Completed Breaker of Chains

[Quacey]

Quacey was being a bit mischievous indeed with his words. A hint that he was aware of her desire to stab him after all of this wrapped up in a compliment about her piercing beauty. Scars and burns did not matter for his assessment.

The fae chuckled when Ethir spoke after the tailor left. Did he think himself funny? Perhaps. The enjoyment was less about his words and more her reactions. So in a way you could say she was the funny one to him.

"More clever than humorous. No need to be so on edge. Your words might cut me deep otherwise."

Oh yes. Clever indeed. His dad blood was pumping strong in his veins. Sadly his children were not old enough to appreciate his wit yet and so he must settle for Ethir. She should feel honored.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir rolled her eyes, and moved to look around the rest of the little shop, looking at other pieces of clothing on display.

A few minutes later, the woman came back with more clothing in her arms. She had a couple of tunics in a similar shade of green and some fleece lined leggings to go with them. Ethir drifted over, her annoyance with Quacey forgotten as the woman spread out the clothes on a table. She explained some of their features, and that Ethir could pick out what she wanted and she would alter it to the same measurements she had taken earlier.

Ethir nodded excitedly, pointing out a couple green shirts and pants she liked. "Your stitch work is beautiful," Ethir said, running her fingers over the fabric. The woman smiled at Ethir, and said she would make all the alterations and have it ready for them to pick up the next morning, when her shop opened.

Ethir nodded and turned to Quacey.

 

[Quacey]

His words so clever and wise ignored by his female companion, Quacey began to look through the clothing as well. His search focused upon nothing in particular other than perhaps something for himself or his children. Most of the attire within these walls were made for practical use. Travel and labor as most who spent their coin were upon the road or worked field or timber or mine. It was the sort of clothing he often found himself in despite his station.

In particular he found some garments in shades of black and dark grays. None near his size as the mountain of a fae stood out purely based on height and broad build alone. But there was some cloth that might suit babies. Thick enough to stave off chill and cold. The right color that stains might hide. He picked them up as the owner and Ethir spoke once more.

After Ethir turned to him, Quacey looked at her and then approached. He held up a pair of blankets. One a similar shade of gray as he often wore and the other a lighter shade. "Do you think these would make good blankets to wrap babies in?"

His mind had shifted from his mischief towards Ethir to his doting towards his children.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir blinked as he walked up to her, holding up a two lengths of gray fabric. "Blankets? Those aren't blankets, at least not ones that should be used to wrap babies in, especially not yours. You have money, don't you? And these colors are obscene." She said, taking the 'blankets' from Quacey. She was suddenly animated as she moved past him.

She pulled out a soft fleece blanket that was a soft mauve color and handed it to him. "See? Feel that. Much softer, and much prettier." She let him have the blanket and rifled through the basket of blankets until she found another one that was the color of a cloudless sky. "Gods, this is soft," she muttered to herself, before handing the second blanket to Quacey.

She was about to say something else when her eye was caught by a wall of nothing but rolls of different fabrics. She drifted over to it, as if in a daze, her wide-eyed gaze scanning all the patterns and textures. "I could make something out of this," she said, almost to herself. "Something for your babies," she added, looking over her shoulder at Quacey.

 

[Quacey]

The fae wasn't sure what to say or do when his companion suddenly became so animated telling him how he had done something foolish. Not blankets? They seemed like ones for babies to him. Then she was off and grabbing some other ones and telling him how much softer and prettier they were. He felt them and had to agree. An important aspect had been overlooked it seemed when he was looking for the blankets. Utility and comfort were meant to pair up together yet he had ignored one of them.

When she went to the wall he followed and heard her words spoke under her breath. Then his gaze went from her back to the wall. "Would you mind? It seems I have much to learn still on these matters and do not wish to neglect my children in any way."

The fae returned the gray cloth back where he had gotten them from and held onto the ones Ethir had gotten him. Then he returned to her. He looked at the fabric. "Could you perhaps find something in a color like that of the Twins kissed sky?"

