WOT Adv 154

--- The Wheel Turns ---
Fiznak whiled away the day speaking to Eliesanna and Maeslyn at different times and alternating between drinking wine and playing his flute. Both women seemed to enjoy his company though both seemed distracted for some reason. Maeslyn spoke of her childhood for a time but then went back to pondering a map of the Aryth ocean, presumably coming up with travel plans to Tanchico. Eliesanna wasn't much better. The young woman nodded politely and murmured responses to his queries, but the conversation was decidedly once sided. It didn't help that the woman had kept Maer's short spear with her the entire time, and sometimes stroked it with her slender fingers, her eyes with a far-away look.

In the end, Fiznak finished up the day drinking a bottle of fine wine and sitting in the large window sill of his room alone, staring out into Falme while he played his flute.

He played a peaceful melody until the spectacular golden sunset dipped and then slowly sank into the Aryth ocean. Dusk finally came and he opened his window and breathed deeply for several moments the cool salt air and let it ruffle his hair.

It felt good. Good to be alive. Good to feel the wind, to hear the cries of the gulls. The touch of the wind reminded him of Maeslyn's touch. He smiled when he remembered it. Then he sighed, grinned at his reflection in a mirror and shook his head. What was he going to do with that woman? With himself? Light! All he knew was that she had managed to place an unbreakable cable around his heart and that he was going with her to Tanchico.

...

Keb and Maer returned that evening to "The Dancing Badger" sometime after dark. The two sets of traveling clothes fit Fiznak well enough. They weren't anything fancy, but then again, neither was Maeslyn's cloak he had been wearing about his waist.

In their private dining area, dinner seemed unusually somber. There was the business of the finances for the journey to make out. As such, Keb and Maeslyn talked back and forth, Keb reporting and counting money, while Maeslyn listed things on her parchment.

There was a noticeable lack of communication between Eliesanna and Maer and it seemed to cast its pall on everything else. Maer never once met her eyes during the meal, and Eliesanna, hardly ever took her eyes off of his. But neither spoke, even though it was painfully obvious that speaking needed to be done.

Fiznak scratched his bearded chin and raised an eyebrow at Keb. She shook her head and then shrugged.

"Children..." Maeslyn sighed and went back to making a list of supplies, her quill scratching onto the parchment in neat even lines as Keb detailed a list of supplies and a tally of the coin they had.

"Well, if we pool our money, we might just make it. According to the captain, we need to have fifty silver marks a piece. After deducting our stay until the day The Pelican's Wing leaves, here's how we stand." She pushed the parchment over to show Keb and the others.

Eleisanna - 0 marks
Maer - 39 marks
Fiznak - 21 marks
Maeslyn - 17 marks
Keb - 50 marks
Gain from horses - 160 marks

Total Assets: 287 marks
Payment Due: 6 x 50 = 300 marks
Funds Needed: 13 marks

"You are right Keb," Maeslyn said, her voice sounding a little more agitated than it had been. "We are close, but not quite enough coin." She surveyed the list once more and then turned her green eyes to drill into Keb's.

Keb leaned back in her chair and drummed her fingers on the table, a slow grin growing across her face. "Well, well, well. It seems we may be able to come to a mutual agreement."

"Don't push your luck; I'm not in the mood." Maeslyn replied flatly.

"Just a little business proposition, how about I pay the prices, then for each day--" Keb began.

"Look, I don't have the time nor the inclination to haggle all night long, Keb. I'll give you double the difference when we reach Tanchico."

"Double the difference plus five for every day at sea." A gleam came into Keb's eyes.

"You are mad!" Maeslyn scowled and stood up. "If you won't do it, I'll find another way. I thought you would see a good deal when it was placed in front of you."

"Alright, alright," Keb sighed. "Sit down. You're no fun; I'll help you out."

With the business negotiations ended, everyone left for their respective beds.

...

Before heading into the stables to sleep for the night, Maer knocked on Eliesanna's door. She opened the door with a white robe wrapped around her. She was stunningly beautiful, and even more so, having just taken an evening bath. Even Maer, hardened desert warrior was affected by her exotic beauty. One eyebrow raised and she waited, unconscious of her ability to influence men like this.

He cleared his throat. "Maiden," he began and then spoke more firmly, keeping his eyes firmly on hers. "I offer you an apology. And I owe you my t'oh."

"Toe?" She glanced down at his foot involuntarily and then looked at him questioningly.

"T'oh," he explained awkwardly, with a sigh. He was beginning to remember explaining this to Maeslyn. It was so simple, but the wetlanders always wanted to make the simple complex. "You wetlanders would call it a 'debt'."

"Oh...I see... but why?"

"First, your skill with the bow saved my life. Second, I should not have asked for a gift that was freely given. The spear will always be yours. I ask your forgiveness."

For several long seconds she stood open mouthed, her eyes searching his.

"Are you upset, Maiden?" He began cautiously.

"No," she replied just as carefully, then a full smile beamed at him. "Not exactly. I'm just surprised, I think. You are quite forgiven, of course. I haven't been very nice, I know, and I'm sorry too. But, I haven't changed my mind about using a sword. I have decided to learn that from Fiznak as well. I will not handicap myself by knowing only one type of weapon."

A frown twitched at Maer's face. The spear a handicap? He felt like he had been slapped, and his eyes darkened with anger, but he held his face impassive and nodded, letting the anger flow out, accepting this for now. Perhaps her giving up the sword would be like him giving up the spear? He had never thought of it like that before.

"Very well. As part of my apology and to'h, I will give you whatever training you would like during our journeys together..." Maer was about to add the time of service, up to a year and a day (the term of service of a ga'shain, but since Eliesanna wasn't one of the People, there was no need to tell her all the details of his to'h.

"Thank you, Maer." She said gratefully, touching his arm lightly. "I will learn what you teach."