"We will not speak of this night," Ahverna said in a tone that would not be ignored. "I have no desire to talk to my brother about bedding his barbarian. He is…possessive of the humans that follow him."
"Bedding his barbarian seven times," he reminded her.
She smiled. "Perhaps another time, we can try for eight. I know you were exhausted already from a long week of traveling and little sleep, so I look forward to encountering you at full strength. But for now, I find myself amidst new responsibilities."
"If you insist," Skharr answered with a smile and looked around to find another, drier cloth that could absorb the water from his skin faster.
"It has been a pleasure, DeathEater."
"The pleasure was…" Skharr paused when he realized that he was alone in the room. He shook his head as he moved to the bed, sleep suddenly on his mind as he finished drying himself.
He climbed onto the bed again and rested his still-wet head on the soft pillows, and his eyes closed almost of their own accord.
"The pleasure was all mine, goddess," he whispered, unsure if she was still around or if she could even hear him. Still, it felt like the right thing to say as he was drifting off into what he knew would be a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Six
"Are you sure you need to leave?"
Skharr narrowed his eyes to study Brahgen. He and Evanessa seemed inseparable. In the few minutes since they had arrived in his room, they hadn’t stopped touching each other. She was the most affectionate and constantly kissed his cheek, ran her fingers over his shoulders, and hugged him.
The youth seemed to thoroughly enjoy all the attention, which begged the question of why they were in his room and not somewhere else, enjoying each other's company in privacy.
"Yes," he answered briskly. "Quite sure."
"Why?" Evanessa asked without looking at him.
"For one thing, I doubt Salah would want me to remain and leech food and supplies from her while I don’t contribute anything to her clan." He raised an eyebrow and watched the two of them with smug satisfaction. "She might feel indebted to me for having brought Brahgen home safely, but I have learned that one must never overstay one's welcome."
"I'm sure we could find work for you to do here," his friend commented and blushed as Evanessa ran her fingers through his hair. "You should find more than enough killing that needs doing in this region of the world to keep you occupied."
"Perhaps, but my second reason is more compelling. I need to retrieve Horse before the Dragon Followers decide their time is better spent killing and eating him. And from there, I should return to Verenvan to see if everything that plagued me there has cooled enough for me to be in the city again."
"Well, I cannot argue with that," the dwarf muttered. "Tell Horse I send greetings. And that…I miss him, I suppose."
Skharr smirked, slung his pack onto his back, and approached him. "I will, my friend. He will probably not return the feeling, but I'll certainly tell him."
Brahgen laughed and disengaged from his new paramour for a moment to stand in front of the barbarian. "I'll miss you too. And not only because you are quite skilled at dragging me out of trouble."
"Although I am sure that does factor in."
The dwarf nodded and after a moment, he stepped forward and hugged him.
It was an awkward embrace, and the warrior was only able to pat him gently on the back until they drew apart.
Skharr cleared his throat and looked away for a moment before he spoke. "Remember what I taught you. And don't wander blindly into danger. That is for me to do and me alone."
"Understood."
He moved around them and descended the steps that took him out of the compound mansion the GoldHoard family called their home. Although no one spoke, he knew that Brahgen and Evanessa followed him every step of the way.
Salah waited for them at the gate with her arms folded over her chest.
"You could stay for a little while longer," she said but he had a feeling her offer had more to do with Brahgen being in earshot than any genuine hospitality. "You've only rested for a few days and your trip has been an arduous one."
"Unfortunately, it must continue," he answered smoothly. He knew his manners all too well and could, when necessary, respond with a gracious refusal. "I have business to attend to on my way back to Verenvan that cannot wait."
"Well, may the gods guide your path," she said and patted him on the arm.
Fas stood not too far away, his eye blackened from where Brahgen had struck him. He must surely know the youth now proudly carried his dagger around the city like it was his own. The fact that he hadn't reclaimed it yet was a matter that required investigation as he no doubt had a good reason for that—possibly even one that included retribution of some kind. The barbarian might have said something but he could already see the dwarf staring daggers at Brahgen. Perhaps his interference wouldn't be welcome.
Still, he paused next to the guardsman and rested his hand on his shoulder. "You do know your dagger helped the boy considerably, yes?"
The dwarf scowled at him, his eyes narrowed.
"Aye."
"And you wouldn't want to ruin it for him. Besides, you now know he is as capable of putting you on your ass as you might be of returning the favor to him."
"Why do you think he still carries it?" Fas shook his head. "I only wish he weren't so…blatant about it."
"He's young," Skharr reminded him. "He'll soon learn that keeping friends like you is an important advantage and you'll have the dagger in your possession in no time. Likely with an apology as well."
A somewhat disbelieving snort followed. "I admire your optimism."
"Give the boy a chance. He truly is not the same child the GoldHoards sent away the first time."
He doubted that he'd convinced the older dwarf but it was the best he could do in the little time he had to hopefully avoid any future confrontation between the two. With a small shrug that suggested he knew he’d be proven right, he adjusted the pack on his shoulder again before he raised his hand in one last, silent farewell to Brahgen. The youth probably wouldn’t see it as Evanessa was whispering something in his ear that turned his cheeks a bright crimson.
He knew Fas was there to escort him to the city gates, which meant no confrontation would occur soon. Still, he had a feeling the younger dwarf would be able to stand his ground in any fight by this point. Coddling him would do him no good.
"Of course he missed you. He said as much himself. Why would I lie?"
Horse didn't look convinced and Skharr rolled his eyes.
"Well, if you want to believe otherwise, far be it from me to convince you. But he has his family to deal with. That is the only reason why he didn't come along to say his goodbyes in person."
The barbarian had a feeling Horse would not be happy to see Brahgen again, but the distance between them and the matters each had to focus on made it a moot point. A short boat ride had brought him from the coast to the Followers' camp, and from there, after a short stop, they traced the river to the lakeside town.