Among Friends [Riley]

[Mali]

It was odd, all these feelings that Riley caused within her. Why did it feel like butterflies were in her stomach at times? Like when he kissed her or touched her cheek, she felt butterflies. When he spoke, she felt her throat close tightly and her mouth go dry. He promised that she would make sure she could walk. Sure, he hadn’t said it in the ancient language, but she’d already decided to trust him, so she had no reason to request that he say it in the ancient language, she knew that he wouldn’t lie to her.

Watching him turn to face her, his lips touching her own, lingering longer than usual, Ana felt herself pressing against him, pushing her lips closer until she felt Riley pull away. What was with her? Where had this kind of reaction come from? She’d never wanted someone so badly to kiss her again. She’d never thought about kissing anyone until Riley came along. “I trust you, we’ll get it done right,” she grinned in response to his promise. As Riley turned around and faced the front again, Ana reached up to feel her lips. They tingled under her touch and she had to wonder if Riley were able to cast a spell over her because she felt enchanted right now.

At Anaria’s next question, Riley seemed to pause for a long time before answering. Was it hard for him to answer because of a certain reason? Ana didn’t know what to think as she waited for an answer. There were two reasons that he could be pausing. The answer was either yes and he was just thinking of a way to word the form of greeting among close friends. Alternatively, the answer was no and he was trying to word his feelings for her. She didn’t want to get her hopes to high so she tried to remain indecisive while she waiting for Riley’s answer.

She was holding her breath as he answered. He spoke normally, and then whispered that he didn’t kiss just anyone. She wondered if he was blushing at that. At his next bit of speech, Ana felt her own face grow hot. He wanted to court her? What did that mean exactly? Her father had spoke about courting before and suitors, but she had been really young when he would joke about it. She knew what the word meant but she was confused about what Riley was trying to say. Did he mean that he wanted to get to know her better before they got married? Wasn’t that thinking ahead a bit too much? The butterflies in her stomach seemed to jump to her throat, preventing her from speaking.

Taking a deep breath, she knew that she had to answer his stammer before it was left hanging too long and became awkward. “Um, I don’t know what to say. I mean—she paused—I like you a lot, and I have feelings that confuse me, but engaged, isn’t that thinking far ahead? Can’t we, take it slower?” Ana didn’t know if she was making any sense right now.

“I’m not sure what courting entails, my father never explained it to me fully, but I would love to get to know you better and more deeply, if that’s what you mean, Riley,”

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Riley]

Riley nodded and smiled, moving Claudia onto the path. "Yes. We will." He agreed with her, knowing that the two of them would be able to do it. He smiled softly at the thought of spending more time together. He could get used to spending more of his time with her, and he hoped he would get the chance to. She did seem to feel the same way about him as he did about her, or at least he hoped she did. Then she questioned and commented on his next statement, which caused him to panic and make his face become a nearly perfect imitation for a tomato. "I.. I didn't... I mean.. Uh... I want..."

Riley took a few deep breaths, calming himself down. "I meant.. that I want to get to know you better before we consider that. I want to stay with you, even after all this is done." His face returned to normal and he turned to face Ana again, "I like you a lot too.. And I'm just as confused as you. But I'm sure we can work it out. Together." Riley smiled softly at her, turning back to the road and leaning against her lightly again. His hand moved to her hand, squeezing her had tightly. He felt comfortable with her, despite his having issues with himself. He knew he could be himself with her and not worry about being judged.

Riley kept Claudia on the path, leading them into Carvala a few hours later. He dismounted, helping Ana down and taking her hand. Leading Claudia to a stable by an inn, he paid for her storage through the night, and a room for the two of them. Then he started off with Ana, still holding her hand tightly. "The man we're going to see is named Mali, he's a half-elf. He's not easy to get along with, but he'll work with us. He knows more about this city than anyone else I've ever met. If your miracle worker has been within fifty leagues of this city, he'll know."

[Mali]

Ana could hear the embarrassment in Riley’s voice as he stammered out what he was trying to say. It was her turn to blush like a tomato. She was staring down at her lap as he turned to face her. She thought that he was ready to be engaged to her already and here he wanted to wait as she did. If anyone should feel embarrassed, it should be Anaria for not understanding what he’d been trying to say to her.

“Well, I have to say, a trip back to my forge may be needed to help get to know each other, meet my mother, that sort of thing,” she cleared her throat, trying not to show that her face was still red. She was embarrassed for not understanding what Riley had tried to say. Here she thought that he was ready to pop the question to her and he wasn’t even close to doing so. He also had admitted to be as confused as she was and yet here she had thought wrong. She was such an idiot sometimes.

