Chapter II
Rescuer
What should she have done instead? She didn’t know but what she did seemed like the smartest plan at the time. She wasn’t sure she should have done it. After all, her father lost her for a day or two and just for her a few hours ago but she had no other choice. Her father wouldn’t listen to reason, so she went to her last resort to avoid a man she knew to be a horrible perverted b*****d. Oh, wait, that’s right. No one knows what happened that’s making her do this. At the dinner that night, Kiara honored her father’s wishes and dressed in a nice dress and was on her best behavior. It was when she went to volunteer in the kitchen for a bit that she realized she had to get out. Mr. Mark Delve decided to join her in the kitchen and when he did, he made a fierce attempt to kiss her and even fondle her a bit. She was near to tears when he left. Normally, she would have just fought him off but something struck fear down to her very core, making it hard for her to fight him back. She could only plead with him to leave her alone, and that she didn’t think he should be doing this. Never had she been treated in such a way. Sure, she had been bugged by John for years but John was a brainless pervert. Mark had something that was making her father do this but she didn’t know what. Mark had also threatened to kill her that night should she utter a word of what happened to her father of Jesse. She could only grip the counter and cry when he left, refusing to be consoled by the maids. She had been molested and if she stuck around, she would get used to it which was not what she wanted to do at all.
But she couldn’t stick around to be raped either.
Kiara had packed a small bag, gotten into her mission gear, which was all black, if a little skimpy in some places, and ditched in the middle of the night. She left her father a note telling him not to worry and made her brother swear not to rat her out for anything. Of course, sibling loyalty proved its worth as he hugged her tight and swore on pain of death that he wouldn’t let that ‘two-faced son of a b***h’ lay a hand on his baby sister. Jesse and Kiara may have only been half-related but they never seemed to notice.
Kiara jumped out her window, her long braid flowing up in a whipping line as she did until her feet slammed into the ground and she took off running. She headed for the Denny, knowing she’d be safe there until she could work out a real plan. Jesse had agreed to come down to see her once every few days. She decided she’d leave after his first visit. She’d have a plan hopefully before then. She had enough food to last her a week or two if she rationed it out right. She knew she could last maybe a month or two before she’d have to go stealing food. Jesse had advised against taking any gold. It jingled too much and she was a thief anyway. If she was going to disobey her father, she could at least honor a god while she did it.
When she reached the Denny, she was surprised to see a small camp and a man sleeping. She walked up, not bothering to sneak. She sat by the fire and worked up the coals a bit. She pulled her cloak tight around her. Her top was black but it had crossed straps just like her last one. She wore tops like this a lot. It was midsummer and too hot to wander about in heavy layers. Nights were chilly, though. She wore pure black trousers that fit her snuggly and black boots. She had on black gloves of which she cut off the fingers down to the knuckles. She also wore a black choker around her neck. If she had to, she could pass for a <I>court’esa </I>but she only planned to do that if she needed to. She would of course, get her possible informant flat drug, make him sing like a canary and then dump him. She could handle any drunk that tried to have his way with her easily.
“Who are you?” the man said groggily as he woke up. She glanced at him and at first didn’t think she should answer but then she saw those gorgeous deep eyes with a color she couldn’t name, some violet color, and melted. He had black hair, dark and rich. He was handsome and for a minute she thought it was Kael but then she realized he was older.
“Are you related to Kael?”
“He’s my little brother. Who…” He seemed to realize something. “Kiara Lien? Kael told me a few days ago he met a beautiful girl by that name. Are you her?
Kiara nodded. “I wouldn’t call myself beautiful. What are you doing down here?” She asked as she stirred the coals up again.
“I’m hiding from some people. What’s your story?” He said as he sat up. He was bare-chested and very, very masculine. He was covered in tattoos as well, like her, each a symbol of one of the gods.
“My father is forcing a marriage on me. Nice tattoos, by the way.” She said with a slight grin. She pulled back her cloak and lifted up her trouser leg to reveal the many she also had. “I’m big on tattoos.”
He chuckled. “I love them but my mother never let me get them so I waited until the old broad died to get some.”
She frowned a little. “My mother didn’t want me as a child.” She grinned and added, “Who would want me, though? I’m too much of a tomboy and I never settle down. I can’t stand being in one place for long and I’m really disobedient when the mood strikes me. I have a short fuse and even though I’m good at holding it, when I let it loose, well, it’s really not a pretty sight. I couldn’t pull off being a lady if my life depended on it and I won’t ever wear a dress unless I get to wear whatever kind of dress I want and I tend to wear the type of dress a <I>court’esa</I> would wear but I blame my father for that one. I grew up around them as well as thieves, killers, and the works.” She said with a forced chuckle.
