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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:12:24 GMT -5
That was perhaps fortunate for him because Rauni had withdrawn from them as far as the stool would let her, her face turned away. For a few minutes maybe she'd forgotten exactly who these men were but she wasn't going to again. They were her captors, no more, no less. She was nothing to them except cargo.
Emeric shook his head and sighed, laying down money on the bar for the drinks. "Come on, Rauni, let's get you back."
When he tried to take her arm, she pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself, refusing to look at either of them, her eyes blank and cold.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:14:59 GMT -5
"Rauni, don't resist," Vladik said softly, tilting his head towards her face. "Don't make this hard for yourself."
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:18:33 GMT -5
The look of utter contempt she lanced at him didn't need to be translated into words. What the hell do YOU care?
She followed Emeric but wouldn't let him touch her. Emeric silently locked the chain around her ankle again and she climbed into the wagon where he locked her up.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:23:34 GMT -5
And the night had been going so well... Why was he trying to win her over anyway?
He pushed himself from the bar and walked out. He avoided the wagon and walked to the trees. He climbed up an old oak and perched himself atop a thick branch, crossing his arms and his legs, wanting to be alone with his thoughts.
Most likely, he'd fall asleep this way. He'd done it plenty of times.
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:29:23 GMT -5
Emeric let him alone, pausing long enough to tell him there was some money in a pouch in a small hidden door at the front of the wagon if he wanted a room for the night, there were plenty in the inn.
Rauni tested the door halfheartedly but she'd have to be careful trying to wear the runes away. She didn't have the energy at any rate. She slipped back into the corner and curled up again, staring into the familiar darkness.
It was later in the night she heard sounds outside her wagon. She opened her eyes and froze, listening silently. There it was again. A shuffling sound, muffled whispers and perhaps a giggle. She frowned, lifting her head. Several people it sounded like. One of them was at the door, trying to pick the lock
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:33:30 GMT -5
He thanked Emeric for the thoughtful offer, but chose to remain where he was.
He cracked an eye open as he heard strangers in the camp, lifting his head and searching for intruders. Trespassers were hanging around the wagon, and it looked to him that they were stirring around mischief. Perhaps they were thieves, looking for hidden treasure.
Vladik dropped from the tree. "Hey!" He shouted to them. "Get away from there!"
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:35:28 GMT -5
They were a group of teenagers, three boys and a young woman. One of the boys was young and stupid enough to argue with him. "We just want to see it!"
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:37:17 GMT -5
He darted towards them, growling like a wild animal. The flash of silver in the moonlight showed that he was armed with an intent to use force, a show of intimidation that may scare them off without violence.
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:39:21 GMT -5
It worked like a charm. They scattered like mice before the cat, terrified.
Rauni, sitting near the door, cocked her head, listening silently.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:42:13 GMT -5
"Stay away from here, lest you feel my blades," he yelled after them, sheathing his weapons. He walked over to the wagon, and sat himself near the rear, so his presence would detour any more visitors.
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:46:05 GMT -5
Eventually there was the quiet sound of chains clanking as she moved away from the door. Not long after, when everything had quieted down, the faint sound came from within the wagon he'd only had a short glimpse of earlier in the journey. Rauni was singing...in her own way. A soft hum that seemed to follow the paths of the breeze flowing through the air around them, soft chirrups and trills that wove into the air as well.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 15, 2010 2:49:54 GMT -5
He smiled a little as he listened. She felt safe now, and by the way the song wove around the night, here and there, he felt she may feel some sliver of happiness as well. Her emotions were wild, unpredictable. He liked this Rauni better.
He tilted his head and started to hum a little as her singing had gone on for a time, in compliment to her notes.
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Post by KD on Dec 15, 2010 2:56:59 GMT -5
Eventually she must have drifted off to sleep because her humming faded away and she was silent all through the night and the following morning as they prepared to leave.
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Post by Jenny on Dec 16, 2010 0:20:36 GMT -5
Vladik eventually fell asleep when he felt it was late enough that there would be no one around to bother him. He stirred at first light, standing up to stretch out the kinks caused by using the wagon as a back rest. He paused for a moment, tilting his head to listen inside the wagon. She had gone silent.
In time, everyone accounted for themselves, looking well rested and in good spirits from the pleasant time they had the night before.
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Post by KD on Dec 16, 2010 1:28:06 GMT -5
Markus sent him a superior look as he rejoined the group. Obviously the fact he'd spent the night with a woman and Vladik hadn't was some kind of victory for him.
Emeric joined them not long after and they got on the road.
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