[GEM]

The black scaled dragons flew over the mountains of Iceland, passing rocky ravines and forests of evergreens, snow making snakelike patterns in the landscape below them.

Melody's nose and ears were red and cold as she clutched to Muiredach's waist. It was the afternoon now and they'd been flying for a few hours.

[MELODY]

As she was still wearing clothes that weren't for this weather she was shivering from the cold. Then she remembered what she did before while riding with Muiredach. She decided to duck under his cloak again trying to get some warmth.

[GEM]

He lifted a brow as he looked over his shoulder when she did this but then an amused smile began to stretch across his lips that he was lucky she couldn't see, this grin lingering as he felt her curled up against his back.

[MELODY]

He couldn't see that she had gotten a slight blush on her face as she realized that she found this very comforting. She closed her eyes trying to push that thought out of her mind as she tried to warm herself up. But it didn't help that she breathed in an overwhelming amount of his scent.

[GEM]

Runa glanced over at them and seeing the look on his face she held back an amused smirk and when their eyes met, Muiredach wiped the smile from his face as fast as possible, returning to a serious look as he flew.

But Runa grinned to herself and looked ahead again.

They flew for a few more minutes but Muiredach lowered Umbra onto a familiar clearing of the forest, spotting the mangled corpse of a dragon below them that stained the grass with blood.

Umbra's claws met the dirt as she rested her wings and shook her head. He leaned down and rubbed the side of her scales idly as his eyes scanned the ground.

[MELODY]

Melody peeked out from under his cloak when she felt them going down and landing. Once they landed her eyes fell on the corpse. Her eyes widened when she saw it. "..oh gods.." she said quietly, at first wondering what happened to it.

[GEM]

That's when she looked around at the tree-line and it came back to her.

Mortifer landed behind them and Runa glanced around with a quizzical look. "Where are we?"

[MELODY]

Melody let out a deep sigh. "..My home.." she said quietly as she got off. She started walking in the direction of what remained of her cabin.

[GEM]

Muiredach got off his dragon and knelt down to the body of his former Sister. But there was little remorse in his heart for her. She was a cold blooded killer with a sick mind. And he could see that even more clearly now.

Runa plugged her nose with her fingers as the stench of the field was beyond unbearable.

Muiredach put his cloak around his face like a mask as he looked back at Runa and motioned for her to come help him before he began to unfasten the dead woman's skillfully crafted leather gear. 

Melody's steps took her down the familiar pathway until she arrived at the halfway desecrated cottage beside the rotting corpse of that exoskeletal dragon that Muiredach had cut the head off of. The smell was revolting and it assaulted her nose rather aggressively.

[MELODY]

Melody quickly put her cloak in front of her nose and mouth as she looked at it horrified before her eyes fell on the remains of what was once her home. It broke her heart seeing if like this and it made her stop in her tracks as she looked at it.

[GEM]

I curse the ones who were responsible for this, Lyre said as he stood at her side.

[MELODY]

Melody had to hold back her tears as she took a deep breath before stepping closer to the remains. "I do too.." she said quietly to him as she looked through the rubble trying to find anything that survived the attack.

12/13/23, 10:28 AM

[GEM]

Most of her things survived but the north wall was blown, rubble covering her bed and broken glass scattered about the floor, her boots crunching when she stepped on it.

The blood of the dragon was dotted around the floor by the northeast corner, her books fallen into a dusty pile there.

[GEM]

those who hurt my child will taste a cold and bitter death.

[MELODY]

Melody tried not to give into what she was feeling seeing her home destroyed. She didn't want to go down that path. "..I don't want to be vengeful.." she said to him quietly as she walked over to what was the fireplace opening a hidden compartment which had a book in it. It had a black leather bind and runes graved into it. It was her book of shadows. Every witch had one so its content was unique with each individual. "..at least this is safe."

[GEM]

Lyre walked to her side and sat by her. I'm sure the villagers would help you rebuild your cabin should you wish it. It's our job to carry on the legacy of your coven now that they are gone.

[MELODY]

Melody didn't look up at him when he did brushing some dust of her book. She clearly hesitated when he said that not sure what she wanted herself. "..I..I don't know.." she said quietly in reply.

