Katherine
*It was another cold night. It'd been a cold night for the past two weeks, really. The temperature was rather consistent in Lerwick. It was somewhat warm during the day and freezing at night. The chill felt like it burned into the bone, turning the skeleton into ice able to crack at any liable moment. Edvard shrugged the cold off, though. He sat silently at the edge of the pond, for once not in his armor. It was a rare sight. He stood in peasant's clothing, usually worn underneath the plate. His sword still rested at his side, but he seemed rather off his guard. He stared solemnly into the pond, softly tossing small pebbles into the water from a small collection of rocks he held in his left hand. He didn't really know why he was here. It had started as some kind of stake-out. He thought the assassin might come back to Lerwick, and he'd catch her red-handed. But after the first week, he realized he wouldn't. He then told himself it was some kind of prayer ritual. That was a lie too. No gods were spoken to here. Now, Edvard simply sat. He wasn't quite sure of what to do, or even what to think about. There were far too many things on his mind. It felt like the world had swallowed him whole and he was simply left there, destitute and barren.*

*His thought slowly began to dribble out of his subconscious and into his mind. He first thought of Winrae, his mind falling back on the golden armor. He wondered what she was saying of him. To the other members of the guard. Maybe even to the prince. He knew he had a bad reputation, but telling the Winged Stallion to fuck off? His days were done. That is, if Winrae didn't kill him first. That corrupt beast could do anything. Kamara's chosen. Psh. Chosen enemy, perhaps. No honorable god would chose a warrior like Winrae to represent them. His mind then drifted back to Faelyth. Her face seemed to glimmer on the water, reflected by the moon. Fit with that terrible smirk. He was here for her, after all.*

*If she ever showed up.*
Adam
The dark elf assassin bred for murder did show up, but not in the way Edvard may have suspected. While it was true she had fled from the knight when they first met, the moment she realized he was leaving the mining town, Faelyth pursued him. The dark elf's desire was to haunt him, after seeing how furious he was to learn of her past and present duties. She followed him for those weeks, through Alynthi all the way to Findara. The likelihood of Edvard knowing she was in tow was extremely low, as she had stayed well over a dozen hours behind him at all times. How could she keep up then, one might wonder? *The cloth left to Edvard back in the Miner's Daughter.* Enchanted to ensure any who kept it on their person would be found at one point or another. Satisfied she had found her target, the dark elf climbed a tree and sat idly within it, as quiet as a mouse.

Watching the knight quietly, Faelyth pulled a dagger from her leg and began to spin it in her hands. She never made a sound, just watched with intense curiosity. Why did he come back? To find her? Realizing he had no armor on, Faelyth tilted her head out of confusion. Surely he must not have known she followed then, else he'd have full armor on his body. Putting the dagger's blade to her finger, she ran her digit down the sharpened blade, the leather of her gloves saving her hand from any cuts. Faelyth did not understand her sudden fascination with the Alynthi knight, though she knew it had much to do with his promise to her. 

*"Mark my words, you will burn."*

_ _
A smile curled onto the assassin's face before finally she had enough of sitting around and waiting. Quietly crawling down from her perch, Faelyth sauntered around in the brushes that surrounded the pond. Now, the assassin was behind Edvard, her footsteps as silent as whisper. Creeping up behind the knight, the dagger Faelyth had in her hand was soon wrapped around Edvard's throat. Leaning in, the dark elf assassin muttered with a bright smile across her lips. "Did you come back for me, love?"
Katherine
*Edvard hadn't noticed, obviously. He found things that seemed more important. Whether it be Winrae, Wary, or the gods themselves, it always felt as if Edvard was juggling problems far larger than himself. The sword of justice was meant to cast down the largest and mightiest foes, after all. Standing against the evil in the realm was never an easy task, and no one ever told him it would be an easy task. But he took it on anyway. He always told himself it was to honor Ser Hastings, but part of his mind knew that wasn't true. Something in the back of his head still wrung the truth. He cared greatly for those around him and was willing to protect them no matter the cost, but he wasn't a knight for them. He didn't serve for them and he knew it. He served for himself. To quench that thirst. To feel wanted. When he wore that armor, all looked to him and saw someone worthy. Someone worthy of being wanted. All his life, he only ever wanted to feel like someone desired him. To feel like someone didn't want to just cast him aside.*

