The End of Rain
Chapter 1: The Knight of Longing
by ArchFaith (formerly known as the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
Her heart was breaking, piece by dying piece.
She stood by the door of her temporary abode; the hastily-built cottage near the edge of the river. It was livable, breathable, static. Everything inside was smooth, new-the table, the chairs, the fireplace. The bed. Where destiny lay.
She didn't want to do it. She didn't want to have to go near the bed. She didn't want to pick up what was on the bed. She wished she had never laid eyes on it. Sad, beautiful destiny.
She would have to, sooner or later-deliver it from the bed to the door, and into the world. But just a few more moments; just a little more time.
And those moments could last forever, and in that eternity she-they-all of them? No, only two of them-could live in happiness, could live without the reality that was the truth.
And the truth was that it should've never happened in the first place.
She could hear the rain pounding the wet earth outside, rattling the windows.
(-)
What had she been thinking when she had given in to him? How could she have lost control like that? She had been standing on the helm of the ship in Budehuc, gazing up at the constellations that decorated the night skies. To travel among the stars-only the spirits could do that. If only she could do that...
He had appeared next to her suddenly, greeting her gently. "Hello my lady."
She had scowled. "Good evening, Nash."
He smiled and followed her gaze. How free he looked, how alive-how adventurous! The tight grey military pants, the two-toned green jacket, the dagger that hung around his hips, even the ratty old scarf. Like as if at any moment he could take flight.
"Nice night, huh?" he commented, turning back to her. Dazzling eyes, pinpoints of light.
"Yes, it's a very nice evening today," she answered, returning his gaze. Even though he had been a troubling factor during most of this Flame Champion business, he still had his charm.
He leaned back on the railing casually, stretching. Even through his field outfit she could glimpse his strong muscles, limber for his age.
"Hah...this'll probably be the last night I spend here," he said, not without a hint of reluctance.
"Really?" she replied, with a hint of curiosity. "You shall be leaving?"
"Yup. Gotta hi-tail it back to Harmonia. Sierra's probably wondering where I am by now...if she even noticed I was missing."
"But has she not visited you here?"
He smiled. "Yeah yeah. A little while ago. But my work here is done; I can't do any more for you now."
He was being gentle, calming. He took her hand in his as he moved in closer. "So.I'll be going pretty early tomorrow. I just wanted to say goodbye."
She was distraught. How could he leave-why now? The war was over; the threat was gone. She was settling back into the groove of life, the routine again, slowly. Brass Castle-what was that again? Budehuc Castle was her headquarters now, and as amazing as it seemed, she no longer considered herself a citizen of Zexen. Nor of Grassland. More a citizen of the world at large, free, unbound.
If only she could muster the courage to announce it to everyone else.
And this man had been by her side, to help her-from the moments they had battled, side by side, in Iksay, to her being bestowed the honored title of Flame Champion. Not too far, not too close, but always there to crack a comment or give vague directions. It had never occurred to her that his home was elsewhere-indeed, it had never occurred to her that he existed before they met.
"I see," she replied stiffly. "Your help had certainly been appreciated during the war. I thank you wholeheartedly."
Her hands trembled as he held them.
Was he really leaving? Perhaps she was dreaming. She would wake up and go down to breakfast and there he would be, gossiping with Mamie.
He smiled roguishly. "Thanks, Chris." His eyes were narrowed, the way they always were when people smiled. "I'll come back and visit."
He leaned towards her, to her surprise. His lips found their way in the moonlight; her left cheek received the kiss, soft, airy, with a hint of lingering. Goddess, if only she could return it. But no; she could hold in her emotions. It was part of knightly training, after all-to keep one's thoughts to oneself, in case of consequence.
But the way his forehead brushed softly against her cheek made her forget.
"You couldn't possibly stay for a while?" she asked, drawing back. "A few more days, perhaps? It's so sudden."
He shook his head. "Can't have that. If I stayed a few more days, I'd wanna stay forever."
And why is that, she wanted to ask. What is there for you here? "Well, have a safe journey, Nash."