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir nodded. Much to learn, indeed. He was lucky she was there.

She turned when he had another question for her, and she nodded. She wasn't exactly sure what the "Twins kissed sky" was supposed to look at it but she assumed it was similar to dusk or twilight. Couldn't he have just said that instead of making it all complicated and fancy? She shook her head. Poets.

She found a roll of fabric in color that couldn't seem to decide if it was purple or blue. She supposed she could call it indigo but it seemed to hold more depth than just one color. She wondered where in the world this woman got these fabrics in these colors.

"Would this work?" she asked, pulling out a bit from the roll to show Quacey. Upon closer inspection, she could see that there were shimmery threads woven throughout, giving it a silvery sheen.

 

[Quacey]

The fabric she brought to him was impressive and something more suited to a large mortal settlement like Vel Anir, Oban, Alliria, or Elbion. How it had found a home in this modest house of clothing was a mystery yet welcome one. He took it and examined it with a hmm.

"This will work well Ethir. Thank you. Twins' blessed your eyes and hands."

The fae began to wonder what she saw within the folds of the material. How similar he imagined it must be to when he looked upon a blank page or parchment. Possibilities without end. Creativity in its most chaotic and free of form.

"What will you make from it?"

His gaze went to her own. This was for his children after all and he felt some excitement as well as anxiety.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir gave Quacey a rare, genuine smile, her previous anger at him forgotten. "I could probably make a little dress or a tunic out of this," she said thoughtfully, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. It was soft, but might be a little stiff for a little set of pajamas.

At the thought of pajamas she scanned the rest of the wall, looking for a softer fabric. She found a soft, navy blue fabric with embroidered silver stars on it and she hurried over to that roll of fabric on the wall.

She ran her fingers over it excitedly. She could spend hours and all of Quacey's money in this store, but she knew they would need to get other things like food. She also still needed undergarments and shoes; the boots she had on were not only too big, but also scuffed and dirty from traipsing around in the woods.

When the woman returned from the back, Ethir asked for a couple yards of each of the two fabrics. Once they had been cut and set up front for Quacey to pay for, Ethir went looking for undergarments. Upon finding some, she added them to the stack on the counter. She could not help the blush that crept across her face. The woman asked that they pay for the clothes in advance; the cost of the fabrics would be included. When the woman told them the price, she looked at Quacey nervously, wondering if she had spent too much of his money.

 

[Quacey]

A tunic or dress. Both would be acceptable clothing for one child or the other. A pleased nod was his reply to her comment as his mind began to go over more things his kids might need and what things he should change in light of this idea of comfort and utility that Ethir had enlightened him upon. So it was with this distraction that she was able to get what else she needed in the store in peace.

When the owner asked for payment, Quacey provided it without second thought or care for the price. His payment was once again in the form of uncut gems, which got a look of suspicion from her yet acceptance of the payment. His funds were getting lower but still good for now. Certainly he could not be blamed for not expecting to need the amount that was currently required of him.

Once it was all said and done, Quacey turned to Ethir.

"It would seem we need to procure lodgings for another evening. Any preferences or shall we do what we did the night before room wise?"

For him it was perfectly fine for them to share a bed. He had nothing to be ashamed of and it was always pleasant having another's warmth near. But not all shard his views on it. For some warmth was an unbearable heat and invitation for unacceptable temptations.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Quacey paid the price with no complaints and Ethir was grateful. She was just about to thank him when he spoke first.

"What we did the night before was fine," she said casually, knowing the woman was listening to their conversation.

She took the bag of fabrics and walked back towards the door out of the store. Clouds were gathering and it looked as if it might rain soon. Ethir rather liked rain, it would minimize the number of lingering gazes.

"Should we continue shopping until it rains?" she asked, looking up at the sky. Best get what they needed to get done first, so they could spend the rest of the afternoon in whatever room they would get. Or rather, that Quacey would get.

 

[Quacey]

The fae nodded not really paying enough attention to the fact the shop owner could over hear them. What did it matter if she had? It was not as if sharing a bed was so scandalous. So far it seemed the mortals believed the pair to be spouses as it was. It would be more unusual if they didn't share a bed at an inn for the night.

