Τάνταλος

Yes, the streets are dangerous and Clara was willing to bet that this man was part of the danger. But there wasn’t much to do now, she simple nodded. “Yes, thank you, I would appreciate that. Though people don’t go out of your way, I know the route well and everyone who travels on it.” 

“You may know the route, but you never truly know people, or what they may be capable of...” His words were a warning, more than she could ever know. If she knew what he was capable of, Aaric doubted that the young seamstress would still be willing to walk through the dark streets with him. “And that is why you shouldn’t travel alone, if you can help it,” he added with a short chuckle. 

Miranda nodded along, agreeing with one of the rare few people she could call friends. “That is splendid! Shall we make our way to the tavern, then? Perhaps a drink or two could do us good. I have been dying for something with alcohol in it for days now.”

After a short laugh, Aaric offered his arm politely to the future queen. “The tavern, yes. But I think more than a drink or two will be needed. This could be one of the last times we do this, since you will have your hands full soon enough.” He joked, though it was true, she would have her hands full dealing with both the king and his mistress. “But if you ever feel the need to run away, I am always obliged to offer my assistance.”

Darcy knew her situation with the man would lead to this sooner or later. She hoped for the latter as she still wasn’t too comfortable of spilling out her secret. Being a bandit was against the law, but being a respectable lady on the run from an arranged marriage while doing banditry was another thing entirely. For some wild and strange reason, she felt like she could trust Aaric and it both made her heart sing and sink to her heels. That feeling of familiarity and normalcy around him, an air of relaxation, made her sigh as the decision was made.

It was surprising to hear the woman’s admission of her past, and it made Aaric wonder if his influence had gotten to her more than he had originally thought. He hated the small feeling of jealousy that was bubbling inside of him at knowing that the woman before him had been promised to another. “It took courage to do what you’ve done.” His voice is low, emotionless, though he did admire her strength and stubbornness to go against what she was told. 

“Well, how honorable would it be of me to let a lord die on my watch? No, we can’t let that happen.” She chuckled in reply and nodded. “Yes, it appears we will have to do just that.” She softly spoke as they neared the river, her eyes on alert and scanning the area carefully, to make sure they are undisturbed by anyone or anything.

His lips pulled into a wolfish grin when he hears her scoff, and it only grows when she looked away from him. But the more he thought, the more curious he grew. Why would she claim that she wasn’t a lady? The look that crosses her face only confirms what he knew, that there was more to her than being a simple bandit. 

Miranda chuckled at his comment. “Absolutely not, though I have to admit I am bored in the castle. I have nothing to do and not many people I enjoy talking with.” She shrugged. “Why are you in such a haste?”

“Yes, boredom can set in quickly when you hear the same thing at court each day.” Aaric smirked, though he understood the woman’s feelings, and he didn’t envy her. “I do not wish to be trapped behind the castle walls either,” he lied, “You may join me, if you wish. I would never refuse the company of an old friend.” 

“It’s a pleasure Mr. dadney. I am Clara, Clara Nereida. Ah.” She said and nodded, interesting. It wasn’t like she was trying to extract information from the man but she found it interesting to hear about life at court, especially with everything going on. “I am sorry you are not feeling well, my lord. I’m sure holes in one’s coat doesn’t help. If you do need anything else, this is also my route home.”

“It is nothing to worry about, Miss Nereida. I must have eaten something that didn’t settle well.” He refrained from laughing at the irony. Instead, he found it interesting that he’d encountered a woman who shared the same last name as a rumored pirate he’d heard recent whispers of. “I need nothing else, but if we are heading in the same direction, allow me to escort you. The streets can be dangerous after dark.” 

Clara took the coat. “I can have it for you tomorrow, sir. I’m sure it will be able to find you.” She paused before asking, “I assumed that people went to court everyday, that is what one does, when one has the honor of the invitation.” 

“As I said, there is no hurry. My name is Aaric Dabney, and my home is not far from here.” He watched her carefully, an eyebrow raising curiously when she spoke of court again. “Some people might attend court each day. But I am not feeling well, and my presence will not be missed for a few days, I assure you. Besides, I doubt anything will change will I am away.”

