Chapter 32
November 5th, 2021
Days later Zechariah walked slowly through the gardens, arm in arm with Gerb as he hopped along, again and again. He was determined to be able to move without the aid of a tool, but for the most part he conceeded that anything more than a casual stroll would be almost impossible without a crutch or a cane. Yet while he had nothing but time on his hands, he was committed to building up his strength as best as he could. Hop after hop, drip after drip of the sweat from his brow and every breath labored and ragged, he slowly made his way through the gardens holding onto Zechariah for balance.
Zechariah himself was feeling a bit ragged. Though he had largely recovered enough to leave the care of the physickers, his bruises were still deep and he felt continually tired. But complaining was something he could never do in front of Gerb or Lelia for their injuries were far more sever. There had been some talk of bringing out the leeches, for they feared the luminescence that still showed through the skin of the left arm. Fortuitously Lelia had awoke in time, and instructed that leeches wouldn't be necessary, and Zechariah slept more peacefully after that. He had been relieved and slept more easily after she had awoken, though as the days went by he became increasingly worried as she seemed to avoid wanting to talk about the events that had transpired. In fact, she had seemed to want to avoid him entirely the first few nights. She had warmed up and chatted more, and seemed happy to get to meet and talk with Gerb, but Zechariah's anxiety grew.
"Having doubts about traveling edgeward with her?" Gerb asked, panting heavily between hops. Zechariah shifted his grasp on Gerb and continued his slow walk.
"You're a prick." Zechariah answered.
"And you're a twat. Perhaps we were meant to be together. Should I fuck you?" Gerb said with a completely serious tone, hopping along.
"You? Nah, you're too small to satisfy shit." Zech retorted Gerb barked a laugh, singular. One loud bark. It was all he could afford before taking a deep breath and hopping one more step forward.
"Oh? You're want my horse instead?"
"At least I'd feel something."
Gerb laughed once more, before focusing on moving forward for a bit. But, like the persistent prick that he was, he asked again, "So? Doubts?"
Zechariah groaned and rolled his eyes. "You're not going to let this drop are you?"
"Not a chance." Gerb said grinning.
Zechariah grimaced, sighing heavily. "What do you want me to say? That I think the events that took place changed her and now she doesn't want anything to do with me the way it always happens? That if she bears me ill will for bring these demons into her life, that she'll report me to the court and have me arrested, executed or even worse, forbidden from ever studying magic?"
Gerb hopped again. "Uh...Yeah...idiot. That's is what I wanted you to say. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked it."
"Now who's avoiding a subject?" Zechariah asked accusingly.
"Not avoiding shit. I never said I had anything to say on the matter. I just wanted you to say it." Gerb explained philosophically.
"By Almaran you're a prick." Zechariah exclaimed in exasperation.
"Just a tiny one. But if you can't handle my little prick, I doubt you'd be able to handle a horses'."
"Are you going to say anything useful at all?" Zechariah said growing frustraited.
"Somethings people just can't talk about." Gerb replied.
Zechariah growled in frustration. "Gerb, if you're too much of a ghalbshite to talk abou..." Zechariah said as he thought Gerb's words over. "Oh..." He said simply, as he realized Gerb's meaning. "But...if I can't ever talk about it, how do I learn what happened? Or even just move forward?"
"You need to practice being a man more than a twat. Don't ever talk about it. Don't think it, feel it or listen to it. Just keep on...hopping..." Gerb said, as he leapt another few feet.
