<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Only because you brought up something you shouldn’t, you old crone,”</span>Maleki said, his words biting towards Storka.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Just because I was the first out of the tent doesn’t mean I was willing.”</span>With that, Maleki’s hand moved over to Aleksandra, interrupting the slight mumbling he heard coming from her by grabbing hold of her hand.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Just… get it over with,” </span>Maleki said quietly, not knowing how to tell her not to use more magic for something so simple. After a moment, he gently released her and allowed her to get back to work. The night that followed soon devolved as Maleki began to argue with Storka over this and that, his venom coming out once more and turning the tender night into… just a regular evening.<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr"/><br/>Days had passed since the fated night that Maleki had saved Aleksandra from a fate he was pretty sure she would not be able to cope with. Barnstorm bid him farewell and Maleki had started to wander alone. However, it did not take long for Tommen to show up, leading both of the women with him to Maleki. Maleki had hoped leaving early in the morning would rid him of their presence, but there did not seem to be much he could do, with Storka’s mysterious knowledge and Tommen’s well meaning assistance. Defeated, Maleki allowed them to accompany him once more. His goal was a town called Lyzza. It was quiet for its size. Caravans usually used it as a last or first stop due to the safety. It was a place to let go of mercenaries, or pick new ones up. Work would be harder to find, but hopefully Maleki was able to find something.<br/><br/>Sure enough, he had. Apparently, a caravan had left the day prior, so the town was low on mercenaries. So when a merchant came into the tavern, approaching Maleki and Tommen, Maleki was able to negotiate a better deal for them. He needed some men to stand guard around his shop, as a deterrent from a string of robberies that had been happening in town. He knew of a few men who would be free of a contract the next day, and thus needed it for the night only. But work was work, and Maleki did not pass up on it. Finishing their first drinks, Maleki and Tommen returned to camp to inform Storka and Aleksandra of the work they had found; it was more Tommen explaining and Maleki grunting in response. Before long, the two men had already found themselves asleep, wishing to conserve energy for a night watch.<br/><br/>The watch itself went off without a hitch. Tommen had fired an arrow down an alleyway at a shadow he had seen, but otherwise there was no disturbance throughout the night. It was as the shop was opening did Aleksandra showed up, stumbling upon Maleki sweet talking a young woman who had manned the counter as the owner had stepped away. Before long, Aleksandra’s kindness showed itself, as the simple transaction was prolonged as Aleksandra began to have a polite conversation with the owner. Eventually, the money was paid, and the three of them set out back to camp. Only for a fire to build inside of Maleki.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to,”</span>Maleki said, finally snapping out of his fuming silence. “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">You don’t have to know everyone’s life stories. Could have been in and out and back to camp half an hour ago. But no, the guy didn’t immediately brush you off, so you had to interrupt his counting to ask about local fucking cuisine.”</span>