Jolthar blinked, clearly taken aback, before letting out a low laugh. "Well, I've heard a lot of things, but that's a first. Do you always make declarations like this?" Continue your adventure with empire
Raayani shrugged, her smile never fading. "When I see sothing I want, I take it. Life's too short for hesitation, don't you think?"
Belan finally found her voice, muttering under her breath, "She's really doing this…"
Lysandra, equally stunned but unwilling to interrupt Raayani's mont.
Jolthar, anwhile, was recovering his composure, his smirk returning in full force. "And what makes you think I'd agree to that?" he asked, folding his arms.
"You think I'm just going to fall in line because you're bold enough to say it?"
Raayani chuckled softly, a sound both alluring and dangerous. She stepped even closer, close enough that the heat of her presence seed to radiate off her.
"Oh, I don't think, Jolthar," she said, her voice dropping slightly, almost conspiratorial. "I know. You're intrigued by . I can see it in your eyes. You're curious, and curiosity is a powerful thing."
Jolthar t her gaze, his silver-grey eyes glinting with a mixture of amusent and challenge. "You're awfully confident, aren't you?"
"Confidence is what keeps alive," Raayani said with a grin. "Besides, I don't have ti to wait for the slow and the unsure. So, what do you say? Be my man, Jolthar. Stand beside , or stand behind —your choice."
The silence that followed was electric, the kind of silence that demanded an answer. Jolthar tilted his head, his smirk softening into sothing more thoughtful. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Never," Raayani replied, her voice firm. "And I won't start now."
For a mont, it seed as though Jolthar might say sothing clever to deflect her, but instead, he shook his head with a chuckle. "You're sothing else, Lady Raayani. I'll give you that."
Her laughter rang out, rich and full of life. "Oh, is that how it's going to be? Fine, boy. I like a challenge. But don't take too long to decide. I'm not the patient type."
She walked to him, standing just an inch away from him, her face closer to him. Then he said, "No one said to wait. And I heard you have other toys to keep you busy."
Raayani could sense that he wasn't the type to share, and a sly grin spread across her lip. She leaned towards his ear and whispered, "I will make you mine, sooner than you expect."
Belan visibly paled seeing her mother; she shouted, "MOTHER!!"
Raayani then kissed him on the cheek, her soft lips pressed against his skin as he could feel it longer than expected. She moved back, winking at him, "Until next ti, darling."
With that, she turned on her heel, her dark hair flowing behind her as she walked away. Her steps were confident, her head held high, leaving Jolthar—and everyone else—staring after her. She didn't need to look back to know he was watching. She already knew how this ga would end.
Jolthar stood motionless for a few monts, his eyes lingering on Raayani as she walked away. Her figure exuded grace and confidence, each step deliberate and poised. He absentmindedly touched his cheek, feeling the faint warmth there—a blush, unbidden and unexpected, had crept across his face.
Damn, that woman could wake even a dead man, he thought to himself, shaking his head as if to clear his mind. A small, wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Belan and Lysandra followed after Raayani, still murmuring among themselves, likely about her bold declaration.
Jolthar watched them disappear into the distance, their figures blending with the shrine's shadows. He sighed and ran a hand through his silver-grey hair, his thoughts already shifting back to the matters at hand.
Not long after, Jolthar found himself back inside the shrine, catching up with Eran. His arms crossed and a smirk on his face. "Took you long enough," Eran said, though there was no malice in his tone.
Jolthar chuckled. "So things take ti."
They walked together to the main chamber, where Daus was seated with a few others from the tribe. The air in the room was lighter now, the once sombre atmosphere replaced by relief and hope. The won who had been rescued from the Nynthralls seed to be recovering well. They sat in a corner, surrounded by gentle caretakers from the tribe, their faces bearing tentative smiles.
Daus looked up as Jolthar entered, rising to his feet. "The situation with the won is improving," he said, his voice steady. "They've been through a lot, but they're strong. Your efforts... they saved them."
Jolthar nodded, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. "Good to hear. They deserve peace after everything."
Eran added, "We need to leave soon. The mission's done, and it took a lot of ti, so we need to report back to Lady Maena."
Jolthar gave a small nod of agreent, though his expression betrayed a hint of reluctance. He wondered if he would report everything that happened here. Then again, he probably would. Jolthar shook his head, thinking he would deal with it if she asked him. Although Eran was unaware of what exactly happened in the chamber. Only he and the deity knew about it. And seeing how he was unable to tell the difference, it was better for him. He didn't want to think that he was growing stronger rapidly and the Maena would find. Jolthar was aware that Maena was certainly trying to manipulate him into becoming the clan's dog. For the ti being, it was better for him, so he could grow stronger.
-
Before their departure, Jolthar went outside to find the drake. The large creature bounded toward him the mont he stepped into the open, its massive tail wagging like an overenthusiastic pup. Its scales shimred in the sunlight, a testant to its health despite the ti spent apart.
"Maelruth," Jolthar greeted with a smile as he stood before the creature's eager gaze. Maelruth nudged its pointy edge against Jolthar's chest, letting out a low rumble that was both affectionate and reproachful.
"You must've missed , huh?" Jolthar said, patting the drake's head. His tone was soft, almost teasing. The creature let out another rumble, its eyes shining with unspoken emotions.
Eran appeared beside them, his arms crossed as usual. "It's been restless without you," he remarked. "Pacing around, snapping at anyone who got too close. It's like it knew sothing was up."
Jolthar laughed lightly, scratching under the drake's chin. "You were worried?" he murmured, and the drake's rumbling grew louder, his massive tail swaying from side to side.
Jolthar could tell that the drake was very perceptive. Then he turned to Eran and asked, "Shall we leave then?"
Eran replied, "Only you are late; we are ready to leave anyti."
-
Preparations for departure didn't take long. Supplies were gathered, the knights gathered up, and final farewells were exchanged. As Jolthar and Eran prepared to leave, Daus' young son ran up to them, his feet kicking up a cloud of dust as he hurried to catch them. He stopped before Jolthar, his wide eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thank you," the boy said, his voice firm despite its youthful pitch. "For saving my mother."
Jolthar, his usual smirk softening into sothing gentler. "Take care of her, alright?" he said, patting his shoulder. "She's lucky to have a brave kid like you."
The boy nodded solemnly, his small hands balled into fists as if to seal the promise.
Daus approached then, his expression solemn but warm.
"Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with sincerity. "For everything. You've done more for us than we could have ever asked for."
Jolthar turned to him, his smirk returning. "Just doing what needed to be done."
Daus said, "You don't forget that this tribe will always be ready to help out if you need one."
Eran rolled his eyes but said nothing, adjusting the strap on his bag.
With their farewells said, the group began their journey back to the Sandor. Drake followed closely beside Jolthar, his massive form a comforting presence. As they walked, Jolthar glanced back at the shrine one last ti, his thoughts lingering on Raayani's words and her enigmatic smile.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. What a strange, fascinating woman, he thought, his smirk widening as the desert wind tugged at his hair.
He didn't know if he would et her again, but sothing told him that she would make sure to et him.
He climbed the drake's back and settled himself.
At the entrance of the valley, all of the tribe mbers stood, waving their hands at them, saying their goodbyes.
Eran, noticing how they were so thankful towards Jolthar, said, "Quite the swordsman you have beco. You proved it yet again. Lady Maena will be happy to hear of the successful completion of the mission."
Jolthar frowned slightly at the ntion of Lady Maena, but he didn't let it show on his face. He simply smiled as they started moving out of the valley.
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