Waiting for Spring - Part I

Chapter Eight

And the goddess spoke, blessed be thou and care for those abandoned. Blessed be thou and soothe those forlorn. Blessed be thou and give all that you shall receive.

-Prayer found in the Codex.

Outside the city lay dark and silent. Rain tapped peacefully at the window. At least there were no thunder, Ashley hated the thunder. As silently as possible Theron sheathed his kukri and clasped it on his belt. He put on his metal vambrace and pulled at the straps before fastening them. The steel clattered and Ashley turned in her sleep.

Theron put a hand on her bared neck and traced the womanly figure with his hand. Her soft skin felt like silk to his touch. For a moment Theron felt inclined to go back to sleep, but he had important things to do. He stared at the coin purse beside the flickering candle on the oaken vanity. Soon Ashley, soon we have enough to leave this place behind.

Outside the rain was subsiding, for better and worse. Theron grabbed the last leather strap and tied it across his shoulder and his belt. The small scabbards rattled and once again the raven haired woman turned in the bed. She has always been a light sleeper. When he was done sheathing his knives he went over to the small desk in the corner of the cramped, dim lit room. The map over the theatre was lying half rolled up on the wooden surface. Theron picked it up and turned around so that the moonlight shinned upon the parchment. He studied its content for a while before crumbling it.

His boots were still standing beside the featherbed. He paced over to his old dusty footwear and sat down on the edge of the bed. Once again he felt compelled to just lie down and embrace his lover. Ashley's porcelain skin shined in the spotlight of the moon. Carefully he leaned over and kissed her arm, then her neck, then her left breast and finally her belly. Instinctively the woman pulled her quilt further up. Theron couldn't help but smile. He grabbed a hold of the rough quilt and made sure it covered the beauty from toe to shoulder.

When he was done donning his boots he gazed out the window again. The rain was still there. Somewhere on the dark floor his hood and cloak was lying. He bent over and let his hand flow across the floorboards. Finally he found something, but it was only Ashley's velvet undergown. It smelled of her. Carefully Theron put it on a nearby stool and continued searching.

He found the hood under the bed and the raven cloak near the vanity. He donned the garments and grabbed his sword. The old trusty blade had been with him since he came to Idwallia. The sharp edge was made of steel and silver, an old knight's sword. The hilt was long gone, broken off. The owner had died in the war between Ward and Windsor. Theron could barely remember his name anymore. Mayhap that was for the best. The more I forget the better. My life is now.

He slung the scabbard across his back and made sure it was fastened. One last kiss. Bent over he reached in. The raven haired beauty opened her eyes. Sapphires met his gaze and she grabbed his hand, pulling him closer. Passionately she kissed him and he did his best to give her what she wanted. When the moment ended she tugged at his leather gloves. Finally she managed to pull one off.

"Do you have to leave tonight?" she said with a pout. Theron regretted having awoken his lover. He hated good-byes. They reminded him of his sister.

"Yes," he answered curtly. "I have work."

"You always work," Ashley complained and sat up. She pulled the quilt up over her firm bosom.

"And so do you," said Theron back, his tone a sour one. The woman blushed. He never meant to sound harsh.

"You know I have to, last time... I don't want the lashings," she answered with a hint of sadness in her voice. Theron sat down on the bed and caressed the long raven curls. The tangles loosened on his fingertips and she moaned ever so quiet.