[Authoress's Notes: The reference section at the beginning of the story now includes a list of things I don't own. I'm sure that list will get longer and longer as the story progresses. (Because, oh, this story is going to progress for a while).
Chapter Eight
"You have stayed me in a happy hour:I was about to protest I loved you!"
~~Much Ado About Nothing, IV.i, Beatrice
Etien could not, for the life of him, identify the reason he was so drawn to Cassadraine. She was pretty, that much was certainly true, but he had known a lot of pretty girls. A lot of them. But none had captivated him like she had.
There was something about her spirit, something stronger, something more alive than he'd ever seen. She was so vivacious, so full of eagerness to live and enjoy life for all it was worth. He could see the quality of her spirit in her every movement, from the strength evident in her muscles when she ran to the sparkle of her smile when she laughed over her shoulder at him.
"Come on! I want to show you something!"
"Shouldn't we be getting back by now?" he wondered aloud, then immediately cursed himself for it. What, because getting her back home before dark is really a big concern for you?
"Soon enough, soon enough!" She turned and bolted through the trees. Etien never could understand how the girl managed to move so fast, like a flash of fire bursting through the woods. She was as an oread, a mountain nymph, dashing up the side of the hill with grace and agility.
"Where are you leading me?" he asked, dodging a leafy branch.
"You'll see!"
Etien shook his head as he ran. With your luck, he thought, she actually is some ethereal spirit, seducing you to your doom. He glanced ahead at her, blond curls bouncing with each step and waving in the breeze. Oh well.
Cassadraine burst through the edge of the trees and stopped just at the edge of the knoll, looking out at the horizon. Etien jogged up behind her. "Wow…"
"Isn't it wonderful? I've been coming up here all the time, ever since I was a little girl." The wind whipped locks of hair into her face, and she brushed them back, tucking them behind her ear. "But I didn't just bring you up here to show you how pretty it is."
"Oh?"
"No. This stream here empties into the Red Alienor River just at the town of Cor'ran'i. That's near the Kai'ti'ka Bridge, which is the best way to cross the Red Ali unless you feel like going all the way to the sea crossing near the capital." Etien nodded along. Cassadraine was gesticulating in the air, drawing an imaginary map with her finger. "But if you follow it west…" She pointed to where the stream twisted and disappeared into the mountains in the distance. "It starts up at the Taipan… flows right south of the Ay'ta Pass. I figured this would be a good thing to know… most armies stick to the Red and White Alienor Rivers, but there are so many smaller water sources that the Misokans don't know about." She chewed on her thumbnail absently. "They'll be looking for you on the west bank of the Red Ali. But here? Never."
Etien nodded. "You're very helpful, you know that?"
"I've been told," she grinned.
Cassadraine fell back and leant against a tree trunk, still watching the sunset. Etien, however, was watching her.
"Now, I think it eventually curls around near another stream which feeds into the White Ali… but that's way off in the mountains. No one in their right mind would go that far into the Taipan. 'Less they had a death wish."
"You should come join the army."
Cassadraine blinked. "That was random."
"No, not really. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. We could really use you… your help. We don't have nearly enough scouts who know the land very well. And I'm sure our maps are outdated."
"Well, aren't you going back to your General with a report?"
Etien grinned. "It's not just that. You've got the spirit of a fighter in you." Cassadraine smirked to herself, remembering how they'd met. "I've seen you with a bow, and I'd be surprised if you weren't just as skilled with a sword. You belong in the army."
Cassadraine tapped a finger against her chin. "You could be right… oh, but my aymas would never let me."
"You're a grown woman."
She paused. The thought hadn't really occurred to her. Her future had always seemed rooted in Jivata, pinned down to the life of a minor mage and healer. But now here was a man offering her another option, offering her a life of excitement and danger and intrigue.
While Cassadraine was contemplating his last statement, Etien was regretting it. The last thing he had needed to do was remind himself of Cassadraine's non-military virtues. He was really trying very hard not to gawk at the fact that her tunic stretched tight over her chest and was cut short enough to expose most of the toned muscles of her legs. "So… will you at least think about it?"
"Of course."
"Great."
