Ed chuckled. “[i]I see the sparring has already begun,[/i]” he teased back, clinking his mug to hers before drinking from it. “[i]Very well. As I have rightly observed, you are already proving to be an interesting challenge.[/i]” He leaned back, sinking into thoughtful silence as he watched the snow, absentmindedly toying with the handle of his mug. It occurred to him how oddly serene he felt now, especially since this night preceded a march into battle. Perhaps Ysaryn’s calm was rubbing off onto him. “Now, tell me what I’ve missed in the past six months I hadn’t seen you and your world.” 

He listened carefully as she spoke, asking a question here and there, while his gaze regarded her fondly. Brave, strong-willed, opinionated, captivating. Gods, what a woman Ysaryn was. It had been far too long since he had last felt this almost boyish giddiness at being around someone so alluring. He almost chuckled out loud at himself, feeling a bit foolish at having even begun thinking how [i]inconvenient[/i] the war was. Rather than get ahead of himself, he let himself simply enjoy her company tonight. He went to fetch more wine, asking if she wanted more, though for himself he didn’t fill his mug too much, wanting just enough to help him sleep. 

“I think I will make an attempt at sleep,” he said after finishing his second mug. “And I better return these before Elva boxes my ears,” he added with a chuckle, taking the box of cigarettes and pocketing it. He was about to step away when he remembered why Ysaryn had gone downstairs in the first place. “[i]Gods, do you think it’s safe to return[/i]?” He chuckled again. “[i]I think I’ll just sleep in the library. There are sizable cushions in there. You’re welcome to share, if you don’t want to risk it. And upon my warrior’s honor, sleep is all I mean by that.[/i]” 

--

Kire had slept so deeply that she hadn’t quite been aware of when Ruli had left her room. When she woke, dawn had already broken. She was still naked, curled under the thick blankets. The smell of him was in her sheets, on her skin, the cinnamon signature filling her head. She lay on her back, letting out a deep sigh. This time around, with both of them needing to release tension from the looming battle—and perhaps, from all the tension they had built up between them—it felt more intense somehow. Or perhaps because they had already gotten over the preliminary shyness of the first time. It had been immensely difficult to try and keep herself quiet. 

Reluctantly, she pushed herself up, rubbing her face, attempting to smooth out her hair. Though the night had been good, she had to admit she didn’t like waking up like this, with him stealing off like some thief in the night or some adulterer afraid of being caught. Perhaps it was for the best that they had one more memorable tumble, and let that be the end of it. She realized if they kept this up, it might make it far more difficult for her not to fuck it up again somehow. Still bleary-eyed, she went through a mental list of what they needed done today. Ruli, Daryll, and Gavin would be finishing the bombs. She would return to Ulrich’s to meet with Jan and the lord of the castle to set down the terms for the marriage. And then, the march. While she could just wait till all the battalions were stationed where they needed to be before joining them, she needed to be there with the soldiers. [i]Time to begin, then.[/I]

While Kire was off to take a bath in the hot springs, Daryll and Gavin were already awake, and preparing to begin the day’s work. “So. Lad. Have you decided?” Daryll asked the young man as they organized the materials. 
“I think—I want to see it.” Gavin gulped; even just saying that felt heavy. “I-I know I’m not the best fighter, and that I might be a liability. But I’m also the best source for identifying blood magic. What if something goes wrong, and I’m not there to see it and help?” 

Daryll exhaled. “Hm. Well. Far be it for me to stop you. Especially since you know the risks. Just know that you don’t have to be on the field, or to be a fighter, to be of use. All this,” he said, gesturing at the flash bombs, their notes, “we have accomplished right here. You are a part of this, whether you go out there and possibly get yourself mortally wounded or not. You are no less a person for it.”