Squeezing his hand back as she climbed off the horse, almost falling into him as her leggings caught on something on the saddle, Ana looked up at Riley apologetically. They were soon settled at the inn and had Claudia in a stable for the night. Now it was time to deal with her miracle worker issue.

Nodding her head, she trusted what Riley said. “You mean the bright clothing wouldn’t be enough to give him away to your informant?” she giggled, remembering how brightly the man had dressed the night that she had asked him for his help and how easy it should be to spot him. Looking down to their still joined hands, Ana looked up at Riley as they walked toward where they would meet the informant.

“Riley, is there anything you’d like to know about me right now, while we walk to wherever this informant is at least?” better to get started now, right?

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Riley]

Riley smiled, imagining the trip to her forge. "Then.. We might just have to go to my home village near Feinster. We could see my family." He hadn't been home in a long time, since just after he had left the mercenary company in fact. He pushed the thought from his mind, knowing that relations between him and his family were rough at best. "I hope she likes me." He smiled, his voice now happy and hopeful. This was something that he wasn't used to, being able to look forward to a future without fighting or death. He pushed that thought from his mind, he wouldn't rush it. He would let it come to pass on it's own, he wanted to take his time and do everything right.

Riley laughed with her, then nodded when she brought up her second question. He squeezed her hand, smiling and nodding again. "There is indeed." He began, leaning over and kissing her cheek softly. "I would like to know.. Whens your birthday?" Riley asked, smiling at her and waiting for her to answer. "Mine is in the summer, third month." He squeezed her hand again, walking slower than they had been. There was no rush to get where they needed, Mali would be there for hours, possibly days. "Would you like to know anything about me?"

Riley liked that Ana asked him this, and he would readily answer any question she asked him. Though there were others he knew he didn't want to answer. He doubted that she would ask those questions though, she probably didn't want to ask these questions yet. He pushed them from his mind, not wanting to bring their mood down just yet. "Will you.. Will you stay with me? After all this is done?" Riley asked, turning to look at her, a small smile still on his lips. "I want to stay with you." Despite being slightly embarrassed by his statement, he didn't blush. He felt his heart hammering as he waited for her answer, his breathing becoming lighter.

[Mali]

Ana thought about travelling to his home. Would she need to get his parents’ permission to court Riley, or was that the other way around? “Wouldn’t you need my mother’s permission before we could officially start courting each other?” it was better to ask since he knew about this much more than Anaria did. He should know about this, right? Especially since he was the one who’d said that, he wanted to court her. Moreover, he was a guy. They were supposed to know about this type of thing since it was their job to ask, right?

“I’m sure she will, just, don’t mention that you were a mercenary, I’m not sure how she’d respond to that . . .” It was true that Ana didn’t have issues anymore with what he’d done in the past. However, she couldn’t speak for her mother. She was a little closed-minded when it came to certain things. Ana had to beg and plead her mother and father that when she go to the lake, she can be alone and not have one of them stay with her the entire time She was 16 at that time, she didn’t need a chaperone. It had taken a month of begging before they had agreed and her mother was still against it.

As he asked when her birthday was, she wondered why he would want to know something so simple. Of all the things he could have asked about, why her birthday? “Second day of the second month of fall,” Out of all the months in the year, she was born in the tenth month, but she decided to word it similar to how Riley had, not knowing if he would misunderstand her or not.

Thinking about it, there were a few things that she could ask about him but she wasn’t sure which she wanted to ask. “What’s your favourite colour? Mine’s a bright blue” The colour was similar to the colour of Riley’s eyes, although she would never tell him that aloud. She’d be too embarrassed to tell him something like that. Just thinking about it made her blush faintly. She probably looked weird; blushing after stating her favourite colour was blue. Why would she blush after that?

Ana looked up at Riley as he asked if she would stay with him after this was all done and thought about it. She had to think about things clearly. She’d already decided that she could trust him completely, so why wouldn’t she stay with him after this was all over? But there was one thing that confused her and it was when Riley had said everything was over. What did he mean by when this was all over? When what was all over exactly? Finding her ‘miracle worker’ or maybe it was after they had fixed her wings issue.

“I’m not sure what you mean by when all this is done. All of what?” Ana paused for a moment, taking a deep breath in before letting it out. “But I think I will. It depends on how things end up, right? If something really bad happens, then it might be best to part ways. As long as everything is good, then there’s no reason to go separate ways, right?” it made sense to her. If something really bad happened like she saw Riley kill someone for no reason other than a job, she might leave. It would be something that conflicts with her decision to trust him. If something like that were to happen, she would request that they remain in contact but part for the time being so she could have some time to think about the events alone. But she was pretty sure nothing like that would happen.

