Private Tales Upriver

[Rayth Keirn]

"Course," Geelyn replied. "Don't mean...orcs...if that's what yer getting at."

Geelyn crossed her arms back over her chest and broke eye contact with Eislyn. She swung rapidly from an aggressive to defensive body position.

She looked around as if she had forgotten what she had been doing. Pulling up one of the broken chairs she sat down and stared into the fire. Her expression was rather introspective and sullen.

"Bet you two were enjoying talking about nice cushty childhoods, eh?"

 

[Eislyn Gray]

"I...wasn't sure what I was getting at," the back of Eislyn's hand released one arm and went to rub at the back of her neck awkwardly. Moving away from the wall, she moved to stand by the fire, opposite Geelyn, letting her arms relax at her sides. "I grew up around only humans so, forgive me if I offend you or get something wrong."

Eislyn apologized.

"I'm still learning and I have a long way to go." Eislyn wasn't sure how much Geelyn knew about the Iron Fortress and its ruler. She was sure the stories of her father spread and were fairly well-known. Hand rose slowly, fingers spread out, trying to capture the fire's warmth.

A half-smile spread across her lips. "We weren't really enjoying talking," she admitted. "We were mostly yelling at each other." Eyes flickered to Geelyn's. "I'm assuming you did not have a cushy childhood?" Eislyn didn't contradict Geelyn. She knew she'd had a privileged life. It hadn't been easy. But she'd never had to worry about a safe place to sleep or food on the table. She and her sister had plenty of other things to worry about but not that.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Geelyn furrowed her brow. She looked to her left and then to her right. There was a hint of panic in her gaze. She looked thoroughly confused as to what was happening now.

"Umm." Geelyn genuinely wasn't certain what this was, but she was able to swing to being uncomfortable as quickly as she'd passed through the other feelings.

"No, wasn't great. Might be hard to see from ya lofty heights that's what it's like for most."

Geelyn was avoiding Eislyn's gaze now. When confused her natural instinct was to go on the offensive.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Fingers flexed. Gaze shifted to the dancing flames. “I’ll admit, there was much I didn't see before.”

Breath held then slowly exhaled.

“Since my father allowed me to leave the fortress and negotiate, I’ve been exposed more to the realities beyond the iron fortress. And I’m trying to change them.”

Shoulders shrugged. It was clear she was still trapped. Even after this side jaunt. It made her mind churn back to Rayth’s suggestion.

But that didn’t take away from her mission. Even though she met with royals and warring lords, she was a voice for the people. Just like she’d told Rayth. A voice for those who didn’t have one. Even though this situation was keeping her from that.

“Well, until the Paragon boarded my envoy.” Verdant gaze settled pointedly on Geelyn.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Her anger had nowhere to go now. She'd been flustered and now the diplomat was trying to reason with her. Geelyn wasn't sure if this was some kind of trap. It felt like something for Rayth and his big mouth to handle.

Geelyn cast suspicious eyes over Eislyn. She didn't look as if she was up to no good. She looked exhausted.

"G'wan then. If we'd let you go how would you have been looking after the people?" Geelyn was trying to conduct the conversation whilst keeping the demons at bay. The red painted orcs dragging members of her tribe away from their home.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Eislyn pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, eyes casting away from the half-orc's. Legs folded beneath her as she took a seat on her bedroll. The roll and some dried meat were finished off along with some water. Fingers clasped over her lap.

Even standing, Geelyn had been taller than her. Eislyn thought she'd reinforce the point that she didn't think she was above the half-orc by taking a seat on the floor.

"I'd meet with the warring lords. Try to come to a peace treaty. Both sides would have to acquiesce to some losses and some gains. During negotiations we call a temporary peace, so at least those who the nobles treat like expendables won't just continue to die needlessly."

There was more to it than that but she was trying to keep things brief.

Eislyn had other goals and dreams too. Whenever she went on peace talks, she tried to identify opinion leaders within the towns or hamlets and work with them to make improvements for the normal folk who lived there. Schools. More trade-training. Easier access to wells. Magic scholarships.

It didn't always work. Things were hard and there were always a lot of obstacles but Eislyn viewed the work as worth it.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"When there's war, there's profit. It ain't pretty but that's where we make our best coin," said Geelyn. She shrugged and muscles that Eislyn probably didn't even possess crawled over other muscles across her shoulders.

