Usually, Thancred preferred to stay in camp for the evening, putting together his notes and using them to file his reports on the state of the Garlean countryside - not that those reports ever said much more than 'there were bandits, now there are not, the people need food and supplies'. The people of these small towns out in the wilderness tended to be suspicious of strangers - especially strangers who lacked the Third Eye. While the gunbreaker had no trouble fitting in, it was hard to get anything out of a close-lipped populace who doesn't trust you.
But this evening, he was tired of his own cooking, tired of the chill that invaded no matter how many layers of furs he bundled into. With Urianger involved in whatever scheme Y'shtola was hatching back in Sharlayan, the gunbreaker found himself alone, without the usual warming spells the astrologian brought to their partnership, and he didn't much like it.
So he found himself trudging into town, a mining pick thrust over his shoulder and a warm cap pulled low over his head to hide the fact that he lacked the Garlean Third Eye. As long as no one made him take it off, he could pass for a local prospector with no problem. The gods knew they were plentiful enough; with no local industry to speak of with the countryside still in ruins after the wars and the Final Days, most of those who remained in the area instead of migrating towards Camp Broken Glass were prospectors and hunters seeking the bounty of the earth.
Though he'd never been in this particular town before, it wasn't hard to tell where the inn was - like most of the small frontier towns in Garlemald, the inn was the largest building in the square, lit up in the darkness and slowly filling with the day shift as they trickled in from their claims. Thancred claimed himself a table in an out of the way corner, smiling at the barmaid as she bustled up to take his order. Her return smile was a bit warmer than necessary, and he felt a vague temptation to follow up - but only a mild pull. Bedding her would mean taking off his hat - and trying to explain all of the extra weapons he had secreted away in his gear.
And, truth be told, he'd lost much of his taste for random encounters during the five years he'd been on the First. Toting Ryne across Norvrandt and avoiding the few populated areas to keep her safe had ensured his chances of finding a partner were few and far between, and once the Warrior of Light had joined them - well, things had gotten exciting.
And now? Well. It just never felt right.
When he didn't respond, she gave him an irritated look and flounced away. It didn't take long for him to realize he might well have made a mistake; there were suspicious eyes on him, no doubt wondering why such a strapping young man was refusing the services of a willing woman. "Shit," he muttered to himself, rubbing at a whorl in the stained wood of the table.
The flutter of stares against his shoulders continued, even as he felt the common room settle down once more. Half-tempted to get up and leave, he continued to worry at the whorl and wait on his food - certain it would take twice as long now that he'd managed to screw things up. At least it afforded him time to listen to the locals - though much of what they spoke of revolved around their efforts to find one of the veins that ran through the Eblan Rime through here.
"Tadius went out t' check on them bandits," one older gentleman said as he dipped his spoon into his bowl. "He found their camp, a'ight, but every last one of 'em was stone dead, shoved off in th' snow, and all their loot was neatly piled in the middle as if awaitin' for him. Seems like our Shadowwalker done struck again."
There were approving rumbles around the table. "Sure would like t' meet him an' shake his hand. Anyone as rids us of the kinda nasties he's been killin' can't be too bad."
Thancred didn't so much as crack a smile. It would be nice to trade off of his reputation, but he and Urianger had long since agreed that any help they gave to the populace had to be silent and secret. The Garleans needed to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, not feel beholden to any Eorzean. At the same time, the kind of bandits and creatures that preyed on the mining settlements tended to be too much even for the burly denizens of these towns to overcome.
Hence his role in all of this. Sighing, he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, resigned to wait half the night for his inadvertent insult to the barmaid. He closed his eyes and dozed lightly, still listening to the conversations around him. Abruptly, something was set down upon his table. He looked up, expecting to see his stew, but the area before him was empty.
One of the chairs scraped back and someone settled beside him. He looked up, wondering if Urianger had come after all - but the woman who looked back was significantly smaller than the elezen, with lavender-rimmed eyes set in an indigo skinned face. She grinned at him and pushed the tankard before her in his direction. "Poor dear, bein' ignored by the barmaid again, are ya?"
The local accent sounded odd in her soft, breathy voice - he was used to her diction being much clearer and crisper, sounding far more erudite and, well, almost Sharlayan. "I'm afraid I insulted her - though I didn't mean to." He was a bard and acting was second nature, but he found it difficult to let go of his scholarly speech. He knew why. He'd spent far too long learning not to be a wharf-rat.
"Hmm." Kal'istae Miurani, Warrior of Light, shook her head at him and reached out to pat his arm. "Well, I'll thank you for bein' loyal, at any rate, even if she feels th' sting. Can't blame her," she added, teeth flashing against indigo skin as she offered him a cheeky grin.
Thancred could feel the considering stares from the patrons as they took in this new development. "Maribel, you gonna get this boy's food?" called out the barkeep. "He's been waitin' forever."
The maid came out, expression thunderous - though it shifted the moment she saw the small, slim Au Ra seated intimately close to the hyur. "Oh! I am so sorry," she stammered, hands folded in her apron. "I didn't realize… uhm. That it had been so long. Stew and beer on th' way. For you, miss?"
"The same," the Au Ra replied, her smile cheerful. "A day's hard minin' makes for a hell of an appetite."
The men looked interested, taking in her work-worn gear and her well-used pickaxe. "Come up with anythin' interesting?" asked one of the miners, turning in his seat to study the pair.