[GEM]

you have great power, dear Melody. And I know you wish to use it for the greater good; to heal those who need it. And to do as your ancestors would do, curing this beautiful yet fallen world of its death and despair... He rested his head against her shoulder like a dog would before he continued. I know you must feel frightened about this. I know the dragons scare you despite my presence. What you need is one of your own. Would you like that?

[MELODY]

Melody glanced up at him as what he said grabbed her attention fully. "My own?" She asked surprised with slightly widened eyes. She wasn't sure what to say to that. She had never thought about that.

[GEM]

Indeed. You are precious to me. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If you are to face dragons, then one should be at your side. Perhaps I can scout the island.

[MELODY]

"That..is actually not a bad idea." She said as a small smile appeared on her face. "..thank you." She said to him lifting her hand to pet him over his forehead as his head was still on her shoulder. "..I know you want what is best for me.."

[GEM]

Always

As they sat there, Melody heard the shuffling of a large animal outside the cabin and Runa shouting commands to her dragon.

[MELODY]

Melody looked up as her eyebrows knitted together in confusion and concern. "What's going on?" She mumbled as she got up. She carefully made her way out of the cabin to see what it was.

[GEM]

When she got outside she saw Runa's dragon picking up the carcass of the other in its claws and carrying it elsewhere, Umbra helping out as well as she discarded the head.

"Your dragon follows orders much better than mine," Runa said to Muiredach as they stood by one another.

[MELODY]

Melody sighed softly watching them with a small smile on her face before she turned back around to receive some more of her items she wanted to take with her. She gathered them all in the leather bag she found before she walked back to Muiredach and Runa.

[GEM]

Mortifer was now scorching what was left of the carcass, filling the air with the smell of burning flesh but after that the stench would be cleared permanently.

Muiredach met Melody as he had the armor from the assassin in his hands. "Relatively clean of blood and still in good condition," he said.

[MELODY]

Melody clearly hesitated when he showed the armor, not sure if she wanted to wear a dead woman's armor. But she nodded giving him a small smile not wanting to seem rude when he offered it to her. "..alright, that's great." She said to him calmly but the emotions from before were still lingering in her eyes.

[GEM]

"Well we could have it cleaned first if that should make you more comfortable," he said with a slight squint, noticing her justified reaction.

[MELODY]

"..if we could..I would feel more comfortable wearing it.." She said honestly to him then with an innocent smile. "..I gathered everything I wanted to get back.." she added then showing him the bag. It was packed to its limit.

[GEM]

He eyed the bag with a thoughtful look, his eyes almost looking slightly amused but in an admirable way as if watching a child do something foolish. "I'm afraid the three of us don't have a sanctuary to return to, darling Melody." He looked to the left, his expression more calculated. "Staying here for a couple of days while we think of a plan would be our best option. As well as spending whatever leftover time we have getting you trained."

[MELODY]

As he said that Melody's mind went back to what Lyre had said to her before. But she just nodded at what he said, smiling still. "..I don't mind staying here for a few days..it's my home after all.."

[GEM]

His eyes looked into hers for a moment. "Runa," he said but his gaze didn't leave Melody's.

The girl looked over at them.

He walked to her and handed her the armor. "Get this cleaned." He moved past her.

"Oh, yes my lord," she said with intense sarcasm.

He turned and said, "Unless you want to switch jobs but..." he looked down at her arms. "I doubt it," he added in a cheeky way before turning back and continuing to walk to the north side of the cabin.

Runa looked annoyed at what Melody assumed was some kind of inside jest. "Dragon's bait," she muttered under her breath and then started towards the stream. "Come on, Mortifer. You're helping me with this."

[MELODY]

Melody watched them as an amused look appeared on her face. She then decided to follow Muiredach curiously. As she walked after him she spotted some herbs growing under a tree. She stopped in her tracks as she went over to them. As she kneeled down, she observed them, tilting her head slightly to the side before she got one of her sickles from her belt and cut the herb from its roots.

