Ahni closed the door softly behind her, and looked around in the fading light. The big cat had been taken aside by Pahu, and joined by Luanne’s father. Ahni herself had sought out Luanne, finding her clinging to her mother and sister, and trying to tell them what happened in between sobs. Both Luanne’s mother and sister were crying too, and it wasn’t long before Ahni was also in tears. Eventually, shock and fatigue had caught up to her, and Luanne had fallen asleep. Ahni had helped put her to bed, and when she’d emerged into the family room, she’d been relieved to find the striped stranger gone. It seemed, however, that he hadn’t gone far. He was standing on the roof of their nearest neighbour, head held high, with a curious crowd watching him. She could just make out his voice, was that singing? Though he was somewhat intimidating, she found that curiosity was stronger than her apprehension. She climbed the stairs at the side up the building, and joined the other Viscachas. He really was singing, a prayer of some kind. “…your strength, your blessed amber light. Almighty Sol, we offer you our prayers that you find rest this night. We shall stand firm, to uphold right, but should we falter just the same, We ask of you, to grant us strength, to carry onwards in your name. We swear, Oh Star of Amber Hue, to protect those to whom we’re sworn, Throughout the night, however long, ‘til you appear, refreshed, at Dawn.” With those last words, the last of the sun’s fires disappeared behind the mountains, and Corwyn lowered his head, and turned to face the gathered onlookers. Several were whispering to one another, though he could hear them well enough. “Yes, it is a prayer,” he said, startling one of the group, “I’m telling Him that I see He’s weary, but to rest soundly, knowing that I’m ready to defend His children through the night in his stead. In the morning, if I’m awake in time, I’ll greet Him with a joyous heart.” Praying to the gods was something they all understood, but what he’d sung had sounded so formal, so somber. It wasn’t so much a prayer as an oath. Ahni couldn’t figure him out. It didn’t make sense to her. She had to ask. “Um, I wanted… to…” her voice petered out. As she started to speak he looked directly at her with his single unflinching eye. She found herself staring at him, “I…ah… wanted to ask…” “Yes?” “Why did you save her?” She cringed inside, she hadn’t meant it to sound so… accusing? “She needed help, and I gave it,” he said simply. “Why? Would you have preferred I hadn’t?” “Of course not! I just want to know why you did it. You don’t know her, and there were two of them. You could have been killed, so why?” He grinned, which made a couple of them uneasy. Those were big teeth. “That’s actually very easy. I made a vow to Sol, to protect the innocent and weak from harm. Now I’ve no idea if the lady in question is as innocent as she looks, but she certainly needed defending from harm.” His smile faded, shifting into a frown. “And from what I gather, they intended to kill her very painfully.” Ahni shuddered at that. She’d pretty much heard the whole tale from Luanne. She didn’t want to think about it. Better to change subjects. “Um, this vow, is it a religious thing? Are you a priest?” He burst into rather loud laughter. “Well technically I’m more of a soldier in the service of Sol, than a priest of His church. But yes, it was a formal vow. Made in front of the head of my family, in the family shrine.” He noted the approving nods made by a couple of the older members of his audience, and knew he had judged correctly. He’d thought, from the sprawling buildings, and the extended family he’d noted were living in Luanne’s home, that these people were likely to hold family bonds in high regard. He hoped he could put these people at ease, since it was obvious to him that they were all scared of him to some degree. Of course, he’d seen other tight-knit communities, where outsiders were regarded with suspicion, and he was an unknown, after all. “Would anyone mind if I stayed up here for a while? I was rather unnerving to Luanne’s family, and I’d just as soon stay out of their way for a while.” There was a general muttering of assent, and Corwyn sat, and started rummaging though his pack. He pulled his bedroll, and a tightly wrapped blanket out, and most of the crowd took the hint, and began to drift off. Ahni watched him, and as he took his medical kit out, she caught a glimpse of something golden, and highly patterned, which he quickly covered. ‘Oh, what was that? It looked pretty…” He looked away. “Just an old family decoration. Something to remind me of home.” There was a strange sadness in his voice, and she could see a tear in his eye as he returned to his pack. “Is… is something wrong? Can I help?” He took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then sighed. “I wish you could, but the past is exactly that, and no one can change it.’ He turned and smiled. “But thank you for offering anyway. Though there is something you can do. I need someone to help me assess the damage to my eye.” “Oh, o-okay.” He carefully unwrapped the bandages, and pulled the wadding free. The inflammation was gone, and the eye as a whole didn’t hurt much. He found the eye gummed shut, and so wet it, before rubbing gently. “How does it look?” “It’s kind of cloudy… with a cut in the middle.” He frowned. He could make out little beyond a vague shape he took to be the girl before him. More than he’d feared, but far, far less than he’d hoped. He felt the area cautiously. A big scar, right down the face, with a couple of smaller ones either side. Still, he thought, it could have been worse, I suppose, at least I’m alive “Did you get that helping Lu?” Ahni found she wasn’t quite so scared of him any more. He was large and weird, but he was also friendly. He’d turned up out of nowhere, and rescued someone he didn’t even know; just like a hero from one of the stories she’d heard, sitting by the fire, listening to her grandfather. “Actually, this was due to my own carelessness. Jumped by a couple of big cats when I wasn’t paying attention.” He stretched. “Sorry, I know you have lots of questions, but I’m very tired, could we continue later?” “Oh, okay… um, good night.” She watched for a moment, as he started stripping his armour. Such a striking fur pattern, she thought. He removed one of his boots, then stopped and looked at her. “Sorry, Ahni, but I’m not used to stripping before relative strangers.” With a hasty, muttered apology, she was gone, leaving Corwyn grinning. Someone isn’t too scared of me, I see…thought Corwyn as he took off the last of his armour. When sleep claimed him, curled up under a blanket, he was still smiling. ************************************************************* He’d been answering questions all morning, but the small group, sat around Corwyn in the village square, were endlessly curious. The ice had broken just a short while ago, and the cause had been a bright red parrot, and a little girl. He’d been exploring, and had found himself in the center of the Viscacha village. Even though it was only a little after dawn, it was quite busy, with folk of all ages scurrying about. A flash of red had caught his eye, and he’d wandered across. A young parrot glared at him from its perch. He offered it a dried apricot, and it screeched loudly. Something tugged on his sleeve and he looked down, into the eyes of a young girl. “He’s called Squawky. I gived him that name cuz he’s mine. Are you gonna eat him?” He dropped to one knee, and looked into wide brown eyes. “Oh no, I’d never do that, it’s not allowed to eat someone else’s parrot. Especially if he’s got a name.’ Corwyn said quietly, with mock seriousness. “I didn’t know that…” she whispered. She squinted, and tilted her head. “Are you a monster?” He was rather taken aback, but before he could reply, she was talking again. “Cuz my mama said there’s a cat-monster in town, but you look just like a cat to me…” Her eyes widened. “Can you meow?” “Er, meow…” She giggled. “Again!” “Meow meow meow.” “Heee he he he he.” This went on for a while, and ended with Corwyn sitting on the ground, while the girl stood behind him, brushing his head with a scrubbing brush, because ‘a little brush is too small cuz you are really big.’ Pahu had come by, and asked the girl, Nahdi, what she was up to. She said she was trying to straighten the stripes, and both Pahu and Corwyn had chuckled. They talked for some time, with Nahdi deciding she was tired, and she curled up against Corwyn’s side, head on his right thigh. He covered her with a blanket from his ever-present pack. Looking at this scene, Corwyn talking to one of their trusted hunters, and comforting one of their own children, this was the point he ceased being a potentially dangerous outsider, becoming instead a friendly traveler, that others began to get curious, rather than cautious. He answered most questions about himself, or his travels, with no attempt at being mysterious. His openness, and friendly nature, was already warming some of those around him. Asked about his background, he became a little guarded, saying he’d rather