Chapter 20

Krarshe sat rigidly at the table. The usual midday chatter in The Easy Lute was accompanied by Henry strumming his lute. The smells of the day's specialty, Julien's fish stew, filled the air with a savory aroma, freshly made.

None of this mattered, however. The myriad of gazes upon the table was unsettling. He couldn't tell if it was from the rumors about the party's latest quest, spread far and wide by the notoriously gossipy adventurers around the city, or if it was just the sight of the inn's catfolk waitress clutching his arm and nuzzling his shoulder relentlessly. With her continued improvement in communication, thanks to the magic he'd taught her, several audacious customers had started making passes at her.

While it was impossible to tell which onlookers were giving which type of look, the snickering from Tomas and Sverre and the sharp glares from Lycia were obvious.

"... How long are you going to cling to him?" Lycia finally asked. "I want to take my order."

"Need show... master... missed him." Na'kika's skills were improving, but it was still unsteady. Despite that, her ability to continue the assault on Krarshe's shoulder while transmitting the message was impressive.

"Did you catch that?" Krarshe asked Lycia.

"No," she said flatly with a sigh, still clearly irked by Na'kika's actions.

"Na'kika. You need to focus more if you're going to say it to a group," Krarshe said, doing his best, though feeble, teacher impression. "One more time."

"Master... Incredible... Strong..."

Tomas choked as his laughter intensified. "Heard that one."

Lycia simply pursed her lips, but the message was clear.

Of course, THAT's the one she hears. "Na'kika..."

"Come, Na'kika. There's work to do," Valerie said, gently tapping the catfolk on the head with a tray. "You can cuddle later."

Krarshe could swear he saw the vein on Lycia's temple bulge.

"Besides," Val continued, "you have training with Aubin later. Make sure you get your time in now."

At the mention of training, Na'kika sullenly released Krarshe's arm and got up. "... Orders..."

"You know I'm eager for Julien's stew," Krarshe said.

"Same. Krarshe say stew good, must try," said Sverre.

As Na'kika took everyone's order, Val asked, "So, are the grumblings these past couple days true?"

"Which grumblings are those?" Krarshe replied. It was obvious what she was talking about, but he'd hoped he was wrong. He wasn't.

"I keep hearing patrons talk about how you all faced the Snatcher."

Krarshe groaned.

Upon their return to Remonnet, they had explained to the guild what happened over the past quarter-cycle. While they weren't able to find the missing child, they were fairly certain the mysterious phantom woman was the cause. The way Luc and even Lycia had behaved, and the way the woman had reacted when they'd prevented Luc from coming to her, it was clear they were linked. With Luc's testimony and the confirmation of the guild in Courmont, the local guild branch accepted their claims. While the quest was considered a failure, they did earn a reward for saving Luc.

The word of this encounter spread like dragon's fire. Given the similarity to the folklore, people started calling the phantom the Snatcher herself. Krarshe's party had denied this claim, but rumors of the party's fight against this mythical foe propagated amongst adventurers nonetheless. Within a day, they'd become like local heroes, celebrities, even to those unassociated with the adventurer's guild.

While the sudden fame was partly exhilarating, it was equally exasperating. "There was something. Doesn't mean it was the Snatcher," Krarshe explained.

"Ugh. Can people stop bringing that up?" Lycia groaned.

"I'd like to put that request behind us too..." Celine said.

"Not a fan of fame?"

Tomas shook his head. "Fame is great. But... Well... It's frustrating. If that... thing... actually took all those children..."

"O-oh... I see." Val nibbled on her lip. Na'kika's ears and tail lowered. "W-well. Let's get that order in, hmm? We'll be back with your food," she said with faux cheer as she and Na'kika returned to the kitchen.

They sat quietly at the table, the events of the case weighing on them again. Just like every time it was brought up, like a wound that wouldn't close. Despite their best efforts, it was clear they were no match for that phantom. That the children were all gone, unlikely to ever be heard from again.

Sverre slapped the table with his large hand. "Feel better! Just that we not equipped to fight it, not mean others cannot!"

Everyone turned to him.

"We find problem. Trust others take up sword and find solution," he said. He nodded confidently, as if to reassure everyone.

Celine took a deep breath and said, "Teva will guide them. I'm certain of it."

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right," Tomas agreed, reinvigorated. "Knowing that we took the first step, it does take a bit of weight off. Plus, now the guild can tailor the quest to specifically target this phantom, right? Katia's prayer seemed to affect it, after all."

