A/N: Thanks for reading and the kindness!
The evening was long and festive, not unlike a wedding. Tamsin and Bo made their way throughout the Hall. Both eventually settling in with their families for an emotional gathering and then parting. Though Tamsin was across many tables, Bo felt a thread building between them. It was laden with anticipation of the journey to come. She wondered if this thread is why so many years ago Usne chose them as the Binding pair. 'One to wed and one to carry the gift'. Will this new bond help keep them safe?
Tamsin stayed up most of the night with the Council going over plans, packing and preparing the horses. By the time first light struck, she was sitting next to a fire with her drunk mentor. Acacia's arm was over Tamsin's shoulder while she lovingly repeated lessons already learned and tried not to cry. They have been scarcely apart for twelve years, had seen all the great and all the dark in each other. She glanced upwards as Bo approached and took them both in her sight.
Looking at Tamsin with a pleased smirk, Acacia stood up. "Stay out of trouble, " and to Bo, she extended a hand. "In your presence is the best ranger you could ever want. I wish you safe travels and a decent husband."
"Thank you, Acacia. All your devotion to Tamsin helps not only me, but our whole land," Bo replied.
Acacia smiled, a little surprised at Bo's earnestness. She looked at Tamsin one last time before walking away.
Tamsin stared at Bo, shaking her head. "You believe in all of this, don't you?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Bo asked.
Tamsin got up and walked towards the stables without responding. Bo knew that like her, Tamsin didn't have a choice whether or not to take their journey, but she had expected her to be more reverent to the Binding as she had been raised to be.
Bo took a breath and looked up at the sky to appreciate the pink glow that had begun to rise over the horizon. When she turned back towards the stables, Tamsin was walking between two beautiful horses. One she had known and loved for three years. This was the horse she took out every day preparing for the long ride ahead. Tamsin's horse was of a different time and place. It seemed young and old at once. They were paired well in Bo's eyes.
When Tamsin handed her the reigns of her horse, Bo held her eyes. "Ranger, I respect you and ask the same in return. We were both chosen by Usne, and that shouldn't be taken lightly."
Bo continued to look into Tamsin's eyes, waiting for her reply. After a few seconds of intense, locked eye-contact, Tamsin acknowledged Bo's demand with a nod.
"Land and sea will always be," Bo responded, now satisfied. It was what one said when anticipating an especially challenging task. It served as a reminder to trust in the old way.
Tamsin mounted her horse then lightly patted her horse's neck . She had a faraway look on her face. When Bo joined her horse with Tamsin's, the ranger said quietly, "Land and sea will always be, but not my family."
"Yes," was all Bo could say. She respected Tamsin's grievance, because it was also her own.
Bo wasn't scared to leave. It felt liberating; riding away from her old life towards a new world. Though the wall Tamsin installed between them was an unexpected barrier. She hoped Tamsin would open up eventually. For the time being, she was satisfied getting to see new surroundings and feeling the powerful wind along her body as she rode.
When they stopped at an Inn for the night, Tamsin made arrangements for Bo's accommodations and quickly disappeared. Bo was shown her room. It was simple and chilly. She sat down on the edge of her bed and began to face a flurry of thoughts.
The last two days had been extraordinary. For years of her life there has been one goal: her development for the sake of binding their land to the continent across the sea. Now that she was away from the Council, new unfamiliar feelings began to unfurl and stretch out before her. She felt waves of grief followed by feelings of thankfulness for all the new experiences she will undoubtedly encounter. The more feelings that came, the more Bo yearned for the parts of herself that she systematically tucked away over the years. But the Council's doctrine was soaked so deep inside her that it had created its own defense mechanism. The teachings in her mind battled with her feelings until utterly exhausted by it all, she fell asleep.
In the early morning, Bo woke up and put her clothes on quickly to save herself from the room's chill. She grabbed her things and headed towards breakfast.
Once downstairs, she saw Tamsin sitting at a table looking at maps. She had ordered enough food for the both of them. When Bo sat down, she was happy for the breakfast before her. She smiled at Tamsin and poured her tea.
"I'm sorry for my behavior yesterday, Bo." Tamsin said in a sincere voice. "I shouldn't blame you for my situation. We are both pawns in a game." Looking down, she straightened her papers and said, "I was so angry and sad to leave my family again."
Bo squeezed Tamsin's hand. Smiling she said, "I accept your apology. And thanks for this fine breakfast." Grabbing a roll, she asked, "What's the plan, my brave ranger?"
Tamsin's usual stiffness returned. "We go East then South. We'll be camping for most of it , so if you want to bathe in a tub, this is the time."
"I'm comfortable bathing in rivers. There is no water more clean!" Bo relished camping. Of all of her training, camping with Usne was her favorite. It further lifted her mood knowing that soon she will be sleeping with the sound of birds in the morning and the smell of leaves under foot.
Bo didn't notice Tamsin staring at her as she buttered her roll.
"Are you always this happy?" Tamsin asked with a furrowed brow and a genuinely astonished face.
Bo smiled. "Um, no. But I do love many things and camping is one of them."
Tamsin chuckled, causing Bo to laugh too. In that instant Bo felt again the unmistakable tug of the new cord between them.
Tamsin's veneer wasn't gone long though. She stood up to leave. "I'll meet you at the horses."
"Tamsin?" Bo waited for Tamsin to meet her eyes. "I hope the day will come when you can feel relaxed in my company."
"Me too," Tamsin replied before turning and walking away.