get to know folks better before revealing his dark, mysterious past. His descriptions of foreign lands, and of other Kin in particular, had them spellbound. They lapped up his descriptions of other species, other cultures. They marveled at his tales of old ruins, and the treasures, and dangers, held within. Finally, they were disappointed when he was called away, to meet the village Elders. He carefully slid from the sleeping Nahdi, and joined Pahu as he walked off towards the Council Hut. ************************************************************* “You say you are from where?” asked the wizened face yet again. “The far north-east, beyond the desert.” This was not going as he expected, and he was getting frustrated, and angry. “We are still wondering what brought you here. After all, crossing the northern desert is no small task, and it would be madness to do so on a whim, would it not? Why are you here?” Corwyn looked up, and sighed. “I didn’t cross the desert, so much as skirt its edges. As for why I’m here, I’m just wandering, exploring a new land. Maybe it was simply the will of Sol that I happened to be in the right place at the right time.” “Why should we believe that?” “What possible reason would I have to lie?” “You tell us. You have the look of someone who is running from something… are you a fugitive, perhaps?” Corwyn’s eyes narrowed. Very astute, he thought. “I’m running from my past, and my failures, if you really must know. Not that it’s any of your damn business. Ah, this is a waste of time.” He stood, and ignoring their protestations, stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Pahu turned to the Eldest. “Why did we just treat him so badly? If not for him, we’d have lost Luanne, and would have no idea of the upcoming Puma attack. We should be thanking him, not interrogating him.” “Pahu, we are often most honest in our anger, than in our most charming smiles. I would judge him to be a good man, but one with something to hide. Go, carry our apologies and gratitude to him, and invite him to stay as our guest.” Pahu bowed, and ran off, following the furious ‘guest’. ************************************************************* Corwyn sat impassively, listening to Pahu’s explanation. He wasn’t impressed. He disliked being manipulated, regardless of the reasons, and he’d almost stormed out of the village in a rage. He’d caught sight of little Nahdi, playing with a kitten, and paused. Gazing skyward, he’d squinted into the sun, and sighed. “To protect those to whom we’re sworn…” he’d whispered. Pahu was deeply apologetic, and Corwyn allowed his anger to fade. He still didn’t like being provoked that way, but that was not Pahu’s fault. “All right, all right, I accept. If you want me as a guest, then I’ll stay.” “Thank you Corwyn, I’m truly sorry for the way you’ve been treated, and…” “Please stop apologizing. It wasn’t you interrogating me in there.” Corwyn interrupted. “Yes, but…” “No buts.” Corwyn looked around, and as much to himself as to Pahu said “We have work to do, I think.” “Work?” “Yes. I have to have a look over your village defenses. You’ll have Puma here soon, and we need to fortify.” Pahu grinned. “Actually, I was hoping to ask you about that, and I’m very glad to hear you say ‘we’. Looks like you read minds.” “When was the last time your peoples fought? Pahu thought for a moment. “Well, other than a couple of minor border skirmishes that didn’t really amount to much… must be close to twelve years.” “Not good. All your warriors are out of practice. Same almost certainly goes for the Pumas, but since they are already planning an attack, chances are very good that they’ve been putting in some effort, yes? Call your elders together again. There is a lot we must discuss.” Pahu nodded and left. Corwyn, now alone, opened his pack, and took out a golden disk. It was oval, and flattened, perhaps three inch by two, and an inch thick. Etched into the uppermost face was an intricate, stylized sun motif, a glittering citrine at its center. He clenched it tightly, holding it close to his chest. “Oh Sol, please, if you’ve ever heard me, please don’t let me fail again.” ************************************************************* Chozu and Anak sat in silence. They had been taken to the Council Hut almost the second they had arrived. The moment they were alone Chozu had ‘warned’ Anak to let him do the talking. Anak had merely turned away and nodded. Some time passed before the door finally opened, and Javek, their Chief, entered. He looked them over for a few seconds, and frowned. “Neither of