She found herself going to him, nearer to him, anything to be closer to him! Her hands were against his chest. Stop me, Goddess.
He chuckled. "Don't worry. I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can still whip those monsters into shape! God, I sound like a geezer." His hands were around her waist. "A goodbye hug? My lady, I would've never guessed!"
She embraced him. Her head rested on his taut shoulder; his hand patted her back mildly. "I must admit-I'll miss you a bit."
"Wow...I thought you didn't like me?" he asked mockingly, still embracing her.
"No...no. Thank you for taking me into the Grasslands; thank you for helping me find the Flame Champion; thank you for assisting me in whatever endeavor I undertook."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he repeated, letting her go, to her reluctance. "No thanks to me, Chris. It was all you."
"Ah, but I had my supporters and a slew of others to represent me as well. I could not accomplish it by myself. I had my responsibilities to fulfill." Always humble, always chivalrous.
"Chris," he muttered, drawing her close yet again. His hands cradled her face, as if he were to impart some words of infinite wisdom.
"Be free."
Oh, to be free! Turn me loose, cut these threads, and I can go with you. We can run away.
Wild thoughts ran through her head. To lose this connection, this link, this man who had nothing to do with Zexen, nothing to do with Grassland, everything to do with the outside world?
She couldn't stop herself. Her head moved closer to his-in a moment their lips were touching. Within seconds he responded, kissing her deeply, passionately, as if it would never end. The moon shimmered in the water as he embraced her, her body caught next to his warm chest.
They broke away slowly, looking at the floorboards of the ship as they did. Oh Chris, she thought, you really have gotten carried away this time! To kiss a married man? What immorality!
He turned away from her. "I-I'm sorry," he said sheepishly. "I shouldn't have done that."
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and threw all caution away. "No. I started it. And.I'm not completely sorry."
He turned to stare at her. He probably couldn't comprehend what she had said.
"You..." he began, unable to fill in the space.
She slowly nodded, sure of herself. "Nash...don't go."
He grasped her hand and squeezed. "Chris, I have to go home to my wife...it wouldn't be right. You know..."
"Nash, you've let me see the world from the eyes of a woman, not as a knight. You've been near me during this entire ordeal, and now I find that you've leaving. It's hard for me to accept..."
"Believe me, my lady...it's the last thing I want to do. Really," he assured her, running his hand up the length of her arm.
It was simple; it was pleading; it was totally below her, and she knew it. It was too girlish, too needy, too everything that she was not. But the phrase was quick to say.
"...don't."
"Chris..." He drew close, her head coming to rest on his shoulder once more.
She didn't want him to respond.
"...is there somewhere...we can go...?"
They walked side by side, their hands not touching, as quietly as thieves. Louis was sleeping in her room aboard the ship, so that was out of the question. He shared his lodging with Futch, so that was out of the question.
They went to the inn.
Sebastian had turned in for the night, and with him being so skilled in picking locks, they were into the unoccupied room before Branky could stick her head out of Mel's door.
She could hardly remember what happened next. Only the sounds, the words...the pleasure. Forbidden, but performed. To make love before marriage-with a married man, especially-was a complete moral violation.
Where are your morals, Chris?
Check over there.
And she couldn't leave him, and he couldn't stop, and they couldn't let each other go, and he had to sneak out after she had fallen asleep in order to safely ensure that he could safely make it to Brass Castle before the afternoon of the next day.
She woke up to an empty room, a messy bed, and a note:
Dear Chris,
I really don't know what to write.I still can't believe what happened last night. You knew I had feelings for you, but I wasn't going to act on them. I don't think what we did was right...but I still can't imagine it ending any other way. Think of me...not too much, but not too less,
Nash
"Oh!" A surprised voice issued from the open door. Sebastian was peering inside, embarrassed. "I didn't know you were in here, Lady Chris..."
(-)
The memory faded away as she heard the sharp knocking on the cabin door. No, not yet. Let me remain in that world of passion, when it didn't rain that night.
But she had to answer it. Her destiny awaited the call.
She opened the door.
:tbc:
Note: the second chapter will arrive shortly, no worries. Please review!