p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="061af9d0446955b99f3f80145a109c2d"Olly wandered back inside the walls of the Keep, the contact with her father still lingering like a pinch or a kiss. She hadn't realized how much she missed him, had missed her mother. Hearing their voices felt like she had been gone centuries instead of only a few years. It was only when she heard a familiar screech as she walked towards her own room that Olly realized she hadn't met everyone that lived inside the castle./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a718317ed82767afedb3e2e5654190d0""Allana!" she heard her little sister, Mari, scream from the hallway that led into the kitchens, her small frame flying fast in front of Olly. Short, lithe, with cotton blue hair came bouncing toward Olly with a bright smile. A faint breeze of summer passed by Olly's face with Mari grabbing her hand, the tell tale sign of the young druid./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7f4e3ded079d3d4e66728a7f0a016ee9""Mother told us you would be coming! There's em style="box-sizing: border-box;"so/em much I have to tell you! Brienne is in the kitchen helping with dinner,em style="box-sizing: border-box;" come on/em! em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Come on!/em" Mari said nearly yanking Olly's arm out of the socket, not giving Olly a word in edgewise as Mari babbled on excitedly like a brooke against the rocks. Mari went on about the news within Silverymoon as Olly was dragged into the kitchens, the smell of warm broth cooking over a fire as staff of the castle hustled around the oldest sister Brienne, who was commanding with the force of their mother./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="83506f65611c0301f4d40d37c06b065e""Make sure that the vegetables are cut a quarter inch thick. The fire needs stoked again Rickard, go out and fetch more wood. No Annabella, thyme won't mask that kind of smell" Brienne ordered, reminding Olly of a general in an army, happy that although a lot had changed on the outside of Olly's home, the inside still remained the same. Brienne's tall figure stood high above some of the recruits, her hair long and loose with a small flower crown laced in between the tresses. She had been named the most beautiful baby in all of High Moor, and age had only solidified her beauty into a fine wine./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="13baec5796161cfc29cafcd72e7098b1""Allana!" Brienne said suddenly as she spotted her and Mari in the doorway "Fern, take over the kitchen for a moment, make sure there are two hundred portions this time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f5d4c6a53769a5c3d1749c4d202a40d3"Olly felt a bit sheepish as she watched her sister hand over an apron and them come forward, gripping Olly by her shoulders as Brienne looked her over with a sharp eye. Their mother was their protector and caregiver, but Brienne was the nurturer. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="15f7f99499f767181221240bab857e73""You haven't been eating have you?" Brienne said moving Olly's face back and forth by the edge of her chin "Those nourishment beads you are given are meant for rough situations Allana. They will only give you just what your body needs to survive and no need real food in you from time to time you know?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="347dec45aca6c7444ca3b1e736127d0e""I know Bri" Olly said gently taking her hand away from her face "But I've been in a lot of rough situations as of late."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="bae18ad100ed1b0a209066fb4c50aefd"Brienne shot Mari a quick look, just fast enough that Olly caught the tail end of it, before leading Olly further into the kitchen and sitting her down. Already the long wooden table in the middle of the room was being filled with hot steaming dishes that would be served to her family and the recruits that lived at Arrowmoor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="142c54963c05f9d4ef8d03e350e67504""What happened Olly?" Brienne said, her voice as gentle as fresh snow "We've been so worried. Mother's been scrying everyday to make sure you were alright. Father...well you know how he is. He wouldn't tell us he was worried even if he was panicking. We've all been wanting you to come home now for some time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="989a8412388bda49d7ecc047999ae1bc""He's asked about you every day since you left" Mari said, the sadness thick in her voice "We sent word out for you, but you never responded."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="bf5bca6c23d5646755da9f800a2f705a""I never received a letter" Olly said surprised "I haven't been contacted by anyone for five years!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="410d3416b907067dc43eb3e6629da3ec""We were specific" Brienne said "We told them to find Peren, a high elf and a young woman. We sent recruits to all the major cities in the Sword Coast. You didn't receive anything?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c39b650525d8b22846e943ba2c2127d8"Olly thought about all the times she had tried to tell Peren she wanted to see her family, had cried in his arms when there was no response to her, the way he had soothed her and reminded her he was the only one she could rely on now.