Pyra lead Lilian out of town, walking along with a purpose. For once she felt assured that she was going to make it back home untouched. The armored woman following her slightly behind did unnerve her, the way that she watched her. The way her eyes seemed to pierce her very being. It all was so much. Pyra knew that Lilian knew something, but what that something was she couldn’t rightly tell. When she saw her storming out of the meeting hall, right after her party had gently suggested that she leave. Based on the yelling that had followed right after she fled it was the right choice. Though no matter wha she couldn’t seem to figure out what Lilian wanted from her, the offer was rather candid. Saying it outright rather than dancing around the point, something that Pyra both appreciated but also found a little more than suspicious.

What did she have to gain from any of this? Pyra knew what materially Lilian had to gain from bothering to even help Aeson with the wildfire prep, she had a contract and everything. This part made sense. However the part that didn’t make any sense was Lilian helping her. She only fell under Aeson’s edicts because it was the closest township around, and if she wanted to continue to ply her trade then she would need to listen to the council. Otherwise no one, not even herself, thought of her as a citizen of the town. Hells even her mail was rarely addressed to the road she lived on. Simply “Pyra The Unburned” and Bella knew here to go.

The two walked in silence as Pyra worked this over again and again in her head, occasionally she’d look over her shoulder at Lilian to see if she was still following her. Not only was she, she was rarely paying attention to her. Always scanning the tree line, looking hither and thither for threats that may jump out of each and every bush at them. The way that her hand rested on the hilt of her sword made Pyra nervous, a blade could just as easily cut through her as it does any other monster.

“You ever get anything out here?” Lilian’s voice cut through the silence, Pyra could nearly hear the blade sing as she jumped out of her skin.

“N-no!” She stammered. “Nothing. Its just me out here.”

Lilian looked at Pyra incredulously, letting the silence settle back into the world like a wet wool blanket. She turned back to face the road, away from the strange woman that she was, against all her better judgment, inviting to her home. She could have, no should have just invited her somewhere and paid for a meal. She had the coin for that! But no, for reasons far beyond her ken there was something about this woman that just made her decide to invite her several miles away to… Pyra realized that she hadn’t even thought that far ahead. What exactly was she going to do once her and Lilian were there. She took a few breaths, think Pyra think. They were already almost a fourth of the way there, still a reasonable amount of time to turn back and Lilian have enough sunlight to make it back to town before things got nasty, but then she looked up at the skies. The clouds were darkening. She could smell the sweetness of rain. If they turned back now, Lilian would be able to sleep in the inn warm and dry. Pyra, however, would have to walk back in the rain. The thought of this weighed heavy on her mind, the last time she did this she got dreadfully sick.

“Actually!” She turned sharply on Lilian, who flinched at Pyra’s sudden movement. “Its going to rain soon, and the way is, is really dangerous when the rains come.” She balled her fists, watching Lilian for every micro-expression she could have.

But the woman only nodded, and looked up at the sky. “Rain’s probably likely yea.” She looked back at Pyra. “You want to head back to town?”

“Y-Yes!” She forced the word out, if Lilian had the idea herself then maybe she won’t be seen as as much of a coward for turning back. “That way, we can just… wait out the rain!” Nailed it.

Lilian shrugged and turned and started off back towards town. She watched her go for some time. Her armor wasn’t exactly quiet. It also didn’t gleam. Armor should have a shine to it shouldn’t it? It felt strange that it didn’t. To her untrained eye Lilian’s armor didn’t even seem all that impressive. It wasn’t even that shiny silver that steel was supposed to be! It was dull, black, and overall unimpressive. She’s seen armor, she’s seen the armor of warriors and knights and adventurers. The filigree, and the way that it seemed to nearly sparkle until the sunlight, and sometimes even in the moonlight. Lilian’s was none of that. It was…

“You going to stand there?” She asked, not stopping as she called back.

