Completed The Parcel (Nate)

[Arundel]

51st Day of Fall, 513 AV

She and her brothers glared at each other, all sitting atop their respective Striders in a cramped line. The horses milled in excitement, pawing the earth and jostling each other. "On the count of three?" the eldest of them offered. They nodded, smiling with excitement and competitive camaraderie. "One!" His voice rang out across the still grassland. They were in sight of Endrykas, but far enough out to not bother anyone with their antics. A cool breeze was blowing at their backs, as if Zulrav himself was encouraging them. Arundel grabbed tightly onto Domero's black mane, and the two of them readied in unison - both so in tune to each other's very beings. She stared ahead, intent on the makeshift track they'd set up. A long log, a natural boulder, one of her spears stuck in the ground, and several other items all creating a large loop leading right back to where they stood.

Domero tossed his head, giving a small rear when her youngest brother's Strider bumped his butt. He landed heavily back on the trampled grass, gouging the earth. Arundel held fast to his mane, gripping his silvery flanks with her thighs. She gritted her teeth, contentrating on the first goal. "Two!" Her brothers all leaned over the necks of their Striders, and she murmured praises to Domero quietly. He wanted to badly to run - and he knew she wanted to as well. But they couldn't overshoot early. The grullo stallion whinnied loudly, kicking out as another Strider invaded his space. It was a small warning strike, one that didn't connect with flesh. He was so feisty. She smiled. Arundel glanced around at her all her brothers' fierce, determined faces. Her older sister was out being courted, and Reed was with their mother back at the pavilion with their father's other wife.

The five of them were in their own little world, here right now. She looked back at the first marker - the big log. They'd all helped each other drag it a quarter mile to this position, making the perfect jump. The race would be two laps, and the winner got nothing but bragging rights. But in a family like theirs, that was as valuable as gold. Arundel's nostrils flared and she hunched low over Domero's neck. His yvas jingled as he danced in excitement, stamping the earth impatiently. "Three!" her brother cried, kicking his Strider into a gallop. They all reacted, shouting encouragement, whistling, and hollering. Her younger brother's Strider rammed into them at the takeoff, nearly knocking her off. Arundel gasped and clung on sideways, holding the yvas handles desperately as Domero pranced forward, kicking and squealing. When his outrage subsided, he planted his feet and stood, feeling that his rider was off kilter.

His head came around and nudged her roughly, trying to get her righted. She clambered awkwardly back onto his back, barely seated again when she grabbed his mane and urged him forward. "Go! Go!" The stallion came off his front hooves, surging off his powerful back legs and leaping forward into a vengeful charge. Her brothers had cleared the jump, and forged ahead at deadly speed. Arundel gritted her teeth, knowing Domero knew what to do. They approach the log and she prepared for going airborne. His muscles bunched underneath her and he arced effortless over the remnants of what had been an impressive tree. She leaned forward then back to keep the landing fluid, and when his front then back hooves landed in the grass, she hunched over his neck once more, urging him to tap the Web.

Domero snorted with each stride as he always did, stretching out like an arrow and building up to the incredible speed that only Striders could ever hope to achieve. Arundel smiled and her hips rocked with his powerful gallop. She wanted to laugh and chase the horizon, but they were steadily catching up with the jostling mass of her brothers. They vied for a position in the front, overtaking each other in a continuous, interchanging dance. She pushed on Domero's neck, encouraging him on. Arundel learned that he didn't need any signals from her legs - he preferred her to work around his neck. The stallion nickered at the group of horses ahead, eliciting a few muffled replies that were hard to hear from behind. "Faster, Domero. Faster!" she whispered into the dark mane whipping around her tan face and windburned lips.

He tossed his head wildly, crossing the shrinking distance as they rounded the "bend" in the track and started back toward the way they'd come. The two of them whipped by her second oldest brother in the rear, and she laughed with glee as he yelled a protest that was lost to the winds whipping her clothes and hair. They took to the outside, thundering into third place before Domero leveled off and stopped climbing in rank. She let him do this, not wanting to push him so hard in the first lap. But they were safely back in the pack. The sound of hooves tearing into the earth and riding the Web was deafening. It resounded deep in her bones, straight to her core. They were neck and neck with the youngest - both Striders stretched out even. Arundel grinned wickedly at him, and he glared back. "You won't be smiling for long!" he shouted above the wind, but it only made her eyes gleam. They didn't know Domero.

Sometimes Arundel believed that he had been a gift straight from the Gods. Her savior and partner. He ran like the winds of Zulrav were beneath his very hooves, carrying him across the earth like a silvery spirit. Everyone stayed in their current position all the way up to the second lap. When they passed the finish on the first and made the jump a second time - which they all slowed down to cross - everyone started to put on the final spurt. Hooves thundered and shook the ground, and the five Dinos siblings urged their Striders onward excitedly. The eldest was almost knocked from his perch as they bumped and jostled, so they spaced out a little more. "Come on!" she cried as one of her brothers sluggishly pulled past. Domero snorted and threw himself forward, half-jumping several feet before pushing faster.

