Maevrim took a deep breath before stepping out onto the streets in her new—and very uncomfortable—clothes. She pulled the brim of her hat low over her eyes, leaving just enough clear to see where she stepped and where the Paladin in front of her turned. Crossing the main square of the Trade District, she muttered to herself the inadequacies of mundane clothing; fully dressed, she felt naked. 1
“No more playing with Templares,” Keruptis had warned her. For days now, she had noticed a Paladin following her and wearing a tabard of the Caelestis Templares. One evening, this Templare woman had even tried to follow Maevrim to the secret home she shared with Keruptis along the coast of Silithus.2
Her life seemed to be inundated with Templares these days. She grinned at the memory of the sacrifice the night before. I imagine they’ll be fairly upset when they find her missing. She stifled the urge to laugh at the thought. 3
Maevrim looked up to find herself striding past the Templare she had been following. Cursing herself, she met his eyes with a broad smile, walking past him and to the mailbox. She pretended to check for mail she knew wouldn’t be there; by the time she looked over her shoulder again, he was gone.4
“My Lady, I almost didn’t recognize you. It seems we have both been shopping.” The soft voice made Maevrim jump in surprise.5
“Chiabella, are you feeling well today?” Maevrim frowned slightly, her eyebrow arching as she followed the plunging neckline that fell nearly to Chiabella’s navel. “Where is your bloodrobe? I thought you would never take it off, considering the sacrifice you paid for it.”6
Chiabella blushed under the scrutiny. “Is it too revealing, do you think? I still do not always remember what is appropriate.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable with more than just the robe. “I am more worried about Ivyssa since last night’s event. She is unwell.”7
Maevrim’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Perhaps we should return to our house. She is resting there, yes?”8
Chiabella nodded and began walking. Maevrim threw one last desperate glance over the square, hoping to see that damn Paladin. Sighing, she followed Chiabella.9
Maevrim settled into her favorite of the numerous chairs, watching Chiabella slide quietly into her usual spot two seats away. They spoke about Ivyssa for a moment more, then each slipped into her own reverie. 10
“Will you tell me now, about the night at the sacrificial grounds...about the fire?” It was Chiabella who finally broke the silence. 11
Maevrim’s face drew together in worry. How can she not remember the sacrifice?! What does she expect me to say… She suddenly remembered—the night that Ivyssa told her she was pregnant. Maevrim and Keruptis had simply been sitting close together around the campfire before the Shadow Priestess’ arrival. While Ivyssa drew her aside to confess to Maevrim what she suspected, Chiabella had questioned the Dark Lord. Later that evening, Chiabella declared that she’d wished to know why they’d been sitting so close, and that Keruptis had told her to ask Maevrim. Concerned with the startling news she’d received, Maevrim had brushed Chiabella’s interrogation aside with an “Ask me again later.”12
Now Maevrim searched her memories for a point of comparison, to explain this concept to Chiabella. She knew they’d discussed such things before…without much luck. 13
Chiabella and Maevrim stood outside what remained of the Shady Rest Inn; Chiabella watched as Maevrim studied the centaur hoofprints leading away from the inn. “Dareca spoke to me again, my Lady.”14
Maevrim’s blood began to boil at the sound of that name. “And what did she say to you? You know you’re not supposed to go near her since the incident with Redina.”15
Chiabella spoke innocently, in an earnest effort to learn. “She spoke of love, and asked me if I knew what it was. She said she loved our Lord.”16
Maevrim rose, forgetting the hoofprints. “Did she now? And did she explain this to you at all?”17
Chiabella shook her head. “She spoke of feelings, and emotions…things I still do not understand. Can you explain it to me?”18
Maevrim smiled wryly, “I doubt that Dareca and myself understand it much more.” She sighed, thinking back to her first love. “Chiabella, you know the bond we share with our Demons? That is very near to love…”19
“We spoke of such things once before, in the Barrens…just after Redina’s attack on us. You remember, Chiabella?”20
Chiabella blinked and nodded, her eyes showing more comprehension than the first time.21
Maevrim smiled in quiet triumph, proud of the advances her student had made…and the changes since the last conversation on the subject. “What does it mean to you, the bond between yourself and your demons?”22
“It means we are devoted to each other…we strengthen one another.”23
The smile deepened. “Yes, Chiabella—that is how it is with Lord Keruptis and myself.”24
Chiabella frowned, still confused. Maevrim decided to try a slightly different approach.25
“When he and I first met, it was as if the Darkness within me reached out to connect with the Darkness within him…you understand this?”26
Comprehension dawned once more in Chiabella’s look. She nodded.27
“And since then, it grows ever stronger, the Dark energy flowing freely between us. We sit close so that the bond is stronger.The closer we are, the more we seem to be one...rather than two beings seperated by these fragile shells.”28
Chiabella nodded, now sure of herself. “And this is what Dareca spoke of?”29
Maevrim looked down, her eyes following the outline of the bearskin rug before her. “No, sometimes there are different ways to love. She spoke of something like it…but I’m sure…” She chuckled a moment, caught in her own emotions. “I’m sure that I love him far greater than Dareca ever did…or than I ever have before.”30
Maevrim smiled to herself. There, I’ve said it to someone, aloud. She decided to share a bit more with Chiabella.31
“Do you know, Chiabella, why you sense a second presence within me?”32
To her surprise, Chiabella nodded sagely. “Yes!”33
Maevrim almost stuttered, “Well..then, why?” Perhaps Ivyssa spoke with her on it.34
Chiabella’s response was equally as surprising, although she spoke with assurance. “Because it is like me!”35
The now-familiar sense of being overwhelmed washed over Maevrim. “How…how is it like you?”36
“Some of the blood in that one’s veins is the same as mine.” The innocent honesty was in Chiabella’s tone for the first time that evening. “Although that one is small, there is great power! And it grows quickly.”37
It was Maevrim’s turn to begin understanding. “Perhaps that is why it drains me so…” She looked up, pale. “It is times such as this that I need to feel the bond between Lord Keruptis and myself. Forgive me, I must go lay down.”38
Chiabella met her gaze with a look that described exquisitely painful loneliness. Maevrim hesitated to leave a moment, then realized that the loneliness was not on account of her. She made a mental note to speak later with Chiabella on that. 39
“Rest well, Lady Maevrim. May Darkness embrace you.”40
Maevrim nodded and wearily turned to climb the steps, collapsing onto the bed and curling into a tight ball. 41
What do I do now?42
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