Pyra nearly leaped out of her skin, rushing after Lilian upon being called out for her inaction. In no time at all she caught up to Lilian, walking along side her back to town. Awkwardly she looked up at her, offering a smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes. Lilian returned her look, though with the cold mask of professionalism. It made her stand ramrod straight, fixing her gaze on the road ahead. She opened her mouth to speak a few times, but then just closed it. She ran through what happened in her head, did Lilian catch onto what she had done? Did she see something? Was it the same thing everyone else in Aeson sees?

“The inn should be making up something nice to eat if you want to sit there a while.” Lilian broke the silence all of a sudden.

“I… may not have the money to pay for it.” Pyra admitted sheepishly. “I had just enough for my errands here and…” She trailed off, trying to find a good excuse lying around on the ground.

“No prob’um then, I’ll pay.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Least I can do then if I’m keepin’ you.”

“O-Oh.”

It was all she could manage. In that moment all her words fell to the wayside to be washed away in the oncoming rains. Pyra could refuse oh yes that was an option, but she couldn’t seem desperate to escape. Then Lilian would chase. Who knows how long someone like her could, let alone would, chase her for. Pyra cast a glance to her from the corner of her eye, praying that Lilian didn’t notice. Her strong jawline, her sun kissed skin, the muscles that her build - largely hidden by her armor - suggested she had. Pyra looked at her with some semblance of longing. Yearning? Whatever she could have had in Lilian, she knows in her bones that the kindness, whatever measure of understanding, it would all be gone by the time her contract would be up.

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Would it even be worth it to risk it? To enjoy the sun even as she can see the smoke on the horizon growing ever closer and closer to her? She tore her gaze from her. No, it wasn’t worth it. The strong hands, made calloused by a life time of work would never find hers. Her sword would never find its home hanging from the same rack that Pyra hung her cloak. They would break bread this once, but only this once. Everyone in town had made up their minds, had seen Pyra for what she was. Monster would of been kind, at least then they would have at least put her to the sword, but no. No she wasn’t a monster, she was that middle step. Any one who tried to find the humanity in her that was still left always found that the demonic within her was too overpowering, leaving in a violent display of disgust and rage. Why would it be any different this time?

“Kinda wish they’d make somethin’ decent, but since I don’t really have my own kitchen I can’t really be complaining all that much.” Lilian spoke up again, “But if there’s a next time I can always make camp just outside of town and I’ll make something over the fire.”

Her heart lept into her throat. All of a sudden feeling like she was trying to swallow a frog, and it was desperately trying to escape. Pyra set her jaw, that frog could trash against its prison all it wanted but she was not going to allow it to be set free under any circumstances. The idea of a next time bolstered that little frog’s savage attacks and eventually even she couldn’t bite her tongue anymore.

“That would be better.” Pyra said hurriedly as Lilian’s hand touched the door to the inn. “I’m not, its,” She trailed off. Trying to spit it out before she completely lost her nerve. “Being in town is bad for me.”

Lilian nodded knowingly. “Won’t make a habit of it then.” She glanced in and beckoned Pyra inside. “Come on, lets get somethin’ to eat and then you can start workin’ on home then hm?” When Pyra nodded Lilian smiled at her, “Don’t you worry none alright? There’s not many folk in there right now. Should be nice and quiet for the both of us.”

It was such a small assurance. Meaningless to anyone else she ventured. Sure the empty inn would be something nice for some people. A quiet meal, time to think, maybe even have the extra attention afforded to you by the staff. That thought sent chills down Pyra’s spine. Would the food she got even be safe to eat? She couldn’t worry about that right now, at least not with Lilian already striding into the inn. Loudly ordering for the both of them while she slid into a bar stool. Gods she’d not even taken off her gear. So caught up in her thoughts Pyra didn’t even catch what she had ordered for them. Seeing no other real option she sat down next to Lilian.

“You alright darlin’?” Lilian’s voice was low, all of a sudden she was slightly hunched as to match Pyra’s own cowed posture.