His speed took her breath away - literally. Arundel tucked her head down closer to his neck, blinking away the burn of the wind. His mane whipped her face but she ignored it. Out of the corner of her squinted eyes she saw the last of her brothers disappear behind them as they rounded the first of the two bends. A smile split her face, and she peeked up between her stallion's flattened ears. He was in a flat gallop, reaching for purchase and traction with every fierce stride. Arundel clung to him a little desperately, one hand tangled in his flapping mane and one locked white-knuckled on an yvas handle. They rounded the last bend at a sharp angle, both leaning into the turn then straightening as he sprinted into the home stretch. She heard her brothers galloping behind her, the distance slowly growing wider between second place's nose and Domero's tail. In a flash, they passed the finish line backpack and Arundel screamed with delight.

She started the put the brakes on, leading her grullo mount around in a wide arc that came short of the log jump. He slowly eased to a canter, sides heaving and snorting loudly for breath. She murmured praises and sweet, loving words against his neck, hugging him tightly as he finally lumbered to a stop. "Oh, my beautiful boy," she crooned, stroking his sweaty neck and kissing his wind whipped mane. "I'm so proud of you." His head dipped with fatigue, and he sighed heavily. Her brothers all converged on the two of them, smiling and laughing and swatting at each other. Their voices were all a big jumble as they tried to shout over each other, but she got the jist of it. Congratulations, comments on dirty tricks someone had pulled, excitement, and a lot of exclamations of how they should do this again soon.

Arundel rolled her eyes. A familiar voice suddenly called above the others from a ways behind her. From the way her brothers all fell silent, she would've known who it was even without hearing his voice. She twisted around on Domero's sweaty back to see her father and a stranger cantering up to meet them. The stranger wasn't on a Strider. Her eyebrows rose in instant curiosity. The two of them stopped next to the five of them - her father frowning and the stranger smiling oddly at her. Before their Ankal could even speak, this new man took off in a surprisingly fluent Pavi. Her eyebrows rose a hair higher. "Hello, hello. Quite the race you all had, quite the race!" Why is he repeating himself? They all glanced at each other quickly, then back at the stranger. "I've been looking for someone to help me with a very important task. I need a package delivered."

The man reached around into his saddlebags and pulls out a very neatly wrapped parcel. It wasn't all that big - about the size of a large, fat book. Just small enough to fit inside one of her yvas packs. "To an encampment that will be stopping at the shores of Lake Serifal," he explained. Their faces went from curious to incredulous in record time. "Wait just a mome-!" her father tried to interject, but the man hurried on, unfazed. "I was told that your father here had very fine horse flesh available, and a hardy family. After seeing what little bit I just saw of what must have been a spectacular show of speed, I would like to commission you," he looked pointedly at Arundel, "to deliver my wares." They all stared at him stupidly for what felt like a very long time. He merely smiled confidently. "Serifal?" she asked just for clarification. He nodded. In the fall, Endrykas was settled in the southeast grasslands. The lake he mentioned was about in the middle of Cyphrus, and that would be a long haul even with their current position.

But for some reason, the idea of riding Domero halfway across the continent pleased and excited her. How much would she prove of her and her Striders abilities if they survived such a task? She chewed the inside of her cheek a moment, and without glancing at her family, blurted, "I accept!" Arundel didn't dare look at her siblings and father. She could feel their eyes burning into her from all sides. Right on cue, and all at once, their voices screamed in outrage and shock, "What?!"

[Arundel]

They all rode back to the pavilion in an uncomfortable silence, though the stranger who had offered her work seemed more than chipper. He smiled the whole way back, while her brothers and father took turns glaring at the two of them. She felt like she had a target on her back, and each of them had nocked arrows aimed right for her. Getting away was looking more and more promising by the tick. Once they arrived, everyone dismounted except the stranger. As the men were moodily untacking their Striders, he stopped her. "I need to attend to a small matter with a friend in another Clan, but I will return tonight so we can discuss your assignment!" He was a very damned happy person. It was almost creepy. Arundel nodded silently, signing farewell as he spun his fine looking horse and disappeared around a distant pavilion at a brisk trot.

"A very odd man," she said to her father as he walked by, trying to start conversation. He grunted in reply, shouldering his yvas and stomping into the pavilion. Her brothers weren't far behind him. They left her dumbfounded outside as their Striders began to disperse to graze. Domero placed his forehead against her shoulder, and she instinctively touched his face. The contact soothed her like a salve. Sighing quietly, she moved around to unbuckle his yvas. Gently Arundel patted his shoulder after removing it and the pad, letting him know he could go. Tiredly, he followed the rest of the Striders out to find better grass. He amazed her every day, but even more so this afternoon. His speed took her breath away, and since she'd won the race, she got the first serving of dinner tonight before her brothers.

Her stomach growled right on cue, which she took as a sign to go inside. The men of course brooded and ignored her, and the rest of the women looked at her for an answer. She rolled her eyes and signed wait before slipping into her and her two sisters' shared quarters to deposit her gear and change into clean clothes. The smell of food drew her back out, now feeling cleaner after washing up a bit and changing into her dress. It was nice and comfortable without having to wear the corset she wore along with it for formal events, and she went straight to the cookfire to sit on one of the vacant stools waiting to be occupied. Her mother looked at her with a steely stare - obviously someone had enlightened the others. Arundel looked away, back into the fire.