"Right!" Sverre said with a large grin.

"I guess that's true," Lycia said. "Besides, we can't be idle now. Just this one setback can't cripple us."

"That is spirit! Let Oviirnir's courage embolden heart!"

"I- What?"

"You're still going to ask, Lycia, even after all these cycles?" Celine asked.

"... Good point."

Krarshe sat back in his chair, smiling at the scene before him. Sverre really was a leader, wise to the ways of adventuring. He knew just how to raise everyone's morale. He'd demonstrated such things before, and it was clear they were lucky to have him in the party.

Despite the encouraging words, something gnawed at him. Maybe it was cynicism or just his typical caution, but Krarshe wasn't fully convinced. If this thing was, in fact, the Snatcher, the incarnation of a curse known far and wide, was it something so easily beaten? He'd grown up, knowing the dangers of curses. A powerful curse was something even his own people couldn't deal with safely. To claim the clerics here could face it seemed foolhardy.

Krarshe shook his head, dismissing his pessimism. Now was not the time to bring up such concerns. Besides, the world was big. Perhaps some cleric was capable enough.

For now, though, seeing everyone's mood improved would be enough for him. He would bear the weight of his worries alone.

* * *

The guild hall was no respite from the murmuring of rumors. Significantly worse, in fact. Unlike the patrons at The Easy Lute, the adventurers didn't try to hide what they were speaking about. Some were similar to those at the inn, talking about them as if they were celebrities. Others looked down on the party, saying the claims about the phantom were fabricated and untrue. Some were even teetering on hostile. Luckily, one look at Sverre deterred them from any action.

"I don't know if I've mentioned it," Krarshe said, "but I really hate being the center of attention."

"Can't say I'm a fan either," stated Lycia.

"Typical for parties as courageous and invincible as ours!" It was clear Tomas was still energized by Sverre's earlier encouragement.

Celine elbowed him in the ribs. "Keep it down, please. I don't want people thinking we're some boastful party."

"I feel like he's doing it on purpose..." Krarshe said, looking around anxiously at the plurality of eyes upon them.

Tomas just laughed. "It's fine. They're just jealous."

Celine rubbed her brow. "... I'm going to look at the request board. You draw all the unwanted attention you want."

"Ah! Wait, let me come with you," Lycia said. "Anything to get out of the limelight."

Krarshe went to follow the two women but was jerked backwards. He looked to see Tomas with a firm grip on his collar, his impish grin telling Krarshe he wouldn't be allowed to leave. Sighing, he resigned himself to his fate and followed Tomas and Sverre to a table.

"Okay," he said. "What do you want?"

"You know me so well," Tomas said with a chuckle. "I wanted to show you two this."

From his satchel, he pulled out a small, metal ring. He rolled it between his thumb and index finger, the golden shine reflecting the light.

"Oh! You bought?" Sverre asked.

"Uh-huh. This morning, actually." Tomas looked over toward the request board. "Think she'll like it?"

Krarshe was about to ask what he meant when he recalled their discussion by that black obelisk. "Umm... Maybe?"

"Not really the answer I was hoping for..."

"I don't know. I still don't understand the reason for it," Krarshe admitted.

"Just say 'Yes, she'll love it.'"

"She'll... love it?"

Tomas looked dully at him before turning to Sverre. "I help him out with his girl, and this is how he treats me. You believe this?"

Help how? You just kept forcing me into awkward moments alone...

"It fine. Celine love it. Believe."

"Thanks, Sverre. You're a REAL friend."

"I mean..." Krarshe paused to think. "I doubt she'd reject it."

"... I guess that's the best I'm going to get from you."

"Better question, how'd you buy it?" Krarshe studied the ring. "Gold that polished is expensive."

Tomas laughed nervously. "Umm... Yeah. It... was..." He peeked over his shoulder at the mob by the request board again. "Basically everything I had from the quest reward the other day... Plus a loan..."

"Ooh... That get you trouble, perhaps," Sverre said with a grimace.

"Look, it'll be fine. I've got a plan, okay?" Tomas slipped the ring back into his satchel. "I'll wait until after the next quest, when I can pay back the loan and have money again. That way, I won't have to admit I'm destitute..."

"No worry. I feed you."

"I can't condone spending all of your money, but I guess I can help out too," Krarshe said.

"I knew I could count on friends like you."

Was I just swindled? Krarshe wondered.

"That being said," Tomas continued, "we should probably take a high paying request this time. You know, to give me some leeway."

Krarshe stared at him blankly and said, "I guess I can help vote for whichever one you want..."

