"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"There's no one around, and honestly, that wig was really uncomfortable. I'm sure we'll be fine."
Trinia placed her hat and wig on a nearby tree stump with a smirk, no doubt imagining what people would think when they saw it. Takota glanced throughout the plains, having split off from the main road in favor of side paths and have since broken off from the group of merchants they left Korvosa with. Although Trinia's observation about no one around were true, Takota still wondered if getting rid of her disguise was a good plan. He wasn't sure if the Korvosan Guard had anyone on patrol outside of the city walls but he felt that it would be better to have the disguise. Still, he didn't think it was too big of a deal, especially with the progress they were already making.
Takota looked up at the sky and judged that they still had a few hours of sunlight left. Part of his training with the Sable Marine Company included studying the local geography and he had a rough idea of where Trots was. If they pressed on, they would make it to the inn before nightfall. Silently, Takota pressed on, heading north. Although he made no attempt to call for Trinia, she saw him leaving and quickly jogged after him.
"A little heads up would have been nice," Trinia said playfully.
"You're here now, aren't you?" Takota pointed out.
"I'm still trying to get used to you being a man of few words. You weren't like this when we first met."
"There was a lot going on then."
"What, like some of your friends thinking I actually was an assassin," Trinia looked over to Takota, curious. "You knew that I was innocent though and defended me against your friends. I've always wondered why."
"You didn't seem like the type of person to kill anyone, let alone a king," Takota stated simply, still looking ahead of the path they were on.
Trinia giggled. "That wasn't what I meant but thank you. I was thinking more of why you stood up against your friends. You could have gotten in trouble if you help me."
"I could get into trouble helping you now," Takota added.
"And yet you're still here. It means a lot to me but still, you're taking a lot of risks."
"So I am," Takota shrugged. "My mother taught me that doing the right thing can be difficult but that it shouldn't stop anyone."
"I wished more people followed your mother's advice," Trinia smiled. "She sounds like a wonderful woman."
"She was," Takota glanced briefly down at the ground.
"Was?" Trinia said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"You didn't know because I never told you."
"I never knew who my parents were but I can only imagine that it must have been painful to lose one," Trinia reached her hand over to touch Takota's arm. "I'm truly sorry."
Takota nodded and Trinia was content to join him in silence, at least for the time being. She moved her hand off of his arm but still stuck by his side. Although he knew that the gesture was her trying to comfort him, he was surprised that a part of him hoped that it meant more. Takota turned away from Trinia, unsure of his own feelings toward her for the first time.
The rest of Takota's friends only knew about the loss of his parents when Gaedren taunted him about murdering them. He didn't tell them when they first met and he wasn't sure he would have told them if Gaedren never said anything. Yet, he was surprised that he was more willing to open up to Trinia. Today was only the second time they've met and Takota recognized that he felt different around her. If his feelings were romantic, it would be a first for him. He had always been content by himself and never thought that he had a chance for romance.
To bring it up now would make the journey awkward. Trinia was to leave to hide away outside of Korvosa and Takota had to return to the Sable Marine Company when they made it to Trots. Not wanting to bring it up now, he kept his thoughts to himself.
The next time Trinia broke the silence between her and Takota, she wanted to know about how Takota came to know the rest of his companions. Time started to go by as he answered her many questions of his adventures. Given that Trinia was going into hiding, Takota didn't see any reason to lie. When she asked about Indigo's identity, he revealed that it was Griffin all along, although she wasn't too surprised. The only story he told her without any kind of prompting was the plan to rescue her from her execution. Although it hadn't gone as Griffin planned, Trinia was thankful that Takota was doing what he could to rescue her.
By the time Takota started to talk about his time in the Sable Marine Company, Trinia pointed out a simple two-story building ahead. The sun was setting by the time they arrived at Trots, an unremarkable inn that he could only recognize due to the sign posted above the door. When they stepped into the building, the room they found themselves was empty aside from a bearded man behind a counter. There were several unoccupied tables and Takota picked up the scent of burnt meat from the room behind the county.
Takota and Trinia approached the innkeeper with the Shoanti speaking. "How much for two rooms?"
"Two rooms?" Trinia shook her head. "If you're comfortable with sharing, you'd save money with one room."