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="46ec68d9cba96cff40a1ca1c0d2c2d0b""That bastard" Olly breathed out "He kept me from knowing..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5c5934d2f59baf89499206ceafc2f8ae""Peren?" Mari questioned, her eyes not leaving Brienne./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3baf716e75f0648225591a2fbb8b281a"Olly only nodded, her fists tightly closed as she processed just how much she had been manipulated for all this time. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ffce857d7a90878c866b1badf945b6eb""Why would Peren keep you from seeing us? What would be his goal?" Brienne asked, trying to find logic to smooth over this news./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e327f389312b34a06bb67a0da797586c""To keep me lonely" Olly simply said standing up "I have to go think. Is Kirwin in the temple?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="33f7ead53209376c34f9e11d982c3f2c""Yes, he's placing offerings for the Day of the Dancing Deer" Brienne answered, watching her sister start to burn from the inside with the anger stirring inside her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="de10da5cefa32592b2b9f5839bbfb181""Then I'll be in the yard" Olly said picking up the pace as she walked out the door "If you see my Cleric tell him so will you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dd653af354fac0f9683ae6e81d16691a""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Cleric?!/em" Mari answered back, but Olly was already out the door, heading back to the training yard to beat something up./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b3c06aa7f0f4ce893a60946e8432c784"How could Peren have lied to her for so long? How could she have been so em style="box-sizing: border-box;"fucking/em naive this whole time!? Olly felt such anger boiling inside her, at herself and the world for being so cruel. She could have come home, she could have been safe here and have left Peren a long time ago!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a8f3ecd63ecf1fca292890b1c12d42e9" The doors swung open with a loud crash as Olly passed by recruits who stared wide eyed at her presence, her small figure going straight for the armory stand. She picked a light short sword, something quick and sharp that she could hurt something with, and walked over to a dummy. The yard was unusually silent as the recruits watched the young Duer girl stand straight as she faced the dummy, her arm extended out as if she were about to take on a giant instead of a ransack full of hay and mud./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ca6729f1d04dc255072eb701fc9326e2"Olly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then launched herself at the dummy. Lunging forward Olly struck the dummy, her body spinning to fake a parry before lunging again. Again and again she hit at the dummy, her eyes burning, not caring that the others were staring./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c5ed92ae00ef0d30c5cfbfc2323b129d""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"That bastard"/em Olly thought to herself "em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Fuck him. Fuck him for every lie, every manipulation, every twist he ever did to me...Fuck me for letting myself be controlled, for being span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"weak/span... I hate him. I hate him. I HATE HIM."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="245283b945481014ce3ce9b5522751f1"Each thought landed another thrust into the sack of hay, the blade denting now past the dummy into the wood post as Olly continued to hack at it, her emotions getting out with every swing of the sword. Hot tears started to form as they cascaded like a mudslide down her face, the recruits now knowing it was best to leave the woman alone. Soon the yard emptied as Olly continued her attacks, the sun setting low beneath the walls. The training sword she picked was now dented in the blade, the handle threatening to break in Olly's grip as she moved on to the next dummy, dismantling it in seconds./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7fb24c19fd6cd06764e93248346d2113"Olly thought about every day she had spent thinking she was alone, that she couldn't see her family, that she was better off on her own.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="59e1b7536e21e30a0bf7bde265c02150"Her arms raised up high, mimicking the death blow she would give to all her enemies here from now on, Peren included. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7f990281eaece2128c6e805756c3c3c6"But suddenly gentle hands found her, reaching up from behind as they snaked slowly up against her heaving frame, finding her hands and lowering them down. Olly quickly turned and saw Ed, his eyes looking down at her with such softness, she couldn't stand it in her fury. Hot tears hit her face as she quickly darted her face down in embarrassment. She didn't want Ed to see her like this. He had seen her distraught sure, but not this kind of anger. This kind of anger burned her in the wrong places that made her feel like a shattered vase./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="97062d638769d1ebb99645bd111d0f00""Look at me" his voice, dark and husky but gentle like the night air commanded her to do so as she looked back up at him with shame in her eyes. No judgement found her in those jade green pools, only concern. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e0c184bb01e2057dbf53dca90263076d"Olly lost it then, words failing as she simply buried her face into the Cleric's chest, her hands gripping the black fabric of his tunic as she shook. Ed's arms wrapped around her like a warm blanket, his face finding her head as he spoke into her hair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="45435afbf20c374a81342ef17c27b173""You've been out here for hours. Your sister's found me and told me what you had talked about" Ed said softly, knowing how raw she was on the inside. He could feel her pain soaking into him, her anger coating the sadness like chocolate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1f4e4aceccbbcd18deef40bb6248ea73""I'm so em style="box-sizing: border-box;"stupid/em" Olly said hoarsely "I'm such a fool for believing I was ever really loved..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6befb8f3cfa3877f3711d0350b231ce3""Stop that" Ed said now pulling her away to look at her "I won't have such talk. You are loved. I can see it in their eyes, feel it in the very stones of this place. You are loved so dearly here Olly."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e2978a9db9e746751e4a80a1b959228d""You know what type of love I meant though" Olly said not caring about how pitiful she sounded in the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ae9f39c5f34a7aa9c583264b930691e6""I believe you are loved even in that way" Ed said still staring at her, but when Olly's eyes found his, he turned from her, ashamed of his own reluctance to say how he felt./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="6bed346cbc7167103c96fd15a5224509""See" Olly said taking herself away from Ed's embrace "It's my own personal curse."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="395ffa0ae712fe74532724c050e0b618""I've never heard of a curse like that" Ed said getting annoyed at Olly's pity party attitude she had at the moment. He tried to calm himself to see it from her side, and while it was understandable, it wasn't her usual self./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="eda9bf762b0cca5be18295d39a1026da""It's always been like that" Olly said going to go get a staff to practice with next "What's the saying?em style="box-sizing: border-box;" Always a bridesmaid and never the bride?"/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3b402702dfa6f2c90754dc2e04e94e13""That's silly" Ed said shaking his head, her attitude turning sour./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2d9d1afbbbb3a17d06b030b54e3aed2""It's the truth!" Olly said exasperated as she went for the next dummy again, hitting it with a hard thwack "I'm only good for one thing, and that's fighting things.I'm just a weapon! A WEAPON! Something to be used!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1908cbeb65702294e13ae23b37aa8e4e""Stop it Olly!" Ed said trying to turn her as she shoved him away, her stubbornness taking over./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f965c7e642567ed6df90bf94be55687b"Ed starting to get frustrated turned away from her, heading for the weapons rack as he grabbed a wooden shield with a quick twist. Olly continued to whack at the wooden post left over from the dummy, tears still stinging her eyes as she let the fire inside of her start to incinerate her pain. Suddenly the regular sound of the thwack upped in tempo, a new target in front of her now as she came face to face with her friend. His jade eyes stared back at her like the face of the mountain, still and quiet, yet menacing in it's own right./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ff1ca1e3c6d62c161e4f35d567f64acb""Why don't you just leave me alone!?" Olly yelled frustrated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d9f7706b12a11a647452c833fd77bf6a""Because I made you a promise that I wouldn't!" Ed shouted back, his anger surfacing now as he shoved her back, his defensive stance paralleled to hers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="33758ce29d6c93427c030dc2c89f4dd4""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"So what!?"