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[Riley]

Riley nodded, turning down a side street and keeping his eye on where they were going. "Traditionally, yes I would." He imagined asking her mother for permission, then realized he would need a trade, something he could use to provide for them. Riley considered it, then realized he did have a skill he could use to provide for them, something that wasn't combat related. He knew magic, such as it was, but he knew it. Aside from that, he could use his skills and become a hunter easily, and he remembered much about farming from his time with his family. And he would still help people where he could, that was another source of income. All taken from lowlifes of course. He knew that they wouldn't need to worry about a life, with that thought in mind he smiled. That was a load off of his mind, one he didn't even know he had.

Riley nodded and laughed, "Yeah I agree, it's best we not mention me having been a mercenary around my family either. They weren't fond of the idea." He smiled when she told him her birthday, his had already passed, but hers was just a few months away. He had plenty of time to plan and prepare something for her. Riley ran his mind over ideas, storing some aside, and tossing others aside completely. Then she asked him about his favorite color, "It's silver, the same color as my magic." He replied, not feeling the need to mention that he changed the color of his magic from it's original yellow. That was better suited to another day, or so he thought at least.

Riley glanced to her, "I mean all this with your 'miracle worker' and your wings. I was hoping you would stay with me." He smiled at her as she said she probably would, so long as something bad didn't happen. "I will do everything within my power to make sure something bad doesn't happen." He promised her, turning down and alley with her and stopping in front of a door. "We're here. Keep your mind shielded." He glanced at the door, taking note of a few signs that warned people who had the right information. He glanced at Ana, then reached up and knocked on the door loudly.

A slit opened, eyes looking out at Riley and Ana, then a woman's voice spoke. "Oft I must strive with wind and wave, Battle them both when under the sea I feel out the bottom, a foreign land. In lying still I am strong in the strife; If I fail in that they are stronger than I, And wrenching me loose, soon put me to rout.
They wish to capture what I must keep. I can master them both if my grip holds out, If the rocks bring succor and lend support, Strength in the struggle. Ask me my name!" Riley didn't pause long before answering the riddle, "Anchor." He replied, the eyes moving up and down as if in a nod. The door then opened, Riley stepping in with Ana.

A stout woman stood there, pointing at a table. "Wolfsbane, you know the rules. No weapons allowed beyond this door." She then spoke a few lines in the ancient language, Riley unclipped his sword and set it on the table. "She said that out weapons, and anything we want to leave here, will be returned before we leave." He removed a dagger from his boot, and several throwing knives from his tunic. Then the woman looked at him, "The bracers too Wolfsbane." Riley twitched, then removed the bracers and set them on the table. He stated in the ancient language that he had no more weapons. The woman turned to Ana, waiting for her, then nodded and sat in a chair by the door.

Riley turned to Ana, "And now we meet Mari." He took her to a door, leading her into a small office. A black haired man sat behind the desk, his ears ending in points, though they weren't as long as other elves. "Wolfsbane, what brings you here? And who's your friend?" He asked, not looking up Riley stayed by the door, his hands behind his back, standing slightly in front of Ana. "Her name is Ana, and we're here because we need your help looking for someone. - He showed Mari the man's image with his mind- "Do you recognize him?"

[Mali]

Ana giggled as Riley mentioned that traditionally, he would ask her mother if he could court Ana. She hoped her mother would be alright with the idea. She hadn't been happy that Ana had gone out to find an adventure. How would she feel about her coming back and bringing a guy home with her?

"Agreed, although, your parents don't know? When was the last time you saw them?" Ana couldn't imagine going so long without going home. Even if her mother was against her going out on her own, she knew that her mother would always welcome her back. 

She gasped thinking about the colour of his magic. She'd never known magic to have specific colours. "It sounds pretty, I'd like to see it sometime, if that's okay," she didn't want to impose on him, requesting to see something that would put him on the spot.

Nodding her head, she squeezed his hand tighter as they turned a corner into an alley way. She was told to keep her mind guarded and she turned to Riley frantically. She didn't know if she could keep her mind guarded for such a long period of time. She was about to tell him when a slit opened in the door and the person behind it started to speak in riddles. 

Ana thought about what was said but as Riley said the answer, Ana decided that this underworld way of doing things would never make sense to her. What if they used a different riddle every time?

As she was told to place her weapons down Ana handed her bow and arrows over without complaint. She was hesitant as she watched Riley hand over the bracers. They had better get those back; she'd worked really hard on those. 

She watched the interaction between the two men, trying her hardest to keep her mind guarded as they continued to speak. She was so focused on keeping a strong guard up, Ana didn't pay complete attention to the conversation. 

"What if I have?" Ana's wings fluttered as she tried to multi-task her mind. She tried to listen hoping her mental guard stayed up.