"Is there a room with two beds?" Takota asked the innkeeper.
"Just one but it costs a little extra. Two gold."
"We'll take that one," Trinia smiled. "How much for food."
"I have rations," Takota offered and reached into the pouch Vencarlo gave him. "We can have those."
"I'm not sure if rations are really appetizing," Trinia said. "Besides, we're on our own adventure. We should be able to spend a little extra."
"The kitchen's been closed but I can see if I can warm up some of the stew we had earlier," the innkeeper told the group. "It might be a little overcooked though."
Trinia took a quick sniff of the air and her face scrunched up. "Actually, maybe rations will be fine."
Takota paid the innkeeper and was given a key and directions to their room upstairs. The two walked into their room and Takota unlocked the door. The inn room they were given wasn't anything special. There were two beds spread apart with a small lockbox between them. There was a table with two chairs by the corner alongwith a small lantern on top and a covered chamberpot in the corner. Although Trinia looked around with a disappointed frown, Takota thought that the room was good enough to rest.
With darkness setting in, Takota lit the lantern to light up the room. Trinia took a seat at the table and accepted the bundled rations that was offered to her. While Takota put away his crossbow, quiver, and handaxe in an empty corner, Trinia silently ate pieces of dried fruit. Once his equipment was stowed away, he joined her at the table and ate from his own meal, taking a bite out of a piece of jerky. For a few seconds, the two sat together and ate their food. Although it was a bland meal, it was filling and wasn't burnt like the food below was.
"You know, when I accepted the commission to paint the king's portrait, I thought it would be what made my career as a painter," Trinia said after finishing her food, turning to look out the window with a sigh. "Now I'm on the run."
"How did you come to paint his portrait to begin with?" Takota asked and took a bite from his remaining jerky.
Trinia remained silent for a few seconds before shrugging. "Truth be told, I don't know. I taught myself how to paint so I wasn't really a professional. I was scraping by until the king sent a messenger requesting my services. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, but with an opportunity like that, I couldn't refuse."
Takota nodded. "It's not easy getting by on your own. If it weren't for the Sable Marine Company, I'd be back to trying to get by."
"Do you not have any other family?" Trinia asked, looking back at Takota.
"If I did, I wouldn't know. I don't remember too much of my home in the Cinderlands."
"Have you ever thought about going back? Or do you think you'll stay in Korvosa?"
"I want to go back," Takota answered without any hesitation. "The journey won't be easy though. I'm hoping that eventually, I'll be able to make enough gold to help pay for the journey."
"It couldn't cost that much money though, could it?" Trinia blinked in confusion. "The journey to the Cinderlands would only be a few days."
"It'll take time to find the Shoanti and it may be dangerous," Takota explained but found himself unconvinced by his own words for the first time.
"After everything you told me about what you've done, I think you can handle a little danger," Trinia said with a smile. "Harse is closer to the Cinderlands than Korvosa is. If you really want to go home, you could come with me. You can decide whenever you feel ready, and then, maybe I can come with you. I doubt Ileosa would search for me that far north."
Takota considered Trinia's offer and had to admit that the idea was tempting. Perhaps it was because he was a child when he first left the Cinderlands that he was always cautious to go home. He realized that Trinia did have a point about his own skills, and if he could get his hands on his crossbow, he would be able to protect himself better than with his crossbow. Although he was making progress with his crossbow training, he felt as though he was more efficient with his old weapon.
Trinia offering to join him was an incentive on top of heading home. Although it was difficult for Takota to open up even with his close friends, he felt different when he was with Trinia. He wasn't sure why but he thought that it would be a good chance to find out what was different with her. At the very least, Takota did want to spend more time with Trinia.
However, he also had his reasons for going back to Korvosa. Takota valued loyalty and he didn't think it would be loyal of him to turn away from Marcus and the Sable Marine Company after all they've done for him. To turn away when he struggled with his crossbow training could be a sign that he didn't have what it took to join the organization, and although that wasn't true, that's what people would believe. Then, there was the matter of his friends. Although Takota struggled to talk to them at times, that didn't mean he didn't value his companions. To leave without saying farewell to them might be too much.