Eventually Ethir brought up rain and suggested they continue shopping. Quacey nodded and held out his arm for her. Eventually he would take the bag from her but for now it seemed proper she get to feel the weight of something that was truly her's once again.

The general dry goods store was not far from the tailor shop. All the shops were located near the central town square along with a stalls operated by locals outside the town walls. The fae would lead the pair inside holding the door for her to enter. The owner of this shop was an older man balding on top yet not fully there. A younger version of himself was not far away doing some manual labor.

There was few goods in the small front on display as the owner stood behind the counter. He eyed the pair and then said not addressing one more than the other, "What do you need? Can get it from the back. Got preferences state them now."

Quacey smiled to the man. "Three water skins. Tent large enough for two. Bedrolls. Blankets. Packs. Cooking utensils for camping." Then he turned to Ethir and gave her a look letting her know it was her turn. The owner took the hint and also looked to Ethir as well waiting. A piece of barkpaper was in front of him with the current list of supplies written on it.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir took Quacey's arm as they walked to what looked like a general store. From the windows, it appeared to have just about anything you could think of, especially for travelling. She supposed it made sense, most people coming through here were travellers and likely did not intend to stay long.

The older man was short and curt, and not very friendly. She was silent as Quacey listed off a few things they would need for the travels. Then suddenly both the man's and Quacey's eyes were on her, waiting for her input.

"A bag to carry our supplies, kindling and flint for a fire..." she paused as she thought, but she could not think of anything else she would need. "I think that's it." Now it was her turn to pin her gaze on Quacey. She was nervous and shaking a bit from having to speak but she had spoken, hadn't she? It was progress, as far as she was concerned.

Suddenly she remembered something, but it wasn't something they would find in this store, and when they had arrived, she didn't think she had seen an apothecary. She ought to drink some sort of tonic, preferably one without iron in it, to prevent pregnancy, since she hadn't had any since she slept with Quacey. She calmed her nerves a bit by reminding herself it was extremely unlikely she would get pregnant, what with Fae fertility and what her body had already been through.

 

[Quacey]

When she mentioned the supplies he just raised his brow. The owner just nodded then glanced at Quacey and saw the raised brow. The balding man turned his attention towards Ethir once more. The fae cleared his throat a bit as he looked at the female.

"Ethir, did you not need a comb, mirror, nor other sundries anymore?"

The owner called back at his younger self to get the nice goods. The younger man stopped what he was doing and just made an affirmative grunt before leaving. After that the owner looked back to the fae pair. He studied over Ethir more closely then leaned against the counter.

"Your wife need a mix for her injuries? Got a great herb mixer in town. About a block down the west road out front."

Quacey frowned slightly at the man then looked to Ethir to see how she reacted to it all. Then he moved in closer and tapped her hand with his own so she knew she could take it if she wanted.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir looked at Quacey with a deadpan expression. A comb and mirror, really? First of all, she hadn't looked in a true mirror in quite some time, and she wouldn't need a comb or brush to brush her hair out of her face, she liked it in her face to hide her scars. Which it seemed the older man noticed anyway, when he called her Quacey's wife and asked Quacey if she would be needing any herbal remedies for her scars and burns. A bit too late for that.

Her first reaction was to be offended that he had asked Quacey instead of her, even though she had proven she was capable of speaking and listening. But as his words sank in, she realized there was indeed an apothecary in town, and the chances of them having some sort of preventative tonic were very high. Her stomach did a flip and she felt vaguely nauseous.

She swallowed hard and worked up some courage, before tucking her hair behind her pointed ears and staring the older man dead in the eyes. "I can speak for myself just fine, and I'm not injured, they're just scars," she replied, her voice more steady than she felt. She clasped her hands together in order to hide that they were shaking.

The man shrugged and took the list he had made for them into the back, where the young man still was. While they were gone, Ethir took long, slow deep breaths in an attempt to calm her racing heart and mind. Suddenly she was 16 again, refusing to take the tonic Orion had given her.

