Part 3: Sweet little nothings
Part 1: Cloaks and daggers | Part 2: Secrets in dark places
Aubrey sighed, fingers tapping a steady three beat rhythm across the lacquered table top as she watched the comings and goings of the pub's patrons with little interest. It was her third night sitting at this exact table, ordering the same exact meal, and waiting for something - anything - to happen.
“This is where we have always met him.” had been the twin's steadfast claim, the mage's frown only deepening. They had never specifically said it was at this table or even inside this particular establishment - only that she should wait here for him while they attended to the rest of their provisions for their return trip. It would not be the first time they had “implied” falsely to keep the women out of the line of fire and while she was touched that the stone faced mercenaries thought so highly of her, it still made her want to ring their over protective necks.
Well, she was done playing this particular game at least, setting two coppers down by her still mostly full mug before standing and making for the door. The winter night was refreshingly cool after the smokey and slightly sour heat of the pub and Aubrey shivered, sighing as she tugged the collar of her cloak closer. The streets were bustling still, the evening was still fairly young and most of the eateries the lined this particular street had their doors thrown wide, the sound of music and laughter spilling out into the darkening night. Aubrey gritted her teeth and made for the nearest alley way that would lead, more or less, to a quieter street. The last thing she wanted was to spend a good half an hour declining invited for "good wine" and "better company" just trying to get back to the inn they were staying in. A sudden ringing in her ears and the prickling of skin along the back of her neck was the only warning she had. She spun to place the solid stone of one building to her back but the hands she'd begun to raise in defense were caught tightly in unnaturally warm hands and pinned hard to the wall she'd sought in defense. They stood that way in silence for what felt like an eternity, Aubrey expressionless as she studied what she could of the cloaked and hooded figure that loomed over her. It was a man, that much she could gather from the shape and feel of the hands which held her and the edges of silhouette she could make out from what little light entered the narrow alley, but he wasn't a human one. There was a power beneath that burning skin unlike anything she had ever felt - and yet as familiar as the earth under her feet and the air in her lungs, eyes widening in realization.
She leaned back against the wall more firmly, staring up at the man directly.
"Cressida."
She said his name without any intonation, more statement than question. His grip tightened in obvious surprise before loosening though he didn't let her go, a soft snort escaping him.
"So they've told you everything. I'm not surprised - yours is a strength even I would trust." he said softly, his tone amused as he straightened ever so slightly himself, head shifting in the depths of his hood to reveal a broad smile and softly glowing gold eyes.
They were slitted like a cat's and tapered like a wolf's, entirely alien and feral. They were eyes that saw through her, cut to her core with the swift precision of a knife and weighed what they found there in unbiased judgment.
"I should thank you. Your presence has made mine unnecessary. You will find the prince in the forest just north and east of Cobalt. The land is charmed and there is only one true path. Step off of it even once and you will find yourself led back to where you began. I give you my mark so they know you are trusted."
He bent low and lifted the hands he still held, his lips surprisingly cool as he kissed her knuckles - and then leaned forward to do the same to her left eye. His voice sounded softly in her mind, more images than words.
I entrust him to your care. I will see you when the time is right
"Aubrey."
The mage blinked at the sound of her name, turning to find Skoll standing beside her, hand half raised as if in the midst of reaching to shake her shoulder. Hati was setting their packs down by the fire and the room they were in was different from the one she remembered, Aubrey's eyes widening as she reached to rub her left eye reflexivly, thinking back wildly - and recalling their day in perfect detail. It was the strangest thing. She remembered everything - remembered parting ways with Cressida, of meeting up with the twins, packing themselves up, and traveling on to the next town in the middle of the night. She just didn't remember actually doing any of it, as if for the past six hours, someone else had been living her life for her. Aubrey gasped, fingers falling flush across her cheek as the realization dawned on her.
He'd transed her.
"That asshole!"
Skoll blinked, and turned to Hati who only rolled a shoulder. The smaller women growled, knuckles cracking as she turned to the fire. She was going to pay him back for that one.
