I arrived in Roulm to find that my usual stable and inn did not have space for me. They typically reserved areas for me in anticipation of my schedule, but having worked backward on my circuit, I'd caught them unprepared. It took the better part of an afternoon to find a stable with room for Starlight, but eventually I passed her off to an eager young stable boy at a small place in a quiet part of the city. "Quiet" was a relative term in this case; there was no truly quiet part of this bustling city, at least none that I had found.
I walked the streets, stopping here and there to check on recent patients and administer further care. One, an elderly woman, had passed before my return. I was sad to notice I was growing used to the disappointment of such situations. In Vrysdale, I'd never lost anyone--I'd been able to sneak my magic and save every soul. Now that I was being more careful and only practicing incantations in my locked lodgings, this had changed. I tried to cheer myself up with a packet of spiced nuts from a street vendor.
/You still have a very good record,/ I reminded myself as I strolled aimlessly. /After all, even without magic you only lose the most far gone. Any regular healer would be proud of the same success./
There was a sudden rumble from the sky and fat rain drops began pounding down so heavily I could barely see ten feet in front of me. I dashed into the nearest public building I could find. This was not an inn I had been in before, but it was too cold for me to be caught in this wet weather if I could help it. I only had the one set of winter clothing and couldn't count on it drying thoroughly before I needed it again the next morning.
The inn was crammed full of people, in typical Roulm fashion. I scanned the room for an empty table, but they were all occupied. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw--
/Oh Lyn, calm down. As though it matters if you saw--/
--Yes! Mahogany waves, and a gorgeous face. It was the stranger I'd seen in Wipsop a few days earlier. He was leaning on the counter casually, a big mug of ale fitting comfortably in his large, strong-looking hands.
/I wonder what it would feel like to have his hands on--/
I bit my lip, admittedly shocked at myself. I didn't even know this man's name, let alone know him well enough to entertain such thoughts.
/What is wrong with me?!/
I turned away and headed toward an open armchair by the fire before he could see me. The crackling logs gave off a wonderful heat. I shrugged out of my damp black cloak and draped it over the arm of the chair closest to the fire. Thankfully my woolen grey skirt was only damp at the bottom hem, and my white blouse with black bodice was bone dry. The hood of my cloak had not kept all the rain off my head, and now the few curls that had shaken free from my braid hung limp by my cheeks. I sank into the comfortable chair, angling my soaked boots toward the fire and closing my eyes with a smile as the warmth from the hearth radiated over me.
"Miss?"
I jerked awake, eyes flying open. I was staring up into a leathered face with bushy black eyebrows, which were knit together. The man's gray eyes looked simultaneously stern and concerned.
"Hmmm?" I asked sleepily, not yet awake enough to feel embarrassment.
"Were you planning to purchase anything, Miss? I'm sorry but my inn is a busy place and if you're not here for food or dri--"
"Oh! Oh my goodness, of course, I'm so sorry," I said, becoming more alert by the second. "Some soup would be lovely…"
The owner nodded approvingly and tottered off, my payment in hand.
"Hello."
/I know that voice./
I slowly resituated myself in the armchair and looked toward the source of the smooth, deep greeting. The handsome stranger was sitting in the chair opposite mine. There was a broad smile on his face. He was reclined casually, still with a drink in his hand, and I had the impression he'd been sitting there for some time. Which also meant I'd been sleeping for some time...suddenly I /was/ awake enough to feel embarrassed.
"Uhm. H-hello."
My hands subconsciously went to my hair, attempting to tame the unruly locs. I forced myself to put them back on my lap and offered the man an uncertain smile.
"How are you this evening, Miss…" he put a questioning emphasis at the end.
/My name. He wants my name./
"Lynarra. I am well, thank you. And yourself?"
I asked him this cautiously, trying to keep my voice level and my breath steady. Something about the stranger made me nervous. Perhaps it was his looks. Perhaps it was something more. As happy as I was to have his attentions, I couldn't help feeling like his motive was more than simple conversation.
"I am well. I must admit," he said, taking a sip of his ale, "I find myself better now, with the arrival of a friendly face."
"What makes you so sure my face is a friendly one? Who are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.
He merely shrugged, seemingly unbothered by my current lack of trust in him.
"I suppose I simply saw no reason for us to /not/ be friendly toward each other, after our previous meeting. My name is Bastian. It's nice to meet you, Lynarra."
He extended his hand. I reluctantly reached out and shook it. My hand almost completely disappeared inside his own. It /was/ strong, yet gentle at the same time, and even this slight connection was somehow enough to send jolts through me.
"That is true enough. I am grateful for your...levelheadedness...the other evening," I conceded.
"What brings you here, Bastian?" I asked, genuinely curious now.
He eyed me from his chair, lips upturned in a cheeky smile.
"Would you believe me if I said I'm here to help keep you from making any more stupid mistakes?"
/The nerve!/
I opened and closed my mouth a few times as I tried to regain composure. Finally I pursed my lips and shot him a disapproving look.
"No, not really," I said dryly, thinking back to how he'd let me sleep in a chair in public while he just sat there.
Bastian laughed, running a hand through his thick hair, and I knew he'd understood what I meant. His laugh was surprisingly light in comparison to his deep voice and large form. It was heartmeltingly charming.
"Good," he said, leaning toward me and lowering his voice.
"Because I'm actually here to ask you to do something far, far more foolish than before."