/em Olly said now hitting his shield again with her sword, her anger blazing now "People make promises all the time! em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Just go and leave me alone! /emI'm better off that way! I always have been" she said twisting around and kicking at him, making Ed leap back away from her. She felt like a monster with spikes on her skin, not wanting anything to get close to her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fe0aecc91fff4e83e42b3ce8eed78420""Bullshit!" Ed said swinging his shield to deflect another hit from his friend "I've seen who you are! You're just doing this because of your pain, and that is okay!" he said with a grunt as he hit her sword with the edge of the shield, making it fly from her grip across the training yard. Olly stood squared to the Cleric, who suddenly threw down the shield, his chest heaving as he tried to control his own anger./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="384d5c5824641f464acbcbb21ec513d3""You think you have to be alone, because letting other people in gets you hurt" Ed said controlling his tone, taking breaths between his words "But you don't have to do that with me. I'm sorry that asshole hurt you. I'm sorry that you've felt pain I can't even imagine. I know you are angry but you don't have to act like this. Hurting yourself only will give him the satisfaction!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8701905d57f4713aad911800dfe48291"Olly couldn't find words to argue with him, her own fury getting extinguished by his words as she deflated, her shoulders falling as her head bent to look anywhere else but his face. Ed took a deep breath as he watched her body relax, her body starting to shake as another wave of tears formed down her freckled cheeks./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="12009d877c3d9f57f167f92c03416444""You are a lot stronger than you think" Ed said coming forward to her, his hands finding her arms as he gave her a gentle squeeze "You need to start believing in yourself if you want to break free."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3a13bd6a3bc249ed108f25bef37d09a7"Olly suddenly looked up at him with confusion, not fully understanding his meaning until she matched his gaze to her throat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="82abc2d628cc63185e83f7216ac963cf""What makes you think I want to break free of anything?" Olly tested him, her curiosity peaked as she felt a twinge of humor rise in her. She forced the pain of her emotions down, promising to revisit them later when she had control of herself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0b222d78264d898042da97555ea5df7e"Suddenly Ed's face dropped, his face turning red even in the evening light in the training yard "Well I uhm...well you...I mean" he stammered, thrown off by her sudden change./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9f8a0d576f01cca1f2ce1da76fa6216e""I'm joking" Olly said sighing as she took her own deep breath to calm herself, her anger passing now "You are right. I shouldn't overreact, it's exactly what he would expect. I'm sorry for yelling at you, I don't usually lash out like that..." she said now going for the steps that led to the doors of the keep. Ed relaxed himself and followed, taking a seat beside her as his friend went silent, but thankful they weren't fighting each other anymore./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d0a3a1668addbba60fa10ecc89825613"Olly went quiet for a moment, her eyes focused on the ground as she gathered her thoughts before speaking./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9e152a45dda3331cf2c60d67b27e3ef7""I'm sorry" she said again "It's been a long time since I felt so out of control. The more and more I'm away from Peren, the more and more I realize just how blind I've been. Sometimes it's not so shocking, like something I've always known. Other times, it hits me like a avalanche, and I don't know how to stop how I power inside of me has been wound up for so long I'm afraid of how much I'm feeling..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b83b9551a1c71dbb2f5ecffe11c00f5e""I don't think you should stop it" Ed said shaking his head "What you are feeling...that's natural. You em style="box-sizing: border-box;"should/em be angry, youem style="box-sizing: border-box;" should /embe sad, but that doesn't mean you can't change anything. Everything ahead of you is open for you and only you to decide from now on."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="bf274eff0c785b8abfbec444c37d16e5""I guess you are right" Olly said shaking his head "Sometimes I think I'm so smart, and then times like these I feel like the biggest fool in the realm."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f08c1b35fd42904d23506cfd179a509e""Even wise men can turn to fools" Ed smiled "Especially over a pretty face."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cfb1facced234acabf54f99c2c3b2193"Olly looked at him surprised just then, her face blushing as she turned away, her knees coming up to her chest as a small smile spread across her cheeks./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5dd7df22aa35aabd7a13c027778f353b""Why are you so kind to me?" Olly softly said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0a0ca82b3ecbe171eb0e8ff28b31f04f""Many reasons" Ed answered back, his own smile now relaxing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7c1fbb6e51d51719389b56e32514ad8b""Tell me a few" Olly said looking over at him now, her head resting against the top of her knees./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4ce6614eaf3f3f0c5e14ef7586f982a7""Well" Ed said relaxing against the steps on his elbows "You yourself are a kind person. I admire you, how strong you can be even when everyone's losing their minds" he said making her roll her eyes, but her smile grow "You put yourself last. It doesn't matter the danger, you make sure everyone is safe."