The Past Undying, Redeux [Attn: Ravak Darrow Gaidin]

[Bella]

A fallen log and a cleared off space was enough to form a place for them while they were camping but not yet asleep. It hadn't taken too much time to gather a bit of wood and kindling while Ravak was ensuring the safety of the area, and the task was familiar. She had made camp more often than she could remember and built fires more times than she could count.

Once arranged, she lit it--the old-fashioned way, even. She was cautious of using the One Power frivolously while out of the Tower, and especially when in the Blightborder. Who knew what might be lingering in the area?

"Aye, I could eat," she replied as she glanced at him. She used a stick to prod the fire, stoking it to grow a little and help warm them both from the chill in the Borderland air. She set aside the stick, which did not yet burn, and rose to her feet. She moved to where she'd set the saddlebags and fished out what she'd need to prepare their meal.

Returning to sit on the log again, right next to where he warmed his hands, she said, "Although I find as the years pass, I require less to sustain me. "I enjoy a good meal, of course, but food and sleep seem like increasingly less of a requirement with each passing decade." She glanced at him sidelong, wondering if he'd ask. Most were curious.

"It's been many of those," she added a moment later. An almost teasing light glinted in her blue-green eyes, the fire dancing and adding its own glint. "It makes me a good traveling companion, though. I know some of my Sisters may dispute the idea, but I will take a turn at the watch tonight so you can get some rest."

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak waved his hands in protest. "I couldn't possibly ask you to." But then, he hadn't asked; she had offered. And that thing about the sleep? Well, it probably wasn't a lie -- an odd thing to lie about. That clammed his mouth shut, and he dropped his arms onto his lap. "I mean, thank you Miahala, that's appreciated. I'm quite happy to stay up all night so that you can rest, however." He still had to protest, if only out of politeness.

He felt a bit shy about their proximity to one another on the log. Admittedly, it was the only place to sit, aside from the wet ground, but... They didn't know each other well, and Rav couldn't help but think it was a bit too cosy for two relative strangers. Maybe it was because she was Green. Or maybe it was because she was the Miahala Sedai.

Forcing down the anxiety, he hovered his fingers near the flame, and mentally berated himself for his foolishness. What exactly did he think was about to happen? He wasn't about to be bonded and sent off on some suicide mission for her amusement. What else could possibly have him so uppity? He knew the rumours about Greens and their proclivities for being close with their Warders, but this was Miahala. And I'm not her Warder. This was just a simple escort mission. One night here, and the next night they'd be at the Redoubt. There was literally no time for anything untoward to happen.

Ravak settled back on the log and got himself comfy. Everything was fine; everything would be alright. Well, at least between the two of them. Where's a bloody Trolloc for distraction when you need one?

The Shienaran just watched quietly as the Green sister got things out for the meal. The silence was comforting, if only because it started to be matched by a stillness of his own thoughts.

The sounds of food cooking roused him from his meditation. Instinctively he sniffed, even though it had been years since he had smelt anything. "Smells good," he guessed. He scratched at his beard. "Miahala, I've a question, if you don't mind. I wanted to ask about... about your death." If there was a better way to approach that, Rav couldn't think of it. "You were... dead, right? How did you... become un-dead?"

[Bella]

If there was one topic that she could always be assured would be on someone's mind when they were around her, it would be this. However, the difference lay in that not everyone was willing to speak of it. After all, as Ravak had just proven, it wasn't the easiest of conversations to smoothly roll one's self into.

Still, despite his obvious uncertainty around her and even anxiety, she was impressed that he was one of the few who came right out and asked. Directness was a quality she appreciated, most of the time.

Mia smiled sidelong at him. "Yes, I was," she said, turning back to the food for a moment. "Stabbed in the stomach by the Darkfriend bastard son of my second husband." Well, nothing like just putting it out there. Her eyes flickered up and that smile still remained, the combination of the three--her eyes, her smile, and her words--being among what made people think her...a little crazy at times.

