Chapter 13

The next morning after their meeting, Jane woke up next to Bo, who was still fast asleep. She yawned and cracked her eyes open to gaze over at the slumbering Orc, who lightly held her hand. Jane smiled to herself. She knew Bo was as shy as they came, but he was slowly coming around to her teeny tiny advances. It made her feel good.

Jane yawned again, and she reached up with her free hand to rub at the sleep in her eyes while she stretched her legs out before her underneath the covers. Bo stirred, and he moved his head for a moment. He let go of Jane's hand and idly scratched his other arm. Only when Jane sat up did he realize she was awake.

"Did I wake you?" He asked quietly, and Jane shook her head.

"Not at all. Are you hungry?"

"A little. I'm more so itching to get out of this room."

"Yeah?"

Jane was quiet for a moment as she thought about what to do.

"I should probably ask Lynne before trying to get you out of bed, just to be sure..."

"Okay," Bo responded lightly, and he smiled.

Jane climbed over the footboard and stood up straight, reaching her arms above her head in a stretch. Bo hastily looked away, unable to bring himself to look at Jane as her tunic rose up, revealing a small preview of her creamy white stomach. The first time she'd done it, Bo thought his heart might beat right out of his chest, and now he averted his gaze whenever she stretched.

"I'll go find Lynne and see what she thinks." Jane's voice floated over to Bo, and he finally looked over at her.

"Thanks, Jane."

Jane shot him a warm smile after she slipped her boots on, and then she quickly left their bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind her. She wandered down the hallway towards Lynne's room, and she paused when Nazgurat rounded the corner and nearly walked into her.

"Sorry Jane," Naz mumbled sleepily, and he yawned.

"No worries," Jane responded lightly. "Have you seen Lynne this morning?"

"Nope."

Nazgurat strode away towards the dining hall without another word. Jane watched him go for a moment, wondering quietly to herself if something was wrong. She decided she was probably just being silly, and so Jane continued down the hall until she reached the room Lynne was staying in. She knocked lightly on the door.

"Y-yeah?" Came Lynne's quiet voice from behind the door.

"It's me, Lynne. Can I speak with you?"

The door opened, and Lynne's tired face gazed down at her. Her pale skin was red and splotchy, and there were deep bags under her eyes. Her eyes were red and puffy. Had she been crying?

"Is everything okay?" Jane asked softly.

"Oh yeah, yeah..." Lynne shrugged and then yawned. "I haven't been sleeping well lately, but it'll pass...Please come in."

Lynne stepped to the side, and Jane walked into the room.

"I'm just here to talk about Bo. He's dying to get out of bed, but I don't want him to overdo it. Do you think he's strong enough to try and get up for a little bit? I'm sure the fresh air would do him good."

"Mmm," Lynne responded as she fished around in her satchel for a clean shirt. "I think it's a good idea too. I just need him to be careful. His hip is permanently damaged. It will be some time before he gets back to normal. Even then, he'll always be vulnerable where the Troll ripped him apart."

"I know..." Jane sighed.

"He's having a hard time coming to terms with that. I just want him to feel like he's getting back to normal, even if that means spending five minutes out in the snow. He knows not to push his luck."

"I think that will be fine. Perhaps Nazgurat can assist Bo in case he needs it."

"Good idea. I'll go ask. I nearly ran into him in the hall."

"Did you?" Lynne asked curtly, not looking at Jane.

"Yeah. He was very short with me, but I think he was just waking up."

"Hmm."

Jane finished her conversation with Lynne and quickly left her room so she could get dressed. She wandered towards the Dining Hall and then stopped at another room. She knocked on the door, but nobody answered, and so she continued making her way towards the dining hall. She found Ahmon and Nazgurat eating breakfast together at the bar.

"Ah Good morning Jane," Ahmon greeted her warmly.

"Good morning. How's your head, Ahmon?"

"Much better, thanks. I really am grateful for you and Bo... and Naz of course."