Then, there was the matter of Zellara's harrowing. Something was coming to Korvosa to threaten the people of the city once more. Takota still disagreed with his Choosing and wondered what was better: to return and prove that he wasn't helpless or to remove himself from the events to come entirely.
In the end, there was too much to consider at that moment.
"I… don't know. I need time to think it over."
"Of course," Trinia nodded. "Do you think sleeping on it would help?"
"Maybe."
Trinia yawned in an exaggerated manner. "That might be a good idea. This has been a really long day. I could really use some sleep too."
"Of course," Takota said and stood up. "We should rest. Have a good night, Trinia."
"You too, Takota."
Takota woke up the next morning with the sun lighting up the room from the window. Although he never brought it up since it never affected his skills, it was difficult for him to sleep back in Korvosa. At first, he thought that it was because he didn't have a bed, but even when he stayed at the barracks of Citadel Volshyenek or the Endrin Military Academy, he struggled to sleep. Although the bed he slept on wasn't too comfortable, Takota wondered if getting away from the city might be good for his health.
When Takota sat up, he looked with wide eyes to find Trinia's bed empty with her nowhere in sight.
At first, he was afraid that something happened to her, but even if the queen's agents caught up, Takota didn't think they would leave him behind. He stood up from his bed, not even grabbing his shirt, and found a piece of parchment held down by an object wrapped in cloth. Noticing the ink on the parchment, Takota pulled it free and read the message.
Takota,
I didn't want to wake you up. I went downstairs for an early breakfast and Jasan was there, waiting to bring me to Harse. He agreed that I could write you a letter before we left. Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you were mad at me for heading off and leaving only a letter but I felt that it had to be done.
The thing is, I enjoyed the time we spent together yesterday. With everything that's happened, traveling next to you was a bright spot after everything that happened. What made yesterday special was you. I know you don't talk a lot, but when you do, I can tell that you are a good man who wants to see me safe even though we're practically strangers.
When I invited you to come with me to Harse, I meant it completely. Still, when I thought about it over the night, I realized that I was being selfish. You have a life waiting for you back in Korvosa and to ask you to throw it away without any kind of plan was unfair of me, especially given my circumstances.
I didn't want to put you on the spot this morning so I had to leave without saying goodbye properly.
When Blackjack rescued me, he was able to get some of my belongings. I feel as though you might have more of a need for them than I would working on some ranch.
For what it's worth, I do hope you come to Harse one day, whether it's just to visit or to stay. If you really wanted to, you could probably catch up to us before we make it to Harse. I was serious about wanting to go to the Cinderlands. I know you said it's dangerous, but if you want to go, I'd be happy to come with you.
Whatever you decide to do, I want it to be your choice.
Take care,
-T
P.S. I like that you're trying something different but you look a lot more handsome with your hair long. Maybe consider growing it back.
Still processing Trinia's farewell, Takota reached for the bundle and unwrapped the cloth. She had left him a dagger and a familiar metal rod as memories of her dazing him with a spell came back. He ran his hand over the wand before focusing on the dagger. Takota almost thought there was nothing to the weapon until he realized how silver the metal was. When he held the dagger in his hand, he noted how light it was. During one class with the Sable Marine Company, he learned about mithral, a metal that was harder than steel yet lighter. Trinia could have sold the dagger to a merchant in Harse for a lot of gold but decided to give it to him instead.
Takota practically collapsed into an open chair, unsure of what to do next. He didn't hold it against Trinia for leaving a letter and heading to Harse since she wanted to keep what he wanted in mind. Had she stayed, he wouldn't have known what his answer would be. Although he had to fulfill his obligations in Korvosa, it was also his dream to go back home to the Cinderlands.
Setting the dagger back down, Takota ran through the reasons for staying Korvosa or leaving in his mind countless times. There was nothing waiting for him immediately on either path so he was willing to spend however much time was needed to figure out where to go next.
A/N: Between the rest of the group wrapping up at Soldado's and Takota finishing his escort quest, we're getting ready to really kick off the main conflict of Seven Days to the Grave. I'm looking forward to it.
We're at 33,000 words now, 17,000 away from finishing NaNowWriMo. I'm running through the math and I'm liking my odds more. However, the biggest hurdles are about to come up with Thanksgiving followed by my job. I'll still keep writing since I am still confident that I can make it.
Until next time.