Kal'istae looked up, nodding gratefully as Maribel placed the food and drink before herself and Thancred. "Aye. Sold most of it t' the trader here," she told Thancred, "but he said he couldn't pay me th' worth of the danburite."
Thancred stiffened as the room went silent, but her hand, still on his arm, squeezed lightly and she gave a subtle shake of her head. "Which danburite?" asked a gnarled old miner, his blue eyes faded but still keen as he rose from his seat.
The Au Ra met his gaze fearlessly. "Eblan danburite, granther. Found a small seam of it; played out," she added regretfully, "but I got a goodly amount - enough t' see us in supplies for the next month 'r so." The murmurs increased and beneath her hand she could feel the gunbreaker vibrating. "Stop it," she hissed beneath her breath.
The miners put their heads together. "How much y' askin' per onze?" the old man asked, his tone bordering on resigned.
Kali watched him thoughtfully. "I'm asking two hundred per onze, and I have seventy two onzes."
The miners murmured amongst each other, but it was a burly Roedagyn who cut them off this time, frowning as he stood. "That is less than half of what you would get in Eorzea," he rumbled at her. "Do you have a sample?"
Nodding, she reached inside her coat and pulled out a small bag, tossing it to him. "See for yourself. The real thing. I could get more goin' t' the Eorzeans, sure, but then it'd go into their hands and not our own. What need have I for a ton of gil, unless I'm lookin' t' bait a bandit trap. I'd rather it stay here, for our tools, our needs, an' our profit."
He poured the contents of the pouch out on the table and pulled a small glass from inside his vest, studying the minerals carefully through it. "I'll be damned. Seventy-two onzes would be enough to see us all with new pickaxes and hammers," he murmured. "Levius would be beside himself - he's been mad to upgrade our gear."
As she watched, she stroked her fingers lightly along Thancred's arm, soothing the tense muscles as she sipped at her beer, hiding her grimace of distaste in the wide mouth of her mug. "You've my price."
The Roe watched her for a long moment, then glanced at Thancred. "You fine with your lady throwin' away gil like this?"
Thancred glanced sidelong at the Au Ra, then reached down to cover her hand with his own. "She handles the money," he replied gruffly. "If she says it's fair, it's fair. We're in it for the adventure and thrill, not the gil."
The miners watched them for a long moment, then the old man guffawed. "Lad like you with a spitfire like that, I don't doubt you're all about the thrill. Well, lass, we'll not look a patriot in the mouth, as it were. Seventy-two onzes at two hundred an onze makes it…" He narrowed his eyes, running the calculations. "Fourteen thousand, four hundred, yes?"
"Tha's right," she said calmly. "If y' don't need it all, I'll sell part to you and move on t' the next town."
"Let us talk. Enjoy the food - dinner's on us. Apologies," he added with a slight smile, "for our discourtesy." He saw her watching him with narrowed eyes. "Not all of us started out as a miner. Did they?" he asked, his gaze sliding towards Thancred.
The silver-haired gunbreaker smiled. "No. But I had a most compelling reason to give it a try, and it appears to have stuck." His fingers skimmed along Kal'istae's hand and wrist and he felt her muscles twitch beneath his fingers.
The old man's eyes warmed. "Compelling indeed. Were I twenty years younger, I'd steal her out from under your nose."
Thancred's smile was broad. "You'd try, sir."
Kal'istae eyed the old man. "I dunno," she said to her so-called 'husband', "how hard he'd have to try." She sent the old man a sweet smile as he guffawed at her. "But I think your wife could take me with ease, so I'll stick with what I've got."
Back at the table, the older woman, bundled up in furs and leathers until she was barely noticeable, cackled. "We could trade," she offered. "I like the look of your man. He's got a lovely face."
Thancred sighed, but Kal'istae just laughed, her voice a bell, and leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek, whispering a soft apology to him for the liberty. "He does at that, and I'm used to it. I've no time to break a new one in, so I think we'll just keep what we got."
"Alright. We'll talk. You, eat. Maribel, get them some bread and some wine, not beer. Don't worry," he added as Kali opened her mouth to protest. "If you indulge a bit, we've a free room upstairs ain't no one using."
Before she could say more, he moved back to the table where the miners sat and they gathered around in a huddle. She could hear their whispers, her horns more than sensitive enough for the job, but politely she ignored them, instead turning her attention to Thancred. He was watching her with quiet citrine eyes. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely audible even to his preternaturally sharp ears, "I didn't mean to interrupt your work; I didn't know you were here when I came in, but I could hear the barmaid muttering about you in the back - I thought I might help a bit."
Sliding his fingers beneath her hand, he lifted it and drew it to his lips, gazing at her over the curve of her knuckles. Although she knew it was all part of the deception, she found herself hard-pressed to suppress the flutter in her belly. It galled her to know that the doe-eyed look she gave him was only partially an act. "I am most grateful that you came along, Kali," he murmured against her skin. "I'm rusty in dealing with people; I've spent too long in the wilderness, or with the lot of us."
"I'm surprised you said no," she admitted as she laughed softly at him, her eyes aglow. "She's not uncomely and it's not as if Urianger is here to be left on his own."
His eyes flickered briefly. "I wasn't feeling it." He brushed another kiss against her knuckles, then drew back.
As the barmaid approached with two glasses of wine and a platter of bread, she smiled ruefully at the pair. "I'm sorry," she said again. "I got my knickers in a twist over yer man turnin' me down - you should know, you got a rare one there. Not many in my experience think anything of tupping the help even with one in the bed."