Pant. Deep breath. Pause. Leap. Four feet. Grunt. Pant. Again and again, Gerb leapt along the garden path. People around, minor noblemen, gardeners, servants, rich peasantry. It wasn't crowded, or even one might say busy. But when you're coming up on your third Shine, you see a lot of people coming and going. Additionally, Gerb and Zechariah weren't exactly inconspicuous and so drew a lot of obvious attention as they slowly hopped around the fertile soil. Gerb's determination, despite his complete exhaustion, was truly inspirational to Zechariah, and though Zechariah's body hurt from the injuries, and additionally by helping to cary Gerb's weight, he wouldn't stop helping his friend as long as he needed him. Gerb knew about the demons and didn't care. He didn't fear him, or treat him like a lab rat, or anything. Gerb was just Gerb. Nawfa had been...or...is...a beautiful and wonderful woman whom he would always care for, but she was also wanted something for herself from him. Gerb...Gerb was just Gerb. He felt like Gerb didn't want or need anything from Zechariah, not truly. Though Zechariah knew Gerb liked him, he also knew that should he not go to Uthar, that Gerb would find a way to go without him. Gerb was his friend, cause he wanted to be. He didn't want anything else from Zechariah, and even parting ways would not part the friendship. It was something that Amir had always hinted at. He had always suggested that people like Gerb existed, and yet Zechariah had never truly believed him. Maybe it was because, Amir hadn't truly believed it either. Not for Zechariah. Yet here he was, helping his now crippled friend, and he hadn't felt more truly content in a long while.
It struck him as odd. As he helped his crippled friend along, as he considered the demonic hatred and torture that he had experienced and witnessed, as he considered the imprisonment by Draconians, and the brutality of the Jundar and yet he felt, content. Perhaps having such close experiences to death, this last one more literally so than other experiences, made him appreciate his friendship more profoundly than others might have. Yet for him, he was content.
"So what are you going to do?" Gerb asked suddenly shattering the thick silence.
It took a moment for Zechariah to come out of his reverie and consider Gerb's question. "I don't know...I guess." Zechariah said thoughtfully. Followed quickly by "Hold your horses, and keep their dicks away." as he saw Gerb about to launch into another insulting rant. "I don't know, but I do know that I need to ask her. Not about the events. If she doesn't want to discuss it than neither do I. But I can still ask her if she still wishes to consider traveling to Uthar."
Gerb nodded. Took a deep breath. Paused. Leapt. Grunted. Panted. "Sounds like a good idea."
"That's it? No insult. Quip or back handed compliments?" Zechariah asked feigning shock.
"Only need to do that when you're being an idiot. It's not my fault it's so frequent." Gerb said shrugging his shoulders innocently.
"That's more like it." Zechariah said sardonically, getting Gerb to laugh heartily enough that he had to pause longer than usual to catch his breath before his next leap. "Why haven't you asked more about it? About...what happened to Lelia and I?" Zechariah asked out of the blue.
Gerb grunted in response, and leapt. Perhaps it wasn't in response but it seemed like it at least. "Don't figure like I have much right to know. Not my demons, if you get my meaning." Gerb said with a smirk, which faded steadily as Zechariah found little mirth in it. "Eh...you fought your demons. Sounds like a good enough explanation to me cause from the looks of you, it wasn't a tall tale. You don't have to tell me anything more. And if you want to, well, maybe I don't want to hear about it."
"It might be good for you to know." Zechariah said.
"Aye, might be that it is. But I can't know that till I know it. So till I know that I know it, you gotta know that for me. You know?"
"You know what?" Zechariah said coming to a stop. "I do know." He said as he pushed Gerb's arm off his shoulders and stood straight. Dusting his hands, he turned to walk away.
"Fuck no you don't!" Gerb said grabbing his cloak as Zechariah walked away. He pulled him back towards himself, and Zechariah came spinning in. He tried to pull free but Gerb stepped on his foot and sent him spinning down. Gerb stumbled and fell to the side but caught himself upon a bust of some noble statue, whilst Zechariah fell to the dirt. Gerb quickly pushed himself off the bust and raised his hands victoriously. "Ha! Even as a half man, I'm more than half more the man of you!" The few individuals who shared the gardens with them gasped in offence at his speech and raucousness, but Gerb paid it no head. Zechariah wasn't sure if it was arrogance or ignorance, but decided the cause didn't matter, for the scene was the same.
"Gerb," Zechariah hissed in a loud whisper. "You do realize that half-man is the name for a eunuch right?"