He sat up a little more and stared at her for a long time. “I know that you’ve captured my brother’s loyalty. He knows he’s a bit young for you but he wishes you were a little younger all the same. He’s only nineteen but he loves you. At least, he thinks he does. He’ll be over it in a week.”
She laughed. “I didn’t mean to make him think I liked him. I’m trying to avoid a relationship right now. It’d make me a hypocrite to chase him.”
He shook his head with a grin as he rested his arms on his knees that were tenting his blanket. “No, it means you don’t want to marry who your father chooses for you. Besides, I wouldn’t let you two get married anyway. He’s too young and to be honest, I don’t think you’d want to anyway.”
She grinned. “To be honest, your brother doesn’t strike me as the reckless type. I don’t go for the sensible types.” She giggled as she added, “I guess that’s because I am reckless and if you won’t be reckless with me, you’re wasting my time.”
He chuckled. “I’d be reckless with you to a certain level. I’m not one to try risky stunts.” He said getting up and getting dressed, seeing the sun slowly coming up on the horizon.
She grinned, chuckling as she did. “I love death-defying stunts. They’re my favorite kind.” She said taking a step toward him as he pulled on a black shirt with short sleeves. It fit him like a glove and showed his large muscles, but only since it was so tight on him.
He smiled with a hint of boyish mischief. “Maybe sometime, maybe, you and I could try a hazardous stunt. Just maybe.” He said as he pulled on his sword belt.
She smiled and shifted her own sword belt. The black strap went across her chest and up around to her shoulder. It looped around her waist and held the sword on her right hip, the strap that went up around her chest and back also held another sword, a decent b*****d sword that she almost never took out. She then said, “Maybe.” She turned and started to gather up the little bit of her belongings that she had set down. She pulled out an arrow after deciding to just roam the world a bit as she had first planned. She stuck the note she had written for Jesse to the arrow and shot it off into the distance, toward the entrance, pegging right beside it. She grinned, satisfied as she put her bow away and started walking deeper into the foliage.
“Wait!” He said kindly, “Where are you going?”
She only said as she walked, “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ll send you a letter if I ever settle down but don’t count on that.”
He ran up behind her and grabbed her hand, most of his stuff back where he had been resting. He was about six foot against her five and nine inches. “I wouldn’t see a woman left alone in this world no matter how capable she is.”
She stared at him for a time before letting a tiny smile surface. “Alright, if you hurry up and pack, you may come.” He cheered up immensely and packed. He was ready within a few minutes which turn out to be a good thing. Shouts and alarms were raised as the sun came up. She swore and thought to run back and grab the letter for her brother but decided that soon enough, he’d come by to see if she was here. She took off sprinting through the foliage when a question came to her and she asked, “How did you find this place anyway, Aaron? Jesse, my brother and I thought that it would remain mostly invisible.”
He was barely an inch behind her. “Well, I was really tired and had come through this way, and I didn’t feel like going all the ways to town so when I saw a nice clear patch, I made camp.” She shrugged. She wasn’t one to press these matters. If he was lying, it would come out sooner or later.
It was three days before they were anywhere near close to being out of the foliage and forest. At one point, the underbrush was very thick and Kiara found herself trying to find another way around when Aaron lifted her up into his arms and carried her through. She had only blushed faintly, smiled, and let him. She enjoyed it, honestly. After they got through where she couldn’t walk, he set her down and let her walk on her own. Again, she ran into difficulty and tripped over a vine or something, she wasn’t totally sure of what it was. She had blushed for a while after he grabbed her hand and led her through. They were holding hands for hours before they made their way out.
They still held hands for a bit until, if her memory served, he realized they were still holding hands and let her go. She didn’t mind too much, after awhile, being touchy-feely got on her nerves. She spotted a town off on the horizon and smiled. “Finally, we’ll have a hot meal, mead, and a warm bed.” She took off running, knowing that it was miles away and that running was rather pointless but she felt the dire need to run.
Aaron caught up and grabbed her arm gently. “Don’t go running off like that, please. I don’t want us to get separated.”
She grinned oddly, “Why not?” She asked with a slight chuckle. “It’s not as if you would really care if something happened.”
He looked hurt as he released her. “Actually, Miss, I would.” He said walking on ahead. She watched him, just standing there. He seemed to realize she wasn’t following and turned back. “Are you coming?” She was still staring at him. “Kiara, are you listening to me?”