"Don't worry. I electrocuted him before I died," she reassured him, because of course he'd been worried about that.

She turned back to the food, which being typical travel repast didn't take much to get it going. She had it warming over the fire just a few moments later and continued speaking. "I've been told that Caden carried my body off to the Borderlands, home, and died therein to follow me." That news had not surprised her, though there was a part of her that had never forgiven him for leaving their son.

"How did I come back?" With the food settled, she turned on the log a bit to face him. If their proximity bothered her, it didn't show. One got over these things after more than a century of life, and death, and life again. "That, ah, is the question. No one has yet been able to answer it for me. All I know is that I woke closer to the Blight, with new pain and new scars, lost years and no answers."

[Craig]

Ravak

He'd forgotten just how mad Saldaean women could be. Most people would twist their mouth at the mention of being stabbed in the stomach, but not Miahala. It seemed to Rav that there was a sense of pride in her admission. She had been stabbed, and yet here was was! She'd been stabbed, but she still got her killer in the end!

Why he should have expected any other reaction he did not know, thinking back at it.

But the rest was heart-rending. Her husband and Warder had died because she had, yet she had ended up surviving him. And killed by a Darkfriend within her own family, even if not by blood. It made the nature of Kaira's ancestry seem like a baseless complaint by comparison. He couldn't even begin to fathom such a thing. Kaira as a Darkfriend? That would probably kill him quicker than any dagger could. His fists clenched on his knees.

Ravak twisted around so he could face Miahala properly. He bore an expression of heartfelt sympathy. "I apologise for my question, I didn't mean to offend you. I..." He struggled to think of the words to say. What could words do to adequately cover all of that? Sorry that your husband and Warder died. Sorry that you lost the opportunity to see your son growing up. Sorry that you had to re-enter this world with no answers, just to find out everyone has moved on without you. Sorry didn't quite pass muster.

If this was Kaira he wanted to comfort, he would have held her tight and stroked her hair, making plans to right whatever wrongs had befallen her whilst saying everything would be alright. If he was speaking to Katrie, he would either cut in with a joke or make an earnest pledge to assist her in her issues. But this was Miahala, and he didn't have the words to comfort her, nor the ability to make any promises to heal her scars.

Instead, Rav leant in towards her, placing a now-warmed hand on her cheek. There was a question in her blue-green eyed glance. He'd never noticed what colour her eyes were before this; he quite liked the mix of colours he'd uncovered. "I'm sorry," he said in a near whisper, as he leant in further, and tried to comfort her with his lips.

[Bella]

Well, now that was unexpected.

There were many responses to the things that Mia spoke of. She had witnessed most of them, been told of others, and just plain guessed at the rest. Truth was, she'd probably felt most of them herself. After crawling away from where she'd arisen, those months with her family had been...emotionally tenuous at best.

This, however, she could not have anticipated. 'Hey, I was dead for a while,' didn't automatically make one thing of kisses...but then, there was how the fervor of a bloody battle led to fervor upon a bed. Reaffirmation of life?

She wasn't quite sure that's what this was, but then she wasn't really the type to spend too much time analyzing a kiss. Her bed had been cold since Sojin left, although her heart not so cold as she would've guessed. That spoke volumes to her that she didn't spend too much thinking about either.

Instead, she thought about the warmth of his lips. It was stark contrast to the chill of the air around them...although that chill was lessening with each passing moment. You barely know the man, she reminded herself, but then she wasn't sure she was going to over-think that either. What was life without a little spontaneity?

After all, you only lived once... Well, unless you were Miahala.

So she didn't think too much and simply kissed him back, and enjoyed the moment.

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak awoke to the unfamiliar presence of another person sharing the same sheets as himself. Unfamiliar, yet far from unwelcome. Oh yes. I never did set up my own tent last night.

Other activities had got in the way of building a second shelter. Kissing, cuddling, other 'things' that he hoped his daughter did not know about yet. His mind wouldn't leave him to just enjoy this rare occurrence without harking back to his evening with Mirin oh so many years ago, therefore drawing undesirable comparisons. Weakly, he tried to let his body quell the concerns of his mind.