Dinner was delicious as usual, but it had been an awkward, silent affair. Her father and mother made it clear that they would discuss the situation further tomorrow. When everyone retired, Arundel stayed up to wait, listening to the insects hum outside. The stranger said he would be back tonight, and she was going to hold him to his word if she had to look for him herself. Horses moved by outside, and the occasional voice caught her ear. None were him. She sat for what felt like bells, waiting for the entrance to ripple with something more than the wind. A few times she caught herself dozing, and would stand to pace until her head cleared and she could sit once more. Her fingernails tapped rhythmically against the smooth wood under her hand, and finally her head nodded and she fell asleep.

[Arundel]

Once or twice Arundel stirred in her sleep, but was lost again into the dark depths of unconsciousness. The final time, she heard a muffled voice. It coaxed and teased her into awareness, slowly at first, until a hand shook her shoulder. She awoke with a violent start, striking out against the touch. A hand caught her wrist, and laughter filled her ears. Groggily, her eyes blinked up at the face coming into focus. It was the stranger. Arundel quickly pulled her wrist from his fingers, rubbing her skin as if that would banish the memory of his contact. His eyes crinkled with a smile, and she sat up straighter as he pulled up a stool. "I didn't mean to startle you. And I hope you don't mind I got a bite to eat," he began, motioning to his empty bowl next to the fire pit. She waved her hand dismissively.

"No, help yourself. We had plenty tonight." Discreetly, she crossed her legs. This man made her uncomfortable. "I've never been one for beating around the bush, so let's just get right down to it shall we?" Arundel nodded absently, trying to look relaxed. His smile widened, showing off a gold tooth. Her eyebrows shot up imperceptible, but he noticed her staring. His eyes twinkled with humor, and she frowned, silently chastising herself for being so obvious. "Please," she said a little harshly, wanting to discuss the job and be done with it. He nodded to himself and smoothed the fine robe he was wearing across his knees. He'd changed clothes at some point. No longer wearing traveling cloths, instead he wore what appeared to be several layers of sumptuous material. It would put any of her family's trade wares to shame.

A fat sapphire hung around his neck on a thick gold chain, accenting his piercing blue eyes. His head was bald and shiny - as if polished - and his hands looked manicured. Nary a callous that she could see. The toes of his polished black boots poked out from under the hem of his pale robe. Arundel would think it was dangerous walking out so finely dress. It was an invitation for a mugging. Even though Endrykas didn't have that much of a problem with crime, what with the Web and the Watch, it didn't mean it was nonexistent. Let alone if he was traveling. Surely he'd had all of this with him on the way here. It would be a magnificent haul for petty bandits. Arundel pursed her lips, refocusing when his voice broke through her thoughts.

"You know already that the delivery point is Lake Serifal." She nodded, so he continued. "This item is very important to myself and those whom you will be delivering it to." As he spoke, he reached into a leather satchel next to the stool that she hadn't noticed earlier. From it he produced the package. It was still wrapped tightly in thick cloth, then tied with twine - much like a book would be. Without thinking she asked, "What is it?" His eyes were filled with understanding at her curiosity, but he shook his head. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I cannot tell you that." Disappointment and then suspicious washed over her in quick succession. Her eyes narrowed and she watched him warily. "Why would I ride halfway across the Sea to make a delivery when I don't even know what I'm handling?" Her first thought was that it involved criminals. Her second - that it was dangerous. Or both.

A war played out across his features, showing frustration and uncertainty. He seemed to come to a decision quickly. "It is very special and dear to me. That is all I can say. Please leave it at that, and don't reconsider. I can promise that there is nothing in these wrappings that will hurt you." Arundel wasn't sure she imagined him emphasizing that last bit. If it wouldn't hurt her, then who would it hurt? Maybe it was just her imagination overreacting. She looked at the parcel resting on his thighs then back up at his eyes, which were searching hers earnestly. He seemed to be pleased with what he saw there, though she wasn't sure what. Exasperated, Arundel raked her fingers through her shoulder length waves.

"Who am I meeting with?" He shrugged. "A group of Akalaks that owe me a favor." She sighed. Of course. "They better keep it in their trousers," she grumbled. He smiled broadly, absently placing his hands on the parcel. "You don't have to worry about that. They are under specific instructions, and have a schedule to keep." Arundel considered him for a long moment. "When do I need to leave and when do I need to be there?" That was probably the most important aspect of the entire deal. "I need you to leave within the week and be there by the last day of Fall. They will arrive within the next few weeks and wait up until the last day of the season for your arrival." Sounded reasonable enough. "What happens if I don't make it?"

His face darkened slightly and he stayed silent. They regarded each other quietly for several chimes before she nodded. She got the picture. Not a pretty one, but she got it. Was she willing to suffer consequences? Usually not completing a job just meant no pay, but his silence hinted at a darker repercussion. Arundel leaned back in her chair and tapped her lower lip in thought. Her employer waited patiently, taking some time to look around. "Your family has a beautiful pavilion." Arundel merely grunted and signed a quick thank you. His lips twitched as they once more lapsed into silence.