Gerb paused eyes wide for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed. "Fear not ladies!" He said turning and addressing the few around him. "The half of me that is missing, is not that half that matters." Zechariah gasped in horror, blushing heavily in embarrassment at Gerb's crude brashness. He scramble up and began to storm off in a hurry, thoroughly embarrassed. "Hey! Where are you going?" Gerb called after him. "Eh? I beat you, get your ass back here and help me finish hopping!"
"Finish yourself!" Zechariah shouted, immediately regretting his choice of words.
"I usually do! Which is why I wouldn't mind some help and company for a change! Zech. Zech!" Gerb shouted after him, laughing heartily as he hopped over and picked up his crutch. Gerb determinedly resumed hopping the last leg of the Gardens with the use of his crutch, laughing to himself and ignoring the offended looks of those around. Zechariah hurried away. Not only was he extremely embarrassed by Gerb's behavior but he also needed to find Lelia. He needed to know where she stood on things, and what she felt. He needed to be tactful, but he couldn't wait any longer.
November 6th, 2021
November 6th, 2021
The silver light of the sun glowed in the Peak as it made it's way towards the darkening Falls, lighting Lelia's room with a bright moonlit glow. Though they were not yet needed, candles had been lit to preempt the setting of the sun, and the golden silver mix of light danced upon her pale blond hair. She sat, back straight and regal in a lush cushioned chair, holding a saucer and cup in her hands of steaming tea. Her chest was still bandaged up tightly, and it constricted her breathing slightly, and her foot was not only bandaged but splinted as well. Her gaze was long, as she watched the the fading light play upon the waves of the Turmoilt, and watched the thunder of the Everstorm that raged out in the seas. Peace and rage in strange dissonance with one another. It always seemed to be like that. Never one without the other.
"My lady Lelia?" a serving maid asked peaking her head into the room. "Zechariah is here to see you."
"Send him away. I do not wish to have company tonight." Lelia said quietly, not turning to face the servant.
"I did tell him that My Lady, but he refuses to go. He says that he must needs know whether you wish to journey edgeward with him, or if he should make preparations to travel alone?"
Lelia sighed deeply in frustration and anxiety. Her hand trembled slightly, the tea rippling as she answered, "Fine. I will see him."
Several moments later, the serving woman returned with Zechariah in tow. He bowed as he entered and though the serving woman pulled up a chair opposite and appropriately away from Lelia, he made no move to sit in it, instead opting to stand awkwardly in the middle of the room. Lelia squirmed inside at the silence, but refused to be the first to break it, not knowing exactly what to say, or even if she wanted to say anything. So instead, she opted for taking a somewhat shaky sip of tea, and remained staring out the window.
Zechariah cleared his throat, and she did not respond. After several more long moments of awkwardness, Zechariah made to speak. Stiffly he said, "I know the timing isn't good, but I need to know what plans you have. I intend to continue on to Uthar...and was wondering if you intended to have me travel with you, or if...I was no longer welcome in your company."
Lelia remained quiet, staring out the window.
"I'm sorry. I know things didn't...go according to plan...but..."
"Didn't go according to plan?" She scoffed turning to look at him incredulously.
"I didn't know..."
"Didn't know?" She exclaimed her fear and anger boiling up within her. "Yes you did Zechariah! I saw some of your memories as they flashed past. I know how they've hurt and attacked people before! And so did you!"
"Y-you said you could contain them." Zechariah said weakly. "I thought...as you knew so much about magic, that you if anyone could stop them."
"You're going to blame me for this?" Lelia asked accusingly.
"No." Zechariah said softly.
"No? You're not blaming me for this. Good. Cause I'm not the one at fault here. You should have told me more! Our arrangement was that you tell me everything or did you forget that."
"No." Zechariah said more firmly.
"You could have fooled me cause..."
"No, I mean no. I'm not doing this." Zechariah said, stopping Lelia in her tracks.
"Doing what?" She asked confused.
"It wasn't my fault. I'm sorry for what happened, but I had no more idea of it than you did. I won't take on more blame for the pain they've caused, cause it's themwho's causing it. Not me. I'm not responsible for the pain they cause."