Kal'istae smiled reassuringly. "I kin hardly blame ya," she commiserated. "Look at that face - how could y'not?"
Rueful brown eyes flicked over the gunbreaker's face. "Indeed. Enjoy yer dinner. They'll be at it a while - but I reckon you'll make a sale. Levius's been bemoanin' the state of their gear for a while now, and even I know danburite's th' missing piece."
Lifting her glass, Kal'istae sniffed thoughtfully at the wine, then took a drink. It was a decent vintage; shame she couldn't do it justice, but under the guise of a frontier prospector, it wouldn't do for her to be too knowledgeable about such things. Thancred had no need to pretend, and sipped thoughtfully at his own wine, swirling it in his mouth. "Thank you," he said to the barmaid, and bit back a smile when she twitched, casting him a longing glance.
"Yeah, sure. Enjoy." She took herself off, and Thancred dismissed her from his mind, instead turning his attention to the woman gazing at him with some amusement.
Kal'istae tugged experimentally at her hand, but he didn't loosen his grip and she shrugged and left her fingers tucked within his. "I suppose we'd best enjoy the largesse - I'm certain we can find some reason not to take them up on their offer of a room."
The gunbreaker was quiet for a time, still keeping ahold of her hand as he sipped at his wine. "I'd rather take it," he finally answered honestly. At her curious glance, he smiled, gazing into her eyes over the curve of his glass. He was, she reflected sadly, very good at flirting even when he didn't mean it. It wasn't his fault her heart was racing from that look. "I've spent too long sleeping on the cold ground; a bed in a warm inn sounds quite compelling."
She blinked at him. "They'll expect me to join you," she reminded him, her lips barely moving. "Although I suppose I could come up with some excuse why not…"
He drew her hand up to his lips, his breath warm on her knuckles. "Why? Don't you trust me, Kali?"
It wasn't him she didn't trust. "Thancred," she breathed, and his lips brushed her fingers. "I - ah, hah. Uhm. If you wish." Surely it was the drink that was causing the heat to rise in her face.
"I want a warm bed. It would be more plausible," he murmured, "if you joined me. It would also ensure that I don't get an unexpected visitor. And, for a bonus, I happen to enjoy your company, so if I must spend a night in a strange inn, at least I can do so with someone I know, trust, and like."
Damn her heart for making her hope for one brief moment that he had actually been flirting. She showed no sign of her disappointment, however, giving him a cheeky grin. "Well, then, I'll stick around," she replied, and couldn't keep her expression from softening as he turned her hand over and pressed a kiss to her palm. "You're a terrible man, Thancred Waters."
Citrine eyes glittered at her as he lingered over her palm. "That may be true, but tonight, it seems, I'm your terrible man. Aren't you the lucky one?"
Kal'istae decided a statement like that deserved a swig of wine. Then another when she caught him laughing at her.
Then another just because she found she was enjoying the warmth the alcohol brought to her cheeks. And when he laughed softly once more and drew her fingers up to his lips, she sighed at him and drained the glass.
They finished off their stew and bread and a second glass of wine a piece, leaving them just a bit tipsy. When the old man finally rejoined them, they were grinning rather foolishly at each other over the hand that Thancred stubbornly refused to relinquish. The elder glanced between the two, pleased to see them taking advantage of the hospitality offered.
As he came to stand before them, Thancred straightened and Kal'istae turned in her seat, smiling her sweet smile. "Have you made a decision then, granther?" she asked.
He nodded. "Aye lass, but we'd have an answer of you first. If we were to buy the whole lot from you, would you see it amiss should we sell the excess in Eorzea?"
Immediately, she shook her head. "Nay, granther. If I could, I'd give you th' ore, but my man and I, we've expenses of our own. If you find a way t' profit from our association, then neither he nor I will take it amiss."
"A good Garlean lass," the old man approved, reaching out a hand to seal the deal. She finally extricated her fingers from Thancred's grasp and shook on it. "We'll make the trade in the morning then, when minds are clear and sharp. When you're ready to sleep, just let the barkeep know - he'll show you to the room."
She watched him go, then glanced at Thancred, who was watching her with a considering expression. "What?"
The gunbreaker's smile was slow and sent a shiver of lightning down her spine. "If only he knew," he murmured, before reaching out and firmly taking possession of her hand once more. "Are you ready for bed, milady?"
Damn him. It would serve him right if she broke his cover. "Ah - yes," she replied, voice just a trifle hoarse. The wine, of course; she was abstemious by nature and had drunk far more than was usual for her this evening.
He lifted her hand to his lips. "So am I." The whisper shivered over her skin and she closed her eyes, fighting for the breath he'd stolen. His warm chuckle made her want to scratch his eyes out. "Come, my dear." Caught, helpless, she let him lead her to the barkeep, who gave them a wide, knowing grin and directed them to the room up the stairs and to the right.
As they padded upstairs and out of sight, the miners watched them thoughtfully. "How long they been married, y'think?" the Roe asked.
The elderly couple exchanged a long glance. "A lifetime," she remarked, "for all they're surely newly wed. 'Tis clear to me they've worked together long and intimately. A good partnership."
"But uncertain," her husband said, picking at his lip thoughtfully. "There's a skittishness in her; she seems surprised by his affection."
The old woman cackled. "A pretty rogue like he? No doubt he's had plenty of women in his bed. Like as not she still struggles to imagine she's the one as caught him." She gave her husband a sly look. "Remind you of someone?"
