Forces of Nature 11/20
Ok... so it took me forever to edit this, but I am only a day late this time. Also, I have made friends interested in reading my slash stories. I am mucho pleased yes I am ^_^ Also, wooing the pretty blond boy is starting to work! Yus! He gives the best hugs ever and smells like yumm.
Anywho onto the story?
Chapter eleven - Stealing Away
Luriel sat in one corner of the cell. Paraklee was curled up with Rai, again. That was not to say that he didn’t do his own share of cuddling with the redhead, but there was something about watching them together. They seemed content; actually, it was Rai that seemed more content, more at ease. Something was telling Luriel that there was more to the calmness than just being comfortable. However, he was certain that it would be hard to get information like that out of Rai. Truly, the man was impossible.
He turned his eyes away from them and back towards escape. It wouldn’t be too hard with their gifts. He just needed to be able to tell when the sun went down. The brig had no windows, and if it did, they would have done no good. The brig was well in the belly of the ship, the cold and the moister could attain to that.
He frowned in though for a moment wondering how he could tell if the sun had indeed set. He closed his eyes and listened. It was no use. He frowned when a sudden thought occurred to him. He wanted to hit himself in the head for not thinking about it sooner.
“Paraklee, how good is your hearing?” he asked the pale man.
Paraklee looked at him cautiously. “How far do I need to listen?”
“I need to know what they are saying on the deck.”
Paraklee nodded him and closed his eyes. There was a slight stirring of wind, but aside from that everything was completely silent.
Rai was watching the exchange with interest. He met Luriel’s eyes with the amber ones he had once envied. He didn’t any longer, they looked too perfect in that ruggedly handsome face. Though the man was in serious need of a shave. He smiled at that, thinking about the picture that the three of them must make together.
The air shifted slightly drawing Luriel’s attention back to him. Paraklee opened his silver eyes, a frown creased between his brows. “Our friend left with Will about an hour ago and the birds were singing about the morning sunshine. We’ve got several hours yet left to wait.”
“Good. I’ve got the plan mostly figured out, give me about an hour to work out a few of the little kinks.”
Rai scowled at him but stopped the moment Paraklee touched his arm. Luriel smiled at this and closed his eyes, losing himself in his plotting.
***
“Ok, the sun has set and most of the sailors are below deck.”
Luriel nodded to Paraklee and turned to Rai. “Would you do the honors?”
Rai rolled his eyes and stepped forward. Instead of letting loose fire, he grabbed the bars. Luriel frowned at that, but his eyes widened when he realized that the mental was turning red. Rai twisted the metal then pulling off the bars. He contemplated them for a moment in his hands before tossing them away into a puddle of water. They sizzled for a moment.
“Come on, they’ve cooled enough for you to walk through.” Rai gestured to the bars before stepping through.
Luriel wondered briefly what he had been comparing it to before he cautiously stepped through the bars. Paraklee followed behind nonchalantly. Of course, the Air Elemental could probably cool the bars down with a slight gust of wind. Nothing like Will, however. Luriel ignored the slight pang at the thought of the blue-haired prince.
Luriel glanced around the brig thoughtfully. If they could find anything of value it could be useful. Or maybe if they found some kind of weapon.
“What are you looking for?”
Luriel glanced up at Rai before moving a box. There was nothing in it of use. There were a few potatoes that had started to sprout little roots.
“I’m looking for something to use as a weapon, and maybe something we can use to barter with when we leave.”
“Should have said something.”
Luriel frowned and turned to see Rai picking up one of the metal bars. He frowned briefly and the metal heated up again. Luriel watched in awe as the man began sculpting it with his bare hands. It was impressive, and if he hadn’t been a Fire Elemental, Luriel would have thought him utterly insane.
The finished product was a sword, it was simple, but looked strong enough. Though Luriel really couldn’t tell a good sword from a bad one.
Paraklee eyed the sword with distaste. “Personally I’m more fond of the bow.”
