"Domick, I think I love her," Rushton said in a broken whisper later that night by the camp fire.
The look on the coercer's face would have been absolutely hysterical, had it been in other circumstances. It ranged from complete shock that someone who seemed so remote actually had feelings strong enough to admit to, and confusion as to who someone like Rushton could be in love with.
"Maybe you've had too much ferment," Domick said, trying to pry the mug from his friend's hand.
"No, I love her. I know I do, with all my heart," he continued, talking more to himself now, than Domick.
"Why are you telling me this?" the coercer demanded.
"Well I can't tell her!"
"Who is 'her'?" Domick asked curiously.
"Elspeth," Rushton mumbled her name with a kind of reverence that set Domick on edge.
"You mean Guildmistress of the Farseekers?" he inquired to Rushton who nodded sheepishly back.
Domick gazed open mouthed a Rushton for moment, completely lost in thought as to whether or not it was even possible for him to fathom what he has just admitted, or if it was even legal for him to feel that way about her.
"She's a child!" Domick choked out, "Just a girl! Surely you know what you are saying man!"
"So you see my dilemma! Not only is she a mere girl Domick, but she seems to be frightened and in awe of me. However I know, without a doubt, that she doesn't love me," the last four words pained Rushton to say, which was evident in his voice.
Domick stretched out a hand and patted the Master of Obernewtyn on the back, having no words to console the man.
"I can barely control myself around her! Every time I see her, I want nothing more than to be left alone with her, or to take her hand and lead her away only to have my way with her. Domick, what do I do?" Rushton begged.
"You are the Master of Obernewtyn, you have a duty to the misfits here and in the land and so, for now, you must put the ever illustrious Elspeth Gordie from your mind."
"Easier said than done Domick," he murmured.
"What would you have me say? She. Is. A. Child; just a girl. Let her grow into a woman before you go bleating about love to her, like a deranged goat. She probably doesn't even know what love between a man and a woman feels like!" Domick chided.
"You are right, I should be ashamed of myself," Rushton said. Then, drawing himself upt o his full height he said, "I, Rushton Seraphim vow to serve the talents of Obernewtyn, including the Farseeker Guildmistress Elspeth Gordie, until the day I die. I will always put my position first, above everything my heart desires. From now, until forever."
And, Rushton's mind voice added slyly, from now until forever, you will love Elspeth Gordie.