*And someone did.*

*The knife came to his throat as quickly as it could, but Edvard didn't move. His hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword, and he gripped it strong, but he slowly let it fall back to the ground, removing his only chance at defending himself. He wasn't going to die. He and Faelyth both knew it. If he felt like he was in danger, he would've come in full plate. It was likely she was tracking him anyway. He knew that. He wasn't a fool. He couldn't pin her down, but he couldn't help but feel the eyes in the back of his head. He thought to himself again in that moment, wondering if he hadn't come to stop her. He shot a look down at his hand, now resting quietly on the grass. The thought echoed through his mind like the roar of a cannon, seemingly deafening him to the outside world. Maybe he had come because he knew she would be here. Maybe he actually wanted to see her again. As twisted as it seemed, it was the truth.*

*He slowly moved his neck back to look towards Faelyth, being careful as to not slash his carotid open as he did so. His face seemed tired, and his eyes hollow. He stared at Faelyth intently, his eyes perfectly matching hers for a moment, before he cast his gaze back down to the pond. Fish swam quietly through the pitch-black water, completely oblivious to the situation unfolding in front of them. He pictured his blood running through the water, joining their perfect ecosystem at the hands of Faelyth.* "I did." *He said, his voice coarse with melancholy.*
Adam
Sitting silently for a long few moments, the assassin pondered on her options. It'd be easiest to just slit the knight's throat and be done with it, but her playful nature simply wouldn't allow it. After mulling it over for what seemed like forever, the dark elf pulled her dagger away instead. Walking around Edvard with a far gap between them, her different colored eyes remained glued to his sword. What was it that the knight hoped to accomplish here and now? Nevertheless, Faelyth walked around the pond before standing on its edge to peer into the water cautiously. Was there some sort of trick to this? Why here, why in the middle of the night back in the town the two had met in? Eyeing Edvard with an innate playfulness and curiosity, Faelyth finally took the knight's bait.

"Why here, alone in the dark? Say you knew I was on your trail, why not try and trap me, finally have my head as you so wished." Slowly, Faelyth returned her dagger to her boot before sauntering back around Edvard. Here she was again, circling her prey as she did so many weeks ago. With a smirk, Faelyth wished to poke fun at the poor old knight. "Well, perhaps you've come to finally take me up on all my offers?" The chill night air nipped at the dark elf's pointed ears, but it didn't bother her in the slightest. She was of course from the cold regions of Lazaroth, so the cold didn't bother Faelyth in the slightest. With a smirk, the dark elf gestured to the knight.

"Or, maybe you wished to know if my tale of murdering babies was true or not? I am a Sister after all..."
Katherine
"I'm not sure what I want anymore."

*Edvard shrugged, his position unchanging as he stared into the water. Faelyth circling around him seemed to not bother him at all, even though the imagery was obvious. He knew he wasn't exactly in a position of power. Faelyth controlled the situation like a puppet master, and Edvard sat as a limp marionette, whose strings were old and snapped. The water seemed so calm and quiet. It was in stark contrast to his mind, a raging tempest of emotions. He thought back to the time he and Faelyth first met. That unstoppable feeling she cast over him simply by placing her hand on his cheek. It was disgraceful, wasn't it? But it was something hadn't even really stopped thinking about. He hadn't ever really... Felt that way. Not in the past few decades. It felt like everyone around him saw him as some foolish knight, or some scary sentinel. He didn't seem to command respect from anyone. Faelyth was no different, but even the fake admiration she gave him still felt that infinite hole in his heart somewhat.*

"I don't need to know if your tale is true or not. It's true. Why lie to ourselves. You're a murderer, and I'm the one who couldn't capture you." *He shrugged, shaking his head as he stared back up towards Faelyth, who now stood next to him. Closing in for the kill, it seemed. It'd only end his torment. He was in such a strange position. His temper seemed to rise and fall back and forth, completely unintelligible. First he was crying over his fellow knights, then he stood up to Winrae, and now he sat, a fool in wolf's clothing. Some moping man asking for death. She could've killed him whenever she wanted. A simple slice of her knife and he was done. But he didn't move. He didn't feel the need. There was something strange about Faelyth. Something... Safe. In a way. His judgement could've been very wrong, but he didn't quite care. Not anymore.*

"Maybe I have come to reconsider your offer. Maybe I haven't. What does it matter anymore?"
Adam
"Oh? Perhaps you do though, Ser Edvard." There was a sense that filled the dark elf's heart, one that was drenched in pity and memory. It was true, Faelyth was indeed a murderer, but the old teachings of the Sisterhood was something the dark elf held true. Overtime, the Sisterhood had devolved, long forgetting the reason they had originally formed. Not Faelyth. Wandering ever so closer, the dark elf sat near Edvard, but not within arm or sword length. Now she too stared at the water beneath them. "No child has fallen at the hands of my blade." While this could of course been another lie as it was something Faelyth did often, the look on her face rang truth. The original duty of the Sisterhood was to cull those unfit to live any longer. Murderers, thieves, rapists. The only contracts Faelyth ever took within the Sisterhood were for people of this nature.