Rai snorted at him. “Yeah, and you can use the wind to guide the arrow.”
Paraklee pouted. “So?”
Rai rolled his eyes and looked over at Luriel. “What about you?”
“I know that you put the pointy end into your opponent, but as to how I am supposed to do that, I’ve no idea.” Luriel gestured awkwardly, something akin to a thrusting movement with an imaginary sword.
The look Rai was giving him was not the least bit reassuring. He wasn’t an idiot, he just only barely knew the tip of the sword from the hilt. Honestly, swordsmanship was not one of the subject he thought he would ever need. He hadn’t thought much of leaving the university before it actually happened.
“Am I going to be the only one useful in a fight?”
Luriel scowled and rolled his eyes. “Of course, because the gods know we have no powers of our own. Come on, might as well go above deck. Do try not to hurt yourself with your little toy.”
He could feel Rai glaring at him and it made him feel warm and fuzzy. Though the warm part could probably be attributed to the redhead. He pushed the thoughts aside and moved as silently up the stairs as he could.
The door opened easily under his hand, and oddly enough, without a squeak. He looked around carefully before stepping out. The deck looked like it was clear, but he couldn’t be certain of that. Rai was directly behind him, and Paraklee trailed after them.
Luriel turned around and addressed Rai, “I need you to find some manner of money.” He looked at the sword, “Since you are better with hand to hand, in case you run into someone.”
Rai rolled his eyes. It was remarkable that Luriel could see them in the dawning darkness. He watched the man walk away with a shake of his head.
“Don’t stare to long, he’ll notice.”
Luriel flushed and looked over at Paraklee. “Right. You and I are going to commandeer a boat, I think it’ll make sneaking off easier.”
Paraklee smirked at him. “If you say so.”
Luriel ignored him and walked to the side of the ship. He kept in the shadows as much as possible, but Paraklee didn’t seem to know the basics of stealth. “What are you doing?” he hissed at the noble.
Paraklee looked over at him with a distant expression. “Oh, well I’m not exactly hard to see in the dark, am I? So why bother hiding if they can see me anyway?”
Luriel looked at him and realized that sadly, it was true. Paraklee was just as visible in the shadows with his pale hair as he was in the light. He shook his head and concentrated on his task.
He looked over the side of the ship with a frown. There were no boats near him. He narrowed his eyes and looked further down. Ah. There they were. Not too far.
He looked over at Paraklee, who was acting strangely again. “I found one.” Paraklee didn’t reply he just leaned over the railing to look down in the water. Luriel frowned at him and stepped forward. “Are you alright?”
The pale man blinked and his eyes refocused. “What? I’m sorry, must have drifted of.”
“That’s one way to put it…” Luriel muttered under his breath.
Paraklee winced. “I’m sorry. I’ve been locked up for far too long.”
Luriel nodded, a sense of understanding filled him. Of course it would affect him to be locked away like that. His powers were tied to open spaces and things of that nature. Being locked up must have been hell for him.
“I think I understand.”
Paraklee’s silver eyes settle on him. “Do you?”
Before Luriel could reply a shout rang out followed by rough cursing in an accent they knew well. “Do you think we should help him?”
Paraklee looked in the direction the shouting came from. “I think he is fine.”
Luriel shrugged and went about trying to figure out how to lower the blasted boat.
A few minutes later the shouting stopped. Luriel looked at Paraklee with wide eyes. The man nodded and he took it as a good sign, because really he couldn’t stand anything else. He hopped into the little boat and then helped Paraklee into it, because really, the man didn’t look to stable at the moment.
“Magent‘s tits, scholar, where are you?”
“Boat! To your left!”
Rai’s head peered over the side of the ship. He frowned but shrugged and climbed in. Luriel began to slowly lower the little boat.
“Any success?”
Rai nodded and began to help him lower the boat. “Mostly of the good kind. One of the bloody pirates was good with a sword though. Caught my arm.”
