*Carver
Ghost had avoided her room for nearly three days. She stayed out almost all day and night, only coming home on his guard shifts.
He switched one of his shifts and knocked on her door. She answered looking sleepy; a gun undoubtedly pressed flat against the wall as she realized it was only him.
"Carver."
"Ghost." He was nervous.
She was practically naked in a small shirt and underwear.
"One second." She closed the door and bolted it. He heard clothing rustle as she took her time putting away her gun and changing. Finally, he heard the bolt slide and she stepped out into the hallway. The door closed behind her and she leaned against the wooden frame.
"What do you want Carver."
He took a deep breath, "I want to go back to training with you,"
She watched him attempt a smile with no amusement.
She was unflinching in her lack of compassion as he nervously twisted a knife into the already broken drywall.
"I miss talking with you and eating meals together and just being close to you."
She still remained silent.
"I'm sorry."
Her brow lifted; clearly still angry, but at least she had reacted.
"I've been dumb.. and more than a little impatient. It's not right by you."
She nodded, her eyes were still hard.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Let's have breakfast together tomorrow. 7am sharp. Don't be late," She opened her door and as she turned to close it she paused, "Carver, when you show up, make sure you can give me a reason to hang out with you again."
She smiled. The only sign that she was somewhat accepting his apology.
He smiled back and she closed the door.
***
Barnabas had sent an escort by the name of Thaulka Zandrai.
He had approached Scar after he had collected payment for a job. His father didn't know it, but the money was going to Radir and a few others who wages were being cut, in exchange they were devoted to him, and solely him.
He would have more than a few men working for him when the time came.
Thaulka had ordered a water after sitting at the bar next to Scar. He took a few sips slipped Scar a note and left.
The note had his name on it and a meeting spot.
Scar was standing at the meeting spot when the cloaked figure again approached him from behind. He walked so quietly even Scar never would have known he was there except that he emanated a pleasant scent that Scar recognized from the bar.
He had remembered it being out of place last night at the drinking establishment but today in the edge of the forest the strong scent of juniper and mint fit nicely.
"So Scarface Sylvador, tell me. Do you think you'll be worthy of the beast or worthy enough to kill it?"
Scar kept his back to him as he replied.
"Does it matter to you? Tell me how does a night elf find himself working for Barnabus Silva?"
The elf smiled and lowered his hood. His translucent ash colored skin seemed almost clear in the light of day and when Scar turned to meet his gaze he found two black orbs staring at him steadily. His black spiked hair stood up crazily in every direction and when he smiled his teeth were sharpened points within his mouth.
"Barnabus and I had a common interest to preserve a magical part of the forest. Nothing more, but enough about that. You will need to focus on what's to come if you plan to stay alive. The mountain pass that leads to the beasts lair is eight miles north of here, and that's just the beginning."
Scar had a deep untrust for night elves and he could tell by the glint in his eyes that Thaulka knew. Perhaps he even knew why.
Scar smiled and motioned north, "Lead the way."
There was no point in bringing it up now. They were about to have plenty of time for discussions.
***
Nadine was sitting at the table in the tea parlor hoping that Desmond wouldn't circle back to her table. The tea had a numbing effect like drugs and there was a limit on what you could order, but he liked her so a few smiles and laughs had gotten her what she wanted at the counter.
Unfortunately, it had also gotten her some extra attention from him that was, unwanted. She wanted to zone out and be truly alone for just a few moments. Just a few so she could forget about who she was marrying. Forget who she was the daughter of and forget who she wanted to worry about the most, but couldn't bear to see. She thought about dropping by the cabin just to see how he'd healed. Just to see if he was still in trouble.
She knew though, undoubtedly, that she would never see him again.
Boren kept a close eye on her. She didnt go anywhere nowadays that he didnt know about. Ofcourse, he didnt openly have her followed around the city, but after a few days she had caught on.
When she first saw the cloaked man following behind her on her way down the street her heartrate had sped up. She turned and realized the shoulders were too thin the waist too bulky. Then her heart beat faster for a different reason.
Fear at being followed. She had turned down an alley and ran only to be caught by another man stepping into her path.
"We're with Boren. No need to worry Miss. On your way to the dress shop again?"
A small piece of her that wasnt cold and dead flickered like a flame in anger, but before she had fully thought about taking it up with Boren the thought had fizzled out and died.
It didnt matter. This was her life now.
She had smiled at the guard the same way she now smiled at Desmond.
Her voice was feather light as she asked for another tea. He smirked and before she knew it she'd drank another and floated down the street toward her carriage in a haze.
She turned to the guards and stood straight her head tall.
"You might as well ride with me."
She shouted down the street. They stood stock still and she rolled her eyes before climbing into the carriage. She crossed a leg elegantly over the other as the carriage rumbled towards the Ravenglass manor. Tonight there was a party to announce her engagement, everyone would be there, and Boren had asked her dressmaker to make her a gown for the occasion. She'd stood infront of the same mirror that they'd tailored her wedding gown in front of, and for once the women had not talked to her. She didnt mind one bit. In fact, she was grateful for one more place she didn't have to plaster a smile to her face and act as if she was happy.