It was the next evening, after spending most of the day with Quinn splitting the ban's gold, coming up with a plan, and learning the city better, that I ran into Sasha in the market. I caught her hand as she stumbled backwards. She slapped my hand away as soon as she regained her balance.
"Watch where-Jaspen!"
It shocked me how excited she was to see me. For some reason it brought a goofy grin to my face, not my grim smile I usually used to at least fake excitement. How did she have this effect on me?
"Sorry, my thoughts were elsewhere," I said casually.
She chuckled. She laughed so easily. I found it amusing how she could go from red-faced mad to laughing. I wished I could do that. I knew she had a load to carry, but in her defense she did her best to hide it. Just today, her eyes seemed to be brimmed with tears.
"It's fine. So were mine," she said, straightening her shirt.
I cupped her jaw. "Are you alright?"
She stood there awestruck for a moment; her eyes flashing a bright yellow as she looked at me with an expression of confusion. She then swatted my hand and stepped back.
"Is it custom for men to be so forward with women in your tribe?" she growled. "I … sorry," I murmured softly. "I just can tell you're more melancholy than usual."
She huffed crossing her arms defensively in front of her, a singular tear running down her cheek. I wanted to wipe it away.
"It's... I'm fine," she sputtered quickly as if changing her mind about telling me what was bothering her.
"It's not Sebastian is it?" I said quietly, barely hiding the acid in my voice.
"What? No. No, of course not."
It was too quick. Way too quick and she stumbled over her words. The look on my face must have given me away.
"It's not," she said with more force. "It's not your business."
"You know sometimes talking to a stranger about your problems is easier than with people that you know."
It surprised me how quickly the words fell out of my mouth. Why did I want to help her? She was obviously in love with Sebastian. It just bothered me seeing her upset. Perhaps it was because of my royal training.
She looked just as surprised by my statement as I did.
"I…" she started.
"Come on," I whispered. "At least let me buy you a drink."
With that she seemed to finally cave.
"Fine," she said.
I smiled. "Did you buy what you needed?"
"Aye. Did you?"
I had honestly just been wandering.
"I was just walking," I said.
"Which pub are we going to?" she asked, trying to match my pace.
"Which one is your usual?" I asked.
She smiled weakly. "Follow m."
And I did. There was no other girl like Sasha. She was a fighter in her own way. She fought so much for her happiness like myself and Hassan. I inadvertently sighed at his memory. I hoped he had found peace on the other side. I wished I had not been so distant from him while he was alive. I wished he had tried harder to be warmer to me when I was younger.
Sasha squeezed my hand in a friendly gesture, bringing me back to the presnt.
"Seems I'm not the only one in need of a drink. What was it that you asked me once? Oh yes, 'A penny for your thoughts?'"
I had to keep from snorting. She still hadn't moved her hand and I gave it a gentle squeeze before letting go. Even if I thought Sebastian was completely wrong for her, I needed to respect her decision. With so many demons haunting me, I wouldn't be looking for someone for a while.
"Don't worry, you won't be drinking alone."
She smirked. "Just try to hold your liquor this time. Okay?"
I couldn't help but smile too. It was true that I had no tolerance for acohol.
Soon we were in the pub I had drunk at with her when I first came into Reytor. I smiled weakly at that memory.
"I'll try."
We entered the pub. It was really alive unlike the first night I came in. Sasha grabbed my hand, squirming through the crowd dragging me partially behind her till we came to a booth- the same one in the back we sat at the first time.
"You are buying, right?" she asked looking at me sternly.
"Aye. I said I would, didn't I?"
She was trying to hide her hurt again. I was trying to keep myself from opening up my telepathy to her. I didn't want to drift her thoughts. I wanted her to give them to me freely. I guess you'd call it chivalry.
"So what will be your goal?" she asked. I looked at her confused.
"Your people didn't celebrate the New Year?" she asked. "Making goals for the next year?"
I shook my head dumbfounded. I had never thought of such a thing.
She huffed. "Sometimes, Jaspen, I really think your people are as barbaric as everyone says."
I let out a burst of laughter. I had never before allowed such a big gust of laughter to leave me. How did she do it? How did she make me feel so carefree?
A waitress took our order and then left. Sasha looked down at the table.
"So what is on your mind?" I asked, leaning on one elbow, holding my jaw in my hand. She sighed looking down at the table.
"This will be my first New Year without my brother Twill," she whispered. "The Keltcher killed him. We were asleep when they struck… they would have killed me too, but… I had once dated one of them."
Tears welled in her eyes. "It also bothers me that you can read me so well and Sebastian didn't even notice I seemed off today. Alistor and Eve knew why I was off today and just let me be, but he…"
"Sorry I'm just naturally over observant… I'm not trying to show Sebastian up or anything," I mumbled.
"I didn't accuse you of trying to," she said quietly. "I just miss Twill."
It took all I had not to reach for her hand. I wanted to comfort her somehow. I wanted to tell her how I knew how it was to lose people close to you, but something kept me from doing all this. It still scared me how many people I killed. It bothered me how many people near me had died. How many I had lost.
"I understand," I finally whispered in all sincerity.
She looked up, her yellow-green eyes dulled with her tears.
"How?" she asked shakily.
"I lost my half-brother in a war."
She blinked twice.
"I know how it feels," I said. "to lose your whole family. To lose everything."
She looked towards the door. Her hands trembled.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Aye."
We sat there in silence until our drinks came. We clanked them together and said a sad, "Cheers."
"Sasha?" I asked.
"Aye."
"What is our goal?"
She sighed, sitting her tankard down and leaning towards me.
"To kill Maverick and claim vengeancefor Twill."
I straightened with surprise. She didn't seem capable of killing, but, then again, I didn't think I could be before I entered the barracks. She was strong, sure, but could she really do it? Could she kill for vengeance
"That's a…"
"I know … crazy."
I shook my head. "No�� I just… Have you ever killed someone?"
"Nay," she whispered.
"Then can I tell yu something?"
"I'm not weak!" she growled. "I knew you wouldnt understand."
"That isn't what I meant at all," I said gently, taking another swing of my cinnamon mead.
"Then what were you going to say?"
I looked her straight in the eye. "I've killed many. Those men haunt me even now, Sasha. It weighs on my mind. I just.. If I were you, I'd find something else…"
She wavered with a light sigh. "You think I'm weak- fragile like Seastian thinks."
"Nay," I said honestly. "I believe you are a fighter, Sasha. Stronger than you look."
"Then will you help me?"
She brought her dink to her lips.
What she was seeking- vengeance, it wasn't an idea I would usually condone, but I understood. Even if I said no, I knew the hard-headed lass would do it anyway. She was no match for Maverick. I would help her in any way I could so she didn't get herself killed.
"Aye," I finally said.
"Thank you."
We finished our drinks and I walked her home. We were both staggering, but I had never felt happier. We were both laughing carefree. That was the effect she had on me. She had bewitched with her charm.