Chapter 11

When Jane woke up the next morning she felt somebody sitting beside her. She groaned loudly, and it took some effort to roll onto her side. She was still wearing all of her armor, her coat, and her boots. She still felt like crap and only slightly more rested.

Lynne smiled warmly at Jane when she pushed her hair out of her face and looked up at her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Gross. How is Bo?" She asked hastily.

"He's just fine, Jane. He even woke up once in the middle of the night when I was tending to him. All he could do was ask about you."

Jane's cheeks grew warm, and she let out the biggest sigh.

"I am so relieved."

"You did a good job, with everybody. I am proud of you. Most people fall apart under extreme pressure. You helped all of those men."

Jane yawned and rubbed at her eyes, but she was still smiling. Lynne's praise made her feel good.

"I want to see Bo," Jane started.

"Okay, you can see him. But... you might want to wash up first."

The two women laughed. Jane knew she smelled like something terrible and had to agree.

"You're right. I'll have a bath first, and then go see him."

"You really care for him, don't you?"

Lynne paused near the door, and she looked back at Jane. The girl nodded firmly.

"I do. I have only known him for a short amount of time... but within that time... I have grown to care for him."

"I admire that. You two have something special... I am envious."

Lynne left Jane's room, and a few minutes later Jane found the Innkeeper and requested a bath. She was directed to the bathing area, and Jane had never felt more grateful to be able to get clean.

She took her time, stripping off her dirt and blood soiled clothes. Once she was free, she sank down into the hot water, groaning softly. Jane lounged in the bath for a while, idly thinking about Bo and all that had transpired over the last couple of days. It made her head spin. She could barely wrap her mind around the fact that she had been involved in a terrifying experience and came out from it nearly unscathed. Seeing violence so up close and personal was really something else.

I guess I'm braver than I thought, Jane mused quietly to herself. But I still need to learn how to fight better.

Bo. He had been teaching her nearly every day before their encounter with the bandits. She wanted to see him badly, and so Jane hurried up and washed clean of the blood and grime. She scrubbed her greasy hair and dunked under the water to rinse before quickly splashing out from the tub. She shivered as the air cooled her wet skin.

When she was dry, Jane put on a fresh set of clothes Lynne had brought by for her and swept her hair into a loose braid. When she was presentable again, Jane quickly made her way back through the Inn to see Bo. For some reason, her heart raced, but she couldn't understand why. He was safe now.

Jane slowly opened the door and peered inside. Bo still lay on his back, fast asleep. He was naked, but his lower half had been covered up with a blanket. His green chest rose and fell with each breath. Jane crept forward, and she took a quiet seat beside the snoozing Orc. She studied him for a moment, and a lump rose in her throat. She resisted the urge to cry, and instead lightly took Bo's hand and held it for a long time. She rubbed the back of his hand with her soft thumb, content to just wait until Bo stirred.

After some time, Bo began to wake up. He moved his head and let out a deep sigh. He could feel somebody holding his hand, but it took a moment for him to wake up. Bo finally opened his eyes, and he peered up at Jane, who immediately began to cry.

"What is wrong?" Bo croaked. His throat was dry.

"N-nothing," Jane responded quietly, and she wiped at her face. "I'm so glad you're alive."

Bo felt an ache in his chest, and he squeezed Jane's hand. He knew at that moment that he would have died to protect her.

"I'm sorry I made you worry," Bo told her, and Jane frowned. "It's just something Orcs do."

"You don't have to apologize Bo... I understand."

"I was... I was blinded by my rage. I haven't lost control like that in a long time, and I paid the price."

"What happened in the cave?" Jane whispered, and she wiped at her cheeks.

Bo sighed, and he stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

"I... killed the Orc. He was strong, but it wasn't that difficult. He wasn't the problem though. There was... a Troll..." Bo's voice trailed off, and he swallowed hard. "It took me by surprise."

"Oh, Bo."

Jane stared down at the bed, and she firmly held his hand. She could only imagine how terrible it must have been for him.

"I'm just glad it hadn't been worse."

"Me too. You saved my life, Jane."

Jane's breath caught in her throat as she peered into Bo's bright blue eyes. She quickly shook her head.

"I had help. I wouldn't have been able to get you here without them."

"The others... they're alright?"

"Yes, Nazgurat's arm was broken but he's otherwise fine. Ahmon was hit in his head but he's alright too. I haven't seen them yet but I know Lynne took good care of them... I wanted to see you first."

"Thank you, Jane," Bo responded quietly.

He wanted to say more, but he stopped himself. Bo was touched by her affection, and it only made him care for Jane even more. But he hesitated. He couldn't quite bring himself to voice his feelings.

