And if seizing my own doom, just the mention of not passing by that petite woman, at that moment, I did. How ironic that I was fleeing from her but, in fact, I was walking straight back to her.
As our eyes connected, her face brightened into sunshine rays of golden happiness. Her lips trembled in ecstasy and it seemed like she shook in pure joy. All of this was completely new to me and I staggered away, bumping back into Zevran, whom engulfed me in a tight embrace. "Finally!" said the woman, her blue eyes glittering in joy.
"Finally, I have been looking everywhere for you!" the woman continued, her breath coming out in bounds.
Scared out of my wits, I cowered further into Zevran, and he replied back for me, "What do you want?" his voice sounded more husky then before, almost like he was condoning the woman in searching for me.
Frowning in confusion, her glee seemed to leak out in concern, "Excuse me, but I have been looking for the young miss everywhere. The prince has been distraught ever since the day she left him alone in the labyrinth and with no name!" her voice filled with patient compassion.
I looked at her confused. She seemed so sincere in her confession, it confused me at why she went through all of this trouble to hunt me down. Wouldn't it be better to just not pay instead of look? But before I could bring up my concern, Zevran took charge, "Why would he be looking for her? She hasn't done anything; nothing, in fact." the way Zevran said it made me feel pitiful, like I wasn't even worth the time of day. But I let it pass, he was only trying to help and keep me safe.
At the lack of communication between the two groups, the petite woman quickly brightened back up and began to enlighten us on our predicament. Instead of what we expected, which was me becoming a wanted criminal, instead I had become a wanted hero. The prince felt deeply in dept to me and my heroic behavior back in the labyrinth and only wanted to pay his dues. Of course, with my rushed leave and lack of supplying information, the prince seemed to miss my name, and could not find me afterwards, no matter where he looked. With his inability to find me, the prince felt as if he was leaving matters unsettled and was very depressed that he couldn't even thank a lowly Barbarian such as myself. And, as acting as his appointed messenger, the woman, who said her name was Wynne, came out in search of me.
With the matter cleared up, Wynne smiled brightly and offered me her hand, "If you would please, I would be very grateful if you would accompany me back to the castle. I am certain the prince will be glad to see you!"
And as for me, with the matter cleared up, I felt more at ease and with a bigger ego. My own skills as a Barbarian were already being seen as excellent and I hadn't even signed up for a guild yet. Hesitantly, I grabbed the woman's small hand and gave a timid smile towards her and began to follow before I felt a tug on my other wrist. Zevran, still not satisfied by the entire fiasco, wasn't prepared to trust just anyone, "How can we expect what you say is true? If I was the king or supervisor and I heard of this dangerous expedition, I certainly wouldn't allow a girl this dangerous to get away." and as if on cue, Zevran quickly ran a lecherous gaze over my body.
Wynne smiled back contently, "Well, if you insist, I can allow a visitor of another to come along." and Zevran began to trot by my side.
For some reason, I felt as if Wynne was getting the wrong idea about me and Zevran the entire time, and I didn't feel that as comfortable. I didn't mean that Zevran wasn't good-looking, which he clearly was, or that he was odd, because he wasn't, but I felt it as something to lessen the tension between her and Zevran, "Excuse me, but do you know what relationship me and Zevran have?" I asked quietly.
The woman looked confused for a second before replying slowly, if not hesitantly, "Yes... You are married or close, are you not?" her gaze furrowed in a look of deep concentration.
With her words, Zevran seemed overjoyed that he had created such an impact in such a short amount of time, but as for me I was distraught. Clearly the relationship between me and Zevran was different from others, and probably looked as if we were a 'thing'. I would give that Zevran hung onto to me often, more then I liked, and that I played into his personality often, but I didn't seriously consider that we seemed so... close. I decided that I would walk on the other side of Wynne, away from Zevran as I responded hastily, "Oh gosh, no! I don't mean it in a bad way, obviously Zevran, however I didn't know we looked that... close."
My honesty had become more apparent the more I stayed with Zevran, and everyone picked up on it. For some it was a chance to try and overpower me with how naive I was compared to others, for others it was a breath of fresh air. For Wynne it must of been the latter, for she smiled calmly and her face contorted back to the usual pleased face, "Oh really? My mistake then, my dear. However, if he isn't you husband, who is?" she pressed on.
