The Sword Maiden

Offering Friendship

Together with friends new, and old, I danced away the night.  The Vinum and ale flowed, and the dancing grew even more crazy and wild when that happened.  Even so, things never got out of control, and I had to admit that I enjoyed the crazier dances as much as the more put together ones. Redwar withdrew when that started to happen, which I expected, but Valeria and Derrek joined me.

I stumbled away from the last dance with Valeria, holding my arms across my stomach as I gasped for air and laughed.  "I wasn't sure- I could- keep up with that one," I gasped out to Valeria.

She giggled.  "I know."  

I shook my head and stood more upright as I caught my breath.  As I swallowed, I felt the thirst in my throat.  "I think I'll need a drink and a rest before I do anything else."  

My body was wet with sweat from dancing, and as we left the dancing area, a breeze came up that cooled me.  Strands of my hair were hanging out in front of my face and I shoved the bangs back behind an ear as we reached the table set up with refreshments and snacks. 

Valeria let out a sigh as she grabbed a cup.  "Man, if Redwar hadn't had us in training, I'd be even more exhausted than I am right now." 

I paused as I realized that she was right.  Thinking back to a year ago, I remembered how after one such crazy dance, I'd flopped down on a seat and gaped for air like a fish out of water.  This time, I was out of breath, but not that badly.  That'd been just before-

Valeria reached for the dipper for the Vinum. 

I flinched as I looked down at the cup in my hand.  Just before me and Derrek had asked my parents about trying Vinum.  But I had never had the chance to taste it.  

I swallowed hard and turned away towards a nearby bowl of liquid.  Whatever it was, I didn't know, and I didn't care.  So long as it wasn't Vinum.

I wouldn't taste that until my parents were there to see it. 

We retreated to one of the benches that'd been placed outside for dancers to sit on and watched the next dance while sipping on our drinks.  I didn't really taste mine.  My mind couldn't leave the memories.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead.  It seemed I always thinking that I'd let go of this, that I was having a good time, and then-  then something would happen and I'd be remembering, grieving, all over again.  My hand clenched around the cup in my hand.  It was clay, not glass, but still decorated.  Decorated with blue. 

Blue.

Blue glass.  In the ashes.

I shook my head and stood abruptly.  

"Are you alright?  And don't tell me that you are," Valeria said as she stood with me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath while forcing my fingers to unclench.  "I'm alright, Valeria.  It's just- the memories.  That's all.  They can't help coming back."  

She nodded and placed her hand on my shoulder.  "I'm sorry, Ravine.  I know this time hasn't bee easy for you. I wish there was more I could do..."

I gave her a half smile as I looked over.  "No.  No, you've already done so much for me.  There's nothing more anyone else could do."

I moved over and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.  "You've been the best friend I ever had.  Even in my village, there was no one like you."  Not even Corban.  "No one has ever stood by my side like you have."

"The same to you, Ravine.  The same to you," she murmured as her arm wrapped around me.  We stood there in contemplative silence, sipping from our drinks, watching the dance twirl and step around in time to the music.   And her silent, sympathetic presence eased the pain of the memories.