-Chapter Thirteen-
They stood and gathered their belongings. Lana smiled and took his hand, leading him out of the training grounds.
"What shall we do first?" she asked with a smile.
He walked beside her and replied, "Whatever you would like. Do you have anything that needs to be done for your supplies? I have a few items I need to purchase today."
She nodded, "I do also. I desperately need some new leathers. My favorite set needs to be replaced. You can help me choose new ones if you would like."
"Lead on my lady. I shall follow your lead," Casavir responded.
They made their various purchases, stopping at the vendors each needed for miscellaneous supplies. They walked slowly, luxuriating in their freedom for even these few stolen hours. Casavir reveled in the way she fit so perfectly at his side as they walked, his arm around her waist like a pair of young lovers.
They finally made their way to the tanners to purchase Lana's armor and entered. Lana searched through the tanner's supply, inspecting the various offerings. She chose a few items and took them to the back room try on.
She immerged wearing a small black skirt which with four buckles holding each side together, exposing the flesh down her thighs. Her top was equally minimal. It also was black, cut off at the midriff under her breasts. The center was held together with a buckle in the center of her breasts. "Well, what do you think?" she inquired.
"I think you need more leather to your leathers. Or is this another of your distraction tactics?" he teased.
"You're silly Casavir. Mine have to be minimal or they impair my movement. I have to rely more my dexterity since I'm not big and strong like you are my paladin. Plus, what else can I wear, a dress? I think not." she said with a grin. She turned to change into her street clothes, emerging a short time later.
After Lana paid for her new gear, making the necessary arrangements for her desired enchantments to be added and sent to the Sunken Flagon, they continued on.
Casavir halted abruptly in front of the tailor shop window as they passed, gazing at the display. Inside stood a dress maker's dummy modeling a shiny grey silk gown with threads of gleaming blue shot through the fabric. The bodice was cut low with sky blue embroidery stitched across and a peek of the undertunic showing at the top of the bosom. The body of the gown was sideless with a pale blue undertunic and flowing false sleeves which hung almost to the knee. He had noted the grey to be the same shade as Lana's eyes which is what had caught his attention.
She stood looking at the dress and smiled thoughtfully, "It's lovely, but why did you stop? You can't wear it, even though the blue in it certainly matches your eyes and your armor."
He chuckled, "No, I certainly cannot wear it but you can. I was just thinking the same thing except that the grey matches your eyes. It would be stunning on you my lady."
She sighed, "Thank you but it would be wasted on me. When could I ever wear something like that?"
"I am sure you will think of something," he replied and pulled her into the store.
"Casavir, what are you doing?" she squealed in dismay.
"I would think it was obvious my lady. I am buying you that dress of course," he replied.
Lana stood, stammering and protesting but he would not be persuaded. The shop keeper smiled as Casavir continued to block out Lana's protests, paying the necessary gold and making arrangements to have the gown delivered to the Sunken Flagon.
They exited the shop, and Lana pulled Casavir to a stop. "You really didn't need to do that. I doubt I will ever get have a chance to wear it to anything worthy of such a lovely gown. I thank you, it was wonderfully impractical. No one has ever done anything like that for me before. If I ever get to wear it, it will be like wearing your colors," she said with an uncharacteristic giggle. She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "You really are silly you know," she said, smiling.
"You are welcome. I would be honored to think you were wearing my colors when the opportunity does arise for you to wear that gown, then everyone will know that you truly are my lady," he grinned, pulling her close and kissing her full on the mouth.
"You really are my shining paladin. Chivalrous to a fault," she chuckled.
Dusk was falling and they decided it was time to return. The merchants were closing and they had finished all that needed to be done. They decided they had been gone more then long enough to cause the others worry and headed back to the Sunken Flagon.