My apologies, it's been awhile since the last chapter. Hopefully once summer starts I can really get into the story. I promise this will be the only "walking" chapter I do. :)
Thank you for the review. It certainly was encouraging.
PHEDRE
A short while later we made camp. It had been so long since we traveled on the road that Joscelin and I preferred to avoid the inns. There was something to be said for camping outside.
Erik proved to be very little trouble and even helped Joscelin set up camp while I worked on starting the fire. Erik gave no indication of wanting to discuss the initial shock that we both had felt. He was a mystery. I knew enough to not inquire about his mask or how he came to be in the middle of Namarre so close to where our pilgrimage was.
He was one of mine. Of that there was no doubt. For some reason he was meant to come with us. Judging by his first reaction to us, there was something to fear in this man. There was some inner streak of darkness and cruelty in him, of that there was no question. Whether it was part of his character or the outcome of a difficult life, I had no idea. All I knew was that I was called to him. Perhaps he was in need of compassion.
Later that evening Joscelin and I sat by the fire. Erik had gone off into the woods alone for a time.
"Phedre, where do you suppose he came from?" asked Joscelin. We were lounging against a log watching the flames.
"I'm not sure." I whispered. "I do know there is some purpose in his being here."
Joscelin was quiet for a moment. "I suppose this means that you plan on bringing him home with us."
"That would be the best idea for now." I sat up and looked down at him. "He would be safer with us in the City of Elua than he would be wandering around the countryside; especially if he continues to hide his face behind that mask."
"But love," Joscelin interrupted, "we weren't due back home for at least a year. We still have it with us."
I shifted back against Joscelin his arm once again circling my waist. "Yes, that is so but no-one else knew that other than Hyacinthe. Let us worry about our guest for now. We can always plan another trip."
Joscelin sighed.
"Of course. At least we will be home before winter starts." He kissed the top of my head. "Why don't you go inside and sleep. I can take the first watch."
ERIK
Erik watched Phedre kiss Joscelin before climbing into their tent. She was beautiful. He had always had a weakness for beautiful things. He wondered if she could sing at all. He needed rest for now and perhaps this was the best way. Here no-one was hunting him down; there were no reminders of his sins, of his pain. Here perhaps, he could forget for a time.
He had no idea where he was now and his best chance was to follow along with his new companions. He knew nothing about them but anything was better than the hell he had left behind. Let them take him to their City of Elua.
He ducked into the small shelter he had built and fell asleep.
Over the next few days they slowly traveled towards the capital. He was curious as to why a young couple would choose to travel alone and in the open. When questioned, Phedre only laughed explaining that they had done this so often now that they traveled faster alone than with a group.
"Joscelin trained as a Cassiline so we rarely have to worry about our safety on the road," she explained. After further questions, Erik learned about the brotherhood of men sworn to protect their charges.
"We train from youth to be perfect companions," Joscelin offered. "I was assigned to the house that Phedre belonged to many years ago."
Joscelin still had not warmed to him.
Erik stayed silent for a time. He let his horse follow the others as he studied the land about him. They had met very few people on the road which he quite preferred. He was wary of having too many people about and was grateful that his companions hadn't stopped at any of the inns.
He was surprised that neither of the two had questioned the need for his mask. Often people failed to see past it creating a barrier in all his relationships. When he spoke with Phedre, she looked past that. He had felt something on their first meeting. He wasn't sure what it had been but from that point Erik had felt a strong pull towards her. Even now without looking he knew where she was. It would be foolish to believe she had felt the same. For now he would be content with learning as much as he could about Phedre and Joscelin both.
It was a rare woman indeed, he thought, who would be able to see him for who he was.
One more thought occurred to him.
"You said that Joscelin is your consort."
Phedre, still looking forward, smiled, "Yes he is."
"You also mentioned that celibacy is a requirement of the Cassilines." Erik saw Joscelin begin to grin as well as he looked over towards Phedre. "I'm afraid that I do not understand how that is possible."
"Joscelin is no longer part of the Cassilines." Said Phedre. "It happened many years ago. Perhaps you could explain it better Joscelin."
Having lived a life of forced celibacy, Erik needed no explanations. He noticed the genuine affection between the two and was briefly jealous of what he had missed in life. Once again he thought of Christine and he felt his chest tighten. One chaste kiss was all he had ever known. He had committed murder and risked damnation for her sake.
No, Erik needed no explanations from Joscelin.