[GEM]

He glanced at her but then went back to what he was doing. Unhooking his cloak and letting it fall to the ground, he eyed the structure above him before he carefully stepped through the rubble that was once her cabin wall. He began the process by picking up a long board of lumber with his gloved hands and lugging it from the hole. He whistled then and Umbra crawled down from the tree she was in, her size much larger than that of Mortifer. But she took the lumber in her teeth and chucked it to a pile, waiting for him to give her more.

[MELODY]

Melody looked at the herbs in her hand as she raised them to her face smelling the scent. It made her really happy as she looked like a child with candy. She then glanced over at him as she put them away. "What are you doing?" She asked before picking up his cloak from the group folding it over her arm as she held it.

[GEM]

"Are you asking out of pure confusion or incredulous offense?" he asked as he carried a huge piece of lumber from the ground and gave it to his beast before turning to face her. "If the second, would I be right to assume you didn't want an entire wall of your cottage missing?" he said as he looked down at her.

[MELODY]

"...Are you trying to rebuild it?" She asked him surprised as she met his gaze as she looked up at him.

[GEM]

"With any luck... I can at least get a way to block the elements, for now," he said as his expression was calculated, messing with the buckle on his bracer.

[MELODY]

A smile appeared on her face as he said that. "Alright..so what can I do to help?" She asked him being grateful that he wanted to do that.

[GEM]

There was a hint of a smile in his eyes when he looked at her and then back towards the missing wall. "Tell me, little doe... how did you manage to build this all by your lonesome? Not that I doubt your capabilities of course... Mainly your..." he glanced at her up and down, "adorably small frame," he finished with dry sass.

[MELODY]

As she rolled her eyes her smile grew slightly as she thought back on when she first came here. "It was already here..someone abandoned it..I just made it into my home.."

[GEM]

He finished taking off his bracers as he rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. "Hm," is all he said, wondering if there was more she was leaving out of that story. "Why don't you take the smaller shards and I'll focus on the larger ones?" he said, referring to the wooden rubble.

[MELODY]

Melody nodded as she put her bag down and put her cloak as well as his on top of it before she walked over to the rubble picking up the smaller shards and put them on a pile outside the cabin.

[GEM]

The two of them worked as a team to rid the cabin of hunks of lumber, big and small. They didn't say much as they focused and Muiredach kept quiet.

Eventually he found himself admiring the structure when his hand traced where it was broken off. Someone put a lot of effort and skill into making this home and for some reason he wondered what its story was, his mind trailing off like it often did. But this time his thoughts were curious and peaceful instead of agitated and stressed like they usually were. There was something beautiful in this small moment as the sun shone bright through the leaves, creating designs on their surroundings as it warmed them despite the temperature.

Melody noticed this thoughtful look in his eyes as his brows were pulled together slightly and his hand remained on the wall.

[MELODY]

As she watched him a smile reappeared on her face tilting her head slightly. She wondered what he was thinking about. Ever since she met him she had found him so interesting. She didn't notice she was staring at him.

[GEM]

For the first time he didn't have a clever remark when he realized she was staring at him and he cleared his throat and put his serious expression back on as he continued to work, keeping his thoughts to himself.

[MELODY]

She shook her head slightly when he did as she got a playful smile on her face. "..would you mind telling me what you were thinking about?" She asked him curiously.

[GEM]

He kept an amused smirk away when she said this, his back turned to her. His hair was down in his face on the left side while he worked. "What I am thinking of, hm?" he questioned simply. "I would think asking such a thing would be a great invasion of privacy, would it not?" he teased back in the same tone.

[MELODY]

"..it's just out of interest..I won't force it out of you don't worry." Melody said as she continued working as well. "I could pull it out..with magic..but I am not that curious." She said playfully with a shrug.

[GEM]

"Goodness... that sounds like a threat," he said plainly as he glanced over his shoulder at her, lifting a brow but she knew he was still being playful with her.

[MELODY]

"Maybe..maybe not.." Melody said as she shrugged again making her eyes glow for a second when she glanced up at him just to tease him.

[GEM]

He smirked just slightly at her, liking her feistiness. But he replied with, "And what do you think you would find if you dove into my mind, Melody?" He picked up a heavy log with his hands surprisingly easy, reminding Melody of when he picked her up in his arms without much struggle before...

