[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190811/ebaf9cbdde92c7897e853938cfe68fe5.png[/img]

[color=6E8E67]Location:[/color] Winton - The Inn[/center][hr][hr]

She smiled at the Sceltie, gently running her hands along his face and neck.  [color=6E8E67][i]'Oh, sweet boy, believe me.  If he hurts her I will most definitely bite him.  But for now, wait and watch.  No sense in stirring up the herd when they're on high alert, right?'[/i][/color]  She kissed the dog's furry face a few times before turning to attention back to her beer and the Black Widow.  [i]"Darkness help us if he does hurt her,"[/i] she thought to herself and sipped.

As she had predicted - chanced - it went fine even the Black offered to join them in their cause.  Her spine stiffened at the thought of masses slaughtered.  But then, masses were being slaughtered now, were they not?  She listened as each of her trusty team voiced opinions and thoughts.  Dareen's idea had some weight to it, though perhaps, in the end, being no more than a pipe dream.  Her own mother had kept her hidden from Dorothea but that was only possible because the woman hardly knew of her existence in the first place.  How does one hide the black so entirely?  Someone so very important to that beast of a woman that she kept him chained to her.

[color=6E8E67]"To discuss the possibility of hiding him and deceiving Dorothea we would need to know the nature of the bonds she has sewn into that ring.  What traps she has placed and what eyes and ears she keeps around."[/color]  She rubbed her face and sighed before throwing back the last of her beer and standing.  [color=6E8E67]"I cannot think, I need to rest.  Please continue to discuss among yourselves.  I just need an hour or two to rest.  First I must speak with you Sybl please come with me.  And then I would speak to you next, Widow."[/color]  Fatima stood, a little unsteady on her feet.  Luckily the table was there to keep her upright.  Not drunk, just weak.  She spared Saetan a single glance before she made her way into the sleeping quarters she shared with the other girls.  Sybl trailed like a sad puppy behind her - doing his best to keep a great distance between himself and Faeril.

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200731/7b0275756646d73c6e29c8c33a546a01.png[/img]

[color=B2E0DD]Location:[/color] Winton - The Inn[/center][hr][hr]

He entered the room behind his magnificent Queen.  Despite her obvious fatigue, she shone so brightly.  A single star.  She pulled bloodied clothes from her body and let them drop to the floor before moving to the sink.  He felt something slip past him and the Sceltie jumped up and settled himself onto one of the beds, watching Sybl.  Using a cloth at the sink she scrubbed blood from her arms and face.  Sybl watched her in silence, unsure of his purpose in the room.  If he was in a bedroom it was for one thing only and did this woman require such a service from him?  She had so many of her own men and yet she chose him - a stranger.  A giddy feeling rose with his heart into his throat.

She set aside the stained cloth and pulled a nightdress from the air.  After dressing she sat on the bed, leaning heavily against the pillows.  Using her foot she patted the end of the bed.  [color=6E8E67]"Come sit,"[/color] she said in drained tones.  She seemed like she might fall asleep on the spot.  He took the direction and sat before unbuttoning his shirt.  Her eyes grew wide and she was across the bed with her hands on his.  [color=6E8E67]"Stop, no.... no no, oh, I'm so sorry.  That's not...  I truly just wish to speak."[/color]  He felt his cheeks all the way to the tips of his ears turn bright red.  Her warm hands left him and he rebuttoned the shirt.

[color=6E8E67]"I did not intend for you to find out about the Widow.  Not yet at least, not until I was sure I could trust you.  But I think that I can.  Right?  I feel it here,"[/color] she touched her chest over the nightdress.  [color=6E8E67]"You feel it too yes?"[/color]  He nodded shyly.

[color=B2E0DD]"I knew it... the moment,"[/color]  She held up a hand and stopped him from speaking.  His voice was cracked and hoarse and it did hurt to say anything.

[color=6E8E67]"We have a link, use it freely.  I am always open to hear you,"[/color] she said.

[color=B2E0DD][i]'I knew the moment that I saw you that I was yours.  I've been waiting such a long time.  I would die for you.'[/i][/color]  Was that too far?  Her face fell and she looked so sad.  He wanted to hug her and do whatever it took to make her feel better.

[color=6E8E67]"Don't die for me,"[/color] she responded.  [color=6E8E67]"Live.  If you do anything for me though, let it be that you do not speak of what has transpired here or at the caves."[/color]  He nodded.

[color=B2E0DD][i]'Of course,'[/i][/color] he said, [color=B2E0DD][i]'Not a word of it shall I speak or think to anyone else.'[/i][/color]

[color=6E8E67]"Sybl..."[/color]  Oh the sound of his name as it came from her lips!

[color=B2E0DD][i]'Yes?'[/i][/color]

[color=6E8E67]"Come to Kaeleer with us."[/color]

[color=B2E0DD][i]'I could not dream of leaving you.'[/i][/color]

[color=6E8E67]"I am glad to hear it.  I accept you into my circle with all of my heart."[/color]  Her smiled brightened his whole being.  Her light-filled all those dark places inside of him and for the first time he felt wanted.  Actually wanted.  He threw himself across the bed and embraced her, laying his head on her chest.  She stroked his head and softly hummed.  Her dress was getting wet.  He quickly sat up and realized he had been sobbing.  He had been clinging to this little Queen and sobbing like a child.

[color=B2E0DD][i]'I'm...  I'm so sorry.  I didn't-'[/i][/color] She stopped him speaking again and used the sleeve of her nightdress to wipe tears from his cheeks.

[color=6E8E67]"No need to apologize.  I think you could have used that hug a very long time ago.  Now, please ask Faeril if she would come to me?"[/color]  Sybl nodded and left the room feeling like his whole life had changed for the better.  He was living a dream and if this were a dream he hoped he would never wake from it.

That was until he stood back in the main room with a group of people who likely hated his guts.  And now he had to go talk to the WIDOW.  He shrunk in on himself, trying to appear small despite his height.  [color=B2E0DD]"My Lady,"[/color] he croaked quietly, approaching the woman.  He offered her a quick bow.  [color=B2E0DD]"She wishes to see you."[/color]  And then he walked to the furthest corner as quickly and with as much grace as he could possibly balance.  He was terrified of the woman and his best efforts at looking cool left him appearing more like a dog running off with his tail between his legs.