When they finished lowering the boat Luriel crawled over to Rai and shoved up his sleeve to examine the wound. It wasn’t too deep.
“What are you doing?”
Luriel glared at him. “Hush.” He closed his eyes and held his right hand over the wound. It wasn’t hard to do, but it took energy and a lot of concentration. He hummed softly when he felt it working. The skin and tissues beneath his hand began to knit back together, leaving only the faintest scar.
He opened his eyes and examined the scar. Nodding, he said, “There, it should be fine now.”
Rai was staring at him with a curious look in his eyes. Luriel frowned at him, almost startled when the man reached out and grabbed a section of hair at his temple. The strands were silver, of course. It hurt a little to look at them, but it was worth it.
“This section was brown only a moment ago.”
Luriel shrugged and looked away. His movement caused the strand of hair to slip from Rai’s fingers. “I’m used to it.”
Rai frowned.
Shouting went up on the boat. Luriel winced, he’d forgotten they were in the middle of escaping. How silly of him. He picked up an oar and handed one to Rai. Together they rowed the little life boat the dock.
“Not that that wasn’t a lovely trip, but why couldn’t we just use the ramp?” Paraklee asked as he tried to stand.
“I thought the boat would prove useful. Rai, did you find anything of value?”
Rai nodded and pulled out several articles of jewelry. Lurriel nodded to that and then climbed from the boat. Rai climbed out behind him and helped Paraklee. The noble, sadly, didn’t have sea legs for such a small boat. Luriel tried not to smile outright at the sight, but from the look on Paraklee’s face, he assumed that he’d failed.
Luriel looked for the first time at the port city they had arrived at. It was small, and from the looks of the architecture, they had landed somewhere near Zorgonza.
He only hoped that they would have good luck when it came to finding Will. The stupid noble. Stupid of them all, actually. He still couldn’t believe how simple it was that they had got caught. Being stuck in a ship for nigh on a month didn’t help in the least. Luriel had spent most of the time thinking that he could have done something, anything to have prevented their capture. It was a silly notion, of course, but he couldn’t help but think it.
“Penny for yours thoughts?”
Luriel looked up at Paraklee. The noble was looking at him with a slightly worried expression. He shrugged, “Just thinking about how stupid I’ve been. I should have done something earlier. Maybe this whole thing could have been prevented and we would be back at the Temple right now.”
Rai made some sort of grunting noise and starting walking. Over his shoulder he said, “I doubt it could have been prevented. Seems like things like this happen no matter.”
Luriel frowned and followed after him. Perhaps he was right. Luriel didn’t like it, but maybe it was true.
Paraklee smiled reassuringly at him. Luriel smiled back weakly and caught up to Rai. It seemed that the merchant had an idea.
***
“What do you mean nine flints? This is easily worth twelve.”
Luriel smiled ruefully as he watched the merchant barter for money. It was fascinating. Paraklee hopped into the debate and started grilling the poor man they were trying to sell a necklace to. The man paled under the pressure and handed over the flints.
“Thank you, sir merchant, it has been lovely doing business with you.” Rai even did a little bow. The Merchant puffed up and took off, muttering curses beneath his breath.
Rai turned to Luriel with a satisfied smile on his face. The look was devastating.
Luriel flushed slightly and looked away. “We need to get a room.”
“Food would be nice, too.” Paraklee shot him an amused look but didn’t say anything. Luriel was surprised, between the two nobles, there was never any lack of teasing. Luriel frowned at that, of course one of them was missing and they had yet to find him. But it couldn’t be that hard to find a man with blue hair, could it?
“Fine, but we’re not staying at one of them fancy inns. Don’t need anything but a bed and some stew.” The look Rai sent Paraklee was more playful than serious.
Paraklee rolled his eyes. “If you insist.”
“I do, we need to save our money, we’re going to need a ship and a crew.”
Paraklee frowned. “I’d almost forgotten.”