The Orc grunted when Ahmon clapped him on the back, and he nearly smiled.

"Oh no worries," Jane answered quickly, waving her hand. "I'm sure you would have done the same."

Ahmon smiled at her, which Jane returned. He was a handsome young Nord, just barely nineteen years old. His hair was the color of bright straw and fell just past his shoulder. He opted to keep it tied back, and his eyes were a deep shade of blue just like a typical Nord. They had chatted a little bit through the course of their stay at Nightgate Inn, and Jane had come to learn that Ahmon came from a family of farmers. He had been on his way to Windhelm with a caravan filled with produce when he had been attacked by the bandits.

"I hope my parents aren't too upset," Ahmon expressed sadly. "I know they'll be glad I'm alright, and the horses, but... we had just purchased that Caravan the week before. Pa will be so annoyed..."

"The Caravan can be replaced," Jane responded softly, and she patted his arm. "People cannot."

Jane took a seat beside Nazgurat at the bar, and she quickly consumed a bowl full of porridge. When she was finished, she ordered a bowl for Bo and then turned around in her seat to face Nazgurat, who shot her a curious glance.

"Yes?"

"Naz, do you mind helping me with something?"

"What is it?" Nazgurat replied although he knew he'd do anything she asked.

He had grown fond of the kind girl over the last couple of days. It wasn't an easy feat for the hardened Orc.

"Bo is dying to get outside for some fresh air. Do you mind assisting him? I'm sure he'll try to be tough and do it all on his own but I don't want him to injure himself any further..."

"Of course I can help."

"Thanks, Naz!"

Jane scooped up the second bowl of porridge and hopped off the stool. She leaned in and quickly planted a kiss on Naz's soft green cheek. The older Orc was quickly taken aback but tried to hide it. However, Jane had already started making her way back towards the sleeping quarters and didn't notice. Beside him, Ahmon chuckled, and he earned himself a light punch to the arm.

"Don't even start," Naz threatened, and Ahmon laughed harder.

"I won't, friend... I won't."

When Bo was finished his breakfast, he got dressed with help from Nazgurat and was finally ready to go outside. Bo stood on shaking legs, and he sucked in a deep breath as pain shot through his hip.

"You alright?" Naz grunted.

"I'll be fine."

Jane hovered close by with a look of concern on her face, but she tried to let Bo be independent. She watched, chewing her lip nervously, as Bo took a hesitant step forward. He groaned but took another step and another. When he reached the dresser, his hands shot out and grasped the worn wooden surface. He bowed his head and struggled to catch his breath as he took a small break before making the long trek towards the door. Nazgurat stood nearby, silently watching as well.

When Bo reached the door, he stumbled on his last step. He felt his knee give way, but before he could fall to the floor Naz's strong hands reached out and grasped Bo, holding him up.

"T-Thanks," Bo gasped breathlessly. "I t-think I got it."

Naz grunted, and when Bo had steadied himself he stood back a few paces. The door was already open, and Bo slowly stepped forward into the hall, inspecting the Inn for the first time since arriving. It had been at least a year or more since he had visited Nightgate Inn, but everything was exactly the same.

Lynne stood near the entrance to the Dining Hall with a thick fur coat for Bo. When he reached her, he leaned against the wooden frame for a moment and allowed Lynne to help him into the coat.

"Don't overdo it, you hear me? Tell me the moment it becomes too much."

"Okay," Bo mumbled. "I'm fine right now."

It was slow going, but eventually, he made it to the front door. Jane opened it, and everybody stepped outside, with Bo going more slowly. When he reached the stairs, he had to admit defeat. His hip was aching something fierce.

"I... don't think I can do the stairs today," Bo admitted quietly.

Jane nodded, and she glanced over at the nearby bench.

"Do you want to sit for a while, get some fresh air in your lungs?"

Bo nodded, and then slowly made his way over to the bench. Nazgurat helped lower his butt down onto the cold surface, and Bo let out a deep sigh.

