As he walked through the deserted cobblestone roads of Creightel, his eyes stared at the ground. His footsteps echoed in the darkness from the steel embroidered plating of his boots hitting the stone surface. No one was about, and even if there was he did not see anyone within the fog that consumed the whole town at night. The small ornate houses were silent and the shutters closed and locked, giving the impression he was all alone. The only remote presence with him was from the full moon looming in the sky and providing his only light source from its dim majestic glow. It felt colder since it was later in the evening, and his breaths grew thicker in the air while his skin shivered from the crisp chill of the September wind.
Trying to keep warm, he folded his arms across his chest to keep them close to his body. His long robe billowed behind at a leisurely sway to meet his quickened steps. "Damn Walter…" he cursed to himself. "He ruined everything! Why could I not say the one thing I meant to say? Catherine must think I'm a fool now, but she doesn't see what I saw in that man…"
Perhaps he was becoming paranoid? He ignored it with a loud huff, almost trying to smile at the mere proposal of being irrational to add on to what many most likely thought of his sudden departure.
"A man named Walter simply shows up, joins my party without permission, and everyone thinks that is acceptable." He found himself recalling the evening that had swiftly turned so very wrong. "Fools! All of them! Walter might as well have been the guest of honor. Why doesn't he just take my place as lord here so that I can leave this accursed village?"
Joachim kicked at a loose pebble on the ground, sending it flying ahead and skittering across in fainted little taps when it bounced over the cobblestone. A low growl vibrated through his throat and he could not help but continue to vent his frustration. His body began to feel numb from the cold, and his teeth chattered softly when he wiped his eyes with his sleeve and gazed at the ground. Another wave of dizziness consumed him and sent him staggering into a wall.
"If only everyone would stop treating me like an invalid." He stopped at the wall and pressed his back against it, and raised his head to stare up at the night sky still vaguely visible within the fog. "At least I was not so gullible to be deceived by Walter. I am far wiser than that foolish tyrant." He grimaced and pushed his body away from the wall, nearly falling over as he continued down the road again. "Ah, he had the nerve even to speculate I am albino! My accursed white hair came from my father's side. Damn Walter…" he continued to mutter to himself, for he had no one to spill his anger to except the night which also seemed to not want to listen.
The cobblestone road continued through until the houses diminished and on either side of the road was a neat wooden fence. Emerald green fields exposed the bleakness of scattered trees and shrubbery that disappeared over the dark mountainous terrain beyond. He eventually caught sight of the familiar building awaiting him near the field on the left side. "Armster Manor…its about time I returned home anyway…" he scanned the large castle-like structure ahead, and when he came about halfway up the path he stopped and walked to the fence. For a long moment he searched the fields, his eyes hardened in the night as he leaned over the fence and whistled a tune into the air. The song carried in the wind, which ruffled his shoulder length straight white hair. Joachim listened intently until he saw a silvery flash appear ahead of him in the field, following a loud rhythmic thumping noise that drew toward him at his bidding.
He smiled and whistled again, making his throat open so it could carry even farther. The thumping over the grass grew steadily closer until the creature appeared within the darkness. Its coat gleamed like silver coins and its long tresses fell gracefully over its neck while its tail flagged in the wind. When it neared him it slowed to a graceful trot, and then to a dance like walk that barely caused a sound to escape into the air. Joachim extended his hand to it, and when it stopped in front of him he breathed easier when he felt its muzzle brush against his palm. "Cojiro." He spoke, and in response it pricked its ears forward and emitted a low whicker from within its throat. Joachim stroked the muzzle softly with his hands, his eyes gazing into the dark orbs of his horse that glittered in the night. The stallion lowered its head to him and moved closer, its onyx hooves stepping over the grass when it swished its tail and brushed its muzzle against his shoulder. "I am so glad to see you tonight. Believe it when I say my party did not go exactly as I wished. At least you're here to listen to me…"
A sigh parted from him, but the horse gave another low whicker when he moved a hand into the pocket of his robe just beneath his armored vest and pulled out a small carrot. He opened his hand and presented the carrot to the stallion, which quickly lowered its muzzle onto his flesh and took the carrot between its soft lips to crunch down on it eagerly.
"People are so easy to manipulate, they even believe in the existence of vampires. What a joke that is! Did you happen to see any vampires pass by along here tonight?" he smiled at the stallion and waited, but what returned him was a deep silent gaze. Joachim chuckled from the reaction and patted his horse's neck. "See! There are no such things as vampires – witches perhaps since the church is obsessed with them, but vampires are merely legendary at best."