As Edvard mentioned the potential of reconsidering Faelyth's offer, she nearly gasped in disbelief. Was he serious? How low had this man fallen? This was not at all what the dark elf expected of Edvard, not in the slightest. Hiding her surprise, Faelyth shrugged it off a bit as if she knew all along this was the reason he returned. "Hm? You wish to bed me after all? What if I say no, what then Ser Edvard?" Her yellow and blue eyes finally met the knight's, though they were filled with uncertainty. A stark contrast to Faelyth's confident tone of voice. She had to be careful, even moreso than before. While ploys were her specialty, she simply couldn't fall for one of Edvard's.

Distrust was thick in the air between them, but the look Faelyth gave Edvard seemed to scream at him. *'Give her a reason to cut your throat.'* Pity filled the dark elf's heart, but she dared not show it. Before her was a broken man. Perhaps all he wished for was to not be alone, at least for a single night. "It matters because you've returned. You made a promise to me, remember?"
Katherine
*The new came suddenly to Edvard. It was a shock to be sure. Faelyth seemed so intent on convincing him that she had truly killed a child. And he had believed it. It was in his vow, after all. He was Edvard Eldebrand, and he was going to burn her. He was going to let her burn. But now, he sat, a small smile growing on his face as he stared into Faelyth's eyes. They read truth. He could tell. It felt like everyone he knew was lying about themselves. Even him. He constantly proclaimed he was some just warrior. He wasn't. He knew it. He wanted to go back to where he started. Where he was at least honest with himself. Where he knew he was a terrible knight. He couldn't handle lying to himself. It wasn't good for him. He knew it, and everyone else knew it. His ideals of grandiose glory would land him in golden armor too one day. Just like Winrae. The thought of becoming anything like her was terrifying. He wasn't thinking of her now, though. He only thought of Faelyth.* "I'm surprised. I'm sorry." *He said, sighing as he gazed back towards the lake.*

"I don't wish to bed you, Faelyth." *He spoke, shaking his head. He found it insulting, in a way. He only wanted to bare out his feelings. He only wanted to feel like he wasn't dying for one night. Drowning under the weight of his armor. Yet, Faelyth sought to tease him. It wasn't surprising, though. It was Faelyth. You knew things were bad when the only company you have is Faelyth.* "I don't really know what I want. I guess I just..." *He stopped for a moment, raising his head to gaze across the lake. His eyes shot into the wood, where he found a small, sleeping doe. His eyes studied the weak, innocent creature, before turning to Faelyth again, his eyes still somber and lonely.* "I haven't slept in a decade. I guess I've grown tied of spending the nights completely alone."

*He continued to stare towards Faelyth, a small smile growing on his face. Her honesty seemed refreshing, thought it was potentially fake. Nothing seemed quite real anymore though. Faelyth was the only person he could talk to that was honest with themselves. Other than Wary, of course, but somehow that image didn't seem quite appealing. The smile quickly faded though, and Edvard returned to his slight, solemn frown.* "I made that promise on the assumption that you killed a child. I take it back, if it means anything. I just want someone to talk to. Is that so much to ask?"
Adam
Faelyth listened quietly, but intently to the knight's words. He had looked lonely the first time she had met him. She had known only a handful of knight's in her time, even killed one on a contract. All, lonely as a one might expect. Their family feeling abandoned leaves them, or perhaps they didn't have one to begin with. These thoughts caused Faelyth to wonder what Edvard's story was, and as he spoke, she had a feeling his intent was to share it. After a long moment of ponder, Faelyth began to move once more. Standing, she neared Edvard, now well within arms length of one another she sat yet again. It was an invitation of trust, one that she was unsure Edvard would keep.

"Well-" Faelyth began, her voice much softer than before. Letting out a gentle sigh, her eyes looked over to meet Edvard's, not a trace of anger or ulterior motives within them. "I am not opposed to being an open ear. Though you'll have to make your words interesting, I don't take kindly to boredom." Not wishing to show any weakness, Faelyth ensured that Edvard knew there was still a playfulness to her tone, though she knew if Edvard wished to share any story of his own, it'd likely be one of sorrow. Eyeing him curiously, Faelyth shrugged a bit, a teasing gleam in her eye. "I would offer a remedy to your sleepless ailment, but you've turned me down more than once." Raising a brow Edvard's way, the dark elf then fell silent to allow the knight a chance to speak and empty his mind should he wish to.
Katherine
*Edvard appreciated her greatly. The choice to move closer to him was bold, but it was one Edvard took with a smile. He himself moved slightly closer to her in an attempt to show mutual trust. In addition, he moved his hands down to his pants, unbuckling and removing the sword and sheath from his side to set them down on the ground. Within arms reach, but still hard to draw. He truly didn't intend on causing any harm, and his eyes and smile supported it. It was a small smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. To know that someone, even Faelyth, cared remotely about his wellbeing was of great pleasure to Edvard. He rested his hands in the grass behind him, leaning on them for support as he gazed up into the starry night, surprised at the grin he wore so pleasantly. He couldn't see himself, but he had a feeling it was a good look. He was sure there were a few people that'd get a kick out of him smiling for once, Faelyth included.*