He reached out and caught her hand, gallantly landing a smacking kiss on the back of it. "You never had reason to fear, my love. One look in your eyes and I was gone."
Her expression warmed. "Took you a while to convince me of that." Her grin grew sly. "In fact, I might need a reminder…"
The other miners groaned and rolled their eyes, and the party began to break up as the old man cackled and led his lady wife out into the snow and towards their home.
Kal'istae rubbed her arm and stared steadfastly at the far wall as Thancred closed and secured the door behind them. The room was small and snug, with a cast-iron stove in the corner - ceruleum cost more than most of these small frontier towns could afford to pipe in - and a bed that took up the majority of the space. "I'm not certain this is a good idea," she began, then stuttered to a halt as his hands closed over her shoulders. "Thancred," she whispered.
He leaned in, inhaling. "Are you drunk, Kal'istae?"
She blinked, jerking beneath his hands. "I - what?"
Gently, he tugged at her shoulders until she turned reluctantly in place, peering up at him from beneath her lashes. Still holding her, he gazed down. "I know you don't drink very much, and they plied us with plenty down there. So I'm asking, are you drunk?"
Frowning, she shook her head. "A bit tipsy," she admitted, "but I can think and see and walk straight." Abruptly she smiled. "Don't worry, Thancred, even if you are, I won't try and take advantage of you."
He stared down at her for a long moment, then his hands tightened on her shoulders. "But what," he asked, "if I wanted you to?" Before she could react any more than a slight widening of her eyes, he leaned in, closing his mouth over hers.
She knew she should pull away; fight, flee, something. All she could do was moan, leaning into him as he gathered her into his arms and pulled her up off of her feet, feasting at her mouth. His lips were hard and insistent, his tongue cleverly dipping past her defenses, stripping her further of her self-control. Lightning sang down her spine, spreading through her stomach and leaving the violent churn of butterflies in its wake.
His veins were on fire, his muscles in his arms straining as he fought the impulse to bear her down to the bed and begin divesting her of her gear. He was already so hard he ached and the taste of her was driving him ever closer to that exquisite point where pain and pleasure mingled. With a strangled gasp, he pulled himself free, staggering back a step as she stared up at him with shocked violet eyes. "Gods. Kali."
He didn't apologize; a small part of her was surprised - for all of Thancred's rakish ways, she'd never once heard that he was anything less than a gentleman about it. "Perhaps," she croaked, then paused, clearing her throat. "Perhaps I should have left you to the barmaid," she tried again, with slightly better success.
His jaw firmed and he stepped forward, reaching out to catch her hand. "She is not the one who has had me aching for the past few hours," he retorted. "I didn't want her, but gods, do I want you."
The breath she drew in rattled in her throat. "Thancred, are you drunk?"
His smile held enough humor that she found herself relaxing slightly. "My dearest, darling Kal'istae," he replied, his voice low, setting sparks up and down her spine, "I assure you that it would take significantly more drink than we had this night to muddle my head - even though, 'tis true, I have been more abstemious these past several months. No," he murmured, drawing her hand up to his lips, "the only thing intoxicating me this night is you."
She gazed up at him, every onze of her willpower poured into keeping her face expressionless. "Thancred Waters," she said, her voice low and controlled, "for five years you have treated me as a friend, a comrade, a sister. The moment I agreed to join the Scions, you never once allowed so much as a flirtatious word to cross your lips in my presence. From whence does this spring?"
He shook his head and pressed her hand to his chest. "Would that I knew, and if it is unwelcome, then but let me know and I will honor your wishes," he replied, sobering. "But know this - from the moment you sat down beside me this night, I have felt naught but a steady, urgent pull - a building need that has only grown with every look, every touch. No," he frowned, "no, I would be lying if I said it began this night. It has been months in the building, Kal'istae - since the First. Since before the First, even. Years."
Sighing, she spread her hand against his chest and stepped forward. "Why did you not speak up earlier? I would have willingly come to your bed and rid you of this itch, my friend." She shook her head at him. "I know that you are loath to fish amongst the Scions for your bed partners, but I would never have allowed a moment's pleasure to interfere with our friendship or our duty."
He held her hand against his breast with one hand while the other traced up her arm, gliding over smooth indigo skin and stuttering across dark scales. "You deserve far better than I am capable of."
Lavender-rimmed eyes gazed up at him, and Kal'istae smiled slowly. "That presumes that I want better - or that better is possible." She shook her head as he opened his mouth. "I know your reputation. I doubt there are many men out there who can hold a candle to your prowess in bed, just as they cannot out of it."
He regarded her steadily. "And if it was not my prowess of which I speak?"
She might have pretended to misunderstand - but she understood that the pretense that had held between them had shattered like crystal this night. "Thancred, I am the Warrior of Light. Regardless of what has come before, you and I both know that mine is a flame that burns bright and fast. Why would I risk subjecting anyone - much less someone I care deeply for - to that kind of pain by engaging in any kind of binding tie?" She let her gaze fall to where her hand rested above his heart. "You do not seek a mate, and I do not seek a partner. Let us come together as friends - the best of friends - and enjoy the bounty we both crave from one another."
He did not want to examine his disappointment too keenly. He was afraid of what he might discover was the source. Instead, he released her, then reached out to cup her face in his hands, gazing down into that deceptively delicate visage. Her eyes rose to his, clear and resolute, and he exhaled. "Thank you," he murmured.
Her eyes lit with amusement. "Save your thanks until after we see if I'm as good as you're hoping."