She nodded as she went to him and hugged his neck, a soft smile on her face. She could have cried but didn’t. She hugged him for the longest time, and then a little more once he finally hugged her back. “I’ve never had anyone really care that wasn’t related or under a death threat from my father to keep me safe.”
He chuckled and rubbed her back, “Yeah…well…” He pulled away gently and started to walk up the large hill ahead as he turned back to face her, saying, “You’re starting to grow on me.”
She grinned and said, with a bit of attitude in her tone, “I’m growing on you, eh?” She said catching up with him.
He smiled at her and nodded. “That’s exactly right, Miss Kiara.”
She grabbed his arm gently and said, only half serious, “If you ever call me ‘Miss Kiara’ again, I’ll slap you silly.”
He started to laugh as he said, “Oh yeah? Are you sure you’ve got the guts?” He said elbowing her playfully.
She tackled him, ditching her pack for the moment, and she saw he did the same. She giggled as she tried to pin him but he easily turned it against her. They were in a wrestling frenzy, each determined to pin the other down. She then said as they wrestled, “I bet I can pin you!”
He chuckled as he pushed back on her hands as she tried to pin his hands above his head. “I bet you can’t.”
She laughed as he rolled her onto her back and she flipped him over her head, sending him up, into the air, and back to the ground with a soft grunt. She dived down on top of him, trying to pin him. “What are the stakes?”
He grinned. “You want stakes, eh? Alright then, if you win…” Since he could think of nothing she might want for winning a bet, he left it unsaid for her to finish.
She giggled as their arms shook with the effort of pushing the other’s down or up; it depended on who was on top. “You pay for everything at the next Inn.”
He pinned her down, his shins on her legs and his arms pinning hers above her head as he lay on top of her. “Well, well, well…looks like I win.” He said with a big grin on his face.
She glared playfully as she struggled but to no avail. He was too heavy and he wasn’t giving an inch. “Alright, you win. What do you want?”
He thought for a long moment before leaning his head down and kissing her very softly, which after less than a second, had her struggles put to a stop. Her eyes were wide until she gave way to the bliss and kissed him back. He pulled away after what seemed like five seconds. (It had actually been a good long minute.) She stared up at him blushing as he said, “The victor claims his prize and just to be nice, I’ll still pay for the next Inn. Besides, you’re broke anyway.”
She got up as he stood and asked, “Why did you kiss me?”
He grinned before realizing the idea he must have put in her head and going to her, hugging her gently. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.” He pulled away enough to look her in the face and said, “I’ve just always been curious about the rumor.” She looked confused. His grin returned. “There’s a rumor around the Thieves guild that kissing you leaves a man with a never waning addiction for you. I know several men that have kissed you and are married now. They rarely ever feel the want, mainly when they see you, but they do still have it. I guess I’ll find out sooner or later whether or not it’s true.”
She blushed. “There’s a rumor like that in the Thieves Guild? Gods, daddy must be awfully pissed.”
This made him burst out laughing. “True. He might be but I think he’s more worried about where you are right now and not your addicting kisses and the young lads that are still pining for you.”
She rolled her eyes. “They don’t care for me. They just want the rep they would get from associating with me.” She turned a light pink. “I…have a reputation for being one of the most wanted bachelor-ette in Kaito…”
This made him bust out laughing yet again. He went over to her and caressed her cheek gently, saying softly, “If a man does not truly love you, then he wastes your time. Any man that can over look your many assets- besides the fame and money- must be gay.” She blushed some more and pressed on, pushing past him gently.
She then said, “Shouldn’t we be moving on?”
For a few days, they barely spoke, the kiss lingering between them like a white elephant in the middle of the room. Neither of them wanted to talk about it or the even near possible chance of them starting a relationship. In Kiara’s eyes, it would make her happy but the thing that stopped her from saying so was the idea that Aaron probably found it absurd. She resolved to forget it, and try to pretend his lips had never touched hers. The biggest problem with her new resolution came when they checked into an Inn, and because of the outrageous price for just one room, they decided to share.
Hours of protesting and arguing went back and forth before Kiara tuned him out and his insistence that the lady take the bed and he the floor and walked out. She headed down some random alley way, not caring that it was very late and very dark out. This was murder-hour, as it was called. She knew it very well and knew to stay out of the lights. She didn’t, though. She walked very carelessly in plain sight. She was sniffling and muttering under her breath when she heard what sound like a beer bottle rolling along the cobblestone side walks. She stopped dead and slowly looked all about her.
