When they entered the dining hall filled with people that once lived in some part of the northen territories. Heads turned, but none said anything. Not many knew who she was, except for those who lived in Gaerwen. Her eyes drifted to Rom who kept glancing over to Corvin, somewhat displeased. She had no clue if he'd caught on. But she most certainly wished he didn't. Corvin had been raised within the walls of Ironstone and had crossed paths with him a few times. The broody man with brown hair, and blue eyes was handsome, but blunt as a wooden block. He never minded his mouth. Wore his heart on his sleeve.
" We can sit over there." Corvin broke the awkward silence that had settled in; seemingly a little more careful with what came out of his mouth. It only meant that was going to get from bad to worse.
Rom nodded and hummed, glancing over at her. She was starving. She couldn't care less where they would sit. As long as there was food, she wanted to be there.
" I'm happy with it" Edýia smiled and followed Rom as Corvin led the way to the free seats in the middle of the table.
The hum of voices rang in the great hall, bringing the desolate place back to life. It had been empty for so long; that seeing people walking and talking, at ease was a sight for sore eyes.
Edýia sighed, taking a seat between Rom and Corvin. Mostly to make sure they won't go at each other's throats. Corvin charmingly smiled at her, making her blush. He was so handsome that it should be forbidden. But he was worse than anyone she'd ever met. Except for Haren. She was sure that they, both sprouted from the same seed.
Rom pushed the plate of food in front of her and picked up a clean spoon, from the basket and placed it, on her plate.
" Eat," Rom urged " I know you're hungry " He whispered and kissed her cheek. Rom was different from the men in the North, a little like Dakran. Smaller, but still, different.
Edýia stiffly smiled, and turned her attention onto the plate before her, and before any of the men had a chance to even take their first bite. She had wolfed down the entire thing, surprising herself and the two men, sitting beside her.
Corvin chuckled " I have never seen anyone breathe their food, instead of eating it" He patted her shoulder and returned to his meal. Whatever weighed on his mind, was etched on his face.
" I've been ill lately. I haven't eaten much" Edýia glanced at the empty plate before her and smiled when Rom piled up more food on it " I'm just trying to stay well and fit for the babe" Edýia reasoned as she picked up a spoonful of food, a little more self-aware of the eyes around her.
" Understandable" Corvin nodded, picking up the pot with the hot brew and filling up a cup.
" What sort of illness?" Corvin asked as he sipped on his brew, leaning in his chair. All eyes and ears.
Edýia stilled with her hand mid-air, and glanced at Rom, worried. None of the northern people knew about her, except for Haren.
" The babe " Rom came to her rescue, half lying " He seems to be up to no good" Rom poured a glass of water and offered it to her.
" I see" Corvin hummed, frowning " I'm glad that you're feeling better. I hope it won't cause any more trouble" Corvin leaned in his chair with a deepening frown. His mood had soured greatly, and she doubted that it was because of what Rom had said to him.
" I'm glad that everyone is under one roof. How is Dreissen?" Edýia deviated to another matter, to avoid any more questions on the issue.
Corvin sighed and clasped his hands behind his head " Barren" Corvin heavily sighed " Not much left of it. Like all the land around Whitsun." He sullenly said, raking his hands through his lush brown hair.
"Ironstone will be our home for a while now. So, I will be around." Corvin mustered a smile but it wasn't his. She wasn't that well acquainted with him, but Corvin wasn't very good at hiding whatever was on his mind.
" Haren? I haven't seen him around since I returned." Corvin asked as he shuffled in his seat to look at her and Rom. There was so much Corvin didn't know. She had no clue where to even begin. In the middle of so many people, it wasn't the time nor the place to bring him up to speed.
" What of him?" Dakran's gruff voice rang behind Corvin, with Maya hanging on his arm. She looked beautiful, glowing, doe-eyed, wearing a dress that hugged her lovely curves.
Corvin looked up, smiling with a lifted spirit and stood up to greet Dakran, but stilled when his eye fell on Maya and glanced over his shoulder at Rom.
Corvin frowned " Brother and sister," Corvin said as he turned his attention back onto Dakran and hugged him.
" Yes," Dakran said as he pulled away " Meet my wife and Lady of Ironstone" Dakran introduced Maya with the widest grin she had ever seen on him.
Corvin nodded " Pleased to meet you, milady," Corvin said with reverence, solemn.
But all of that faded into nothing " You with a wife around your neck. I never saw that coming." Corvin chuckled, patting Dakran's shoulder " What's next? The big glowing circle falling out of the skies?" Corvin played with his life, he was treading on thin ice. Dakran wasn't pleased with Corvin's choice of words.
Dakran nervously chuckled, waiting for the more nonsense that would most certainly come out of Corvin's mouth. It was a certainty. As much he lived and breathed.
" Is this the first one of many to come?" Corvin asked as he took his seat back at the table.
Dakran sighed " The only one" he answered deadpan, taking the seat next to Corvin with Maya on his left.
Corvin chuckled " Ahh, yes. They all say that. Then seasons pass. Things get old, sag, and strech and before you know it. You will be out there " Corvin drawled, gesturing with his hand " looking a spanking new one." And the wait was over. Corvin didn't waste any time spewing his nonsense. He was sure that he and Haren had the same father. The mad uncle.
Maya snuggled next to Dakran mindlessly playing with the food, worried at Corvin's crude and obnoxious remarks. Rom was viciously glaring, huffing next to her, ready to snap.
" Corvin" Dakran nervously called " I know that you and Haren share the same mind when it comes to women but please do not speak in such ways before my wife and sister." Dakran smiled but his eyes were burning with fury. Under different circumstances, Corvin would have kissed the floor but Dakran was lenient when it came to people close to his heart.
" This is the third time today that I've been scolded for my mouth. The red, you and the " Corvin paused, frowning " The white-haired lady," Corvin finished his thoughts and gulped the brew from his cup.
" Iris?' Dakran scowled but remained calm.
Corvin hummed and sighed, absently pushing the food around on his plate.
" Is she alright? Did something happen?" Dakran pressed for more answers since Corvin had suddenly turned mute.
Corvin blew out a breath " Well, she left for the Southlands, earlier." Corvin gulped when the frown on Dakran's forehead deepened further.
" What did you do?" Dakran hissed through gritted teeth, fuming.
Corvin nervously chuckled " Well" he sheepishly said, rubbing the back of his neck and jumping in his seat when Dakran picked up a knife and stabbed the table missing his hand by a hair.
" She got drunk and I was drunk. And I kind of fucked her. She got angry and left" Corvin cut the story short, and puffed his cheeks, downcast.
" You've been back for what? A day? " Dakran scolded " And you do this. To the woman that saved Edýia, no less." Dakran looked up trying to gather his witts. He could believe it. He got rid of one and his replacement strolled in through the back door, shoving his cock in everything that moved.
" Oh, shit" Corvin cursed " In my defence. She wanted to" Corvin raised his shoulders " I just obeyed" He impishly grinned trying to wash away his moral turpitude. His wishy-washy rationale made no sense. Dakran sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
" She was drunk. Drunk people do stupid shit, Corvin." Dakran retorted, at the end of his witts. She was unaware of the depravity northern men were capable of. A lamb in the wolf den.
" I think I like her, more than I thought I did" Corvin admitted with a frown " And the yitties " Corving bit his lip and hissed a breath.
Dakran scuffed his head to stop him from speaking altogether. He couldn't bear it anymore.
" All right" Corvin raised his hands in surrender " I'm done," He said burying his head between his shoulders.
" Good" Dakran grumbled and dropped his spoon on the plate in frustration. At least Corvin was more docile than Haren. Haren was a different matter.