She went through a mental checklist of what she knew and didn't know so far. The biggest was the fact that he wouldn't tell her what was in the wrappings. Her fingers itched to peek inside. Secondly, if she didn't meet the end of season deadline, that things would get nasty quick. "What is your name?" she suddenly asked. His answer was prompt and indifferent. "I cannot tell you that either." Arundel's jaw dropped this time. She sat forward in her chair, staring at him incredulously. "Are you thick in the head?" His eyebrows rose in surprise, like he had the right to feel as thus. "You expect me to continue with this offer when you won't even tell me your name! The package I can halfway accept, but how am I supposed to know I'm not delivering something to or from criminals?" Her signs were angry and swift, accentuating her boiling temper.

She felt like a kettle about to bubble over. Her nostrils flared and she gripped the carved arms of her chair, glaring at him. His eyes were pleading, and he gripped the fat, square package tightly in his smooth, pale hands. "You rode all the way to Endrykas from I don't know where. Why don't you make the rest of the trip yourself?" How was he so calm? This was the most suspicious situation she'd ever been in. "Please," he begged earnestly. "This package has to be delivered, and I can't do it personally. I would if I were able, but I must be in Ravok by the end of spring. That is where I am from, though I initially traveled to here from Zeltiva." Arundel had heard of Zeltiva. A foggy memory tried to surface - giving her an intense feeling of deja vu. Had there been a dream? Confusion muddled her face, twisting it into a grimace.

"That is far," she grumbled simply. He watched her like she was an exotic animal about to bolt, wary and nervous. A heavy sigh flared her nostrils, and she leaned heavily against the straight back of her armchair. It was a posture of defeat. He seemed to catch on, because his face split into a broad smile. It made her want to turn and run, but she didn't. "Fine," she mumbled quietly. "I'll do it."

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

Nate was a hunter who hadn't hunted alone in quite some time. It was starting to grate on his nerves, honestly. He was really beginning to wonder what his intended purpose was here in Endrykas, if they couldn't trust him to hunt, and didn't trust him to heal. He supposed he couldn't really blame them; the one time he tried to hunt on his own he'd gotten lost and they had to send Oryani to get him back.

And this stupid tent city was confusing too. He couldn't remember where to turn, or which direction was what, and got turned around more than once trying to find his way back to the pavilion where Arundel lived. Petch, and he'd just gotten used to the maze of streets that made up Syliras, too. Not that those were any easier to navigate, what with street signs that were as helpful as they were plentiful (that is, not very), and tiny winding passages that led to dead-ends; those that didn't seem to lead back on themselves, anyway.

Nate sighed as he stared up at yet another multicolored pavilion that looked just like the six other multicolored pavilions he'd seen that day. Or maybe he'd just passed the same one six times, he couldn't be sure. At least this one looked vaguely familiar, what with the small bags of what looked to be leather crafting gear lying near the entrance and the smell of tannin floating out from the flap. The Dinos Pavilion was left of here, Nate thought. Or was it to the right? Shyke. He was gonna be going in circles all day at this rate.

Finally, after a few more chimes, Nate arrived at the Dinos Pavilion, slightly later than he'd set out to. He'd been visiting his sisters that morning and it had been... well, interesting. He still couldn't understand Kat's attitude toward this whole thing, but he could at least accept that she might be happier here than in Syliras, where he knew she felt stifled and restricted. Lea, Nate still wasn't sure how Lea stood on this whole thing. He'd need to talk to her more to get a better idea.

When Nate entered the tent he noted Arundel seated in an armchair looking none-too-happy. She was speaking in Pavi to what looked to be an overdressed, balding merchant of some persuasion. Or at least that was what the unknown man struck Nate to be; even the merchants of Syliras did not often give in to such... excess.

Raising an eyebrow at the man, Nate smirked and commented, "Nice outfit! Y'know, I can't say the elk and deer out here really appreciate fine clothes, but if you keep it up, maybe you could start a fashion trend."

Truth was, Nate had little respect for people who overdressed in this manner. Clothes needed to be functional and little else. Everything beyond what was functional was both expensive and useless; two things that he could never afford when he had two mouths to feed beyond his own and barely the skills and means to do it. And it burned him that men like this, who could clearly afford to improve himself in a multitude of different ways, had chosen to instead spend his Miza on something that was utterly useless.

Turning to Arundel, Nate threw her a curious look. Despite still not trusting the woman, he found he somehow trusted this man even less. There was something about him that struck Nate as being all sorts of wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he figured he couldn't make any such judgements until he knew more about what was going on.

"What's with the package?" he asked, indicating the small leather packet with his hand. "You sending somebody a gift?"

[Arundel]

All eyes turned to the entrance as the thick material was disturbed, and in came Nathan. Arundel had known where he was, so hadn't felt the need to worry. After his getting lost in the Sea not long ago and being saved by Oryani, he seemed to have learned his lesson about wandering off alone. The familiar tone of his voice, for once not pointed at her, actually made her lips turn up. Her employer made her skin crawl in an odd way, and apparently Nate automatically disliked the man right off the bat. Not that he liked anyone around here except his sisters. Her smile dimmed rather quickly at the thought, as she tried to keep up with their exchange in their foreign tongue. The bald man smiled at Nate, unabashed by his comment and still at ease.

