"How was that?" Reaver asked sleepily.
"Better than the first time," Sparrow decided.
"The first three times, you mean," he corrected.
"Yeah, I suppose," she agreed.
"I am tired," he announced, and fell asleep.
Sparrow smiled. "About 24 hours ago I hated your guts," she whispered to him. She shifted a little, and managed to break out of his grip without hurting either of them.
Now I'm getting dressed and out of here.
Sparrow picked up her clothes and began getting dressed. As she was putting on her boots, she heard soft footprints on the staircase. The door opened, and Marine came in.
"Marine!" Sparrow whispered.
Marine looked pointedly at Reaver.
"Sleeping," Sparrow assured her.
"Well?" Marine asked.
"Well what?"
"You know perfectly well what. Was it as bad as I thought?" Marine asked her.
"Ah…um…hey, are those Will lines?" Sparrow asked suddenly.
"Yes, they are. Now, what was it like?"
"Will-user Marine. This world is not ready for it," Sparrow muttered.
"Sparrow! Was it as bad as you thought?" Marine demanded. Sparrow looked her square in the eye.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Marine. He was amazing," she replied. Marine visibly sagged.
"I see," she said quietly. "You filing divorce papers yet?" she added bitterly.
"Marine! When you've been screwed you'll understand," Sparrow told her.
"Well, I haven't, so I DON'T," Marine snapped.
"You know if he wakes up he'll want you, right?" Sparrow warned her. Marine turned on her heel and stormed out the building.
"Marine, Marine, Marine. Women…it's hard to…and I don't want to...oh, never mind," Sparrow trailed off lamely.
"I'm listening. What's it hard to get or do or whatever?" Marine asked, sitting on a bench.
"It's hard to get a good partner," Sparrow replied.
"You mean for…"
"…Bodily endeavours, yes. The point is, I love Bill and we've had kids. I don't love Reaver. I'm just attracted to him. Okay?" Sparrow consoled her. "If it makes you feel any better, I was regretting my pride when I arrived," she added. "Besides, Reaver's going to sea in a few more days, and he's not exactly bothered about me, is he?"
"It appears otherwise."
"Oh please. Marine, the guy tied me to a bedpost simply so he could get some," Sparrow informed her with a roll of her azure blue eyes.
"Tied you to a bedpost?" Marine said incredulously.
"Well, I got hungry and I wasn't supposed to run away. So while he bought food I had to stay in the mansion," she sighed.
They took the ship back to Westcliff, the carriage back to Fairfax. Sparrow was greeted by happy children and a subdued husband.
"You look upset."
"I wonder why. I found Reaver's little letter. You've got a little life in Bloodstone you said nothing about. So now you've pretty much slept with everyone, haven't you?"
"There are a lot of people in Albion, Bill. I have only ever had a few people from Bloodstone."
"And I know that how?"
"Well, for one thing, there are very few people in the central and northerly half of Albion that will ever sleep before marriage. About five, I should think. And you were one of them, remember? That's how we got married."
Bill blushed. He shuffled his feet. "Yes…" He said quietly. Then he looked up. "But marriage is for one-on-one love. You don't have random lovers on the side."
"You knew what I was like when you married me, Bill. You're raising the issue now?"
"I didn't know, no. I guessed you were a bit free, but I didn't realise that you were so free."
Sparrow viewed him sadly. "Say goodbye to the children for me," she said quietly, and walked away.
Reaver had woken up alone, and discovered himself alone in the house. Dang. Sparrow had left without his knowledge. The Bloodstoners confessed to have seen her and Marine on the ship to Westcliff.
"That's it," Reaver decided. "I'm going to Castle Fairfax."
He hopped on the ship to Westcliff and in seven hours they had reached their destination. He felt a little out of place. He rushed over to the carriage house and took the carriage to Bowerstone. Then he walked to Castle Fairfax.
A man who looked like a stall-holder stalked over to him angrily. "Are you Reaver?" He snapped.
"Yes."
"Thankyou for the letter to my wife."
"Oh, I see."
"Her and her little Bloodstone life. She's left, you know. Marine and Rick have the kids. They tied the knot when they got home. I wish him all the best of luck if she's anything like HER," Bill said bitterly.
"Well, you can't expect a woman as lovely as her to stay with one person, especially one so common and untalented. Really, you're lucky she held out this long," Reaver told him tactlessly.
"You what? Come here, you!" Bill roared, and launched himself at Reaver, who sidestepped and the other man went toppling to the ground. He hissed angrily and tried to grab Reaver's ankle. Reaver jumped out of his reach. Bill got up and wiped the dirt off his face.
"Bet you did it too. You probably slept with her," Bill hissed.
"Best four hours of my life," came the heartless response.
Bill blushed. "You're not serious?"
"Oh, there were breaks." Reaver replied.
Bill, who had only ever been raised for monogamy, couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So she was completely unfaithful?"
"Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Yes!"
"Sorry, but in the south of Albion we don't really do morality."
Bill lunged for Reaver, tackling him completely. Quick as a flash Reaver drew his pistol.
"I will shoot," he warned.
Bill scowled and let the other man up.
"Take her dog with you, please," Bill hissed, and Rin appeared from nowhere. Reaver dusted off his clothes, turned around and danced away, Rin at his heels.