Kovac found his feet, the blood returning to his head from the sudden elevation. The Avora was no stranger to wine, and his tolerance was substantial. Once Ainyi lead them towards the commons, the mongrel had little trouble walking alongside. As they made their way down the corridors, the current state of Wind Reach required they assume a level of alertness. The Chiet's advice to keep quiet would not only keep from disturbing those sleeping, but would not attract attention of those who may not be.
As the nameless hallways pased by, Kovac thought to himself. It was a strange circumstance he had found himself in. He was grateful to Ainyi for her kindness, though he sensed a bit of reluctance in her demeanor. She did was she did out of duty to a fellow Inartan (or half inartan, in this case). Kovac understood that, and the intent that his overnight stay in her room was an act of philanthropy. Still, the hunter could not ignore the kinship that had sparked, stranger souls that found common ground in heartfelt tragedy. He could not help but think of Lavira. She attributed Kovac with bringing her from despair, but the woman had cared for him, when few others did. A pang of ache struck his heart. Kovac was not deeply devout, but he wondered if some divine force lead Ainyi into the dark gallery that night, when he needed someone to show him compassion, to save him, even if it was only out of duty.
Ainyi finally lifted the bow for him to see better. She did not offer to hand it over, and Kovac did not ask to handle it. But as they passed under the periodic lamp light in the halls, he could see the intricate detail in the wood, the fine craftsmanship. He understood the woman's care with the bow, it was the finest piece, at least aesthetically, he had ever seen.
"It is beautiful Ainyi. I understand your concern for its safety, but I would not think of taking something that certainly means a lot to you. Besides, I don't think I could outrun you at this point." Kovac tried to jest. He passed too near a column, and bounced off of it. "See what I mean."
Damn sot. Kovac was suddenly ashamed of himself. He may not have been the most respected Avora around. He was half-breed, and that had always worked against him. He had a history of being sarcastic, resistant and morally loose. But the Avora was a skilled archery instructor, a good hunter, and one of the best shots in Wind Reach. And how does he meet this attractive, interesting Chiet? As a drunk sitting on the floor of a cold, dark hall. Humility was good for a man, but a hard medicine to swallow.
"Thank you again, Ainyi. You don't have to do this. I owe you. I would gladly work with you on your bow, if you would like. I promise, I am stone sober when I teach." He looked to the fiery redhead and offered an humble smile. Well, it took a wry curl at the end. He was about to ask what her profession was, but the woman stopped them at her door.
As the nameless hallways pased by, Kovac thought to himself. It was a strange circumstance he had found himself in. He was grateful to Ainyi for her kindness, though he sensed a bit of reluctance in her demeanor. She did was she did out of duty to a fellow Inartan (or half inartan, in this case). Kovac understood that, and the intent that his overnight stay in her room was an act of philanthropy. Still, the hunter could not ignore the kinship that had sparked, stranger souls that found common ground in heartfelt tragedy. He could not help but think of Lavira. She attributed Kovac with bringing her from despair, but the woman had cared for him, when few others did. A pang of ache struck his heart. Kovac was not deeply devout, but he wondered if some divine force lead Ainyi into the dark gallery that night, when he needed someone to show him compassion, to save him, even if it was only out of duty.
Ainyi finally lifted the bow for him to see better. She did not offer to hand it over, and Kovac did not ask to handle it. But as they passed under the periodic lamp light in the halls, he could see the intricate detail in the wood, the fine craftsmanship. He understood the woman's care with the bow, it was the finest piece, at least aesthetically, he had ever seen.
"It is beautiful Ainyi. I understand your concern for its safety, but I would not think of taking something that certainly means a lot to you. Besides, I don't think I could outrun you at this point." Kovac tried to jest. He passed too near a column, and bounced off of it. "See what I mean."
Damn sot. Kovac was suddenly ashamed of himself. He may not have been the most respected Avora around. He was half-breed, and that had always worked against him. He had a history of being sarcastic, resistant and morally loose. But the Avora was a skilled archery instructor, a good hunter, and one of the best shots in Wind Reach. And how does he meet this attractive, interesting Chiet? As a drunk sitting on the floor of a cold, dark hall. Humility was good for a man, but a hard medicine to swallow.
"Thank you again, Ainyi. You don't have to do this. I owe you. I would gladly work with you on your bow, if you would like. I promise, I am stone sober when I teach." He looked to the fiery redhead and offered an humble smile. Well, it took a wry curl at the end. He was about to ask what her profession was, but the woman stopped them at her door.
