Arn had no problem in sharing the bed with the sleeping Eilis.  The oversize mattress was more than roomy for him to be basically next to her with his back to the head rest which was padded and more comfortable than the mattresses at the barracks.  

Yet despite all this comfort, his soul and body was not ready for rest.  It rejected it.  His mind was racing down paths and up others so quickly that had he not been sitting he would be dizzy. 

To center and anchor himself he recalled the event of the night.  His sharp mind analyzed and was able to recreate the scene to almost perfection.  The way the dark haired witch looked, attacked, felt in the Aether.  The way that her and Eilis had conjured magic almost as if creating it from thin air.  His own actions and results of those actions.  

He detached his feelings from the situation or he would wake the sleeping lady with his disturbance of the Aether.  Even the scenes when the witch hurt her, even the scenes when Eilis hurt Tyrhallan and attempted to hurt him.  Even the scene where he had to basically choke the woman he swore to protect.  

The battle mage dissected and stored every sliver of information for further study.  He was very efficient at this.  Few knew but he even could even recall the death of his mother specifically.  The way the sooth  fell on her face and every second as the fire consumed her….his fire. 

He felt the same pit in his heart as he had then.  Innocent people had been hurt because he was too weak to defend them.  The young girl next to him.  He brushed her hair gently with his hand every now and then.  Almost as if to ensure she was still alive.  Also, as a way to reinforce his connection to her.  The other innocent, a man of honor who had done nothing more than be unfortunate at meeting the mage.

Arn still remembered the kind words the man had spoken to him while still bearing a gaping wound.  The consequence of the mage keeping his promise and denying the knight information on the danger the girl and any who was around her faced. 


[color=ed1c24]“I am a knight and a noble, poor knight would I be if I were to send those in need of help away from our door.” Tyrhallan calmly replied as he made no attempts to stop Arn, instead he reassured him. 
“Rest well and rest easy. Have no fear of us for we will not turn you out. I would bring shame upon my family’s name if I were to do so. The Venray family does not shirk its duty for fear of some troubles and inconveniences. So do not worry about it. There is no debt to settle nor payment to fulfil.” [/color]

The Knight Captain may not keep tabs or demand repayment but the Master Mage would forever carry a debt that little more than his own life could settle.  The ex Captain had demanded an explanation and the mage could not fault him for such a desire.  He would hold his side of the bargain and tell as much as he could.  However the secret was Eilis to reveal. 

His mind wandered back to the sleeping girl at his side.  The even rise and fall of her chest in such a peaceful manner made his soul drop even lower.  He recalled the taunting truths of the witch regarding the purity of Eilis.  He cared not even if he truly believed that the girl was not longer pure.  To Arn, she was spotless.  What he focused on was the idea of connection.

He began a sort of trance, not truly sleeping but aware enough to sense any danger and be ready to operate should the need arise.  In this state, he was able to navigate his own Thread.  Via a third eye, he began to slowly discern the different sections of the weave.  They glowed, the more magic flowing through them the brighter they were.

Looking down at Eilis he could see her brightness as he remembered it from the hospital ship.  She was so pure white that it was almost blinding, like looking at a star with your naked eyes.  He forced himself past that enjoying the feeling of her energy.  Suddenly, he noticed them, slithering dark tendrils that lustfully clung to her thread.  

They seemed to be crawling on her Thread, almost as if part of it but not.  This would prove to be an issue if clearing needed to be performed.  Also, not understanding the nature of the actual magic performed and how the bonds intertwined with her made the procedure very dangerous.  He would have to study it more and research any available data. 

He felt the tiny change in her Thread and came out of his trance just as she called his name.
[color=ed145b]“Arn…”[/color]

His hand moved to brush her hair. [color=0054a6] “I am here”[/color]  he said softly.  As he positioned himself, almost laying down sideways so he could look down at her and staring into her eyes.  His gaze was searching, trying to see if any semblance of the dark Eilis remained.  All he found was the eyes of the girl who he had met in that hospital ship.

[color=ed145b]“I’m sorry…”[/color]
He frowned.  There was no reason that could come to his mind as to why she should be apologizing.  But before he could say anything she continued.  Her tone of voice hurt him more than the words she was saying. 

[color=ed145b]"I…hope I still…will you forgive me?” [/color]
He shook his head.  Thinking quickly that she may misunderstand this motion he quickly added.  [color=0054a6]“Eilis, there is nothing to forgive.”[/color]  He must have spoken too softly because she continued. 

[color=ed145b]“I…I know I am probably past that point, having squandered your good will.” She started. “And I would understand that you would want to send me away after all of that…but for my own heart sake I must ask. Will you forgive me?”[/color]

Arn pursed his lips at the foolishness of his protegee.  He used one of his hands and gently using his fingers to lift her head to look back up at him he gave her the most tender look that even he taught possible.  His voice was soft and reassuring.  The full conviction of  his words clear in the tone he spoke. [color=0054a6]“There is nothing to forgive.  Indeed, I should be asking you to forgive me.  I promised you would not need to fear your pursuers and yet under my very nose you were assailed.”[/color]  It was his turn to avert his eyes but he steeled himself and continued.  [color=0054a6]“I will say, your secret did surprise me. Perhaps it should be you who should be protecting me.”[/color]  This time he offered her a smile. 

[color=0054a6]“There is nothing to forgive.”[/color]  He said again as if he wanted to drive the point forward.  [color=0054a6]“I must say that you are full of mystery.” [/color] His tone changed to one of awe and longing.  He quickly reined it back to a calm and reassuring one. [color=0054a6] “Nothing has changed.  You are still under my protection and we both are under Knight Captain Tyrhallan’s.”[/color]  

Trying to cut off any dismay she had he put a finger gently on her soft lips.  [color=0054a6]“Before you say anything, no one blames you for last night.  But there are many questions.  I will honor my promise to you but I do feel that we all could be better prepared if you could and desire to share the full story with us.”[/color]  He again looked assertively into her yes.  [color=0054a6]“Only if you wish.”[/color]  He straightened up and his voice because a bit more business like. 

[color=0054a6]“Now, are you hurt?  I cleaned your cut and bruises but I dared not invade your privacy searching further.”[/color]  He said embarrassedly implying he did not search her fully.