-Chapter Thirty Three-

After stopping overnight at the Sunken Flagon to tell Duncan the good news and refreshing their supplies, Casavir and Lana were once more on the road to return to Crossroads Keep. They rode most of the day in companionable silence, each keeping to their own thoughts.

They decided to make camp early and found a secluded glade off the side of the road. After removing his armor and stripping down to only a tunic and breeches, Casavir built a fire while Lana cleaned and spitted a large pheasant she had brought down when their horses had accidentally flushed it earlier that day.

"It has been a long time since we have been able to be alone. I don't think we have ever had the chance to camp like this," Lana said with a grin.

"No, I do not think we have ever camped alone. That is something I think we should remedy. I enjoy our rare times alone and I plan on making the best of it."

Lana chuckled. "I like the sound of that. Dare I ask what you had in mind?'

He quickly closed the distance between them, grabbing her around the waist pressing her hard against him with a passionate kiss.

She broke their kiss with a laugh. "I thought not, but can you wait until I at least have the feathers cleaned from my hands?" Lana nodded indicating her raised gore and feather coated hands. He released her with a deep rumbling laugh.

"If I must but it will be difficult." "He turned to gather his blade and whetstone while she finalized the preparations of the bird. Once Lana had set the carcass over the spit, she sat on the ground beside him.

She stroked the leg of his trousers absently. "I love the sound of your laugh. It is so deep and… I wish I could hear it more. Your laughter seems to make things easier."

He nodded. "There is little to laugh at in these trying times. It pleases me that I can so easily bring you joy."

The rogue stood and gave the pheasant slow turns over the fire. "Cas, I've been wondering." He again nodded, this time to encourage her to continue. "We have been together for some time, several years now and you have never spoken of your life. Why is that? You know everything about me and I know almost nothing of you."

Casavir stopped, resheathing his blade after a quick swipe across a cloth. He sat up straighter, squaring his shoulders. "There has never been the time or reason to talk of myself. There is little to tell. What would you like to know?"

"Everything. There is time now if you are willing." She slowly spun the carcass while holding his gaze.

"You know how I arrived at Old Owl Well and why. Before that, I was just a regular paladin training to dedicate my life to Tyr. I had parents, a family, nothing anyone would call extraordinary. They lived in Neverwinter; they were merchants and did a reasonable business. I wanted for nothing and was able to attend school. My parents assumed I would follow in their footsteps until… things started to happen, strange things."

He stopped, his eyes looking into the fire but not seeing. "I remember one of my friends being wounded. We were riding out in a field and he fell. I don't think it was serious but it was a head wound and you know how they bleed. The blood gushed from his wound and I panicked. Without thinking, I placed my hands over the injury and a light emanated from them. When I removed my hands, the wound was gone. I had healed him without touching him. It scared us. I rode hard and told my parents what had happened. They understood and took me to the temple of Tyr. After years of training, I stand before you as a warrior in Tyr's service. It is not exciting, but that is all there is to tell."

Lana removed the pheasant onto a plate and sat beside him. "That must have been amazing. Are your parents still alive?" He shook his head. "I am sorry. When did it happen?"

He looked down at his hands, his fingers weaving together. "I lost them during the plague. I thought they would be safe; it was almost over but… They were brought down right before the antidote could be completed. I always wondered if it was partly because of being a paladin that I was never struck with it. I can't remember being sick as a child but I wished I could have followed them. They were all I had."

Lana laid one hand gently over his. "I understand. But maybe that is what made you the man you are today. You need to fight so something like that never happens again."

The paladin nodded but did not speak. They sat together silently. After several minutes, Lana pushed the plate toward Casavir. He removed a chunk of meat and ate mechanically.

Lana cleared her throat. "Um, this would be an inappropriate time to ask about old girlfriends?" She looked at him with a gently teasing smile. He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood and I really do want to know." Lana stroked his arm. "I do want to know, but if you would rather not…" she tapered off uncertainly.

"It's alright Lana. It's just been so long since I've taken the time to think of my past." He grimaced. "As you already know about Ophala, there is nothing more to say. She was the only other woman besides you. I know that's hard to believe but…" He spread his hands out, palms up. "I spent so much of my time in training that there was very little time for anything else. It was so easy to lose myself to that life, easier than allowing myself to get close to anyone. In a way, I'm a coward."