Suddenly, something hard connected with her skull, she felt herself sink to the ground…
A scream rent the air.
<I>
--- Some Hours Later ---
</I>
“Kiara, please, wake up!” Kiara awoke to the sound of a strangely familiar voice. When she opened her eyes groggily, she realized that it was Aaron above her. He was bare-chested and he looked like he’d been swimming or something. She tried to sit up, but found that her head was pounding and that the pain was too much to bear at the moment. She felt…cotton linen under her head, if she was correct. She asked and he told her it was his shirt. She tasted…salt water and rum. She shuddered at the thought and felt bile threaten her. She leaned on her side and puked, thankfully, he got a bucket just before she spewed all over.
When she was done, he dumped it in from what she thought might be a river. She turned her head to the side to see that they were by a lake. She was trying to piece everything together as she asked, “What the hell happened to me…?”
He put a damp cloth on her head and said, “Well, since you have such a short fuse and felt the need to run off like you did, some sick pervert knocked you out and tried to have his way like some freakish type of…rapist. Anyway, I found him and you- thankfully you seem to like having fifty or so belts on you carrying multiple weapons so he didn’t get anywhere.”
She tried to sit up but found she couldn’t. He saw her struggle and sat behind her head, letting her rest her head in his lap. “What did you do to him from there?”
He grinned. “I’d like to vary the details, but the bottom line is, he’s dead.”
She nuzzled his leg gently, trying to get comfortable and sighed contentedly. “Explain why we’re both soaked to the skin, Aaron.” She said with a slight grin.
He stroked her head but he didn’t seem to realize he was doing it. “I think one of his buddies carried you off while I was taking care of him. They tried to throw you into the lake. You almost died today, Kiara.”
She looked up at him. “I guess I owe you my life then, eh?” She said forcing a grin. It was so hard to believe it but she had actually almost…died. Since she had been so careless, it almost cost the very breath she breathed and the life she lived.
He smiled at her. “You owe me nothing, Kiara. Be more careful from now on, though, alright?” She nodded and snuggled up into his lap, her head now on his chest. He only chuckled and held her there, keeping her warm.
She then said, “Did you find anything interesting out while I was- Wait a second.” She said looking up at him. “If I almost drowned, how did you save me?”
He took on a sheepish smirk. “Mouth to mouth, love, I used mouth to mouth. I couldn’t think of anything else. What can I say? I panicked.”
She blushed and turned her head away. “I guess that makes you my rescuer, twice over.” Silence fell over them both and no one tried to break it. Soon, though, she found herself asleep in his arms.
When she awoke again, this time, Aaron was sitting by a fire, stirring up the ashes. She sat up, her headache gone. She watched him for a time before laying back down, still watching him, though. He faced away from her, but if he turned his head he would easily see her. She watched his eyes and tried to read his thoughts but she didn’t know him well enough to glean anything worth while. She rolled over and kept thinking about that kiss from what seemed like months ago. She knew she liked him, which was for sure. She knew that he was a kind, caring, and loving young man but the question was if he liked her in the way she found herself liking him.
Over the past few weeks, she had grown rather attached. He listened to her when she was talking about her family back home and her younger days as an apprentice and she listened to him talk about his family, what little was left. His mother was a whore and his father ditched Aaron and his family years ago. His brother, Kael, was only his half brother and he had a baby sister, Kelly. Kelly was thirteen now.
She sighed and stared up at the stars. She wanted to tell him, she honestly did. The trouble was that first of all, he was a good few years her elder, and that made a world of difference. She never considered herself a lady and that always made it hard for her to take any kind of relationship seriously. Most men just wanted her for the fame, the title of Kiara Lien’s new man, and sex. Sex was always the biggest element for them but Aaron was different. In the short time she had known him, he’d warmed his way into her heart and she grew to trust him.
Sometimes…she regretted letting him in so easily but she couldn’t really fight it. He was so charming and kind. She had met many men like him, but Aaron…he was different. He had this air about him that just made her feel safe and truly feminine. She didn’t feel feminine in the sense of a big pink frou-frou dress but more in the sense of a woman. She felt like she wasn’t the silly, easy, stupid young girl everyone took her for just because of her appearance, Aaron made her feel different…better. She felt like there wasn’t another person in the world except for him and she had to admit it. She longed to kiss him again. She didn’t think he shared that want but she wanted so badly to kiss him again. She had to stop herself from staring at him a lot of the time or letting herself think about it.
She snuggled into a comfortable position and closed her eyes with a soft sigh. She dreamt of lying in his arms, kissing him all night, and she smiled in her sleep the whole time.