Ahmon had wandered down the stairs into a small snowdrift, and he threw himself down onto the soft white fluff. Jane laughed as she watched Ahmon toss handfuls of it into the air, amused by the Nord's carefree personality. She turned around to look back at Bo when something soft hit her in the back of the head.

"Hey!" Jane started, and she began turning back around when another snowball pelted her directly in the face.

Bo watched with a small smile as Jane raced down the stairs towards another snow drift and began furiously making snowballs. She shrieked as Ahmon threw one after the other at her and tried desperately to get him back. Their laughter rang out, and even Nazgurat couldn't help but smile as the younger pair played on. Lynne stood on the other side of Bo, also smiling softly as she watched Ahmon rush towards Jane and tackle her into the snow drifts. He scooped up handfuls of snow and attempted to bury her, but Jane was too wriggly, and she was able to escape.

Some time passed, and Bo began to grow too cold. He shivered in his fur coat and watched as his breath came out in little white puffs. His butt was numb on the wooden bench. Eventually, Jane and Ahmon wandered back up the steps, covered from head to toe in snow. It clung to their coats, pants, and boots in small clumps, and Jane pulled at the clumps of snow in her hair. Her face was bright red, and she grinned as she lightly punched Ahmon in the shoulder.

"I demand a rematch," Jane declared, and Ahmon laughed.

"Deal."

Bo sullenly watched Jane interact with Ahmon, convinced that she found him attractive. He wallowed in self-pity, wishing it had been him that had played with her in the snow. But here he was, stuck on the bench with a mangled hip, unable to make her shriek and laugh, and cause her face to glow bright red. His mood had suddenly soured.

"Are you alright Bo?" Jane asked breathlessly, eying him.

His small scowl didn't go unnoticed, but he tried to smooth it over.

"Yeah, but I should go back in."

"Okay."

The group slowly made their way back into Nightgate Inn and Bo was able to sit down and have a meal with everybody for the first time. He sat in the wooden chair and leaned against the backrest with a glum expression. Other patrons milled about, and a bard played a soft tune on a lute in the corner of the room. Lynne handed Bo a small vial as she took a seat beside him, and Jane sat down on his right along with Ahmon. Bo took the vial and downed it in one gulp. He sighed quietly, and Nazgurat shot him a curious glance from across the table. He clenched an iced cold bottle of ale in his thick hand.

"How much longer do you have before we can leave?" The Orc grumbled.

Bo was well aware of the chatting that went on beside him, as Jane laughed at something Ahmon said to her. She too held a bottle of ale, and when their laughter had subsided she took a little sip of her drink and turned her attention towards Bo.

"I dunno... if I can barely walk right now, it doesn't look good."

"It looks just fine Bo," Lynne chimed in, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm positive you'll be ready to leave here by the end of the week."

"I don't even know what day it is," Bo responded quietly. He had completely lost track of time since the accident.

"It's Turdas," Jane responded softly. "We've been here for eight days."

"Three more days, give or take. You're going to be uncomfortable riding regardless of time, but I'm working with what little supplies I have to whip up some medicine to help numb the pain."

"Great," Bo mumbled somberly, and then he quickly added, "Thanks."

Bo didn't want to appear ungrateful towards Lynne. The Nord had definitely saved his life. If she hadn't been at the Inn when they arrived he probably would have bled to death. He tried not to think about it, and instead focused on tucking into his meat pie when it came around.

Once dinner and drinks had been consumed, Nazgurat wandered off somewhere on his own. Ahmon and Lynne eventually retired to their respective bedrooms, only after being reassured that Bo could get back to his bedroom just fine. Bo had drunk more than usual during dinner, but he was confident he could make it back in one piece.

"Go on," Bo waved his hand. "Goodnight."

Lynne shot Jane a concerned glance, and the girl simply shrugged. Lynne finally left, and the pair were left sitting awkwardly at the table, not speaking. Jane had an inkling suspicion that he was upset with her, but she didn't know for what. She wanted to say something, but Bo had quite a lot of Ale in him, and the last thing she wanted was to start an argument.