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="498f8778b9411d0bb110e72867e1dd0b""Tell me some more" Olly said, taking a selfish moment just to keep hearing Ed's voice speak so candidly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0bc1377d9d7cced2a01a0e4d38b7b62e""There's plenty" Ed said "I'm kind to you because you are a good person. I like being around you, and I care about you..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cde0e991116a827dbe78159d3c9ef52c""You do?" Olly said smiling now cheekily./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8d9e31ae887bfca40cade4e86bc6635e""Yes" Ed said rolling his eyes "You know that by now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7e3680456d3066c9146b7815d91207a6""I do" Olly said turning into her knees, her eyes closed as she took a deep breath "You know I care about you too right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="79d88234adf8c353c1fcdb18f135da18""Yes" Ed said glad she wasn't looking at his twisted face, the redness even burning to the tip of his ears./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="264dbaa31ae56c7fd643d2f70b2dbb5b""So why can't we ever say it?" Olly said now being completely honest "Why can't we ever tell each other what we both want to hear?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="83ef75b6a93a479e2461eba758e78b21""I don't know" Ed said completely lost now "I think-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c483f7a7a9730bd26ff8a4faa8a30eb9""Are you two coming to dinner or what?!" Mari said loudly from the doorway, making both of them jump nearly out of their skin, turning quickly with embarrassed looks. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="245a2c0b8d1e413da1dd1119a63e57d3""Mari!" Olly snipped, the proud look in Mari's eyes showing Olly she intended to cause such a dramatic entrance, and wondered just how long the young lady had been listening to them. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="00a70840f31a13ee4fa583148e43c32f""We've been waiting for you to arrive and I'm famished" Mari said turning to go back inside "Hurry up will you? You've been away long enough now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d59d6fe63f29479299110e07e073bf88""Alright" Olly said turning to Ed and making a face "Guess we have to go."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="045cdf468d71f60a5be85199d7eea9c2""Okay" Ed said getting up, offering his hand to Olly instinctively. For a moment, he feared he had over stepped a boundary again, the worst case scenario running through his mind before feeling the firm grip of Olly's hand in his. He helped her up with a warm smile, their bodies so close together he could feel the brush of her chest against his, her nose upturned towards his face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2dfdfb3e11f7bd3f65b6569ba2fc82e5"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Kiss her" /ema voice whispered inside of him, but the presence of Olly's younger sister still turning to go inside made him hesitate, and then realize the consequences of such an intrusive thought. He looked away embarrassed, his eyes refusing to look at Olly for a moment until they were safely inside the Keep./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="97f8bcb3db6aef43f26c05a6eb7bf530"The walls were a burnt orange, the light making the stone flow in such a warm inviting way. Ed could smell the scent of hot food wafting from the doorway Mari led them into, as he was greeted by many brown amber eyes and freckled faces./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a4402f7604ed67ea19a1252efe951343""There you are" Jen said sitting beside Weylyn as Ed smiled sheepishly, slightly embarrassed that they all had been waiting while him and Olly were sharing a moment. Olly felt the same as she shrugged to Brienne who was eyeing the two suspiciously./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d239546e16fcb338cf55d9fd9187c56b""So this is the Cleric then?" Weylyn said to his wife before eyeing the young man./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="da54f4be4071bd0b5619d831cbbf19d2""Master Weylyn" Ed said bowing respectively "I'm honored to be in your home."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4a6509127052962b9f4593f6ea83a41c""I told you he had manners" Jen said as she touched her husbands arm./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5038a29faa28a0470151c1ebc7d2041f""Well come and sit young man" Weylyn said with a slight smile "You'll forgive me if I don't stand."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0c22a3eca00df908ab2b1dbcfcfc472b"Ed nodded to the great warrior, following Olly's lead to the table side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a36febebebc19c00f4983f5d1926c4c6""It's good to finally see you Allana" Kirwin said from the middle of the table, his curly dark blue hair short against his scalp as his usual attire looked more formal for dinner than the usual dirt stained tunic and vest./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="de787485962ab8d1979fa7659d9be669""I'm surprised you aren't out in the forest with a night like tonight" Olly teased "The full moon is supposed to be out in a few nights."