[/blockquote][/blockquote] 

[Riley]

Riley shook his head, "They know, they just aren't particularly supportive of it. Not that I blame them." He shrugged, then counted back in his mind, figuring out how long it had actually been since he had been home. "Three years?" He said after a minute, then nodded a few times, that sounded right. He didn't exactly feel right returning home with blood on his hands, aside from that his sister was the only one that still accepted him. Riley smiled and nodded at Ana, "Of course I'll show you, the next time we're somewhere I can rest." He hoped that would be when he showed her at least. He didn't want to have to use magic here, that could prove fatal.

"What if I have?" Mari asked, causing Riley's eyes to narrow. "Tell me Mari, is this going to be like Ceunon?" Mari grinned, shaking his head. "Now." Eight men appeared as Mari cut the spell he had been using to hide them from sight. Riley counted them, examining each one carefully before his eyes moved back to Mari. "Sorry old friend, the bounty on your head is too high, even for me." Riley sighed, looking at each man again, then looked back to Mari. "Ceunon all over again, except in reverse." He couldn't help but mutter, his eyes narrowing on Mari.

At one the two spoke, "NOW!" They moved as one, both attacking a man. Riley took the flail from the man closest to Ana, throwing it at another man moving to her. Riley's elbow came up, hitting the first man's throat and leaving him on the ground, gasping for air. His mind shot out for the second man again, taking control and making him hit his head against the wall, falling unconscious. He kept his mind connected to the downed man, using that man's energy instead of his own for his spell. "Thrust!" A third man was sent flying, hitting the wall and falling to the floor, still breathing but not moving. Mari and Riley both moved in on the last two men, Riley's fists moving in a blur of motion incapacitating him with ease.

Riley and Mari both stopped moving, only the three of them still standing. All eight of the bounty hunters laying on the ground, out cold and not dead. Riley immediately moved to Ana, "Are you alright?" He asked, concern evident in his voice, his hand moving to Ana's elbow. "You weren't hurt?" He waited for her reply, squeezing her arm lightly and sighing as he saw she was unhurt. Mari moved, tying up each man and putting them into a magic induced sleep. He then ordered several men to take the bounty hunters away, sitting behind his desk and sighing again.

Riley turned to face Mari, his hand still on Ana. The two exchanging a look. "I'm sorry Wolfsbane, they threatened my family. I knew we could take them if I reminded you of Ceunon, but even I couldn't take eight of them alone." Riley shook his head, "If it had just been me Mari... Don't drag Ana into this, I care about her very much." The half elf sighed and nodded, holding his hand up. "The man you want is still here, in Carvala. But he's leaving soon, heading on his way to Ilirea." Mari took out a large bag, setting it on the table. "Your payment for helping me." Riley accepted the money, then turned to Ana, reaching out to her. "What do you want to do? Get to him here, or travel to Ilirea?"

[Mali]

Three years was an awfully long time to be away from home without visiting. Ana didn’t think that she could go so long without going home at least during the Yule tide at the end of each year. Now that she’d found Riley, the time that she returned might be longer in between, but she’d still make an effort to visit. “I’d like that,” she giggled.

Ana watched the interaction between Riley and this Mari and was confused. Riley had said that he would help them. She wasn’t expecting this encounter to go like any old time. As the eight men were suddenly uncloaked, she gasped, and let her barrier down. Oh no, now she wasn’t guarded. She didn’t understand why she would need to keep her mind guarded if he were a friend, but this appeared to be why.

As a man moved toward her, Ana looked around for anything she would be able to use as a weapon. She thought about it and panicked as there was nothing for her to knock him out with, nothing for her to injure the man with. But at just the right time, Riley moved in and saved her from the man. She watched as the two men fought and had to admit that now, she was confused. This Mari had set the men on the two of them and yet he was helping knock the men out.

After all the men were on the ground, Mari started to tie them up as Riley returned to her. “I’m fine,” she wanted to tell him that she wasn’t able to keep her guard up but felt it necessary not to make it known to Mari. Maybe he wouldn’t notice that her mind was relatively open.

Mari apologised and explained that they had threatened his family and Ana questioned how they knew that Riley was coming here and would have enough time to threaten his family but pushed that thought aside. He had to have a good reason for attacking a friend. And even then, he didn’t attack Riley, he helped Riley fight them.

Ana blushed as Riley said he cared about her very much. She casually reached out, taking his hand to help give her strength. She didn’t think that she would be able to put her defense back up around her mind. Soon enough, Mari gave his answer to whether or not he’d seen her ‘miracle worker’. He was here in the city. Her breath caught in her throat, her wings drooping as the air stopped in her lungs. He was here, after all these years of staying in the forge, afraid of the world that could hurt her. After all those years ago when she became deformed. He was here, it was just that easy.

She turned to Riley, her eyes and body shocked to hear that he was here. Taking a regular breath in Ana slowly nodded her head. “What if he won’t talk to us?” she doubted that he would willingly talk to them about the issue. He’d probably brush them off.