“I’m fine.” Pyra whispered back.

“You don’t look fine.” That hard stare. Unyielding. She’s probably face dragons with that kind of stare.

By the time the next coronation happened Pyra finally spoke. “I don’t trust the food.” She barely breathed the words, not daring to find out just how much she couldn’t trust it if the barmaids overheard.

“What do you mean? Her hard expression suddenly became all the more severe.

“They… they aren’t above poisoning my food. Its why I don’t eat here.”

Lilian’s jaw set and she nodded. In that moment Pyra felt the icy claws of death caress her spine, lingering at each vertebrate She didn’t believe her. Her chest started to hurt as she watched Lilian, the woman’s previously unreadable stare had slowly morphed into something that looked more akin to cold fury. Glancing down to Lilian’s hands, her gauntlets on the counter between the two, but her hands? Her hands were balled up in a white knuckle grip. She was going to lash out, Pyra tensed up, watching her. Trying to ensure that she would be able to run away at a moment’s notice. Her heart pounded in her chest as Pyra watched every twitch and slight movement of Lilian. Could she even outrun her? Sure that armor was all at least ninety pounds all said and done but it wasn’t like she was holding it in her hands, it wasn’t going to necessarily slow her down enough for Pyra to get away.

At that moment one of the barmaids came out with a tray. Two bowls of something that smelled divine as well as two mugs of something, most likely ale. Lilian’s eyes flicked to the barmaid, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“And here we are,” The barmaid said in a faux-cheery voice, not that Pyra blamed her. If she had to work here, she’d likely be faking her tone too. “Two bowls of mutton stew and a mug of mead and a mug of ale.” She nodded as she set down everything in front of Pyra and Lilian. “Anything else I can get for you two?”

“Actually.” Lilian’s voice was sharp, not as the tenderly cared for blade however. It was jagged as broken glass. “Would you mind trying some of this for me?” She pushed Pyra’s bowl close to the barmaid.

Part of her felt a little betrayed, the knee jerk thought of Lilian stealing a promised meal away from her, however seeing the way that the customer service face flickered on the barmaid, she knew why Lilian was doing it.

“I’ve already ate ma’am and besides,” She said in a sweet voice, “I can’t be courtin’ on company time.”

“I insist.” Lilian’s voice brooked no argument.

In that moment the barmaid’s face got a little red, her shoulders tenses and her fingers started to twitch. “Ma’am, I’m busy and I-“

“There’s no one else here.” She leapt in, standing up slightly as she leaned over the counter. “Or is there something about it?”

“There’s nothin’ wrong with it.” The barmaid spat. “She just can’t eat it cause we don’t serve her kind!”

Pyra flinched as the woman aggressively pointed at her. Her eyes shutting tightly and nearly raising her arms to block a strike. She heard a stool clattering to the floor and the clanking of armor. Lilian suddenly in an aggressive stance, oh no, she wasn’t going to start a fight was she?

“And what does her kind mean, friend?”

In that moment, the barmaid had suddenly decided that she didn’t want to actually answer that question. Likewise she looked Lilian over and came to the realization that fighting her was probably the worse choice she could ever make for her career, short of maybe flirting with the owner while his wife was watching. Lilian, had no such compunctions, and grabbed one of the bowls and threw it directly at her. The bowl of what turned out to be chicken and dumplings spilling all over her. The barmaid let out a scream when the hot broth splattered all over her and hurriedly tried to dab it off of her with her apron.

“My party and I will turn in our keys within the day. We will not be staying here.” She looked at Pyra, frozen in terror. “Let us be away. Lorne and Calisto will be interested in what is going on here.”

Pyra hurriedly followed her as she stormed out of the inn. A pit opening up in her stomach. This was a mistake, she had made a mistake. But when she looked at Lilian, the way her armor caught the light. And took in her appearance. She began to wonder if there was even a correct way out of any of this at all.