It was some time later when he woke, with Miahala's presence curled around his back. He carefully extracted himself from the campbed, happed the bedding around her to keep in the warmth, then got dressed in the confines of the tent.

The air outside was freezing by contrast, so he set about getting the fire going again. There was flint and steel in one of the horses' saddlebags, and still enough fuel to get it lit again. Ravak rubbed his hands over the fire once he had it burning again, scanning the wilderness for the sight or sound or smell of anything unpleasant.

After a while he forced himself to his feet, strapped his belt on, and made another patrol around the campsite. He kept one overprotective eye on the tent throughout his circuit. When that was over, he returned to the camp and unsheathed his blades to work through some forms. He stripped down to his waist, revealing the long scar from the Blight across his back, and the golden tattoo from the Waste. Life at the Grey Tower had certainly earned him the most curious mementos.

The Leopard in the Tree. The Storm on the Mountain. Watered Silk. The Dandelion in the Wind. He transitioned from one to another deftly for the most part, effortlessly in some cases. If there was one thing the Shienaran excelled at, it was wielding a sword. If there were two things, he hoped it was child-rearing. Duty and family, not necessarily in that order, were the two things Ravak valued most.

If there were to be three things, well, then he hoped at some stage he'd have more than his temporary duties as a bodyguard to be focused on.

After his workout, he donned his shirt, armour and fancloak, then sat in front of the fire again. It was possibly time for Miahala's shift, but Ravak had no intention of waking her before she arose naturally.

[Bella]

Miahala awoke, and the first thing she noticed was that it was still dark...

...the second thing she noticed was that she was naked.

...the third thing, she was alone.

She pushed herself up on her elbows and blinked thoughtfully. Oh, right. It came back to her after only an instant, and she remembered the fire and the food. She told of her story and then suddenly, she was being kissed. One thing to another, and here she was with her clothing in a pile in the corner of the tent and a partner nowhere to be found.

Hmm. She laughed softly to herself, bemused at the turn of events. At least it was fun, she reflected, though she wasn't generally a heavy sleeper. How had Ravak gotten up and even dressed without her knowing? Well, he was a Gaidin. So, it wasn't really that surprising.

After giving herself a few moments to recollect herself, she slipped out of the blanket and into the cool air. She dressed very quickly because it was cold, boots and cloak and she left the tent. It took only a moment to look around and find her traveling companion sitting before the rekindled fire. She did not move quietly, on purpose, as she walked to join him again.

This spot had been mischievous for them, apparently. It should be safe for the moment, though.

Probably.

"Would you like to gain some rest a while?" she offered. She was ever to the point and pragmatic, after all. What was there to say about what had happened, since it had already happened, she figured.

[Craig]

Ravak

The night was silent, so the noises from the tent were easily noticed. Poking at the base of the fire with a stick, Ravak silently cursed his luck. He had hoped Miahala would rest until morning. His plan had been to have everything ready for her when she awoke. Everything that wasn't in the tent would have been packed away on the horses, and a cooked breakfast would have been waiting for the Captain-General.

Evidently, that was not to be.

Rav made his best efforts to make himself look presentable. He smoothed out his shirt and trousers, ensured his collar was properly sorted out, checked that any markings on his boots were scrubbed off as good as could be done in the dark. Did I just hear laughter? He stared at the tent, waiting to hear confirmation. After a while in silence, he shrugged and continued with his preening.

When Miahala reemerged, the Gaidin gave her a wide smile. It had been too long since he'd been in this situation, and he was looking forward to--

"Would you like to gain some rest a while?"

The smile slipped a touch; pragmatism was trying to win over idealism. He rose up from the overturned log, casting a glance at the tent. "I would have left you sleeping 'til morning. I guess what you said about not needing much sleep is true."