"Same."

"Great! Now we just got to wait and see what they find," Tomas said. Something about his self-satisfied smile irked Krarshe, as if his whims didn't affect everyone else.

"May Einaldi bring good fortune," Sverre said with a solemn nod of his head.

"... I know I shouldn't... But, who?" Krarshe asked.

"Einaldi, god of bountiful quest reward."

Krarshe's eyes narrowed skeptically. "I think you just made that up."

"No, no. Einaldi, brother of Eiffindr. Slew Olg, Great Serpent of Espaer. Oh, 'Espaer' old Gaeric for-"

Celine slammed a stack of parchments on the table. "I don't know how this discussion began, but can we please, PLEASE not continue it?"

"But-"

"No, she's right, Sverre," Tomas interjected. "Let's get business settled first. You can regale Karshe later."

Sverre slumped, dejected, the hulking man doing his best sullen child impression. Not that it was convincing with his size.

"Okay, these are the ones we found," Lycia said, fanning the sheets out.

Tomas scanned them quickly. Quicker than he could really read the details, Krarshe knew.

He must be checking the reward... Krarshe sighed. "Any that stood out?"

"Not really," Lycia said, sitting down. She tucked her now frayed braid behind her ear. "We figured a simpler one would be good, to relax a bit after... the last one."

"That's so boring though!" Tomas protested. "We're the invincible... Unnamed Party!"

"Invincible or not, a break would be good," Celine replied.

"What about this?" Tomas held up one of the parchments. "I think we're ready for a ruins exploration. It pays well, typically low risk, and there's no deadline so we can take a few days to rest in advance."

"How'd I know you'd pick that one?" Celine said with a sigh. "Sure, most explorations are uneventful, but there are some which aren't."

"This one's been visited before. Says it right here," said Tomas, pointing to a line on the quest summary. "A lot, in fact."

Sverre took the page and read it. "Hmm... Look for magic artifact."

"That should be easy."

"Tomas, just because it's looking for an object doesn't mean it'll be easy," said Celine.

"Especially if it's been thoroughly explored," Lycia added.

"I mean, you did pick it as an option."

"Okay, I didn't read the description carefully," Celine admitted. "We should just put that one back."

Tomas snatched the sheet before Celine could and held it away from her. "I think this one's the best option. Right?" he said, looking to Krarshe and Sverre.

The two looked at each other and reluctantly agreed.

"There, see? Three against two."

Both girls sighed. "Fine..." grumbled Celine.

"Okay then, it's settled then. I'll submit it to the receptionist," said Tomas, triumphantly taking the page to the counter.

"I guess we can disperse then," Celine said. "Since we're taking a few days off."

Lycia nodded. "I could use some time to recover."

Then, Sverre tapped Krarshe on the shoulder and leaned in. "Should take Lycia around town," he whispered into Krarshe's ear.

"Huh?"

"She not happy earlier. Go express love, have fun together."

Krarshe could feel his pulse hasten. "W-what?"

"Have fun. Make happy again. Trust," he said with a wink.

Celine got up and headed to the reception counter.

"Now is chance. Be strong." With a heavy pat on the back, Sverre got up as well.

Krarshe looked at Lycia. As she stretched with a gratifying groan, his heart pounded in his chest. His throat felt dry, his hands, clammy.

He was nervous. But why? He'd spoken with her so many times over the past half year. They'd been through so much. But this time was different for some reason.

Krarshe swallowed, trying to settle his nerves. "L-Lycia?" he croaked.

She opened one eye, still in her stretch. "Hmm?"

As he beheld her emerald-colored eye, glistening with the tears from her stretch, his mind went blank. What was he going to do? What was he going to ask her again? He began to panic.

"Oh... Umm... Noth-" He stopped. He saw Sverre and Tomas out of the corner of his eye. They seemed to be urging him on. Celine, next to them, watched, confused. He remembered, but the recollection made his throat tighten. "W-would you... Umm... What would you say to..."

"What is it?" she asked, cocking her head ever so slightly to the side. Her braided, golden hair twitched and swung gently.

He took a breath to regain control of himself. "Want to go look around the city?" he said quickly, practically spitting the words out before he had a chance to choke on them again.

"Hmm? Sure. We can get some supplies."

Krarshe watched her nonchalantly get up from the table.

"Want to go now?"

"S-sure," he stammered.

He got up and looked back. Tomas was covering his face with his palm. Sverre appeared to be celebrating, pumping his fist. Celine was still perplexed.

