The Sweet Escape |Part 1| The Carja

Chapter 7 - The Wolf

A month went by since Shirin and her family moved back to Meridian.

Erend was still dreaming of the flame-haired Nora huntress every night. When he wasn't numbed by his heavy drinking, she was still the only thing he could remember haunting his thoughts from dusk to dawn. She was tattooed in his brain like the Oseram ink on his skin. Branded in his flesh like the scars from his childhood wounds. She was not there, but he was still feeling her mark so deeply.

Shirin was an interesting woman though. She had this aura, this grace, but also this depth that was so rare amongst the Carja noblewomen, all so frivolous. Erend was never bored in her company, she was witty and kept his mind from constantly wandering... in Aloy's direction.

She was coming to visit him regularly when he was on duty, bringing him food two or three times a week or just stopping by during his breaks for a chat. And each time she left, the boys were jumping on him with questions.

"Cap! The lass really likes you. What are you going to do about it?"

"'Are you going to meet her after work today?"

"Have you kissed her yet? What are you waiting for?!"

Each and every time, Erend shut them down, saying it was none of their damn business. He wasn't oblivious to the fact that she liked him, but he couldn't really say if it was more than friendship. She just needed to go out, see people, and she was thankful he saved her and her family a couple of years ago...

He would sometimes get drinks after work and share a few dances with her in those nice places in the upper-class area of Meridian, where the nobles and merchants went to relax; not in the lower Meridian where all the Oseram taverns were located. Where he was still regularly going with his men, but just less often, for some reason.

He knew that people were whispering about them. Spreading rumors. Jealous women, whose perfumed letters remained unanswered. Or men, as Shirin was definitely looked upon by Carja nobles who were hoping to arrange a marriage for their sons, or even for themselves, those old dirty perverts. But both of them did not care, they were even joking about it. She was a free spirit, and he enjoyed that.

Shirin recently shared during one of their conversations that she aspired to become part of the Hunter Lodge, joining as Talanah's Thrush, now that the Sunhawk had authorized Hawks to have more than one apprentice. She had already talked to her cousin about it, and Talanah had responded that she will consider it when Shirin will be able to impress her with her fighting skills. Erend had been dazzled by the news; for a Carja noble, she was tough and fierce, and willing to push the boundaries.

After a herd of machines had attacked at the Meridian Gate a couple of weeks ago, where Erend and Talanah jointly repelled the onslaught, the Sunhawk had decided to leave the Council for the Restoration of Meridian, tired of the bureaucracy, and left the City, taking a hunting contract in Rising Light.

Erend was still caught up by his function as Vanguard Captain, but he understood Talanah all too well. Like her, he was weary of the annoying duties inherent to his role at the Council, and as soon as he'd be able to, he would request a mission in the field from the King. The desire to go back to the real stuff: fighting machines or humans alike, was itching at him. He was a Freebooter after all, not a paper-pusher!

In the meantime, he was stuck here for a bit. Shirin's company was an enjoyable pastime, a lot healthier than sinking into an ocean of Scappersap.

He knew he had to do better with the booze. He was on a dangerous slope, and he could see it coming. Become a useless drunk. Become... His own father. He couldn't let this happen. He owed it to Ersa at least... And when he was alone, it was harder to resist, if he even tried at all.