[MELODY]

"..oh I don't know...whatever dark secrets you hold." She said adding a dramatic tone to her voice as she glanced up at him. A slight blush appeared on her cheeks as she thought of him holding her. 'And who you are truly behind that mask..' she thought to herself as she looked at him.

[GEM]

He chucked the lumber into the pile he had made and came back, his hand slipping under hers when she was trying to lift the bookshelf back up, doing it for her before he looked down at her with only a couple inches between them. "Dark secrets, hm? What did you have in mind?" he had almost a flirtatious look on his face now.

[MELODY]

Melody was totally caught off guard by the look on his face making her blush brighter. "..ehm..well.." she said suddenly nervously. Why did he feel her that way? It was a question that had been going through her mind a lot. "..like.." she suddenly couldn't think of anything as she looked into his eyes.

[GEM]

His brows tugged together at her reaction. "Are you feeling alright, doe? You seem uncomfortable," he teased her but almost did it so well that she didn't realize it.

[MELODY]

"I..I am fine.." she said but not very certain. She didn't break eye contact however when she said this.

[GEM]

He tilted his head to the side just a hint as he narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure about that?" he questioned.

"No..."

His expression was calm but confident, his eyes falling to her neck and collarbone before coming back up to her lips.

"I'd be lying if I said I was surprised to find this when I came back," Runa's voice suddenly said as she was just standing casually against the wall by the door. How long had she been there?

[MELODY]

Runa's voice startled Melody as she finally broke eye contact with him and looked away as she stepped away from him trying to calm herself as her face had gotten red. What was wrong with her? A lot of thoughts were going through her mind right now.

[GEM]

Muiredach didn't flinch. He looked over his shoulder with a raised brow. "I haven't a clue of what you could possibly mean by that," is all said to her as if serious but the slight look in his eyes confirmed a certain level of jesting that was revealed about his statement and he turned to walk back outside smugly.

"Mhm," is all Runa said with disbelief as she watched him leave.

[MELODY]

Melody had hidden her face in her hands as she stood there before glancing up as he walked out. Her eyes fell on Runa then. She wasn't sure herself what it was but the both of them clearly knew. Which made her feel slightly embarrassed.

[GEM]

"Can you just give me a heads up when you two want to get to it? That way I can go far enough that I can't hear it—Oh and your armor is hanging up outside," she said as if that was the more important part of her statement.

[MELODY]

"W-what? When we do what?" Melody asked as her eyes were full of confusion about all this. She felt really dumb at that moment. She then just nodded "t-thank you...for cleaning it.." she said then quietly as she lowered her hands and looked away.

[GEM]

Runa merely gave her a knowing look before turning and leaving out the door.

[MELODY]

Melody just stood there not sure what to do before she sat down trying to piece it together and collect her own thoughts.

[GEM]

The three of them continued to fix up Melody's cabin the rest of the day, Muiredach able to use the manual labor to help him think better. And when the sun got low, Runa had her dragon bring them a doe to make dinner. Muiredach harvested the meat from the anima that Melody then used to make a well crafted venison stew. It was a better meal than they had anticipated and filled them well.

The cottage was clean enough for now as they got all the broken glass and rubble out, covering the missing wall with tapestries that made a barrier between them and the chill wind.

"Finding that stone won't be easy," Runa said as they stood around the hearth, Melody wrapped in a blanket on the floor as Runa leaned her back to the fireplace with a cup of herbal tea in hand.

Muiredach was pacing back and forth slowly. "Any information or clues would only be in one place..." he said quietly.

Runa looked overly skeptical. "You're not getting back there unless you have a death wish."

"Do you see any other options?" he questioned her.

She was trying to solve this as well but it wasn't easy.

[MELODY]

Melody had been very quiet all day, not being herself at all. She just listened to what they were saying now while holding a cup of tea between her hands to warm them. "..isn't there any other place to find those clues? Or someone who knows outside of that place?" She asked them before she glanced up at them from her cup.

12/14/23, 7:30 AM

[GEM]

"Not really. If Mora is one thing it's not sloppy. He's either recruited everyone who has helped him and his spies or had them killed," Runa told her.

Muiredach began muttering names, listing people one by one as he thought about this.

