The second knock at the door was actually a very heavy banging and instead of a single bang it was a series to rouse the people that were on the other side of the door. Shi'rari was greeted by Farkas. She stared a moment in surprise to see him shirtless. She snapped back into reality and appeared to be shivering. There were wet spots in her skirt and her boots looked soaked.
"What is wrong?" Terra tried to get up and managed to get on her feet before she felt the pain shoot through her thigh.
Shi'ari shifted quickly to catch her, but Farkas was there and holding her up in a blink of an eye. All three of them were surprised about the events and chuckled softly to each other.
"The weather is getting worse. I don't think you two will be leaving so soon, maybe in a few more days," Shi'ari eyed Farkas as she said this. Terra noticed the elf watching Farkas as she spoke but said nothing to it. "Farkas would you please be so kind as to help me with some wood cutting today?" she looked hopeful at him.
"I don't know …leaving the Harbinger," Farkas said this with all honest unknowing of the elf's intentions.
"It's fine, Farkas. She just needs some help, I am well enough to care of myself," Terra said it sternly as she worked at moving his hands away from her. "Go now while the sun is starting to rise so that if the job takes long there is still warmth for you to work in. There is no harm in helping when we are the ones who put people out. Even if we are paying them we should show that we can be helpful even in our own time of needs."
Sjhi'ari bowed her head slightly in thanks and gently took Farkas' arm and left with tried not to think on what she had just done. It not her place to prevent him from going off to have fun. She scolded herself for being so pathetic and was determined to get up and do something this day.
Terra pulled her pack away from its spot and plucked an article of clothing from inside. She struggled to pull the dress over her body without rubbing or putting too much weight on her leg. After a few tries she was fully clothed. She struggled to move to the wash basin and was determined to go through her morning routine of waking up. She felt good after she managed to dress and clean herself up. She took the staff that she found on the dragon hunt and used it like a crutch. She had become hungry just from the motions of attempting to get herself together. She took this as a triumph and decided that she earned her breakfast.
Terra navigated her way through the tables to find a quiet corner that she could sit and relax through the day. She found a nice, warm corner that allowed her a clear view of the dining hall while she could listen to everyone. She carefully sat down and waited for a waitress.
"What would you like to have?" the waitress came over to Terra and smiled sweetly at her.
"Could I have a bit of mead, some cheese and meat…could I get an egg if it isn't too late?" Terra smiled meekly. She wasn't really sure.
"It is never too late to eat here, I'll have the cook make you something," the waitress winked at Terra as she turned away from her.
Terra shifted. She was not usually comfortable in these situations, but maybe the waitress was in a good mood. She turned to the Bard to listen better to the music. She hadn't really been thinking about enjoying herself but now that she was out of the room she felt a bit better.
"Hello Love," the Bard came near Terra and she eyed him warily. "You are a lone this day, huh?"
Terra shrugged gently but nodded, "That I am. Simple and quiet today. I am just enjoying it."
"I hope not too quiet," the bard grinned at her and then eyed her chest a moment.
"If you play your music it would not be quiet nor simple, so please continue," Terra signaled to the lute and smiled sweetly. She was trying to let the bard down gently. She suddenly struck with realization that her amulet was sitting on the outside of her dress. It was too late to hide it so she should just act natural with anyone who takes to her because of it.
The bard got the hint and returned to his corner and began playing again.
"He does that to all the ladies, you were wise to simply refuse him. Here you go darling," the waitress brought out two plates of food.
Terra's eyes widen in surprise, she reached into her blouse and took out two gold coins and handed them to her. "For the food and you," Terra smiled gently as she took a fork in hand. There were three eggs sunny side up, crispy bacon and toast on the first plate. The second plate had all sorts of fruit cut into bitable sizes. She felt like she looked like a pig to everyone else there but it really didn't matter at the moment because she was hungry.
The waitress eyes widen in response but gently she touched Terra's cheek, her neck next, and then her shoulder, "Well, if you need anything else, please do not hesitate to ask," her voice was dripping with honey and Terra realized that the waitress had brushed against the amulet.
Terra just smiled at her softly, "Thank you." She turned back to her plate of food and began working on it. This meal had tasted even better then the meal from the first night they arrived. She tried to slow herself down and eat at a lady like pace but she was having a bit of trouble with it. She laughed at herself as she took a sip of the mead and let it slide down her throat. The warm food contrasted with the cold mead made her feel alive.
Terra enjoyed the music and the drink, but she was careful with what she did for fear of hurting herself so she simply sat and listened to all the stories that were happening around her. The old men talked like the Companions did of times of old. A few women were talking and enjoying the warmth of the hearth in the middle of the inn. The storm was what everyone seemed to switch to in conversations. They spoke about how things were damaged and repairs that were needed. Terra soaked it all in. It had been a long time since she had just enjoyed being somewhere.
Terra felt a sudden urge hit her. She was going to need help to go to the outhouse. She got up slowly and looked around trying to figure out who she could ask without being embarrassed. She signaled the waitress that had taken her order earlier. "I am really sorry, but could I have someone help me to the bathroom?" she was still embarrassed.
"Oh it is okay, but you don't seem drunk, dearie," the waitress whispered.
"I am not, but I am recovering from an injury so I don't balance well. I just need someone to walk with me," Terra explained.
"If that is all I'll go," the waitress said giving Terra her arm.
They walked out, all the men began hooting and hollering. They simply ignored the cat calls as saying anything would cause a scene.
"Sorry about this," Terra said from the outhouse. The waitress had opted to wait outside for her.
"No worries sugar," the waitress sounded sincere as she continued. "We all have something happen for a reason. I am surprised you let that sweet piece of meat go with the healer."