Darcy nodded, her lips twitching in the corner as she tried hard to bite back the comment. But, alas, she was not quite skilled in resisting. “Is that fear I hear in you voice, my lord? Worry not, I shall protect you.” She gently teased, part of her wishing she didn’t make that comment, but she simply couldn’t resist it.

He was surprised at her words, but couldn’t bite back the laugh that escaped his lips. Aaric wasn’t worried about encountering another in the woods, and had no problem handling them if it came to that. “It sounds as though you are the worried one now.” A mischievous smile spread across his face. “We will just have to protect each other then.” 

Emilie looked at him curiously before responding. “I am trying to forget things I can’t even remember. And remember things I haven’t quite forgotten.” She gave a small laugh. “You must think I’m already drunk. Or crazy.”

He didn’t know Emilie well enough, but crazy wouldn’t have been something he considered when he saw her. “Yes, you must be drunk. That’s it,” he joked, allowing a low chuckle. “Sadly, I don’t think there is enough ale to make you forget things completely. Somehow, things always seem to linger in the back of the mind.” 

Miranda was walking around the palace gardens, when she spotted a familiar figure leaving the grounds in haste. Deciding she had nothing better to do anyway, lady Jane followed the man swiftly. As he turned around, she allowed herself a teasing grin to spread across her face. “You took your time in noticing. If I was a bandit you might’ve been dead by now, Aaric.” She said with a grin. “It has been a while. Can’t I follow an old friend?” 

Aaric hadn’t been in the best of moods, but when he saw who it was behind him, he let out a low chuckle. “Then I guess it is good that you are not a bandit.” He kept his eyes trained on the woman who would be queen, but slowly allowed himself to relax. “If you were hoping to sneak away from the castle you could have told me sooner,” he joked. “Surely this impending marriage doesn’t have you running for the hills already.”

Clara crinkled her nose, she had a shop but not one she had used still she was detained. “I… Yes, I do, on Court Street but I am not there often. “Perhaps I could take it down and return it to you tomorrow. I will be in the city most of the day tomorrow.” 

He watched her for a moment, noticing the quick change when he asked about her shop, but he says nothing of it. Instead, Aaric sighed and slipped out of his coat. “You have my thanks. There is no hurry, as I will not be returning to court for several more days.”

She swirled the contents of her drink before glancing up at him, half amused, half curious. “Well I know why I am here. I drink to forget. Or drink to ease. Drink to remember. Depends on the situation. Today it’s all three.”

“And what are you trying to forget?” He wouldn’t admit just yet that his own dreams had put him on edge and perhaps no amount of ale would help.

Darcy frowned sympathetically, a wave of relief washing over her. She knew she shouldn’t be that content that he’s safe; she didn’t even know him, for crying out loud. Yes, they encountered and talked on a couple of occasions, but that was about it. He should not have that big an impact on her – especially haunting her dreams, when she wouldn’t see him for an elongated period.

When she offers to help, his brows rise high in surprise. Aaric found it slightly odd that anyone would help another who had been stumbling through the woods covered in blood, but it causes his lips to twitch into a sneaking smirk. She was kind enough, one could believe that she was harmless. But he knew better, he’d seen with his own eyes what she was capable of doing, and it was something that he’d kept in mind since the day he’d happened upon the woman robbing a caravan. 

“I always return my favors.” She gave him a nod, a smirk moving onto her lips as he practically finished his drink and she followed suit. “Crazy weather we’re having. Or perhaps you’d like a conversation with more sustenance.”

He allowed a low chuckle at her words, finishing what was left in his mug. But one drink wouldn’t be enough. “Ah, yes, lovely weather. Is that why the two of us have found ourselves drinking in a tavern in the middle of the day?” 

It has been a long day for Darcy; with the dreams and the feeling of something long lost perpetually bothering her these day. She couldn’t sleep, so she’s decided to take a stroll in the woods, armed with her bow and arrows, just in case. Leaving Bartok in the stables, the young bandit wandered through the woods, her thoughts leading her back to the dream and the sensation of knowing which lingered in the air.

Aaric had felt his fingers twitch at his side, curling slightly when an arrow was aimed at him. And if the woman hadn’t lowered it so soon after, he might have found himself lunging forward in a blind rage, harming yet another person. When he saw that it was her, he’s unable to move for what felt like forever.