Lana looked quizzing, "You? A coward? Why do you think that?"

He turned to look at her. "The life of a paladin is one of safety. We are trained to think one path, dedication and devotion. I trained my mind to center on Tyr, but Tyr never asked for me to have no other life. I met Ophala after most men my age would have met and bed several women. I was inexperienced by my own fault. Then when you catapulted into my life, it was easy to get lost in the adventure. You never asked for more then I could give and it was easier to just hold it all in. It was easier and there was nothing to be said."

"Then that makes us both cowards. After Lorne left me, I didn't want anyone near me. Bevil and Aime were safe friends but I always kept them at arms length. I blamed it on Daeghun but it was me. It is easier to remain aloof. Until you came along, I didn't want anyone near me or so I thought." She snuggled closer, laying her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped one arm around her waist pulling her nearer. They sat, staring into the fire lost in thought. Casavir turned, placing his hand under her chin to tilt Lana's chin upwards. He captured her mouth in a slow, languid kiss while entwining his hands through her hair. She wrapped her arms across his back, running her fingers over his straining muscles. Casavir pulled her across his lap and she threw one leg around his waist, straddling him. He drew her head back to ravage the tender skin at her neck while twining one hand through her hair. She gasped at his sudden intensity, her eyes closed and slightly panting.

Lana's hands clenched and unclenched Casavir's salt and pepper hair, her chest thrust out as he nibbled and bit at her neck moving downward. He grabbed the bottom edges of her tunic whisking it over her head and then removed his own. She pushed herself off of his lap and stood with her back to the fire. Her body was outlined by the orange and red flames, her hair long and loose around her. Lana slowly unlaced her leather trousers and pushed them off along with her small clothes. She stood before him with the blaze of the fire casting her face into shadow.

Casavir stared as if seeing her for the first time. Her arms were slightly outstretched as if in supplication, palms open at her sides. The firelight framed Lana's rippling hair and naked body, making her skin glow amber. He stood slowly, drinking her in before circling his arms around her. She bent her head to kiss the hollow of Casavir's neck and down his chest as her hand wrapped itself through the thick patch of black hair. Casavir gasped as she suckled him. Both of her hands moved in unison to unlace the bindings to his leather breeches then pushing them lower.

She looked into his eyes with a wicked gleam before returning to kiss his breastbone and move down his belly, kissing and sucking as she went. Her tongue made dizzying tattoos of heat across his flesh. He gasped in pleasure as she continued her journey kneeling before him, her intentions clear.

Casavir groaned in ecstasy, but pulled her to her feet. "There is no need, I want you Lana." She nodded with a smile. His arms captured her, one around her waist with the other behind her neck. He bent them both gently to the ground as he held her close.

Casavir placed a hand on each side of Lana, bracing himself. She reached up grabbing his head and pulling him to a passionate kiss while wrapping her legs around his hips. The fire popped merrily, outlining the entwined lovers in the darkness as they moved together.

The pair continued their journey, riding at a good pace so they could return home quickly. They had laughed and talked, taking the time they both feared they would not get again, or at least not in a long while.

Lana had ridden quietly on their final afternoon before reaching the keep. Casavir rode beside her and asked gently, "My lady, is there something troubling you? Are you worried about the keep?" They were only half a day's ride away.

She shook her head. "No, nothing is troubling me Casavir. I have been thinking about the keep though. These people trust me and now I'm Knight Captain. I was thinking what exactly that means."

"It means you now own the land under Lord Nasher. Nothing much changes from what you have been doing except now you receive more monetary benefits along with your duties."

"No Casavir, there is more. Now I understand. I thought this was a burden but now I see."

He shook his head trying to understand her path of thought.

"I finally understand what it means to be a leader. I led them, but was unwilling. It was a burden, something forced on me. I have grown to love that land and now it is mine. I know what it means to say that. Every life and every death is my responsibility. Those people look to me to ensure their safety no matter what. It is their home and it is our home. We must ensure its growth, help it to prosper and keep it safe like a mother would her child. Crossroads Keep is my child and I must guard it with my life. It is my duty… and my joy."

Casavir nodded. "I am glad to see you think that way."