29 – Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx

The dark sky was just beginning to turn a light shade of orange, signaling the start of a new day. Cara just lay in bed for a few minutes. She hadn't slept well last night. The dream just kept her wondering and wishing she could go back to sleep. Cara closed her eyes, but instantly opened them again.

She had to get up. It was a new day and Vanora needed help in the tavern. Just because she hardly slept didn't give her the excuse to stay in bed. There was work to be done. Cara pushed herself up on the heels of her hands and winced when she forgot about her injury. Surprisingly it didn't hurt as bad as she thought it would.

Cara rubbed her face and tried to blink away the weariness. For a moment she felt a slight adrenaline rush, but it soon passed and Cara was once again too tired to move. She needed to get motivated. The blonde woman forced herself to get up and walk to the wardrobe.

A scarlet dress stood out and Cara grabbed it. She swayed as she tried to shimmy out of her night clothes and into the dress. Cara glanced back at the bed. It seemed to be calling to her, telling her to come back to bed. For a moment, Cara actually considered it, but soon waved the thought off. She brushed her hair and when she was satisfied with her looks she left for work.

The hallway was empty and the road to the tavern wasn't as busy as usual. The carts were only just beginning to line the streets. Cara drew her cloak tighter as she walked. The air was cold and she couldn't imagine being out in it all day. The icy wind whipped around, tossing her blonde hair.

She cast a glance at the gates. There was a tiny piece of her that had expected to see her brothers returning home, but her heart fell when she realized it had only been a day. The wind whipped again and Cara couldn't resist looking at the cloudy sky. To her relief there was no sign of rain or snow.

She walked solemnly into the tavern. Vanora had already started filling pitchers and wiping down the counter and tables. Last night had been a tiring one and neither one had the strength to clean up entirely.

"Cara," Vanora greeted, somewhat cheerily. The blonde woman returned the greeting with a smile.

"Morning, Van," she said, using the woman's nickname. She grabbed a cloth from under the bar and began to wipe down the nearest table that Vanora hadn't cleaned yet. It was quiet for a moment each one simply focusing on their individual tasks.

Cara was slow at doing her job and it didn't go unnoticed by Vanora, much to Cara's dismay. "Are you feeling alright, dear," she asked, worried.

"Vanora, you sound like a mother hen," Cara laughed in a joking manner. Vanora laughed slightly, but continued to watch the younger woman. Cara was only two years younger than Vanora. Somehow, the redhead seemed to think Cara was younger that what she really was.

The woman stopped a second time when Cara was still working on her first table. Vanora knew something was up and she was going to find out what was wrong. Cara looked up at Vanora with a puzzled expression on her face. She wished Vanora wasn't so perceptive. Nothing ever got by her and Cara had a feeling she was either in for a long lecture or going to be sent back to her room for rest. Cara wasn't in favor of either option.

Looking at Vanora had been her downfall. The Irish woman saw Cara's tired bloodshot eyes and the dark circles beneath them were hard to miss. "Did you get any sleep at all?" Vanora asked, dropping the cloth onto the table and putting her hands on her hips. Cara didn't dare look away from Vanora.

"Some," she responded dryly. At least that was the truth. True, she hadn't gotten much, but she did get some.

"How much is some?" Vanora inquired. She just would let it go. Cara sighed and looked away from the woman. "Cara?" Vanora sang, seeming to remind Cara that she was still there and waiting for an answer.

"A few hours," she responded. Again her answer was too vague for Vanora and she continued to question her.

"How many?" she asked coming to stand beside her. Cara debated whether she should lie to her or tell her the truth. A lie would get Vanora off her back, but it might make Vanora think she was ill. Telling the truth would just get her into deeper trouble.

"Two or three," Cara responded truthfully. Vanora was about to say something, but Cara was quick to cut her off. "But I'm fine, Van, really," she said quickly, hoping Vanora would just let it go. She didn't. In fact she looked furious that Cara was even here.

"Cara, you need to rest. Now please go back to bed. I can manage for a few hours."

"Vanora, I really―"

"Stop," Vanora ordered sternly, holding up her hand. "You may look fine, but if you don't rest those wounds won't heal," she explained, lightly touching Cara's back. Cara lowered her head for a moment and then looked Vanora in the eyes.

"I know you're worried for me, Van, but I can manage," she reassured softly. Vanora shook her head at the Sarmation. She knew there was no getting through that thick skull of Cara's. Cara wasn't going back to bed and there was no way Vanora could force her without the knights here.

The day went by just like any other. The tavern got busy around noon late afternoon. Cara served drinks and food and of course was forced to sit on several laps, but they never lasted more than a few seconds. She wasn't the common tavern whore after all. Cara had been running around all day and finally the energy ran out.

"Cara, go home," Vanora urged, as they met one another back at the bar for refills. For once Cara didn't argue. She was exhausted and the thought of finally being able to lie down was something she just couldn't resist any longer. She nodded at Vanora signaling she was leaving. "And you get some rest tonight ya hear?" she called after her. Cara waved it off and headed back to her room.

One her way back she decided to make a quick stop at the wall. She wanted to gaze out over the land. She wanted to see if she could see the knights or any sign that they were near. She had forgotten about them until now. The tavern had been busy and Cara was too tired and too busy working to remember why the knights' familiar table was empty.

She found a suitable place and looked out at the darkened world that lay beyond the wall. The roman guards passed her as they paced the wall. Cara felt a strange sense of Déjà Vu. As if on cue she saw dark shadows coming towards the wall. Cara didn't pay attention to what the guards were yelling.

She only cared if it was the knights or simply a group of travelers. She counted the silhouettes. One, two, three….yup there were seven. Her heart lifted as the figures came closer. She recognized Tristan out in front simply because of the hawk that rested on the knight's arm. They were home. Her brothers were home at last.