Ary'ia left Erikk where he was to meet his ride, hopefully they showed but she had other things to worry herself with. She needed to get back and finish her duties before she got reamed.
The Veiled Heritance already hated her kind, she didn't need to give them a reason, she tried hard not to. She rushed back and managed to make it before dinner, the Bosmer that works with her in the kitchen was flipping out, “Y'ffre's hairy feet! Where the bloody hell have you been? These damn elves have asked me twice if I'd seen you.”
“Dark moons, I'm probably gonna hear about it...I was on my way back from talking with momma when I ran into someone and he was lost, I helped him find the way back...it caused me to be behind, this one apologizes.” Ary’ia adjusted the tray and bowls as the elf started pouring the soup in.
“Things can't be worse than usual right? There's nothing else they can do to us than they already do.” She looked and smiled at Ary’ia
“These furless, clawless cowards will get their own one day, and you and I...you and I will be there to see it all,” Ary'ia picked up the tray, “for now let's give these bastards what they want but never deserve.”
After dinner was served Ary'ia walked around camp, it was dark, quiet...and soothing. The way the Meadows teased the wind, yet cuddled up to the trees, which also kept the mountains company...they all blend harmoniously together...it was perfect...so she thought.
From behind came commotion and clatter, then she saw the smoke... Ary'ia ran back looking for her Bosmer friend, “Elana!”
“Ary” she turned at her name and saw the Bosmer.
“What's going on?”
“I'm not sure, someone has entered the camp and set fire to a few of the northern tents...and it's spreading.”
“Alright, find somewhere safe Elana, this could be our chance to get away...I'll come find you.”
“You stay safe.” They gave each other glances and went separate ways. Ary’ia headed north toward the fires as Elana ran south away from the camp for good.
Elana was right someone came in and set them on fire, but who and why? She stood looking around at the high and mighty High Elves who were running around like bantam guar with their heads cut off, she couldn't help but stand there and chuckle a little at them.
She was so distracted by the entertainment in front of her she didn't realize someone had walked right up behind her and grabbed her…
“Mor kha'jay trajir jer! Unhand me!” Ary’ia struggled in their arms...but the assailant released her as requested...she turned to attack them… “Rajhin kodesh! Erikk?! What are you doing here?”
“Shhh Ary keep your voice down,” he kept looking around the camp to make sure they weren't spotted.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Did you set these fires?” Ary’ia was confused as to why he would do such a thing...he should be miles away from her by now.
“Yes and I will explain all to you later but I need you to trust me...annnd I need a place to hide,” he smiled at her as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Ziss! Fine, follow me...you're lucky you're cute,” Erikk tucked in behind her closely, “and don't step on my tail!”
“Sorry,” Erikk stepped back some, but relatively close...Ary’ia led him to the kitchen and looked through the barrels to see which was mostly empty so to hide him in it.
“Get in,” she lifted the lid to a fish barrel, Erikk looked up at her with disgust, “I don't care, you asked for my help and here it is...if you don't want it sort it out yourself.” Reluctantly he climbed in, moaning all the same, “if you stay quiet no one will think to check here.”
“Of course they won't cuz who would be dumb enough to lay with the fishes.” He tried his best not to vomit.
“I'll be back for you later when things have passed.” On that note Ary’ia left him to his fate.
Why was she helping him?...she hid him, not sure why she was feeling so strongly about this man but she is...and it reminds her of herself, if it was her and she was there for her sister she would hope someone would help her...and she hopes she doesn't regret it. She can't be distracted by that right now...she needed to convince the elves all was settled so she could eventually get him out of here...and away from her.
After a day of hell dealing with whining high elves the night finally settled and the camp was mostly cleaned up... Ary'ia made her way to the kitchen, which to her surprise she saw Elana, a little worse for wear, “Elana? I thought you were gone.”
“I was...but a small scouting party saw me running from the smoke and figured I was involved,” she threw her hands up, “so here I am, yet again.”
“I’m sorry my friend...Why don't you turn in for the night this one will finish cleaning up.” Ary'ia needed to get to Erikk before someone else did, she trusted Elana but she didn't want to get her involved in anymore of her troubles.
“Really? You sure?” Elana looked as though she needed the rest.
“Yes I'll make sure it's all taken care of.” Ary'ia smiled at her to convince her.
“Thank you,” at that Elana left the tent. Now to find Erikk...she knew he would bitch to her about smelling like fish, but he would be alive so what did it matter.
Ary'ia turned the corner and after making sure no one would see them she lifted the lid off the barrel, “Molag’s balls I thought I was dead...maybe I am I smell like death,” Erikk turned up his nose at himself.
“Oh get over it you're alive.” Ary'ia rolled her eyes at him.
"When this is all over I'm heading to the nearest inn for a bath," a smile appeared on his face, "I hope they have a serving wench with an ample bosom to help me was my back." The thought made him forget the way he smelled currently, that even a hagraven wouldn't dare come near him.
Ary'ia rolled her eyes at him, he noticed. "Oh I'm sorry was my eye roll to obvious?" She put her hand on her chest, "I didn't realize the thought of sex was more than the thought of living." She chuckled at him and went back to looking for a way out.
"Sometimes...sometimes the thought of sex, or being with a special person that is your life...is better and more than your life." He thought of his wife, she was the most gorgeous thing to ever walk the earth...so he thought, then he had a daughter...she became his world...his every breath and being...but like all good things to good and gentle for this world they were taken from him.
Ary'ia stared in confusion, not a moment ago he had a smile that would scare a mammoth and now he was furious, and it scared her. What could have possibly changed in a matter of minutes.
Something shifted bringing her back to the realization that now wasn't the time to think about such things. They made it through the kitchen unseen, not many that weren't slaves walked through here much. They reached the back of the tent, she shoved Erikk through the opening when someone called out her name, "Ary?" She turned to see Elana.
"Elana, I thought you were sleeping," Ary'ia tried to close the opening she made.
"I was but remembered I forgot something here in the kitchen," she picked up her necklace her mother gave her as a child, "what's going on?"
Ary'ia debated what to tell her, she couldn't lie to her best friend could she? But before she had the chance to say anything Erikk came back through the opening, "apologies, Ary is coming to my aid yet again today." Erikk lowered his head and placed his hand on his chest.
"Who are you," Elana looked inquisitively, then a dawning look came across her face, "Ary is this the one you assisted earlier?" Ary'ia nodded, "what is he doing here?"
"I have yet to find that out, right now I'm just trying to get him out before the elves find him." At that Elana nodded
"Go...I'll cover things from here," she looked as she would cry saying goodbye to her best friend.
"Elana?" Ary'ia was crying, Elana had been the closest thing to family she's had in a long time.
"Go...find your sister, be free of these demons," Ary hugged her.
"We will see each other again...I promise...goodbye sister." With that Ary'ia disappeared behind the tent with Erikk, her cloak and daggers in hand...to where she didn't not know yet...but this one was one step closer to Kess'ia.