Bo's stomach began to growl, and so Jane went to get him something to eat. While she was gone, Bo pulled himself up in the bed a little, growling as the pain in his hip throbbed. Just as he finished moving there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Bo called out.

An Orc entered. His arm was in a sling, and Bo recognized he was the same Orc from the other night. Nazgurat shuffled forward, and they shook hands.

"I am Nazgurat."

"Bo Gro Graul. People call me Bo."

"You are feeling better?"

Bo nodded, and Naz dragged a chair over with his free arm and sat down.

"Good."

The Orcs chatted lightly for a few minutes, and then Naz inquired about Jane.

"I am just... surprised. It is not often you see a human with an Orc."

Bo shrugged, and he rubbed at his chin.

"I helped her out. I'm sure if I had been a Nord or someone else she would have stuck with me as well. She has no one else."

"It's not just that. Any idiot can see she cares for you. You're lucky to have someone like that-"

The door opened once more, and Jane stepped inside. She held a plate piled with steaming hot food, and she smiled warmly at the two Orcs.

"Oh, hello Nazgurat. I was going to visit you next. How's your arm?"

"Better," Naz grunted, and he smiled slightly. "Thank you for your help, Jane."

"Don't worry about it," Jane responded softly.

Nazgurat stood up from the chair and walked over to the door. He glanced back towards the couple and watched as Jane sat down on the edge of the bed and held the plate close to Bo so he could eat. Bo mumbled something, and Jane laughed.

"Too bad," she responded lightly. "I'll feed you if I want."

Nazgurat frowned slightly, and then he left the room.

Jane continued sitting by Bo's side for quite some time, talking quietly with the Orc while he ate. He was hungrier than he had been anticipating and he consumed all of the food Jane had brought for him. When he was finished he rested his head against the wooden headboard with a loud sigh of content.

"S'good food," Bo mumbled, and he gave a sleepy smile.

"You should get some more rest."

Jane placed the empty plate on the nightstand and helped Bo slide down the bed so he could lay his head on the pillow.

"Only if you stay," Bo told her.

Jane paused, and she once again was mesmerized by Bo's blue eyes. She smiled and then nodded.

"I guess... I can see Ahmon later...Deal."

Jane walked over to the edge of the bed. It was pushed up against the wall but it didn't stop her, and she crawled over the wooden footboard and laid down beside Bo, careful not to touch his injured hip. Bo smiled, and his eyes eventually closed. Jane shuffled closer and rested her hand on his bare arm. She closed her eyes, smiling softly as they both drifted to sleep.

Nazgurat wandered down the hallway when ran into Lynne. She had been looking for the Orc.

"There you are," Lynne greeted quietly. "You should be taking it easy."

"I am," Naz grunted.

"Well if you return to your room I'll give you another potion and that should be good enough for your fracture."

"Okay."

Lynne followed the Orc back to his bedroom, and he slumped down on the bed and allowed Lynne to remove his sling and inspect his arm. It was healing rather nicely, and Naz nearly shivered under her soft touch as she ran her pale fingers along his thick green arm.

"How's your shoulder feel?" She murmured, staring at his arm.

"Fine."

Lynne sighed, and she quickly redid the sling and stepped back.

"You know..." Lynne started, and she crossed her arm. "You don't have to be so cold."

Nazgurat frowned, and he peered up at the Nord.

"That's funny coming from a Nord."

"Really..." Lynne responded stiffly. "You think you know me cause I'm a Nord?"

"Of course, I do," Nazgurat growled, and he stood up.

Lynne craned her neck to look up at the Orc, who towered above her. He glared at her with his blood red eyes.

"You're like everyone else. Always judging, always making assumptions."

"And you're not making assumptions about me?" Lynne retorted angrily.

"It's not an assumption. I can see it in your eyes, healer. You help me because you are morally obligated. But I am all too accustomed to being regarded with disgust."

"You're... you're wrong."

Lynne stomped away from Nazgurat and made her way towards the door. She stopped when she reached it and spun back around to look at the Orc, who was staring at her. She barely knew the guy but his words had deeply offended her.

"Maybe if you weren't such an asshole you'd be able to get to know somebody... but I guess that's just me making an assumption."

Lynne fished around in her pocket for a moment and produced a small red vial. She strode over to the table and slammed it down on the wooden surface before returning to the door. She wrenched it open and shut it behind her with a firm click.

Lynne returned to her own room and threw herself down on her bed with a frustrated sigh. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep but it was difficult. Lynne couldn't explain why she cared what the Orc thought about her. He both confused and annoyed her. After laying in the dark for a couple of hours, brooding, she finally fell into a fitful sleep.