"You must be the young man that JavinHer father. spoke of earlier. His description seems to fit rather perfectly, I'd say. Are you always so pleasant?" Even his own voice, Arundel could pick up the sarcasm. What was it with foreigners and sarcasm? It baffled her, the similarities in how they addressed each other. Nathan motioned at the item wrapped in the man's well-kept fingers. "This," the sumptuously dressed stranger explained, "is a very special thing that Arundel has agreed to deliver for me. I needed someone who could get it where it needs to be quickly, and I believe she and her Strider will be able to do just that." His hand stroked the mysterious parcel almost affectionately, and she eyed it uneasily. The thing made her as uncomfortable as its owner did.

The fact that she was prohibited from opening the thing, or even knowing what it was, set her on edge. But for some reason, she'd accepted. Likely her own stupidity and a lot of pride. Arundel's eyes turned to Nate, as the stranger continued. "You were brought in from the raids, were you not?" He clicked his tongue in what sounded like sympathy, but still the smile was still there on his thin lips. "How are you enjoying it here in Endrykas? A wonderful place, isn't it? Has a nice mix of civility and savagery, I always thought. It's a shame these people have suffered so much. But they're bouncing back, like they always do!" Arundel recognized a few words there, but one in particular made her eyes narrow. Who or what was a savage? The question in her eyes as she looked once more at Nate was obvious. His fingers started to play a soft, rhythmic beat across the parcel's surface.

"Aren't they expecting you two to wed? At the very least, to produce children?" His eyebrows shot up, and the smile stretched further. "You could do worse. She's a little rough around the edges, and not too bright, but not all that unpleasant to look at." Arundel finally interrupted in angry Pavi. Not comprehending their conversation was driving her up the walls. "What are you talking about?" she asked harshly. "I don't speak your language well." Her hands turned up and twisted into the signs for understanding and explain. Her employer turned back to her, looking humbled. "Of course, I'm so sorry," he lied easily. His hands expertly signed apologies, and she felt her upset easing at his apparent sincerity. "I was only explaining to him what was going on."

"Oh," she mumbled uncertainly, frowning to herself and glancing again at Nathan. "Was there anything else I needed to know?" Now that Nate was back, she wanted this stranger gone. He made her skin crawl, and she wasn't sure what would become of the situation if he stayed much longer around Nathan's mouthy attitude. Perhaps he would change his mind about the contract, and she'd lose the work. Even if it was very shady, she still wanted to push herself with this task. Arundel could prove herself in a lot of ways if she succeeded with this ride. She had her Windmarks now, and was a true Drykas, but this could speak volumes of her capabilities. The stranger seemed to be in thought for a long moment, before shrugging his shoulders and giving a shake of the head.

"No, I believe I've covered everything. Just don't let the thing get wet, and remember not to open it." He smiled at her, but it didn't reach the eyes. "I don't want to have to meet you again under unhappy circumstances." The chill that ran up her spine was unwelcome, and she shifted in her seat. He noticed, but made no comment. The gleam in his eyes spoke a clear warning, and they both stood after an uncomfortable pause on her part. He handed her the rectangular package almost reluctantly. His fingers lingered at its surface, and when he pulled away his skin brushed hers, making hers crawl. Bile and fear rose up in her throat, but she swallowed it back down. The unease was written clearly on her face, a smile touched his lips as he regarded her.

"By the end of fall," he reminded, suddenly chipper once more. "Your pay will be waiting at the encampment!" With that, he turned and made to leave. His thick robes brushed the floor of their pavilion, and the gem at his chest bobbed on its heavy chain. He paused next to Nathan, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Between you, me, and the bedpost - you might not be a captive too much longer." With that final comment, he left. Arundel didn't even hear the exchange. Her eyes were on the package as she once more sat down. She turned it in her hands, examining the length and width as if its dimensions would divulge some kind of secret. It was definitely the size of a large book, and surprisingly heavy. She shook it experimentally, but it made no sound. Her brows furrowed in disappointment.

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

It took a lot to make Nate this uncomfortable. Sure, the Drykas did it, but they had captured both his sisters and pressed him into service. And then expected him to become one of them as though nothing had ever happened. But this guy... somehow he hadn't done any of those things and Nate was just as uncomfortable with him.

"Dunno, depends on the day," Nate quipped in reply to the man's sarcastic question about whether he was always so pleasant. Well at least the man understood common. Nate wondered where he'd come from, to have landed in Endrykas dressed like... that.

So. Arundel was to deliver a ... "very special thing", as the man called it. Since the man insisted on speed, Nate suspected either the package was a message of some sort that needed to be delivered by a certain date, or it was of a perishable nature. Not that people who wanted packages delivered didn't care about speed, it was just that they were usually more concerned with the package actually getting there, and in one piece.

Nate's lip curled up into a sardonic smirk when the man asked if he was brought in from the raids, and spoke of savagery. Normally, such words would have caused a sense of kinship with the man. But for some reason, this man's words failed to generate such feelings. "I suppose," he replied noncommittally, with a nonchalant shrug. Arundel was looking at him questioningly, as though asking what the man was saying. Nate shot back a look of his own. You don't want to know.

And then the man said something that jolted Nate. They... expected him and Arundel to wed? Really? He almost laughed at that concept. It was ridiculous. Absurd. He knew that his sisters were expected to carry children but... why would they expect that of her? Despite his relatively short time here, he knew that the Drykas took multiple wives. So why couldn't Arundel simply be the second or third wife of some Drykas man? Why did she need him?

