A/N: And here it is- the latest installment of Briarheart. Thanks for all the lovely reviews, and despite the fact this is a pesky in-between chapter I hope you all enjoy it! If you do, let me know! If you don't, spare my heart!

3 C.V.

Chapter 8- Gratitude

I managed to fall asleep for a while after all, the exertion from the night's events had completely worn me out. I'd learned that fear was the most effective way to cause drowsiness- though I hardly wanted to relive the terror I'd felt again at least it held some benefit.

In the morning however, I was still covered in mud, and I smelled horrible. Even the sheep were keeping their distance, and I didn't exactly blame them. When Ouen arrived at the field as the sun was rising he took one look at me before gasping in surprise.

"What happened to you?" He wondered, his soft voice edged with worry.

"I must look awful," I said, instead of directly answering his question. To be honest I was a little embarrassed at my behavior the night before, and I was quite surprised that Cian hadn't spread the news throughout the village. I could just imagine him saying how foolish Stone Dwellers were, and I couldn't even argue with him- since it was actually true.

"You do, in fact," Ouen said with a kind laugh. "Most of us bathe in the lake by Cian's cave, and as much as I'm sure you are loathe to go over there, I can't help but think that it's for the best given your current condition. Even though Cian's forbidden it I am sure he'll understand," he said.

"I'm not sure that his version of understanding is one that most would agree with, but you're right. I am in desperate need of a good washing. I may as well just go in with my clothes, since they can do with being cleaned as well," I said, grimacing at the prospect of being within a closer proximity to my current nemesis but knowing I didn't have a choice if I ever wanted to smell human again.

"I'll fetch Rhymka and ask her to find you something else to wear. Your skirts are not practical for living in the wilds, and I've a feeling your clothes are irredeemable now anyhow." I looked down at my tattered and muddy dress and I was inclined to agree with him. Mud had dried and caked on top of my skin. When it had been wet, it was a dark, nearly black color, but now that it had dried, it turned ash gray- making me look like one of the ghosts from the stories my sisters had tried to scare me with as a child. Even my hair was colored with it, and I wasn't exactly eager to trudge through the village in my current state. I already made the Shi'ran feel ill at ease, and looking how I did now certainly wouldn't help to turn them in my favor. Besides, I had no guarantee that if I was spotted, I wouldn't be reported to Cian immediately, and I'd no wish to be berated or yelled at by him again. Still however, my desire to avoid him wasn't great enough to deny myself the feeling of being clean.

At least it was a relief to have allies in Ouen and Rhymka. Hoping that I would be able to make it to the lake unnoticed, I followed Ouen's advice and stuck to the outskirts of the village. After making sure I watered the place where the rose stem was buried, I slunk behind the wooden beams and trees that held the houses of the Shi'ran aloft, using them to hide myself whenever I heard anyone approach me. When I finally saw the lake's clear waters, I peered from behind the rather wide and leafy tree I was currently using to shield myself from any unwelcome eyes. I checked to see if there was anyone around, or anyone already bathing in the lake. When it looked as if the coast was clear, I made a dash for it, caring little for propriety when the dried mud was itching my skin and making me scare off small animals with my stench.

The water in the lake was cool and refreshing. As soon as I breached the surface I breathed a sigh of relief. I could see the evidence of how dirty I had been floating around me like a cloud, and so I waded away from it as if I could leave behind the memory of last night altogether. I cleaned every inch of me, and it took an egregious amount of time to remove the mud from my curly hair. My skirts, for I was still wearing them, were hindering my movement, and I longed to take them off. But the lake did not offer the privacy from the opposite gender that the large bathhouses in Mortar did, and so I didn't dare. In the end, as much as I would have liked to stay longer, I didn't want to linger just in case I got caught. I was well aware that I was dangerously close to where Cian lived.

Realizing with a groan that in my hurry to bathe I hadn't brought anything to dry myself off with, I settled on the fact that I'd need to sneak back to the field while dripping wet. I decided just to leave my shoes off, as I'd rushed into the water wearing them as well, and I didn't want to slosh all the way back to the pasture. The sound would have done nothing to help mask my presence.

I began to hear the sounds of people approaching near the lake, and hastily carrying my wet shoes I stuck behind one of the giant trees that lined the lake that served to give it a modicum of privacy. But just as I'd clung to its trunk to avoid detection I heard the whir of air being disturbed right next to me.