Tears were in her eyes, Zechariah could see, as she slumped back down in her chair and turned out the window trying to hide her face from him. He could see the slight shake of her frame as she cried quietly.
"I'm sorry...I...I wish there was something I could do. But all I can do, is try to figure out how to stop them, and bring an end to this. I know it didn't go well, but I felt like I was close to discovering something. I felt like if we took better precautions that we could..."
"No Zechariah." Lelia said quietly.
"But we know more..."
"No." She said more firmly than before. "Look at what they did to me!" She said pulling open her dress, and showing him the bandage. Though she didn't unwrap it, he could see that her right breast was shriveled, and he could only imagine the horrific scaring that would form. "And I'll never be able to walk or ride again in my life! The bones in my foot are gone!" She covered herself up again, turning away once more, and tucked her good leg up to her chest, hugging herself, in a small bundle. She added in a soft whisper, "I've never been so helpless before in my life."
"I'm..." Zechariah began again, but fell silent. Sorry had no meaning when such trauma had been witnessed. Deciding to try and change tact, Zechariah spoke up once again. "What of the Order? My arm now glows constantly. There's so much to learn and discover, and we might be able to find the Order."
"Look where it got me. I'll never be able to travel and hunt for the Order like I once did. Not with this foot." Lelia said quietly.
"So perhaps you don't go on the expeditions, but that doesn't mean you can't be the one to find it. That doesn't mean you can't be the one to find the salvation of Umar."
Lelia didn't reply immediately to that, her gaze distant as she hugged herself tightly. Zechariah interpreted her silence as her pondering his statement, and moved closer to her, till he saw her flinch at his approach, and he stopped. He hung his head, feeling defeated, but wasn't yet willing to give up completely. "And...what happened at the end...I have to find out. It might be the answer to not only stopping them...but might be the key to who knows what else."
She didn't reply again.
Sighing and accepting defeat, Zechariah turned slowly, pausing briefly hoping that she would stop him from leaving. After hearing no protest at his leaving, he walked out of the room slowly, and shut the door behind him.
"How'd it go?" Gerb asked as he stripped out of his clothes tossing them aside. Zechariah stood by and helped him into the tub to soak, and found himself staring at the stump that was all that was left of Gerb's leg. It was about half way down his thigh, a ragged, red, scabbed and puss filled wound. Gerb hissed through his teeth as his stump came in contact with the hot water, but quickly settled in his eyes rolling back in relief as his sweat and dirt covered body soaked in the warmth deeply.
"Not great. I think we'll be traveling alone." Zechariah said as he brought over a small table and placed a tray of food and wine upon it next to Gerb. He himself sat on a stool by his side, and began to prepare the food for Gerb. His own stomach rumbled loudly, but he ignored it for now.
"Sounds about right." Gerb said, before sliding down below the water level, soaking his head and hair, before coming up with deeply satisfied sigh.
"I don't want to take up any more graciousness from the Lord of Stormridge than we have to but...I know you're still in recovery. When have the Physickers said that you can leave their care?"
"Fuck the Physickers. They gave me plenty of shit to keep the wound clean, and I got more bandages than them Kavarians use for burial rites. I can leave tomorrow for all I care."
Zechariah scoffed, dipping some bread in the chicken stew, and holding it up for Gerb.
"Korvic bugger me." Gerb said rolling his eyes. He sat up and took the food from Zechariah's hands. "I can damn well feed myself."
Zechariah scoffed. "At least that's one thing you can do by yourself."
"Get the fuck outta here. Start packing your bags, we'll leave here as soon as you're ready. Me, I'm itching to go. All this..." He waved vaguely around, "It ain't for me."
"We'll wait till the end of the port at least before leaving." Zechariah said standing up.
"The end of the port?" Gerb asked increadiously. "Port's just started. That's a full eight days!"
"Exactly, it'll give a certain stubborn ass I know time to heal up before risking his life again." Zechariah said emphasizing the 'stub' part of stubborn.