He had absolutely no doubts. "No," he said, shaking his head. "Thank you for trusting me."
"Ah." She reached up and touched his face with hers. "Thancred, I trust you with my life, my soul, and my body." Lavender-edged eyes softened. "More, I trust you with my heart - I know you would never do anything to damage it. I may not seek to bind you, my friend - but that does not mean I do not care for you."
He lowered his head, brushing his lips over the diamond of scales upon her forehead. "I know. And I care for you, very much. Ah, sweetest Kal'istae. Come," and he drew her head up, lowered his further. "Come and be with me." His mouth closed over hers before he could say more; there were words trembling on the tip of his tongue he dared not give voice to.
And so he let his mouth, his hands, and his body speak where his voice failed, showing her a side of himself he rarely gave any woman - gentle, patient, and exquisitely loving. She met him touch for touch, taste for taste, trembling beneath him as he coaxed her to the edge of the cliff, keeping them poised upon the peak until neither could stand it any further. She came beneath him, her teeth sinking into his shoulder to prevent her screams from filling the air. He followed, unable to avoid giving voice to a low cry of triumph as he filled her.
Afterwards, he lowered himself trembling to the bed and rolled to the side, reaching out to catch her about the waist and drag her against him. She stared up at the ceiling, her ragged breathing slowly evening out. Thancred gazed at her for a long moment, then wrapped himself around her, nuzzling affectionately at her neck. She giggled weakly. "Kali," he whispered, inhaling deeply.
She held still a moment longer, then gave into impulse and turned into him, burrowing into his arms. She felt them tighten about her, holding secure, before he freed one to reach down, dragging the blankets over them. She buried her face against his throat, holding tight as he arranged the woolen blankets and heavy furs about them, creating a nest to hold in the warmth. "Mmm," she murmured with sleepy pleasure. "Good night, Thancred."
He pressed his lips to her forehead as he felt her body go lax in his arms. "Good night, my sweet Kal'istae," he whispered against her scales, knowing she'd already sunk into sleep. Satisfied, content, he allowed himself to follow after.
In the morning, it was Thancred who roused first, used to sleeping only in snatches and keeping one ear open even as he dozed. For a brief moment he was confused by the weight of another body against him, the soft whisper of breath in his ears - then her scent hit him: wild roses and sage and rich earth. No one else of his acquaintance had such a rich and alluring scent, one that lingered with him long after she was gone.
Closing his eyes, he wrapped himself firmly around the Au Ra and lowered his head, finding her throat with his mouth. Beneath his wandering lips, he felt her skin warm and flush, her pulse speeding against his touch. Her eyes fluttered open, lips parting on a gasp, and he levered himself up to capture her mouth in a hungry kiss.
He watched her eyes sharpen with shock, then go fuzzy, felt her muscles turn to molten wax beneath his hands as he began to explore. Before she could get her bearings, he'd nudged her thighs apart and slid inside her, releasing the kiss with a gasp even as she arched beneath him with an involuntary cry. Last night had been patience and tenderness and sweetness. This morning tasted of spice, sharp and wicked as he drove her up and over the edge swiftly and without remorse. As she fell with a choked cry, he emptied himself inside of her.
Resting his forehead against hers, he struggled to catch his breath and heard her doing the same. When they finally managed to drag air into tortured lungs, he pulled back, gazing down at her. "Good morning, dearest Kali," he murmured with a cheeky grin.
She gazed up at him. "Good morning, dearest Thancred," she replied, reaching up to wind her arms around his neck and draw him down. He was eager to give in to her urgings, wrapping himself around her and rolling them so that he would not crush her as he kissed her with a hunger that matched her own.
When they parted, she made a noise he chose to interpret as regret and began to wriggle free of his grasp. "Where do you think you're going?"
Pausing, she wrinkled her nose at him. "In case you have forgotten, we have a deal to seal this morning - and we're here," she added as he looked to protest, "out of their generosity, so t'would not be prudent to intrude upon it."
Citrine eyes watched her. "Fair enough." But as she began once more to slip away, his arm shot out, wrapping about her waist and drawing her back. "Before you go, fair lady, I would know your mind on something."
She hesitated, studying his face, and hazarded a guess. "Don't worry, my friend, I will say naught to any of this…" She trailed off, the word lapse a bitter pill on her tongue. She could not utter it thus. "Moment."
He felt anger surge up in a knee-jerk reaction - and then he took a look at her face and saw the careful way she was watching him, her emotions carefully hidden behind a bland mask. "No," he said gently. "I have no desire to keep this some dirty little secret. You did correctly deduce the subject I wished to broach, but not my own feelings."
Lavender-edged eyes grew wide as she stared at him. "Thancred, are you certain?"
His fingers skimmed along her spine and he smiled to feel her tremble against him. "If you do not want the others knowing of us, I will keep my peace. If your other lovers would take exception to you having shared my bed, then I will accept your silence. But if you do not care, then nor do I, for the idea of being worthy of your bed appeals to me."
She spluttered. "Worthy! What foolishness!" Then she blinked rapidly. "How did you know about…"
Citrine eyes laughed at her. "Did you ask how I knew something?"
She bit her lip. "It's just, we've been very careful to keep it quiet. I don't think one would care, but the other two don't want to be connected to the Warrior of Light beyond our work." She gave a soft laugh. "They're afraid having my name linked with theirs would limit their, ah… options. Which is why I'm surprised," she admitted, "that you wouldn't care if it were known."