“Yes, I want to find him here, if we can. Where is he right now, Mari sir?” Ana didn’t know Mari personally, so it was only polite to address the elf with a formality attached. “He’s at the local stag inn, you might want to hurry though,”

[/b] Ana nodded her head and turned to leave, waiting for Riley to say any goodbyes to Mari, though she didn’t know if he even would. Mari had attacked them, even if he did help them afterwards and give them the information they needed.

Ana picked up her weapons at the front, waiting for Riley to do so as well. “Riley, I’m a little scared. He’s hurt me before, what if he makes it worse? Can he even do it? He’s an elf with bad magic after all.” she trembled slightly, holding her bow and arrows in her hands.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Riley]

Riley nodded, listening to Ana's fears. He didn't eve give Mari a farewell, instead going to the table and grabbing his weapons again. Sliding the dagger back into his boot, he looked at Ana, considering it and forming a plan. "We'll go back to the in, I'll go to him and ask for help with my sick wife." He spoke softly, only to Ana as he strapped his bracers back on. Tightening them, he made sure he had everything on him, before turning to Ana and making sure she had everything. Riley offered her a small smile, then led her out of the building, taking her hand and squeezing it softly. He took her back to the inn, thinking about his plan. He connected his mind to hers, keeping her in the loop as best he could.

Riley turned to her and smiled, thinking that he needed to explain his plan better. "Ok, so I'll go to him and get him. I'll tell him my wife, you, are having labor issues." He blushed lightly, but pushed his mind from it. "That will bring him back here, where we can have a nice conversation with him." Riley knew this could have a high chance of failing, but he also thought he could keep the ruse going enough to get the man cornered. Riley considered it, then sighed, "I'll have to leave my weapons here.." He grumbled, not liking the idea, but it would only help the ruse go over if he did.

Riley slowly led Ana into the inn, taking her to their room. His saddle and bags sitting on the floor in the corner. He unclipped the sword from his belt, setting it by the door, before storing the rest of his weapons in his saddle bags. He clipped a very well wore dagger on his right hip, standing and walking to Ana. He smiled at her, pulling her into his arms. "It's alright Ana, I won't let him hurt you." He promised her, repeating it in the ancient language. "I will make sure you stay safe, and that you can still walk." He repeated himself in the ancient language for her. Binding himself in the promises in a permanent way.

[Mali]

Ana listened to the plan Riley formed in his head but found something wrong with it. Even if she were his wife and having labour issues, would her ‘miracle worker’ really show up for that? He was flamboyant by the way he dressed, something as simple as labour issues might not grab his attention enough. He might even question why Riley didn’t go to a doctor first, why he’d come for a rumoured miracle worker would make him question the nature of his plan.

“I have a slightly different idea. Instead of pretending to be in labour when he walks into the room, let’s say something’s wrong with the baby instead. Like it was born mute, it doesn’t cry or make any noise,” She thought about it. It wasn’t that the issue that was wrong had to be something extreme to get his attention. It was more something that only a ‘miracle worker’ would be able to fix that would spark his interest. “He would question why you went to him and not the local doctor if I was having labour issues. That’s why if we alter it a bit, he won’t be suspicious of why we need his help.”

Ana was pulled into his arms and she closed her eyes, feeling safe in these arms. She nodded her head, resting her head against his chest briefly, listening to the ancient language before pulling back to look at him. “Be careful. I’m not sure what his level of magic to be, and the memory doesn’t tell the whole truth. What do I do when he gets here?” Ana fidgeted in his arms, placing her palms against his chest. “Oh, and good luck,” she kissed his lips, this being the first time she initiated a kiss to the lips. Pulling away, she nodded her head.

---

Cyprian sat at the inn finishing his chicken. He’d heard quite a few stories of illnesses from people hoping to be cured but none were worthy of his time. He was only in Carvala for a few more hours before he was headed to Ilirea. He had some customers waiting for spells there. And even though he was known as the infamous miracle worker around these parts, it was still hardly known that his miracles always ended with a side effect. Of course, he did it on purpose with a final intent. However, the spells he sold to vendors had to be top notch or else he would have no one to sell to after all the complaints they would receive.

He currently sat at a table in the central location of the inn. He was wearing a bright azure blue shirt with embroidered gold patterns over the exuberant fabric. Someone would have to try very hard to miss him with his flaming red hair, emerald green eyes and higher than usual tips on the elf’s ears. But that was the way he liked it. Being noticed boosted his ego to an extent.