A blush spread across my face at the mention of a martial affair. I never really considered one, especially since my only friend was Zevran and I hadn't planned on marrying him anytime soon, however the fact that I would was very open and again in my embarrassment I switched sides back over to Zevran and replied quickly, "I don't have a husband... Yet, I mean... Well, I don't have a lover, either, but... Well, what I mean to say..." and before I could make myself a bigger fool, Zevran interrupted from his curt silence, "What she means to say, is she is holding herself chaste until she decides to marry. Of course it will be me, so I don't understand why she doesn't just allow me to ravish her now, but all for love..." he trailed off.
Wynne smiled an all knowing smile and only nodded towards him. Although I started this conversation only to lessen the tension, it seemed as if I only increased it. I felt embarrassed, not only because I mentioned something that was a tentative subject, but how I was in the middle of it, confused at what relationship me and Zevran truly had. Was it something more? It seemed preposterous to me, but to others it was set in stone. Perhaps it was a time to start moving on. If Zevran couldn't keep up, well I tried to stay and help.
As we neared the imperial castle, the gates loomed ahead of us like gods readying to smite us the minute we even consider rushing up. But with Wynne urging me on and Zevran with his constant speed, I had no choice but accompany both towards their cold warmth. Inside I still doubted if Alistar was truly in dept to me, because I consider my help only a trivial thing, and of no major concern.
Against my greatest fear, Wynne trotted through the gates with ease that only comes from doing such so often. And for Zevran? Well, he didn't seem too piqued by this new scenery and passed by with no qualms. But as for me, however, I stepped hesitantly over the borderline of poor and rich and felt the shift immensely. I have never seen anything as beautiful as this castle, and clearly never stepped within one or considered the chance of stepping within one. And as such, my thoughts immediately flickered towards the state of my shoes, and realization hit followed by horror which engulfed me completely. I had willingly stepped into a grand and amazing castle, which I knew I could ever dream about, and without even considering to clean off my muddy feet, and I could be trailing mud everywhere. and anywhere it shouldn't be. So unaccustomed to being in such a star struck place, I couldn't even remember anything but how poor and dirty I was. My mind was blank and every step I took felt wrong and my stomach seemed to squelch in terror every time I saw another rich and glorious rug or statue. My state of mind was rattled but my desperation to leave wasn't felt and I trudged on.
As soon as I caught sight of a grand ballroom, I cowered away, not only because I knew why they were called 'grand', but also because of how I knew what was done within them. Dancing was a thing of dreams to me, and I never had enough coordination to muster enough of a rhythm to follow a beat until I fell on my face. As we neared closer, my steps seemed to shorten and my breathing hitched. I pleadingly looked at Wynne, whom seemed completely unconcerned about my terror, and pulled me closer to my fear. All hope failing, I ripped my hand out of Wynne's suddenly and turned around with lightening speed and bolted out.
My mental stability had enough and the thought of ruining something in this house was too much. I wasn't made for these types of places, and I certainly didn't want to be invited to one and have the chance of breaking something. Although the castle was huge and I couldn't quite remember my way out, I looked at the floor for the tell-tale signs of mud I must of have left behind. As I ran, I thought of how humiliating this entire ordeal was. If only I hadn't helped that prince, I could be back at that bar sipping on some Honey drink and not be in constant terror like I am now! I knew it was a horrible idea when I saw those gates! I am a country bumpkin, and that is where I will remain! I didn't ask to be afraid of the rich! I didn't ask to be poor! I just wanted to be left alone... And with those thoughts and more crossing through my mind, large wet tears began to form in my eyes.
Everything was ruined. I stopped, in a hallway I was certain we never passed through, and crawled to a corner, gripping my knees tightly to my body. Tears streamed from my eyes as my fear closed in on me, shivering in pure terror. I didn't expect people to understand why I was so scared of ruining something, but my father had always told me to avoid being an inconvenience, and now more then ever, I felt like an inconvenience. I hated crying, but I was too far in that it wouldn't stop. I couldn't stop. My wall of comfort had vanished when my father had mysteriously died. My wall of solitude had crumbled away when I met Zevran. Now my wall of controlled emotion was demolished as my tears rolled freely down my cheek, my noses dripping with snot. I am more then certain my face was hideous, so I covered it with my arms, not wanting to see anyone or anyone see me in such a vulnerable state.
All I wanted was to be left alone. Alone in my terror, alone til I felt ready to face my fears again. And even as I thought this, the lights flickered and went out. Just my luck of course. Pitch black and in a world to grand for me, I was terrified. And there was nothing I could do about it either. I howled out in pain and frustration.
Decided to cut this one off shortly. Didn't want to give too much away. Frankly, however, I fill as I haven't put enough... what is the word? Coherence? I don't remember, but something seems like it needs a tweak. Maybe later.
R&R, as usual.