He was saved from having to answer though, when Arundel sprang up from her seat in frustration. They were speaking Pavi again. Great. Nate grimaced in annoyance at now being the one completely ignorant of what was being said, and he watched in silent annoyance as they continued to converse. Arundel seemed to be mollified by whatever the man said, and after exchanging a few more words and signs, he handed over the package.

Nate could see her unease at all of this. Honestly, he did not like the situation himself; the whole thing smelled wrong. Nate would have demanded payment up-front, at least, since the man was clearly capable of affording it, but then he didn't know what was being said, so he could not make any such judgments.

"Between you, me, and the bedpost - you might not be a captive too much longer."

Nate froze at those words, barely feeling the man's hand on his shoulder which would otherwise have unnerved him. Now what did that mean? He was half-tempted to go after the man and demand an explanation, but seeing how he behaved, Nate suspected that he wouldn't get very many useful answers. In any case, by the time he had recovered, the man had already left the tent, leaving just Arundel and Nate.

She had sat back down, and was clearly trying to determine what was in her package, to no avail. Nate approached cautiously.

"I'm not sure I trust that guy," he commented. "Is he a friend of your father's?" Nate asked. The man had mentioned Javin before, so he suspected he must know Arundel's father at least tangentially. Why Javin would associate with a man like that, Nate didn't know, but clearly they'd associated or he wouldn't use his name so familiarly.

[Arundel]

Her eyes turned up as Nathan approached, and his voice pulled her distracted mind from the overwhelming snarl of questions and thoughts. Carefully, almost a little fearful, Arundel set the thing in question on the ground next to her chair. It took a short moment to process his question, but it pleased her that the words could be put together and understood. Perhaps she was improving in her comprehension of his language after all, when it wasn't fired rapidly at her. "I do not know," she said carefully. "This is... perhaps. Ask, tomorrow?" He was uncertain, standing there looking awkward. Arundel motioned to the chair in front of her previously occupied by the stranger. "Sit?" It wasn't an order, and she tried to sound inviting. It was a new approach she was taking in an effort to ease the tension that still dictated their every exchange.

Perhaps they would never get along. More than once she had considered giving him the choice of leaving their pavilion and choosing another. Yes, her compensation would go to waste, but Arundel couldn't muster the energy to care. The constant battle that was essentially their relationship was taking a toll on her. He fought at every turn, even when she tried her hardest to ease the hostilities. It just didn't seem to be working. She had seen the mask slip on a few occasions, and tried to coax that kinder side from him, but he was stubborn and fiery like a young stud. The Drykas wouldn't admit it, but they were much alike. Her family had observed this amongst each other in private. They held out hope for the pair, despite their bullheadedness and the challenge of communication.

"What say?" she asked curiously, and a little apprehensive. "Him," she clarified further, motioning to the closed entrance to the pavilion. The night was still, and Zulrav seemed to be in a quiet mood. The cloth barely rippled, as if the air slept. "He wants me to... run. Take thing to Serifal. Big lake miles away, past Malachite." The fire next to them was waning, its hot tongues licking and reaching for more fuel. Arundel rose from her seat and retrieved a small armful of logs - three fat oak chunks - and placed them carefully on the coals in a triangular arrangement. The wood would burn for several more bells. She sat once more in the armchair, drawing her feet up onto the seat and hugging her legs to her chest. Her chin dropped to rest on her knees, and she tucked a loose lock of hair back behind her ear.

"By end of fall. People waiting there for it." Her brows furrowed once more as she imagined the possibilities. Murderers, bandits, thugs, etc. Then again, they could perfectly normal, pleasant people and it might end up being a simple exchange. The mystery of it was both thrilling and deeply terrifying, mainly because of his insinuated threat. She would have to question her father in the morning without a doubt. Arundel needed to get her mind off of it. She sat up a little straighter, raising her head to show interest. She seemed be fidgety, unable to find a comfortable position. "How was visit?" Clearly her grasp of Common was growing with her increased use of it this season, but she still needed to work on his Pavi. It was immensely important that he learned the spoken words and the grassland sign of his new people. That was at the top of the to do list, tied neck and neck with getting his attitude tamed.

"Sisters well? Happy?" There was genuine interest in the question, and Arundel hoped he noticed. It seemed that Nate had a problem with questioning the authenticity of everything they said to him. Especially what she said to him. As if the entire city was a professional, traveling troupe of actors bent on brainwashing him of their innocence. She wasn't trying to push the expectations that she knew all too well tied the two of them together in the eyes of her people. She wasn't going to rush what everyone thought needed to happen yesterday. It would only cause more resentment and barriers.

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

So, the guy might be a friend of her father's? Better and better. Nate was already hating this job, and it surprised him that he did. What did he care whether she got hurt out there or not? But regardless, the whole thing bothered him. And that man... the way he spoke, implied a certain degree of familiarity he was not very comfortable with. He couldn't explain why he felt so uncomfortable, but the fact was, he did. And it was coloring everything he felt about this entire enterprise.

When she offered that he sit down, Nate hesitated for several ticks, before finally marching over to the seat and sank down into it. The fact that the over-dressed man had sat here for some reason made him feel uncomfortable, like as though he wanted to wash the seat thoroughly before sitting down on it. What was it about that man that made him feel so?