He shook his head and leapt onto the fence, where he carefully balanced himself and sat down upon it for a moment. His eyes trailed upward to the starry night sky, and with a sigh he whispered softly.
"If anyone dares to speculate my father died from a vampire I would ensure they never spoke again. Its those damn bats that fly about here; they have been known to attack people. If my father had not traveled home during the night he would not have fallen to such an ill fate."
A strange silence soon swallowed his words. From somewhere he thought he heard a wolf howling. A soft snort escaped through the horse's nostrils and it raised its head to catch the scents of the fields. Joachim found himself doing the same thing, but the crisp air seemed to numb his nose and chill his frail body to the bone. He hated the cold, and most of all he hated the long snowy winters that were common in such a barren region. With winter came plagues and with the plagues came death. Often, during the coldest days of the winter months, he was bedridden from illness. As a child he longed to play in the snow but his father always forbade it. Thus, most of his life was spent looking out frosty windowpanes at a land blanketed in cold and desolate whiteness.
Joachim jumped off the fence and reached out to Cojiro, running his hands over the horse's soft neck. "How about some exercise tonight Cojiro? I bet it would be more fun than that dreadful party." The horse gave an agreeable snort as he climbed upon its back.
"Alright Cojiro." He spoke into the horse's ear. "Lets go. Become as fast as a unicorn, fly over the fields and take me up into the sky! You're still young, you can do it!"
The horse tossed its head up and down as if nodding, an action that always caused him to smile no matter what mood he was in. When he was comfortably seated on its back, he grabbed its mane firmly in his hands and leaned forward. The second he nudged the horse with the steel heels of his boots, the steed tore off across the field toward the manor. Joachim gasped when the wind blew his hair back and whipped at his face, and listened to the loud thumping of Cojiro's hooves hitting the grass. The moonlight illuminated the path, and the horse picked up speed when he cried out joyously in the air and felt his heart lighten somewhat at the feeling of freedom.
Within a few minutes he rode up to the stable and slowed Cojiro down to a slow trot. One of his serfs opened the barn doors to let him inside, and upon entering he dismounted and walked ahead to the stall at the back. Cojiro followed behind, occasionally whinnying to the other horses but always keeping pace with his steps. Joachim's eyes locked on the empty stall and he slid the door open to admit his horse, which walked inside calmly and turned around to face him the moment he slid it shut and reached out to stoke its muzzle again.
"Thank you Cojiro. Walter will return from whence he came and everything will be as it was. I hope the rest of them enjoy that party, since next time I shall host it at the manor where I can do as I please."
The horse whickered to him comfortingly, and with a grim smile he patted the side of its neck and walked out of the stable.
Upon arriving at the gates surrounding the manor, he continued up the path while looking up at the large home he had lived in all his life. It resembled a castle, but without the large spires and towers and had only two separate floors. Surrounding the manor was an elaborate garden with numerous species of flowers that bloomed in the summer. The early frost that month had frozen most of the flowers and made them wilt. The manor's large windows glowed as if welcoming him back. Upon arriving at the manor's arched entrance, Joachim ascended the stone steps leading to large ornate doors.
The moment he reached for the bell to summon one of his servants, the door opened unexpectedly and bowed. "Good evening milord. Please, come inside and get the cold out."
Joachim relaxed as the warmth and familiarity of the manor enveloped him in security. "I would like a cup of tea, please. Also, have someone take the books on the desk in my study to the Solar room. Make haste fetching them, for I have a great deal of reading to do tonight."
"Was your party satisfactory, milord?" The servant asked with a tone of practiced civility.
"I would rather avoid discussing that subject." His brow narrowed and a frown darkened his face. From the corner of one eye he saw the servant shift uncomfortably. Joachim changed the subject, his voice curt so that their conversation would end. "Ensure my books are brought to me."
He did not leave until the servant nodded without replying. The manor was complete with numerous hallways and chambers, and as he walked down one of the larger torch lit halls he glanced at the portraits lining it where generations of Armsters were depicted. All of the portraits displayed men and women wearing elaborate clothing, their faces proud and serious, though the stories he heard about some of his relatives were far from it. One portrait in particular bothered him – it was the largest and undoubtedly the most expensive because it was framed in gold. It was a portrait of him and his father that had been painted when he was ten years old. Joachim remembered sitting in a small red velvet chair, his body statue-like, whilst his father stood reluctantly next to the chair. Lord Armster's right hand was placed rigidly upon Joachim's shoulder, at the painter's request, since the artist had grown rather displeased over the lack of emotion between the father and son. Joachim remembered hearing the painter mutter that 'it was the most solemn portrait he had ever painted since neither of his subjects made nary a smile, like the marbled statues of Greek Gods.'