Rai looked away from them. The look on his face said it all. There was nothing in the world that would make him forget the loss of his ship. His pride and joy.
Luriel didn’t think he could ever understand the ache something like that would leave behind, but he could try. He reached out and hand and let it rest on Rai’s shoulder for a moment. The man’s amber eyes turned to him. They were bright and filled with pain, Luriel could have sworn he’d seen specs of red before they vanished back into the gold. He shook his head, it wouldn’t surprise him if his eyes had not been lying.
“I think that things will work out. We have some learning to do, but things will get better, I am certain of it.”
Rai didn’t look convinced. “I’ll hold you to it, scholar.”
Luriel nodded. “You may.” He looked around taking note of how high the sun was. It was just past noon. It they found a decent inn soon, they could probably purchase a good room. One they didn’t have to share with countless strangers.
Paraklee cleared his throat. “Well, are we going to find an inn up to your specifications or are we going to stand here all day?”
Luriel smiled at him. The man had good timing. Perhaps it was because of how he grew up. Nobles were raised differently and sometimes it seemed that they were speaking a different language entirely. They were more subtle with there emotions. Maybe that meant they were better at reading others. Luriel didn’t know, but he suspected that whether he was trained or not, Paraklee knew when to step in.
Rai seemed to shake off his mood. “All right, richie. I think I heard a man say there was one down the way.”
Luriel followed after them lost in his own thoughts. It was then that he realized that they had never settled on what they were going to do after they escaped. He’d assumed that they were going to save Will, but was it certain?
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
Rai looked at him like he was an idiot. “We’re going to find the other richie, from there, well it’s wherever Eldric takes us. May his bloody wife stay outta it.”
Luriel flushed.
“Really, I thought you had this all planned out.”
He stuck his tongue out at the tone in Paraklee’s voice. “I wasn’t sure if we were all thinking the same thing or not. It did not hurt to ask.”
Paraklee smirked at him. “That’s not true, it hurt your pride, just a bit.”
Luriel shook his head. “Only a bit. Come on, you walk too slow.” He sped up hoping to draw the attention away from his momentarily stupidity. It worked.
Anywho onto the story?
Chapter eleven - Stealing Away
Luriel sat in one corner of the cell. Paraklee was curled up with Rai, again. That was not to say that he didn’t do his own share of cuddling with the redhead, but there was something about watching them together. They seemed content; actually, it was Rai that seemed more content, more at ease. Something was telling Luriel that there was more to the calmness than just being comfortable. However, he was certain that it would be hard to get information like that out of Rai. Truly, the man was impossible.
He turned his eyes away from them and back towards escape. It wouldn’t be too hard with their gifts. He just needed to be able to tell when the sun went down. The brig had no windows, and if it did, they would have done no good. The brig was well in the belly of the ship, the cold and the moister could attain to that.
He frowned in though for a moment wondering how he could tell if the sun had indeed set. He closed his eyes and listened. It was no use. He frowned when a sudden thought occurred to him. He wanted to hit himself in the head for not thinking about it sooner.
“Paraklee, how good is your hearing?” he asked the pale man.
Paraklee looked at him cautiously. “How far do I need to listen?”
“I need to know what they are saying on the deck.”
Paraklee nodded him and closed his eyes. There was a slight stirring of wind, but aside from that everything was completely silent.
Rai was watching the exchange with interest. He met Luriel’s eyes with the amber ones he had once envied. He didn’t any longer, they looked too perfect in that ruggedly handsome face. Though the man was in serious need of a shave. He smiled at that, thinking about the picture that the three of them must make together.
The air shifted slightly drawing Luriel’s attention back to him. Paraklee opened his silver eyes, a frown creased between his brows. “Our friend left with Will about an hour ago and the birds were singing about the morning sunshine. We’ve got several hours yet left to wait.”
“Good. I’ve got the plan mostly figured out, give me about an hour to work out a few of the little kinks.”
