Some characters aren't mine, but most are.

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Crossroad Keep - - -

--Neeshka

Winter was always a dead bore. I couldn't travel as easily, leaving me stuck. I could stay here in the Keep, or there were always couriers going back and forth to Neverwinter, so I'd be safe enough for travel.

But, I had a little problem. Some of the more senior Greycloaks must have heard of me before they were transferred. They trained all the farm boys and recruits, so now they all watched me. A lot. Even when I wasn't doing anything. Casavir and the Commander would be disappointed enough if I actually did something shady, let alone the runt's ranting. But I wasn't fond of that kind of audience.

Now, if some of them had been cute and watching me for other reasons, that woulda been okay. Even with the general shortage of women, not too many even seemed to notice that I was even female. Not that that would even be a problem, at least at this fort, as from the Commander on down there would be such a furor if anyone was more than a little rude.

With that many men, I'd hoped that a few might look beyond my mysterious heritage, but I really didn't encounter that many. Most couldn't afford the Phoenix that often, they drank the free grog in the mess hall where I wasn't so welcome. And there wasn't much at the Keep for entertainment. So, my boredom.

I thought I'd found every hidden niche and secret panel in the Keep, a few were in interesting places and dust free. One, I was fairly sure the paladin didn't know about. As part of an altar for his god, I'd been surprised it had a very pretty dagger in it that had a tiny nook suitable for poison. That, he'd have never approved of. It was very tempting, but I wasn't sure if the Commander had these hiding spots filled for emergencies. There had been enough times when an extra potion had saved my life, even aside from my efforts not to get in trouble anymore. But I did keep an eye on what was in the various stashes, and saw the contents in a couple of them change, so they hadn't been forgotten. In an emergency, no one would care if I used 'em, but we hadn't really had any emergencies, lately.

Then, I wouldn't be as bored. I really wished the Keep had more of a village. There were a few merchants, a couple of craftsmen, the Phoenix, and a part time baker. Most were farmers, allotted the fields closer to the keep. Nothing to give me something fun to do. I could only practice for combat a little while, before I wanted to hit something for real in sheer frustration and boredom.

This far from Neverwinter, the weather was far less mild, too. More ice and snow, less fun, as not too many went outside for fun when it was this cold. Neverwinter was looking more and more attractive while we were waiting, waiting for news or the weather to break. At least there, there was entertainment, gossip, gambling, and gold. Things much more interesting than watching everyone around me diligently train or watch me.

So after dinner, I told the Commander I was leaving for Neverwinter. She was in the armory reading a pile of parchments in annoyance. She looked tempted, for a moment, to come with me. Sighing, she told me that the regular courier was leaving just after dawn, and that I was to be careful and stay out of trouble. Her smile and rolling eyes, said she was bored too, even if she was staying here.

So the next morning, I was ready to leave with the courier, at an hour of the day I'd much rather be sleeping.

"I'm Arn. Are you really awake enough to stay on your horse, and keep up?" he asked, barely hiding his amusement at my yawns.

I think I snarled something back, but I'm not that sure it was coherent. But we left anyway.

Arn set a fast pace, and didn't talk much. I just clung to my horse, and wondered why I wasn't still in my bed.

During a rest and water break, I was feeling more awake, and asked him, "How long for us to get there?"

"Depends on the roads," he admitted. "They'll be clearer when we are closer to the city. Tonight should be the only night on the road, if you and your horse can keep up."

"I've survived worse than a hard ride," I objected, before I quite realized that I should have phrased it better.

Arn's face was neutral when he said, "I've heard rumors, mostly. Not that many rumors. Usually someone involved brags about such deeds."

I think I made a face, saying, "I used to do that more often. That made it too easy for asses to find me for payback. We don't have free time that often to enjoy an evening in a tavern, so why bother trying to impress each other?"

Not that we didn't rehash some bits often enough for eyes to roll afterwards. But the Commander hadn't been impressed by Bishop's leering brags, or she was quietly amused by the excitement of Grobnar and me. By the time we made it to an inn or the Flagon, whatever fight we'd won was already old news.

"I've heard about your group fighting bandits, corruption, Luskans, orcs, and undead of all kinds," he said with a slight bit of disbelief.

