Chapter Twelve

Evelyn entered Aveline's office and shut the door forcefully behind her, "That damned bitch!"

Aveline simply grinned at the Viscountess, "I see you've met the new Grand Cleric."

"You knew about her?"

"When she couldn't find you today, she asked to see me. Speaking with her, I got the feeling that she was sizing me up to see what kind of threat the guard might pose. I knew you two would hit it off," she said sarcastically.

Evelyn dropped into the chair in front of Aveline's desk, looking defeated. She closed her eyes, gave a deep sigh, paused for a few seconds to collect herself, then looked at the Guard-Captain again before telling her about the encounter in the Gallows.

Aveline sat back in her chair when Evelyn finished and thought for a second, "Cullen may be your friend, but he is accountable to her now. And you were in the Gallows, where it could be argued Rothia has more authority than you, at least concerning the people there. It sounds as though she was clearly trying to establish herself as someone who would exercise that authority, if necessary, unlike Elthina. Maybe that's why she was sent here in the first place. I think maybe meeting her in a more neutral environment may make things easier to discuss."

Evelyn furrowed her brow a little, and thought about that, then shook her head, "I'm too worn out to worry about it now. I'll give it some more thought in the morning. Right now, the only thing I want to do is head home and jump into a nice warm bath."

"So, I take it your reason for going to the Gallows didn't go so well, either?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, and relayed that story to Aveline as well. When she was done, the Guard-Captain was laughing, "I wish I could have been there to see the look on his face when you punched him! Although, if Cullen's trying to clean up the prison's reputation, it probably doesn't do with the Viscountess abusing the prisoners."

"Very funny," Evelyn smirked at her, "I don't know why it's so easy for him to push my buttons. It seems as though he's always been able to, though."

"Well, you cared for him a great deal, then look at what he did. It had to be like reopening a fresh wound when you saw him." Aveline looked at her friend, then said, "And I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't completely over him."

Evelyn huffed, then shook her head, "No, I'm afraid you're wrong there. That boat sailed awhile ago." Then, her face got a little sadder as she said, "What I'm not over is what he and I had, all the plans we made, things we talked about...when we weren't fighting and he wasn't going on and on about the mages plight. But that reality doesn't exist anymore and this is what I have to work with. I know enough to be able to tell the difference and know that it's not him that I miss. Just everything that we were together."

Aveline smiled a little, "Sounds like the way I felt when Wesley died. I missed him a great deal, but that future was gone and I can see how it would be similar." Then, she brightened up as if remembering something, "So, on to better topics, how goes it with the Knight-Commander?"

Evelyn blushed deeply and smiled involuntarily at the mention of Cullen. Aveline looked wide-eyed at her with a huge grin on her face, "That good, huh?"

Evelyn cleared her throat and tried to regain a bit of composure before saying, "Things are going quite well between Ser Cullen and me."

Aveline waited for more and when Evelyn remained silent, prodded, "And...how well are they?"

Evelyn was trying her best not to have too big a grin on her face, but was losing the fight, "He is very much a gentleman and I'm sure he's not kissing and telling, so I don't think I should either. Just know that we've decided to pursue a relationship, but keep it somewhat low-key for now. You won't see us holding hands in public, or anything. Not for awhile."

Aveline looked slyly at Evelyn, "So, there was kissing, then? And hand-holding? I see..."

Evelyn realized what she had just revealed, and turned an even brighter shade of red, "I...no longer wish to continue this conversation, Guard-Captain," she was teasing mostly, but got up to leave anyway, "Good day," she said while heading out the door.

As she walked away from Aveline's office, she could hear her the Guard-Captain laughing whole-heartedly.