Chapter Eight

Saronax found himself deep in thought as he walked. Part of him had been wondering as of late if he had made a mistake in forming a relationship with Viconia. The doubt had grown, and formed an inner turmoil that was eating at him inside.

At that moment, Viconia approached. "Tell me...did Gorion tell you many tales of the Underdark? Did he, perchance, mention some of the races that lived below?"

Saronax's temper flared. "I have no interest in talking, Viconia." he growled.

Viconia narrowed her eyes. "I see that laying with you has done nothing to increase your aptitude for discourse. Very well, waela karliik, drown in your silence if you must."

XXXXX

Viconia frowned as she walked. As of late, Saronax had been even moodier than usual, rebuking every attempt Viconia had made to talk with him. I do not understand. He wasin good spiritsafter the second time Ilaid with him. Good-natured, laughing, happy. Now he has returned to his moody habits. Perhaps I should speak with him.

She strode towards Saronax. "Do your people have any kind of rite of passage into adulthood? I am curious."

He scowled at her. "I'm not interested in discussing this right now, alright?"

"Oh, look…the moody Saronax does not feel like talking. What a surprise." She snapped.

XXXXX

That night, the group rested at an inn. Saronax had rented separate rooms for each of the party members. Before, he would rent one room for both him and Viconia. The drow took this as a sign that he wished to sleep alone. Damn the male! Whywill he notspeak with me? Heis a moody bastard by nature but never this moody…

Viconia sighed and sat down on her bed. She pulled the covers up to her chin and tried to sleep. After three hours had passed with no success, Viconia decided to get up and leave.

XXXXX

The dream haunted Saronax once more. Luckily, it was almost finished.

"…Follow, if only to protect the weak that fell because of you." Irenicus spat. He threw a lighting bolt at Imoen.

Saronax woke up in a cold sweat. The sound of Imoen's screams still rang in his ears. Forcing himself to take deep breaths and calm down, Saronax slowly got out of bed. He grabbed a pair of pants of the floor and donned them before walking out of the room.

XXXXX

Viconia sat in the empty common room of the inn. "I assume you could notsleep as well?" she asked as Saronax entered the room. He said nothing, choosing to remain silent as he fixed himself a drink.

Zake had been placed on the table next to Viconia. The blade took that moment to say, "Nice outfit, Sarr. You forget your non-shiny boots and shirt?" he asked, indicating Saronax's bare chest and feet.

Saronax frowned and picked up the sword. Ignoring Zake's protests, the fighter placed him outside the door of the room.

"Are you aware that, despite our intimacies, I know little of you other than the usual graces? You've mysteries in you...and secrets. That face holds tales in its creases." Viconia stated as Saronax sat down across from her.

Saronax said nothing.

Not discouraged, Viconia continued, "What about the time before the Life? Before the endless travel, days in the dark and death at your heels? Who was your closest ally then?"

A memory flashed before Saronax's eyes.

"Sarr! Come on!" Imoen cried.

The ten-year-old rolled his eyes. "I'm coming, Immy."

"Well hurry up! You'll miss it! It's sooo cool!"

"Whatever." Saronax said and followed.

Imoen led Saronax onto one of fortress walls. The stars shone brightly that night, casting an almost blue glow on the world. "Okay, what is it?" Saronax asked.

"Look up." Imoen replied.

Saronax tilted his head upwards. A flash of light raced through the night sky, leaving a trail of brilliance as it flew.

"It's a comet." said Imoen, answering Saronax's unspoken question. "They only show up once every seventy years."

"Just like Philydia's books." joked Saronax.

Imoen gave him a playful push. "You're supposed to treasure this, to remember this for the rest of your life. It's supposed to be a special moment for you."

"Alright! Alright! I'll never forget this. I'll think about this whenever I feel sad and you're not there to cheer me up."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Saronax shook his head. "I would prefer not to talk about that right now."

Viconia glared at him. "I do not understand you sometimes. Always locked up, never opened for business. Perhaps you'll say anything to get what you want, then have nothing to say."

"Is that what you believe? Which one of us is the liar, Viconia? Which one of us has lied repeatedly to the other and played games with their head? Hmmm?"

"And which one of us has apologized for doing so and tried to change? I do not see you making any effort to change your moody habits for me!"

"Maybe I don't want to change, have you ever considered that!"

"Even if it is a change for the better? You are a fool, Saronax. If you are so stubborn as to retain a bad habit then who knows what else your stubbornness will lead you to!"

"Who are you to judge? You know nothing about me!"

"I am TRYING to learn more about you, Saronax. I have been attempting to speak with you for days but you snap shut on me every time I opened my mouth. Did something not agree with you at our last meal? Or is there another reason that you retain that constipated expression?"