*He turned to look towards the Elf, chuckling softly as she spoke.* "I don't really aim to tell you my life story. It's not depressing or heartbreaking. I distinctly remember telling you that I'm not very interesting." *He shook his head, continuing to stare deep into her eyes. In contrast to hers, his were a simple shade of blue, and while dull, they seemed beautiful. A sort of blandness that gave you true comfort. His eyes were easy to get lost in, though few ever had. Just his wife. And he knew she wasn't anywhere other than six feet underground.* "I just didn't want to spend the night alone." *He spoke, shrugging softly.* "You could always tell me your life story. Why you became an assassin. I'm sure you have far better motivations than I." *He sighed, his smile staying present throughout the conversation. He seemed genuinely happy to be there. To be next to Faelyth.*

Ed: *He chuckled loudly as she proposed to him again, shaking his head as he turned back to the lake, swinging his head like it bore weight.* "Tell me, why do you want to bed me so badly?" *He asked, nearing an intense laugh. He didn't aim to embarrass her, he was just genuinely curious. His wife was the only one who had ever found him remotely attractive. He found it incredibly confusing. Perhaps it was just her nature. Perhaps she just wanted to steal his coin. It didn't quite matter to him anymore.* "I'm not exactly handsome. I said it before and I'll say it again, if you want my coin you can just have it. Not like I need it anyway."
Adam
Tensing slightly as Edvard removed his sword, she quickly relaxed when she saw what the knight did with it. Always on watch, it seemed. As Edvard turned the tables on Faelyth and asked for her own story however, her eyes darkened a bit. Storms began to brew in each of her elemental eyes, before she drew them away from Edvard's. "You expect a cold blooded killer like me to share my life?" Faelyth's answer was cold, as cold as the air that nipped at each of their bodies. Nevertheless, she did choose to answer one of his questions. "I know men of your beliefs think the Sisterhood is a place of darkness, but you're wrong. They took me in, they raised me. I owe my existence to the Sisters of Salvation, and will continue to serve them until my last breath." Faelyth wanted to stand up and run, run as far away as she possibly could from Edvard and his questions. *Damn* Him.

Looking away, his next inquiry did not invoke an answer out of the dark elf. She remained as silent as her earlier approach, her eyes now in the pond at their feet. Memories she did not wish to remember came flooding back into her mind. Doing her best to forget again, Faelyth tried to hide the emotions that managed to seep through her typically playful façade. Long moments of silence passed once more, until she finally answered him. "As for your inquiry of my bed habits, you turned me down. No one has before, at least not that I can remember. Perhaps I wished to know if it was something of my own fault or yours. Perhaps I saw it as a challenge. Perhaps I simply wished to know whether or not there were balls between your legs." Yet again, her answer was a bit colder than before, but at least her playfulness was slowly returning.

_ _
Pulling her knees to her chest, the dark elf laid her head upon them before turning to look back at Edvard. "As for your looks, you've obviously not spent much time before a mirror. You're not as ugly as you say, and no I don't want your damned coin, I'm not some harlot in a brothel, damn you." A frown of irritation covered Faelyth's face, one that hated Edvard's incessant belief that she wished to steal from him. "The contracts of the Sisterhood pay me well enough, thank you."
Katherine
*Edvard chuckled slightly, shaking his head at her first response. He struck a nerve it seemed. Perhaps calling her an assassin wasn't exactly to her liking, though it seemed a fitting job description to him. He wouldn't get as angry if she called him a mercenary instead of a Hedge Knight, though he didn't bear either title anymore. Slowly, he reached his hand out towards her, setting it on the grass in between them. He smiled sweetly, nodding as he spoke.* "I'm sorry. I didn't mean offense." *He spoke quietly, a soft sight emanating from his lips.* "I don't hold any opinions on your Sisterhood. I don't know anything about them other than what you've told me. I don't intend on insulting the people who raised and cared for you, as I hope you don't intend on insulting the ones who raised and cared for me in turn. I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing. Truly." *Edvard raised a hand to his heart, placing its leathered visage on his chest with a firm thud.*