"Hells, you missed the trolls, gith, and that red dragon," I was surprised.

"That's what the other 'Cloaks know about to tell people like me," he said, swinging back on his horse. "Time to get moving."

I thought about it, during the next stage. Casavir would not brag, Grobnar was always more interested in his Wendersnaven music, and Khelgar was a little quieter since he spent some time in the temple of Tyr. Qara wasn't along often enough to brag that much. Bishop didn't care that others knew how dangerous he was, he wanted to tempt the Commander into something. The rest of us preferred a lower profile for one reason or another.

Arn led the way, with his greater knowledge of this type of quick travel. So I spent part of the ride in appreciation of his form while I clung to my horse. He was a smaller man, this courier, lighter and faster and he had only light armor. Possibly enchanted, if the city valued the information he carried. Out on the road all the time, staying ahead of most problems. Not a kid, that said he was competent to still be playing a youngster's game.

And best of all he was actually polite. To me.

I knew how rarely I got anything but tolerance, when I wasn't with the others.

The next couple of rest breaks, we talked mostly about the road conditions and not much else.

Then as the light grew dim, and the horses were getting less willing to travel, Arn said, "There's a pretty grove that makes a good, sheltered camp only a mile or so ahead."

"Pretty is fine, as long as we can light a fire," I said crossly, as my fingers were cramping.

We had to go a little slower, and ended up leading the horses to a good place to camp. It looked like it had been used many, many times before, and the fire pit even had a bark board over it, so a fire was quickly lit. Once I was away from the warmth of my horse, I was really cold for the first time in a long time. I'd teased others before about their heavier garb slowing them in the cold, but now it was easier to understand.

Arn brought out a small tent, and I was embarrassed to realize I didn't own one. He looked at me, and I flushed, never my favorite thing given my coloring.

"We either didn't travel that much in cold weather or had spells to help," I admitted.

"Hmm. Well, this can fit two. Want to keep warm with me?" Arn said with a warm smile.

"Sure thing," I said grinning. "You're a lot nicer than a badger or wolf."

It was a little small, and we ended up spooned together. He was polite enough, and I was surprised he didn't really try any more, given the reputation most tieflings have. When I woke once, his hand had wandered, but it felt nice and I fell asleep again still cozy.

His moving woke me well before dawn, and it was still far too early for me. It had been pleasant, as I hadn't really slept all night with anyone since Leldon. That hadn't been that fun very often. I usually visited a festhall if I wanted company. The Commander had gone with me a few times before she'd been promoted. I knew the ranger had several favorites, I'd followed him to a few times out of curiosity. Khelgar had one he'd visit on the sly. Grobnar came back babbling about new compositions he was inspired to. None of the others seemed to go out much for fun, and I wondered if Zhjaeve was actually female.

I ate when he suggested it, and we were back on the road a little before dawn. Travel was a little more painful as the unusually bitter cold quickly got into my hands. I quietly drank a light healing potion, so the aches went away as we rode.

Before I was awake again I got some teasing about my sleepiness, but we did talk more on our breaks. Late afternoon and I caught a glimpse of the city from a hill. The road got icy and we had to slow. I looked at Arn in surprise.

"It happens that way sometimes. The edge of the warmer area along the river and city, and rain reaches the colder area. We'll only reach a farm village at best today. The sun will take care of it tomorrow, but it's too low now to help," he added with compressed lips.

Almost immediately, sleet and hail began and it took us to well after dark to lead the horses to shelter in some outlying barn. Keeping warm was a lot more fun this time.

Even so, Arn was much too cheerful waking me before dawn again. The kiss helped only so much. We made it to the city gate late morning.

"I don't really know where I'll be sent next time," Arn said with a smile. "Will you be here when I come back?"

"Maybe, that depends on how long it takes you. Here, you can look for me at the Sunken Flagon, by the docks. The keep is the other place to look, unless we're out killing orcs again." I was grinning.

With one last kiss when we'd passed the gate, Arn remounted and took off at a pace too fast for city streets. I took my time getting to the Flagon. I'd have plenty of time to take a nap and go out yet tonight for some fun.

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Thanks to my reviewer, for some late help with typos and other inadvertent errors.