you looks happy, and you’re both unarmed. From the beginning please.” Chozu cleared his throat. “Things were going well, and we’d almost finished scouting the village. We were about to make a last trip or two, as close as possible, to try and figure the layout. However, as it began to get dark, we chanced upon a lone Viscacha woman, and to me it looked like a fine chance to interrogate one of them.” He chose his words carefully, wanting to show events in the best possible light. No sense in telling the Chief that they’d almost been discovered by the girl, he thought. “At my signal Anak circled round behind her, and when I stepped out, she turned to flee right into Anak. We carried her off, and interrogated her far from the village. We learned a lot, about the layout, and about the numbers of warriors they have. About a third as many again as we have. We learned as much as we could, and were about to kill her, so she couldn’t alert the others to our presence, and head back. That’s when we were attacked.” “Viscacha patrol?” “No.” Chozu answered. “An orange and black bastard of a Cat. He came charging in from the darkness and had me sprawling on the ground, a four-foot sword over my neck, before I even knew he was there. Anak dropped his knife at his threat to gut me if he didn’t, and he told us to leave. We did, but not too far, and we did go back, hoping to jump him, but he’d already gone, taking our weapons, and the girl, with him. So we returned home, to report to you. Which is pretty much it, in short.” Javek looked grim. “We’ll leave the tactical information till morning. Damn, but this is bad. They’re going to wonder what Puma scouts were doing in their territory… You didn’t say anything about the attack in front of this girl while you questioned her, did you?” Chozu sighed. “We discussed attack routes, the strength of their warriors, patrol schedules, and even had her draw a map of the village detailing their stores, and how much food they have. A lot more than we’d anticipated.” “Hmmm…” Javek sat back, and scratched his neck. “I’d rather not fight a war. A raid’s one thing, but an all out fight? We’d suffer losses although we’d still win, I’m sure. Anak, you were one of those who suggested sending a messenger, requesting aid? Is it worth trying that road?” Anak looked directly at Javek. “There isn’t any chance of the Viscacha Elders even considering helping us. Not one chance.” His gaze shifted to Chozu. “Not now.” “What do you mean?” Javek was amazed by the sheer hatred he could see in Anak’s eyes. Anak’s voice was low. “Ask him, my Chief. Ask him to tell you what he said to the Viscacha. Why they’ll fight us to the very end.” Javek shifted his gaze. “Chozu? What have you done?” Chozu’s head spun, and he grasped for something to say. Before he could think of an excuse, Anak was talking again. “He told her she was going to die, that we were going to make it look like an animal attack, and that to make it more convincing, we were going to eat her.” “What?” “There’s worse yet. When I told him it would turn him Feral, he sneered that it hadn’t affected him the last time he’d done it. To one of their children. I guess we know now why they made that effort to drive all the local predators away.” He was grim faced, Chozu glaring at him as he spoke. “We are going to have to fight, and bleed, because as far as the Viscacha are concerned, we are nothing but honourless monsters. We are Souleaters.” ************************************************************* The sun seemed especially bright. She’d hidden away for a couple of days, feeling scared and ashamed. Everyone must know what happened, and she’d been afraid to face a sea of pitying faces. Eventually, Ahni had come to her to scold her for neglecting her duties. ‘You might not be the only apprentice the healer has’, she’d been told, ‘but there’s work to do… there’s been a few injuries during training this morning.’ Ahni and a few of the other young women stood off to the side, pointing and whispering, and Luanne stood with them, but was still quiet. “Look at those hands, think of what he could do with those…” “Never mind his hands, look at his feet. You know what they say, large feet, large…” There was a general chorus of giggling. “Hey Lua-anne,” Ahni asked, “you were out there all night with him. Did you get a chance to, you know, check him out?” Luanne flushed “That’s a horrible thing to say.” “Ooh, I just bet you did,” Ahni said with a big grin, “what’s he like, hmm? Is he big all over?” “I did not, stop saying things like that.” “Hey, he’s taking his shirt off.” Corwyn dropped his dusty tunic to the ground. Training wasn’t going exactly to plan. They weren’t bad, but were pretty rusty. They had little tactical sense, and worst of all, they were poorly armed. Aside from a couple of metal knives, they were mostly armed with spears and bows. The Viscacha thought they’d be able to hold off an assault by raining arrows down on the Pumas, but Corwyn reckoned the Pumas were also likely to use bows, and being larger and stronger, would likely be able to do the same, from a safe distance, to the village. The thought of being trapped in here, with a constant arrow bombardment keeping the defender’s heads down, chilled him. They’d be able to get their forces right up to the walls, and the gate. He heard giggling, and looked up to see the small group. Ahni waved. Corwyn smiled, and gave a little wave back. Ahni sighed. “Ooh, look at those arms. I bet he really is big all over. You think I should find out?” “Shut up!” Luanne was surprised to hear how angry she sounded. “Why Luanne, I hadn’t realized you liked him too” Ahni said sweetly. Luanne glared, but said nothing. Ahni smiled, “Lets go say hello, shall we?” They wandered over to where Corwyn was rummaging through his pack. He pulled out a pale yellow tunic and slipped it on as they drew close. Turning to face them as they walked up they could see a sun symbol, picked out in golden thread and bordered in black, over his heart. “Sol’s Blessings on such a fine day, pretty ladies. Luanne, a pleasure to see you up and about again, I was beginning to worry.” “I wanted to… to… I want to thank you for…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked about nervously. She couldn’t look him in the eye. He’d seen her at her most vulnerable, half-naked on the ground, and she was too embarrassed to look into his sparkling green eye. “You are quite welcome, little one, I’m just glad to see you recovering. How’s the ear?” “It’s fine… um, what’s the design? It’s the sun, isn’t it?” She hastily changed subjects. “Ah, this? Yes, it is. It’s one of the symbols we use to represent my family. Over the heart like this is to grant us courage, and strengthen our will.” Ahni stepped up, and placed her hand on it. “And does it? Give you strength, I mean.” She looked up, steadily meeting his gaze. “Yes. Yes it does.” He gazed back. Ahni’s fur was slightly lighter than Luanne’s but her eyes were much darker. He smiled. Luanne frowned; Ahni was far too familiar with him. “Ahni said something about training?” Corwyn started, stepping back from Ahni. “Oh, yes. Erm, your warriors are somewhat rusty, and I was hoping to give them a few tips.” He scratched his left ear absentmindedly. “Just wish we had some decent weapons,” he muttered, mostly to himself. He yawned, and sat. “More tired than I thought. Must be slacking in my own training.” He stretched slowly, careful not to unsheathe his claws. “And what of your own preparations, Ahni?” “Well, we’re packing up as much of the food as we can carry, and taking only a few personal things. We should be ready to leave by morning.” “Leave? Who’s leaving?” Luanne’s eyes widened, and she felt a sick fear rising. “Why, you are,” Corwyn answered, “along with all the other women, children and elders. We’re evacuating you all to the nearest friendly village.” “I don’t understand,” Luanne said, “surely the Pumas will just follow us if we head there. Not to mention that it’s a two-week journey. Shouldn’t we stay here, where it’s safe?” “We’re not going there, Lu,” Ahni replied, “We’re going north, to a village on the edge of the desert. It’s where Corwyn came from.” “North? There’s a village to the north?” Ahni nodded. “He says they’ll never think to look for us that way if… um…” “If what?” Luanne asked looking at Corwyn. “If we fail to hold them off.” Corwyn finished. She stared. He was looking to the sun, and his voice sounded… resigned. What was going on? Was he expecting to lose? “You… don’t think you can win, do you?” she asked quietly. “That’s why we’re leaving, isn’t it?” He smiled. “It’s just common sense, little one. If you’re all safe, your warriors won’t be worrying so much about loved ones. Should make them less reckless.” She met his gaze. “You didn’t answer my question.” He shrugged. “Never give up hope, Luanne. Every one of us has someone they’ll want to see again. Someone to fight for.” Ahni put her hands on Luanne’s shoulders, and winked at Corwyn. “Oooh, and who might you be fighting for? As if we didn’t already know…” Corwyn laughed, “why everyone, of course, but especially you, most beautiful