Chapter 23

Ahmon left for Windhelm just as the sun started to peek over the snowy mountaintops, after several minutes of goodbyes from his friends. Jane had thrown her arms around the Nord's neck and hugged him, exclaiming that if he didn't stay safe she'd never let him leave her sight ever again.

"Promise me," she growled, planting a light kiss on his pale stubbly cheek. Ahmon blushed, grinning, and replied that he promised.

"You can be a scary woman when you want to be," he joked, "I don't want to get on your bad side."

Everyone laughed, and Nazgurat clapped Ahmon on the back, as well as Bo and Ahmon grasped hands. Lynne gave him a hug as well, pressing several healing potions into his hands and telling him they were the strongest she could make, and to use in small doses.

"Take care my friends." Ahmon looked at each of them, a slight expression of sadness in his eyes. "Make sure you tell me everything that happens when we see each other again; don't leave anything out!"

Ahmon turned, mounted his horse, which was a beautiful brown Clydesdale, and started his journey to Windhelm.

After witnessing Jane kiss Ahmon, Bo was feeling very confused. She had hugged him tightly, and then kissed his cheek, and he was convinced that she must like him. Unable to understand what he was feeling, as a ripple of anger bubbled inside him when he watched it all happen, Bo decided to brood instead of talk to Jane; and was a moody Orc for the rest of the day.

Jane could not figure out why Bo was so sullen and grumpy, he barely talked to her the whole day while they traveled on the cobblestone road that would eventually lead them to Ivarstead. When he did speak to her, his voice was gruff and Bo was very short with her. Jane was baffled, and she mulled over all she had done that day, wondering what she had done wrong to make Bo so unpleasant with her.

Nazgurat and Lynne noticed Bo's change too, he seemed to emit waves of his grumpy attitude, and they both wondered what was going on between the two, as Jane walked quietly beside him; making no moves to touch him or hold his hand.

"He is Orsimer," Nazgurat had joked quietly, leaning closely to Lynne while they walked a little ways behind the couple. He tucked a stray strand of her golden hair behind her pale round ear. "That is normal behavior."

Lynne choked back a laugh, and slapped Nazgurat's armored shoulder, earning a cheeky grin from the older Orc. He slung his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

"Playing the nice-Orc card eh?" Lynne dug her elbow into Nazgurat's side, and the Orc growled, jumping back and out of reach.

"You're crazy, woman!" He cried, clutching his side exaggeratedly, and they both couldn't suppress their laughter.

Ahead, Bo and Jane had stopped walking and turned to watch the pair play around, waiting until they had calmed down. Jane wrapped her arms around her waist and looked on with a neutral expression, ignoring the urge to look over at Bo. She was saddened to see her friends having so much fun, and wanted her and Bo to be the same way; it was a terrible start of the journey.

As dusk crept upon the group, they walked a little ways off the road and set up camp, starting a fire and preparing a simple meal. Bo sat moodily by the fire, watching the flames lick the branches and saying nothing, while Jane unrolled her pallet and removed her armor. She struggled silently with the clasps but refused to ask Bo for help, leaving the Orc to his thoughts. After a quiet meal, the women and Orcs sat around the fire in an uncomfortable silence, Nazgurat and Lynne sitting close together and whispering about non-important things while Jane sat near Bo with her legs tucked up and chin resting on her knee. She absentmindedly twirled a strand of her hair, noting it was starting to get longer, thinking about anything but the silly Orsimer beside her; until she couldn't take it anymore.

"Bo," she turned to him, who stiffened. Jane stood up and looked down at him. "Come on, we need to talk."

Bo frowned, his eyes on the fire, but then he nodded once and stood up, his head bowed and a small scowl on his face. He followed Jane as she led him to a small cropping of trees and a fallen tree trunk. She sat down on the trunk and patted the mossy seat beside her. Bo sat down, his body tensing when she shifted closer to him.

"Bo," she whispered, biting her lip to keep from sobbing, he had flinched from her closeness. "What is wrong?"

"It is nothing," Bo replied, looking away.

"You're a terrible liar. Was it something I did? Tell me what I did wrong."

"You…" Bo clenched his fists, seeing her kiss Ahmon again and again in his mind. He huffed angrily, "You like Ahmon."

"Ahmon… what?"

"You embraced him!" He cried out, glaring up at the girl.

"I embraced him? Wait…you're mad because I hugged him?"

"Not just a hug, you kissed him." Bo growled.

"I kissed Ahmon on the cheek, that doesn't mean I like him like that. Oh Bo," Jane reached forward and took his hands, unclenching his fists. "You are jealous, yes?"

"Of course I am, you showed affection to him."

"I care about Ahmon like a younger brother," Jane replied softly, reaching up to smooth his brow. "I don't remember my parents Bo, and if I ever had siblings. That is all Ahmon will ever be to me because you are the one I like, very much." She resisted telling the Orsimer she loved him, not knowing if he felt the same way. But she had a pretty damn good idea of how she felt, despite his previous attitude towards her.

Bo bowed his head, his anger quickly dissipating; he felt like a fool.

"I'm an idiot," he replied, his shoulders slumping. Jane reached forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, chuckling.

"Yes," Jane replied slowly, "But it is okay to feel those things. You can't always feel just good emotions, and now you know what jealousy feels like. It is not a good feeling, right?"

"Mhmm," Bo mumbled, wrapping his arms around her and pulling Jane onto his lap. "I am sorry."

"I forgive you Bo, I'm not perfect either. Next time, tell me right away you hear? Don't keep it bottled up inside anymore because it won't work with me. Let me know right away so we can solve things."

"Yes Jane."

"Good." Jane pulled back and gently stroked the tip of his ear, laughing when Bo twitched and shook his head. He growled, pulling her forward again and standing up while hoisting Jane up in his arms, laughing when she squeaked. Jane giggled, nestling her head into his chest while he walked back towards the camp.

"We'll take first watch," he told Nazgurat, and the Orsimer grinned at the happy couple.

"Glad you straightened things out." Lynne smiled at Jane as she giggled again when Bo sat down with her still in his arms.

Lynne laid down on her bedroll and pulled Nazgurat down beside her, closing her eyes and feeling his strong arms wrap around her as he pulled Lynne close to him. The couple slept soundly until it was time for them to take watch. Bo and Jane sat in each others arms the entire duration of their watch, until it was time for them to get some sleep before the next day.

"You're my Bo," Jane murmured, when they had retired to their bedrolls. She clutched Bo's tunic and sighed happily. "And I am your Jane."

"My Jane."

Ahmon rode hard the whole day, stopping here and there so that his horse could rest and drink, and so that he could hastily consume a few strips of jerky and bread. The horse he had purchased was a hardy and strong beast, and he had no doubt it could ride well into the night without a break. He only rode until it was well after dark, and he reached the familiar lone cabin of Nightgate Inn. He was warmly welcome by the Innkeeper, and enjoyed a hot bath and warm meal before retiring to his room for the night. As he lay in bed, one arm tucked under his head and idly scratching his stubbly chin, he wondered what his Orsimer friends and the women were up to, already missing them. He had considered him self to be quite alone in the world, save for his family, until he met Nazgurat, Jane, Bo, and Lynne. He liked Jane greatly, and perhaps he would have tried to court her had she not been utterly infatuated with Bo, so he contented him self with the thought that he might find some one like her someday and fell asleep with the wisp of a smile on his lips.