The Memory of Darkness (on hold until October)

4 - Felix

Arianna opened the window of her room and took a deep breath of the cool storm-cleared air. A bell tolled, calling the Sisters to morning prayers, but she was exempt from that this morning. For the next few weeks, she was not a novice nun.

She changed into the suitably plain dress and cloak that had been provided for her, quickly packed a few possessions into a bag, and made her way outside.

The soldiers were gathered around the stable block, seeing that their horses were prepared for the journey. Before she could join them, she was accosted by Branwen. "Did you think you were leaving without saying goodbye?" asked her friend, sounding rather offended.

"I wouldn't dream of it," said Arianna. "Though I won't be gone that long. It's hardly goodbye."

"Even so," said Branwen, with a shrug. She looked over at the men. "Telvarel Guards," she said, admiringly. "When they're out of uniform, they just look like normal men."

"Strangely enough," said Arianna. "They are normal men, as far as I can tell, at least."

"Well, you'd know more about that than me," said her friend, a sly smile upon her face. "Is he here?"

"Is who here?"

"Don't play the innocent," said Branwen. "The man you kissed at Midwinter."

"Oh, him," said Arianna, supressing a smile. "It was the tall blond haired man I was talking to when they first arrived."

"I see," said Branwen, looking back at the soldiers, as Coren emerged from the stables, leading a horse behind him. "You never did tell me his name."

"Captain Sir Raymond Coren," she said.

"A title and a rank?" queried Branwen. "That's just greedy."

"That's just how it works with them," said Arianna. "They're knights as well as officers. It impresses some, intimidates others, and no doubt gets them the best seats at the theatre."

"Priorities," said Branwen, with a chuckle. "So, was he any good at kissing?"

"Yes."

"Better than me?"

"Well..."

Branwen frowned. "Be honest. I can handle the truth."

"It's nothing against you, personally," said Arianna. "I just prefer the people I kiss to be a little... manlier."

"Well, so do I," said Branwen. "But some of us don't have the chance to act on that. Would you kiss him again?"

"Of course I would!" said Arianna. "Look at him!"

"Oh, I'm looking at him," said Branwen. "And now he's looking at us. And walking towards us."

Arianna glanced up to see Coren heading in their direction. "Good morning, Your Grace," he said, before turning to Branwen. "Good morning, Sister."

Branwen turned an alarming shade of red. "Yes," she said.

Arianna regarded her friend with a raised eyebrow, before addressing Coren. "Are you ready to depart?"

"Nearly," said Coren. "Are you?"

She nodded. "I presume I still have an absurd amount of clothing in Kyrvell, so I'm travelling light."

"Very well," said Coren. "We have a horse saddled for you, so it should only be a few minutes."

Before Arianna could respond, Branwen trapped her in a tight embrace. "Stay safe," whispered her friend.