-1Chapter 12: How Did We Get Here

Baurus laid down on her bed for the second time that day, this time he was conscious and very aware of the pain stemming from the wound in his side. He groaned, "Your sheets-"

"Forget them." She said as she shuffled through her cabinet for the right herbs to stop the bleeding.

"But-"

"Got them! I learned this trick back when I was training for the guild." She took the bottle of herbs and sprinkled them over the wound. He yelled in pain as she placed her hand on the wound. Speaking the right words, magic flowed from her to the wound.

He hissed, "Shit." Then he blinked, "It's healed."

"Yup. Only kind of healing I can do."

"What was that?"

"A weird herb mixture. I forget what's even in it. It's in one of those alchemy books over there on the shelf, scribbled in one of the margins. I made so much of it though I haven't had to make it for years." She hadn't moved her hand yet. "You want a knew shirt? I have some old male clothes from an assignment I had a while ago where I dress like a man."

"That would be nice." She stood letting her fingers gently slide from his bare stomach. She went to the end of the bed and dug through a dresser drawer. "That could have gone smoother. Can't say I minded killing a few more of these bastards, though."

"Me neither." She heard the ruffle of fabric and looked up. Her eyes went wide in surprise. His well sculpted chest glistened with sweat and blood. It took her a few long moments to realize she was staring. He had ab muscles she didn't even know existed. "Found it." He gave her a grateful smile as she threw it to him. He wiped the blood away with his already ruined shirt then pulled on the new one. "Now what?"

"Look over the books with Tar-Meena... I must return to Cloud Ruler Temple."

"What? Why-?"

"My place is with the emperor. I'm no code breaker. I'm no longer necessary to your assignment." He stood and turned away, "Besides, if I stay any longer I'm bound to do something far too inappropriate." She blushed scarlet.

"So?"

He turned and walked to her. His hands cupped her face gently, "I am far too conscientious. I believe you will return the Amulet to the Emperor. You don't need me for that." he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, then the lips. Her knees weakened, "Strength be to you." He let go of her face and left. She watched until he was out of sight. She sighed, time to head to the guild. It was a short walk. The door lead to the basement where a beggar lay asleep. She smiled fondly. As she went up the stairs to the main hall. They had expanded of late. More rooms, storage, the begins of a library. The main hall held only Armand.

He glared, "Is he gone?"

"Yes. He had to get back to-" She stopped. "I'm not suppose to talk about it."

"I understand." He stared at the bottle of Mead. "Amusei was asking about you."

"I'm not surprised. He's my biggest fan after all. Has he built a shrine to me in his house out in Anvil yet?"

"I think he has." They smiled at each other. Yay for old jokes. "I was thinking of getting doyens for all the major cities, since Amusei has done so well in Anvil. For Cheydenhal- and I want your opinion on this-"

"Methredhel. She'll love the promotion. Always said she liked the city..."

"And the others?"

"Will be worked out later. Take some time with it. Get her established, work her into the role a bit. Have her assign jobs pay off some bounties. One step at a time…" She looked at him for a long time, then sighed, "You want to leave the Imperial City don't you? You were going to sign up for Cheydenhal and leave tonight."

He looked away, "I wasn't."

"Liar." She shook her head, "Can you really not bare being in the same city as me anymore?"

"It just hurts is all. I can't think of what I did."

"Armand, please. This isn't the time."

"I know I usually just let it be but what was it? What drove you off?"

This was it. The moment she had been dreading and somehow she found the words she couldn't put together before, "You caged me."

His eyes snapped up. Shocked. Surprised. Confused. Hurt. It was a strong accusation, "What?"

"You treated me like… I was this weak naïve little girl. Then you piled on the paper work to keep me here, you cut me off from the outside world, Armand. I wasn't ALLOWED to leave, do you remember? After I found out about the vampire tribe you freaked and every time I tried to call you on it you dismissed it! I told other members and they said I was exaggerating and it was just because you loved me." She was getting angry, "I wasn't your equal anymore. I was your pretty little prize that needed to be coddled and protected from herself. I was smothered. So like any good felon I escaped. I got my brought justice upon my parents murders. I paid dearly. But I don't regret it."

"I told you revenge wasn't the answer."

"I tell you it's justice, you don't listen. They must have slaughtered hundreds in the years since my parents. I'm not weak. And if anyone knows the cruelty of man it's me. I was let down. And you have the audacity to act like you don't know. All I wanted was a few fighters too take with me and a tracker to lead the way. Took me much longer with just me and Henre. He might still be alive!" She had never raised her voice like that to one of her own. And never Armand. He didn't seem to be able to assimilate her words.

"I was scared." He looked scared now. Scared and pathetic.

"So was I. I don't let it stop me from doing what needs to be done." She stood. "I'm off to the University. I have a meeting with a scholar there. You are my Doyen here. I suggest you get use to it or leave." She then stormed out before she could cry. She could be a real bitch when she was pushed to far.