I guess... I did it?

Without hesitation, he got up and followed behind Lycia, out the door and into the streets of Remonnet.

* * *

"You know," Lycia said, aimlessly perusing the street merchants in Feyfaire, "I almost wonder if it'd be beneficial to get a staff. Or maybe a wand. Just something to help channel my mana." She thought for a moment. "I kind of like the idea of a staff more. Can be used as a walking stick in more unsteady terrain, and I can whack someone if it comes down to it."

Krarshe wasn't sure if the smile she cast at him had some hidden meaning, but he elected to not ask.

The outing wasn't what Krarshe had expected. They bought the usual supplies, rations mostly. Lycia had bought another belt and new boots. Krarshe was largely content with his equipment, so he'd spent much of the day just following her around from merchant to merchant into the evening hours. He still wasn't sure what the purpose of this outing was. But, despite its mundane nature, he felt a strange sense of elation.

"Oh, gloves like these could be helpful," she said, picking up a pair of leather gloves from one of the merchant booths.

"If yeh like 'em, miss, I've got lotsa different ones o'er here. Come have a look!" With a practiced wave, the street merchant guided her to the other side of his display.

"Psst!"

"Hmm?" Krarshe turned his head, trying to identify the source of the sound.

"PSST! Over here!" the voice whispered.

Krarshe then saw Tomas and Sverre hiding around the stall across the street. Or, hiding as best as a large, tattooed man could in a city street. Like hiding a great wyrm in a field of grass.

"What are you two doing?"

"Shh! We were just keeping an eye on you," Tomas said. He crouched down even lower, occasionally shooting glances at Lycia. "What in the world have you been doing?"

"I don't know. Sverre said I should take her out into the city."

"Romance was intent."

"Yeah, and this is far from romance," Tomas explained.

"Oh... What? What do you even mean?"

Both men sighed, nearly in unison.

"The idea was to get closer to her. Do something enjoyable. Something memorable."

"Mmm. Hold hand. Kiss."

"Huh?!"

Tomas and Sverre shushed him again. "Look," Tomas said, "while I don't expect you to take a leap that far, make it be something that'll make her smile. Something she'll remember."

"Take somewhere special," Sverre added.

"Yeah, anything. You don't want her to be bored. That'd only hurt your standing."

Krarshe looked back at Lycia. She was absorbed in the gloves still. "... I don't know anywhere like that."

"I don't know why your ignorance surprises me still... Okay. I got one for you." Tomas leaned in. Krarshe, and for some reason Sverre, did the same. "It's almost night, right?"

"Umm... Yeah."

"On a nice day like today, Stormbridge is an ideal spot. The water will be calm and the night sky will be out."

"Okay..." Krarshe nodded along, still oblivious to what Tomas was getting at.

"Take her there, look at the water, and just talk. I won't say to tell her how you feel or delve into anything too romantic, just talk. If you get the opportunity, get physical."

Krarshe cocked his head. "Like..."

"Some sort of embrace would be best, but even just putting your hand on hers. Anything."

"Mmm. Good plan," Sverre said.

Krarshe could feel his nervousness spike again as he imagined it. "Uhh... I don't know about this..."

"Trust me, it'll go perfectly. Curses, I think she's finishing up. Good luck!"

"May goddess Brei-"

Tomas quickly dragged Sverre away without letting him finish, into the mass of street merchant stalls.

"Umm... What are you looking at over here, Krarshe?" Lycia asked just moments after the two men fled.

"Oh, just..." Krarshe searched the stall in front of him. Only a plethora of different colored skirts. "... Did you find gloves?"

"Overpriced, as far as I'm concerned. They seemed nice, but they'd definitely rip. I wanted something a bit more durable."

"Ah. That's too bad."

The lamplighters were starting to make their way down their current street.

Stormbridge at night...

Lycia noticed them too. "Oh, I guess it's pretty late. We should head back-"

"Um! There's... one more place I wanted to stop. If you're okay with it..." Wisdom, what am I doing?!

She seemed surprised. "Oh, of course. I didn't realize... I'm sorry, we've just been going to places I needed to visit. I hope the store stays open long enough for us."

"Heh... I'm sure it'll be fine." A bridge doesn't really close, after all...

Krarshe slowly led Lycia through the maze of traffic and merchants as night began to descend upon them. The whole time, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Occasionally, he'd look back to watch Lycia's hand swaying as she walked. Every time, it made his mind race, recalling what Tomas had said.

