It was one of the hardest things he had done in a long while. Admit that Nya was nothing more than just a mistake of monumental proportions. Nya was in Ironstone for a reason and that reason was him. She seemed to have made a point in pursuing him. Maya was in her way, so most likely, she had pitted Haren against Maya. He was the perfect tool. Strong, but short as two planks. That realisation had added to his ever-growing frustration and dismay. Nya's ambitions knew no bounds.
" Nya" Dakran broke the stillness, riddled with remorse, while Maya looked up at him with questioning eyes. If it weren't for the alliance he'd made with the tribe, Nya, and he would have never crossed paths. Alas, it came to pass.
" The Ianri Kaishin?" Maya frowned at him and fell into deep thought. Did she know about the Kaishin? How? Sala. Of course, the woman had eyes and ears everywhere. Yes, she did. At that realisation, Dakran found a new resolve. She might be able to offer some answers.
" Yes," Dakran grumbled, folding his hands at the back of his head. Maya, couldn't care less about the Kaishin. She had never spoken to the woman or crossed paths. So, why was Dakran so intent to speak about her?
" Before we left for the Southlands" Dakran cleared his throat, a little fidgety " Nya and I " Dakran peeled his eyes off the ceiling to look at her, somewhat ashamed " I was drunk, really drunk" Dakran closed his eyes " In truth, I don't remember anything. All I know is that each time it happened, I woke naked, and she was next to me just as unclothed. Both times." Dakran opened his eyes only to find Maya amusedly surprised while he tossed, tormented that he had to reveal his past fallacies, worried sick that she might think he is a sham of a man. Before Maya came into his life he couldn't give a toss about small things such as sleeping with random women. Now, he found himself wanting to be fairer, and leave that life behind.
Dakran pushed himself on his elbows while Maya followed, struggling to contain her amusement at his admission.
" Why are smiling, Maya?" Dakran asked a little exasperated, and Maya took a deep breath to pull herself together and stop smiling. It was hard not to, his admission didn't sound all that terrible, but for some reason, Dakran seemed deeply troubled.
" Better? Well, it doesn't sound like you've done anything awful to her, since she came for a second serving" Maya curled her lips behind her teeth still amused " People do a lot of things when they're drunk and don't remember. It happens." Maya reasoned, this time with a straight face and frowned, realising that there was more to the story.
" After that, she kept coming to my tent and made advances on me. I never touched Nya when I was sober, but that didn't help my case. She wanted us to get married, even though I've told her countless times that I wasn't looking for a wife." Maya raised her eyebrows in question " But then I met you" Dakran said with a ribald smile " You " he paused and cleared his throat " On that bank, that day, you took my breath away" Dakran chuckled and took her hand in his " And you still do, every day" Dakran leaned in to kiss her cheek and Maya closed her eyes at his touch.
" What made you change your mind?" Maya asked when Dakran pulled away,
Dakran chuckled " Nothing. Everything. You did, sweet, gentle, fierce and brave. You shouldn't exist, but you do. And after much hard work, we finally see eye to eye." Dakran chuckled" I worked hard for it. I think I'm worthy of a kiss" Dakran impishly grinned while Maya leaned in and kissed his lips.
Dakran sighed his mood sank " I think Nya, might have done something to Haren. " He paused " Inari are well known for their mastery of healing, and make use of certain plants for not-so-holy things" Dakran raked his hands through his hair, a little frustrated " If she did, she only did it to get you out of the way" Dakran looked up at her worried, and mortified " This is on me, " Dakran said as he pushed himself off the bed to sit on the edge, hands clasped under his chin, staring at the wall in front of him.
Understandably, he was worried, with all the cards on the table, everything was becoming clear. If it weren't for Nya's meddling, none of that would've happened. Haren would have stayed in his place, and the worst he would have done, was probably make asinine remarks. Nya pushed him over the edge. He avoided making another catastrophic mistake when he pushed Nya away.
" I will be fine. You don't have to worry about me. Have I not proven, that I can look after myself? " Maya shuffled on the bed placing her chin on his shoulder, smiling. Underneath her beauty lay one big heart, capable of forgiving anything, and anyone. And he was sure that, she would probably forgive the nutter as well.
Dakran unclasped his hands and pulled her in his lap " I know little red. However, I don't want to take any risks. I need to put this to bed. I need to know if indeed Nya has done something to Haren. And if she did. I believe a lesson must be taught." Dakran said as he fiddled with the string of her nightgown.
" You're leaving?" Maya asked, a little mollified and fell silent.
Dakran sighed, torn between her and Haren. He'd just returned from the Southland, now he was leaving to find Haren.
" I'm not staying behind, not again." Maya raised her eyes to meet his, with a pout. He was expecting that she would want to come. The harshness of the northern lands wasn't easy to endure, but soon enough, those very same lands will be theirs. So, with that thought in mind. Dakran reluctantly nodded and grunted exasperated.
" You and the other one will be the death of me," Dakran said gaiety, resigned and tired.
" The other one?" Maya asked, unsure whether he was speaking of Haren or Edýia.
" Edýia" Dakran chuckled " Rom will leave for the Southlands soon, in search of the liantur stone" he stood up with her in tow and placed her on the bed " I'm sure Edýia will want to follow." Daran chuckled, and stretched himself next to her, folding her into his big loving arms.
" Time for some sleep" He kissed her forehead and tugged on the covers.
" Sleep tight," Maya yawned and snuggled into his chest. Dakran let out a heavy breath, feeling at peace that his brother hadn't completely lost his marbles. Hopefully, he was right, and if he was, then Nya needed to pay for her transgression. Anger had clouded his judgment and acted on instinct. Haren was his last blood kin. He should've paced himself.