Arundel was asking him what the man was telling him. Nate pursed his lips in thought. Should he tell her? What should he tell her? Of course, the man had seemed casually dismissive of the Drykas, not nearly as obsequious as he pretended to be when faced with someone who spoke a language Arundel barely grasped. It was almost told in confidence, in a way, but Nate felt little kinship with the man.

"Yeah, he's a real pleasant guy," Nate replied, his lip curled into a sneer, and his voice dripping his usual sarcasm, though for the first time, not directed at Arundel. "Has nothing but respect for the Drykas," he continued, his voice implying the exact opposite. Sighing, and shrugging, he looking into the fire as Arundel fed it with more logs, then drew herself up in her chair.

"He... he said you and I were supposed to marry," Nate mentioned. His voice wasn't bitter, necessarily, just... confused. As though he genuinely could not understand the concept.

"Which... I don't understand. You Drykas, I've seen your men take many wives. If you wanted, you could be second or third wife to someone, so why do you need me for this?"

It was something he wanted to know for a while now. Why did they expect such a thing of Arundel? It made no sense. For a captive, well, they had no choice. But surely they'd never force such a thing on one of their own? And even if they did, why should she be forced on him, when he was quite certain there would be plenty of Drykas men who'd be willing to take her as a second or third wife? Or even a first one?

As for Serifal, he'd never heard of the place, so he took her word for it that it was a big lake that was far away, past something or someplace called "Malachite". Nate didn't know half the place names, and he briefly wondered if Endrykas would even still be there when they finally came back. Probably not, although as a Drykas he was pretty certain that Arundel would know how to return to the city even if it had moved.

"Well, I don't mind telling you, this whole thing feels wrong," Nate stated, his voice firm. "Everything about it smells bad, like an infected wound."

Still, a job was a job, and he understood Arundel's desire to complete it, with a shrug he decided to drop the subject entirely. The decision was made, and there was little to be done about it. As for her other question...

"I... they were fine. My sisters were fine." Nate's voice betrayed him. His sisters were not fine. Well... it was very complicated. Kat seemed freed, almost, as though she'd lived in a cage all her life and now she could spread her wings. Lea, though, had seemed more subdued, and Nate had never seen her so withdrawn.

He worried for her, worried that unlike Kat the man who bought her did not see her value the way Kalikar saw Kat's. And like any big brother, his protective instincts had flared, but Lea got angry and the whole thing didn't really go the way he planned. At the end of it, he couldn't quite say how that meeting went. More to the point, it was a personal matter, not one he wanted to discuss with Arundel.

In fact, it was such an uncomfortable topic that he decided to resume the previous one. "So, let me see if I understand this," Nate sighed. "We don't know who we are delivering to, or who we are delivering for, or even what we are delivering?" He gave Arundel a quizzical and frankly somewhat judgmental look. "I really hope you know what you're getting us into," he commented, as he stared back into the fire. As much as he hated it in Endrykas, dying out there in the wilds didn't really seem like a better plan. If he wanted to die, he'd want to do it on his own terms.

[Arundel]

It seemed that Nathan disliked her employer, whoever the mystery man might be. This was fine with her, because he made her skin crawl. It was rather refreshing too, to have the sarcasm unleashed on a different victim. Usually she got to shoulder the brunt of his attitude. Nathan's remarks weren't so infuriating when they weren't at her expense. Under different circumstances, it would likely even elicit a grin from her. At the moment though, she wasn't sure she could muster a smile. Too many questions and too much uncertainty. The stress already weighed on her shoulders. His next comment didn't help. Marriage. So, he truly hadn't known? A part of her assumed he just refused the acknowledge the idea. Arundel was a little happy that wasn't the case.

Surprisingly, he didn't seem all that displeased by this information. She couldn't help but be a little embarrassed, and even blush. In the firelight of the dark pavilion, the flush of her cheeks was hard to notice. "Yes, marriage." The one comment she didn't appreciate was his insinuation that she needed him. It wasn't anything like that. If she really wanted to, she could accept the hand of a suitor who was already Drykas. The day of the auction, Arundel had raised her arm and bought Aleixo on a whim. It had been a rash, thoughtless decision that turned her life upside down. The duty she had to her people clearly expressed that in this time of need, producing a child - preferably several - would benefit Endrykas as a whole.

When she had purchased the Syliran, that hadn't even been on her mind. It definitely did soon afterward, but in the heat of the moment, she genuinely had no idea why her hand shot up above that crowd. Now, after Aleixo was long gone, she had Nate. Arundel didn't need him. She wasn't even really expected to marry him. It was her responsibility to teach him the ways of the Drykas, and integrate him into their society as one of their own. If marriage followed between the two of them, it would be by both of their consent. Quite a few of her people weren't giving the captives a choice. But Arundel wanted love and courtship. Not resentment and hate. He could very likely fall in love with another clanswoman, and if that were to happen tomorrow, she would hand him over. Of course that was unlikely, seeing as how he resenting everything and everyone in the city.

