Aidu kept to her word. When Richard woke up, he found his bag was packed full of bread, nuts, dried berries, salted pork, six full glass jars of water, two bags of coffee grounds, four extra shirts, two pairs of pants, and an overcoat he didn't have the day before. Looking over at Sythe's bag, it was likewise stuffed full of things for the road. Lynn had unpacked his own bag, and was cataloging all the extra supplies they found themselves with. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the sky was glowing orange. Opening the door, he knocked on the other side of the hallway. Raine opened the door a bit, and stepped out, closing it behind her. "She went overboard. Did she give you extra clothes too?"
"Three shirts, a pair of pants, and a set of undergarments. I don't know how she got our measurements, because I tried on one of the shirts and it fit perfectly."
"I'd say something about her, but I'm afraid if I do she'll appear behind me like she usually does." He flipped around, half expecting her to be right there. "I can't believe we're actually getting on the road again. I liked it here. I like playing the part of the spy."
"I get what you mean. She figured out my shapeshifting. I know she'll be alright, but I feel bad leaving her with all these Templars running around."
"Do you remember new years eve?" Raine chuckled as she remembered. "She put the fear of god in those poor saps, and they haven't messed with her since. Even Haelith hasn't been messed with, and she's… well, she's particularly strange, even for this group."
"Yeah…" The two stood in akward silence for a minute.
"Hey, have you-" both said at the same time. "You go first. No-"
Raine smiled and looked away. Richard spoke "Have you ever thought… thought about us?"
She was quiet, and blushed. "Yeah. I actually have."
"I know I was- well- an ass to you when we first met, but I think I'm not like that anymore. I hope I'm not like that anymore. I was actually hoping we could, I dunno, maybe go on a date sometime?"
Raine looked up in shock, her face red. "Yeah, we should." she answered very quickly, before turning away again. "I… I'd like that. When we aren't on the run, that would… that would be nice." Richard grabbed her hands, and she turned to him.
"I won't let anyone hurt you. Especially me." And he leaned over, giving her a kiss on her hand. She blushed, and then began to snicker. "What? Did I do something wrong?"
"Since when have you been so formal? You're such a gentleman!" She giggled. He blushed, and then leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"And I'm all yours." He let go and took a step back. "We should get ready to go. Everyone else is probably listening through the doors, so this probably won't be a secret for long, but I'd like this to be just between us for a while."
"I'd like that. Go get dressed, you gentleman. You're still wearing you pajamas." Richard looked down, and blushed as he was indeed wearing his red onesie. Raine laughed and opened the door, taking a long look at him, before going back into her room. Richard stood there, blushing and smiling.
Raine closed the door, still smiling. Everyone else was awake, and packing their things. "What was that about?" Haelith asked, putting on a blue silk dress.
"Oh, just making fun of Richard. He forgot he was wearing his pajamas still."
"Nice. Aidu really went overboard. If she packed every bag like this, we'll have enough food to get all the way to Edinmire and back and then back again." Maren said, pulling out a piece of jerky. "She really didn't have to get us new clothes."
"I'm surprised she bothered with me." Haelith pulled out a green silk dress and shawl. "They're my size, and I'm not easy to get clothes for."
"I think once Richard is dressed we should head out." Raine said, hefting her bag up. It was much heavier than she realized. "I'll be downstairs." Heading downstairs, Aidu had nine cups of coffee ready on a platter, as well as slices of roasted apple with a hot honey glazed on top.
"Ya'll find everything I left for ya?"
"Have you been up all night?"
"Oh, sweetie. Don't you worry about me, I pull all nighters all the time. Now, get some coffee, some food, and hit the road. And don't bother returning that book."
"Book?" Raine set her bag down, and looked through it. Pulling out a heavy, leather bound book, she recognized it as one of the ones from the library. The one about runecarving. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"You've got a bright head on your shoulders, Raine. I've heard your family's name before. Silverlock. You're unique, and I can just tell you're gonna do great things. Great, and maybe terrible things, but great things either way."
"Terrible? What are you talking about?"
"I knew your father, Eurche. He came through here about four years ago. I forget most folks, but him, oh, I remember him. Thought he was hidden, and changed forms in front of me. Asked me to say nothing to nobody, but you're his daughter. I knew about your ability because I'd seen it before. Well, I've heard about some of the things that man's done. Great, yes. Terrible, more so. You have potential Raine. The paths before you are many, Silverlock. Now you must choose your Fate." Raine took a step back, leaving her coffee on the counter. Her mind flashed with a thousand images, and the voice.
HIS voice. It echoed "Paths will stretch out before you. You can't stop Fate, Raine."
She fell as she backed up, suddenly unable to breathe, her vision blurring. "Raine! Raine! Look at me, Raine, focus on me!" Haelith's voice was clear and loud, and she felt her heart beat again. "Heartbeat is irregular, breathing shallow, pulse high, eyes unfocused… stay with me Raine. Go fetch me some cold water and a rag." She suddenly realized she was on the floor with Haelith holding her wrist and head.
"Raine?" Richard ran down the stairs and over to her side. "Raine! What happened?"
"From the symptoms, a panic attack, but I can't imagine why. Maybe you should cut coffee…"
"I heard him. I heard his voice. I saw them again… I…" Raine grasped Richard's hand and held tightly. "Aruhn. I heard him."
"You'll be alright. He can't hurt you. I won't let him." He pulled Raine close, holding her against his chest as tears welled up in her eyes. Everyone else was downstairs at this point, and gathered around her.
"I… I didn't want… you all to know… how much… how he's…" She sobbed, tears pouring down her face. Richard held her close, and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. Haelith held a glass of water and a rag, but then put them down.
"I'm sorry. This is beyond my skill. I know how to treat physical ailments, but this… this is something only time will mend. I wish I could do more for you." For several long minutes, Raine cried into Richard's shirt, wanting nothing more than to vanish, to make it all go away, to wake up from the nightmare. But she didn't wake up. She was already awake, and the nightmare was reality. Slowly, the tears stopped falling, and she just sat with Richard.
"Thank you." she whispered. "Thank you."
"I'll always be here for you. I promise." he whispered back. Raine slowly stood up, and frowned, ashamed that she had done that in front of everyone. She had done her best to hide how much Aruhn had really shaken her, but there was no hiding this.
Half an hour later, the sun was poking over the buildings, and the eight of them walked out of the Westward Gate Inn, leaving Aidu standing in the door. "Good luck. Ya'lls is gonna need it."