Rai scowled at him but stopped the moment Paraklee touched his arm. Luriel smiled at this and closed his eyes, losing himself in his plotting.
***
“Ok, the sun has set and most of the sailors are below deck.”
Luriel nodded to Paraklee and turned to Rai. “Would you do the honors?”
Rai rolled his eyes and stepped forward. Instead of letting loose fire, he grabbed the bars. Luriel frowned at that, but his eyes widened when he realized that the mental was turning red. Rai twisted the metal then pulling off the bars. He contemplated them for a moment in his hands before tossing them away into a puddle of water. They sizzled for a moment.
“Come on, they’ve cooled enough for you to walk through.” Rai gestured to the bars before stepping through.
Luriel wondered briefly what he had been comparing it to before he cautiously stepped through the bars. Paraklee followed behind nonchalantly. Of course, the Air Elemental could probably cool the bars down with a slight gust of wind. Nothing like Will, however. Luriel ignored the slight pang at the thought of the blue-haired prince.
Luriel glanced around the brig thoughtfully. If they could find anything of value it could be useful. Or maybe if they found some kind of weapon.
“What are you looking for?”
Luriel glanced up at Rai before moving a box. There was nothing in it of use. There were a few potatoes that had started to sprout little roots.
“I’m looking for something to use as a weapon, and maybe something we can use to barter with when we leave.”
“Should have said something.”
Luriel frowned and turned to see Rai picking up one of the metal bars. He frowned briefly and the metal heated up again. Luriel watched in awe as the man began sculpting it with his bare hands. It was impressive, and if he hadn’t been a Fire Elemental, Luriel would have thought him utterly insane.
The finished product was a sword, it was simple, but looked strong enough. Though Luriel really couldn’t tell a good sword from a bad one.
Paraklee eyed the sword with distaste. “Personally I’m more fond of the bow.”
Rai snorted at him. “Yeah, and you can use the wind to guide the arrow.”
Paraklee pouted. “So?”
Rai rolled his eyes and looked over at Luriel. “What about you?”
“I know that you put the pointy end into your opponent, but as to how I am supposed to do that, I’ve no idea.” Luriel gestured awkwardly, something akin to a thrusting movement with an imaginary sword.
The look Rai was giving him was not the least bit reassuring. He wasn’t an idiot, he just only barely knew the tip of the sword from the hilt. Honestly, swordsmanship was not one of the subject he thought he would ever need. He hadn’t thought much of leaving the university before it actually happened.
“Am I going to be the only one useful in a fight?”
Luriel scowled and rolled his eyes. “Of course, because the gods know we have no powers of our own. Come on, might as well go above deck. Do try not to hurt yourself with your little toy.”
He could feel Rai glaring at him and it made him feel warm and fuzzy. Though the warm part could probably be attributed to the redhead. He pushed the thoughts aside and moved as silently up the stairs as he could.
The door opened easily under his hand, and oddly enough, without a squeak. He looked around carefully before stepping out. The deck looked like it was clear, but he couldn’t be certain of that. Rai was directly behind him, and Paraklee trailed after them.
Luriel turned around and addressed Rai, “I need you to find some manner of money.” He looked at the sword, “Since you are better with hand to hand, in case you run into someone.”
Rai rolled his eyes. It was remarkable that Luriel could see them in the dawning darkness. He watched the man walk away with a shake of his head.
“Don’t stare to long, he’ll notice.”
Luriel flushed and looked over at Paraklee. “Right. You and I are going to commandeer a boat, I think it’ll make sneaking off easier.”
Paraklee smirked at him. “If you say so.”
Luriel ignored him and walked to the side of the ship. He kept in the shadows as much as possible, but Paraklee didn’t seem to know the basics of stealth. “What are you doing?” he hissed at the noble.
Paraklee looked over at him with a distant expression. “Oh, well I’m not exactly hard to see in the dark, am I? So why bother hiding if they can see me anyway?”