There was a brief peaceful moment as Cassadraine gazed out at the sky, which had, over the past few moments, erupted into red and purple hues. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
The refracted sunlight cast an garnet hue onto her curly tresses. "Yeah… beautiful…"
~~*~~
"What? Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…"
While Selma was involved in an elaborate mock-fainting scene, Tessan just stood there with her arms crossed, trying to meet Cassadraine's impetuous look with an admonishing one of her own. "Cassadraine… you can't honestly expect that we'd be thrilled with the prospect of letting you charge off to war."
"But, Aym Tessan, don't you understand? It's where I belong!"
"Belong? On the middle of a battlefield? Bleeding and wounded and oh!" Selma collapsed into a chair.
"What good am I doing here?"
"More good than you know," Tessan mumbled.
"Aym Tessan, I want to go. And I want to go with your blessing. But I'll be going either way."
She's an adult now, Selma.
Tessan! You can't honestly be thinking of letting her go!
I've got the necklace safely hidden away. And hasn't her attitude improved greatly since that happened? I think this man is good for her… and I think the army might be, too. Teach her a little discipline.
But, Tessan, she could get hurt!
The Misokans press further south every day. Something tells me our Cassadraine had rather get herself run through fighting to defend Talsyra than sitting and watching sheep.
Tessan, how can you say such things?
Well, it's true. If her spirit is calling her to go out into the world in such a way… I think we should let her.
Tessan could hear two sighs from Selma, one physical and one astral. Fine, fine… I don't think it's a good idea… but fine…
Tessan could tell from the way Cassadraine was tapping her fingers impatiently against the wall that the girl knew there was a psychic conversation going on, and that she wasn't a part of it. She didn't like being left out of the discussion.
"Cassadraine… we have severe reservations…" Tessan began.
"Severe," Selma echoed.
"But if you think this is really what you want to do with your life… well, you're an adult and we can't stop you. But we can at least let you go with a blessing."
Cassadraine's eyes lit up joyfully. "Oh, aymas, you mean it? Ohhh!" She pushed herself off the wall and threw her arms around Tessan, then Selma. "Oh, you won't regret it!"
"Somehow I doubt that…" Selma weakly muttered.
Selma.
She's going to get raped.
Not with that Etien around, I doubt it.
It's him I'm worried about.
But then it wouldn't be rape, now would it?
Tessan!
Tessan smiled. Selma's offended sensibilities showed on her shocked expression. Cassadraine was still bouncing happily. This should be… interesting.
~~*~~
It may be that the General wants me to keep roaming, get a better feel for the land. I don't know. Or he may want me back as soon as possible. Either way, I'll come back for you. No more than four days."
Cassadraine nodded. "Alright… I've got to get some things ready, anyway."
Etien raked a hand through his hair. "I'd best be going, then. It's a long walk." He turned and started down the pathway, but Cassadraine called out.
"Wait! You can borrow one of our horses. It'll be a much shorter journey."
"It won't be too hard on the horse?"
"No, no… they're hearty beasts."
"Well… thank you."
She waved a hand dismissingly. Etien stood under the mid-day sun, watching her and wondering what he was going to do about her. He knew perfectly well she would be on his mind for the next few days, until he returned. Part of him wanted very much to have something to leave with, some memory to carry with him as he rode through the night. Just one touch… He shook his head. Don't be a fool.
"Ours are stabled down the street with most of the village horses. One of the girls will help you. Just say Cassadraine is lending you a horse."
"Alright… thank you. See you in a few days."
Cassadraine leant against the doorframe and watched him go. Oh, he had best return soon… my days are going to be dull and empty until he's back… She didn't know where it came from, this desire to be in his company at all times, but it was a strong impulse and one she strove to obey. Ignoring it only caused her pain.
~~*~~
"Wait… he's gone?"
The little imp Chaos had sent to spy on Cassadraine nodded.
"But… why?"
"I dunno. They didn' fight 'r anything
like that… he jus' left. Took horse an'
rided off south."
"But he's gone?"
"Yeah."
Chaos cackled. She had thought that when Cassadraine had – for whatever reason – stopped wearing the necklace, her mission was going to be harder. And then She had watched and heard of this man, who appeared to be having a distressingly civilizing effect on Her Daughter. But now She saw an opening. "PUCK!"
[A/N: Right. So. That chapter was short. Oh well.
[Fooled you with the chapter title, didn't I? It actually makes perfect sense. But no, no one is protesting any love. Yet.
[Review! Please!]
