It was past midnight when he returned to the house. The scene inside was the same right where he left it. The burning fireplace, the chairs neatly tucked in beneath the table, the bed harboring the two individuals dearest to him the most in that world. It was the same familiar sight that had brought peace and calm to his heart, and it was truest that day. A breath of fresh air from the barbaric things he had witnessed.
[Are you sure you want to buy Tankard of Ale x1?]
[You have spent Tokens x50]
He sat down, his back against the fire and his eyes set on Irene and David. He was still in disbelief to see them, breathing, soundly sleeping underneath the covers of that small bed, after all that had happened.
For a minute, he was deep in thought. Unwillingly, he was once again subjected to the ugly images of what had transpired.
He remembered the ale, and had a drink off the tankard, emptying a third of the contents. A contented sigh followed and an unintentional slightly loud thump of the mug hitting the table.
"I'm sorry." he said softly, after noticing that the noise had woken up Irene.
She stretched her arm and scratched her eyes. After the waking up ritual, she smiled and shook her head, telling him she didn't mind.
"Did you finish what you were doing, my lord?" she said, now sitting upright in bed.
"We have burned all the bodies, and taken care of their horses and their things. But the blood would be hard to clean."
She nodded at the information, and while she digested the words she was hearing, she also got caught in a daze. She was also there, having witnessed it all. From being dragged out of the house, having a blade near her throat, to seeing a bloody and cruel battle ensue.
"Care to join me?" Anthony pulled her out from her reverie.
At the mention of the words, she began smiling again. His voice shooed away all the dark thoughts. Without answering, she took the blankets off her and carefully and slowly, not wanting David to wake up, she left the bed. It was clear the answer was yes.
"What do you want to drink?" he asked just right before she sat down.
"I'll have what you're having." was the confident reply.
So, Anthony bought another tankard of ale and gave it to Irene, who eagerly received the mug. Unsurprisingly, she drank it with ease, almost as good as him. She drank wine like water, and so ale could do nothing to her.
"You're a good drinker for your age." he wanted it to be a compliment, but the worried tone derailed the message.
"I am twenty-one, my lord, and I'm old enough." she said a little too defensively, that she forgot to lower her voice.
"Alright." he raised his hands in resignation and chuckled, secretly delighted that he guessed her age correctly.
After another gulped, the contents of her mug had been completely emptied. And she looked at him as if she wanted more.
"No more ale for you, young lady." he playfully reprimanded, "We leave for North Alendia tomorrow, as soon as we can. So, it would be better you go back to sleep now."
Her face brightened at the news, and it so pleased her that she forgot the disappointment of not having another drink.
She glanced at David, and then back to him. Her eyes glistened in a glow he had not seen before.
"Thank you for everything you've done for us, lord Anthony." she said softly.
"It's nothing."
"No, it's not nothing. You almost died there." her voice broke at the second sentence, as emotions took the reins." I thought you were going to die there."
"The sergeant was about to chop… chop your head off. I was scared to death. I was scared to death that you would die for people you do not even know." she continued, now she had gone back to crying, sniffing and sobbing, her hands busy from wiping the tears away.
Anthony's heart wildly pounded, a prisoner trying to escape from the rib cage. The feeling he felt at their brief embrace had returned, but much wilder and fiercer.
He lifted the chair and sat closer to her. He extended his hand and gently propped her chin up, there was surprise but no fright. Her sobbing was put to an end in an instant. Both of them got lost in each other's eyes.
"You're no longer strangers to me. Not anymore. And I shall take on even a whole legion of Imperial soldiers, just to take you and David off harm's way."
Her breathing got heavy, and he knew it because he could feel her breath on his face.
And that magical moment experienced by lovers since time immemorial, of time standing still and the world stopping in its course, came to them accompanied by the deafening sound of the beating of hearts, and warmth that penetrates even beneath the bones.
Anthony, no longer capable of holding down his demons, claimed her tender lips. There were no resistance, Irene closed her eyes and surrendered to his touch.
Encouraged, Anthony's kiss grew even fiercer, as he let go of any restraint, until her lips no longer sufficed.
He pulled away, not to end it, but for a more serious continuation.
[You have obtained Tankard x2]
[You have obtained Wooden Glass x4]
[You have obtained Wooden Pitcher x1]
[You have obtained Fruit Basket x1]
Irene watched his creative way of clearing things with amusement.
Then without warning, she found herself lifted in the air and not so gently laid on the table. Anthony, drunk with passion, grab hold of her tunic, and with lion strength tore it by the neckline.
She was exposed in all her glory, and the enchanting sight, caused him to slow down.
He realized he might have crossed a line. And fearfully, he raised his gaze to meet hers.
"Don't stop… please."