"…exhausted. Let her sleep." Martenus' voice outside the tent woke her. "She doesn't know what really happened and took it very hard."
She heard another male voice mumble a reply.
Goddess, she thought to herself, I want so desperately for Thane to be alive, I'm hearing his voice. It was probably just Cain.
Annor's voice then said, "Just wait. Trust me."
Meize opened her tear-swollen eyes and looked around the tent. There was his stuff, still untouched in its corner. Someone had thought to take off her own armor, but then had cruelly placed it next to his spare set. She couldn't help but start to cry again as she saw the breastplates gently touching each other.
She cringed from the sudden blinding sunlight as someone pulled back the flap and entered the tent. It was Annor. She was carrying a pitcher of fresh water and some towels.
"I thought I heard you awake." She sat down with the water and towels next to Meize, then proceeded to wet one and wash the sorceress' face.
"Please," Meize gently pushed her hand away, "just leave me be."
Annor paused only a moment then continued her ministrations. "Oh, Meize. I know you've been through a terrible ordeal, but there is business at hand that can't be delayed. Let's get you cleaned up and feeling a little better."
"I don't want to feel better. I just want to be left alone."
"There will be time you need for mourning later. But this cannot be left undone."
Meize allowed Annor to finish bathing her, then took the offered hand when it was time to go outside.
How she dreaded facing everyone and their sympathy.
The rogue pulled back the flap and said, "He's waiting for you."
Meize looked out towards the fire… and Thane was standing there waiting for her.
"Oh, Goddess…" She ran to his open arms, unable to contain her joy.
He held her tight for a long moment, kissing her forehead and her hair over and over.
"How, oh, how…" She was so afraid to let go, so afraid he would disappear.
"See, I told you it would be all right. Akara told me, when you almost died from that arrow, that we were cursed with immortality until our quest was finally finished. We can't die."
"But… you died after we killed Andariel… Aren't we done now?"
"I'm afraid we've barely started, my dear heart. We have a long journey ahead of us." He kissed her tenderly. "How about a vacation in the desert?"
Martenus leaned in, "As Warriv keeps telling us, 'the caravan is prepared.'"
She smiled at them both. "And exactly what awaits us there?"
The paladin began ticking off his fingers. "Apparently snakes, vultures, mummies, locusts, worms, beetles…"
"Forget I asked!" She laughed.
Thane hugged her tightly to him again. "Shall we start packing?"
"I'm not ready to go… quite yet." She finished with a playful flick of lashes.
The necromancer swooped her up in his arms. "Sorry, Martenus, but you're sleeping somewhere else tonight."
The paladin slid his arm around Annor's waist. "That won't be a problem."
Cheers followed Thane and Meize as they disappeared into their tent.