Chapter 11

"What happens to us now?" Lauren asked, blocking Pherein before he could get away as he'd done the previous two days. The Delorgan had been helping unload some of the remaining supplies and crates discoveries at the building that housed Professor Horsewood's office. So, the woman decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Already Travis had left without a word as had Farr and Winchell who'd received the balance of their pay plus a bonus from the grateful academic.

The woman's heart pounded so hard she felt it would beat right out of her chest. She knew her moment to speak to the man was fast leaving. This may be her only chance, but she was terrified to ask the question because of what the answer might be. Yet the woman still had to ask or be unable to live with herself.

Pherein had thought that perhaps the young woman had left as well but she'd hung back and knew a conversation was inevitable.

"What do you mean?" he answered, uneasy about how closely she came in as he unloaded a heavy box from the wagon.

The Delorgan had ridden ahead for the day to scout but in truth the woman and her engaging smile had not been far from his mind. He'd wanted to ride back, to talk to her even, but couldn't. The mistake he'd seemed to have made with Lily had convinced him he should avoid matters of the heart. As the city appeared he began to have a strange sense of dread for the leave taking he knew was coming.

"About you and me," Lauren explained, eyes sparkling. "I feel like we had some form of connection out there."

"I saved your life, there's nothing more to it," the islander answered, remembering Travis' words, regretting he'd stayed around to help the professor.

"But that's not it!" the woman declared hotly. "Yes, you did. And I shall never forget that, but there was more, I know it."

"That was in the Dead Lands. We're now back in Grantsbend."

"So? That matters not to me!" Lauren huffed.

"You are Latrellan and of a good family. I am Delorgan and so very different," Pherein tried to explain but the declaration of the reality made him sad for some reason.

The woman's eye flashed as she prepared a protest but fortunately for the fighter Professor Horsewood coincidentally intervened. Or perhaps it was just a coincidence. Regardless, it was welcome by Pherein.

"Come Miss Ivanov. Your colleague has abandoned us, but I need your help immediately," Horsewood ordered.

Lauren started to protest but the scholar showed an unusual firmness in the matter, so she reluctantly left.

Pherein unloaded the remaining boxes and gear then left before either of the two returned, happy to get away from the growing conflict.

The following day the big Delorgan slept late and kept to his room. The intensity of the mission and general fatigue from combat, the trip, and then the emotional tension had drained him. So he stayed in his lodging, ordered food in and generally kept to himself. Though he did do some repairs to his armor and sharpen his sword he did little else and was asleep before the sun went down.

Waking up refreshed the following morning, Pherein realized he'd slept in but with no obligations on the horizon enjoyed the opportunity. He dressed in comfortable clothes, put on his soft boots, strapped his dirk on with a thick leather belt and went down to the Tap Room to find something to eat. There he found the fighter Theme Winchell already tucking into a plate of food. The ex-Latrellan soldier offered him a seat and the two struck up a conversation as Pherein ordered food from the server.

"So, what might be next for you, Delorgan?" Winchell asked, biting into a hunk of bread and washing it down with the tankard of ale he held in his scarred hand.

"Not certain. I have no other commissions at hand. The professor said he may be going out again soon based on his discovery in the Deadlands so has asked for me again."

"Well, think of your friend Winchell when you do," the fighter winked, "that teacher pays well."

"That he does," Pherein replied with a chuckle as his own food arrived.

"What else ye be hearing these days?" the Latrellan asked, making conversation.

"Not much. I tend to stick to myself so hear little," Pherein answered. For some reason the answer didn't sit right with him.

"I think you undersell yourself, my large friend," Winchell replied. "Ye strike me as one pretty aware of his surroundings."

Pherein snorted. "Fair enough. Okay then, fighter, what do you hear?"

"There have been more disappearances in the city," the man answered, lowering his voice and looking around.

Pherein realized he'd been hearing the same thing which was concerning. "I have heard of that. What do you make of it?"

"Hard to say, but nothing good will come of it, mark me. These are strange times. Best keep our blades sharp."

"Indeed."

From there the pair enjoyed their meal and light conversation as they compared tales of past fights until they realized the boisterous conversation that had led to a general din in the place had died down.

Instinctively Pherein's hand went to his dirk as something like this in the Sorrowful Ranger generally meant trouble. He could see Winchell do a double-take and his eyes went wide as he stared over the Delorgan's shoulder in shock. Pherein turned to see what was causing the fuss.

There stood Lauren Ivanov.

Yes, it was Lauren but not as Pherein had even seen her. She still wore the same glasses, and her chestnut brown hair was down but that was all the Delorgan recognized of the research assistant. She wore knee high boots with a high tapered heel on them, a tight black leather skirt hung low on her hips and went only halfway down her thigh. She had on a black wool coat to keep away the cold of the morning but underneath a thin black top scooped down to display her ample white chest. Her lips were red with paint that contrasted with her milky white delicate features.

The woman smiled, knowing she'd caught his eye and began to walk towards him knowing she'd caught the eye of every man in the tap room.

"Hello Pherein."

"Hello Lauren. What are you doing here? The Delorgan asked, unsure of the answer he wished to receive.

"Is it not obvious?" the woman declared, batting her eyes.

Pherein looked to Winchell who gave a shrug and smirked. "Come, let's go for a walk and get some fresh air," he suggested to get away from all the leering looks he observed as the confident woman looked pointedly at him.

The pair walked out of the inn into the brightly lit morning where Pherein led her just off the main road and into a small park where he bid her sit on a stone bench.

"You look…different from on the trail," Pherein stammered, being taken in by the intoxicating woman. Her appeal was evident and facial features set off by the red makeup she'd put on her lips. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"Do you like it? I can be many women." The look of confidence disarmed the man and he suddenly wished he was back fighting the ghasts.

"What…what are you doing here?" Pherein stammered, cursing himself for the weakness he was showing.

"I wanted to see you," Lauren responded calmly, looking at him intently.

"But why?" Pherein asked, uncertain if he wanted to hear the answer, fearing he may be wrong.

"Isn't it obvious?" the woman declared again, her eyelids fluttering behind her glasses.

"I'm not certain," the Delorgan responded honestly.

"I told you when we parted at the university, I wanted to see you again."

"But how did you find me?"

"It's not hard," Lauren smiled broadly. "You're more well-known than you may think, plus I asked Professor Horsewood."

Pherein was taken aback by the confident look the woman intently gave him. It was certainly different than the fearful woman he'd helped on the trail. Yet, if he thought about it, he had to confess he'd caught a degree of confidence in her.

"If you say," the warrior answered awkwardly. "So here we are."

"Yes, here we are," the woman answered, her voice becoming husky.

Before the Delorgan could speak she continued, "Pherein, I wanted to find you since I would like you to see me in a different light and in a different place."

Lauren looked at him intently, allowing the words to sink it. "I wanted you to be very clear of my intent. I would like to get to know you better and I believe you feel the same way," she said with confidence.

"Lauren, I…."

"Call me Gigi, please."

"Okay, Gigi," Pherein let the name roll off his tongue. He liked how it sounded.

She smiled broadly at her name.

"I think…I mean…," the confident warrior found himself stumbling awkwardly over his words, cursing himself anew, "I think I would like that…."

The woman smile was brighter than the now noon-day sun. She took his hand and held it, not saying a word.

"So, what happens now?" Pherein asked, his throat suddenly dry and heart pounding.

Lauren beamed and squeezed his hand harder, opening her mouth to speak.

"Ahem…"

Pherein heard a strangled cry, turned and standing off to the side with an intense look on her face was Lily.