Rescuer
What should she have done instead? She didn’t know but what she did seemed like the smartest plan at the time. She wasn’t sure she should have done it. After all, her father lost her for a day or two and just for her a few hours ago but she had no other choice. Her father wouldn’t listen to reason, so she went to her last resort to avoid a man she knew to be a horrible perverted b*****d. Oh, wait, that’s right. No one knows what happened that’s making her do this. At the dinner that night, Kiara honored her father’s wishes and dressed in a nice dress and was on her best behavior. It was when she went to volunteer in the kitchen for a bit that she realized she had to get out. Mr. Mark Delve decided to join her in the kitchen and when he did, he made a fierce attempt to kiss her and even fondle her a bit. She was near to tears when he left. Normally, she would have just fought him off but something struck fear down to her very core, making it hard for her to fight him back. She could only plead with him to leave her alone, and that she didn’t think he should be doing this. Never had she been treated in such a way. Sure, she had been bugged by John for years but John was a brainless pervert. Mark had something that was making her father do this but she didn’t know what. Mark had also threatened to kill her that night should she utter a word of what happened to her father of Jesse. She could only grip the counter and cry when he left, refusing to be consoled by the maids. She had been molested and if she stuck around, she would get used to it which was not what she wanted to do at all.
But she couldn’t stick around to be raped either.
Kiara had packed a small bag, gotten into her mission gear, which was all black, if a little skimpy in some places, and ditched in the middle of the night. She left her father a note telling him not to worry and made her brother swear not to rat her out for anything. Of course, sibling loyalty proved its worth as he hugged her tight and swore on pain of death that he wouldn’t let that ‘two-faced son of a b***h’ lay a hand on his baby sister. Jesse and Kiara may have only been half-related but they never seemed to notice.
Kiara jumped out her window, her long braid flowing up in a whipping line as she did until her feet slammed into the ground and she took off running. She headed for the Denny, knowing she’d be safe there until she could work out a real plan. Jesse had agreed to come down to see her once every few days. She decided she’d leave after his first visit. She’d have a plan hopefully before then. She had enough food to last her a week or two if she rationed it out right. She knew she could last maybe a month or two before she’d have to go stealing food. Jesse had advised against taking any gold. It jingled too much and she was a thief anyway. If she was going to disobey her father, she could at least honor a god while she did it.
When she reached the Denny, she was surprised to see a small camp and a man sleeping. She walked up, not bothering to sneak. She sat by the fire and worked up the coals a bit. She pulled her cloak tight around her. Her top was black but it had crossed straps just like her last one. She wore tops like this a lot. It was midsummer and too hot to wander about in heavy layers. Nights were chilly, though. She wore pure black trousers that fit her snuggly and black boots. She had on black gloves of which she cut off the fingers down to the knuckles. She also wore a black choker around her neck. If she had to, she could pass for a <I>court’esa </I>but she only planned to do that if she needed to. She would of course, get her possible informant flat drug, make him sing like a canary and then dump him. She could handle any drunk that tried to have his way with her easily.
“Who are you?” the man said groggily as he woke up. She glanced at him and at first didn’t think she should answer but then she saw those gorgeous deep eyes with a color she couldn’t name, some violet color, and melted. He had black hair, dark and rich. He was handsome and for a minute she thought it was Kael but then she realized he was older.
“Are you related to Kael?”
“He’s my little brother. Who…” He seemed to realize something. “Kiara Lien? Kael told me a few days ago he met a beautiful girl by that name. Are you her?
Kiara nodded. “I wouldn’t call myself beautiful. What are you doing down here?” She asked as she stirred the coals up again.
“I’m hiding from some people. What’s your story?” He said as he sat up. He was bare-chested and very, very masculine. He was covered in tattoos as well, like her, each a symbol of one of the gods.
“My father is forcing a marriage on me. Nice tattoos, by the way.” She said with a slight grin. She pulled back her cloak and lifted up her trouser leg to reveal the many she also had. “I’m big on tattoos.”
He chuckled. “I love them but my mother never let me get them so I waited until the old broad died to get some.”
She frowned a little. “My mother didn’t want me as a child.” She grinned and added, “Who would want me, though? I’m too much of a tomboy and I never settle down. I can’t stand being in one place for long and I’m really disobedient when the mood strikes me. I have a short fuse and even though I’m good at holding it, when I let it loose, well, it’s really not a pretty sight. I couldn’t pull off being a lady if my life depended on it and I won’t ever wear a dress unless I get to wear whatever kind of dress I want and I tend to wear the type of dress a <I>court’esa</I> would wear but I blame my father for that one. I grew up around them as well as thieves, killers, and the works.” She said with a forced chuckle.
