Samantha arrived just as Talia was leaving. She bit her lip and resisted the urge to beg to join the traveling group. She might have, had not Lord Varatt squeezed her arm, just above her elbow to hold her back.<br/><br/>Faren approached her,his voice quiet the way he might use with Susan were he afraid she would spook.<br/><br/>"Good day Samantha." Faren greeted, just as nervously as he greeted her the day they met. "M... May we talk? If that is... If it is alright with you..."<br/><br/>Lord Varatt shoved her a little toward him as he took his hand from her arm. Samantha shot him a glance of disbelief in his betrayal of her. One look at Faren, though, and she knew, knew deep in her heart that he had not played her false. Well, he had. He was married and had a child. Samantha was so confused. She knew it was a sin to consort with a married man, but this was Faren and she loved him. He loved her and he didn’t think she was plain or ugly. Faren had touched her with holy reverence, not in the way of depravity, but with love.<br/><br/>He looked subdued and sad, she thought, not guilty or evil. Samantha was surprised at her voice. She sounded confident and detached, not desperate and afraid.<br/><br/>“Yes, Faren. I think there is much between us left unsaid.” She replied, low enough that no one else could hear. “I would like a private audience with you if your lady wife does not object.” Samantha looked around and that witch was no where to be seen. She longed to have Faren hold her and tell her that everything was alright and that he did truly love her. But Samantha was strong and her teachings ran deep through her very bones.<br/><br/>Little Maisie ran up to her with a grubby dandelion clutched in her hands, presenting it to her as if the flower was the crown jewels of the land. Samantha bent from the waist to speak at eye level with the child.<br/><br/>“Thank you, honey. This is lovely. Would you go ask Nimue to put it in a cup of water?” Samantha kissed the child on the top of the head, sending her off to the house.<br/><br/>“Where is your lady wife, by the way?” Samantha asked, looking around.<br/><br/>Reigna had slipped into the woods and peered around. Cupping her hand to the side of her mouth, she whistled a bird’s tune, then hissed,<br/><br/>“Rolph. Are you here?”<br/><br/>A rustling in the trees behind her made her jump but when she turned, no one was there. Before her breathing returned to normal, hands cupped her breasts from behind her.<br/><br/>“Here, lady and needing some of what you have there.” Came the growling voice, low in her ear.<br/><br/>Reigna put a gentle hand over the ear and face of the man behind her,<br/><br/>“I thought you would never ask.” she chortled. "I am sick to death of paladins and their gentle honor."