Such plans and matters were at the forefront of Annaliese’s days, as she was accustomed to, and her tutelage with Knath often took up what time she might have to herself. The boy could be playfully devious at times, or misleading, but his demeanor was that of a master warlock, and a man that far exceeded his youthful age. Annaliese had shied away from anything resembling a relationship for much of her new life, but she could not help but be drawn to Knath., eager for the fount of knowledge he supplied. Breathing in the herbal scent of her tea, she smiled and sipped quickly, her eyes meeting the woman across the table.
Delicious thistle tea.
“Great stuff, isn’t it? Specially brewed by yours truly,” the young woman chuckled, tossing thick, black curls over her shoulder. Annaliese nodded in reply.
“I’ve not had anything like it before, really. Thank you, dear friend.”
“Not a problem. Most don’t get to taste it. It’s a recipe known only by the nimble-handed.”
“Ah. Thieves, then,” the warlock teased playfully.
“Come on now, Anna. I don’t pick pockets. Not any pockets that matter anyhow,” Thais smiled widely, like a raven haired fox. Annaliese couldn’t help but chuckle. The two had become close friends over the months they had known each other. Anna played messenger between the woman and Lord Keruptis, when the two were unable to physically meet. She often felt like a counselor to them, as well as to the others of the Order--such a role was somehow easy for her to fulfill. She watched Thais twist a curl of ebony hair around her forefinger thoughtfully, then sit back in her chair with a breathy sigh. There was a question, written on the woman’s face, and the softening of her sharp, dark eyes. It was becoming less and less of a secret about the romantic interest between the Dark Lord and her friend, and not many of Thais’ companions entertained the affair. Thais leaned forward in her chair to speak, but her question was interrupted by the taverns bell, signaling more guests arriving to relax.
Thais set back in her chair, her posture changing to fit her lit eyes and face, recognizing the company that filtered into the tavern. Annaliese turned to the three, a woman and two men.
“There you are!” the woman spoke, her face framed by golden, yellow curls. The two men shifted uncomfortably in the warlocks presence, one clad in heavy armor, the other garbed in leather, hair black as his molded armor.
“Hiya Goldie,” Thais said with a warm smile to the woman, standing to accept an embrace. Anna sat her cup down on the table silently, feigning interest elsewhere…if there was anything else to pay attention to. She did notice the two men eyeing her curiously while Thais spoke to her friend and Anna did her best to return a small, but withdrawn smile. The warlock was not the most sociable woman among strangers.
Soon enough, Goldie asked what the rogue was doing in such a reclusive environment. All pairs of eyes seem to settle on Annaliese, who simply took another sip of her tea.
“Just having a chat with Anna. Away from the noise, the bustle of the city,” Thais said, offering the three a seat at their table. The three exchanged looks with one another, and somehow, Annaliese already knew the answer.
“Ah, Anna? As in Lady Annaliese of the Scions of Darkness?” the grey-haired man asked, his heavy hammer gleaming upon his back, blue eyes intense as they gazed upon her. The air seemed so thick, in that moment…one could cut it with a knife. They yellow-haired woman managed to smile, though tightly, her own eyes drifting back to Thais, before she spoke:
“Thais talks about you all the time, Anna. Good to…meet you.”
The black haired man simply looked on silently, arms across his chest, his eyes narrowed almost to mere slits. The other man bowed deeply, the simple gesture seeming more strenuous than it should be, clad as heavily as he was.
“I am Sir Griffonclaw, servant and protector of the Cathedral of Light,” he annunciated clearly, if somewhat menacingly, “and of the people of the Alliance.”
Annaliese nodded in reply, tracing her finger around the rim of her teacup, “Pleasure to meet you all.”
“Undoubtedly,” the grey-haired paladin replied quickly, letting his gaze travel along the length of her seated frame. Annaliese blinked, not knowing whether to be amused or insulted by the paladin’s apparent suggestive manner.
“Lady Goldie arranged for our meeting tonight. We have business to discuss, so we will have to decline your invitation unfortunately. Lady Thais, hopefully, when you are done chatting with your lovely warlock friend, you will come join us?” Griffonclaw continued, taking Thais’ hand and kissing it gently.
“We really need to talk, sweetie,” Goldie spoke in a low tone, her eyes not leaving Thais’.
“No problem. In a bit, I promise,” Thais smiled. “They usual place then?”
“Indeed. May the Light watch over you, Lady Anna.”
“Darkness embrace you all,” Anna replied softly, nonchalantly. The skitter and shuffle of feet at her words made her smile in amusement. Thais breathed outwardly, sitting back in her chair with an apologetic expression.
“Sorry about that, Anna.” Thais murmured. “Guess we’ll have to wrap our little girl’s night out.”
Annaliese shrugged, forgiveness easily granted.
“They don’t like him, Anna. At all. I don’t really blame them. He frightens me sometimes, even. In the beginning…things were wonderful,” Thais said, a blush caught in her voice. The smitten smile disappeared, and worry crossed her face.
“They say he’s hurt a lot of people, Anna. Goldie says he could hurt me. He wouldn’t hurt me, would he Anna?”
Anna reached over and patted the woman’s hand, consoling her with a warm gaze.
“Thais, he loves you very much. I think, he is worried that you will leave his side because of such rumors, silliness. He would do anything for you, Thais.”
Anna squeezed the hand comfortingly, but her friend did not seem encouraged by much.
“That’s what I’m afraid of, Anna.”
The two sighed simultaneously, and Thais chuckled.
“You know, I have no idea how such a sweet woman like you could walk in that world. Being a warlock, I mean. Doesn’t…fit you.”
It was Anna’s turn to laugh then, a curl of breath escaping her throat.
“It is part of me. Where I belong, Thais. I could not deny the shadow anymore than a fish could deny water.”
“Even if the water is polluted, unfit for life?” Thais questioned.
“In that case, the fish would adapt to it’s new life, and learn to survive.”
“Anna, that’s crazy. The fish would die before it would learn to adapt,” Thais said wryly, smirking.
“Then I suggest making a fire and preparing for a new meal,” Annaliese said plaintively, a spark of mischievousness in her eyes. “Your making me hungry.”
Thais laughter was long, hearty, but Anna could hear the twinge of uncertainty in it. She squeezed Thais hand once more, assuredly.
“He does love you, Thais, believe me. There is not a day that he does not speak, or think of you.”
“I know Anna. I’ll see you another time. Take care. And…tell him I will see him soon.”
“Goodnight, Thais.”
She watched as the woman left the table, black hair swaying behind her as she left the tavern. Her tea had gone cold, which she frowned at. An idea popped into her mind, regarding her sketchbook. Perhaps she could add a sketch of the beautiful woman…and give it to Keruptis.
“It might help to staunch the yearning, make it easier for him to concentrate…” Anna quietly spoke to herself.
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