Thane stepped through the portal, closing it behind him, and rejoined Martenus at their temporary campsite. Martenus had already packed up their blankets and doused the fire and was ready to move on. Without a word between them, they continued their march to the Monastery. There was no playing around this time. They went straight for the gates, only killing what demons got in their way. The faster they got to Andariel, the faster all this would be over, and a later mop-up of the highlands would be easier and permanent.
Even having started before dawn, it was evening before the gates finally loomed in front of them. The guards there fell easily before the angry, determined men, and they soon found their way to the ancient waypoint in the Outer Cloister. Thane muttered the incantation that awakened it, and they didn't hesitate a moment in returning to the camp.
When they arrived, Martenus graciously offered to carry Thane's gear to their tent so that the necromancer was free to go straight to Akara and check on Meize. Thane gratefully relinquished his items and had just come past the corner of a tent when someone called his name. He looked down the row of tents to find the object of his quest running towards him in the soft torchlight.
"You're finally back! I was getting so worried!" She stopped short just in front of him, her cheeks rosy, and the picture of perfect health. He was amazed.
"Worried about me? What about you? You were half dead when I brought you to Akara." He reached out and pulled her into his arms. "God, we were so worried about you."
"I'm fine. Akara is an amazing healer. In fact, if anything, she's over-healed me. I've got a serious buzz going."
They both smiled at each other. He leaned down and, changing his intent at the last instant, kissed her gently on the forehead. "Come on. Martenus will be anxious to see you."
Keeping his arm around her shoulders, he walked with her to their tent, telling her about their arrival at the monastery. They found Martenus diligently cleaning his sword in front of their own little fire, their gear having already been stowed away in the tent.
"What's this?" He put down his sword and rose to hug her in turn. "I was expecting an invalid."
"As I told Thane, Akara is a miracle worker." She smiled at both men warmly, her heart bursting with joy. She didn't know why she was so happy, but she was. Perhaps it was an after effect of her near-death experience. Perhaps it was just the high Akara put her on.
"So," Martenus asked, "when will you be back on our tour de force? We've sorely missed your help."
She laughed. "I'm ready to go this instant. I've got enough bottled up energy to kick some serious butt." She started dancing around like a fighter, throwing fake jabs at Thane's mid section.
"Hey," Thane mockingly whined, "are you trying to bruise me?"
"Ooh," she suddenly stopped. "I know. I'm going to go pick off some quill rats." She jumped in the tent, grabbed her staff, and was gone before either man had a chance to stop her.
"Lord, but she's going to crash hard tonight." Martenus muttered as he watched her disappear into the night.
"I wonder what Akara gave her. Could use some of that stuff myself."
Both men shrugged at one another and sat down to clean their armor.
-----------------
She was back an hour later, still bouncing around with a grin from ear to ear. "That was fun! I can fry them very nicely now."
"Speaking of frying," Thane interrupted her, unable to stop smiling himself, "let's get some dinner."
Together, the two of them grabbed some stew and sat down with the rest of the rogues at the central fire who were listening to Cain tell a story of better times. They finished eating and then relaxed, just sitting there together listening to the tale. Suddenly Meize started to yawn and leaned in close to Thane.
He put his arm around her as she shivered. "Do you want to go back to the tent now?"
"No," she nuzzled against him. "I'm not tired yet." And she yawned again.
He gave her a gentle squeeze, and returned his attention to the story.
He knew the instant she fell asleep when her breathing changed, her body soft against him. He had never known what it meant to be truly content until this moment. So he just let her sleep. All too soon Cain finished his story and the rogues began to slowly disperse.
Akara made her way quietly over to them. "I see she's finally run herself out."
"What did you give her? I could use some of that in the mornings with my coffee, I think."
"I didn't give her anything. She was just reacting to the stress of nearly dying. We all react differently. Some become depressed, others inspired. She found her inner child and her vivacity for life." She stroked the sleeping girl's hair. "She'll be more like herself tomorrow."
Thane and Akara continued to quietly talk, unaware that Martenus was watching them sadly from the other side of the fire. Cain placed his hand comfortingly on the man's shoulder.
"I always knew I would lose to him," he explained before Cain could even ask, "but it still hurts to see it. I guess I still hoped there would be a chance."
"Their attraction is on a different level than most people. Their powers call out to one another. I really hate to tell you this, but you never had a chance against his arcane magics and his dark intelligence. And he's also a good looking lad, just as handsome as you."
"I guess especially now when he's finally got a tan and some meat on his bones." The paladin tried to make light of his sadness.
"I think, my friend, you are suited to a more down-to-earth kind of girl. And you haven't noticed that there's a lovely little rogue that keeps following you around, have you, looking just as forlorn and lovesick as you do now." And he indicated over to the side, where a couple of rogues were quietly talking.
Martenus straightened in surprise when he met eyes with the one he knew to named Annor, and she shyly looked away, blushing madly in the firelight.
"It's a lovely time of night for a moonlit stroll…" Cain encouraged.
"Thank you." And without another glance at the trio across the fire, Martenus set off to invite the beautiful Annor for a walk.
Thane spotted the two of them leaving together and breathed out a sigh of relief—not because he had won, but because now they could all be friends again. There was no need for awkwardness between them anymore.
Akara excused herself when Cain came over to lead her back to her tent, leaving Thane and Meize completely alone. He gently picked her up, hoping not to wake her, and carried her back to their tent. He set her down and stretched out beside her, wrapping them both in his blankets. And he slept.