*Edvard recoiled slightly as she spoke once again, sighing as she did so. He didn't intend on speaking about his past, but he felt she was owed it. He truly hadn't intended on engrossing her with his mysterious habits as much as he had. He quietly swallowed the pit growing in his throat before speaking, his voice clear, yet touched by a drop of solemn regret.* "My wife died. Around seven years ago. I had to leave her three years earlier. Bad deal with a god. I beseeched the faith, he forced me to run from everyone I knew and everyone I loved. I got the letter a few years after I left. It was from an old friend. I don't know how he found me, but he did. She drowned in a river near our home. She always liked taking walks along the riverbed. She used to bring me back rocks she found glimmering beneath the waves. He said she just waded into the water and never came out." *He sighed, turning away from Faelyth and back towards the pond.*

"I didn't turn you down because I didn't like you. You're beautiful enough. Certainly fun to talk to." *He shrugged, turning back to Faelyth with a worn-out smile, bearing the weight of immense grief and sorrow.* "I turned you down because of her. I never got to say goodbye. She was the first woman to ever look at me with love in her eyes. The first to ask me to court her. The first who begged me to marry her. The first who ever loved me. And she died. Likely because of me." *His eyes fell to the grass, his expression solemn and hollow.* "What am I to do when someone like you takes interest in me? Accept the advances knowing full well the wrath of a merciless god will drive you to a similar fate? I refuse to put that on anyone. I'll bear the weight alone."
Adam
Faelyth remained silent, her eyes averted from Edvard as he spoke of the Sisterhood. She nearly had the urge to tune him out entirely, but as he spoke of his wife Faelyth's heart wrenched with a feeling she had not felt in a very long time. In nearly one hundred years. Turning her head back, she looked at Edvard with a pained expression, one filled with not sympathy, but empathy. As the knight's gaze wandered back to the pond, so too did Fae's. Keeping her head resting upon her knees, she brought her arms up under it to support her head, leaving her looking as lost and sorrowful as Edvard beside her. Once again, the knight spoke, this time of her advances. A slight smile formed on her lips, though it was bittersweet in nature.

"You're as honorable as they come, Ser Edvard. I suppose I do not truly know of the kind of love you speak of. Maybe its why I make advances the way I do." Falling silent once more, Faelyth sat up and drew her hand to the necklace around her neck. The centerpiece was a black amethyst, one that dazzled when the moonlight struck it. Gently, the dark elf removed it before holding it out for Edvard to take. A look of pain fell onto Fae's face, but a smile formed on her lips regardless. When she opened her mouth to speak again, her words were nearly a whisper. "This was my mother's. When- when she was ripped from me, this was all I managed to keep."

Faelyth's eyes finally reached Edvard's once more, but no tears were within them. She had cried her last when she said her finally goodbyes to her mother and father. Nevertheless, her gaze remained within Edvard's eyes, a silent understanding forming between the two. "I know more than anyone I'm sure you've met what its like to have endless sleepless nights."
Katherine
*Edvard nodded solemnly, staring out towards the pond in silence. He truly wished he was free of the guilt and grief caused by his wife's death. The thought of moving on and finding joy once again in the arms of another was mesmerizing to the lonesome knight. But he knew it wasn't to be. Not when he saw her face every time he closed his eyes. He rarely even blinked anymore. He was so deathly afraid of returning to her. All he ever wanted was to find himself in her loving embrace once more, but it was fear that kept him away. And that same fear drove her to suicide. It was his fault, that much he knew. He didn't think he could ever really make up for it. Perhaps that was why he tried to present himself as an honorable, faceless knight. As a man with no past. He wanted to devote himself to something or someone again. To have all of his actions driven by their call. He had chosen justice, but it felt like justice had not chosen him.*

*He stared off towards Faelyth, listening in silence as she spoke. The compliment she spoke didn't fall on deaf ears. She made fun of him in the past. Of his title. Of his honor. But she said it with pride now. He had gotten through to her. The genuine moment warmed his heart, but he looked in relative awe as she removed the necklace and offered it to him. Slowly, he reached out towards her hand, his eyes fixated on the amethyst. It was beautiful. He didn't have anything of the sort to remember his wife by. He thought to himself in silence for a few moments, before he shook his head. Both hands gripped hers and slowly coiled her fingers around the necklace, closing her fist over the trinket. Softly, he pushed her hand back to Faelyth, casting his eyes back up to hers. He let the hand stop around her chest, keeping it right next to her heart.*

