like a very favorable position but Saia's haughty demeanor adapted to it with ease. Val came to stand at her feet.

"Yes," she answered what she believed he would ask. "I do intend to stay here all night." She sent the subject another glower and tried to ignore the excited thump of her heart.