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[Riley]

Riley nodded at her, listening to her as she made her suggestion, he had to admit it: Hers was better. "Alright, that sounds good." He held her tight, kissing her back when she kissed him. "When I bring him back, it's best if you hold a bundle at first.. And keep your wings hidden at first." He pulled clothes out of his saddlebags, rolling them into a bundle, doing his best to make them look like a baby. He then put the bundle on the bed, turning back to Ana. "Ana.." Riley looked at her in silence for a few moments, then moved in and kissed her again. Keeping his lips pressed against hers longer than any kiss before. "I'll be back soon.."

Riley slowly pulled away, leaving the inn. He hated leaving her there alone, he wanted to be with her. Stay while they waited for the man to come to them. However, he had a job that needed to be done, and he wouldn't trust it to any random person. This was the best way for everything to be done. He pushed everything else from his mind, he needed to focus. He adopted a more serious tone, not having to fake the worry that showed on his face. Riley shielded his mind, it wasn't uncommon for someones mind to be shielded. Especially these days. He looked up at the inn he needed, taking a deep breath before entering it.

Riley looked around, easily seeing and recognizing the 'miracle' worker from Ana's memories. He pretended to look around for another moment, before 'finding' the elf. He crossed to the man, having to force himself not to go through the traditional elven greeting. This person didn't deserve that greeting, unless the man addressed Riley first. Which he highly doubted. Riley glanced down at the man's food, raising an eyebrow at the meat. All the elves he had ever met were vegetarians. He pushed the thought from his mind, keeping his mental shield up and strong. "Please sir, are you the miracle worker I've heard about? It's my newborn daughter.."

[Mali]

Ana nodded her head, before resting it against his chest. She listened to his heart beat, calming her nerves, for a few brief seconds before pulling away to look up at him. Watching Riley as he pulled some clothes out of the saddlebags, bundling them up to look like a baby, she watched as he placed the bundle on the bed before pulling her close to him again. The way that he said her name made her butterflies flutter around her stomach again. “Okay,” she noticed that the kiss lasted longer than his usual ones and she had to wonder why. It wasn’t important right now though.

As soon as Riley left, Ana walked over to the bundled ‘baby’ and sat down on the bed. Hiding her wings would be easy as she took a blanket out of Riley’s bags. Wrapping the blanket over his shoulders, forcing her wings to stay down, Ana sat on the bed, puffing the blankets already on the bed to make her look like she had been pregnant just a few days ago. Now, to wait.

---

Cyprian was just finishing his meal when a slightly frantic looking man entered the building. Now that was the kind of person who needed his ‘help’. Just as predicted, the man approached his table. However, he hadn’t expected the raised eyebrow to his meal. He wasn’t a vegetarian. He was allergic to certain fruits and vegetables and the only other way to get proteins and vitamins from those fruits and vegetables was by eating meat. It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t eat many fruits or vegetables and instead ate meat; he still said a prayer every time he ate.

Already, he was judging whether he should help this man solely on that raised eyebrow alone. Judging people was rude and although he was doing it right now, he viewed it as an eye for an eye. That’s when he heard the man speak about his newborn daughter and a smirk appeared across his features. It was all fine and dandy until they needed something. “I have to warn you, there may be some side effects with my help, but that’s a risk when you perform miracles.” he finished his drink before standing and paying for his meal.

Turning back to face the man, he placed his hands on his hips, the one hand under his chin, thinking. He didn’t know what was wrong with the child, but he had enough time to check it out. His bags had left before him, using magic to do so. Carrying all his belongings around with him could become so tiring.

“What’s wrong with her? I have to warn you again, if it’s a still born, I can’t bring her back to life,” it was a taboo that he would rather not dabble in. When trying to bring someone back to life with the ancient language, you were risking creating a shade and there was no way he would want to do that.

Looking the man up and down, he could sense the magic with him. He was human and still had magic, a rare sight indeed. He probably didn’t have the ability to help his daughter with his magic, hence why he was trusting Cyprian to help him. His mind was shielded, probably about the only thing he could do without straining himself too much. Sighing, Cyprian rolled his eyes before staring down at the man. He stood at a good six foot ten and was hence, much taller than the man but that didn’t matter right now. “I’ll help you, where is she?”

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Riley]

Riley watched the elf, learning everything he could He knew it would be taken as a human learning about an elf, as opposed to a warrior learning about his opponent. Sometimes, it was a good thing most elves took humans to be ignorant fools. Not many humans had the tutelage he had at Ilirea, or the experience he had in dealing with elves. "She was born mute, she's making no sound. And she's not responding to any sound me or my wife make." Riley put all of his worry and concern into his voice, misplaced as they might be. He also made sure to make various nervous motions, making himself appear as a nervous parent. If he hadn't been so focused on the work, he might have been impressed with his acting ability.