Except for the faint footsteps of his servants, the entire manor was silent. Joachim gazed momentarily at the portrait, his eyes narrowing upon his father until he forced himself to move on. It was not long before he arrived in the Solar room. A fire crackled in the room's large hearth.
Joachim sank into a chair near the fireplace and gazed into the fire's glowing embers. "That was a complete waste of time." He scoffed. "I should never have gone to that party. As always, I am ridiculed and chastised."
The longer his eyes gazed into the flames, the greater his anger became. Of course, he knew he was simply feeling sorry for himself. Life would never be easy for him. He could not have all the things 'normal' people took for granted.
"Your tea, milord." A maid entered the room and bowed before approaching the table.
As soon as she set the tray down, she bowed again and made a hasty step back, distancing herself from the pale young man. Joachim hated the look in her eyes, which unveiled nothing except loathing and dread while in his presence. He considered scolding her for her sullenness, yet knew such a reaction was unavoidable. It would make no difference if he praised her or scolded her. Either way, her eyes betrayed the fact that she held contempt for him; perhaps even to the point of believing that he was a demon. The name 'white devil' wounded him so deeply that he did nothing except give her an emotionless nod before she turned and left.
Another servant entered carrying a stack of books, his voice tense when he announced. "Your books, milord."
Joachim waved for the servant to set them on the table next to his chair. With an impatient glare, he snapped. "Stop calling me that! Just because my father died recently does not mean I wish to be addressed as a lord yet!"
The servant said nothing in response, only bowing his head meekly in an attempt to avoid the young man's piercing blue eyes. When an uneasy silence filled the room, Joachim released an exasperated sigh.
"Never mind. I am feeling a bit weary tonight. Please, tell the other servants that they may retire early if they wish. I want nothing except peace and quiet for the remainder of the evening."
The servant bowed and swept out of the room. When both servants were out of sight, Joachim heard them whispering on the other side of the wall. The young lord rested his chin in his hand while taking a cup of tea in the other. His eyes drifted to the pile of books on his lap, but were soon distracted by the portrait of his father hanging over the mantel of the fireplace. The painting of his father always seemed cold and cruel whenever he looked at it. Lord Armster's face stared at him unemotionally, expressing only indifference in his eyes.
"Father…" He whispered under his breath. "If only I could have proven my worth. Perhaps then you would understand…"
After a moment, he pulled his gaze away from the portrait and returned to his tea, which rattled in his hand. In surprise, he pressed the cup to his lips, took a small sip. The writings he looked at bore his father's precise and elegant cursive. He skimmed the text with his index finger, absorbed in in his father's writings.
"Joachim…" Upon sighting the figure his eyes widened while she slowly entered the room, her amethyst dress trailing along with her steps as her bright emerald green eyes stared into his.
He was tempted to continue looking at her but instead returned to his book. "I am busy at the moment, Catherine." A soft huff sounded under his breath.
"I see," She replied, a look of disappointment flashing across her face. "Are you too busy to spare a moment with me?"
"Yes." Joachim answered, his voice failing to sound as harsh as wanted it to. "I have a great deal of reading to do. Please, leave me be."
She walked into the room and seated herself upon the arm of his chair. Locks of her thick raven hair fell down her shoulders and back as she twisted a strand of his ivory hair around her finger. "Don't be so childish," She replied. "What is the matter with you tonight?"
Joachim glared up at her soft face with his icy eyes, before he lifted the pile of books off his lap and slammed them onto the table. "Unexpected or not," he began. "That man was a complete stranger. To attend without a formal invitation was improper."
"Lord Walter was merely acquainting himself. Creightel does not receive travelers very often and it is respectful to be courteous and hospitable to another lord."
Joachim scoffed and rolled his eyes, tapping his fingers against the other arm of the chair while he shifted to distance himself. Catherine simply leaned over toward the table and swiped a sugar cookie from the plate. "Of course." He added in while his eyes locked into hers. "Whenever a stranger appears and claims to be a lord, I will be sure to keep that noble thought in mind."
Catherine returned his glare, teasingly flicking a few crumbs from her cookie at him. "What is that supposed to mean?" she inquired, staring expectantly at him.