[MELODY]

"..lovely man.." Melody said sarcastically as she let out a deep sigh. "..but I agree with Runa..you aren't getting yourself killed.." she said turning her gaze to Muiredach.

[GEM]

He stopped muttering when she spoke to him. And he shot her a look. "I find your lack of faith in my skill rather insulting," he commented.

[MELODY]

"I do not find your skill lacking.." she narrowed her eyes at him. "..I wouldn't hurt that pride of yours..I just agree that going back there isn't a good idea.." She shot at him rather sharply. But that wasn't the real reason why she didn't want him to go back there.

[GEM]

He copied her expression when she snapped at him but kept his composure. "I was able to get out unseen, wasn't I?"

[MELODY]

"That could have been luck, don't try to test that out again." Melody said her eyes flickering slightly as it showed her emotions were rising.

[GEM]

"We might not have another option, unless you want to present one," he shot back, lifting a brow slightly.

[MELODY]

"I don't know..now but there must be another way..there always is." Melody said as she looked away from him.

[GEM]

He stared at her for a long moment with calculated eyes, not moving... before he said, "Runa, check on Mortifer. I heard rustling."

She sighed. "You know if you two want to have sex you can just tell me—"

He shot her an authoritative look.

She shut up immediately and made a "yikes" look before putting her tea down and walking outside with her cloak on over her shoulders.

Once the door shut, Muiredach stepped toward Melody with his hands behind his back. "You're letting your emotions get the better of you, Melody," he said sternly.

[MELODY]

"..oh don't you dare say that. You know nothing about emotions." She shot at him sharply as she glared at him when she stood up looking him in the eyes.

[GEM]

"Why?" he said almost through his teeth as frustration rose in him, taking another step towards her. "Because I don't feel them? ...Or because I know there are more important things at hand for me to let me succumb to my emotions, as you are in danger of? If I gave in they would destroy me." He spoke coldly to her as he stood before her.

[MELODY]

She didn't dare move when he stepped closer. "No! That's not why! It wouldn't hurt you if you sometimes showed your emotions!" She shot back at him as her eyes had started to glow. But the more worrying thing was the crack that grew on the cup in her hands.

[GEM]

"The very fact that you are losing control over a mere argument right now is proof that you let your emotions dictate how you behave. And you flatter yourself if you think you are the reason why I do what I do."

[MELODY]

"I don't let my emotions control me! I can control myself! Because I do care about others! Unlike you keeping it in, acting like you don't give a damn about me!" Melody felt herself getting more and more frustrated by the second as well as anger rising. The cup had started to crack further coming dangerously close to exploding in her grasp as her magic had started to get out of control. She subconsciously focused it on the cup instead of him. She was so overwhelmed by what she felt before. It frustrated her not knowing what to do with it as it only got stronger being around him. And now he acted like he didn't care. It infuriated her. "You are such a difficult person! I found it amusing at first but now..damn you! I wish I understood why I care so much about you!" She shot at him furiously as the cup exploded making the hot liquid go over her own hands.

[GEM]

He stood there watching this release of passion with seemingly a disinterested expression but something behind his eyes was both frustrated and perhaps hurt as realization of a decision hit him. He looked away. "And this is your opinion of me is it? Then I suppose my other assumption has been proven true." He looked at her intensely, leaning down to her slightly as he said, "You know nothing about me." He then stood up straight and left out the door.

[MELODY]

It was out before she could stop it. She stared into his eyes regret and pain now showing in her eyes as she watched him leave. Then she shut her eyes tightly as she cursed at herself in pain. The hot tea burning into her skin as she felt tears burning behind her eyes not only from that pain..

[GEM]

Runa saw Muiredach leave and walk into the woods to perhaps clear his head. She decided to leave him alone and instead she walked into the cabin again, confusion laced on her face as to what all that was about.

She saw Melody trying to wipe her hands and the broken clay cup on the floor with the tea splashed on the wooden boards beneath her feet.

"I suppose I was wrong about the way that was going to end," she remarked bluntly before fetching a damp rag and handing it to her.

[MELODY]

Her eyes had stopped glowing as she looked up when she heard Runa speak. "I-it's my fault..for snapping at him.." she said quietly as tears were clearly visible in her eyes now. She used the rag Runa handed her to wipe her hands trying to cool her skin before attempting to use her magic to heal it.

