Chapter 13

Lily couldn't help but smile as she watched Pherein playing with Molly. The creative child had engaged the big Delorgan in one of her many schemes and he was gladly playing along. The dinner had gone well, better than she had hoped for. While her mother had been surly and disrespectful to their guest it had not seemed to phase the seasoned warrior. He had even quipped to the elderly woman she would need to do better if she were to dent his armor. That had only endeared him the more. Again, the woman could not help but grimace at what she had done and again thanked her god that it had not come to ruin. Their conversation had been a bit stiff as each realized they knew little about the other, but it seemed as if each were at least willing to try.

Yes, Lily smiled broadly.

Pherein caught the look and quickly stopped whatever game he and Molly were playing, much to her disappointment. The proud Delorgan's face reddened, and she realized he probably thought she was laughing at him. Again, another failure on her part. The small voice within that had haunted her since she was a teenager began to taunt her anew.

Who do you think you are? He would never be interested in you. He even rejected the only worthwhile thing you had to offer him.

The voice tormented her, reminding her she was an unredeemed slave with nothing to recommend and he was the son of a Jarl. He was also a self-made man. Tales of his exploits with Professor Horsewood were already circulating around the town, increasing his renown. And who was she?

"Lily?"

The voice shook her out of her miserable thoughts.

"Is everything all right?" the observant warrior asked, a look of concern on his face.

"Yes, I am sorry, I was thinking of something I must do in the morning," she lied. She had not even realized he had finished with Molly and was now standing beside the chair she sat in.

"I was saying your daughter is delightful and has quite the imagination."

The compliment caused the woman to light up. "Yes, she never seems to get down or even realize the reality of her circumstances."

Pherein looked like he wanted to say something in response to the comment but held his tongue. Instead, he looked over at the young girl with the same color hair as her mother. Molly was now fully engaged in play with her rag doll, oblivious that she was the focus of the pair's attention.

"Ah, to live in such a blissful state," The islander commented instead absently.

It was now Lily's turn to look at the man intently, seeking to understand the strange statement. Pherein MacDiarmidson seemed to have it all. Desperately did she want to go deeper with this man but her duties as a mother superseded so she was compelled to put the two children to bed.

Nigel, Lily's youngest child, gave Pherein a big hug then skipped off to his bed.

Molly instead came to him, took his massive, scarred hand into her own tiny one, looked up at the man and said, "Why do you have sad eyes, Master Pherein?"

"Molly!" Lily declared in shock and embarrassment.

Pherein chuckled ruefully though. "You have a keen eye, Miss Molly. Perhaps I need to spend more time with you to make them happier."

"Well, that would be a good start," the precocious girl declared without judgment. She pulled him down to her level, gave him a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I like you."

"I like you too," Pherein declared, caught in the moment and returned her hug.

Satisfied, Molly skipped off to bed.

"Pherein, I am so sorry….," Lily began.

Do not be," Pherein cut her off. "She's charming and is likely right." The Delorgan paused awkwardly, looking at the rough-cut floorboards. "The hour is getting late, I guess I should be leaving so all can settle down."

"We could sit out on the porch for a while, if you would like," Lily asked, unable to mask the hope in her voice.

"I would like that," Pherein answered, voice becoming husky.

As that drama was unfolding another of a different nature was taking place at the Sorrowful Ranger in town. Lauren was there, dressed in a green form-fitting silk-linen gown sipping on a glass of wine. She had just finished rebuffing the fourth man who had approached her in a none-to-subtle way. Though on the outside she appeared calm and collected on the inside she was seething. The intense woman had been thinking of nothing but Pherein MacDiarmidson all day and had been positively filled with anticipation to see him when she had arrived at the inn. She'd come at the latter stages of the supper hour hoping to just 'run into him' but he was not there. She had slipped the barkeep several silver pieces in order to inquire where the big Delorgan was. The man didn't know anything other than he had left prior to the dinner hour and had not been seen since.

So, she sat, a contrast of patience and impatience, drawing attention through the sheer intensity of her presence and personality. Finally, figuring he was not coming back and even if he did knowing it would be awkward at this advanced hour, had left to plot her next move. Her exit had been noticed by all and a disappointment to most but one in particular had been a keen, if not silent, observer.

"Pherein, tell me more about your land," Lily asked, as the pair sat on the rough-cut wooden bench on the front porch of her cottage looking up at the stars.

"I would not want to bore you," Pherein answered, fighting the feeling to relax with the woman sitting close to hm. "Besides, I told you about it the last time I was here."

"Well yes, you told me about the geography, but tell me about the land and her people," Lily countered enthusiastically.

"I do not know…," Pherein paused, as in truth thinking of his homeland pained him. "It is like any other place, I imagine."

"But I have not been further than five leagues from Grantsbend, so I do not know about any other place in the world," Lily responded, wide-eyed with anticipation yet also with a sadness that gripped the Delorgan's heart.

Pherein looked at the woman who though had a worldly look and air about her was in many ways little different from her daughter in terms of hope and anticipation.

"Please?" the woman implored.

The islander smiled, drawn in by her enthusiasm. "Well, the main isle of Lothian sits on the eastern side of the chain of islands making up Delorgan. Mist rises off the water of the loch in the morning and clouds envelope the peaks of the mountain to the north of it. While some would see it as a brutal and unforgiving land when the heather blooms purple in the spring and the sun kisses a snowy peak the place comes alive."

Pherein paused, a bit embarrassed at how he was waxing poetic. Then he saw Lily, eyes closed, a look of delight on her expressive, as if she was there.

I have taken much for granted, the man mused to himself. And so, he took the plunge and shared his love for the land with this woman who had never seen anything but rolling farmlands. Yet it mattered not for in her mind she was there. No, they were there together.

It was late in the night when Pherein MacDiarmidson left the small cottage in Grantsbend Farm. In the end, the pair had stood silently looking up at the stars of the clear fall sky, not wanting the magic of the moment to end. The islander didn't even realize the former slave woman had placed her hand into his. She stood close beside him, not saying a word. She smelled of fresh rosewater and the simple aura was almost intoxicating to him. Yet he didn't feel the desire to take things any further. Though Lily looked up at him, her blue eyes shining, he could also see she felt safe with him and that meant more than any physical delight could hold. No, it was an innocent time with the beautiful woman, a time he was not sure he had ever experienced.

Then it was time to depart.

"I would like to see you again," Lily declared quietly.

"I would like that too," Pherein confessed, a slight quiver in his voice.

"Soon?"

"You know where to find me," the Delorgan said with a chuckle.

Lily shuddered. "I am so sorry for what I did. Thank you for forgiving me."

"No, it is I who should apologize to you," Pherein countered, realizing he was still holding the woman's hand. "I reacted badly and did not understand what was behind your…offer." He paused, weighing his words. "Do not think I found you…. I mean…." Suddenly, the man who had faced countless foes fearlessly was at a loss for words.

"Please, say no more about it," Lily shushed him. "And thank you. I think I understand."

"Good, I'm glad. But I should go," Pherein declared, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

"Then good night." Lily pushed up onto her tip toes and give him a light kiss on the cheek then gracefully glided back into the cottage leaving the man in a daze.

Pherein walked back to the city alone with his thoughts on the now moonlit night.

Why do you have sad eyes?

The words of the precocious child echoed in his mind. In truth he had many reasons, yet he wondered now how his eyes looked after the charming evening.

He could not take his mind off the woman or their conversation. He couldn't help but smile. Then, like a bolt of lightning it struck him, what about Lauren?

In the shadows of the city wall the warrior's thoughts were interrupted by a blood curdling scream.