Luriel looked at him and realized that sadly, it was true. Paraklee was just as visible in the shadows with his pale hair as he was in the light. He shook his head and concentrated on his task.
He looked over the side of the ship with a frown. There were no boats near him. He narrowed his eyes and looked further down. Ah. There they were. Not too far.
He looked over at Paraklee, who was acting strangely again. “I found one.” Paraklee didn’t reply he just leaned over the railing to look down in the water. Luriel frowned at him and stepped forward. “Are you alright?”
The pale man blinked and his eyes refocused. “What? I’m sorry, must have drifted of.”
“That’s one way to put it…” Luriel muttered under his breath.
Paraklee winced. “I’m sorry. I’ve been locked up for far too long.”
Luriel nodded, a sense of understanding filled him. Of course it would affect him to be locked away like that. His powers were tied to open spaces and things of that nature. Being locked up must have been hell for him.
“I think I understand.”
Paraklee’s silver eyes settle on him. “Do you?”
Before Luriel could reply a shout rang out followed by rough cursing in an accent they knew well. “Do you think we should help him?”
Paraklee looked in the direction the shouting came from. “I think he is fine.”
Luriel shrugged and went about trying to figure out how to lower the blasted boat.
A few minutes later the shouting stopped. Luriel looked at Paraklee with wide eyes. The man nodded and he took it as a good sign, because really he couldn’t stand anything else. He hopped into the little boat and then helped Paraklee into it, because really, the man didn’t look to stable at the moment.
“Magent‘s tits, scholar, where are you?”
“Boat! To your left!”
Rai’s head peered over the side of the ship. He frowned but shrugged and climbed in. Luriel began to slowly lower the little boat.
“Any success?”
Rai nodded and began to help him lower the boat. “Mostly of the good kind. One of the bloody pirates was good with a sword though. Caught my arm.”
When they finished lowering the boat Luriel crawled over to Rai and shoved up his sleeve to examine the wound. It wasn’t too deep.
“What are you doing?”
Luriel glared at him. “Hush.” He closed his eyes and held his right hand over the wound. It wasn’t hard to do, but it took energy and a lot of concentration. He hummed softly when he felt it working. The skin and tissues beneath his hand began to knit back together, leaving only the faintest scar.
He opened his eyes and examined the scar. Nodding, he said, “There, it should be fine now.”
Rai was staring at him with a curious look in his eyes. Luriel frowned at him, almost startled when the man reached out and grabbed a section of hair at his temple. The strands were silver, of course. It hurt a little to look at them, but it was worth it.
“This section was brown only a moment ago.”
Luriel shrugged and looked away. His movement caused the strand of hair to slip from Rai’s fingers. “I’m used to it.”
Rai frowned.
Shouting went up on the boat. Luriel winced, he’d forgotten they were in the middle of escaping. How silly of him. He picked up an oar and handed one to Rai. Together they rowed the little life boat the dock.
“Not that that wasn’t a lovely trip, but why couldn’t we just use the ramp?” Paraklee asked as he tried to stand.
“I thought the boat would prove useful. Rai, did you find anything of value?”
Rai nodded and pulled out several articles of jewelry. Lurriel nodded to that and then climbed from the boat. Rai climbed out behind him and helped Paraklee. The noble, sadly, didn’t have sea legs for such a small boat. Luriel tried not to smile outright at the sight, but from the look on Paraklee’s face, he assumed that he’d failed.
Luriel looked for the first time at the port city they had arrived at. It was small, and from the looks of the architecture, they had landed somewhere near Zorgonza.
He only hoped that they would have good luck when it came to finding Will. The stupid noble. Stupid of them all, actually. He still couldn’t believe how simple it was that they had got caught. Being stuck in a ship for nigh on a month didn’t help in the least. Luriel had spent most of the time thinking that he could have done something, anything to have prevented their capture. It was a silly notion, of course, but he couldn’t help but think it.
“Penny for yours thoughts?”