A small smirk creased the corner of his lips as he pilfered the cookie from her hands; flicking crumbs back at her. "I would no more desire an uninvited stranger at my party than I would in my manor."
"Don't be so uncongenial," She persuaded. "I am sure Lord Walter meant you no ill will."
Joachim brushed a strand of his hair away from his face, and soon after his hand clenched into a fist that squeezed tightly when her eyes blinked at him several times and she leaned back to continue her wordless stare.
"Lord Walter? Why do you address him by that title? You have no proof that he told you the truth!" Her eyes locked onto him with sheer disagreement; all the while he took a small nibble of his cookie before he flicked the rest of the crumbs at her.
"Of all the nerve…" Catherine exclaimed. "Lord Joachim Armster, do I get the impression you are jealous?"
"Hardly." He picked up the plate and offered her another cookie."Since what he claims is not tangible, and even if it were, I would not bother to focus my concerns on him."
His smirk faded and he reached to take the teacup again. "You give such perfect answers." She added almost spitefully and took a small bite from her cookie.
"Don't be ridiculous." He noticed he emitted his words more harshly than intended. Catherine shook her head and moved to get off the arm of the chair. His hand flew to her wrist and touched it, making her pause.
"If this is all you wish to discuss than perhaps I should leave you alone to brood, my melancholy Joachim."
"Catherine, I meant nothing by it." his hand slowly clasped tighter around her wrist. When he looked up again, she shifted in place.
"Very well. I will stay for a little while longer."
Joachim gazed at her softened expression, seeing the dim reflection in her eyes and the long falling curls of her ringlets settle against her soft skin. He released his hand from her wrist, gasping when she suddenly took it in hers and cupped her palms around it.
"Joachim…" she whispered gently. "I think I am the one in need of an apology."
His eyes bore into hers and were unable to blink until he managed to cough out a question. "What do you mean?"
At first she merely continued to gaze at his surprise worn expression though when the silence began to be unbearable her eyes diverted to the portrait above the mantle of the fireplace. "Today was an important day for you. You are to be lord over this manor and our village. It was such a sudden title to claim …"
The youth's eyes froze on her. With an uneasy sigh, he whispered. "Somehow it did not seem sudden enough. I know my father did not want me to inherit his estate. A weak and sickly creature such as I was a failure in his eyes."
Catherine leaned closer to him, her fingers stroking his hair comfortingly. "Everything will be fine." She reassured. "Even under such unexpected circumstances you will prevail. There are many in Creightel who admire you."
A slight smile crossed his lips. "Does that include you as well?"
Catherine chuckled, her smile so joyful that his mood lightened. "Of course, Joachim. Once you manage to control that temper of yours, I am certain many more shall like you."
The way she gazed at him made it impossible for him to detect the true meaning of her words. "What happened to Walter, anyway? Did the 'lord' return to his castle?" Joachim inquired, his face contorting into a sneer of disapproval.
The sudden change in subject made her eyes widen with astonishment. "Always asking questions aren't you?" she replied, chuckling. "Lord Walter offered to escort me here, and I accepted it. It was kind of him to go out of his way for my sake. I remember he mentioned that your estate was quite breathtaking. He also expressed a strong inclination to see you again at your convenience, of course."
Joachim leaned father back in his chair. "Breathtaking? Really, I never imagined Armster Manor to be breathtaking. Why would you trust him to escort you here all alone…"
"You are overreacting again. I thought we already finished this topic? Besides, I can look after myself. Why not trust an honorable lord like him?"
He darted out of his chair and placed a hand over his forehead. "I know." He replied. "However, don't I have the right to question what took place at my own party during my absence?" his lips firmed when her eyes of emerald green locked with his of pale blue and their irises froze to reflect mutual glittering of dispute.
"For being at a social event, you certainly were not socializing."
Her harsh remark nearly caused his mouth to gape, but he kept his jaw firmly sealed until he murmured under his breath. "I was trying to. If it were not for Walter…" his voice trailed away and the second he stopped her eyes narrowed.
"If you are going to say something at least say it so I can hear!" When no answer escaped through his pursed lips her eyes narrowed but then softened when he turned away and gazed out one of the windows at the night. "It was your party…and since you did not enjoy yourself your displeasure is understandable. Perhaps this will lighten your mood?"
"What?" he turned and saw her dip her hand into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a small object wrapped in mauve colored cloth. "What is that?" he inquired and stepped toward her when she hopped off the arm of the chair and held it out to him.
