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[indent][indent][indent]Yet, as the night of Nox Arcanum drew closer, so did many other things…

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Three shadows shifted in the soft, dancing firelight on the stable floor as gentle rain beat against the roof. One belonged to a girl of perhaps sixteen; the other, who bore some resemblance to her, was a few years older. The third was a horse, half-saddled. 

[color=#A8EBC5]“Adala…”[/color]

The older figure stopped her movements around the horse and fixed the younger with a glare. Swallowing, the girl continued, [color=#A8EBC5]“...You have everything you need?”[/color]

Securing the flap of a saddle bag, the intended rider nodded once, sharp and determined. [color=#CAF0A1]“It’s not much. The journey won’t be long, if I ride as fast as I intend to,”[/color] she supplied, pulling a few small bundles out of the folds of her coat and slipping them into a second pouch on the saddle. 

The younger girl was quiet for several long moments, biting her lip and twisting her fingers in nervousness. Finally, despite her quiet voice she all but blurted out, [color=#A8EBC5]“Are you [i]sure[/i] about this?”[/color]

Adala sighed, resting her forehead against the saddle as she paused for a moment. [color=#CAF0A1]“Liese…”[/color] she whispered, hesitating for a moment. [color=#CAF0A1]“It… It’s the right thing to do. I owe Willa this much.”[/color]

Liese’s face twisted in sympathy. [color=#A8EBC5]“And the boy?”[/color]

Adala chuckled, smiling a little. [color=#CAF0A1]“That’s up to Willa. But he deserves to know,”[/color] she added softly. 

[color=#A8EBC5]“You’ve got a soft spot for that boy,”[/color] Liese teased, blush barely noticeable in the soft torchlight. 

Adala grinned, stepping closer. [color=#CAF0A1]“Half the estate does. And how could I not, when my baby sister has been sweet on him since the first day she saw him?”[/color] she teased, wrapping Liese in a hug as the younger girl’s blush became suddenly much more visible. [color=#CAF0A1]“But what they’re going to ask… It’s not right, that he doesn’t already know,”[/color] she added, voice sadder as she stepped away from her sister. [color=#CAF0A1]“I’m glad you told me what you heard.”[/color]

She put a foot in the stirrup and pushed up, swinging a leg over as the horse shifted minutely beneath her, nickering softly. [color=#CAF0A1]“Keep yourself out of trouble while I’m gone, you hear? If you need anything, you come down to the stable and talk to Emmeline, she’ll look after you like I would. I left her a note saying our aunt is sick and I’ve gone to take care of her. If anyone asks, that’s all you know, got it?”[/color] Her voice was stricter now, and Liese nodded sharply. 

[color=#CAF0A1]“Good,”[/color] Adala replied, taking the reigns in hand, hood of her coat drawn up over her head now. [color=#CAF0A1]“I’ll be back soon, I promise.”[/color]

[color=#A8EBC5]“You better be,”[/color] Liese whispered, voice thick with worry and nearly drowned out by the worsening rain. [color=#A8EBC5]“Be safe, Addy. And... Gods’ speed.”[/color]

With one nudge of the heels, Adala’s horse was moving forward and out of shelter, hooves splashing up water on the paved stone as they trotted away, towards the Estate Entrance. Liese watched until she saw their shadows at the distant gate, stopping to speak with the guards before being waved through. She watched until their shapes disappeared into the darkness beyond, and then watched a while longer.[/indent][/indent][/indent]
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