[Ridge]
Much to my expectation, the first thing I register when I come to is pure, blissful- PAIN. It feels like my head's been split open with a rock, which very well might've been what happened. The second thing to come back are the memories.
The fading yellow light, the cry of the hostage, a ludicrous bargain, and the sickening crack of someone trying to bust my brains out. It all comes rushing back in painful bouts of recollections. I'm getting tired of hurting all the time.
When all of my regrettable memories have returned my eyes open, only to land on Raforn grinding hush leaves into a fine powder. Hush flower leaves make the best seasoning for... wait. How is that important right now?
"You're awake!" Interrupts the voice of my nightmares. I realize that the sturdy wall I've been leaning on is shifting. I'm not ready to deal with this fuck.
Kadeeth's unwelcome explanation catches the attention of everyone around us. I try to take in my surroundings better, but my skull must be in pieces or something, cause my head"s on fire. I catch a glimpse of Raforn's relieved, sparkling eyes before a very toned pair of hips step with attitude into my limited cone of vision.
I expend some extra effort in order to look up at the woman. Her braids lay against her dark skin in an array of long black ropes. It's the same lady from last night. Shit how much time has passed?
"Rise and shine, Sir Ridge." Everyone seems surprised at that. Kadeeth wraps an uninvited arm around my waist. The woman basically growls at her surrounding subordinates, "Who untied him?"
Everyone around her jumps, but are equally as confused, and concerned. Kadeeth rummages around before holding up a frayed strand of rope with an apologetic smile.
"Forgive me?" He requests insincerely.
She glares at him, then does something that almost has me jumping to my feet. She spits on him. It lands on his shoes, which are otherwise covered in mud and, is that blood?
I sigh, holding my throbbing head, "How do you know who I am?" I ask tiredly, grabbing Kadeeths arm and keeping his hand on my waist. It won't do any of us any good if he retaliates.
"We received a letter this morning. It seems your party arrived half a day too early." My eyes shoot open, practically popping out of my face.
"A letter, from the Vis- from Kedcoe?" We'll get a lot more benefits if I take the creepy Noble up on his offer to address him casually. His name apparently carries a lot of weight among groups like this, "You're the Grey Wanderers?" She nods.
Raforn squeaks from behind her, "WHAT?!"
She ignores him, choosing to focus on me instead. What is it with powerful people and their limited capacity for attention? It's like they can't focus on more than one person at a time.
"Yes, last night was unfortunate," She gives Kadeeths a nasty scowl, "but per the Viscounts request, and payment, we'll let bygones be bygones."
"You're going to let last night go? Just like that? Didn't Tellur attack one of your people?" I ask suspiciously. Kadeeth coughs.
"Oh I'm forgiving much more than that. You have much to catch up on, but we have also wronged you by attempting to rob your caravan. Plus," she jabs a thumb over her shoulder, "your chef made us supper last night. It was delicious."
"Um, that's great, uh," I squeeze Kadeeth's hand until he winces. She seems pleased at this, "He's actually not a chef. His name is Raforn, and he's going to be a doctor." A clatter distracts us and everyone looks over at the Doc to see him picking up a wooden spoon sheepishly. He mumbles out a rough apology and turns around to hide his red face.
"I'm Sileena, second Chief of the Grey Wanderers Mercenary Group." She introduces. The gold piercing in her nose swings as she inclines her head in a greeting.
"Sir Ridge Riddotha, member of the soon-to-be rebellion of the Empire." She puts her hand on her hips, quirking her eyebrow up.
"Apparently we have much to discuss then." She snaps her fingers and suddenly several rugged looking men approach us. One of them tosses a bundle of clothing at me. Another one tries to nail Kadeeths in the face with his, but my reflexes cause me to catch it before it hits him. Oops.
"Thank you." I mutter to the men, but they've already dispersed.
"There is a spring about a mile from here. My right-hand, Cony, will escort you. Wash up and then we'll talk, and I'll decide if you're worth our time." She glanced disgustedly at Kadeeth, "I know that one isn't." She remarks spitefully.
Great, the leader of this troupe of the GW's holds grudges, and for some reason she's holding one against my best friend rather than the man who threatened to stab one of her men in the eye. What the fuck happened last night?
She walks away before I can thank her again, for the clothes and for not killing us. Immediately there to replace her is a little rodent of a man. He has a puffy, kind face with shaggy brown hair. He reminds me of those small squishy creatures Nobles keep as pets that run in circles all day but get nowhere. Was that me calling him boring and pointless? Of course not. I don't even know the guy...
Then again, sometimes you can just tell.
"Follow me!" He says. Even his voice is squeaky. It's so annoying and cute at the same time. I just can't stop imagining him with little round ears and chubby cheeks.
~*~
Cony leads us through the woods to the spring. It's as big as a decent sized pond, and uncomfortably clear. Our belongings were returned to us before we left to bathe, and both Tellur and Kadeeth were given scoldings by Cony. Although something tells me they see him just as irrelevant as I do.
Raforn had to stay back at the camp to finish cooking breakfast. He kept shooting daggers at Kadeeth as we left. He looked like he wanted to tear his hand off of me and chop it clean off with the butcher knife he was holding. Even Tellur stayed a good distance away from him. I'll have to find a good time to question someone about what happened. Or maybe Sileena will tell me later.
Once we arrive at the spring Cony leaves, saying he'll return in an hour to guide us back. Something tells me the real reason Raforn had to stay behind was as collateral. Otherwise we may have just taken off after how they treated us yesterday. Well, maybe not. The Doc's an amazing cook after all.
When Cony leaves the three of us are left staring at each other. I guess this means we'll be bathing together out in the open like this? Three spoiled men who either grew up in the upper class or at a fancy Knighthood Academy. We've clearly never faced a problem like this before.
Don't people usually skinnydip in the dark?