Leaping down from one of the trees was a graceful animal. It looked similar to Cian, only it was a golden color, and leaner with many dark spots on its fur. Gracefully, the animal slunk closer to me, golden eyes staring at me dangerously until it suddenly changed into a woman who almost matched the creature in ferocity. I doubted I'd ever get use to the sight of the Shi'ran when they changed. Her body contorted and shifted, fur disappearing and limbs stretching. The only thing that remained constant in her appearance were her glaring eyes, though they had changed from gold to a honey-brown. I winced a little. I was pretty sure that she wasn't going to be as kind as Rhymka or Ouen. Her features were sharp, and her hair was black and long making her look almost as dangerous as her animal form.

"So you are the Stone Dweller that has been the center of gossip lately. I heard you were not permitted to come here," she said. As an introduction it was sort of pathetic. I doubted it was very difficult to identify me, but I was starting to really resent being called a Stone Dweller instead of by my name. Such treatment would only serve to further my alienation in this place, and I could certainly blame Cian for the derogatory name. I wondered if he had told this woman about me, and that was why I was being treated with such hostility now. I supposed I could have tried to counter her with an equally rude retort, and I had nearly a half dozen picked out and ready to be used. Yet I didn't want to act like the ignorant and selfish person that Cian had clearly made me out to be to his people, so I would do my best to be civil.

"My name is Briar, and I apologize if I've bothered you but I truly needed to bathe. Ouen assured me that I wouldn't be in anyone's way at this time," I said, my own tone of voice far too appeasing for my taste.

"I find it amusing how you've befriended Ouen and Rhymka so quickly. It seems outsiders can always find their ilk, no matter where they are," the woman answered, without bothering to introduce herself. Although I've always been put out when people insult or berate me, when the same things are being said about people who I've befriended I've always found it difficult to be accommodating to the one responsible. Considering that both Ouen and Rhymka had been my kindest supporters since I'd arrived to the village I felt the profound urge to defend them both from her words.

"I don't see why they would be outsiders. They are the kindest Shi'ran that I've met so far, and I see no reason for you to speak about them so rudely." So much for my attempt to be a pacifist. I couldn't exactly blame myself however, since it was clear that this woman was set against me from the beginning. I had tried to be nice after all.

"I don't see why you just don't leave this place. Or are you too frightened of the wilds to try?" She taunted, and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Clearly she hadn't heard of my escapades the night before or she wouldn't have bothered saying such a thing.

"You're right, I am frightened of the wilds. Anyone with sense in their heads would be. But I've no intention of leaving until I finish the job that your leader has set out for me," I insisted, surprising myself. I wasn't aware that fulfilling Cian's task had become something I'd fully intended on seeing through. Perhaps I'd only realized such a thing because he'd saved my life the night before. Helping him grow more roses actually seemed a pretty uneven exchange for my life- it was the least I could do for him, whether his task was contrived from his dislike towards me or not.

"Cian only gave you that task because he knew a Stone Dweller like you wouldn't last here long enough to complete it. Since you're not wanted anyway, by him or anyone else, I don't think you have a good enough reason to stay here. Unless you'd like me to have a late breakfast that is. I've always wanted to find out what a Stone Dweller tastes like," she said as she moved too close to me for comfort. Her eyes bore into mine, and her face wore a cruel grin. She was enjoying herself as she tormented me without any justification and I wouldn't tolerate it any longer. If she thought I was afraid of her than she was wrong. Cian was far more imposing, and I'd managed to stand up to him just fine.

I turned my back to her and began to walk away but she grabbed my arm forcefully, infuriating me. Pulling my arm away roughly I glared at her with as much force as I could manage. Compared to her own gaze, I was sure mine wasn't as impressive, but I had to try regardless. But just as I was going to protest her actions vocally a grumble could be heard in the distance.

"Elif, stop giving her trouble and go about your business," Cian's deep voice said. He was standing not too far off on the bank of the lake that was nearest his cave.

"But she came here without permission-" the woman, Elif I supposed, protested. And although she was right, and I was certain he would agree with her, I was entirely shocked with his response.