"So you can have my respect, but not my sympathy," Geelyn offered. It was more than Eislyn had been in possession of at the start of the conversation.

"Who's getting sympathy? Is it me?" Compared to Geelyn's vowels of gravel Rayth's voice was distinctly melodic. "I'm going for a wash by the waterfall. Eislyn you can come now before sleep or Geelyn will take you later."

"I ain't walking princess nowhere," Geelyn replied. The half orc didn't hate Eislyn, but the woman's words left her feeling confused in herself and she wanted a break.

"Fine, coming with me now or staying with Brin whilst Geelyn is on watch," Rayth offered.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

She'd take it. Respect of a half-orc, one who saw her just as a job to be fulfilled, was no small thing. Neck turned, head tilting up to look at Rayth as he waltzed into the doorway. Golden brows scrunched up on her forehead.

"Let me get this straight. My options are, if I want to wash, go with you now. Or, Brin who is probably going through the worst withdrawal of his life, will take me later? What about the karakals?"

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"No, he won't take you later, but you can stay here and listen to his tales or his snoring. Depending how much of the rum he's drunk...maybe the former will help you get some sleep though," Rayth added.

There was a little more of the lighthearted mischief in his tone. The one that had left him when their conversation had taken a more serious turn.

"There is a waterfall back up at the highest point of the town. Monsters can't get up there and Geelyn will be on watch."

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Right.

It was go with Rayth now or don't wash at all. She'd been through a lot since her first tumble into the icy waters on their arrival. And she wasn't sure if she'd get another chance at getting cleaner. Even if it meant bending the line of propriety.

Gathering dress fabrics in her hands, she rose slowly.

"Although I'm sure I'd enjoy hearing Brin's tales while he shoots me accusatory glares, I'd much rather wash." Wash the events with the monsters away. Wash away all her fears and doubts. She leveled Rayth with a look. "You'd better not peek, though."

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Rayth suddenly looked quite anxious. It wasn't for the reasons Eislyn might assume. He gave a curt nod and walked across the room to one of the bags. He pulled out a heavy rag and tried to hide rolling a small wooden object into it. He failed.

"Was that...a fucking hair brush?" came Geelyn's voice. It quivered with barely contained amusement.

"Shutit," went Rayth, marching across the room. "Come on," he called to Eislyn. He left to the sound of Geelyns chuckles. They sounded more like a rocky landslide than laughter.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Walking over to her trunk, she flipped the lid open and dug out a bar of soap. Hands also drew out a thick woolen skirt and blouse. They were the most casual clothes that she'd managed to stuff into the trunk before she'd been escorted off her transport. Clutching the bundle, she found herself walking quickly to catch-up to the swashbuckler.

The young woman tried to hold back the smile that threatened to creep over her lips at Geelyn's laughter. The half-orc's relationship with Rayth was very amusing.

"I take it you found Brin in one piece?"

She didn't know why but she found she was trying to save Rayth from some of his own embarrassment.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"Brin is fine. He's just bored of watching the water," Rayth replied. They marched upwards. Sometimes the path gently sloped upwards and other times they had to take stairs. Many of those had felt the touch of time and had started the crumble.

"We should get some rest whilst Geelyn is on watch." It had changed very quickly from a watchman to keep an eye on Eislyn to one on lookout for the dangers below.

The waterfall could be seen from a distance. The low sun caught the spray where it tumbled from the rocks high above. It whispered as it graced the rock face. It roared when its flight was brought to an end. It landed on rocks above the town, but was funnelled into an area that had been dug below the houses. Steps had been cut into the rock, leading down into the water.

"I'd always suspected this was more for collecting fresh water than a bathhouse," Rayth said with a shrug.

"If you stay in one of the houses would you promise not to wander off?" he asked. "And to not tell the others that I asked to borrow your soap? We...don't get to take much out on long voyages..."

 

[Eislyn Gray]

She paused in one of the shafts of sunlight and tilted her face-upwards, savoring the warmth. The part of the cave they'd come in on had hidden these areas where the sun peeked through. Eyes closed.

