Barnibus's hands trembled as they grasped her forearm. Giving him a full account of the Captain's visit, his rage beginning to reignite as he examined the burn marks in neat lines on her inner arm. Once again observing the frightening expression lurking just below his calm demeanor Aribelle slowly took his hand and stood.
"Where are we going?" He asked, still somewhat dazed after following her a few steps.
"Let's go for a walk." She replied serenely. Her grip tugging gently as he came to a stop, Barnibus objected to this idea, "No, you're hurt. There will be a scar if we leave it like that."
"It's fine Barnibus." Aribelle said, her composure hinting that she had a remedy in mind, he then allowed her to pull him along softly once more.
Leading him into the forest, they ambled through the branches and fallen leaves until they arrived beside a little creek. It was the same she had found after her ordeal with Cassius during their second encounter. Remembering how it had healed the burn he'd accidentally inflicted, she hoped that whatever properties it possessed might be able to mend this minor wound as well. Crouching alongside its banks, Barnibus glanced curiously glancing over her shoulder at the humble stream.
Aribelle did the same, peering into its depths, she let out a startled yelp. Falling back in surprise, she sat beside the creek looking into the water in astonishment. There emerging from the mystifying colors of its currents was a woman. Her body and hair made of its ripples and curves, she smiled playfully in response to the stupefied look Aribelle now wore. "Ari, what happened? Is something there?" Barnibus questioned. Concerned he surveyed the water warily looking for whatever had frightened her.
"You don't see her?" Aribelle asked.
'He won't be able to.' Explained Cassius's voice, unexpectedly emerging from among her thoughts.
Looking up from the water, Aribelle saw him reveal himself from behind the thick trunk of an oak tree. Finding the day to be full of surprise meetings, Aribelle replied confused, "Cassius, how did you know we were here?" Smiling at the question as though it should be obvious, he answered her privately, 'The same way I always do, the scent of your magic is too intoxicating to not draw me to you.' Embarrassed by such an odd compliment, Aribelle averted her eyes away from him as he offered an alternate excuse aloud for the Barnibus's benefit. "Isn't this where we usually meet, Fawn?" Cassius said devilishly, with the overt intention of provoking Barnibus's jealousy.
The wounds to his ego still fresh from their last encounter, Cassius easily succeeded in this endeavor. "Enjoy it while you can, she's coming y with me anyway." Barnibus snapped crossly. Preparing to extract her from the scene speedily, he then proceeded to haul Aribelle to her feet. Unable to see Cassius's expression, while Barnibus dusted away some of the leaves and mud from the bank from her clothes, she could feel the disappointment in his tone as he spoke. "Is that what you've decided?" Cassius asked.
Feeling a pang in her chest at his disheartened react, Aribelle twisted her body around to regard him. Although, his smile seemed a little sadder than before, Cassius held a mild look of understanding as his soft gaze met hers. Desperately wanting to explain, Aribelle barely managed to take a full pace towards him, before Barnibus prevented her. Holding on to her hand, he attempted to hasten her away from Cassius as quickly as possible, "Let's go Aribelle." Barnibus urged.
"Wait Barni-" Aribelle began but paused in her protest midway. Unsure of how to explain she covered the spot on her arm where the burns were visible, uneasily behind a pleat of her dress. However, this motion instead piqued Cassius's interest. "What's that?" the dragon queried suspiciously. Already anxious, he closed the distance between them hastily. "It's only a little burn Cassius, there's no need to get upset." Aribelle replied, trying to pass it off lightly.
"Let me see it, and I shall decide whether or not to be upset." Cassius answered firmly.
Subdued after this chastisement, Aribelle removed her arm from behind the fabric of her dress. Turning the soft skin of her inner arm outward, she exposed the burn marks to him. In regimented spaces from the candles, they were too intentional for her to pass off as an accident. "Who did this?" he growled fiercely, the crimson flecks in his amber eyes flickering wildly. Aribelle's natural instincts warning her of danger, she shook both men away from her. Withdrawing from the space between them, Aribelle looked at them guardedly as she asserted, "I'll tell you, but please calm down."
Fearful that the retelling of the account might instigate another rampage, she sought some assurance from both Cassius and Barnibus that no action would be taken on her behalf. However, when they persisted in absorbing themselves in their foul tempers and offered her no immediate reply, this inspired Aribelle to have an outburst of her own. "Look I'm the one who that bastard roasted!" she yelled annoyed, "It should be me that's angry, but instead I'm too worried about you two flying off of the handles!" The admonishment shocking both men into humility, the flames of their vengeance seemed to be dampened significantly.
Aribelle huffed as she turned away from them. Going to the water's edge again, she knelt trying to regain her composure. Swirling tranquilly to the surface, the shape of the woman began to form peering back at her from the water. Feeling a little foolish Aribelle spoke softly to it, "Thank you for helping me out last time." She said. Although, not uttering a word, the woman nodded understandingly as she received her gratitude. "I'm sorry to ask another favor of you so quickly, but I'm afraid I've been playing with fire again." Aribelle explaining apologetically indicating the marks on her arm.
Giving an eager nod the woman in the water reached up towards her. Unable to break to its surface she waited for Aribelle to grasp it. Taking this as a sign of her agreement to comply with her request, Aribelle dipped her hand into the frigid creek. Feeling the cold fingers of the woman intertwine with hers, Aribelle was drawn deeper into the water. Noticing a subtle change in the light that played about in the currents. Aribelle was entranced by its colors, as she sunk into the flow of its stream.
Suddenly, secured by a strong arm across her chest. Aribelle was pulled out of the creek abruptly. Falling backward from the force, she flopped into Cassius's lap. Sitting on the dirt, his arms still wrapped around her, Aribelle heard him address the woman's swirling image in the water. "That's as far as you can take her without me nymph." Cassius chided.
Turning her head to glimpse at him, Aribelle asked "Cassius, why did you scare it off like that?" Obviously displeased by his interference, she pouted slightly upon seeing the woman fade into the water once more.
"Hmm, well water naiads aren't particularly malicious beings, but I'm afraid they seem to like you rather a lot." Cassius replied. Staring at him baffled, Aribelle then caught the hint of a roguish smile unfurl as he added, "Who can blame them though really?" His low voice resounding as he spoke into her ear. Aribelle flushed as she felt the heat of his breath tickle the fine hairs on the back of her neck. Pleased that this seemed to have some desirable effect on her, Cassius leant closer so that his lips brushed against her neck.
Reminding them of his presence Barnibus cleared his throat. The sound making Aribelle instantly aware of the inappropriateness of their intimate position, she slipped from Cassius's embrace. "We should be returning to the Abbey now Aribelle." He prompted.