Still, everyone assumed that because he was in her charge, that the two of them would marry and start a family. But nothing was written in stone. "No guarantee. My duty to have children. Endrykas is... in pain. Low numbers. Many have died. That is why raids." Her tone grew sad toward the end of her explanation - almost apologetic. The tent city had suffered much in the recent past, and its scars were still very fresh. In the process of rebuilding, they had ruined the lives of quite a few people. Lives like Nathan's. "Not have to marry me. Can choose woman. I only teacher, now. Later, mystery. Foggy future." It seemed that their position was not the only one that was uncertain. The tone of his voice as he recalled the visit with his sisters insinuated much. Her eyes bored into his, trying to decipher something. Anything. He was still such an enigma to her. Of course it didn't help that he was so reluctant to ever elaborate.

Before she could delve any deeper, he brought up the deliver once more. Arundel glanced at the package next to her chair, speculatively rubbing her chin. She was quiet for a moment, trying to think of the right words. It would be hard enough to explain in Pavi, let alone Common. "Also mystery," she finally said. "I accepted, because... do not know. Curiosity? Pride?" Her shoulders rose with a shrug, before something caught her attention. She looked at him sharply, raising her eyebrows. "Us? You come with?" This genuinely surprised her, if that was even what Nathan meant. Arundel had assumed she was going to leave him behind in the care of her family, while she rode to Serifal alone with Domero. It would be faster - but not necessarily safer - to travel alone. She leaned back in her chair, watching him curiously. "Dangerous," she warned him. "Long way. Distant. Return in winter."

Perhaps he was as crazy to come along as she was to accept such a job in the first place. It would be immensely convenient to have his medical skills close at hand, among the other things. His bow, for one. Arundel pursed her lips, chewing the inside her cheek.

[Nathaniel Deveraux]

It still didn't make complete sense in Nate's mind. It wasn't that Nate thought Arundel needed him, what confused him was why Endrykas needed him, at least for this purpose. Since women did not take multiple husbands, he'd have thought that the precious Drykas women they still had left would be married to the first eligible Drykas man available.

Why would they take male prisoners for this purpose? He'd thought they taken him for his hunting and medical skills, not for his... breeding skills. And while under different circumstances it might be titillating idea, at the moment it just felt forced. And any activity, no matter how pleasurable, lost a great deal of its appeal when forced upon someone.

But Arundel didn't seem like she particularly liked the idea of the raids. If he wasn't so determined to hate everything, he would have probably realized she was really the last person he should be blaming for his situation. If anything, she probably treated him the nicest of the Drykas he'd met so far; very few of them had even really deigned to speak to him.

She was not one of the leaders who'd ordered the raids, nor was she one of the riders who'd captured him and his sisters. Though, Nate was rather glad he hadn't met anyone from that particular raiding party during his stay in Endrykas, because he wasn't sure such an encounter would end well. At all. Regardless, he couldn't help but reply.

"Look, I get that rampant disease is painful. I'm a medic, believe me I know. But I gotta question the logic that says you have to take people from their lives just to bolster your own numbers. You realize, if you'd just asked, Syliras probably would've helped you?"

It was pointless saying it now, of course. The raids already happened. But it was just irksome, how much of a waste the whole thing was. Because he was sure that Syliras would've come to Endrykas' aid if they'd just asked for help. Instead, with these raids, he wasn't sure the relationship between the two cities could ever be repaired.

Nate didn't know what to think about the whole marriage thing. Even when he was in Syliras, the idea of finding a woman was about the furthest thing from his mind. He just didn't have time for such frivolities. The truth of the matter was, Nate had no clue how to approach women. So, instead of attempting to learn he just basically decided to not try. Had there been anyone in Syliras who might have liked him? He realized he didn't even know. He didn't think so, but he was so shut off from that whole line of thinking that even if there had been, he'd have been entirely blind to it.

Not that it really mattered, in the end. He was in Endrykas now, trapped and caged by walls of obligation. And the more he went down this line of thought, the more uncomfortable he got. Finally, he decided to answer Arundel's question.

"Well, I figured as your... ward, I'd have to come along," he shrugged. "Besides, if you get injured out there, who's going to patch you up? As far as I remember, no courier in Syliras ever traveled alone. Too dangerous."

Nate said it with a tone of heavy resignation. Like he figured he'd have to come along anyway, so why fight it? And truthfully, he would be lying if he said he wasn't looking forward to leaving the city. The culture here was strange, and he had the distinct impression he wasn't entirely liked here. And even though the feeling was mutual he preferred nature over the city.

Because even though the Sea of Grass was unfamiliar, it was still nature. And Caiyha was equally unrelenting, equally vicious, whether in the Sea or in the Wood. Nothing was ever truly certain. But some things were more certain than others.

Nate didn't say it, but he also didn't like the job itself. As he'd said, the whole thing smelled wrong, like it was some sort of elaborate trap. Why anyone would want to trap some random courier from Endrykas was beyond him/ Still, he'd been hunting for eight years and could sense an ambush when he saw one. He felt like he did back in Sylira's forests, alert and waiting for the moment the cougar pounced on him from behind or above. He knew the cat was there, just not where.

Nate vehemently told himself he was not worried for Arundel's safety. Why should he be? She was the enemy, someone to be wary about and cautious of. Not someone to be worried about. Still, as she herself said, the future was foggy. And if Arundel died out there it would get even foggier for him. And if there was one thing Nate definitely did not like, it was uncertainty.