Riley made himself look relieved when the elf agreed to accompany him back to the inn. "We're staying at a inn not too far away." He pushed joy into his voice, nodding vigorously as he was warned. "I understand.." He stammered out in relief, turning and leaving the inn, making sure that the elf was following him. Riley moved at a slightly faster pace than he normally would, trying to appear as if he was in a hurry. He didn't doubt that the elf could keep up, elves were faster and stronger than humans after all. And stronger magicians. What was Riley getting himself into? He hoped that everything would go without conflict. Though he doubted he was that lucky.

Riley led him to the inn, keeping his mind carefully shielded. He wished he could warn Ana, let her know that they were already there. It was almost unfair that he was going to show up without warning, then again she did know they were coming. Riley resisted the urge to take a breath as they entered the inn, leading the man up the stairs. This was it, they were getting close to the end. He stepped loudly on the stairs, and on the landing leading to his and Ana's room. He leveled his steps off, returning them to the regular sound and strength. He stopped in front of the door, turning to the elf. "This is it." He said, opening the door and covering his sword, waiting for the elf to enter before closing the door and standing in front of his sword, hiding it from view.

[Mali]

Cyprian thought about what the human said. A possible deaf mute? This could prove interesting. The only thing was which side effect to choose for this poor child. The baby may not be responding to any sounds the parents make because the child cannot make sound. However, the chances that the child couldn’t hear any of the sounds the parents were making only intrigued him more. Even for an elf, he was still curious, if a little malicious.

The human was even joyous that he would help his daughter. If only he knew Cyprian’s agenda. Would he want his help if he knew what he intended to do? Of course, the side effect wouldn’t show up until the next day, long after he’d left Carvala and the chances of finding him again were slim. He never gave his real name and the fake names were a dime a dozen. He had so many fake names that he’d given out over the years that he had to be careful which one he used with new ‘clients’.

“Lead the way,” He followed the human to an inn and had to question if he was a local. He couldn’t be a local of Carvala. He had to have been travelling not too long ago. Reason being that he was currently staying at an inn with his wife and newborn daughter. Something set off a small alarm in his head but he pushed it aside. His magic was far greater than this human’s capabilities. Even if he were able to redirect his spell, his mind was as shielded as this man’s. There was no way he would be able to gain control of his mind and given to that extent, his spell as well. He had an escape plan, however, if his alarm had been right and he should be suspicious of what he’d been told and where he was being led.

Arriving at the inn and hearing the loud footsteps the human made, Cyprian wondered if he were alerting his wife of their presence without unshielding his mind. Saying thank you for the door being opened, Cyprian walked in to see a woman sitting on the bed holding a silent bundle.

---

Ana was nervous. When would Riley be back and what would she do when she saw her miracle worker again? She didn’t want to see him but knew she had to. If she wanted to get the information about why he did it, what spells he used, etc, then she would have to see his face again.

She heard the louder footsteps as someone approached the room and immediately crawled into the bed, fluffing up the blanket around her shoulders and stomach. The door handle turned and Ana quickly picked up the bundle, cradling it in her arms. What about hands? Even if the baby was mute, she would have hands out or something, right?

The door opened and her miracle worker walked inside with Riley right behind him. Looking up, she had to resist gasping. It was really him; he was here. She was frozen as she saw him but shook her head. She had to play the part she’d been given. “Can you help her?” her voice trembled slightly, not able to hold perfect composure in front of her miracle worker. She hated this man but had to feel grateful to an extent. He had given her the one thing she’d asked for, to be able to walk, however, he had given her something else that she hated him for very deeply. She was conflicted, trying to keep up the charade.

---

Something was off about the scene in front of Cyprian. The mother was familiar somehow and he wasn’t sure why. Hadn’t he helped someone who looked an awful lot like her before?

Walking over to the bundle she was holding, Cyprian knew immediately that there was no baby, this was a scam, similar to his own. “What is going on here?” He turned to face Riley as the woman moved. He noticed the wings as she moved out from under the blanket and he remembered her instantly. Time to make a dash.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Riley]

Riley drew the dagger the moment he knew that Cyprian thought something was off, he threw the dagger causing it to stick into the sill to stop it from opening. He grabbed his sword, sticking it into the floor to stop the door from opening. "Well that took longer than expected." He stated, drawing a second dagger from within his tunic. His mind remained carefully shielded, he moved, standing between Ana and Cyprian. "By now I'm sure you recognize her alfa." He said referring to the man by the ancient language word for elf. He gripped the hilt of his dagger tighter, knowing he wouldn't stand a chance if a fight broke out. Unless.. He pulled his mind away from that thought, not wanting to consider it.

