Rekindle (Multi)|Clan Char | Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

Charminei breathed out and wiped her brow with the back of her hand, smiling to herself a little as she finished carrying an armful of wood towards the communal pile. Those specially selected scouts sent farther south to chop down as much wood as they could and bring it back had recently returned, much to the joy of the clan.

Now with her share of the work done, she sought out her husband, smiling to herself with what she had planned for him.

[Deleted]

Alexi had returned to the tent, grumbling to himself; Malcamon had wisely taken Charii to play with some of the other kids. The Fire-Storm was angry, and rightfully so: Hector had been pretty damn stupid, trying to lie to him. Hadn't he stopped to think that perhaps bounty hunters were taught to recognize signs of falsehoods?

WHY the hell had he lied? If Hector had a vendetta against someone, he should've had the balls to take care of it himself.

And the worst of it was, Alexi half wished he could have taken the job, just for the thrill of the hunt. He did not miss it often, but Forces, was it fun.

Alexi sighed, growled once, and went to replace his bowstring.

[Kender Bard]

Charminei entered the tent with a bit of a twirl, her moods and spirits high. But her intuition quickly picked up the aura of anger around Alexi and she sobered considerably. "Alexi, are you okay?" she asked, going to look at him more carefully.

[Deleted]

Alexi looked away, muscles standing out sharply as he bent his bow to accept the new string. He plucked it a couple of times, then unstrung the weapon and set it aside. "Someone came to me as a client," he said shortly. "He lied to me, though, either about the reason he came or who he wanted me to go after. Maybe both. I KNOW when people are lying. But damn it, I almost wish I had believed him."

The next statement was delivered very quietly: "It's been a while since I've killed anyone."

[Kender Bard]

Charminei gave a little start at his words, looking at him with growing concern. Kneeling down next to him, she tried to take his hands into her own. "I don't understand. You want to kill people...?"

[Deleted]

Alexi shook his head, pulling his wife into his lap. "Not exactly." He stroked her hair, a tender gesture totally out of place with his words. "I've told you I really enjoy taking down criminals; hunting them, stalking them, making them beg for mercy before I took their lives and tasted of their blood. It's a thrill that's as good as foreplay. But since marrying you, that thrill faded to the back of my mind. Now I almost miss it."

He smiled ironically. "But I got my duties here, and I got you, right?"

[Kender Bard]

Charminei folded her hands in her lap, looking almost sad. She couldn't entirely relate to him, not in the way he described, but she did understand the need to get out of the desert and roam. It might be similar.

Speaking very softly, she murmured, "Funny, you know. I came here to ask you to lead the caravan into Ilyamen for our yearly crafts selling... But it seems kind of trivial compared to what I wish I could give you." Guilt seemed to thread its way into her words and her voice.

[Deleted]

"Heh." Alexi rested his cheek against her head. "Maybe you should ask Mal to do that. He's a better businessman than I, after all. He helped out at Rest A Spell while I was gallivanting about killing people." He gave Charminei a quick shake. "The caravan isn't trivial, though. It's important for our tribe, isn't it?"

[Kender Bard]

"Yes," Charminei sighed. "And we don't need a businessman Alexi. It just needs a strong leader who can guard against bandits and thieves. I was actually hoping you would go, so you could enjoy Ilyamen and being out of Naurorod a little while. But a little while might not be enough."

Her hand sought his and she squeezed it firmly. "I wouldn't mind if you went away a while, longer than the summer, to satisfy that need. Etaf knows I've run away from the clan to do just that more than once in my life."

[Deleted]

Alexi thought about that. Forces, what a tempting offer! He could take the chance for one last hurrah, so to speak. And if any bandits did attack the caravan, oh, the fun he could have with that!

Still.

"What about you and Charii?"

[Kender Bard]

"We'll be fine," Charminei promised him. "There's plenty to keep me occupied here. And though I may be young in body again, my heart and soul are still older and wiser. I just don't feel that burning need to go out into the world as much as I used to." She nuzzled his cheek softly. "But I want you to indulge in your own wishes."

[Deleted]

Ah, what the hell. It wasn't as though he would have to be gone longer than needed. And if something did come up, his wife would understand.

Alexi kissed Charminei soundly. "You're fantastic. Who loves ya, babe?" he asked with a grin.

[Kender Bard]

Charminei perked up, kissing him back enthusiastically. "You do. And I love you too, Alexi." She cupped his cheeks and smiled brightly at him, her good mood returning to see him renewed in heart. "If things work out, I think it would be worth the effort to try and start a little trade with the Beastlands too, in the autumn." She winked coyly. "And it'd be a good excuse for me to see my son. We can go on a little adventure together after you return, and still benefit the clan."

Leaning back a little, she giggled and added, "Just promise to bring me back something nice from the market while you're gone."

[Deleted]

Alexi raised his right hand. "On my honor, such as it is," he promised with a grin. "I think I might camp outside while you visit your kid, though. Don't wanna make him uncomfortable." His grin became devilish. "So what should we do to pass the time until evening?"

[Kender Bard]

The fires of passion lit up in her blue eyes as she returned his fiendish smile. "Oh I'm sure I can think of a few things," she murmured, and leaned in to steal a kiss.

---

The next couple of days had the clan in a tizzy with activity. Horses had been captured weeks ago and tamed just for this expedition. Much of the wood in the clan's woodpile was being used to make carts and boxes as all of the clan worked to put their famed crafts and goods in the carts. Soon they were heavily ladened. Charanth would be accompanying Alexi on the trip - he did the best of dealings. A good portion of the profits would go towards buying things the clan needed for the rest of the year. There was little money could buy in the desert, so they would want to spend it on tradeable goods as well. Not to mention a fine amount of baubles and goodies to bring back and enjoy. Toys, sweetmeats - and most coveted, fresh fruits.

"Excited?" Charminei asked Alexi with a smile, holding their daughter's hand.