Gerb splashed some water on him. "I said get the fuck out."
Zechariah laughed as he dashed away from the tub towards the door. "You sure you're not going to drown? Hard to swim as only a 'half-man'. He mocked, shutting the door behind him as Gerb threw a knife at him, embedding it in the door. Laughing as he went, Zechariah blushed at his raucousness as he passed a serving girl in the halls.
Gerb laughed to himself as he settled back dropping a stew soaked bit of bread into his mouth. "This shit...kinda is for me..." He said quietly into the empty room as he settled back. His muscles hurt like crazy. Hopping, he decided was the most inefficient mode of transportation. He could probably get further crawling. But, he didn't much fancy that idea, and recommitted himself to learning to hop better than anyone else in Umar. Perhaps he could become famous for it.
Snarling as the door creaked open again, Gerb sat up. Taking up a fork he raised his hand ready to throw it at Zechariah. "I thought I told you to get the fuuuoh..." He said as he saw a wide eyed serving girl peaking around the door.
"I'm sorry m-lord." She said bowing and quickly ducking behind the door to shield herself. "Lady Lelia wishes to come visit you, and asks if this is a good time. I shall return and tell her that she should call on you in the morn."
"Non-sense. Now is a perfectly good time. Tell her I'll be happy to receive her." Gerb said chuckling to himself.
"B-but my lord...you are...indecent." She said blushing softly.
A blush which only worsened as Gerb argued, "Didn't stop you from coming in and taking a peak." He could practically hear her squirm in discomfort. "Send her in damnit."
The serving girl scurried away, and Gerb pondered the wisdom of what he was doing. He'd gotten...aggressive and rude since he'd been here. Losing half your body might do that to a man. He pondered this for some time, receding into his mind until a knock disturbed him once again.
"Come in Lelia." Gerb said, grinning lightly. The door opened and Gerb saw not only Lelia, but a small procession of people. Two very large men came into the room, with Lelia sat upon two of their linked hands. One other arm was supporting her back, while the last was covering her eyes. Following them into the room, was a small group of servants. Two of whom dragged a chair into the room, and a few more set up a small table, set food upon it, and set up a screen by Gerb's neck, beyond which Lelia was seated. Once things were situated, the two very large men moved away, allowing her to see once more, and she turned and smiled sweetly to Gerb head, neck and shoulders only.
"Good evening Gerb. I am glad to see you well." She said softly nodding to him, before going to start helping herself to some supper.
"Good evening to you. You're Lady-ship." He said, almost mockingly. What was wrong with him. She'd been nothing but kind to him and Zechariah. Trying to be a bit more amiable he added, "How can I help you?"
"Oh, I do not need anything from you Gerb. I just wished to make your acquaintance in full, being such a good friend to Zechariah. It wouldn't be prudent of me to neglect the friends of my acquaintances." She answered very diplomatically.
"Not a chance." He said flatly. "I'm not one for this. I speak straight. You want something from me. What is it?"
Lelia looked at him, somewhat shocked by his bluntness. "I...I don't want anything from you. Is it not rude for a host to never see to her guests?"
"Look lady," He said growing hostile. "I really appreciate all you done for me and Zech. But I aint looking to be friends with any noble. If you want payment for saving my life, name your price. Otherwise, I'm not really interested in chatting with you."
"I..I'm sorry. I didn't realize my presence disturbed you so." She said moving to stand shakily on one leg. She hopped weakly making to call out to her servants. "I shall retire then. Goodnight Gerb."
Gerb's stomach fell. "Look, Lady. Sit down. I'm sorry alright. I just, don't do well with nobles." Lelia looked back at him, and Gerb was shocked to see tears in her eyes. "I didn't mean to upset you so. I mean, I guess I did but...you really don't have any price or desire from me? That's all you noble born ever want."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to stay any longer Master Gerb. You've communicated well. My presence upsets you so I should leave you in peace to recover."
"Please, sit. I must have you accept my apology." Gerb said gesturing for her to return to her seat. She did so, slowly, and hesitantly. She picked up a napkin to dap at her eyes and sniffed, shaking her hair and regaining her composure.