Krarshe's jitters dissipated almost immediately upon seeing the bridge, but not in the way he'd hoped. Counting all the people who, from what he could tell, all had the same idea as Tomas, he groaned. Was he supposed to bring Lycia up there with that crowd? With all those people who, evident even from here, had such clear and obvious indecent intent? Could he just find a spot alongside the river?

The idea of bringing her to a place that practically oozed lasciviousness seemed like a bad idea. She might get the wrong idea.

Or was it? Wasn't this what Tomas was trying to encourage by sending him here? What exactly were his OWN intentions in bringing Lycia here?

"Umm..."

Lycia's voice pulled him out of his own thoughts. He realized he'd been standing before the bridge, watching all of the couples for an unknown length of time while trying to sort out his feelings.

"Ah. Sorry. Just... I wasn't expecting this many people to be here," he said, quickly defending himself. In a panic, he explained, "C-Chris had suggested I t-take you here, since apparently the night sky reflects beautifully off the water's surface and all. I j-just figured it'd be a nice place to talk casually." It wasn't completely honest, but using Tomas as a scapegoat sure settled his nerves.

"Is that what you two were talking about by that merchant stall?"

Just as quickly as his nerves had settled, he was once again tense. "Y-you saw that, huh?"

She gave him a knowing look. "As if I'm that oblivious. You really think gloves are that enticing?"

Krarshe laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's fine. I thought it was strange that you'd take me way out here," she admitted.

"I- I do... want to talk though." He swallowed hard, trying to slow his heart so it didn't explode. "It's... been a while, you know?"

She looked at him for a moment. "It really has..." She strolled over to the bridge's edge, casually walking between two couples. "Oh! It is kind of pretty, isn't it?" she called over.

Krarshe quickly joined her, weaving around the drinking couples, leaning over the stone wall. The river was as placid as he'd seen it, only gentle ripples flowed along the surface. The water nearly perfectly reflected the stars and moons overhead. Seeing a couple further down the bridge sitting on the wall itself, Krarshe decided to follow their example; he hopped up and extended his hand to Lycia.

She took his hand with a smile and joined him on the wall. They sat, their feet dangling off the edge, enjoying the illuminations. Boats would occasionally cause the lights to shimmer and flicker, but the water would return to its mirrored surface before long.

"You know..." Lycia started. "Actually, nevermind."

"What is it?"

"It's nothing. Really."

Krarshe's brow raised. "Come now, it can't be that bad."

Despite the side eye she gave him, she reluctantly continued her thought. "I've been wondering..."

He felt a lump forming in his throat in anticipation.

"Your hair..."

Krarshe blinked a few times. "Hair?" Not what he expected her to say.

"I know, it sounds ridiculous. But, it's almost like your hair has this... glow to it. Like a blue aura."

"... Oh?" This wasn't the first time he'd heard it, but it surprised him nonetheless. He gave the same reasoning he did for Bri. "Must be the moonlight."

Lycia shook her head. "I've seen it other times too. Or, at least thought I saw it. It's more noticeable right now, but I've caught glimpses of it out of the corner of my eye."

"Uh... I... I don't know what to say..." He looked down at the river's surface again. "Sorry..."

"Oh, no, no! I didn't mean it like that! I was just curious..." She took a deep breath as she leaned back against her outstretched arms. "I... kind of like it... to be honest..." she murmured.

Krarshe could feel his face flush. He silently thanked his own fortune that she seemed focused on the night sky instead of him in that moment.

Some time passed in silence. Eventually, nervousness and the pressure imposed upon him by Tomas' words started getting to him. He decided breaking the quiet tension was best. "Umm... So, Sverre and I were thinking..."

"You and Sverre? That certainly wasn't what I expected you to discuss..."

Krarshe gave Lycia an exasperated look. "It wasn't like I was dying to talk about Sverre, okay? It just... It just came to mind."

Lycia giggled. "I'm only teasing. Go ahead."

Though mildly irked, he couldn't help but smile. Something about seeing her jovial expression made it impossible not to. "As I was saying, Sverre and I were thinking about helping Marcel with his son."

"What?"

"You know how they aren't speaking, I'm sure."

She nodded.

"We just thought it'd be nice to try and help them mend their relationship."

"Oh," she said with a surprised look. "That's awfully thoughtful. I don't know if you'll be able to, but thoughtful nonetheless."

"It just doesn't feel right. To either of us."

"I know. Trust me, I do. But his son is as stubborn as he is."

"Well... It'd be nice if you could help, since you're at least acquainted," Krarshe said.