Beside her, the Orc's head dipped several times as he nearly fell asleep, but he quickly caught himself and brought his head back up. His hair had been tied back some hours before with a leather string, but it was beginning to come undone, and several long strands of his dark brown hair fell across his forehead. He made no effort to move them.

"Should... we go back?" Jane ventured quietly, and Bo glanced over at her with tired eyes.

"Guess so."

Jane stood up from the table and waited patiently, unsure of whether or not Bo needed assistance. Bo finished the contents of his bottle and then slid an empty chair closer to him so he could use it for leverage. Jane watched as his thick hands tightly gripped the chair and the table, and Bo grimaced as he struggled to stand up. Jane took a step forward, concerned, and Bo waved her away.

"I'm fine... s'fine..."

Bo took a few steps forward, a pained look on his face, and then took a few more unsteady steps towards the hall leading to their room. It probably didn't help that he was fairly intoxicated, and it was almost amusing to watch Bo wobble, but Jane wasn't laughing. She wanted to know what it was that bothered him so much as to push himself to drink to that point.

When they reached their bedroom, Bo nearly fell as his hip gave a painful spasm. Jane's arms shot out and gripped his arm, but the Orc was able to straighten himself and slowly shuffled towards the bed. He let out a deep sigh as he sat down heavily on the side of the bed. Jane took his coat as Bo shrugged out from it and tossed it down beside him. However, when he tried to reach down to his boots, a sharp pain shot through his leg and hip.

"Fuck!" Bo grumbled angrily.

"Let me do it."

Jane knelt down in front of Bo and began easing his foot out from the boot. Bo let out a frustrated sigh but did not protest.

"I feel like a child," he muttered mostly to himself, and Jane glanced up at him.

"Well you're not a child, and Lynne says you're mending perfectly."

"Perfectly," Bo scoffed, and when Jane had finished removing his shoes the Orc slid back onto the bed and laid down with a loud huff.

"Alright Bo, I've held my tongue all night, but I can't anymore."

Bo had closed his eyes, but he slowly opened them and found Jane standing beside him with her arms crossed. Her soft full brows were furrowed together in concern.

"What?" He blurted out.

"Something is bothering you, and it bothers me that you're bothered," Jane continued softly. "What is it?"

Bo was suddenly at a loss for words. The way she looked at him made his stomach drop. Any annoyance he had felt earlier seemed to melt away the moment Jane spoke to him. Her words turned him to honey, despite the liquid confidence he had drunk earlier.

"Is it your accident?" Jane inquired, and she sat down on the edge of the bed and took his hand. She held it firmly while she spoke.

"I know you're frustrated but Bo... you have to have patience. You're going to get stronger again."

Bo was embarrassed. He couldn't believe he had ever been cross with her.

"I know..." Bo lied, "It's j-just hard. I haven't been hurt this bad in a very long time."

"Not everybody can avoid injuries forever," Jane responded lightly, and she squeezed his hand. "I can barely walk in a straight line without tripping over my own feet."

Her smile brought him back to reality, and he finally returned it.

"I know, you're right. You're always right, Jane."

Jane laughed, and it was a sound he loved to hear the most. A realization suddenly hit him like a brick to the chest.

I am undeniably attracted to Jane, Bo's thoughts whirled, as his heartbeat grew faster. You know it, and it's getting harder to hide.

"I don't know about that," Jane had continued, but Bo barely heard her. "But most of the time I am."

Jane felt better, and his smile had been assuring. She was satisfied with his answer, and so she quickly kicked off her boots and blew out the candle. Bo could hear her climbing over the footboard, and a moment later Jane laid down beside him and resumed her usual spot. Her hand lay near his, waiting for him this time. After a moment's pause, Bo reached out and gently laced his fingers together with hers. He heard her soft sigh, and her soft thumb gently stroked his hand as they lay there in the dark together. Her touch lulled him into a deep, peaceful sleep.