"It's beautiful." *He said, smiling his now signature soft and slim smile. His eyes seemed to grow heavy with the potential of tears, but they never came. The grief seemed to mix with love. Thinking of his wife now seemed more melancholic than it did depressing. He supposed Faelyth had opened his heart more than he ever thought it could.* "I'm not an honorable man, Faelyth. Far from it. I'm only a fool with skeletons in his closet." *He recoiled a bit, but didn't move all the way back, staying somewhat close to Faelyth. It was strange. He simply didn't feel like leaving her presence.* "The sleepless nights are my fault and mine alone. I drove my wife into that river, and I'm simply paying the price for it. I thank you for your kind words, but I'm afraid they're misdirected."
Adam
Placing the necklace round her neck once more, Faelyth glanced to Edvard but a smile soon fell onto her face. "You think *You* Have skeletons in *Your* Closet?" Faelyth nudged the knight a bit, a playful look in her eyes. Nevertheless, they soon faded. It simply wasn't a time to joke around, as much as Faelyth wished to. It was her way of avoiding emotion. The same could be said for her bed habits. Frowning as Edvard blamed himself for his wife's death, she sat straight once more and shook her head. Her yellow and blue eyes were filled with disbelief and empathy, as well as a pain expression. The amount of years Faelyth wasted away blaming herself for something her seven year old self could do nothing about. "It's not your fault, Edvard."

A gloved hand soon reached up to cup the knight's face, just like the night a handful of weeks ago. Faelyth's eyes stayed stuck in Edvard's gaze, though she refused to allow him to blame himself any longer. "None of my words are misdirected. You are *Not* To blame, you must know this in your heart." Perhaps his wife had taken her own life out of grief but if she was as happy and in love as he claimed, surely this couldn't be the case. Surely it was a mere accident. Staring for a moment longer, Faelyth finally pulled her hand away but her gaze remained. The chromancer's eyes were filled with a deep understanding, one from a place of care. "You must stop blaming yourself."
Katherine
*Edvard sat in silence, bringing himself even closer to Faelyth. He dragged his entire body forward, sitting closer now. The memories all seemed to flood back to him in an instant, and the grief was something he didn't quite want to share alone. He wasn't entirely sure what his motives were, but he simply felt a primal need to be close to someone. In other words, Edvard needed a hug. He stared out into the pond once more, allowing his eyelids to droop over his eyes before they shut with a silent thud, leaving Edvard alone in the dark once again. He hated that feeling. Loneliness. He felt it so often but he never grew to care for it. He always hated it. He used to lie to himself late at night. Think of how happy he was to finally be alone. Like it brought him great relief. But it didn't. It never did. He'd rather be in the company of fools like Winrae than alone in the dark. How lucky was he to have Faelyth at his side instead.*

"I'm not sure." *He said, turning back to Faelyth, his eyes grew wide and solemn, staring directly into hers. He still wore that old, tired smile, offering a slight scoff-like chuckle as a response.* "Maybe it was an accident. Maybe it was the gods. Maybe she chose to do it completely on her own volition. I don't know." *He shrugged slightly, sighing heavily as he continued.* "But there isn't anyone else willing to bear the blame. I loved her too much to let her die in some blameless, meaningless way. Besides. I'm no honorable or gallant warrior. I'm just Edvard the Coward. And I'll always be Edvard the Coward. The man who couldn't save his wife because he was too scared to stand up to a god. Pathetic, isn't it?" *He laughed calmly, shaking his head.* "But you don't need to hear my problems. I don't want to bore you with them."

*The hand came as a surprise. He was taken aback, his heart pounding as she moved to touch his face. He immediately thought back to that first night. The night he had promised to burn her at the pyre. Now, here he sat, conversing with her like an old friend. The warmth he felt was undeniable, and his mind seemed to go blank at the touch. He brought his eyes open, staring towards Faelyth with that same smile, now mixed with a certain somberness. He raised his hands to her wrist, softly trying to keep the hand on his face. He leaned into the touch, glad to finally have someone willing to care about him. No knights in the barracks would've done the same. It was strange how he found a good friend in the company of a random rogue on a random night, but he certainly wasn't complaining. Instead, he relished in the touch, nodding a silent thank you to Faelyth. He needed it more than she ever could have realized.*
Adam
"You are no coward. You chose to live a life of honor, one many knights I know nowadays have forgotten. If your wife chose to take her own life, then it was a sickness of the mind. Not your fault. If it was an accident then you are still not to blame, my dear." Feeling the need to reassure Edvard further, Faelyth sighed. "For dozens of years I blamed myself for something similar. My mother and father were torn from this world when I was no more than a few years old, right before my eyes." Faelyth shared the saddened look in Edvard's eyes. This tale was not one she had shared with anyone outside of those who knew within the Sisterhood. Nevertheless, with a heavy sigh, she continued.