His fingers pressed against her back, tugging her closer until her body pressed against his. "I am not inclined towards random encounters these days. If nothing else, having my name linked with yours might reduce the number of women doomed to disappointment." Lowering his head, he pressed a light kiss to her mouth. "I'm no Jacke or Lorens to seek a new partner whenever you're not gracing my bed; I'd rather be Brithael, content with what comes my way and hoping you'll pay me a visit on your way through."
Flabbergasted, she stared at him. "I - uhm." Part of her wanted to ask if he expected to grace her bed again - not that she'd ever tell him no! - but - surely not.
"Think on it," he advised, and she wondered blankly what she was supposed to be thinking about. Thinking? Who was thinking with his long, lean body pressed so intimately to hers? "But no. I don't want to hide this."
"Okay," she replied, just a bit hoarsely, and his answering grin was just a bit boyish before he lowered his head to hers and gave her a long, sweet kiss. "I - uhm. We should. Get up. Uhm."
Was it any wonder he was absolutely enchanted by her? There she lay in his arms after a night and morning of excellent sex, and still she was so charmingly shy. He felt his body responding to her, and firmly reined it in, soothing it with the knowledge that there would be other times.
Many other times if he had his way. But that was for the future, a nebulous thought he was hoarding in the back of his mind, not quite ready to consider it until they were finished here. "Yes, I suppose we should. Kali," he murmured as she began to squirm away, unable to help himself. She froze, staring at him with wide eyes, and he dragged her back to him, rolling her to the bed. Her hesitation was so brief he barely noticed - then she opened to him and met him with a joyous laugh that was edged in giddy disbelief.
And as he fell into her, he found himself falling deeper for her. And while part of him quailed at the very thought, a small but growing part of him… exalted. Bracing himself above her, he lowered his head until he rested forehead-to-forehead with her, inhaling deeply. "Kali," he whispered. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Her arms came up, sliding around his waist, and she hugged herself to him. "Thank you, Thancred," she replied throatily. "Thank you for making a dream come true."
How could he respond to that? He said nothing, only rolled to his side and tightened his arms around her, dragging her in for a brief cuddle before finally letting go. "Always. Any time. Come," he sighed. "We'd best not keep them waiting any longer."
She darted in for a quick kiss, then slipped free of his embrace. "Who knows what the future may bring," she told him, reaching down to root around the floor for her discarded clothing. Then she paused, frowned, and held out her hand, summoning her mining pick to her. It flashed into her fist and her clothing coalesced around her.
Thancred wrinkled his nose. "Cheater."
She gave him a bland look. "I'd teach you if I could. Here." She holstered the pickaxe on her back and began to gather up his clothing, tossing it at him. "I'd help you dress, but then we'd just be later."
"Please do," he leered, and she smirked at him before tossing his underwear in his face. "Ugh!"
Her laugh was just a little heartless. "Come on, lover," she murmured. "Get dressed. I have some gil to make."
He dragged on his underclothes, then began to draw on his ensemble piece by piece. "What will you do with the gil?" he wondered.
Her smile was quick and approving. "I have invested in several Garlean operations, including the ceruleum mine near Camp Broken Glass. I'll inject the gil back into their economy and help build towards a future of stability for the country. What?" she asked as he stared at her, flabbergasted. "Did you think me incapable of thinking beyond my sword?"
Picking up his jaw, he continued to dress. "No, of course not," he replied, "but nor did I expect you to be so… financially erudite. You never speak of gil; I assumed you were like most adventurers," he admitted.
"What, spending my profits as soon as I make them? At times," she shrugged. "If I'm after a new glamour or minion or the like. But for the most part, I horde my gil. I have few needs in life - I already have an estate, and I can gather whatever I need to use to craft with."
He fastened his jacket, then crossed to where she stood, reaching up to frame her face with his hands. "And so you give what you don't need to those who do. And ultimately, they are being self-sufficient, for they are buying from you, and you are investing their own gil back into their economy." He leaned down to kiss her. "Thank you."
She looked amused. "For what, oh son of Limsa and Sharlayan?"
He grunted. "For caring. For helping them. I may be a child of Eorzea, my dear, but I have spent years watching this land torn apart by bad rulers, and been unable to help. To know that they are in good hands means the world to me."
Expression softening, she reached up to cover his hands on her face. "You inspired me to this. I mean, I always wanted to help, but when you and Urianger were so dead set on returning to Garlemald, I started trying to think of how I could support you. Tataru and Hancock helped me," she added, and he felt her skin heat beneath his hands.
Once more charmed, he leaned in to kiss her, his arms sliding over her shoulders as his mouth explored hers. She melted against him, her arms dropping away to wrap around his waist and she surrendered to the kiss, letting him have his fill.
It wasn't enough. He suspected it would never be enough. It took a great deal more willpower than he liked to admit to keep himself from stripping them both of clothing and tossing her back on the bed. He broke free with a soft gasp and shook his head at her. "Stop being so damn inviting." Even as he spoke, however, he nipped at her lip, then pressed his lips to the scales between her eyes. "Ah! Come."
She pulled away from him, bemused. "Again?"
He stared at her, then threw his head back in a laugh. "Gods, Kali, where have you been all my life?"
She chuckled and shook her head at him, then turned and unlocked the door, opening it to step out into the hallway beyond. Briefly, she paused, looking back over her shoulder. "Right in front of your eyes," she replied, before turning and disappearing down the stairs.
