As Ana and Nate approach the door of the cottage, Nate slows. He stops, turning to face her. Her brows raise and he smiles, his eyes moving over her fair features and bright blue eyes as if trying to commit her face to memory.
"I wish I could help you more." He says, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "If I could go with you…" He trails off.
She offers him a sad smile. "I know."
A brief silence falls between them before the door suddenly opens. Alistair stumbles out, a blush sweeping across his cheeks as he sees them. His eyes fall on Ana.
"I was just about to come find you." He blurts out. "Much was whining and looking for you."
Just as he says this, Much nudges his way past Alistair and bounds toward her excitedly.
"I was just giving her a tour of the farm and catching up." Nate says, shooting her a smirk. "My apologies. With your current circumstances, I should have said something so you wouldn't worry."
Alistair glances at Ana and his cheeks burn. "It's fine... I know she's with somebody trustworthy."
Ana rolls her eyes and the lad continues as his brows draw together. "While we appreciate the food and clothes you've provided us, we should really be heading back to our camp."
Ana lets out a sigh. "He's right." Alistair's brows shoot upwards in surprise and she ignores him. "Our presence has already put you at risk as it is."
"At the very least, I'd like to meet up tomorrow morning before you two head out." Nate says, his eyes moving between them. "I'd like to help you get supplies for your journey and see you off, if that's alright?"
Alistair opens his mouth to respond, but Ana beats him to the punch. She reaches out to touch his hand. "Thank you. We'll take all the help we can get."
Alistair watches them for a moment before clearing his throat.
Ana lies wake, listening to the quiet breathing coming from the opposite side of the tent mixed with Much's snoring beside her. Over and over, she replayed what happened between her and Nate in the barn. She could still feel the warmth of his breath on her neck as he thrust inside her, the feel of his chest hair against her own bare chest. She touched her lips, recalling the feel off his lips on hers when her thoughts changed. She surprised herself as she thought back to how Alistair's lips felt against hers and felt her heart flutter. She bit her lip, looking off into the darkness where Alistair was fast asleep.
She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks as she thought of the difference between her friend and brother-warden. Nate was so gentle yet confident when he kissed her. It was comforting in a way. Yet while Alistair was reluctant in his inexperience, there was something urgent about the way his hand had moved to her lower back to pull her closer to him.
Had she not pulled away, what would have happened? Would he have lost his nerve and pulled away, regardless? The thought of him boldly taking the lead was curiously enticing to think about. Ana bites her lip, imagining Alistair's lips moving from her lips to her jawline and slowly moving down along her neck…
Alistair groans nearby and brings her from her thoughts. The early morning light had begun to seep through the old canvas of the tent, and Ana quickly pushes the thoughts from her mind. As Alistair groggily sits up and rubs his eyes, Ana quickly shuts hers.
A groan escapes Alistair's throat, his eyes opens, and he looks over at Ana. The faint light from outside had illuminated the canvas enough to reassure him he hadn't awakened her. As another snore emits from Much, he smiles to himself.
As he silently dips out of the tent, he yawns and takes a moment to stretch and glance around at the other refugees who were also rousing from their sleep and beginning to start their day.
Following an older man as he headed down to a small part of the river running through the gate surrounding the town, his face reddens as he catches sight of a young woman about his age wading through the water, her worn shift transparent.
"Enjoying yourself?"
The familiar voice makes Alistair practically jump out of his skin, making a cackle arise out of Morrigan.
"I was coming to clean my clothes." He mutters, embarrassment burning through him. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."
"You should be more aware of your surroundings." She counters.
He shoots her a glare before carefully removing his boots. "Where have you been, anyway?"
Leaning against a nearby tree, she shrugs nonchalantly. "While you were slumbering- quite loudly, I might add-I was out procuring us something to eat."
"Robbing more innocent people?" He mutters, wincing as he wades into the cold water.
She sneers and with a flick of her wrist, she expels a small gust of wind that pushes him forward. Caught unawares, Alistair falls forward, chest first into the water with a surprised cry. Ignoring the suspicious glances from the people nearby, she smirks.
"Remember to walk cautiously, Alistair. 'Tis slippery underfoot."
He glares at her as he stands before her, dripping and deeply unhappy. "Thanks." He growls, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Meanwhile, Nate and Bethany make their way through the town toward the gates, arms filled with old clothes for the two Wardens.
"I really hope Ana and I are the same size." Bethany says cheerfully. Nate nods absently, his mind preoccupied with the previous night's events.
"What do you think, Nate?"
Pulled from his own thoughts, he stops. "Hm?"
Noticing his far off stare, Bethany frowns. "Are you alright? You're quieter than normal. Is it because Ana is leaving soon?"
He meets his sister's eyes and offers her a smile. "I need to pick up something here," He motions to the shop across from where they stand. "You can wait outside. I'll only be a moment."
Bethany's eyes travel over to the herbalist shop and her thin brows knit together. "Are you ill? We have plenty of herbs at home. I can brew you some tea when we get back."
He chuckles. "I'm fine, Beth. It's for Ana."
Before Bethany can ask further questions, Nate quickly dips inside the shop.
Incenses burn at the corner of the small shop, basking the room in the relaxing scent of lavender and jasmine. An elderly woman stands behind a small stained counter. She looks up as the door opens and smiles. "Ah, Nathan. A pleasure as always."
"Miriam." Nate greets.
"To what do I owe this little visit? I wasn't expecting any herb deliveries from your mother today."
Nate strides up to the counter. "No deliveries today. I actually come for something of a more personal nature."
Outside, an anxious Bethany switches from one foot to the next before finally giving in to the curiosity. Tucking her bundle under her arm, she carefully cracks the door open and peeks in. The darkness takes a moment to get used to, but finally she makes out Nate's form. She strains to listen in.
"Oh?" Miriam's light brows raise curiously. "Is your family alright?"
"They're fine." He nods, his patience running thin. "I was hoping you would have something that would help a friend of mine. You see, she needs to… prevent something."
Miriam frowns. "Prevent what? You'll need to be a bit more specific, my boy."
Nate sighs. "I need something my friend can take to prevent conceiving a child. My child."
Bethany's eyes widen and she almost drops her bundle.
"Oh!" Miriam's brows shoot up. "I see…"
"I don't want to risk her health or wellbeing." He quickly explains. "She's dealing with so much right now that it wouldn't be right to subject her to carrying a child, especially mine. As you well know, there's a high likelihood that such a child would inherit its father's... abilities."
Miriam nods sympathetically. "These are unsure times we live in." She mutters. She turns away from him to look at the store of vials on the shelves behind her. Finally, she finds what she's looking for and turns around with a small glass vial in her hand. She carefully sets it on the counter between them.
"Extract of witherstalk. This must be taken no later than 3 days after intercourse. If taken beforehand, it will prevent a pregnancy from occurring."
Nate glances down at the dark brown liquid in the vial. "Will she feel anything?"
"Only if taken after the time I told. Mild cramping and spotting will occur but nothing more. Otherwise it's painless."
Nate nods. "How much?"
The old woman shrugs. "For all your family has done for me and my daughter, take it."
Grabbing the vial, he nods. "Thank you, Miriam."
Noticing her brother walking toward the door, Bethany quickly leaps away from the door.
"Ready?" He smiles at her, tucking the vial into his pocket.
She quickly nods. "Yes." She says, unable to meet his glance. "Find what you needed?"
He nods. He notices her avoiding his gaze but sets it from his mind for the moment and smiles. "Let's go find the Wardens."