Riley looked the elf up and down, taking in his every movement carefully. "I memorized the spell you used on her. I know you purposely sabotaged the spell, causing her wings to grow." He never moved his eyes from him, his pronunciation in the ancient language perfect. "Tell me, will you fix it? I can offer you payment if you will remove the wings, without damaging her further." Riley felt a little bad that he wasn't able to translate for Ana at the moment, but he would simply have to translate for her later. Hopefully after everything was set straight. He didn't doubt that this would end, probably soon, how it was going to end however..

Riley moved more in front of Ana, hoping he was making things even a little easier for her. "What will it be?" He asked, wondering what was about to happen. Though several thoughts passed through his mind. He pushed them all aside, instead experiencing a heightened sense of things. He was aware of everything that was happening in the room, absolutely everything. He listened to Ana's breathing, forming a picture of her in his mind. He used it as his shield, the image flawless and strong. To anyone who knew him, they could tell the difference in appearance. He was relaxed, too relaxed, ready to move on a moments notice.

[Mali]

Ana watched as before her miracle worker even spoke, Riley had thrown a dagger in her general direction, catching on the window sill and his sword through the floor to prevent the door from opening. She hoped he realised that the inn keeper probably wouldn’t be too happy to find a blade sticking through their flooring. He might even have to pay a fee because he’d done it.

But that wasn’t what she should be thinking about right now. Her breathing caught in her throat as her miracle worker spoke. His voice sounded deep and smooth like honey. Ana watched as Riley moved in between her and her miracle worker, trying to keep her safe she would assume. Standing up, she reached forward, dropping the fake bundle onto the bed. Her arms gently held onto his forearm. Her grip was loose so he could move any moment if need be. She felt comfortable and safe as long as she was holding onto Riley. She almost used him as a shield, peeking out at her miracle worker.

---

Cyprian listened to what the man had to say. Yes, he did recognise her. After so many years of being in the ‘business’ she was the first cripple to approach him for help. He had thought the wings beautiful, questioning what the issue would be. She was unique and special, she may still be human but she was different now. What was the problem with what he’d done? He’d warned her that there might be side effects and she had wanted to walk still. She was walking, so what was the problem?

Listening to what the man had to say, in perfect tongue, Cyprian sighed. How was he supposed to word this? It would be easy but whether the man accepted his answer or not was still in question. He replied, also in the ancient language. He was skilled at misleading his messages in the ancient language; he had to be with those seeking miracles in that tongue.

“Purposely sabotaged, why, I am offended good sir,” he started out. Smiling, Cyprian made wide hand gestures as he spoke. “When performing miracles, there is always a price they pay. She couldn’t walk until those wings grew in. When I returned her to her mother, she could not walk still, but as soon as the wings came in, she could walk, why is it do you think?”

[/i][/b] he paused for added effect.

“It was simply the price she needed to pay. It isn’t my fault that the price is so extreme, that’s why they’re called miracles. They aren’t meant to be performed.”[/i][/b] So far, his bullshit sounded great to him. His voice was dripping honey, soft and smooth but sticky. Crossing his arms, he closed his eyes and thought for a second about whether he would do it or not. He had an escape plan already forming in his mind. This man seemed to relax a little much and that would be his downfall now.

“I could try, but there is no guarantee she’d still be able to walk. That would require an extensive amount of spells and I’m not sure I could pull it off completely. Why do you think she is the way she is? It’s because that was the only way I could give her her miracle.”[/i][/b] it wasn’t a complete lie. It was the easiest way to give her her miracle without straining his magic to a far extent. However, it wasn’t impossible, to remove the wings and keep her walking. He just didn’t want to do it.

“So, I shall have to say not. Freeze!”[/b][/i] His spell was spoken instantly and while the man was relaxed. The air in their bodies thinning out and leaving them breathless as their motions and movements were restricted. They would move in slow motion, even their thought process would be slower than usual and that was accounted for in his spell. He was a miracle worker when it came to complicated, one worded spells.

It was then that he moved like lightning over to the door, pulling the sword out of the floor and left the building. He would rather not have to duel the poor man, as he would lose. Even if his magical and physical abilities were great, Cyprian’s magical abilities were better. As soon as he was outside the inn, he knew that keeping the spell going the further he got away from the building would only strain. Cloaking himself invisible, he dispersed his freezing spell, escaping invisibly into the night.

---

Ana had no idea what was being said. All she knew was that her miracle worker seemed to say a lot. She held onto Riley a little tighter when she felt him do something. She didn’t know what was happening to her, but she fell victim to the worst of the miracle worker’s spell. Her breathing stopped, her body wouldn’t move as her eyes flicked around the room. She grew panicked as the strain on her body became painful. Her lungs strived for air as she watched the miracle worker leave the room.

She wanted to call out Riley’s name, to ask him what was going on, but it seemed as if the spell was affecting him as well. As soon as Ana could guess that the miracle worker had left the inn, they were released from the spell, and Ana collapsed against Riley’s back, gasping for air.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]