They kept travelling for a solid two weeks without stopping for anything aside from sleeping, bathing and quick bathroom breaks, mostly eating dried meat and bread while walking, much to Imoen's dismay. She couldn't deny that Ulric had a point in refusing to stop in the middle of the destroyed village they had passed at noon, though: the houses were broken beyond repair and the ground was littered with burnt corpses, some of which still bore the signs of the plague. Not a safe place to stay at all, no arguing on that, yet sitting down and catching her breath would have been nice.
"It's just like old times, isn't it, Immy?", Meg said cheerfully, moving to her side, "Walking, walking and more walking". "At least this time there's nobody hell-bent on killing us", the pink-haired thief sighed, "Apart from the plague of course". The Ilmatari shrugged, "We've faced worse and survived, no? We'll survive this mess too". "If ya say so". Sekhmet intervened, joining them, "I think your sister is right. Besides, you have an Odesseiron in your party, just like last time and this is a guarantee of success in itself", she added.
"The oversized ego truly is the defining trait of your family, ain't it, Sek?", Imoen joked and the Thayan chuckled. "Of course: it's one of our countless qualities", she replied, unknowingly echoing what her cousin had once said in the catacombs under Athkatla. "Uh-uh, just like I thought. No wonder you're still single". "Not true! I'm just saving myself for the right man, that's all", she shot back, instantly defensive.
"One like him, ya mean?", the little thief asked, nodding towards Ulric who walked at the front of their group. "I-I...Well...". "Ha! I knew it! Why dontcha go and get him?". "For starters, I've just met him". "So? Never heard of love at first sight?". "Well, yes, but...What if he's already committed?". "Who, him? Nah, he's too grumpy and cold for having a sweetheart already and besides, he's got the 'lone wolf' vibe about himself. I bet he's still free as the wind".
"You can't be sure of it, though". "Can't I?", her lips curved in a mischievous grin and she quickly walked ahead, falling into step with Ulric, "Soooooo, where are you from?", she asked. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "Why do you ask?". "Just curious, besides ya know where we come from, so it's only fair that we know about you, no?".
He frowned slightly, but answered, "I hail from a small village in the South". "D'ya have any siblings?". "I had an older sister". "Had?". "She died of pneumonia when I was six", he said, his voice devoid of any emotion, though there was a flash of pain and sadness in his blue eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I had no idea…And, uh, other relatives?".
He shot her a glance so cold that it felt like the temperature had dropped of several degrees all of a sudden, "My parents are long dead. I am alone. Does this satisfy your curiosity?". "No wife, then? Not even a girlfriend waiting anxiously for her knight in shining armour to come home?". He pressed his lips in a thin line, irritated, "No. There is nobody waiting for my return. There never has been", he added under his breath and his wide shoulders slumped a bit.
"Ah", the pink-haired thief nodded and skipped back in line to Sekhmet's side, "I knew he was still on the market! Go get him, tiger!", she whispered. The Firewalker blushed hard and bit her lower lip, "Shut up, Imoen!", she hissed, "You...You have no idea what it means to be me, so leave me alone, will you?". "But I thought ya liked him!". "And I do, but...I...I have responsibilities and besides...What if he does not like me?".
"Pffft, of course he does: you're the amazing and wonderful Sekhmet Odesseiron, no? Everyone falls head over heels for the Odesseiron, according to your cousin". "We say so, but we know that it doesn't really work like that in reality: we're not as deluded as you think us to be", she sighed, "Look, I appreciate your good intentions, but don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, okay? It's already complicated as it is". "Why?". "Because I'm Homen Odesseiron's only child and heir, that's why! I would like nothing more than to be free to choose whom to be with, but...I don't know if I will be allowed to do it".
Imoen sobered, "Oh. Sorry, I had no idea. Does that mean that Eddie...". "No: his father, my uncle Aker, is the younger son, plus Edwin has more than made a name for himself travelling with you, so he is allowed to choose whomever he deems worthy as his bride. But my father is the firstborn son, so when my grandfather dies, he will become the head of the family. And since I am his only descendant, they will expect me to take his place when the time comes". "What if ya told him you don't want to?".
She hesitated, "Well...I could, but father would quite probably throw a tantrum and believe me when I say that it would not be good: our family is quite infamous for the fearsome temper tantrums. Even Edwin's mother, who is technically not a true Odesseiron since she is not of our blood, has a temper to terrify a Dragon", she smiled at the memory of her aunt destroying vases and furniture with her magic in a fit of rage when she was told that her favourite dress was damaged beyond repair.
"What of your own mom?". "She is quite different from me, that's for sure: she is always ready to see the good in others and give them a second chance, she never refuses her help to anyone and she is patient and understanding. Come to think of it, she is a lot like Meg", she added, then shrugged, "Truth be told, I much prefer her to my father. He's not bad, mind you, but I think he should relax a little and let all of us who live with him relax too, at least once in a while". "What is he like? You've never told us anything about him", Meg asked curiously.
"Where to begin? Father is extremely intelligent, of course and very cultured as well. He is one of the most powerful wi-merchants back home", Sekhmet amended and shot a quick look at Ulric, "He is also one of the richest and more influential people in Thay, since our House is ancient and noble. He's a bit on the cold side…Actually, he is colder than winter in the Spine of the World, harsh, stern, short tempered and he can be quite cruel, not only to his enemies.
He has always put me under pressure, though that's normal in Thay and besides, my status as a member of the Odesseiron family requires that I always excel in everything I do", her voice dropped a bit, lips curving downward with bitterness, "I know I should not say this, but…There have been times when I wondered if he loved me at all".
"Why, Sammy, of course he does!", Jan commented from her left, "You're as sweet as a mug of fresh turnip beer, how could anyone not love you?". She smiled warmly down at him and bent to kiss him on the head, "Thank you, Jan, I needed that". "You're welcome, dear. But if you want to show your gratitude in a more tangible way, maybe you could bake me some of those delicious turnip cookies when we're back in Faerun", the Gnome replied and she chuckled.
"I'll bake you a ton of them, if I come back". "If?". "Uh?". "You said 'if', not 'when', Sammy". She blinked and her smile vanished as her gaze slid from him to Ulric and she bit her lower lip, "I...We should not waste our time chatting, the journey is still long and we'd better save our breath to walk", she said, walking forward at a fast pace, a troubled look on her face.