Mariel wondered the same thing as her eyes shifted again to the oncoming group. She shivered as she thought of who they might be. She did not recognize any of them from this distance, and she held out hope that neither would they. Her eyes met Durian's again and she leaned towards him and spoke in a hushed voice.
"May I speak privately with you?"

As they stepped into the shade, Mariel searched Durians' eyes then spoke in a whisper.
"I cannot be sure of it, but these men may be after me."
She shifted her gaze to his chest, then glanced back up at him.
"I may have...stolen from....the king."
Her eyes shifted again, but she quickly looked up at him again.
"It was not for my own gain, but rather for the one who my heart belonged too."

Mariel contemplated her options as Durian placed his hands on either side of her head. If she outran him, he may not persist, but he would be obligated to report her and then she would be on the run for the rest of her life. But if she quickly hid her loot, she wouldn't have to live in fear. For now.
She watched as he turned to face the oncoming riders, and she knew that she had mere minutes before he turned around again. She had to make her decision. After only a moment, Mariel quickly turned around and looked for somewhere where she could hide her bag. She smiled in relief as she ran over to a bush nearby, then quickly but carefully hid her bag inside the dense bush.
As she stood up, she saw Durian move his brooch in his hand, so she calmly walked back to the spot where she stood then she leaned against the wall of the Inn as he turned to face her.

Mariel suppressed a mischievous smile as Durian picked the seeds from her sleeve, but blushed and opened her mouth in surprise as he searched her. Words of protest formed in her thoughts, but she found herself speechless as she felt his lips press gently against her soft neck.
When he looked into her eyes and smiled, she let out a breath and nodded.
"I'm sure the king would be astounded if he found out one of his officers was turning a blind eye to a thief..."
She smiled softly then glanced down at his brooch as thoughts of her brother and husband rose up within her. She blinked then looked back up at him and kissed him on the lips. Mariel quickly pulled away from him as she heard horse hooves rounding the corner. Atop the horse was a man clad in simple clothes with a cloak and brooch similar to Durians.
"Did I hear someone say 'thief'?"
The mans' voice rang out above them. Mariel quickly plastered on a flirtatous grin then leaned against Durian with her hands resting gently on his chest. As she addressed the man on horseback, she spoke with a slight slur to give the impression of drunkenness.
"Oh yes, sire. I have your thief right here. He has stolen many things from me, one of which is my heart....and my money. Can you tell him to return it to me?"

Durian looked at the ranger and held out his brooch. He said to him as Mariel clutched him. He said,

”This lady lost her money fair and square, and it was not to me unfortunately.”

As Durian eyes the ranger, he said,

”You rode south during the war with Halbarad?”

The mounted ranger rode his horse around them as he looked first at Durian, then at Mariel.


(Lol! I caught you out while editing this time! No worries. I went with it. You can edit in your next post)

(Oops, my fault! Actually...I think that add on in my previous post still works. I.E. The other officer coming up behind them and approaching them?)

(Sorry to keep falling behind. I had a full day. )

The old man smiled and nodded at Mariel. "I will gather my things and be on my way shortly. Don't bother with your horse, it will be better to walk."

He left to his room and a few minutes later headed out the door only to find Durian and Mariel in a discussion of sorts with some strange men. He eyed the men, then his would be companions.

"See here!" he said, exaggerating his elderly tone and feeble voice. "These two have responsibilities to help me on my dying request. I do hope you are not detaining them for anything. I fear my time is short and I dearly need their accompaniment."

_________________




Visit The Varsian Kingdom!

"Two questions sir. What do you know about horses? And what do you know of the two sisters who run this place? The job I have is for someone to tend to my horse Stormer for the next day or two. Just feed her, water her, and walk her around some. She has a couple days of rest coming until her foot heals."

Lwelyn's eyes flickered, he knew horses. He knew them better than humans. The owners of the inn he knew nothing about, besides that they were too nice. He stood there, pondering the questions and how best to answer them. He must have waited too long, for the man excused himself and turned to a woman.

This isn't slavery, he told himself, its a job. Though a twinge in his back reminded him the two could be easily blurred. This isn't the South, this is a Ranger. Lewlyn struggled with his thoughts as a group of riders appeared.

Every instinct kicked in and Lewlyn bolted to a safer shadowy spot by the inn.

Mariel snickered then twirled a piece of her hair between her fingers then quickly studied the mans' face as she turned her eyes to the glazier.
She knew who it was. It was one of the men in her brothers' company. She inwardly cursed herself for not wearing her cloak, but then decided to go with it.
The man was about to address Durian, but was interrupted by the glazier. He held out his hand and said in a proud but rough voice.
"Do not worry, sir. I will not keep your...companions very long."
He then turned his eyes to Mariel and squinted ever so slightly, then quickly shifted his gaze to Durian.
"Aye, sir. That I did. I am assuming you knew him as well?"

The Ranger furrowed his brows as he looked at the pair, then as Durian revealed who he rode with, he spoke with remembrance.
"Oh yes, I remember speaking with you in passing. You must forgive me for not recognizing you until just now. My memory is somewhat...faded."
He then glanced down upon Mariel and squinted his eyes.
"Forgive me, miss, but have we met before?"
Mariel arched a brow and shrugged.
"Perhaps. I meet many when I go traveling."
The Ranger shook his head and persisted.
"No, no...I know you. I can't place exactly where I know you from, but-"
His eyes widened as he began to recall who she was, but he was interrupted by a call from his fellow riders. He looked over, then glanced back at Durian and Mariel and dipped his head.
"Excuse me."
He said then turned his horse around and headed back to the front of the Inn.