"Funny. I'm just not in the mood to laugh right now."

"You are not in the mood for anything, Saronax. Why won't you tell me what is wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Now which one us is the deceitful liar? I opened up to you, Saronax. You could have the decency to do the same!"

"You never had to open up to me, that your own choice."

"And now I'm asking that you chose to open to me for once!"

"Fine! You really wanna know what's wrong? I don't trust you. I don't trust anyone! In fact, the only person I do trust is locked in an asylum with some crazy son of a bitch mad mage! Now that Imoen's gone, who can I trust now?"

"What about me? I am here for you."

"I'd like to believe that, I really would."

"Then why do you not believe me?"

"Because I can't! I don't know why, but I can't!"

"I lost the only person I ever trusted as well. I amattempting to find another person I trust in you. Why can't you return the favor?"

"I…I'm scared." Saronax admitted quietly.

"What?" asked a surprised Viconia.

"I'm afraid to trust you."

"I understand that. I was raised on the proverb 'trust is for the foolish'. I am every bit as frightened as you, Saronax. I am willing try however, and I wish you would join me in doing so."

Saronax let out a deep sigh. "I suppose I could try…"

Viconia smiled. "That is good enough for the present." She stood up and walked over to Saronax, leaning down and pressing a long, sweet kiss to his lips. He returned the kiss, threading his fingers in her silver hair as he gave into his passion. They both stood up in unspoken agreement and walked towards Saronax's room.

XXXXX

The next morning, Viconia rolled over and groped around. Saronax was absent. Puzzled, Viconia looked up. A note had been stabbed into the wall with a knife. She walked over and snatched it away.

Gone Exercising.

Saronax.

A smile quirked her lips. He is becoming more considerate. He left a note. She arched an eyebrow at the dagger. Is he trying to be dramatic? It's a poor attempt.

Viconia slipped into the gymnasium. Saronax was busy doing pushups. Seeing no chairs, Viconia settled for Saronax's back. Saronax showed no indication of added effort as the drow sat on his back. He shot her an amused look and continued his exercises.

"Have you given any thought to what you will do once this whole business is over with?" Viconia asked, idly walking her fingers across Saronax's shoulders.

"I've devoted most of my thought to survival."

"I have thought on the future myself." She grinned savagely. "With a little ambition, I see us carving an empire, ruling a small kingdom, and living in the hedonistic luxury we are meant to!"

Saronax craned his neck towards her and cocked an eyebrow. "I have no interest in lording over others, Viconia. I thought you knew that."

"Do not dismiss it so easily. Inject some kindness, if you must. With your power, you could bring order to a chaotic land. People might appreciate your rule."

Saronax stopped his routine and gently turned over, easing Viconia into his lap. "Perhaps your thought has some merit, I don't know."

"Feh, it is little more than idle fantasy, really. It is good to see that you have a little desire however...perhaps that is something I can work on, hm?"

He grinned. "I'm starting to believe that you can get me to do anything, if you put your mind to it. I'm surprised you haven't asked me to shave off my beard yet."

She smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I haven't convinced to get rid of Zake yet. But now that we're on the subject, will you shave off your beard?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I like the beard. The beard stays."

"Hmph. Very well then. I will break you eventually. And then…you will shave."

"Sure."

XXXXX

Several days later, the group was resting outside. Viconia followed Saronax to his tent. "We are to stop and rest now, are we? I suppose that is good and well, as I am exhausted nearly to the point of dropping. Come, then, my mrann d'ssinss, and let us get our coupling over with quickly." Viconia said in a bored tone as she began loosening the ties to her armor.

"'Over with'? You don't make that sound very appealing." Saronax commented.

"I may be tired, but I look forward to showing the arts I learned as a Drow." Viconia declared, still focusing on her armor. "I hold a degree of...affection...for you, Saronax. How else am I supposed to show this?"

Saronax grabbed her hands to keep her from continuing to loosen her armor. "You do not need tohave sexwith me to show your affection, Viconia. I don't expect anything from you."

Hmm. An odd thing to say. If I had no male to service me in the Underdark I slept alone. I am...unfamiliar with this. How else would you show...affection?"

"Here...let us hold each other tonight, only, and I will show you."

"As...As you wish, Saronax. I feel uncomfortable with this arrangement, but I suppose that...that some rest is not uncalled-for."

A few minutes later, Saronax sat down on his bedroll and wrapped a blanket around both him and Viconia. Uneasiness remained in Viconia's eyes. Saronax gave her a reassuring smile. "Trust me."

"I despise it when you use that against me." Viconia muttered as she laid her head on Saronax's chest.