The Witching Hour

Chapter 20 - Gale

Sitting across from her gives me a good look at her face as we eat. The flickering lantern light casts soft shadows, highlighting the curves and angles of her features. I try to focus on my own plate, but somehow my gaze keeps being drawn toward her. I'm glad she's feeling better. Her eyes dart around the room reflecting a mix of curiosity and caution, as if something bothers her. She scrunches her nose in disgust, and I'm not sure if it's the stew, the people around us, or me who is forcing such a reaction from her. But I try not to overthink it too much.

This inn is a very strange find indeed. I still don't understand how we didn't hear the noise from outside or see anyone through the windows. And yet somehow, it's as lively as ever. The background music is calm, with bards singing about adventurers and magic, per usual. The atmosphere is one of celebration, everyone is happy and giddy and conversing with each other. And yet... I cannot help but sense a feeling of uneasiness.

'How's the food?' I ask her, trying to keep my mind from spiraling into my racing thoughts.

'Good.'

The same monosyllabic answers. I need to crack her somehow, to make her open up to me more. It's best for the both of us. I can feel there's something wrong. She's almost always lost in thought. She's hiding something... from me or even from herself.

'I was thinking...' I start. 'You don't know much about me'.

'Rright...'

'Soo' I drag the word as I think of something to share that will lighten the mood. 'I hail from Waterdeep, the City of Splendors. I'm a wizard of considerable acclaim, and scholar of exceptional accomplishment. I have a cat, a library and a weakness for a good glass of wine. And if the mood takes me, I'm known to try my hand at poetry!'

For some reason that last sentence makes her snort. She puts her fork down and looks at me with humor in her eyes.

'Poetry?' she finally asks me, somehow mocking me.

'Yes. And I'm even good at it.'

'Is that so?'

'Self-proclaimed!' I laugh.

She rolls her eyes 'And self-praised I see.' Her smile is something torn out of a fairytale, and I cannot help but get lost in it. Such a rare sight, like one of the wonders of the world. Her mind holds so many mysteries that I wish to unravel, to know, to remember. I want to hold her in my mind for as long as possible, to never forget the sight of her smile.

'What about you?' I finally ask, hope filling my eyes.

'What about me?'

My lips twitch into a smile. 'Tell me about yourself.' Her eyes shoot down toward her plate, as if her story is written somewhere between the steamed vegetables.

'There's not much to know'

'I doubt that. You don't strike me as quite that boring.' Her eyes light up as her gaze shifts to meet mine. Her expression is something close to a smile, although it's as if she's trying hard to contain it. 'Well?' I push her to open up to me, even if just for a moment.

'I grew up in the woods.' She blurts out, quietly, as if I shouldn't actually hear it. 'I'm an orphan. I was adopted. I'm -' She stops.

'What?'

'I'm a... I'm no one.' She laughs, but it's obviously humorless. She's full of surprises. It gives me the feeling that there is something more, something she might want to share... but can't. Or doesn't know how to. My mind is torn between trying to find out, or giving her the needed space to come to it on her own terms. Unconsciously, my hand reaches for hers, and I'm left speechless when she doesn't pull away. Not at first at least. 'Maybe tell me something that bothers you less.' I speak softly and smile trying to lighten the mood.