With interest.
Aubrey sighed, fingers tapping a steady three beat rhythm across the lacquered table top as she watched the comings and goings of the pub's patrons with little interest. It was her third night sitting at this exact table, ordering the same exact meal, and waiting for something - anything - to happen.
“This is where we have always met him.” had been the twin's steadfast claim, the mage's frown only deepening. They had never specifically said it was at this table or even inside this particular establishment - only that she should wait here for him while they attended to the rest of their provisions for their return trip. It would not be the first time they had “implied” falsely to keep the women out of the line of fire and while she was touched that the stone faced mercenaries thought so highly of her, it still made her want to ring their over protective necks.
Well, she was done playing this particular game at least, setting two coppers down by her still mostly full mug before standing and making for the door. The winter night was refreshingly cool after the smokey and slightly sour heat of the pub and Aubrey shivered, sighing as she tugged the collar of her cloak closer. The streets were bustling still, the evening was still fairly young and most of the eateries the lined this particular street had their doors thrown wide, the sound of music and laughter spilling out into the darkening night. Aubrey gritted her teeth and made for the nearest alley way that would lead, more or less, to a quieter street. The last thing she wanted was to spend a good half an hour declining invited for "good wine" and "better company" just trying to get back to the inn they were staying in. A sudden ringing in her ears and the prickling of skin along the back of her neck was the only warning she had. She spun to place the solid stone of one building to her back but the hands she'd begun to raise in defense were caught tightly in unnaturally warm hands and pinned hard to the wall she'd sought in defense. They stood that way in silence for what felt like an eternity, Aubrey expressionless as she studied what she could of the cloaked and hooded figure that loomed over her. It was a man, that much she could gather from the shape and feel of the hands which held her and the edges of silhouette she could make out from what little light entered the narrow alley, but he wasn't a human one. There was a power beneath that burning skin unlike anything she had ever felt - and yet as familiar as the earth under her feet and the air in her lungs, eyes widening in realization.
She leaned back against the wall more firmly, staring up at the man directly.
"Cressida."
She said his name without any intonation, more statement than question. His grip tightened in obvious surprise before loosening though he didn't let her go, a soft snort escaping him.
"So they've told you everything. I'm not surprised - yours is a strength even I would trust." he said softly, his tone amused as he straightened ever so slightly himself, head shifting in the depths of his hood to reveal a broad smile and softly glowing gold eyes.
They were slitted like a cat's and tapered like a wolf's, entirely alien and feral. They were eyes that saw through her, cut to her core with the swift precision of a knife and weighed what they found there in unbiased judgment.
"I should thank you. Your presence has made mine unnecessary. You will find the prince in the forest just north and east of Cobalt. The land is charmed and there is only one true path. Step off of it even once and you will find yourself led back to where you began. I give you my mark so they know you are trusted."
He bent low and lifted the hands he still held, his lips surprisingly cool as he kissed her knuckles - and then leaned forward to do the same to her left eye. His voice sounded softly in her mind, more images than words.
I entrust him to your care. I will see you when the time is right
"Aubrey."
The mage blinked at the sound of her name, turning to find Skoll standing beside her, hand half raised as if in the midst of reaching to shake her shoulder. Hati was setting their packs down by the fire and the room they were in was different from the one she remembered, Aubrey's eyes widening as she reached to rub her left eye reflexivly, thinking back wildly - and recalling their day in perfect detail. It was the strangest thing. She remembered everything - remembered parting ways with Cressida, of meeting up with the twins, packing themselves up, and traveling on to the next town in the middle of the night. She just didn't remember actually doing any of it, as if for the past six hours, someone else had been living her life for her. Aubrey gasped, fingers falling flush across her cheek as the realization dawned on her.
He'd transed her.
"That asshole!"
Skoll blinked, and turned to Hati who only rolled a shoulder. The smaller women growled, knuckles cracking as she turned to the fire. She was going to pay him back for that one.
With interest.