He moved around the fire until he was standing near to the Captain-General. Firelight flickered over her features. Rav couldn't help but smile at the beauty he found therein, even as he mentally prepared himself for a return to normality. His voice was level when he asked "Is this anything else I can do, Miahala, before I retire for what remains of the night?"

[Bella]

What was that? she wondered, noticing the subtle shift in his expression when she offered to take over the watch. If she didn't know better, she would have said it was...disappointment. In fact, she didn't know better. The thought tickled at her mind and she almost (almost) felt bad about her innate practicality. What had he expected, she continued to wonder.

As he rose and moved around the fire, coming nearer to her, those blue-green eyes followed him with a keen gaze.

Apparently, she no longer made him nervous.

Taking a man to one's bed (or tent, as the case may be) perhaps would not be the method of making yourself less intimidating she'd recommend to everyone, but it seemed to have been very effective in this case. Maybe I shouldn't be allowed to travel with Gaidin. I usually get us in trouble...

She dismissed that thought quickly. Instead lingered in her mind that faint sense of disappointment that seemed to have inhabited his features, and the almost...formality that presented itself in his voice and stance now.

Somehow, that didn't work for her. The middle of the night was maybe not the best for making decisions, but that thought was dismissed just as quickly. She rose to her feet before him, her gaze just a little below his as she held it. She traced her thumb just below his lip, holding his face for a lingering kiss of her initiation this time.

"Not for the moment," she said softly when they parted. "I would simply say get some rest. You never know when you might...need it." One side of her mouth turned up with the brow of that same side of her face lifting...just enough to make her point.

[Craig]

Ravak

The point was well received.

Ravak returned the knowing grin with a chuckle, but he resisted the urge to press his luck. This had already gone well beyond any expectation he'd had for this journey. He unbuckled his sword belt and removed his fancloak and shirt before ducking into the tent.

Sitting on the edge of the campbed, he yanked off one of his boots, then stared wistfully at the tent flap. Part of his training said that he should be the one staying up for the rest of the night, but that wasn't what was urging him to leave the tent. Unlike the last time he'd awoken next to a beautiful woman, Miahala hadn't screamed at him and proclaimed this turn of events as some huge mistake and error in judgment. In fact, hadn't she just hinted there was more to come? He grinned at himself. He could spend the next few hours getting to know Miahala the woman, instead of Miahala the legend.

Yawning, he struggled with his want to talk with her against his need for sleep. It was moments like these when he missed the benefits of the Warder bond, allowing him to remain awake at all hours. It would have made the first several months of raising Kaira a whole lot easier.

Ravak yawned again as a wave of fatigue hit him. Maybe I do need some sleep. He pulled off the other boot and crawled into the blankets still wearing his trousers. There was still some warmth from where Miahala had been, but he was more concerned with getting comfortably settled. It wasn't long before Ravak was asleep on his stomach and snoring.
- - - Pale, diffuse light shone through the walls of the tent. Rav rubbed at his face, clearing away the residues of sleep that gathered at the corners of his eyes. He stretched out his other arm, feeling around for the woman he'd just spent a night dreaming about. Calloused fingertips felt the edges of the blanket and then the groundsheet beyond.

The Shienaran propped himself up with his elbows, his head drooping onto the pillow. He groaned from the lack of sleep and at the interruption to his dream. Already the memory of it was vanishing, but he recalled exploring the Tower Gardens with Miahala. The fragments he remembered made no sense. There had been kids with them: both Ria and Tia, but as young girls. He rolled onto his side as he finished the arduous task of waking up.

When, at last, he emerged from the tent, Miahala had done all of the things he had planned to do the fire before. The sounds of cooking was in the air, and everything bar the tent was packed away onto the horses. There was a slight smirk on his face as he walked to the fire. Pragmatism, not idealism.

"Good morning." Ravak dropped down onto the log next to Miahala, giving both the cook and the food an appraising survey. He adjusted his swords so that they were resting comfortably behind him before he continued. "So what, a half day's journey to Kentano's Redoubt? Then we get to meet your man Marwen and hear about what 'strange things' have been occurring?"