ladies.” That set off more giggling and whispered innuendo, which died off as he stood up. “You know something? I’m starved. Shall we go grab something to eat, and enjoy a little of the afternoon before we have to get back to work?” Ahni took his arm. “That sounds good. Coming Lu?” Luanne said nothing, but followed silently as the small group headed for the village square. ************************************************************* Activity had continued late into the day, with people packing as much as they could, as quickly as they could. Only now, in the dead of night, were the Viscacha people finally at rest. Luanne, however, found herself unable to sleep. The day had been one of surprises for her. The realisation that she was about to leave her home was one; her angry reaction to Ahni’s harmless flirting was yet another. She didn’t understand it, and thinking about it had kept her awake. She felt a need for fresh air, and so had found herself wandering the silent village, alone in the moonlight. She looked up, her thoughts interrupted by the realization that her wanderings had carried her to the house Corwyn was camped on. Cautiously, she mounted the stairs. He was sitting near the middle of the roof, with his back to her, looking at something in his hands. She walked up, and over his shoulder she could see an open picture frame. There was a portrait of a woman and girl, both with similar markings to Corwyn, and on the right, a child’s drawing of a Tiger with a sword, fighting what looked like a goat. “Um, is that your family? They’re very pretty?” Luanne said shyly. He jumped, almost dropping the frame, and quickly turned to face her. For a moment he just stared, and she could see his face was wet with tears. He turned away, and said nothing. Luanne was wondering whether to ask again, or to leave, when he spoke. “The girl is my sister, Teshia, who should be marrying next month. The other is my mother, Caitlin. She… died some months back.” “Oh, I’m sorry… was… was she ill?” He paused a second before answering. ‘No. She was murdered.” “Oh Gods, I’m sorry…” she stammered. “Don’t be, you aren’t responsible.” “Do you know who did it?” ‘Oh yes.” His voice was hard. “It was my younger brother, who used my sword, and framed me in order to take over as head of my family.” She was stunned. His brother? “But…but why?” “Greed. My family is quite wealthy, and have a great deal of influence back home. He couldn’t bear being second son, and decided to rid himself of the two people standing in his way.” His voice was unsteady, and she could tell he was struggling to stay in control. She knelt behind him, and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. He stiffened. “It’s ok, Corwyn, I won’t hurt you either.” He slumped, hugging his knees, and started to tremble. Luanne shifted to his side, put her right hand on his, and gently rubbed his back with the other. They sat there for some time, Corwyn crying silently, and Luanne holding him. It was dark by the time he stopped. “What was she like?” Luanne asked, still rubbing his back. He took a deep breath. “Much like me, I suppose. Except twice as skilled and half as careless.” “She was a warrior too? “Oh yes.” He sat up straight, and Luanne sat back, hands in her lap. “Probably one of the greatest our family ever saw.” She could hear the obvious pride in his voice. “And as a person? Was she nice?” “To her family and friends she was the sweetest, most gentle and warm person I have ever known. Well, unless you got her angry. But to her enemies, she was totally ruthless. If you were to raise a weapon against her in anger, she would kill you. Simple as that.” His voice changed slightly. As he spoke, it was clear he loved her dearly, but an element of fear crept in. “To be honest, she could be downright bloodthirsty at times, seeking out fights that could easily have been avoided. Sometimes I worry…” He went quiet. After a few seconds Luanne spoke up. “Corwyn?” “Sorry. I’m just a little distracted. Perhaps we could talk about something more cheerful? You, perhaps, or your family? Ah, I know, tell me of this village, and your people.” ************************************************************* It was almost dawn Neither had been able to sleep, and neither particularly wanted to brood alone, so they talked. Awkwardly at first, but slowly they had begun to feel more at ease. From Luanne’s point of view, it was simply that she didn’t know him, and didn’t know what to say. To Corwyn it was slightly more complicated. Whenever he was alone with an attractive woman, particularly