Circle of Suspicion

Kaelan's assessment of Zog fell into Stonegate Keep's already turbulent waters like a tossed boulder. Kaelan experienced a surge of cold hostility everytime he passed through the stronghold, which was the immediate result among the human garrison. Once greeting him with brisk respect, officers now merely delivered the bare minimum of clipped, chilly civility. Orders were followed, although occasionally there was a brief pause followed by a subtle drag of the feet that conveyed a lot of information. Grakka was the sole target of the twisted and unsightly rumors that now followed him: "Goblin-lover." "Lost his nerve." "Trading honor for… that." A thick shroud of loneliness settled over his shoulders as he felt the weight of their condemnation. There was a startling core of resolution, though, along with the discomfort. He would stick to the choice he felt was right, whether it was right for the treaty, right for stopping more carnage, or just right. He discovered that he was using a sharper edge to assert his authority and demand the discipline that his officers appeared hesitant to completely implement.

Ever vigilant, Grakka watched these currents closely. She observed the narrowed eyes that followed Kaelan and the cold respect he earned from his minions. She was aware of the perilous undercurrents of rebellion and the brittleness of human allegiance in the face of discrimination. And she witnessed Kaelan handle it with a silent, uncompromising declaration of his power rather than with entreaties or concessions. It was more proof of the iron spine she had seen peeking out from under the gleaming armor. This guy not only had values, but had the resolve to uphold them, even at personal expense. Although she still thought the concepts themselves were unduly complex, she recognized and even respected that quality.

Perhaps unavoidably, the change in outside forces started to gradually change the dynamic between Grakka and Kaelan in their suite. Almost imperceptibly, the constant watchfulness against one another diminished as the rising knowledge of the animosity between them both took precedence. Although the silences lasted longer, they felt more like collective reflection than ceasefires. Kaelan scowled at the contradictory landmarks as he studied the rough maps his scouts had given him one evening, showing the Shadow Peaks' outskirts. As he walked across the room, Grakka stopped, looked at the map, and gestured with a scarred finger. Flatly, "That ridge isn't there," she said. "Human maps are usually inaccurate. Too high. It was removed by landslide years ago. West of the black pines is a path. Startled, Kaelan glanced up and then back at the map, contrasting it with what she had said. With a simple nod, he corrected the parchment. He could have questioned her source or suspected intentional deception a week ago. He now embraced the useful information provided.

Grakka was re-binding the wound on her arm from the ambush on another occasion; the goblin paste had halted the bleeding, but the healing process was sluggish. Her usage of rough fibers didn't seem to be enough. Before withdrawing to his chair, Kaelan quietly laid a roll of soft, clean linen bandage on the table by her elbow and took a book from a neighboring shelf. She did not thank him, and he did not explain. After a brief moment of doubt, however, she picked up the linen, gave it a close examination, and then started carefully wrapping it around her arm, discovering that it worked surprisingly well. Despite being islands in a sea of awkwardness, these little, unsaid gestures signaled a clear, if timid, departure from outright animosity.

However, this slight thaw was not ignored. After finding support in Kaelan's contentious decision, suspicion now focused on the partnership itself. One evening, when Grakka had returned after supervising the drills of her men, Borg went looking for her. His normally calm expression was disturbed. "Chief's daughter," he said in a deep, rumbling voice, "the warriors are uncomfortable." Yes, they saw that the human knight stood up for Zog. Excellent. He hesitated. However, they also see a shift. You and he exchange words. His lovely human cloth is yours. He gave her bandaged arm a hazy gesture. "Grakka, he is still a human. Their methods spread like illness. Remember why we are here. Don't allow closeness to dull your senses or your blade. It was a stark warning, laden with the goblin mistrust of human influence, rather than an accusation. Grakka calmly addressed his eyes, reminding him that she was in charge of this contingent and that her decisions were sound because they were grounded on strategy rather than emotion. However, Borg's uneasiness was a reflection of a trend in her own little squad.

Kaelan was confronted with a similar, but more covert, situation. In order to discuss patrol rosters, Captain Vorlag asked for a private meeting. The older soldier paused, then said cautiously after finishing the formal business. "Your order is unchallenged, of course, Sir Kaelan. However, the men find the current circumstances challenging. Although it may have been tactically important, your latest decision has damaged relationships. He cleared his throat. "Pardon my assumption, sir, but some people have pointed out... You and the Lady Grakka are constructing a certain accommodation. Given the situation, it might not be possible, but prudence is urged. These partnerships are political. It is possible to blur dangerous lines. We all need to keep in mind where our true allegiances lie. The underlying message was clear: Don't come too close. The warning was kind and presented in terms of obligation. Remember that she is the adversary.

Paradoxically, Kaelan and Grakka felt even more alone as a result of their isolated chats. Their own citizens were observing them, doubting their intentions, and believing that the opposition had compromised them. They ended up in the sitting room at the same time later that night. Kaelan was examining the edge of one of her throwing knives and making notes on the map in response to Grakka's last adjustment. Their eyes locked as they looked up. Because of the delicate, complicated interaction that was growing between them, they might have seen reflected in that fleeting moment the same tired exasperation, the same weight of being misinterpreted and under pressure from their own family members.

Neither Vorlag's warning nor Borg's worries were mentioned. However, they acknowledged each other in silence. The'scandal' was now about them, not simply Kaelan's decision. It was the hesitant steps toward understanding, the mutual risk, the reluctant respect, and the simple fact that they could sometimes share a place without immediately clashing. Both sides were growing suspicious of this apparent intimacy, even though it was new and unrecognized, and it was driving them apart from their respective groups. And by doing this, it was unintentionally creating a more solid, distinct wall around them, keeping Grakka and Kaelan apart from the growing stream of murmurs and cautions. Their union was growing out of both shared isolation and political need.