Sparrow made her way through the passage from Wraithmarsh to Bloodstone.
She'd attended Marine and Rick's wedding, then sneaked down to Brightwood and used the cullis gate to Wraithmarsh. She had a strange feeling in her, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
As she ran towards the light, she smelt the salty air and heard the sound of living earth beneath her feet. Her clothes were different-on top she was dressed like a harlot; on the bottom she wore the Knothole skirt and some boots. Her gloves were felt-lined. She wore no makeup, but the gorgeous grace and certainty with which she carried herself was enough to send every person for the next hundred yards reeling.
She ran up the hill to Bloodstone Mansion, checking first that she really had given every house luxury furniture. She smiled, glad to bring about some good in the poverty-stricken town.
She stopped for breath in a shop doorway, then ran the last few metres. She walked upstairs and took her boots off, then lay down on the bed on her front, facing the door.
Reaver got the boat back to Bloodstone, furious. What idiot dared to mess with the Great Reaver? He was so grouchy he very nearly shot the ship's captain, but thought against it. They were a bugger to replace, and always very expensive. Instead he gripped the rails with a fury and looked out over the sea.
In a few short hours, you'll be home, and you can forget that stupid little man in a drink, Reaver consoled himself calmly. He sighed. But where had Sparrow got to?
"Where are you, you lovely little minx?" he asked quietly. The captain tapped him on the shoulder.
"Maximum time ten minutes," he promised. Reaver nodded, and looked out at Bloodstone. He saw his lovely mansion on the hill, and all the lesser houses surrounding it.
Earlier, hadn't Sparrow said something about Bloodstone being relaxing? Yes, she had. And she had a point. It was a calming view when you were angry.
Rin whined at him.
"I don't know where she's gone," Reaver replied. "But she's in trouble when I find her."
He resolved to 'punish' her at the first chance.
Rin growled at him. "Er…only if she wants to be, of course," said Reaver, and realised they'd landed. He got off the ship and Rin followed.
Then Rin's ears pricked up, and he raced up the hill. Reaver was hard-pressed to follow him.
"Excuse me, I don't have four legs," Reaver complained as he finally caught up with the dog. Rin actually looked at him as though he were stupid. "Anyway, what was that mad dash about?" he asked suddenly.
Rin dived into the house and up the stairs.
"Oh no! No animals in the house, Thankyou very much!" Reaver yelled. He followed the dumb animal upstairs, flinging open his bedroom door.
And who should be there, lying on his bed, but the lovely little minx?
"You're in trouble," Reaver informed her after a long pause.
She smiled. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
"Your ex tackled me to the floor."
"Bet you liked that."
"I don't think so."
"For once."
"And just what are you suggesting?"
"That you're promiscuous and bi-sexual."
"That makes two of us."
"I suppose."
There was a pause as Sparrow's blue eyes looked into Reaver's green ones.
"So why did you come back?" he asked suddenly.
"Why do you think?" she asked, looking at him from under her lashes.
"Because I'm impressive and couldn't compare to anyone else," he answered.
She laughed. "There is that, but that's not the only reason," she informed him.
"Er…Um…then, little Sparrow, I'm stumped," Reaver replied.
"I'm infatuated, Reaver," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"No, really? With me? And I never saw that coming," said Reaver, faking disbelief. She grinned. He leant against the bed and kissed her.
"So, are you just going to sit in Bloodstone waiting for me while I'm at sea?" he asked.
"No, I'll occasionally go round Albion killing things. And resurrecting Oakvale while you're gone, of course," she added. Reaver looked shocked. "And there was this potion that I heard of which restores youth, so, you could boycott sacrificing people," she offered. Reaver looked dazed.
"I'm not boycotting killing people, but I suppose I could look it over," he said quietly.
Sparrow smirked. "That's what I like to hear," she said.
Sparrow pulled the hairgrips out of her hair and shook it out the style it was in. "I'm not lying on this bed because it's comfy, Reaver," she informed him.
"Despite that, it is fairly comfy. I don't think we should waste such good quality, am I right?" Reaver retorted.
Her eyebrow quirked. "I'm listening," she said.
"Well, don't listen too hard. There's really not much to say," he told her, pushing her down so that her head hit the pillow. "I seem to recall doing this about a week ago. I also seem to recall telling you that you wouldn't regret it yet you blatantly insisted you would."
Sparrow shrugged nonchalantly. "Are you being bad again?" he demanded.
"Uh…maybe," she replied.
"That's it!" He pounced.
She squealed excitedly, and kissed him.