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b87caad3682c382f1ae170a84fd4f2a0""Come Ed, sit down and eat" Jen said motioning to two empty seats across from her and Weylyn. Ed noticed two extra empty chairs at the table as everyone settled into the mahogany carved seats, the food on the table a mixture of meats and vegetables, a high stack of fruit settled in the middle as Jen passed around a pitcher of mead. Nole gladly took the vessel until Brienne's quick hands snatched it from him, a quick hiss in his ear before passing it on to Olly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e9b0bd49dbd660b8ad64c6e9e39c012c"Olly took the pitcher filled with the sweet liquid, when her hands went for Ed's cup, pouring for him as he thanked her quietly. Ed felt eyes on him, and the way everyone was pretending not to watch such an exchange./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e9806ad44214bb3231951f8b47e88aa6""Tomorrow Olly will be training the recruits this season" Weylyn said looking at Ed "I trust you will join us tomorrow?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ac2491a1bc7364ec91d1fbfbde204d6e""Of course" Ed nodded "I've heard tales from my friends Enki and Jeet. I believe they were once your pupils."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c406ab80485b08c9b70975a34a0b4388""Ha!" Weylyn laughed with a grin as he shook his head "I remember those two well. So that's who you were traveling with before you met with my daughter?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f364189fe6403a73056100c50b4c7d5a""For a few months" Ed smiled and looked to Olly "But other things came up and I found myself in the service of the Duer's. Not that I'm complaining though."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="025b2ca59def1325daeef62fa8b044bd""Sounds like you have some stories to tell" Weylyn said looking at Olly who gave him a pointed smile before going back to her food./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="96e2bc2f776c1b100ab006413976f8e8""I would gladly swap some of mine for some of your own. Olly has only told me a few stories, and they weren't as detailed as I'm sure you would tell" Ed suggested as the table chatter started up between all the Duer siblings./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f0d71a33144a79ade2a91eec7fc36440""Oh Papa's got some stories he could tell you all night!" Nole said from the other side of the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f033b6cbf3013c23500459ff855ee1fc""Or until the next night" Brienne jested as Jen laughed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8877074e61ce4451fcbb50006c36bfcc"The siblings then began going for one another as Ed turned to Olly, saying something low enough that the only sound heard was Olly's laughter. Jen watched her daughter laugh, the smile breaking out against her face as the couple turned back their attention to the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="221803b1b48a7add934c1863e7c69417"Ed felt the warmth and love between the family as he sat there, listening to them poke fun at one another while also being incredibly kind. It reminded him of when he was a child, alone in his bed as he stared out the stained glass windows. He would wonder what a family was like, how they would talk to one another, how it was to be surrounded by your kin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="aec4364cb35674257cf1a8ea5733d120""Hey, are you alright?" Olly said grabbing his hand as he shook himself from his thoughts back to the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1bd6baf5542bc6223ca095cdcce3bfb4""I'm fine" Ed said masking his thoughts "Just tired I think."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7730425a3895925b24f3f7dfb75fbae1""Well I should say so" Jen said standing up and coming around "You've all had a long journey. But now is the time to rest, time for bed young man."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="37a22bd5ef26a460cdee345c2ad42c65""Thank you Lady Duer but-" Ed began but Jen gave him a stare down that made his words fall short./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="8ef1fa1ae6a26a6ff1745c2169b0a177""Bedtime" she simply said as the Cleric nodded obediently./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5ef2a7ea9642128316d0cd323e810f8e""I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" Ed simply laughed, getting up from the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="38a3020e9f2960ce1d426dcc60241e3d""Okay" Olly nodded as Ed exited the room, her family now all eyes on her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cc9493555dc8b3239b23f4b8a9651dd5"As soon as the Cleric was out the dining hall door and his footsteps became faint echos did someone finally speak./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="35d9fd279da1d39fb8b66c8bef807718""Okay young lady. Spill" Brienne said standing up to go stand beside their sitting mother who looked at Olly with