He sat up a little more and stared at her for a long time. “I know that you’ve captured my brother’s loyalty. He knows he’s a bit young for you but he wishes you were a little younger all the same. He’s only nineteen but he loves you. At least, he thinks he does. He’ll be over it in a week.”
She laughed. “I didn’t mean to make him think I liked him. I’m trying to avoid a relationship right now. It’d make me a hypocrite to chase him.”
He shook his head with a grin as he rested his arms on his knees that were tenting his blanket. “No, it means you don’t want to marry who your father chooses for you. Besides, I wouldn’t let you two get married anyway. He’s too young and to be honest, I don’t think you’d want to anyway.”
She grinned. “To be honest, your brother doesn’t strike me as the reckless type. I don’t go for the sensible types.” She giggled as she added, “I guess that’s because I am reckless and if you won’t be reckless with me, you’re wasting my time.”
He chuckled. “I’d be reckless with you to a certain level. I’m not one to try risky stunts.” He said getting up and getting dressed, seeing the sun slowly coming up on the horizon.
She grinned, chuckling as she did. “I love death-defying stunts. They’re my favorite kind.” She said taking a step toward him as he pulled on a black shirt with short sleeves. It fit him like a glove and showed his large muscles, but only since it was so tight on him.
He smiled with a hint of boyish mischief. “Maybe sometime, maybe, you and I could try a hazardous stunt. Just maybe.” He said as he pulled on his sword belt.
She smiled and shifted her own sword belt. The black strap went across her chest and up around to her shoulder. It looped around her waist and held the sword on her right hip, the strap that went up around her chest and back also held another sword, a decent b*****d sword that she almost never took out. She then said, “Maybe.” She turned and started to gather up the little bit of her belongings that she had set down. She pulled out an arrow after deciding to just roam the world a bit as she had first planned. She stuck the note she had written for Jesse to the arrow and shot it off into the distance, toward the entrance, pegging right beside it. She grinned, satisfied as she put her bow away and started walking deeper into the foliage.
“Wait!” He said kindly, “Where are you going?”
She only said as she walked, “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ll send you a letter if I ever settle down but don’t count on that.”
He ran up behind her and grabbed her hand, most of his stuff back where he had been resting. He was about six foot against her five and nine inches. “I wouldn’t see a woman left alone in this world no matter how capable she is.”
She stared at him for a time before letting a tiny smile surface. “Alright, if you hurry up and pack, you may come.” He cheered up immensely and packed. He was ready within a few minutes which turn out to be a good thing. Shouts and alarms were raised as the sun came up. She swore and thought to run back and grab the letter for her brother but decided that soon enough, he’d come by to see if she was here. She took off sprinting through the foliage when a question came to her and she asked, “How did you find this place anyway, Aaron? Jesse, my brother and I thought that it would remain mostly invisible.”
He was barely an inch behind her. “Well, I was really tired and had come through this way, and I didn’t feel like going all the ways to town so when I saw a nice clear patch, I made camp.” She shrugged. She wasn’t one to press these matters. If he was lying, it would come out sooner or later.
It was three days before they were anywhere near close to being out of the foliage and forest. At one point, the underbrush was very thick and Kiara found herself trying to find another way around when Aaron lifted her up into his arms and carried her through. She had only blushed faintly, smiled, and let him. She enjoyed it, honestly. After they got through where she couldn’t walk, he set her down and let her walk on her own. Again, she ran into difficulty and tripped over a vine or something, she wasn’t totally sure of what it was. She had blushed for a while after he grabbed her hand and led her through. They were holding hands for hours before they made their way out.
They still held hands for a bit until, if her memory served, he realized they were still holding hands and let her go. She didn’t mind too much, after awhile, being touchy-feely got on her nerves. She spotted a town off on the horizon and smiled. “Finally, we’ll have a hot meal, mead, and a warm bed.” She took off running, knowing that it was miles away and that running was rather pointless but she felt the dire need to run.
Aaron caught up and grabbed her arm gently. “Don’t go running off like that, please. I don’t want us to get separated.”
She grinned oddly, “Why not?” She asked with a slight chuckle. “It’s not as if you would really care if something happened.”
He looked hurt as he released her. “Actually, Miss, I would.” He said walking on ahead. She watched him, just standing there. He seemed to realize she wasn’t following and turned back. “Are you coming?” She was still staring at him. “Kiara, are you listening to me?”