The two men returned with a bag of their supplies, and the older man wrote up what Quacey owed him. Ethir waited, her mind not in the shop with the others.

 

[Quacey]

The fae watched as Ethir took offense to the behavior of the store owner. The balding man seemed unphased by her words and just waited for her to be done then yelled back for his younger version to stop getting the nice goods. Then he went back to help get everything ready after sliding the bill over to Quacey.

He picked it up and examined it. Seemed higher than it should, but he was unfamiliar with what mortals placed their values upon. For the fae it would be things of beauty, good taste, and devourability. For mortals it just seemed to be what would get them more stuff so they could use it to get even more stuff after that. An endless cycle of greed and envy. The fae may be lustful hedons but they rarely let themselves place value into worthless things the way mortals did.

Once they had their things, paid, and had left; he looked over at Ethir. An arm was placed around her waist and he squeezed gently. A reminder she wasn't alone right now.

"What would you like to do next?" Quacey grew quiet a moment before adding, "Would you like some time alone with your thoughts?"

He wasn't sure what she needed or wanted right now but a moment away from him might be one of them. After the way that mortal had behaved it was possible she wanted some space.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir walked out of the store with Quacey. She started a bit and looked up at him when his arm slid around her waist and she was grateful he wasn't prodding.

When he asked what she wanted to do next, she was silent for a moment. After Quacey had spoken again, she shook her head. "No, I'll be fine, I..." she paused, thinking. "I think I need to lay down." Not go to the apothecary and get a preventative tonic. She realized after the words were out of her mouth that she had apparently already made her decision. She was putting her fate in the gods hands. The chances were so low that she would get pregnant, and even if she did, she would want to keep it.

Sealing her fate, she subconsciously leaned into Quacey's side, his arm still around her. Her knees felt weak and she was tired after walking around for so long. She knew she should eat too, but her stomach was still a bit queasy and she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep it down.

 

[Quacey]

The listened and nodded to her after she finished speaking. She needed to lay down. He could understand how she felt. Newly freed. From enslavement. From the illusion of traditional beauty. From the shelter against reality. She needed to face the issues she had tried to hide from for so long once more with no shield. As bad as life was for her before she at least had a flimsy shield to rely upon. Now there was none. A chance to truly push past her fears and concerns. A chance for them to wound her deeper than they already had.

Quacey let her lean into him and kept his arm around her as they traveled. Along the way he asked about the local inns. There was three of them. One was expensive and intended for wealthier individuals. One was comfortable in price and room. The last was little better than a stall in a stable for those with the strictest of budgets. The last was not an option.

"Which would you prefer Ethir? The Green Hills or the Midhearth Inn?"

The Green Hills Inn was the expensive one. The Midhearth Inn was the comfortable one. He wanted her to get what she was the most comfortable with.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir was glad when Quacey nodded. As the pair walked down the street, he asked about inns in the town and it turned out there were three, and she had options. She had never made this many choices in such a short period of time, but she rather enjoyed thinking and acting for herself. So far, at least.

"Midhearth will be fine," she replied softly. She already felt a bit guilty for spending so much of Quacey's money and she didn't want to spend any more of it than she had to.

She figured that they would spend the night in an inn and then pick up Ethir's clothes tomorrow morning before continuing on their journey to Quacey's home. She wondered how far away his house still was and wondered if they might be able to get a horse or some other sort of travel that didn't involve walking.

 

[Quacey]

Midhearth Inn was her choice. Was it due to the price or just a sense of modesty? The reason wasn't a concern so long as she was comfortable. He nodded once more then began to head in the direction that had been provided. A trip that proved to not be that long as the inns remained near the square like the shops to make things as convenient as possible for travelers and locals from outside the walls as possible.

The inn proved to be a bit unique for the region. The name had come from how the center of the inn was a long fire pit acting as a hearth. It was similar to a nordenfir meadhall in structure but with the local flair. Everything ringed around it from the rooms to the tables and chair. It held a somewhat social aura about it in a way that other inns felt more private with their rooms.

