Tending

JP with Omni and Lorem

Gonyaul could see the inner anguish that this topic was causing and decided to let it go for now. This was supposed to be a time of celebration and healing, for they had found shelter and drinkable water. Perhaps when she was ready she would tell him the truth. He technically had no claim to request it since they hadn’t formed a covenant with one another yet.

Gonyaul refused, and insisted when she tried, to accept her drawing the water from the well. He explained it is not because she couldn’t or that he wouldn’t let her, but with her injury and the bandage fresh, he didn’t want her to aggravate the wound. He would draw the water and gratefully allow her to tend to his arm. He would stand very firm on that stance and she would see the resolve in his eyes. To try and change his mind would be useless; no matter how hard the wind may howl the mountain will not bow to it.

As she tended his arm he was enamored but yet another endearing moment shared between them. It was a treat to rest and have the luxury of time to experience her without any other distractions. He silently watched her, mesmerized by the beauty he witnessed. Occasionally he would reach up and gently move a strand of her hair back behind her ear when it fell in front of her face.

Like a master cartographer, he mapped every detail his eyes could absorb. In addition, he noticed how her skin, like his, was covered in a layer of sandy dust, and her true skin color was shining underneath like an undertone. He playfully enjoyed the thought of himself transforming into the sand he saw on her person and all throughout her hair, wishing he too could get everywhere.

“Thank you.” Were the only two words he spoke during that time. He enjoyed the actions speaking volumes admits the silence.

When she was done he cut more from his Ikeburer, the outer garment was no longer ankle length but now a few inches above the knee, and made a simple sling for her hurt arm to have a safe haven while healing.

Maybe it was better that Gonyual allow her to push herself too hard and that he didn’t push her to release what was on her mind, but Voah knew that he could tell she wasn’t being forthright.

Although she had actively thought, ‘let the Pillars speak their displeasure’, she hadn’t expected a response. She just wanted to be sure of herself and her actions and now there was again, doubt. Nothing was clear here in Arcadia.

Nothing except the admiration in his eyes, his displays of affection and attentiveness to her.

But was their meeting a coincidence? Or fate? Predetermined by the Gods to forge some future, to right past wrongs of the Inquisition?

Or was it sabotage by the deities of this land? Erewhon? Viher? Yther? Had they manipulated her? They must be powerful beings indeed to rival or cutoff the Pillars, to sway the concern of an Arbiter away from their witchblooded children. To break the conviction of her faith. Or maybe Voah was just that weak willed and unimportant.

That outward idea of anyone but the Pillars, saying that she wasn’t good enough, fueled her with the typically smoldering rage she had lived with for so long.

But these thoughts were shoved aside in her mind at this moment. Right now, standing in front of her was a certainty. Something that felt true and worthy of striving for. A new faith, truth and conviction. If the Gods no longer had love for her, she had to learn how to let go of a big part of herself and focus on others.

Right now she had to be outwardly strong for them both so they could push through this to the other side. To find, to make their home. No time for doubt, despair and vulnerability. This desert of dust and bones didn’t care.

Ever searching for omens, especially good ones, for those were the words of the Pillars, Voah resolved for the present, that this water may be a blessing, a portent to continue through the hardships, that good things will come if the faith is strong enough. After all, she was still alive.

She smiled sweetly, glancing up at Gonyaul, as he moved the hair from her face. She brushed her head against his hand to nuzzle into him and continued to lose herself in his eyes for as long as she could before needing to look at the work she was doing. Always, her eyes would return to his gaze to let him she would be ok, so long as he was there for her, in silence or speech.