She nodded as she went to him and hugged his neck, a soft smile on her face. She could have cried but didn’t. She hugged him for the longest time, and then a little more once he finally hugged her back. “I’ve never had anyone really care that wasn’t related or under a death threat from my father to keep me safe.”
He chuckled and rubbed her back, “Yeah…well…” He pulled away gently and started to walk up the large hill ahead as he turned back to face her, saying, “You’re starting to grow on me.”
She grinned and said, with a bit of attitude in her tone, “I’m growing on you, eh?” She said catching up with him.
He smiled at her and nodded. “That’s exactly right, Miss Kiara.”
She grabbed his arm gently and said, only half serious, “If you ever call me ‘Miss Kiara’ again, I’ll slap you silly.”
He started to laugh as he said, “Oh yeah? Are you sure you’ve got the guts?” He said elbowing her playfully.
She tackled him, ditching her pack for the moment, and she saw he did the same. She giggled as she tried to pin him but he easily turned it against her. They were in a wrestling frenzy, each determined to pin the other down. She then said as they wrestled, “I bet I can pin you!”
He chuckled as he pushed back on her hands as she tried to pin his hands above his head. “I bet you can’t.”
She laughed as he rolled her onto her back and she flipped him over her head, sending him up, into the air, and back to the ground with a soft grunt. She dived down on top of him, trying to pin him. “What are the stakes?”
He grinned. “You want stakes, eh? Alright then, if you win…” Since he could think of nothing she might want for winning a bet, he left it unsaid for her to finish.
She giggled as their arms shook with the effort of pushing the other’s down or up; it depended on who was on top. “You pay for everything at the next Inn.”
He pinned her down, his shins on her legs and his arms pinning hers above her head as he lay on top of her. “Well, well, well…looks like I win.” He said with a big grin on his face.
She glared playfully as she struggled but to no avail. He was too heavy and he wasn’t giving an inch. “Alright, you win. What do you want?”
He thought for a long moment before leaning his head down and kissing her very softly, which after less than a second, had her struggles put to a stop. Her eyes were wide until she gave way to the bliss and kissed him back. He pulled away after what seemed like five seconds. (It had actually been a good long minute.) She stared up at him blushing as he said, “The victor claims his prize and just to be nice, I’ll still pay for the next Inn. Besides, you’re broke anyway.”
She got up as he stood and asked, “Why did you kiss me?”
He grinned before realizing the idea he must have put in her head and going to her, hugging her gently. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.” He pulled away enough to look her in the face and said, “I’ve just always been curious about the rumor.” She looked confused. His grin returned. “There’s a rumor around the Thieves guild that kissing you leaves a man with a never waning addiction for you. I know several men that have kissed you and are married now. They rarely ever feel the want, mainly when they see you, but they do still have it. I guess I’ll find out sooner or later whether or not it’s true.”
She blushed. “There’s a rumor like that in the Thieves Guild? Gods, daddy must be awfully pissed.”
This made him burst out laughing. “True. He might be but I think he’s more worried about where you are right now and not your addicting kisses and the young lads that are still pining for you.”
She rolled her eyes. “They don’t care for me. They just want the rep they would get from associating with me.” She turned a light pink. “I…have a reputation for being one of the most wanted bachelor-ette in Kaito…”
This made him bust out laughing yet again. He went over to her and caressed her cheek gently, saying softly, “If a man does not truly love you, then he wastes your time. Any man that can over look your many assets- besides the fame and money- must be gay.” She blushed some more and pressed on, pushing past him gently.
She then said, “Shouldn’t we be moving on?”
For a few days, they barely spoke, the kiss lingering between them like a white elephant in the middle of the room. Neither of them wanted to talk about it or the even near possible chance of them starting a relationship. In Kiara’s eyes, it would make her happy but the thing that stopped her from saying so was the idea that Aaron probably found it absurd. She resolved to forget it, and try to pretend his lips had never touched hers. The biggest problem with her new resolution came when they checked into an Inn, and because of the outrageous price for just one room, they decided to share.
Hours of protesting and arguing went back and forth before Kiara tuned him out and his insistence that the lady take the bed and he the floor and walked out. She headed down some random alley way, not caring that it was very late and very dark out. This was murder-hour, as it was called. She knew it very well and knew to stay out of the lights. She didn’t, though. She walked very carelessly in plain sight. She was sniffling and muttering under her breath when she heard what sound like a beer bottle rolling along the cobblestone side walks. She stopped dead and slowly looked all about her.
Suddenly, something hard connected with her skull, she felt herself sink to the ground…
A scream rent the air.