Luriel looked up at Paraklee. The noble was looking at him with a slightly worried expression. He shrugged, “Just thinking about how stupid I’ve been. I should have done something earlier. Maybe this whole thing could have been prevented and we would be back at the Temple right now.”
Rai made some sort of grunting noise and starting walking. Over his shoulder he said, “I doubt it could have been prevented. Seems like things like this happen no matter.”
Luriel frowned and followed after him. Perhaps he was right. Luriel didn’t like it, but maybe it was true.
Paraklee smiled reassuringly at him. Luriel smiled back weakly and caught up to Rai. It seemed that the merchant had an idea.
***
“What do you mean nine flints? This is easily worth twelve.”
Luriel smiled ruefully as he watched the merchant barter for money. It was fascinating. Paraklee hopped into the debate and started grilling the poor man they were trying to sell a necklace to. The man paled under the pressure and handed over the flints.
“Thank you, sir merchant, it has been lovely doing business with you.” Rai even did a little bow. The Merchant puffed up and took off, muttering curses beneath his breath.
Rai turned to Luriel with a satisfied smile on his face. The look was devastating.
Luriel flushed slightly and looked away. “We need to get a room.”
“Food would be nice, too.” Paraklee shot him an amused look but didn’t say anything. Luriel was surprised, between the two nobles, there was never any lack of teasing. Luriel frowned at that, of course one of them was missing and they had yet to find him. But it couldn’t be that hard to find a man with blue hair, could it?
“Fine, but we’re not staying at one of them fancy inns. Don’t need anything but a bed and some stew.” The look Rai sent Paraklee was more playful than serious.
Paraklee rolled his eyes. “If you insist.”
“I do, we need to save our money, we’re going to need a ship and a crew.”
Paraklee frowned. “I’d almost forgotten.”
Rai looked away from them. The look on his face said it all. There was nothing in the world that would make him forget the loss of his ship. His pride and joy.
Luriel didn’t think he could ever understand the ache something like that would leave behind, but he could try. He reached out and hand and let it rest on Rai’s shoulder for a moment. The man’s amber eyes turned to him. They were bright and filled with pain, Luriel could have sworn he’d seen specs of red before they vanished back into the gold. He shook his head, it wouldn’t surprise him if his eyes had not been lying.
“I think that things will work out. We have some learning to do, but things will get better, I am certain of it.”
Rai didn’t look convinced. “I’ll hold you to it, scholar.”
Luriel nodded. “You may.” He looked around taking note of how high the sun was. It was just past noon. It they found a decent inn soon, they could probably purchase a good room. One they didn’t have to share with countless strangers.
Paraklee cleared his throat. “Well, are we going to find an inn up to your specifications or are we going to stand here all day?”
Luriel smiled at him. The man had good timing. Perhaps it was because of how he grew up. Nobles were raised differently and sometimes it seemed that they were speaking a different language entirely. They were more subtle with there emotions. Maybe that meant they were better at reading others. Luriel didn’t know, but he suspected that whether he was trained or not, Paraklee knew when to step in.
Rai seemed to shake off his mood. “All right, richie. I think I heard a man say there was one down the way.”
Luriel followed after them lost in his own thoughts. It was then that he realized that they had never settled on what they were going to do after they escaped. He’d assumed that they were going to save Will, but was it certain?
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
Rai looked at him like he was an idiot. “We’re going to find the other richie, from there, well it’s wherever Eldric takes us. May his bloody wife stay outta it.”
Luriel flushed.
“Really, I thought you had this all planned out.”
He stuck his tongue out at the tone in Paraklee’s voice. “I wasn’t sure if we were all thinking the same thing or not. It did not hurt to ask.”
Paraklee smirked at him. “That’s not true, it hurt your pride, just a bit.”
Luriel shook his head. “Only a bit. Come on, you walk too slow.” He sped up hoping to draw the attention away from his momentarily stupidity. It worked.