"My apologies Master Gerb. The last few days have been, very trying for me, and I haven't managed with it well." Lelia said reaching for the wine, and taking a sip. Gerb reached for his own and raised his goblet to her before taking a deep draught himself.
"That's some fine wine that is." Gerb said sighing contentedly.
"You don't ask about it?" Lelia asked quizically.
"No, not really. It's good wine, I don't need to know the barrel number to enjoy it."
"Not the wine, the...other stuff." Lelia asked.
Gerb shrugged, picking up the stew and bread again. He took a healthy bite of both. "Somethings people just can't talk about." Gerb said simply.
Lelia prepared some of her own food. "I understand. Truly. Thank you."
Gerb nodded. "So you're a witch huh?"
Lelia choked lightly on her food, turning to look at him bewildered, shaking her head. "Good Gods no. I'm an Arcanist. Fully trained and licensed."
November 7th, 2021
November 7th, 2021
"Like I said. A witch." Gerb repeated, digging into his food.
"No, a witch is an unsanctioned or uneducated practitioner of the magical arts, specializing in channeling the spirits of the world to do her bidding. I am neither a channeler, nor an unsanctioned practitioner of magical arts. In fact, I have been called upon to help teach the proper use of the Aether on several occasions."
"So you're a mercenary, instead of a bandit." Gerb said matter of factly.
Lelia looked at him puzzled, then spoke slowly. "I suppose that...could make a fair comparison. Yes. Though in many countries witchcraft isn't illegal, where as banditry always is.
"Only until some noble decides to buy them off, and turn them into a mercenary group. Then suddenly, banditry is all flowers and faeries." Gerb scoffed, taking a deep chug of his wine.
"You've been hired by lords before?" Lelia asked surprised by this news.
"Of course. Why else do you think I don't like you 'noble' folk." Gerb replied.
"I don't know. I guess I assumed that you were simply envious of our position over yours." Lelia said thinking out loud.
Gerb scoffed, "Only thing noble bout a noble is their name. In everything else, they're just as shit as everyone else. Problem is, ya'll just too stupid to see it."
Lelia bristled at this and turned towards him hotly. "In many more ways. Our speech is more elegant, and we conduct ourselves with propriety in addition carrying the weight and burden of leadership over the surfs and freemen."
"And you really believe all that shite?" Gerb asked raising an eyebrow at her. "Tell me, how elegant a noble is when things don't go their way? Tell me how proper ya'll are in the bedrooms? Oh, and when have you ever seen nobility as a trait among the leadership of your kin?" He barked a laugh in her face, seeing how his words challenged her. "As I said, nothing 'noble' bout a nobleman."
Lelia studied him long enough for him to turn back to his eating, and longer still. "I take it you've been wronged personally by the nobility."
"Such an astute observation. What gave it away?" He asked rhetorically.
"Not all of us are the same." Lelia said softly as she turned back to her food. "Some harm all around them, regardless of birth."
"Aye, can't argue with that. Problem is, nobility has further reaching arms than the average surf."
"I suppose you're right." Lelia conceded after a time and finished her food. After sitting in silence for a bit longer, she turned to face him more directly. "How do you do it Gerb?"
"You'll have to be a bit more specific than that." Gerb asked putting aside his empty bowl and taking a deep draught of his wine.
"How do you keep going? You laugh, you argue, you hop around the gardens for hours in an agonizing display of determination. How do you do it? How do you keep fighting?"
Gerb stared straight ahead for some time, falling silent as Lelia grew more self conscious of the depth of the questions she asked. Finally he said, "Zechariah ever tell you much about me?"
"No, only that you were a dear friend of his, and that he couldn't afford to lose you." She smiled slightly. "It was rather sweet of him."
