The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 55

A week and a half passed since the battle, and I noticed people's moods started improving. The lingering heaviness in the air was no longer, which brought me some major relief. I saw Hiccup and Bronwyn outside Ana's house maybe two days after our initial visit.

It was nice to get to know Bronwyn and hear her story. However, it was still heart-wrenching to me to know that hers and Saoirse's family was just awful. There were barely any redeeming qualities in any of them; Saoirse's little brothers were the only exception given they were still young.

One morning, I woke up to the feeling of Eyarr kissing me on the cheek. I stirred, rolling over to face him.

"Well, good morning to you." I sleepily mumbled. He chuckled, bringing me in for a hug and another kiss.

"You look absolutely ravishing." He whispered in my ear, his husky morning voice getting to me.

"Wow, you just woke up and are already in the mood." He hummed a bit, starting to kiss my neck.

"What, opposed to morning sex?" He mumbled.

"I didn't say that," I replied, tilting my head to allow him better access. He rolled me over so I was under him and fondled my breast. I couldn't lie; morning sex didn't sound that bad. He lifted up the hem of my nightgown, and as he began pressing kisses to my stomach, he abruptly stopped when we both heard pounding on the door.

"What the hell..." He grumbled in annoyance. "Who is it?" He called out.

"It's Zephyr!"

"What the hell are you doing banging on the door?" He replied, trying not to sound annoyed. I bit back a giggle.

"Guys! Get dressed and come outside! Saoirse finally woke up and Nuffink wanted me to pass on the message!" Eyarr shook his head, messy morning hair flying about.

"Good, great, FANTASTIC!" He said as we heard Zephyr leave. I finally burst out laughing.

"Don't worry, we'll have another opportunity," I assured him with a peck on the cheek. "Let's go see your old friend." He shook his head again but followed anyway. After we changed, we made our way to Ana's house.

Upon entering the door, Dustin was organizing some linen strips and putting them in a crate. He glanced up and gave us a welcoming grin.

"We were waiting for you guys," he said, leading us to one of the back rooms where I could hear faint chatter. I recognized Nuffink, Hiccup, Zephyr, and Ana there. I couldn't hear Saoirse speaking, but I figured she was still exhausted.

Dustin gently knocked on the partly opened door with his knuckle, "Saoirse? You've got two guests." He announced, standing to the side and allowing us in. I immediately noticed Nuffink by Saoirse's side where she lay in bed. Half her face was wrapped in linen bandages, and I could see bloodstains, and something in me flinched.

They all, save for Saoirse, lit up at seeing us.

Ana greeted us with a smile, "You two doing alright?"

"We're okay, a bit miffed that Zephyr woke us up," Eyarr commented, shooting Zephyr an annoyed look. I just rolled my eyes.

"That's good to hear. Take a seat, I'll be right back."

Saoirse craned her neck to look at us easier, and I noticed her attention on Eyarr.

"I still can't believe the chances of you being here."

"I can say the same to you! Both you and Fae."

"Well, the Ravagers fell apart." She replied. I couldn't tell her tone; was she happy about it? Or did she not have an opinion? I couldn't quite read her.

"And a good thing, too. I knew the leadership was unstable. What happened to the others?" Saoirse quickly explained that because of her relationship with Nuffink and the unraveling of her background caused a huge rift in the Ravagers, and upon it falling apart, many of the former members fled.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised. They could've left way sooner." Eyarr remarked, "Then again, I don't think they would've survived alone."

"I remember you once offering to get me out of the group," she chuckled. Nuffink, Hiccup, and Zephyr were shocked by this revelation.

"Did he actually?" Nuffink exclaimed. Eyarr shrugged.

"It started with her asking about my rogue, nomadic life and expressing admiration for it. I half-jokingly offered to take her with me somewhere she and Zenn could live peacefully. But Saoirse chose to stay. She and Fae bid me goodbye when I finally left."

As they conversed, I sat there and listened, fascinated to learn more about Eyarr's past from someone new and also sort of learning about her.

I must've zoned out since I jumped a bit hearing someone address me. It was Saoirse.

"Huh?" I reacted.

"You're Laeli, right?" She asked. I nodded affirmatively.

"I am." She smiled at me, wincing a bit at her discomfort.

"How'd you know my name?"

"Nuffink and his family made mention of you. They didn't tell me much, though."

"We wanted to wait for you both to meet formally." Hiccup explained.

"I wish it was under better circumstances..." I replied, shrugging a bit awkwardly. I couldn't explain why, but I felt awkward and shy, beginning to play with my hair a bit.

"Me too, but I'm still glad to meet you." I offered a half-smile.

"Same here. What... uh, what did they say about me?" I could sense that she understood my awkwardness.

"Nothing but good things. They said you came here suddenly from somewhere to the south and had a lot of stories to tell. Nuffink and Zephyr told me they consider you a sister to them." I glanced at the mentioned, and Zephyr just winked at me.

"That's sweet of them." After that, I couldn't find anything else to say, so I allowed Eyarr and the others to chat with Saoirse. But after a bit, my brain zoned out again, my inner voice rambling in my native tongue. I began picking at the skin around my nails, not paying attention. I also fumbled with my ring, picking at gunk stuck in little crevices.

"What's that ring?" I heard Saoirse ask through my brain fog.

"What? Oh, uh, it... it's my engagement ring." I replied, glancing at Eyarr with a smile, to which he returned.

"Oh my gods, Eyarr. I knew you two were together, but I didn't realize you were engaged!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, we're still sort of planning the wedding." He replied, "But! We want you to recover first."

"Gods... it's all a mess." She groaned.

"It's not your fault, you know that," Nuffink assured her, pushing a strand away from her face.

"I know..." I looked to Eyarr, wondering where to go from here. He sensed my urge to let the pair be and stood up.

"Well, I think we'll leave you two be for today. Get some rest." He announced, taking my hand and saying our goodbyes for the day.