such a mysterious look Olly couldn't pin down her emotion. Was it amusement? Curiosity? Anger for some reason? /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f26d9e66dc93c358f41803299654ee0f""About what?" Olly sneered her face growing red./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f37adcfb582d2db3f89b4193dde3747d""About what is actually going on" Kirwin now spoke up, his tone even as his face remained blank./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2a88bca4e93b80862b1eed162fe22b89""What happened with Peren?" Mari asked outright./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0533ba3fcb4571a094a4607ff17e414c""Hold on I told you she said-!"Nole spoke before all older siblings hushed him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f2c86b5c25780662d8c7615268259133""I know what she said" Brienne locked eyes with Olly "But I want the whole story."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4940086b65293bb06dd3e50e3064a4f1""We are just worried about you sweetheart" Jen said finally as Weylyn closed his eyes to take in the information./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="92fb467a981c436e320e7b9bf45b67b1""I think everyone is getting a little worked up" Olly said trying to placate everyone "I left Peren when we went to the Trollclaws to investigate a rouge bulltroll. That's when I got mother's message. Peren refused to come along, so I went alone."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="83031eea32c7980606ec91c239024e82""And where does he fall into the story?" Brienne said pointing towards the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="883e6d738252b331336eeb4b9c4d97b4""He met us in the Trollclaws. He followed me and helped me find Nole" Olly said just stating facts, not giving way to any emotion. She didn't like this, didn't like the stares between her family as they listened to her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e0412c5a00b231feddc4023f280d27ea""Okay, fine. But why are you so afraid of Peren? Don't deny it. I could sense it the moment his name was mentioned around you" Mari asked cutting straight to Olly's core./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f599412790b1f3c2e0cf93a36ab0596f""I'm not afraid..."Olly lied./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7bb4f6b6fc84f2ee0f59c8b81b3a80ad""Right, like we believe that" Kirwin shook his head "Want to try that one more time?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3099645bef5fc31c89e24d54fbf3fe84""Okay fine" Olly huffed "Peren is spellbonded to me. He has control over how I can use my power, sometimes he would take advantage of that...I wasn't happy, for a long time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ec4e3de294d761327b4103e0eec51fcb""And he lied to you, kept you from us" Brienne confirmed "He kept you from home. Mother, Father, we have to do something about this!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dcb1ebf986fc709b2d903a175ee502e1""Calm down now Brienne" Jen cautioned as she stood and came around to Olly, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder as her eyes closed in concentration. Olly could feel her mother's senses infiltrating her, feeling the residual pain in her soul that had festered through the years. As Jen opened her eyes, her mouth in a slight grimace as she gave Weylyn an exchange only long time couple would understand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d1c73500ae294658eb1e4a73580786da""Alright" Jen said calmly "No more interrogations my children, you're sister has been through a lot. I think it's time we give her some space, and some much needed rest. Besides, we have the Day of the Dancing Deer ceremony after tomorrow that we must prepare for. Now off to bed, and I mean that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cb65b9be34839fe79e76c60d126d951a"Knowing the tone of no nonsense from their mother, all the Duer children dispersed to their own respective quarters, including Olly who only hesitated to speak the their father, who had remained silent as he waited to no doubt speak to their mother in private. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a712d0afd847e02c74c36d96d84c252f"Olly was relieved to be let go from all the eyes and looks that she couldn't pin down. It was like she was not part of a club, even though she knew all the members. Feeling the stone steps and familiar hallways led her straight to her old room. Two large doors in dark maroon with silver handles and ornate designs greeted her like an old friend. She placed her hand on the doorknob, pressing down like she had down dozens of times as a child after getting home from a few tough seasons in the wild./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d21048d2fb942aed72858cca2a8e6a3e"Swinging the door open, she walked into a gray floor and warm rose colored walls, her large bed covered with a sheen silk canopy. Her large dressers that were near empty now still posted exactly where they had been growing up, a large moon vanity on the opposite wall. Her bathing quarters were nestled in a tiny room with only a partition dividing into her bedroom. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ccd4bec4b2bb692010ce79b02362c380"Olly went to the balcony doors, opening them wide and taking in the night air. The sky above Silverymoon was near perfect for stargazing, the heavens sparkling with every light that Olly could take in at this height./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="77f299cd1b7cab85eea8df4737378c70""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"What it must be like to fly up there..."/em Olly wondered to herself before she spotted a candle light across the way in the opposite tower from where her bedroom was built./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7a26ad2b525f6ec07520e7a870bebe12"There she saw the shadow of a man, his form behind the curtain of his own balcony ./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5800b70abecf3b8bad70da29e74479dc"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Ed"/em Olly thought as she walked out to the half moon shape until her hands hit the white marble railing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="38e26d5635a481c7cc877a50d4b70cfa"She watched as he opened up the curtain, his hands going to the bottom of his tunic as it was stripped from his body. Olly blushed when she realized he was undressing, turning quickly and darting back inside, busying herself by getting into her nightdress until she thought it was safe enough to peak out there again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3fe0d0327be841c5b7cb67e58bf2d0bb"There she saw him, standing alone and looking up towards the stars. Olly walked out and bent forward to settle against the railing. Her long grayish blue hair was loose finally, gently blowing against the breeze that cooled her skin perfectly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c7e8eeef0834a7617f13fc3446c593ef"Ed was trying to name some constellations when he spotted her, his angel high above him staring down, her smile glowing even in the darkness. He had known the family needed some private time to talk to her. He was glad to disappear and go up to his rooms, which had been Kirwin's until the druid decided to take his rest in the surrounding forest. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b6387f5350733b6acd2c544de2670df8"He smiled up at her, giving a short wave as Olly repeated the motion back to him. He admired how angelic she really did look in the moonlight, the stars surrounding her as her hair flowed in the breeze. He remembered her beautiful wings, the pink, blue and golden hues that had surrounded him. In the moonlight thought, she looked even more ethereal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="05306b9e67005446dbfa6283d3c88714"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I could do it"/em he thought to himself then em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I could love her like she's never been loved before..."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="aead01599d562ec73a7c37e52fc400cc"His mind started a wall just then, another voice shouting em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Hold on! Wait a minute!"/em but Ed hushed it, letting his mind get his true thoughts out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="19885d6a62964637843faca25974d8f1""I could love her" he said to himself, knowing nobody could hear him, even the angel high above who was now smiling as she stared down at him "I could love her, if she wanted it, if she really wanted me... I just... I just can't say it until her world aligns with my own. Until it's right..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="265333cda284eaa633b4598c148ec0f0"Yes, it felt good saying it outloud, to hear the truth in his own words.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4e7c3b5d14311f26eec4f12e3e3f8ad8"As Olly watched the Cleric from above, her own thoughts traveled far away, watching him smile up at her, a silent exchange between them as her head nestled into her own hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="88f96193ae9724768973c938d9c33629"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I wish I knew what he wanted"/em Olly thought to herselfem style="box-sizing: border-box;" "What he really wanted. Me? Adventure? Fame? Does he want what I have...or does he really want the real me?"/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="71ef59c57fa7578fc1423e3d57df0e9b"But as she looked at him giving her another wave before heading into his room, Olly smiled one last time before shaking her head./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ce08137c3a4fae8c8e31776a369ce92a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""You fool"/em she thought em style="box-sizing: border-box;""You already know the answer. Ed's heart has always been in the right place. Maybe it's time we give him an opening, to be true to how we feel. Tomorrow, we start being honest. With him, and ourselves. No more hiding..."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b20584d707a3ddfebfc099284fdaeec6"And with the promise to herself under the moon that was filling itself with light with each passing night, Olly retired to her bed to try and begin this new life she was shaping for herself./p