"I'd like that," she hummed quietly. The rest. Eislyn didn't think passed out from overuse of magic counted as rest. And since she'd tried to escape the night before....well, she was surprised she wasn't dead on her feet, yet.

Eyes cracked open, finding Rayth. She hurried down the steps to catch up. "You may borrow this soap. I can't promise Geelyn or Brin won't smell it on you, though. It's lavender." Whites of her teeth flashed. "And wander off?" The woman huffed. "Where would I even go?"

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"Just...you know it is safest to stay close. I'm assuming you can't over tax your magic," Rayth said. He decided that rather than trying to negotiate he would simply leave that reminder. And then he would hope he wouldn't end up search the ruins for her.

"Or stay in my sight, it doesn't matter."

Regardless of her answer he took the stairs down to the waterside. On a ship like the Paragon there as little room for modesty. His sword belt and boots were first to be discarded and left on the bottom stair.

It turned out he carried more than a few knives on his person. Slender things of fine steel that couldn't drag you underwater. The rest was piled on top in short order and Rayth took three steps that went below the surface before jumping into the deep water with a splash.

It was cold, but the river water had been warmed by the sun far above them. The bite was where it met his fresh wound. He swarm to where the water cascaded down, finding a shelf of rock where he could stand and enjoy it. A small slice of paradise. A secluded retreat for the horrors of the last few days. Nothing that out of the ordinary for the crew of the Paragon, but everyone needed a moment to breathe.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

A single-golden brow lofted. "Of course, for safety. Trust me, I'd rather not be strapped to the mast when your Captain returns." He'd been very clear about what would happen if she decided to hide in the ruins. But after everything that happened, she was well beyond that notion. And unlike Rayth, she didn't know about the other exit out of this place.

She'd like to think Rayth wouldn't let that happen...but then again, she didn't know why she'd like to think that. And she knew Rayth wouldn't go against the Captain. He made it very clear he was a man to follow orders. The princess pointedly looked down and away as Rayth stripped.

Oh my.

Eyes flitted upwards only when he was far enough away for her not to notice...anything.

Unlike Rayth, she was used to privacy. LOTS OF PRIVACY AND DECORUM AND RULES OF DECENCY. And plenty of expectations. Finding a seat on the wet rock, she carefully arranged the dry clothes she would change into. Then she began unlacing her boots, putting them aside and she drew up the fabric of her dress to let her legs slide into the water just below her knees.

Eislyn just happened to pick a spot where a shaft of sunlight was shining on her.

Oooooo, this was glorious.

Looking to the side, she realized something.

"You forgot the soap!" She called, though, she doubted he'd be able to hear her above the roar of the falls.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Rayth did hear her, though it took a moment to put the words together over the rushing water. He gave his hair a shake, locks now jet black and free of the bind. It spread across his shoulders now it was free of his ponytail.

Rayth stepped off the little shelf and was back in deep water. The little shards of light suggested the water was a few metres deep. Solid rock at the base. No monsters lurker here.

He swam across, feeling the little flecks of of spray across his back. Rayth drew up to the underwater stairs. He placed one foot down flat, then the other and then stood up before her. He stood there entire heedless of his state of undress or of how the shard of light she sat in left nothing hidden beneath the surface.

"Would you mind passing it?" he asked jovially. "Good job I have my own room on the ship of there'd be a witch hunt to find who smelled that way," he laughed easily.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Of all the mages in the land.

She stared.

Eyes wanted to blink. They really did. That was the funny thing about shock, one's body didn't often do what one actually wanted it to do. Sunlit cheeks began to pinken. Eyes widened. Fingers finally moved around that bar of soap but she couldn't quite raise her wrist.

"RAYTH Keirn," Lady Eislyn Gray finally managed. Eyes closed as she brought up her hand to blindly hand off the soap. Not trusting herself, her other hand went to firmly cup across her closed eyes.

"You are not being proper," she whispered hoarsely.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

She was almost waving the soap at him, trying to palm it off as quickly as possible. He gently grabbed her wrist to still her arm. His fingertips, rough from working the deck of his ship slowly trailed quite deliberately down the inside of her wrist before he slid the oily bar from her grip.

"Eislyn Gray," he replied. His voice was as smooth as hers was broken. "There is so little time for being proper in this world. Enjoy the view if you wish or just enjoy the pleasant water. But your time will be better spent that way than worrying about rules no one is here to enforce."