one who was clearly interested in what he had to say, he tended to clam up. His mask of happy-go-lucky wanderer slipped, and his more serious side emerged. Between that, a deeply held conviction that any sane woman would avoid a monster like him, and that anyone who didn’t was simply after the family fortune, meant he was usually formal, even shy, around women. Luanne had decided she preferred the ‘real’ Corwyn, the quiet, concerned one who had carried her out of harm’s way, to the chuckling entertainer he had seemed to the majority of her people. On hearing this, he’d laughed, saying that the ‘real’ Corwyn could be a bit much for some people at times, and that the ‘chuckling entertainer’ was more crowd-friendly. And so the night had gone, chatting about everything and nothing. Both had relaxed a great deal in the last few hours. Corwyn knew she wasn’t after him for the ‘family fortune, not that he had one anymore, and that put him at ease for once. And she, in turn, simply felt completely safe with him. She had known from the start that he wasn’t going to injure her, but was half convinced he’d saved her for himself. But he hadn’t tried anything, even hinted at anything. He was even keeping his eyes averted as they sat together, because she was only wearing a nightdress. At least, he did, until she had felt the chill of the night, and he’d wrapped her in a blanket. She felt oddly guilty. As a healer it was her job to look after others, and it didn’t seem right to her to have the role reversed. Corwyn noticed the odd look on her face. “Is something wrong Luanne?” “No… yes… I just don’t want to a bother.” He grinned. “And how many times has the young healer used the ‘that’s silly’ speech when she’s heard that from a patient, hmm?” She smiled weakly. “er… a few, I suppose.” “Well let me tell you a secret… it might be silly, but it’s also pretty normal, especially for someone who’s used to being in control. You’d scarcely credit how much I pouted and raged when I was out of action a few years ago, and all because I’d broken a leg in combat.” She smiled at that. He didn’t seem the type to ‘pout’. “And I’m sure the reason you feel low, and the reason I was angry are the same… You feel it’s your own fault.” She looked away, only to turn back when she felt his hand on her shoulder. “But it’s not…. I used to think, what if I’d swung lower, or dodged left instead of right that I’d have been fine.” He paused a moment. “That if I’d acted on my suspicions that night, and followed my brother…” She bit her lip as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Luanne. ‘What ifs’ never did anyone any good. If I had stopped Marcus, what then? I’d be fine… but you’d be dead. If you’d taken a different route home, or been on your way earlier then you’d be fine… but you wouldn’t know the Pumas were coming…” Luanne reached up, and gently brushed the tear from his face, and opened her mouth to say something. “Why Lu! How wonderfully shameless!” Both of them turned in surprise. Standing at the to of the stairs was Ahni, a huge smile on her face. “And look! You’re both practically naked! Oh, I wish I’d got here earlier…” Luanne pulled the blanket tight around herself. She was acutely embarrassed. Her cotton nightdress draped about her, showing her figure quite well, even if nothing was actually visible. She frowned at Ahni. “Shut up. We were only talking.” “Ooh, I’ll bet.” Ahni grinned, and feigned a swoon. “Oh Corwyn, my brave hero. Sweep me off my feet with your strong and gentle touch…” Luanne curled up, and hid her face in her hands. “Please stop.” Ahni sat by Luanne, and gave her friend a hug. “I’m sorry, Lu, I’m only kidding.” She looked at Corwyn, clad in just his breeches, and winked. He chuckled, shaking his head. “Have you been talking all night?” He nodded. “Pretty much, yes.” “Aren’t you both tired?” “Well, I can’t answer for Luanne, but I am a bit.” He stood and stretched, letting out a yawn that sounded far too much like a growl for Ahni’s liking. “I have to go see Pahu now. Perhaps you and Luanne could get a little rest before you head off this evening.” Luanne nodded, and stood. For a moment she and Corwyn met each other’s gaze. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Take care, little Luanne.” She smiled a little, and he grinned. “And keep the blanket.” “You take care too, Corwyn.” Ahni said. “I’d like a chance to ‘talk all night’ too…” Corwyn burst into laughter, while Ahni was dragged away by a blushing, and muttering, Luanne. He watched them go, then grabbed his tunic. Time to go to work, he thought.