PM to join Betwixt a Rock and a Hard Place [Novus, Aoren Skycrown]

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats 17th of Summer, 513 AV Ninus smiled gently in his sleep, opening his eyes to look at the few scant inches that separated him from Novus. He had his head tucked up near Novus' chest, his hand curled up next to the pale skin of the half-breed. Their hips were pressed tightly together, Ninus' leg thrown over Novus' hip (which was soon proving to be his favourite method of sleeping together). He lifted his head and yawned, sliding his leg slowly from Novus' hip. He was about to flop onto his back when he felt something nuzzled against his back. The poisoner reached a hand back and felt Cricet stir, clambering up onto his side with a large yawn. She showed off her impressive fangs with gusto, blinking blearily and sniffing at Novus. "Ah my dear lady, I hope thine innocent eyes did not see me entwined with the spider, gasping as he enfolded me within that delicious web?" Ninus said softly. Cricet snorted in disapproval and clambered over her master to Novus, inspecting him. Ninus smiled and played with her long, hairless tail. "Thou art my lady, but he is but a noble spider I hath found. His long legs wrapped around my heart as the moon rose, how loud he made your master." he chuckled lazily and laid on his back. He expected Freidys and Churchkey to make an appearance soon...the camp was waking, men yawning, pissing, and exchanging half-hearted insults. Ninus ruffled Cricet's fur and got up slowly as to not wake Novus, washing himself in a basin of ice-cold river water that had been left outside of the tent flap. They didn't have sponges, but an old shirt served as the camp's 'scrubber'. Ninus dressed and left Cricet with Novus. He expected to find his mother outside, and sure enough Freidys was settled on a rock, braiding his long hair. Freidys was an unusual creature, a man who had for all intents and purposes assumed the role of a woman in the camp. While he was dextrous with a knife, he was foul-tempered and easily roused. But he had helped raise the poisoner. At the moment, Freidys' lips were pursed tightly, and his eyes were cold. Ninus settled on the ground next to him, raking his hair down with his stained fingers. "What vexes thou? My father harmed thy frame not?" he asked. Freidys shook his head. "No, but I'm about to stick him when he sleeps, the rotten bastard. I have to stay and look after the camp, but Churchkey will guide you boys to the next settlement. Around thirty miles through the woods. The leader is Buck, you know him." he said, finishing his braid and tossing it over a shoulder. "You didn't have to lie to me you know. About you and that boy being lifemates." Ninus' mother added sourly. Ninus winced. "I meant no slander to thee, I only thought of thy disdain for outsiders." he said. Freidys sighed and kissed Ninus' forehead. "Just be careful out there. The woods aren't as safe as they used to be...and other bandits don't always agree with your father." he said. Ninus nodded and stood, smiling at his mother before turning to find Churchkey. His father, a tall, brawny creature with bright eyes and a calm demeanor, was saddling the camp's only horse. The gelding was an old liver-coloured thing, who snorted amiably at Ninus as he approached. "Just packing. Thirty miles is a bit far for old Jack to go, but we take it slow. I figure I'll walk, you and your boy take turns." Churchkey said as he swung saddle-bags over the gelding's rump. "I figure we'll leave in an hour. Here's breakfast, Freidys can't stop being a mother." Churchkey dug into the saddlebags and handed Ninus two packages wrapped in butcher paper. Ninus smirked and nodded in thanks, heading back to the tent. He sat on the bed and set the sandwich playfully on Novus' chest. It was a generous helping of songbird eggs and precious hard cheese stuffed between two pieces of hardtack, and Ninus savoured every bite. He wasn't above sharing with Cricet, who enjoyed the treat immensely. She was hungry, having travelled by scent alone from the city to the camp. OOCI'll leave it to you to get them on the road, Novus. Aoren, jump in whenever.