A Breton among Dremora
Some days passed. Ranyu's recovery went well and once enough healing potions had been brewed up, Karsith ensured that he had a couple to take with him out of the sickbay. There would be scars and some soreness for a few days, but other than that, he was fine. Both of them knew the time had come when Ranyu was becoming disruptive and annoying Karsith from his berth by asking endless silly questions (though if you asked him, Ranyu was perfectly within his right o know how bones connected to each other, and had been rather annoyed at Karsith's comment "If it didn't mean you'd be here even longer, I'd open up your leg and show you!" Dianne had been working in the laundry when that exchange had happened, but when she'd come to see Ranyu after her shift, he told her all about it.
"That wasn't very nice, Karsith," she told the chief healer. She turned away under the pretense of checking the shelves' linens to see if anything was needed, but in reality she was biting her lips. No, it wasn't nice, but it was also kind of funny. She knew how annoying Ranyu could be.
"Well, you try dealing with his nonsense for a week straight, and see how you feel." There was no real rancor in his voice, though.
"If I'm so annoying, Karsith, then how come you haven't sprund me yet?" Ranyu flashed a grin at the Dremora healer, who snorted. "Because I'm giving everyone else a break from your bullshit!"
Ranyu threw a pillow at him.
After that exchange, Ranyu had finally been clearance to leave. Dianne was sure that the only reason was he was tired of Ranyu's nonsense. Even so, she knew in her heart that Karsith wouldn't let a patient out who had more healing to do. Ranyu's first stop, of course, was the tavern.
"Um, I wouldn't mind showering and changing clothes first, if you don't mind. I've been working all day and I smell."
Ranyu rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. I'll meet you there."
"Well, you could just wait for me here," Dianne said. It annoyed her that he didn't want to wait.
He seemed about to argue with that, then said, "that's actually a better idea." He sat down in one of the chairs. Dianne raised a brow at how quickly he'd changed his mind, but said nothing and went to take care of business. When she emerged twenty minutes later, dressed and ready to go aside from towelling her hair, it surprised her to note that hewas still here, looking through the books on the shelf.
"You're still here," she said, surprised. Ranyu nodded. "Yep. Why are you surprised?"
She finished drying her hair with the towel. raping it over the chair, she said, "Well, you really seemed keen to just emet me there. Go without me."
"Not so much going without you and just abandoning you. It--oh. This is about the mortal assholes you've been engaged with in the past, isn't it?"
Dianne nodded. "Yeah. Way too many of them."
Silence as she sat down on her bed to pull on her boots. He broke it by asking "Why..."
She looked up at him. "Why what?"
"Why did you get involved with such rotten people? You're better than that."
"Because I didn't always think I was worthy. Also, assholes don't walk around with neon signs proclaiming 'Hey, I'm an asshole who will trash your self-esteem and ruin your life!' You always think you've found the one, then they turn out to be a jerk after they've lured you in." She stood up, and flicked a mischievous smile his way. "that's what I like about you, Ranyu. I've known you were a jerk since day one."
Ranyu mock growled at her. dianne made a 'Meep!' sound and hurried out the door, Ranyu mock-chasing her all the way there.
****
As promised, he went with her a few days later to talk with Prince Daeinde. He received them both warmly, if a little surprised by the sudden visit. Kavaz was, of course, on hand to serve refreshments as always. He smiled at Dianne and Ranyu, then turned his attention to his duties. Prince Daeinde got straight to the point,
"What brings you to visit me today? Your presence is always welcome. I am surprised, however, as you normally do not seek me out on your own intitative."
Dianne likewise got to the point. "Since I arrived here, no one has treated me in accordance with how I might expect a mortal might be treated. I've not been imprisoned, nor enslaved, not, gods forbid, eaten for dinner by anyone. Other than people behaving in ways which are in alignment with who they are, no one has been rude, unkind, or rugh with me. I'v been here six months, Prince Daeinde. I would like some answers, please."
He nodded. Leaning back in his chair and sipping his coffee, he said, "I knew this day would come. I know that sounds like a bad cliche in an equally bad story, but it's true."
"So what if I hadn't come to you? Would you have waited forever?" she asked, amused. He shook his head. "I expect I would have eventually, but sometimes it's best to allow others to decide when they are ready. Sometimes," he emphasized.
Dianne understood what he meant. It was his way of saying "this doesn't apply in all situations, there's always exceptions, so don't even think about applying it when it doesn't belong." Finally, he said, "You deserve to have understanding. Listen closely, my dear, as I won't be repeating anything." He looked to Ranyu and her both, adding, "These words do not leave my chmber, even though I strongly suspect it's what everyone has already figured out."
He took another sip, then began. "Know that there is a Dremora woman, but she is of no common rank. Her name is Jahiza. She holds a rank that mortals would call a Princess, and she will one day become Queen. Her military rank is still quite low--only a churl--but she has the love and respect of all our people, both mine and Lord Dagon's. She disappeared many, many years ago. As mortals reckon time, it would have been during what is called the First Era."
He paused to let her absorb all of this information. Dianne didn't know how it applied to her, but she was beginning to get an inkling. She said, "Are... are you saying--"
"We have many reasons to belive, although the evidence is not yet concrete, that you may be Princess Jahiza, returned to us."
Dianne dropped her cup to the marble floor, where it shattered.