"I was seven, Edvard. I'm *97* Now. That's ninety years of my life wasted away believing it was my own fault. You are not pathetic. You simply haven't given yourself the time and space to mourn. Remember her fondly, not through grief. Remember the love, the happiness you shared with one another." Looking to Edvard, Faelyth could feel a lump begin to form in her throat but she refused to let tears in her eyes. Not again. "You are not Edvard the Coward, you are Edvard the Kind. The Humble." Tilting her head endearingly, the dark elf seemed to have felt more in a single conversation than she had in decades. In enough years to make up countless men and women's lives. It was draining sure, but something she strangely welcomed.

"The fate of all are in the hands of forces we will never truly understand. Gods will have their way with us whether we like it or not. But you cannot suffocate yourself with this grief." The empty look she had seen in Edvard's eyes in the tavern now made more sense. He *Was* A man of honor, whether he believed it or not. Edvard was a man of respect, and she hated that he couldn't see it. With the two mere inches apart, all Faelyth could do was look into the knight's eyes, hoping he'd see to some sort of reason in her words.
Katherine
*Edvard nodded slowly, letting Faelyth's hand return to her person. It didn't feel quite right to refuse it, but he still missed it as it left. He missed that touch. The warm feeling that only brought him to interact with her in the first place. When he first saw her in Lerwick, she only seemed like another two-bit criminal. But it was the hand that changed everything. Perhaps it was a weakness of Edvard's. Falling at the slightest hint of romantical touch. But he felt it was a kind of strength. At least, he certainly felt it was a strength now. Truly, he felt incredibly lucky to be in her presence. He looked back into her eyes, noticing her expression change and warp as she seemingly grew closer and closer. Finally seeing an emotion other than lust and annoyance from Faelyth was wonderful, and Edvard's heart seemed to flutter with joy at the sight of it. It was almost... Magical. In a way.*

"97?" *He asked, laughing slightly.* "You don't look a day over 27." *He joked, shaking his head with a sigh. He thought the joke might clear the air between them, but it was only a joke. He'd have to face the music. And face the music he did.* "Thank you, Faelyth. It's good to see this side of you. For these past few weeks, I've only really thought of you as some lustful, ignorant murderer. And I'm sorry to have misjudged you. I can't assure you that I'll be able to turn a new leaf based on your words, but know that I've taken them to heart. I'm not a perfect person. I'm rather slow to change. But I'll try. Not much else to do, really. 'The seed of corruption is often halted by the embrace of change.'" *He said, a smile growing even larger on his lips.* "My old master said that. It's wonderful to see his spirit live on in you."

*Carefully, Edvard brought himself even closer to Faelyth, sending the two almost colliding with each other. He left a small gap in between. But he didn't quite care about norms or anything of the sort. Not anymore. In this moment, the stars above them seemed to burn as bright as they ever had, glowing a beautiful, yellow gold. As sweet as honey, it seemed. Leaning in, Edvard rested his head on Faelyth's shoulder, chuckling at the sight. The six foot monster of a man resting atop the small Elf's shoulder. It was comical, sure, but it was comfortable. For once, the terrible tempest that raged on in Edvard's mind seemed to suddenly vanish, replaced by the calm seas of tranquility.* "I'm sure your parents are proud of you. Looking down from the heavens with wide grins crossing their faces."
Adam
Flattery seemed to work on Faelyth a bit as a genuine smile finally broke through her melancholy expressions. His mentioning of his original view of her caused the dark elf to roll her eyes however, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Oh please, I still am a lustful murderer, though perhaps its not only you who could do with a change. Well-" Chuckling a bit more, Faelyth shook her head with a slight shrug. "-maybe not the lust. Everyone has their coping mechanisms and habits." Truth be told such a habit was a bit darker than she might have realized. Using such an intimate way to deal with her trauma was not healthy in the slightest, but it brought her comfort. *At least for as long as each partner would allow.* Tilting her head his way, Faelyth smiled warmly at Edvard's words of change. 

Then, the mention of his master and how Edvard saw him in Faelyth. Rolling her eyes, the flattery seemed to be getting to her. Glancing away toward the pond, the gentle movement of Edvard didn't seem to bother Faelyth in the slightest, but when she felt a heavier weight on her shoulder she darted her eyes back to the knight to see his head on her shoulder. Raising a brow, a sense of calm washed over the assassin. After a moment, Faelyth rested her own head on Edvard's. Yes, it likely looked comical to see a knight as large as Edvard resting against a small woman such as Faelyth, but she didn't mind. Instead, she embraced his advances, even if it was simply a friend resting on a friend. Perhaps not all touch needed to be as intimate as she was used to.