"I gave her permission. She is not a prisoner here, and has the right to be clean like anyone else. Your task today is hunting, but your prey is not this girl. Move on."

I could tell that Elif respected Cian far too much to disobey a direct order from him, and so without another word excepting a slight cry of frustration, she'd changed into an animal again and stalked off. When she left I spun around, at first grateful for Cian's interference, and then a little bit insulted.

"You should have stayed out of it. How will anyone here respect me if you must fight my battles for me?" I asked him bluntly. He chuffed again, that strange almost laughing sound he made when amused.

" You're as prickly as your namesake Briar, and though you raise a fair point Elif doesn't respect anyone except me," he answered before turning around and heading back towards his den.

"Wait!" I called after him. He turned his great head around to look at me again, his blue eyes curious.

"If you dislike me so much why do you keep coming to my rescue?" I asked. With one, smooth motion, he jumped over to where I was standing so quietly that I barely heard a sound. He hadn't meant for the action to be intimidating, but I still backed away a little.

"I wonder that myself. You are more of a hindrance than anything but I feel somewhat responsible for your safety while you're here, as it is by my own order that you remain."

"Well I'm sorry for that!" I scoffed. The nerve of him. But I was all argued out, and I had no desire to continue speaking with him since it was inevitable that was what our conversation would degrade to. I had no idea why we couldn't just be civil with one another, and so for curiosity's sake I thought I might ask him.

"Why is it that you hate my people so much? What have we ever done to you?"

"Aside from casting the ancestors of the Shi'ran aside to face the wilds alone and then walling themselves up to avoid us you mean?" He retorted, as if it were obvious. Although I admit I wasn't entirely familiar with the whole story I could admit that grudges were certainly warranted.

"But I am not all Stone Dwellers Cian, and the more that you convince your people that I am, the more harassment I am bound to receive while I'm here. You say that you feel responsible for me, then why don't you do something about it? Despite the fact that we don't exactly get along you must admit I wouldn't harm anyone. By isolating me you're only making things worse."

Cian pondered this for a moment, and then acknowledged what I'd said with a great nod of his head.

"Perhaps you are right. Though contrary to what you might believe, much of the rumors about your kind began before I was even brought here. It will take some time for you to be welcome here, even if I should demand it." His answer was fair, and he didn't disagree with me, which was more than I'd hoped , I was disheartened.

"Time and a miracle," I muttered under my breath. Cian's hearing must have been better than mine, since he chuffed with laughter again.

"It might take just that,"

When it seemed our conversation had taken a natural end I was actually quite pleased that we hadn't ended it in anger. Still, it felt as if there was something I was forgetting to say to him, and the thought weighed my heart down even though my pride fought to hold my tongue.

"I meant to thank you yesterday, but I was a little shaken up so I think I ought to just tell you now," I said eventually. The lion cocked his head to the side, amused by the internal battle between pride and manners which was no doubt completely evident on my face.

"Tell me what?" He urged, enjoying his small victory over me.

"Thank you. And you won't be needing to save me again. I've learned my lesson."

"That is excellent news. But I fear I shall have to wait to hear more protestations of gratitude later, for it seems Rhymka is searching for you," he said, obviously seeing or hearing something that my human senses hadn't yet picked up on.

Sure enough, in a moment there she was, running at full speed towards me. Her arms waived furiously through the air as she called out to me, and I was amazed at her level of agility after having suffered such a terrible injury not long ago. Clearly the Shi'ran healing skills were more effective than anything we had in Mortar.

"Briar! When Ouen told me you'd come here I was so worried that you'd gotten into another fight with Cian!" She said while casting her glance at the tail end of the lion. He was currently retreating into his cave again, probably to avoid any chastising from her.

"No, we weren't fighting exactly," I answered, earning a shocked and highly skeptical look in return.

"Then what were you talking about?"

"Let's just say I did something very foolish last night - something that I'd rather not talk about. Your brother, despite his apparent disdain for anyone who has ever lived inside stone walls, saved my life."

Rhymka giggled, the sound like little bells, before she handed me a pile of new clothes to wear.

"Let's hope that it's the start of more peaceful relations between the two of you from now on." It was my turn to laugh. Rhymka's optimism was welcome.

Somehow though, I doubted that peaceful would ever be an appropriate word to describe any relationship between the two of us.