Terra felt her chest tighten a little at the thought of it, "Oh… well we all have things to do and the healer had been kind enough to help on short notice."
"We don't usually get many people, especially because of the dragon but now that it is gone, more people are coming so I guess we are all a little busier thanks to you two," the waitress chuckled.
Terra cleaned herself up and used the water pouch at her hip to wash her hands off. "Well, I am glad we did something to help someone and we weren't selfishly hunting out a dragon for our own glory." Terra was surprised by the waitress when she snaked her arm around Terra to help support her but she had a feeling this woman was doing it to get a bit of a feel. "I do appreciate you helping me out with this,but I don't want you to be in trouble with your boss or anything."
"I won't, I am helping a customer," She leaned into Terra and grinned wide.
"Oh that is good. We should be go back in, I am actually a bit cold. You don't seemed bothered but you are in a nice warm outfit, but I am…" Terra signaled that she had not dressed appropriate for the weather.
"Pity, could warm you up, but…" the waitress grinned when they got to the door and shifted her head slightly to peer past Terra.
Terra turned slowly and there was Farkas with the healer. She raised her brow in surprise as the healer was holding onto Farkas' arm again and had a sweet smile on her face with a glow.
"Terra," the healer was surprised to see her outside. "We were just coming back to check on you… but you seem to be taking care of yourself well."
The waitress raised her eyebrow, "I was simply helping her with going to the outhouse. I also see that you're too busy so don't worry, she is doing fine without your help." The waitress turned and dragged Terra with her. The waitress cursing under her breath, "fool woman going on taking him from you. I figured he was smarter then that. She seems to be quite content simply being that kind of woman…"
Terra stared at the woman who put her back at her table, "But don't you?" She tried to figure a way to say it without sounding insulting.
"I sleep with who I please, paid or not, but I do not interfere with another woman's pleasure," the waitress stroked Terra's hair with a soft smile.
"He isn't mine, you know, we are Companions… I am his Harbinger," Terra said softly. She had no rights to claim him or say anything because he had not said anything to her.
"What does that matter?" the waitress sighed softly, "Leaders, masters, slaves, any of those professions need someone to treat them as someone…if you get my drift." She went off leaving Terra to sit there alone with the music going.
Terra felt slightly off and decided better to go back to the room. She quickly grabbed her staff and made her way back to the room. She tried to figure out why the waitress had told her anything. She entered the room and made her way to the bed.
Shi'ari cleared her throat when Terra was comfortable. "Here let us look at that stitching since you have been moving around," she pulled up the dress slowly and looked at the wound. She moved Terra's leg carefully and smiled, "It is looking really good. Once the storm passes you both can go back," Shi'ari said it almost sad.
"There is a few days left," Terra said looking over the wound, "I would take advantage of this time, if I were you."
Shi'ari stared at her surprised. She looked away for a moment then sighed, "It isn't like that… he didn't …We didn't…" She looked at Terra not annoyed but a little hurt. "He isn't in here right now so I will be honest, he wouldn't have me," she said it as she gently wiped the wound clean. "He did some jobs around my cottage but that was it. He even cleared the road of snow…I tried but it didn't seem to matter he didn't look my way. He was preoccupied with something though it took some time to think of why it was, but then I saw how he looked at you as that woman caressed and pushed against you and I could see something click in him," Shi'ari talked as if she had been defeated.
"It isn't anything. I am the Harbinger of the Companions, he only sees me as a leader. I am sure what you saw was him being disappointed in my supposed behavior," Terra said it stiffly, "I am a friend, he said that to me before and nothing more." She lend forward and looked at Shi'ari softly and chuckled, "I helped him when he needed. I don't think he even displays that kind of attention to me. I mean he reacts because he cares but he cares about everyone. He wants to take care of all of those who can't take care of themselves. He thinks me as a Companion and not a woman really…I am nothing more then an equal."
"Equals are what make relationships," Shi'ari said as she packed up her items. "Tonight is suppose to be the worst of the storm. The ice wraths were out in numbers today so that will mean a treacherous storm and it will shut down most of this town. Take care and stay warm. Maybe you should see him with different eyes. When he brought you to me, he begged to save me to save you because you saved him, but I think he was just honestly worried about losing you. He said something about losing too many already."
"Ah, yes, we lost some important people a while back so I know what he is talking of," Terra looked to the window. Farkas was too kind hearted, really he should have let her die because of her stupidity but he risked everything to get her to a healer even after she had exhausted herself to near death to save him, then he turns around and saves her.
"There is more to this, you were even hide your amulet of Mara," Shi'ari got up and dusted herself off. "You don't want to be alone but you refuse to rely on others to help you. You can only bring yourself to ask for help when you can't handle it any more but by then it is sometimes too late. You are lucky to have someone who is willing to be by your side even in your stubbornness."
"Maybe you are right," Terra took a several gold coins and handed them to Shi'ari, "I hope this is enough…"
Shi'ari stared at the coins in surprise and tried to shake her head no but Terra shoved them at the woman, "Thank you… this is more then what I earned for your healing."
"Please, you have done so much for me," Terra was being honest. The woman had saved her life, she deserved more but Terra knew she wouldn't take more.
"This will last me a long time… we don't want for much here," Shi'ari pocketed the coins.
"I'm glad there are people somewhere that don't want much," Terra turned to see the door opening.
Farkas entered slowly, "Shi'ari, I will walk you back home. The weather is getting worse and the ice wraths are dangerous." He didn't even look over at Terra.
The high elf stared at Farkas for a moment and nodded gently. She got up, but touched Terra's shoulder gently before leaving. It was a comforting touch, one that was meant to give her some kind of hope. Terra just wished she knew what the hope was for. She left with Farkas and said nothing when the door shut behind them