Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Stratagem

"Explain yourself!" Snaps Lee in a whisper. "You said we were done with all this nonsense and yet, here we are."

"I am aware of what I said." Hael assures with a simple nod. "What I did not say is that there wouldn't be a little more of this work coming our way."

"You fooled me, is what you've done!" Lee flicks the reigns as he speaks, giving the horse a small dose of encouragement to continue on through the night.

"Oh, Lee. If it were so easy for me to fool you then it is not my trickery that is the issue here." Hael giggles out of pity and shakes her head before continuing to speak. "This is the moment we have been waiting for. For so many years we have tried to get to this point and finally, it is upon us!"

"At what cost? Hm?" Lee glares at Hael from the corner of his eye in an attempt to keep focused on the road ahead. "I could have understood this only a few seasons ago, but now?"

"The farm will still be there when we return. There is no cost-"

"The cost is the risk, Hael! What will become of it all if one of us is lost to these efforts?"

"There will be no more losses." Hael swallows harshly as she keeps a scowl tucked beneath her expressionless face. "We will come out of this stronger than we were."

"Right." Lee grits his teeth and irritably rolls his shoulders as he gives the horse another thwick. "Might I remind you that this is not the party we had originally agreed upon?"

"Cronn's decision can not be held against me."

"Like Hell it can't! Had the boy just listened, I'd have nothing to argue over in this moment."

"Do not speak ill of the dead to me, Lee."

Lee falls silent. Turning to face the rest of the wagon, he ensures that Yuler and Marne are still asleep before continuing to speak with Hael.

"I... I understand why we're out here. I am not opposed to helping you get better. In fact, I pray for it every single night before I rest my eyes. But... dearest, I need to know that it will work."

"It must."

Sighing, Lee gives the horse a third whip of the reigns before passing them off to Hael, who's lips become pursed in an effort to not worsen the situation. He then removes the lantern from its perch and shifts the light about in front of them. Finding nothing out of place, he proceeds with doing the same for the rear of the wagon. Certain that there is nothing to be worried about, he returns the lantern to its rightful place and leans back in his seat.

"How has the pain been of recent? More or less bearable?"

"More."

"Good. Still no signs of further progression?"

"Not since the day it came to be."

"Come now. We both know better than that."

"What happened with the rooks was not my fault." Hael's voice shakes as she speaks of such unfortunate past events. So much so, that she pauses to breathe before even attempting to do so once more. Lee, seeing this opportunity, takes it.

"Forget about those two. I'm talking about this." Lee runs a finger down the length of his face, where a large and deep scar remains. "The scar you gave me."

Hael remains silent. Having seemingly forgotten herself to be the source of such a wound. Her fingers loosen around the reigns as sadness takes hold. With a sniffle she clears her throat and attempts to act as if there is nothing wrong.