Rayth turned away from her and took another step down into the water. He rubbed the bar between his fingers and then worked the suds into his long hair.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Fingers parted between ring and middle finger, catching a full-glimpsed view of his full-moon. Hand lowered as her gaze went to her wet wrist from where his fingers had trailed down. She wiped it on her dress, agitation furrowing her brow.

"I'm not worried about anyone enforcing rules." Couldn't quite take that heat away from her cheeks as she caught his other cheeks a second time. Gaze trailed down to her lap, her own bare legs swinging in the clear, crisp water. Fingers played with the fabric of her dress.

"Would you fault me for not growing up like you?" Not on a ship with little privacy. Not as a man who seemed to have more freedom to be nude around same and opposite sexes. "Would you fault me for being uncomfortable?"

And utterly flustered and flabbergasted.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"No," he said. His voice had dropped an octave. "I would not." There was a tenderness in his reply that could not have been more removed from his original cheek. Another side of the die.

In a way circumstance had whisked him into this life. He liked to pretend that it was all down to choice. Whilst he had decided to stay it was fate that had sent the winds to dash his family ship. The decisions of others had allowed him to remain at sea.

Rayth leaned forwards and dropped his head into the water, quickly washing the soap from his hair. He stood and turned to meet her eye, ignoring where they stood. The difference in their positions was far greater than the steps they stood on, the clothes they wore.

"We are not so short on time. You can wait just a short way from here and I'll call you when done and leave you to wash after. Or just get on with washing now. You should swim over to the where the water comes down, it feels divine. Just enjoy this beautiful little place and accept that I merely improve the view slightly," Rayth said. His tone managed to transition from thoughtful to lighthearted. He hadn't meant to offend her sensibilities quite so thoroughly, so Rayth tried to ease past the awkwardness of the moment.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The heat in her cheeks was still there, maybe not burning so brightly. Eyes managed to find his. She caught the way his wet hair hung along his broad set of shoulders. Scars adorned his skin here and there. He hadn't lived a safe life. She had to wonder what the stories were behind each one that marred flesh.

And it was one thing to see him nude.

Another thing entirely for him to see her so.

But improving the view? "Maybe only slightly," a small smile on her mouth. "I'll wait," she said firmly. "I'd prefer some privacy when I...go in." But she made no move to retreat back to the houses up the stairs. She was okay with staying while he was frolicking about. She'd already seen...everything. Her legs felt too good in the water to move.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Some lessons were written in books. Others, the ones you truly needed to heed, were written into the flesh. Each of the pale lines on his skin was a lesson he could vividly recall. Some reminded him how to tie his knots properly so rigging did not come loose. Others kept his footwork tight when shriekers made the deck of his ship.

"As you wish," he replied. "And I will accept that the view is not to be improved further. If only marginally," he added with a grin. If that didn't earn him a splash he didn't know what would. Rayth built up more suds between his fingers and set the soap down. He shamelessly gave himself a good scrub, barely turning aside.

He slipped back into the deeper water. There he paddled turning to face Eislyn as he kept himself afloat.

"You can swim safely?" he asked.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

If he wanted a splash, he certainly got one. The spray of water would suddenly leap in his direction as her foot kicked out. Head shook even as her eyes managed to smile.

"Well please save some soap for me," feigned disgruntlement left her lips.

Hands gripped the rocky-ledge she perched on, the cool waters licking up her calves. With the Iron Fortress at the base of the Spine, they rarely saw months outside of winter. That left opportunities for swimming few and far-between with lakes well frozen most of the year. And the rivers were always too quickly moving and frigid as ice.

"I've done it once before. I'm sure it's not too hard to pick up again." She'd done it when she'd been eight. "Is it very deep?" She straightened and leaned forward, trying to gauge the distance to the bottom herself.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"Not really, but it is so deep you can't reach the bottom," he called back. He had a huge grin on his face. For once she didn't see him tied down by his duties or having to fight for his life. This was the young man with a free spirit enjoying the moment.

"If you're not certain it would be remiss of me to have you drown in my care. Look, leave your underthings on but take off your dress and see if you can swim out to me. Trust me, you want to enjoy the waterfall itself," Rayth said, swimming to within arms reach.