Plot: A Meeting on the Shore Who: Eileen Wyland, Loïc Arkaitz, Coan Bryland, Ashya Devar, Hilda Aelricsdottr, Aurin Demarc Where: Lake Calenhad Docks When: 23 Molioris; 9:45 Dragon Summary: Free from the Tower's walls Lee and Loïc reach the dock only to find themselves running into some familiar faces. Is it merely a chance meeting or fate? Rating: K Complete
The sun was already starting to set, painting Lake Calenhad a vibrant shade of orange, and the stars were already appearing across the evening sky. Dwarfed by the shadow of Kinloch Hold was a small wooden boat, traveling across the lake to the nearby dock on the mainland.
Sitting stiffly in the small boat, hands fisted in the loose robes she wore over a shoddy set of mail, listening to the boat cut through the water was an enchanter of the Circle. Head turning to and fro she did her best to take it all in. Everything was so much different than she had remembered, than she had dreamed, and she was torn between shock and wonder. She was afraid to blink, utterly terrified that if she closed her eyes she would miss something or even worse that it would all fade away. That if she gave in and closed her eyes the next time the opened them she could very well be gazing upon her stone ceiling from the safety of her bed.
Hearing her companion moving behind her she twisted around to stare at him, swallowing down the sudden knot in her throat that formed the moment she laid her eyes on him. Hands clenching in anger she cursed silently, hating herself for feeling any sense of dread at Loïc’s appearance. The joy of being free of the Tower, temporary as this freedom was, fled her only to be replaced by the stark reality of what was happening now.
Releasing the fabric balled up in one fist she slowly reached out, fingers trembling, and delicately placed her hand on his knee. She was not sure if the gesture was meant to comfort him or if she had done it in an attempt to calm herself. All it served to do was make her more upset. Loïc was to be her guard now… forever. He would never leave her, always standing just a step behind. The thought of never being alone should have been pleasing but this new situation irked her. There had been no reason for this new permanent guard only the knowledge that she was never to remain unguarded, constantly watched. Since the new orders had reached her she had spent every waking moment wondering about it, body tense and wary. The paranoia was gnawing at her, eating her up from the inside.
Drawing in a shuddering breathe she turned away, hand slipping from his knee and returning to its previous position. Staring down at her lap she tried to remain as relaxed as possible. Raising her gaze from the rumpled fabric Lee straightened in interest and relief when the small dock emerged from the mist. Leaning forward in excitement she watched anxiously as the boat drew closer and was carefully moored.
The moment the boat was tied off and secured Lee resisted the urge to jump to her feet, instead, turning and bowing her head to the ferryman in thanks. Leaning down she carefully looped her small satchel, packed in a hurry the moment this trip had been approved, around one hand and gracefully rose from her seat. Steadying herself she stood for a moment before she reached out for the hand a Templar on the dock was offering her. Pulling herself out of the boat, muttering quiet thanks, she quickly made her way across the wooden planking and to solid ground. Eyes fastened on what lay ahead of her she was completely oblivious to the group of people already milling about on the shore
Crouching down she felt her pack slip from limp fingers. Raising a trembling arm she reached out, running her fingers carefully across the leaves in front of her. Choking on the knot in her throat she slowly drew her hand back, eyes shimmering, and turned her attention towards the dock. Dusting off her knees Lee slowly stood up, grabbing her bag again, and turned around to offer a gentle smile to Loïc. Behind him, looming darkly in the distance was the Tower. For now both she and Loïc were free from the Tower’s clutches and soon enough they would be out of the realm of their influence granting her time to figure out what was going on. Lee was determined to get to the bottom of this and no one was going to stop her.
Tearing her gaze away from the place that had served as her prison for so long she tried to push her worries to the side for the moment and simply be happy to be free. Smile widening she raised a hand up to wave Loïc on, eager to be off… to be further away. In her haste to leave Kinloch Hold Lee had decided they would set out as soon as her request was granted clearance and that was exactly what she had done, however, it was evening and the two of them would need to rent a room at the inn stationed on the shore before they could truly set out.