_ _
The two simply watched the stars above with one another, and as Edvard spoke of her parents a bittersweet look filled the dark elf's eyes. One of memory, but of the good times with her mother and father. The sentiment spoke volumes to Faelyth. After quite a long while of watching the night pass by in pure silence and calm, the assassin finally broke it. "You don't need to spend this night alone, Edvard. If you'll have me that is." Her words were open to interpretation, though before Edvard could make an assumption, she reassured him once more. "I only mean to have someone close, not to bed. I'd be a fool to mock you about such a thing anymore." Nudging him playfully, Faelyth brought her head back up, curious to know how Edvard would respond to her offer.
Katherine
"Where you have sex, I have moping. They go hand in hand, don't they?" *Edvard grinned, laughing heartily as he rested, his eyes gazing back up towards the stars. Maybe the two didn't have the best coping mechanisms for grief, but he didn't care. The only coping mechanism he needed anymore was this. This feeling of being close to someone. It felt simple pure and calm. There was love, but there wasn't a need for romance. No arousal. Just... Love. In the purest form. Two people dealing with the worst grief imaginable by quite literally leaning on each other. It was poetic, in a way. But Edvard didn't reach for a paper and quill. There was no need to write it down. The emotions he felt were plainly obvious to everyone at the pond, fish included. The stars themselves seemed the poets, while the two who sat near the pond were the subjects. He'd remember this moment for eons, as he hoped she would as well.*

*He didn't intend the words about his master as flattery. He simply spoke his mind. He held Ser Hastings in the ultimate regard. He even styled his facial hair after him. He never thought the mutton-chops quite suited him, but Ser Hastings was always so adamant on them. He said it was the style of true knights. The most honorable of warriors sported mutton-chops. Of course, not a single one of the Hedge Knights in his company had mutton-chops. But he never brought it up. It was a joke to him, but one he held close to home. He held his strange mustache like a badge of honor. The least Edvard could do after his passing was adopt the style. It made him feel closer to his old master. Though it didn't quite compare to this. She really seemed to bear the soul of Ser Hastings. What a surprise. His honor and prose found in some assassin he had just met. How lucky was he.*

*He slowly let his head off of her shoulder as she removed hers from his, chuckling softly as she offered to share his bed a final time.* "Always determined, aren't you?" *He joked, nodding slightly.* "I could care less how we spend time together, as long as you're here. Whatever makes you happy, I suppose." *He chuckled, leaning back to rest on his hands once again. He gazed back up towards the stars, before quickly turning back to Faelyth. He hadn't really noticed before, but her eyes were quite captivating. Not even due to the different colors. They seemed to tell a story. One far different, and far more interesting than his own. He grinned widely, moving forward to nudge against Faelyth, resting the side of his head against hers.* "I'm eternally grateful you chose to put a dagger to my throat tonight. Tonight has truly been magical."
Adam
Giggling along with Edvard, Faelyth rolled her eyes at the man she'd come to be so close with so soon. It was if they had been friends for much longer. This was only their second time meeting after all. She shared the feelings he did, but the feelings she felt were things she hadn't in so long. It was like a drug had entered her veins, one that no amount of men nor women could satisfy after an intimate night together. No, this feeling was one of care, of kindness. Of love. They barely knew one another, so it couldn't be romantic. At least not yet anyways, but it was love nonetheless. Two drifting souls rekindling flames that had long been extinguished, their pain so different yet similar. The moment Edvard mentioned he could care less how they spent their night together caused Faelyth's habit to come to mind, but she did her best to quell it.

"I think I have the perfect 'how' in mind." With a wink, Faelyth gentle moved her head away from Edvard's so she could stand. Once she did so, the dark elf was sure to brush herself off and ensure she looked decent before offering a hand to Edvard. "I'll pay for a room, don't worry yourself. I feel both of use deserve more than a good night's sleep after such a draining conversation." Her words were not meant to be rude or dismissive, it was simply the truth. Having such a real and emotional conversation would cause anyone to want to crawl beneath the covers and relax. Nevertheless once Edvard stood, Faelyth ran her hand into his, and it was only then she realized how much bigger his hand truly was. A sense of safety immediately began to wash over the poor assassin, and it wasn't a feeling she'd soon let go of.

_ _
"Come along then, while the night is young." Faelyth did not indulge Edvard of the details of her plan, at least not yet. All signs pointed to one thing, but perhaps she wished for something else? Tugging him a bit, she allowed the knight time to collect his sword and anything else he might have forgotten before guiding him to the tavern where they last met, the