"It's a surprise. Take it and you will see." A smile spread across her lips and her eyes twinkled with growing hint when he took the object from her hands and held it in his. From within the silk cloth he heard a small jingle.
"You know I am too old for toys, Catherine." He grinned teasingly while unwrapping the cloth. "You did not have to get me anything; I already received many gifts from my guests." Under his breath, he added. "Your presence is enough of a gift…" her eyes blinked several times at him in anticipation, and when at last the cloth was separated his eyes widened and fell upon the object in his hands. "Oh…Catherine…" his voice quivered slightly and he touched it with his fingertips, his eyes slowly adjusting to the stunning crystal before him. "This…is this a crystal? I can't accept something so valuable -"
"Please take it." Her voice cut in softly and she stepped toward him as he admired the crystal strung by a glittering jeweled chain. "If anyone is to have it, then I want it to be you and no one else. Consider it a present from a childhood friend who has not forgotten the years of happiness we shared together." He gazed at the object until she reached for it and lifted it out of his hands, before placing it around his neck and resting her hands against his chest to gaze at his face with her warm smile. "I know you probably received gifts of greater use and value, but someday soon these events will become memories. I wish that to not be the way it must, but…some things can't be prevented." Her lips formed as if to continue, but only silence filled the room while she gazed at him for a long moment. Then, as if conjuring the right words, her voice softened so much she could barely be heard. "They say some crystals protect those who wear them from evil. I fear what Maurizio spoke of concerning vampires. I hope that you will never have to use it."
"Catherine, you know vampires don't exist. They are figments of our wild imaginations that the church uses to spread fear. I thank you for this gift, though…" His voice could not help but soften equally with hers, and his hand mechanically trailed to the object strung around his neck and clasped it securely.
Catherine did not relent from looking at him once, even as another silence ensured while only their breaths filled the room. "Well," she replied, at last breaking their silence. "There is no use standing around like this. I am glad you like your gift, even if you claim to not be superstitious. I am sure vampires exist, and if there is one near Dalwood then that explains many things just as Maurizio said-"
"Oh come now," Joachim laughed, his eyes glinting in amusement. "You know Maurizio exaggerates. I fear nothing because I don't have to, as long as I wield a sword then I will let that handle things for me."
He grinned at her and held his head high, but she merely stuck her tongue out at him and flopped down into one of the chairs at the small table. "There no shame in being afraid, and even when I was younger don't you remember when I used to refuse to play after sunset? I hate the dark and I always will."
Their eyes locked again, and he brushed away a strand of his silken hair and unable to prevent another small smirk from crossing his lips when he replied. "I have always known that about you, but keep this in mind: Don't be afraid of the dark, be afraid of that which dwells within it. If there is anything that is found in darkness, then I plan on waiting to see what it is. If it means me harm, I will simply kill it."
"I doubt a vampire would be something so simple to kill." Her eyes lingered on him again, but then drifted down to the readied chessboard. "How about a game? Vampires make me uneasy, so if you're into testing your skills then fight me in chess and we'll see how skilled you truly are."
Joachim rolled his eyes and looked at the chess broad, where his side of the board was donned with black chess pieces lined neatly in front of him to make even rows along the checkered board. For a moment he considered her request, and granted it by moving a pawn on the board. "Another simple victory will do me good on a evening like this."
She frowned at him and moved one of her knights over the board, as her eyes glanced away from her chess piece and at his smiling expression. "Don't be overconfident! This time I will give you a good round to set you straight and perhaps calm that little ego trip of yours."
"Ego trip? Not likely, considering every time you and I play, I always win. I suppose it comes with my skills as a swordsman." He chuckled when she nearly bolted out of her chair, but instead turned her head away to look out the window.
"Braggart." She muttered just audibly enough for him to hear, and meeting her word with a sharp glance when he moved another of his chess pieces across the board.
"The reason why you lose is because you don't put enough thought into your moves. Chess is a game of strategy, and so one must think in order to win."
Her reply was a loud huff, and she moved another of her chess pieces over the board and directly into a trap Joachim had set for her in ambush. "Are you saying I don't think?" she accused.
He smiled. "Yes, I am now. Checkmate."
"How can this be? I hate this game anyway. I almost wish we could relive those days of our youth playing hide and seek. That game is more fun than this strategic nonsense."
With another huff she folded her arms across her chest and turned her head away again to allow tendrils of her thick ringlets to fall down her shoulders and bounce whenever she moved. Joachim continued to keep his smile played across his lips. "Stop whining. I beat you just as easily at hide and seek as I do at chess. Besides, we are too old for games like hide and seek now, so chess is a wonderful alternative. Tonight only proves it." His thoughts once again began to drift back to the party.