<I>
--- Some Hours Later ---
</I>
“Kiara, please, wake up!” Kiara awoke to the sound of a strangely familiar voice. When she opened her eyes groggily, she realized that it was Aaron above her. He was bare-chested and he looked like he’d been swimming or something. She tried to sit up, but found that her head was pounding and that the pain was too much to bear at the moment. She felt…cotton linen under her head, if she was correct. She asked and he told her it was his shirt. She tasted…salt water and rum. She shuddered at the thought and felt bile threaten her. She leaned on her side and puked, thankfully, he got a bucket just before she spewed all over.
When she was done, he dumped it in from what she thought might be a river. She turned her head to the side to see that they were by a lake. She was trying to piece everything together as she asked, “What the hell happened to me…?”
He put a damp cloth on her head and said, “Well, since you have such a short fuse and felt the need to run off like you did, some sick pervert knocked you out and tried to have his way like some freakish type of…rapist. Anyway, I found him and you- thankfully you seem to like having fifty or so belts on you carrying multiple weapons so he didn’t get anywhere.”
She tried to sit up but found she couldn’t. He saw her struggle and sat behind her head, letting her rest her head in his lap. “What did you do to him from there?”
He grinned. “I’d like to vary the details, but the bottom line is, he’s dead.”
She nuzzled his leg gently, trying to get comfortable and sighed contentedly. “Explain why we’re both soaked to the skin, Aaron.” She said with a slight grin.
He stroked her head but he didn’t seem to realize he was doing it. “I think one of his buddies carried you off while I was taking care of him. They tried to throw you into the lake. You almost died today, Kiara.”
She looked up at him. “I guess I owe you my life then, eh?” She said forcing a grin. It was so hard to believe it but she had actually almost…died. Since she had been so careless, it almost cost the very breath she breathed and the life she lived.
He smiled at her. “You owe me nothing, Kiara. Be more careful from now on, though, alright?” She nodded and snuggled up into his lap, her head now on his chest. He only chuckled and held her there, keeping her warm.
She then said, “Did you find anything interesting out while I was- Wait a second.” She said looking up at him. “If I almost drowned, how did you save me?”
He took on a sheepish smirk. “Mouth to mouth, love, I used mouth to mouth. I couldn’t think of anything else. What can I say? I panicked.”
She blushed and turned her head away. “I guess that makes you my rescuer, twice over.” Silence fell over them both and no one tried to break it. Soon, though, she found herself asleep in his arms.
When she awoke again, this time, Aaron was sitting by a fire, stirring up the ashes. She sat up, her headache gone. She watched him for a time before laying back down, still watching him, though. He faced away from her, but if he turned his head he would easily see her. She watched his eyes and tried to read his thoughts but she didn’t know him well enough to glean anything worth while. She rolled over and kept thinking about that kiss from what seemed like months ago. She knew she liked him, which was for sure. She knew that he was a kind, caring, and loving young man but the question was if he liked her in the way she found herself liking him.
Over the past few weeks, she had grown rather attached. He listened to her when she was talking about her family back home and her younger days as an apprentice and she listened to him talk about his family, what little was left. His mother was a whore and his father ditched Aaron and his family years ago. His brother, Kael, was only his half brother and he had a baby sister, Kelly. Kelly was thirteen now.
She sighed and stared up at the stars. She wanted to tell him, she honestly did. The trouble was that first of all, he was a good few years her elder, and that made a world of difference. She never considered herself a lady and that always made it hard for her to take any kind of relationship seriously. Most men just wanted her for the fame, the title of Kiara Lien’s new man, and sex. Sex was always the biggest element for them but Aaron was different. In the short time she had known him, he’d warmed his way into her heart and she grew to trust him.
Sometimes…she regretted letting him in so easily but she couldn’t really fight it. He was so charming and kind. She had met many men like him, but Aaron…he was different. He had this air about him that just made her feel safe and truly feminine. She didn’t feel feminine in the sense of a big pink frou-frou dress but more in the sense of a woman. She felt like she wasn’t the silly, easy, stupid young girl everyone took her for just because of her appearance, Aaron made her feel different…better. She felt like there wasn’t another person in the world except for him and she had to admit it. She longed to kiss him again. She didn’t think he shared that want but she wanted so badly to kiss him again. She had to stop herself from staring at him a lot of the time or letting herself think about it.
She snuggled into a comfortable position and closed her eyes with a soft sigh. She dreamt of lying in his arms, kissing him all night, and she smiled in her sleep the whole time.