"I swear that guys' more of a bugger than he realizes." Gerb laughed shaking his head. "I'm a fighter m'lady. Through and through." He said grabbing the sides of his tub and in one swift motion, and the tossing of much water upon the floor, he heaved himself up to stand upon his one leg, fully naked in front of Lelia. She blushed deeply, quickly making to look away, but paused as she saw his naked body. Wounds and scars marred his body as deeply as a potter's tools. The greatest of which, was his recent amputation. Grabbing a bar of soap, he began to scrub himself down. Though some of his muscle had been lost in his days of recover, she could see very clearly, that he was a man of extremely hard labor. Soaping himself down, Gerb continued.
"I've seen places of the world you wouldn't even dream existed. Places that reside beneath your very feet." He said turning to her. "I'll spare you the gory details of the underground slave trade, the bugger boys and comfort girls that are sold as infants to the debt collectors so that the parents might feed the rest of their children for another year. The fighting pits where a man or woman can make his worth, by beating others to death with their bare hands." His voice almost a growl, a deep set hurt and hate in his eyes. "Places, that the nobility know about, and even use for their own gain." He took up a bucket of water, and rinsed the soap off of himself. Before continuing he took up a towel and began to dry off. "I'm sure there are crazy things. The demons that haunt Zechariah are a good example. But demons are demons. It is their nature to breed suffering. But the places I've seen? There is no cause for them. No justification." He said spitting the last of his words as he turned away and began to climb out of the tub.
Lelia's hand went idly to her right thigh, caressing it, thinking of her broken foot, studying Gerb's own wound as he struggled to climb out of the bath safely. "It brings me back to my question. How do you do it?"
Growling in frustration at his own lack of balance and difficulties, Gerb grabbed the side table and bracing himself against it and with a great heave, leapt from the tub. Only to slip on the floor and go tumbling down. Lelia sprang up, but her own broken foot stopped her from being able to rush to his aid. Before she could call out for help, she saw that Gerb had hold of the table still and pulled himself up from the floor to stand, though she could see the quivering in his leg, thoroughly exhausted from hours of making his way around the gardens. He looked at Lelia grimly. "With determination." Taking up his crutch, he hopped his way over to his bed completely ignoring clothing.
"Where do you find the determination?" Lelia asked, her eyes following him. His nonchalance about his nudity made her quickly forget it herself as she had become wrapped up in their conversation.
"Find something you cannot do without. Something that you are so passionate about, you'll die trying to see it accomplished." Gerb said sitting upon his bed, and flopping back. Swinging his leg into bed he wiggled around till he was comfortable, and sighed deeply.
"What's your determination Master Gerb? What drives you?" Lelia asked.
Gerb tucked one arm under his head, and stared at the ceiling for a long time. "To see my wife again. One last time."
Lelia was taken aback. "You're married?" She asked incredulously.
He scoffed as he stared up to the heavens, not seeing the roof, but seeing in his minds eye, the beauty of his wife. "What? You think a man like me can't have a wife?"
"N-no. It's not that. I simply thought with how crude you were that you weren't a wedded man."
"Trust me, I'd be happy to give you a ride if you want. Been a long time since I saw my wife. For all I know, she's dead or, Aleen bless her, re-married. So as for the marital bed, don't worry about spoiling it if you want to try some special roasted bandit sausage."
"I believe that's my que to go." She said blushing and clapping her hands sharply. Instantly her servants came pouring into the room, and Gerb just smirked, amused at the prudish glances he received.
"Find your determination 'M-lady'. It'll serve you well." Gerb said as she was picked up by her manservants.
"And what will you do when you find your wife? And see her one last time. What happens to your determination then?" Lelia asked as the servants whisked away seat, table shield and all. The two large men walking her towards the door. One made a move to cover her eyes but she just batted the hand away.
"My determination is pretty useless. I'll be strung up in the gallows the following day." Gerb laughed darkly.
As the servants brought to the door, she stopped them for a moment, turning back. "It seems to me Gerb, that one's determination should not exist solely for one moment, but rather something that exceeds their own existence." She nodded to him slightly. "Sleep well Gerb, it was a pleasure making your acquaintance." She signaled to the two servants who took her form the room, and shut the door as Gerb grunted his farewell in reply.
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