He watched her go. "Believe me," he told the air, "I am fully aware of that."
Then he sighed and followed, considering his options in silence.
As they descended the steps into the common room, the barkeep looked up from his books and nodded cordially to them. "Have a seat. Yer breakfast and th' old man'll be right out." As they wound their way towards the indicated table, the robust man heaved himself from his stool and wandered into the back, leaving them in sole possession of the room.
Kal'istae looked around, brows drawing together. "I know it's early," she remarked softly to Thancred, "but I'm surprised t' see this place so empty, 'specially if they serve breakfast here."
"That's because I asked for some privacy." Thancred's hand twitched before he forestalled himself from going for the pick slung across his back. The old couple watched him calmly as they stood just beyond reach of his 'weapon'.
Citrine eyes studied them warily. "And why would you do that?"
The old man's eyes were sharp and clear on the gunbreaker's. "Because we have things to discuss, and we don't need the entire town listening in. Shall we be seated?"
Before Thancred could press further, Kal'istae reached out to place a hand on his wrist. "Please," she said, and her companion looked at her sharply as her accent vanished. "Be seated. We are all among friends here."
"Now that," the old woman replied, her voice as devoid of the country as Kal'istae's, "I firmly believe. Sit, Adius," she told her husband, and settled down next to Thancred with a wicked grin in the Scion's direction. "Tell me true, do you have the ore?"
Leaving her fingers on Thancred's wrist to judge his mood, the Au Ra leaned back in her chair. "I do. Seventy-two onzes of pure eblan danburite… already cut," she admitted, and bit back her smile as their eyes widened.
"Then you're not just selling at a loss," the old man said flatly, "you're essentially giving it away. Why?"
Kali sighed, her expression growing sober. "If I could give it away, granther, I would," she replied soberly. "It is the work of nothing for me to find and excavate rare ores and minerals. I've a knack for it, and have trained under the best. Why shouldn't I see Garlemald reap the rewards of my diligence? Who deserves it more?"
The old woman watched Kal'istae with shrewd ochre eyes. She reached out to touch her husband's wrist in an echo of Kali's own posture with Thancred. "It is not to say we don't appreciate it, girl," she replied, "but why would the champion of Eorzea give a damn about the rise or fall of a conquered enemy nation?"
When Thancred's body tightened, his hand reaching towards his back, Adius similarly stiffened, his own going for inside his jacket. As one, the old woman and Kal'istae clapped their hands down on the mens' wrists. "Stop," hissed the Au Ra.
"Enough," commanded the old woman. "You don't seem surprised."
Lavender-edged eyes were miserable. "I figured you knew when you mentioned privacy," she muttered. "Anyway, Frumentarium sees all."
"Kali, let me go." She glanced sidelong at Thancred, but did not acquiesce. He gritted his teeth at her.
The old woman eyed the gunbreaker. "Thancred Waters," she murmured, "spymaster and master tactician of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. You're a hard one to pin down - much less distinctive than your companion there, for all that beauty."
His eyes were hot. "I'm afraid you have the advantage of me."
She smiled. "Mabia eir Arenoud at your service, and yes, I once served Frumentarium, long ago in my youth. My days of service ended before the Calamity, however. As a reward for my service, I was given mayorship of this town and its surrounding environs. Here my Adius and I have lived these past twenty-odd years."
The Warrior loosened her grip on Thancred's hand, instead stroking his wrist soothingly. "When did you know I was me?" she asked.
Adius, silent until now, snorted. "The moment you walked into our inn," he replied. "Oh, you may have the common citizenry fooled - your reputation, my lady, precedes you and makes a lie of your appearance. But anyone who served under Gaius van Baelsar knows your description by heart. I doubted at first - I've never heard of you paired seriously with another - but Mab was certain."
Kali cast a sidelong glance at Thancred's thunderous expression. "Gaius's penchant for rewarding skill over lineage strikes again," she murmured, amused. "Oh, give over, Thancred. What will they do? Isn't part of the problem that there's naught left in Garlemald to fight off a handful of bandits, much less the Warrior of Light?" Her lips pursed in distaste. "I have half a mind to find where I left the royal bastard, Raise him, and kill him all over again."
Thancred's hand shot out, closing on her wrist. "Don't even think about it," he grated, and she cast him an astonished look. "I've had enough of watching you die in my arms for a lifetime. Two of them, in fact!"
Mab and Adius watched them thoughtfully. Finally, she shook her head. "Why?" she asked Kali, ignoring Thancred's dour glare.
There was no point in pretending not to understand. "While I cannot speak for the masses, or even the Alliance leaders, my war was never with the people of Garlemald. To blame the oppressed for the actions of their oppressor is the greatest folly. And before," she added sharply, interrupting Mab's opening mouth, "you say that the people of Garlemald supported their leaders' decisions, consider carefully. Your leader was a man who was…" She trailed off, considering the best words. "Uniquely qualified to sway the masses despite their own misgivings. He had a unique perspective and insight into the human condition that few others in this world could claim."
Thancred made a noise of disgust. "He was a manipulator, Kali."
She turned unhappy eyes on him. "He was desperate, Thancred. He was tempered, and he had lost everything. What would you do if everyone you knew, everyone you loved - especially those you most loved - were lost to circumstances that you, used to being able to do anything, could not deny?"
Closing his eyes, Thancred picked up her hand and rested his forehead against it. "You spent too much time in Elpis."
