Ridahne’s beaming face melted into a somber frown as Darin made her exit, souring the moment just a little. It wasn’t Darin’s fault, but she felt a twist of guilt at knowing Darin was upset, and it had something to do with Ajoran’s actions. She wanted so badly for Darin to love him like she did, for her to love him like Darin loved her. She hadn’t worried about it much until now, as Ajoran was the sort of man far more deserving of immediate and unquestioned love than she, and Darin loved her anyway. Still, she’d hoped for a good first impression and this wasn’t it. 

Ajoran’s shoulders drooped a little as he saw the exchange play out and heard the sigh escape Ridahne’s lips. He looked mortified. For all that he was a fierce warrior, Ajoran was actually quite softhearted. And she loved him for it. “What did I do? Did I…do something wrong?”
“No…it’s…no,  it’s not really your fault. Martin was Darin’s father.”
“Was…?”
“He walked out on her and her mother, abandoning them without a word overnight. As soon as duty allows, I’m going to find him and retrieve him for her. And Astra help him, then.” 
Ajoran winced, though there was a small smile hidden in there too. He knew precisely what kind of damage Ridahne was capable of inflicting on a person, and not all of it would be physical. She knew the psychology of fear and wielded it at will as smoothly and effortlessly as she swung her sword. Ancestors above, she was a terror. But she was [I]his[/I] terror. “Astra help him indeed…that’s quite a blow, particularly for humans, is it not?”
“Aye. But she’s all stone, that one. She tended the family’s farm by herself while her mother, from what I understand, sort of just…gave up. Some day I hope to meet her, too.” 

Ajoran nodded as Ridahne sat up, combing a few bits of hay out of her wavy hair with her fingers. “So...Darin Torzinei?” 
Ridahne smiled. “Officially adopted into the clan. Hadian and I just sort of…decided. It seemed right. But truth is, my family is not yet whole. A year and a half ago, I would have suggested becoming Teleisun, but…well, if you’re up for it, I’d sort of like to stay Torzinei. Ajoran Torzinei has a nice ring to it anyway.”
Ajoran blinked, struggling to process all that she’d said and left unsaid. He felt a blossom in his chest that felt like it would burst out of him, but he tried to keep it under control until he knew for sure. “Ridahne is…is that an acceptance to my proposal…? After all this time…?”
Ridahne looked away, nervous. “Only if you still want me, and if there isn’t anyone you’ve met since I left…I’ve been gone for a long time you know, and I wouldn’t really blame you if…if…well it’s not like I had any hope of really coming back and so it’s not like I expected you to wait for me and—“
Ajoran cut off her ranting with a sudden and vigorous kiss, and she melted into him. They allowed themselves this outburst for some time before he laughed joyously and leaned back to look at her face. “Isfahan, I would wait my whole life for you, with or without hope.” 
Ridahne was crying, but they were good tears. She did not wipe them away.  “I was sort of hoping you’d say something like that. Because I was hoping to claim you as mine for all to see before we left. I’ll have to leave—our mission isn’t done yet, and I know what you’re going to say—you should stay here. Someone needs to watch out for Hadian and Nyyvai. But…I’d like to have the ceremony by the sea, and I’d like your parents to be there, and I’d like Darin to perform the rites.” 
“Absolutely! I’ll have a message sent right away to my parents and have them ride out to Atakhara, and we’ll do it under the light of the moon and…” he started to choke up. “Damn, if you haven’t made me the happiest man alive.” 

The two of them spent a couple hours catching up on everything, and Ajoran was the perfect audience. He wanted no detail spared, no explanation shortened. He was particularly interested to hear about Darin, and who she was, what sort of person she was, and what kind of power she held. He asked after the seed, to which Ridahne replied, “I’ve got no idea what it looks like. I’ve never seen it. In all this time traveling with her, I’ve never asked to see it and never needed to. It’s best hidden, anyway.” She told him of her new tattoos, and how she’d come to a conclusion on their design, and showed off her new banner. She told him of the Tree, and how marvelous it was to see it in person, to see it alive. Though she did not wholly describe it as thriving. She knew the Tree was strong, but only by the efforts of those like Ravi. It would not remain strong forever. And she told him of the Red Hand, and even showed off a few of her scars. 

Ajoran’s face darkened at that. Like Hadian, he had an anger that was slow to rouse, but a horror to withstand if it ever was stirred. “Eija Salei told me she’d seen you. Though she never once mentioned you were with the Seed Bearer of Astra. She said you’d been traveling with a young farm boy you claimed to have taken as an apprentice. I understand what she said better, now. But she described to me what they’d done to you. I nearly left Tasen that night to find you, but she warned me against it, saying I’d just as likely get lost than find you, as the two of you were taking great care to travel in secret. But when they started showing up here, going around the marketplaces and the docks and asking after you…” His fists clenched, and his corded muscles flexed under his brown skin. “The moment I had authorization I eviscerated two of them in the streets in broad daylight. It wasn’t the best way to do it, but they did steer clear of Tasen for a while after that. And then they found Hadian…not one of those survived. I tracked them all down, even the ones who planned the assault but hadn’t gone themselves.” He was shaking with rage. “The Sols offered him and Nyyvei shelter in the palace, but they refused. And anyone heard asking about you or the Seed Bearer was put on surveillance until it was determined whether they were just gossipers or the Red Hand. They really want Darin dead, and by extension, you. I don’t understand why.” 

Ridahne sighed. She didn’t fully know either, really. Or rather, she knew but did not understand. “You and I know better than most how corrupt people can really be. The way they see it, if the Seed is not planted and the Tree withers and dies, they can use the resulting chaos to reshape the world as they see fit, with them in seats of power. And then some just want to watch Astra burn. I don’t think it’s that simple though, and I don’t think Astra would let them. Still, we don’t leave any alive.” 

Ridahne stood, brushing off her uri. “Come, we should find Darin, now that we’re all caught up. There’s one thing I have to do tonight, and then I’m desperate to visit the bathhouse again and to get some food. I want Darin to be there with me for it all. Let’s go find her, and then will you take me to Khaltira’s grave?” Ajoran nodded solemnly and the two of them left the stables in search of Darin.