His smile faded when she resumed looking at him again, her eyes glistening in the moonlight streaming through the window next to them. "You have matured so quickly. I feel as if I have been left behind to always remember those days. You and Walter seem to have a lot in common, serious yet still always bemused by others around you."
"Walter and I have nothing in common." He nearly snapped after she made her move he made his in turn, and firmly slammed one of his knights on the board. Catherine shook her head, her eyes diverting to the black and white tiled board for a moment when she continued.
"I think Lord Bernhard is a gentleman. His red hair is quite a lovely sight – no one else around here has hair so gorgeous. Then there is his armor; it matches perfectly with his hair and his smile is so uplifting…and not to mention his thrilling stories …"
As she spoke he blocked out her words in his mind, musing thoughts over the game in progress. In focus his eyes locked onto his chess pieces and surveyed the board, and although his next move had already been decided he merely occupied himself by keeping his gaze there and away from her dreamy expression. "…Lets not forget the way he dances. Joachim, are you even listening?"
"Hmm?" his eyes darted up from the board as she gave him another reproachful glance and moved one of her remaining pieces on the board quickly.
"Perhaps a little ear training will do you good. What am I to do with you? Did slapping you when we were little do absolutely nothing?"
Joachim rolled his eyes and pressed a hand against his cheek, smiling slightly when he remembered. "I do not know, but I would prefer not to feel that again. You slapped quite hard!" A giggle parted from her lips, and whenever even the faintest sound like that emitted from her Joachim noticed her whole face seemed to light up with it. Her eyes drifted away from him to observe the board, and when he took out another of her pieces she shook her head in dismay.
"Ah well…maybe your right on this whole chess idea. You're the warrior not me, so it only makes sense for you to be the victor. Since I am going to lose again anyway, I might as well take a graceful exit so I do not have to see that satisfied smirk you always wear when you win."
She slid her chair back and slowly rose, and with her Joachim got up and stared as she smiled at him and brushed her hands over her dress to smooth out the wrinkles in its amethyst fabric. "You're leaving already? We are in the middle of the game, how can you just retreat like that?" he folded his arms across his chest and continued to stare expectantly, but she waved him away and began to walk from the table to the door. Her steps sounded softly over the carpeting, and he watched the way her graceful form moved as if mimicking more grace than an angel of heaven.
"I am tired." She began, her voice softening to prove her point. "Besides I think we have had enough 'battles' for one evening. My father is expecting me home soon." She turned her head and looked over her shoulder, giving him a gentle smile.
"Very well." Joachim returned her smile and bowed, his white hair splaying against his ashen cheeks. The young man's pale, blue eyes gazed at her softly. "May I walk you home? Since you are afraid of the dark, you will need a lord to protect you."
"I think I can manage milord. Walter already told me I have nothing to fear, and I intend on proving that by walking alone tonight."
Joachim's eyes widened as he stepped toward her insistently, his lips curling into a scowl of disapproval. "Catherine! You…you should not do that at this hour. It is not safe, even in Creightel-" he stopped when she whirled to face him and raised her eyebrows in satisfaction.
"Whatever happened to the lord who feared nothing? If there is no such thing as vampires, why are you so worried? If you find no reason to worry, I should not either."
Joachim followed her to the doorway, unwilling to let her leave so easily. "Are you certain? It is no trouble, I insist on escorting you home." His words barely parted from his lips, but he was not surprised when she shook her head and gave him a subtle wink.
"I will be fine, and I will not worry so long as you get some rest tonight. You look more tired than I, and it pains me when you do not take your health seriously enough. Please just try to sleep and not push yourself beyond your capabilities."
"…Of course Catherine…" he forced a smile in return and took a deep breath into his chest, heaving beneath his armor when another wave of dizziness swept through his body. He managed to pretend like nothing occurred, for the last thing he wished was for her to worry before she departed.
When she chuckled and gave a formal bow, he listened to her still contented words. "So stubborn. Well, I thank you for sharing your evening with me. Good morrow Joachim – or I should now say Lord Joachim Armster."
With a sweep of her dress, she turned and walked briskly from the room, and he listened to her steps slowly fade down the hall until at last he stood in silence and alone. His anger over the evening still coursed fresh through him, but dulled considerably in her presence.
With a hand clasped over the crystal, he smiled, turned and swept out of the room to bed for the night.