Expression affectionate, she shook her head at him. "Perhaps it is simply an Echo of my distant past, my dear," she replied. He grunted and absently kissed the back of her hand. She blinked at him, but said nothing, instead turning back to the Garleans. "Solas zos Galvus was not the man you thought him to be," she said soberly. "The conquests, the invasions, the wars - all designed with a singular purpose… to bring about Calamity. And while my companion and I might disagree about his motivations, his methods leave no room for interpretation. He sought to unbalance the aether of this star to a degree that would force disaster. He succeeded once, with the Seventh Umbral Calamity - thank all the gods he failed a second time."
Mabia rubbed her hands together. "I have heard much rumor regarding the Emperor," she admitted. "I do not know the truth and the lies - I only know that to the Garlean people, he had only our best interests at heart."
Kal'istae and Thancred shared a long look, then the gunbreaker made a noise and gave a jerky shrug. "Fair enough," was the Warrior's neutral reply. "Regardless of my relationship with your rulers, however, the fact still stands that there is no need for the people to suffer."
Adius nodded slowly. "And so you sell what they need at a price they can afford, allowing them the illusion of self-sufficiency. As their pride returns, so will their industrious spirit. And you," he added, glancing sidelong at Thancred, "you deal with the problems they cannot, keeping them free of interference while they rebuild their lives."
Picking at her lip, Mabia nodded. "To be perfectly fair, it sounds like the Scions I have heard of. Inveterate busybodies," she added, smiling at Thancred's sneer. "He is so very pretty," she remarked to Kal'istae, "no matter how sour his expression. You are a very lucky young woman."
The Au Ra cast a rueful look at Thancred's face. "Not exactly," she began, but the gunbreaker's fingers squeezed hers, his lips brushing over her knuckles, and she cut off, confused.
"So will you still take the minerals? Or gems, I suppose," he asked, ignoring Kali's disquiet stare.
Mabia's eyes narrowed, then widened, and her smile wreathed her face in wrinkles. "Yes, we will," she told him, her gaze still on the puzzled Au Ra. "At the stipulated price. Seventy-two onzes worth of cut stone will ensure every miner in this town has proper tools, and give us enough left over to recoup the cost of purchase - exactly," she added to Kali, "as you intended."
Kal'istae relaxed. "Excellent. I left the goods somewhere safe - will you wait while I retrieve them?"
Mabia nodded, and Adius stood. "I will accompany you," he told her, and she eyed him, then nodded. When Thancred would have stood, however, the Warrior placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No," she said gently. "I will do this with him. Keep Lady Mabia company. She seems to have the bad taste to like your face," she added impishly.
Citrine eyes studied her for a moment, then quick as a snake he leaned up, brushing a kiss over her lips. "Gives me time to convince her to leave her husband. Don't be long, or I will come looking."
Indigo eyes stared at him, flabbergasted, then without a word she turned, fleeing the inn. Adius and Mabia stared after her, perplexed, then the old man followed, muttering to himself. The old spy turned back to the young one, frowning at him. "Have all of her battles addled her wits? She seems quite sharp - but how can she not see it?"
He scrubbed his chin. "I have a reputation."
Shaking her head, she reached out to poke him in the shoulder. "Reputation or no, it is clear to these old eyes that you care for her greatly, and she you. So what is the problem?"
He smiled at her and caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Doubts, hers and mine. Fear not, milady, I am working to overcome them in both of us."
She eyed him, then sniffed. "Work harder," she advised, and Thancred smiled.
Kal'istae perched atop her mount, tangling her fingers in its wind-tossed mane as she gazed at Thancred. "Are you certain you'll be okay here alone? You could come back to Sharlayan with me - I'm sure Y'shtola has a million things you could help her with."
He reached out, placing his hand comfortingly on her thigh. "There are still many small settlements out here, and at least six bandit groups that I know of. Until the temporary government can sort themselves out and begin building a peacekeeping force, 'tis only I and a few other like-minded souls to oversee the safety of the frontier."
Sighing, she gazed out over her steed's head. "I know, and you're right. I just…" She trailed off, lavender-edged eyes staring into the distance.
Thancred gazed up at her. "I'll miss you, Kali," he said coaxingly, and she glanced down, startled. His lips curved in a smile and he beckoned her closer. Curious, she leaned over, and he slid his hand behind her head, drawing her down more until he could fit his mouth over hers.
It was not an amorous kiss, though passion simmered as it always did between them. It was an affectionate kiss, sweet and just a bit sorrowing, the kind given between lovers facing a lengthy parting. The kind of kiss that staked a claim and said, "Wait for me." As it edged towards a closing, it took on a new taste, seasoned by the salt of her single tear.
When they drew apart, he reached up, brushing the backs of his fingers along her cheek. "Fly safe, my dear."
Confused, conflicted, she reached out, pressing her fingertips haltingly against his cheekbone. "Be safe, Thancred," she murmured, her voice just a bit breathy. "Come home soon."
He caught her hand, cradling it to his face briefly before pulling away. "I will. If you need anything, anything at all, I'm only a linkpearl call away."
She touched her jacket where a small pocket rested inside, holding those linkpearls most vital to her. "Same goes."
They stood in tableau, neither wanting to make the first move. Then he sighed and backed up a step, and she clucked her tongue at her mount, urging the winds-born horse into the air. He stood back and watched as she rose into the sky, her gaze intent on her destination before her. He watched until she disappeared, then slowly unfolded his arms. He turned, taking one last glance at the town, then took the first step towards the forest and his cold, lonely camp.