She smiled. "You have my full support."

He returned the smile and said, "Thanks. I figure, if things work out as we expect, we'll be able to take another break after this upcoming quest. The three of us can give it a try then."

"If what works out? The quest?"

"No, just... Something with Tomas and Celine." He thought for a second. "Actually, I can't say any more."

"Oh, come now. Surely you can tell more."

Krarshe pursed his lips and shook his head. "Not a word from me."

She leaned in and looked at him with upturned eyes. "Please?"

As alluring as it was, he stood fast.

"I thought we were closer than you and Tomas..."

Krarshe would have agreed, but he wasn't going to fall for this tactic. "I can't. I'm sorry. You'll see soon enough, once the quest is over."

"Hmph." She sat back upright.

The two sat, side by side, looking at the water. Lycia bounced her leg, swinging it forward and striking the wall with her heel gently, but with enough force to get it to bounce out again.

The sounds of soft moans and kissing were becoming more and more evident as the night went on, making Krarshe uneasy. The instructions Tomas gave him gnawed at him, and the vulgar side of him wanted to follow those instructions. Thankfully, his rational side maintained control.

Just as he was about to break the silence, Lycia spoke up. "Those two really are a sweet couple, aren't they?"

Krarshe looked at her. Her gaze seemed far away, like something was on her mind. "... Yeah."

"I kind of feel envious of her."

"Huh? Why?"

She shrugged. "I mean, she loved him for so long. Longer than he even realizes, I think, based on what she said to me. To have it work out as happily as it has... I'm just a bit jealous."

"Mmm. Friends from childhood, huh?" Ari's face flashed through his mind. "Just because you know each other for a long time, doesn't mean it'll end like that, though."

"I know."

"Besides, you don't have to have been together that long to find happiness. Sometimes, a person can just appear in your life, change it in ways you never expected."

Lycia smiled softly and looked over at him. "Kind of like us, huh?"

He chuckled. "Yeah."

As they beheld each other, the implications of their words settled in. Both their faces blushed at the realization, their rosy cheeks and ears obvious even in the dim moonlight.

"I- Ummmmmm!" Krarshe stammered as he turned away quickly.

"S-sorry! I d-didn't mean for it to s-sound like that!" Lycia exclaimed, mirroring Krarshe's behavior.

"W-we should probably get b-back, huh?" he said with a nervous laugh.

Lycia tucked her braid behind her ear. "Y-yeah. Y-y-you're r-right."

She got up and hopped off the wall, avoiding the clearly inebriated couple. Krarshe hopped down next to her, barely squeezing in between her and the other couple.

"Oops! Shhorry!" the man behind Lycia said as he spilled his drink a bit.

As he bent down to grab a cloth, he bumped into Lycia, thrusting her into Krarshe.

As she fell into him, he caught her and fell back until he bumped into the wall.

"Oh, shorry missh. *hic*" the man said, looking behind him before continuing to dab his shirt with the cloth.

However, his apology went unheard. Krarshe and Lycia were frozen, her against his chest, him with his arms wrapped around her. He gazed into her alluring emerald eyes, his heart thumping in his chest. Or was it her heart? Her eyes flitted between his two azure eyes, her breathing as heavy as his.

A bold laugh from a nearby group snapped them out of it. They instantly pulled away from each other.

"I... I need to go," Lycia said without looking at him.

Without another word, she left, heading back toward Feyfaire.

Krarshe lingered there on the bridge, trying to process what happened.

On the one hand, it was exactly what Tomas had instructed, albeit by accident. And, frankly, Krarshe had enjoyed it. His heart was still racing as he remembered how soft and delicate she felt. It was as if her warmth was still there, cradled between his arms.

On the other hand, she had seemed almost frightened at the end. The speed with which she left, the harshness with which she said she had to leave... It all made his heart waver. Plus, while she had seemed to enjoy the bridge, he couldn't help but feel the events earlier had bored her. Why hadn't he been more forthright? Why hadn't he understood the assignment? His frustrations and worries continued to mount.

It was then that he noticed all of the couples around him gawking at him and whispering to each other. Ugh... I don't need those looks right now...

With his thoughts in shambles, he staggered back to The Easy Lute. He wasn't sure if it would be best to consult Tomas and Sverre about this. While it might bring him some ease, he knew how they'd pester him. And, for some reason, part of him didn't want to tell about what happened between him and Lycia.

In the end, he concluded that keeping this secret would be best.

For his, and Lycia's, sake.