A Debt in Blood

I dislike being beholding to anyone, especially someone I have only met. But I was in need of some adult conversation and he was .. for lack of a better word, bewitching.

He was a visitor, a man just passing through, and one who apparently couldn’t wait to leave. A physician by caste and one I immediately found I had a dangerous attraction to. That in itself is never a good thing.

Charm had awoken from her nap, filled with energy and wanting to play, so I sought the main room of the inn, in hopes I could find something to help my in occupying my rambunctious child. With baby bundled in pink, I sat and ordered my evening meal, a polite tal offered to the only other person in the room.

At first he didn’t even look at me, but with my offer of greeting his thumb marked the page he was reading and he glanced upwards. He looked.. grumpy, his face tight and hard, but he did smile and offer his own salutation, even standing at the note of my presence. And yet, even with his good manners and attempt at being cordial, I could feel the ominous energy that radiated from him. "How are you this evening?"

Small talk, the bane of polite society. Oftentimes I have trouble with such conversations, tonight no different. I often stall after my one worded introduction, of sorts, clawing for more to say, without looking like a complete idiot. But he was practiced in being the gentleman, easing me into my comfort zone. "I'm doing well, thank you. And you? How are you doing this eve? Are you enjoying your stay at the inn?"

"Ah I am doing well, just catching up on some reading. If I said yes, I'd be lying. And who is this beautiful babe in your arms? Please would the two of you join me?"

Normally I would have not. But this was man that was apparently not going to stay in Schendi, so what did I have to lose in the common courtesy of conversation. Nothing I hoped.

We talked into the night, of nothing really. I don’t think I’ve ever realized that one can say so much, and yet say nothing at all. I found his company pleasant, not at all as gruff as my first impression. His name was Mikhail Suprovovich and he was from the north, though more recently from AR. I told him little about myself, save that I was from AR and my companioned had perished. There was a catch in my throat when I spoke about Kain, and I could not look him directly in the eyes for fear my lie would be revealed.

For a single night, I played the part of what I thought it would feel like to be a social butterfly. I laughed at his jokes, I smiled at his stories of travel, I think I might have even flirted a time or two, though I’m not quite sure at this, being I don’t know what exactly constitutes as flirting.

"I had planned at the end of the moon to begin my travels anew. What of yourself, does this place.. enchant you?"

"Oh, I don't know if I'm enchanted by this place so much as I feel safe here. I've even had one of the scribes helping me to search for a house I could rent. I wanted something small and right on the beach, so Charm and I could awaken to the view of the sea every morning. But so far, I'm afraid what I've found are houses too big for just the two of us."

"I couldn't imagine anyone really being enchanted by it. So what are you doing then? Staying.. or might I have found a new travel companion? Could a man count himself lucky in the companion of such girls? You could get the same sea view aboard a sailing ship."

Bold. Much bolder then I was ready for. Had I been a woman who thirsts for adventure, I might have immediately taken him up on his offer, but I was not. At first I thought he might not be serious, but something in the way he looked at me assured me he was. "As much as I love the sea, I'm not so fond of ships. I tend to get.. motion sickness." Which wasn't very pleasant for anyone involved. "So you do a lot of traveling?"

"Well maybe one day a completely strange will convince you to leave with them.. I suppose I am not he. As for the seasickness, that's easily remedied my dear. With some mint tea before sailing."

"Although I'm very flattered Sir, at the offer, whether it be genuine or if your teasing me. But I couldn't possibly leave to lands unknown with a man I'd only just met. I think perhaps I should feed my daughter and put her to bed. I only got her days and nights straight, I wouldn’t wish to upset the balance again. Perhaps we could have supper before you leave?"

It seemed I wasn’t quite ready to let him go, or maybe it was only my turn to be polite. I only knew that I was feeling quite uncomfortable and needed to put some space between us.

His brow raised and he studied me. "You're not flattered.. or you would have accepted. And there's nothing wrong with not accepting although this is probably why you didn't get to travel much. Your little one looks sleepy. Perhaps you should bed her and come see me when you're through?"

I think he was teasing me again though perception of a man’s thoughts has never been my strong point.

"And what would I be considered if I accepted all the invitations from men wanting a.. travel companion? I assure you Sir, I am not that kind of woman, and I don't leave her with slaves. Or anyone for that matter."

"Probably a logical woman, who did have the desire to be

that travel companion, but wanted to get to know him first? That’s really too bad, though I don't really find anything wrong with a woman of that kind."

He escorted me to my room, the gentleman returning. I think I must have made quite the sight of a woman retreating to me room, in fear that the sleen at her door would find dinner. Fortunately, his door came first. So I suppose, in effect, that I had walked him to his room.

Charm was already asleep, so I placed her in her crib, thinking I was not at all tired and that I would lay awake in the darkness for ahns to come. I was wrong.

"Lady Astraea....wake up. Lady please wake up.."

I thought that I was caught in a dream, my hand pushing forward, trying to disconnect a touch from my leg. "Charm, go to sleep. Mommy's tired."

He sat me up right, shaking the pillow out from beneath my arms and before I realized what was happening, he was dragging me towards the door of my room and into the all, Charm in his arms.

"Come on.. you're going to stay in my room to night, Here..take her.. and get to the end of the hall."

"Wha.. what's going on?" Charm had awoken, a disgruntled cry at being forced from her catatonic rest. "Why can't I sleep in my room? Is something wrong?" My voice was laced with a tinge of panic, my first thought a fire. But why would he be taking me to his room? I didn’t smell smoke.

"I thought you said that your companion was dead good lady? I met him in the hall, he was trying to get into your room. Said you had something of his.. I could only guess he was talking of the child."

"I.. he.. he.. is.. dead." I paled, all color draining from my cheeks. "It's impossible. He can't be here." But even as the words were whispered, I was glancing back towards the locked door of his room, as if half expecting to see Castor breaking down the door. "What did he look like? This man you claim was trying to break into my room?" My lips were quivering, my hold on Calie tightening, so much so, she squeal.

"I sent him away told him, that unless he had cause to bother you at this late...."- His brows furrowed. " This man.. I claim..." He lifted his chin quite indignantly." Are you implying I am not a man of my word? After some man was trying to get into your room claiming to be your.." He shook his head. "No ..that's fine.. I shouldn't get involved . I assumed that you didn't want to see him since you told me he was dead." He opened the door to his room for my escape. "Serves me right for poking my nose where it's not wanted."

"No, of course not. You would have no reason to lie to me. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just upset that someone would ... lie about being my dead companion. Please, forgive me." Could it have been him? I knew in all certainty that it could have been. How had he found me? Had Aiden told him? My safety net vanished beneath me. "Maybe I should just stay here for a little bit. Just in case he comes back." I needed time to think. To plan. To.. hide.

He quickly closed the door and locked it. "He was dark of hair, blue eyes.. like hers. Why don't you and the babe have a seat.. try to rest. I'll sleep on the floor. You can speak to the in keeper in the morning about a new room. "I am not sure what he did.. but is really worth keeping him from his child?"

"It's not him, he's dead." Flatly stated, as if I were trying to convince myself.

I slept little into the night, though at some point, I must have fallen asleep. When I awoke to the hunger cries of Charm, he was gone. I thought that he would come back, but then a sudden chilling thought gripped me. What if Castor was in Schendi.. and what if he had done away with the man that I had thought wished to protect me..