"It's so cold!" Connor exclaimed as he sat down on the other side of side of the small table. He rubbed his frozen hands together and looked around the large room of the tavern. Kaye nodded and removed her cloak.
"It does seem a little colder than when I first left. But we are heading for the mountains. I suppose it's bound to get colder with each day." The two thought over this less than welcomed thought and were silent.
"I'm so hungry…" Connor finally said. The green eyed girl smiled at him and raised a hand for some service. A pretty little girl came over and took their orders happily.
"Eh, aren't you kinda young to be working?" Connor asked bluntly. The little girl smiled.
"I'm helping my mama with things around here since papa is sick!" She explained.
"That's very sweet of you. I'm sure you're mother is proud of you." The little girl grinned and ran off happily. Connor looked over at Kaye with an impressed look.
"Ah, just as I thought you'd make I great mother!" He blushed slightly and broke off into his own fantasy while Kaye resisted the urge to hit him over the head.
"Please stop Connor." She finally said breaking him out of his fantasy. She smiled slightly and rested her chin on her palm. "Besides I wouldn't know where to start acting like a mother."
"Eh, didn't you even watch your mother?"
"I can't remember…" Kaye said quietly. Connor dropped his smile and examined the girl in front of him. She was older by one year but still shorter than he was. He had seemingly fallen for her at first sight by had no idea what she was really like, why she was fleeing from her home, he knew nothing about her.
"My parents…there are times where I wish I could forget about them." He said softly. His blue eyes were met with her surprised green ones.
"You…want to forget…?"
"Only sometimes. They died of sickness when I was four. I can't remember much of course but I do know they were good, kind honest people who loved me. And when they died Mr. Gafford sort of adopted me into his family and he and the Mrs. became like a second family. But sometimes it hurts remembering that I even had parents at all…" He broke off and looked at Kaye. "What about you? You said you don't remember, what do you mean?"
"In my town there is a castle. Every year the soldiers go through and pick out the children who are best suited to work in the castle. They are ruthlessly taken from their homes and families and sent to work. I was six or seven when I was taken but for some reason I can't remember anything. I know I had parents but I can't remember what they looked like anymore. I don't even know if they're still alive. And not everyone forgot…just…just me…" Connor could sympathize.
"That has to hurt you more than what I feel could ever hurt me. Knowing you had parents and remembering them is one thing. But knowing you had parents and not being able to remember anything about them, it has to hurt." Kaye looked the blonde over with a seemingly new light.
"You're…you're different then I thought you were Connor…"She said with a smile. "Thank you…for everything." Connor beamed and grabbed her hands.
"Does this mean we can get married and have kids some day?"
"Forget I just said anything." Someone laughed from next to them.
"My you two are something else aren't you?" Kaye looked over at the speaker and her eyes landed on a tall pretty woman and a lean man. The woman smiled and held out her hand. "Sorry to interrupt but you two seem a bit out of place. And frankly my partner and I also stick out. So why not stick out together. I'm Maya and this is Damar." Kaye shook Maya's hand and smiled shyly.
"Pleased to meet you Mi-Maya." She corrected herself. Almost used a title. I don't have to do that anymore. "My name is Kaye this is Connor. Please have a seat." The two strangers complied and sat down at the little table.
"You're so polite Kaye. Are you a noble or something in disguise?" Maya teased poking the girl's forehead and laughing. This woman is so…blunt…it's refreshing and nice. I like her! If Kaye had to guess she would probably say Maya and Damar were in their early twenties. Maya had long red hair that was twisted into a single braid that ran down her back. Her brilliant green eyes twinkled as she talked and boy was she vocal. Damar was a bit more reserved but still just as blunt and just as enjoyable. His shaggy black hair hung to his shoulders and his matching dark eyes were mischievous to say the least. Already he and Connor were in an argument about something or other. Kaye had never felt so relaxed in her entire life as she ate and talked with her new friends. Jarren would love these people. Jarren…Kaye's heart skipped a beat at the thought causing her to cough on her food.
"Oi now don't choke." Damar said a bit worried as he jumped to his feet. Kaye shook her head and took a sip of whatever was in her cup.
"Connor we need to go." She said as she stood up. The blonde gaped at her slightly. "Jarren…" Connor's eyes widened and he nodded slightly.
"Right, I forgot."
"Eh, you two have to leave already?" Maya pouted.
"We've got business to take care of in Mir." Connor explained. Damar and Maya beamed at each other and stood up as well.
"What a coincidence, we're on our way to Mir as well. Let's travel together!"
"W-We're in quite a rush actually. We're taking a fairly dangerous route to Mir you see. I wouldn't want to put you in any danger." Kaye explained quickly. Maya waved the explanation aside.
"Nonsense, Damar and I are rangers anyway. We'll serve as much better protection than whatever you two could dish out." Maya said proudly.
"There really isn't any point stopping you is there?" Kaye asked with a defeated smile. Maya and Damar grinned and the four mounted their horses; well Kaye and Connor mounted together anyway. "We have to put some distance between us and those soldiers ok Connor?" The blonde grinned and spurred the horse forward.
Thank you for reviewing! This story is gonna turn out kind of rushed but I promise I'll try to go back and fix everything. Was able to upload one more chapter but I'm going out of state for a while so it may be a couple days before the next one gets up. Thank you for reading!