Quacey approached the front desk. The host there looked up and asked if they would like a single room or two. A single bed or two. He looked to Ethir. It was her choice yet again. Certainly she had said before that the same single bed in a single room would be fine, but her feelings might have changed since then given the circumstances of the general store owner.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Just when Ethir thought she might be able to finally rest, another choice was brought before her. It carried more significance than the man behind the counter was aware of.

She wondered why he even asked; with Quacey's arm around her and how she was leaning into him she would've thought the man would just have assumed, like they had at the first inn.

But she knew herself well enough to know that if he had assumed she would have been ruffled, like she had at the first inn. These choices were not only giving her freedom but reminding her that now she could be responsible and face the consequences of her choices. Her choices would not be made for her any longer.

"One room with one bed," she said, pausing a moment before adding, "Please."

 

[Quacey]

The host nodded when she answered and then offered a smile at the addition of the please. Quacey watched it with a raised brow and a slight smirk forming on his face. Should he give into his inner fae mischief again? No doubt she would loathe being teased about this decision she made on her own.

The fae paid for a night and was given the room number and key. He thanked the host then headed towards the room with Ethir. What they were provided was a room much like the one from the previous inn only this one contained more space and a slightly larger table. He began to put their items up in the trunk after locking the door behind them for privacy.

"Do you require a drink or food Ethir? I can procure us something in a moment if you wish to lay down."

The fae gave a brief pause. He gave in. "Or would you rather claim me right now?"

An impish smirk was upon his lips.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir walked into the room with Quacey. He moved away from her to set their items down on a trunk at the end of the bed. The room was very similar to the first inn, but more spacious and more comfortable.

She turned back to Quacey when he spoke. She was about to answer when he spoke again, that familiar mischief glinting in his eyes. She gave him a glare but it was weak and there was no real hate behind it.

"Is that all you can think about?" she asked, moving to the bed. She sat down on the edge and pulled off her boots.

She was avoiding his question and she knew he knew but she had made plenty of decisions today and her head hurt and she didn't really want to make any more.

 

[Quacey]

The fae could hear how soft her response back to him was. He also did notice how she had avoided answering his question from before. A fact that just made him feel more mischievous. How could he not when she gave such lovely reactions?

"It is not. Much how you never answered my questions. Nor how you never denied being my wife in front of the mortals. It makes one wonder what you could be thinking about and desire my dear Ethir."

With that he just gave her an impish grin then finished getting their stuff into the trunk in a sense of organization. Then he stood up and looked at her sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Rest. I will get us something to eat and drink until you are feeling well enough for an actual meal."

Her squeezed her shoulder then left the room. Some juice and a snack like dried nuts or fruit seemed appropriate. If she wished for something heartier then they could venture back into the town for it.

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir pretended she couldn't hear Quacey as he finished unloading their stuff into the trunk. When he was done, he came over to her side, saying he'd get some food. He squeezed her shoulder before he left. She swung her feet up onto the bed and laid down, not bothering to get underneath the covers.

It would not take long for her to drift off to sleep. She would not notice when Quacey came back into the room.

Soreness still echoed in some of her muscles, and she knew that likely wouldn't go away any time soon. She had spent a lot of time walking and outdoors, and her feet and legs were sore for it. She also had the beginnings of a sunburn, but she didn't know it yet. She hadn't had to expose her pale, sensitive skin to the elements much, even as a child.

 

[Quacey]

There was no juice available at the inn. The time of year seeing to this unfortunate event. Wine, beer, water, or an herbal tea was all they could do. A decision that would need to be made. So he went with a mint tea for her. Hopefully it would calm her stomach and mind.

A bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruits was given along with the tea. Quacey accepted, paid, and returned.

The fae found Ethir asleep on the bed. Not in but on. Had she truly been so tired? He set the food and drink upon the table then sat down. His journal was pulled out and he began to read through it. After awhile he went to the trunk and retrieved his writing supplies.

Quacey sat back down and began to write.

Ethir