[GEM]

As she tried to use her magic to heal herself it wasn't working like she thought it would.

[MELODY]

She let out a deeply frustrated sigh. "Oh for the love of the goddess! Why?!" She cursed at herself again as she dropped the rag and stood up, turning around quickly burying her face in her hands. She started to sob quietly as she did.

[GEM]

Runa was already at her side with the juice from an aloe plant in a bottle that was on Melody's shelf.

[MELODY]

Melody glanced over at her as she quickly wiped away her tears. "I-I am sorry..I don't know why..it frustrates me so much.." she said as she took the bottle from her after thanking her for it. She opened it and put a few drops on one of her hands before putting the bottle away. She then rubbed the juice into both hands.

[GEM]

Runa had a bowl and she knelt down to help Melody collect the broken pieces of pottery in it. "Well... he didn't handle it well but he's right about one thing: you are a mess," she remarked plainly but instead of the tone Muiredach often took, Runa's words were laced with playfulness.

[MELODY]

"..oh believe me..I know that.." Melody said sighing deeply as she tried to get herself together again while picking up the pieces from the cup.

[GEM]

She smirked a little in amusement as she dropped a piece of pottery into the bowl beside her. "You can't expect him to have good people skills... given the life he's lived," she pointed out.

[MELODY]

"..well he is right..I know nothing about him..so I don't know what his life is like. But he doesn't know me either.." Melody said back to her regretting what she said before to him. "..I shouldn't have said the things I did..I don't know why I care so much honestly..I don't even know him..or you..and you don't know me.."

[GEM]

"How well must a man know another before we care for for them? I didn't know him at all when we met. But... that didn't stop me from caring. He knew me far better but... there was something about him that didn't match his hard exterior, something deep inside. He didn't show it in the conventional ways but after I had been in the Brotherhood for probably only a week I knew he would die for me. I couldn't explain it. It's like I could read his eyes instead of his lips... if that even makes sense." She started cleaning the spot with the cloth.

[MELODY]

"...it does make sense..." Melody said after being quiet for a moment letting Runa's words sink in. "..so..how did you meet him? I know it was by that bakery.." she asked carefully with a small smile on her face but genuine interest in her eyes.

[GEM]

She was thoughtful for a moment while she considered the whole story. "I was orphaned in England when I was small. Don't remember my father. But my mother was beaten to death by a man at the brothel; a man who had then turned pirate and I tracked him for years until just two years ago when I finally found him in an inn in Iceland... I waited for the right moment..." her eyes looked ahead distantly. "And I sliced his throat while he slept." She set the wet cloth in the bowl but sat down on the hearth as she continued. "Muiredach found me not long after. I was hiding behind the bakery in the rain, sleeping on wooden crates with no possessions and nothing to my name. I couldn't even manage to steal food very well." She smiled just slightly as she remembered that. "He told me he would give me a purpose, sharpen the skills I had, the anger I felt... to use it for the greater good. He believed in Mora's way... as did we all... before the truth came out about that monster."

[MELODY]

She listened closely to what she was telling her as she sat down next to her. She was a bit shocked by her past. "...So what happened to make him..lose his faith in Mora?"

[GEM]

She stared ahead for a long time as she slowly shook her head. "I don't know..." she admitted. "I only found out he was a double agent the day I met you."

[MELODY]

Melody nodded slightly watching her quietly before she spoke again. "So...what made you lose your faith in Mora?" She asked her calmly.

[GEM]

"There have been signs for a while... The first time I spoke to Muriedach about them it was my last mission... when I came home from murdering an innocent man and watching his family scream in horror at the sight. Even if I didn't know the whole story at the time I knew I was the one in the wrong. I was the monster that day... and I was in danger of falling into an unknown path. But Muiredach told me to remember who the real enemy is and I... I don't know. I think I began to understand then what was happening. I watched Tempus Mora's true colors revealed thereafter. And when Muiredach left I knew I had to leave with him. I'm just glad Mora has bigger things to worry about or we'd both be dead by now."

[MELODY]

Concern started showing in her eyes as she tried to keep a calm expression noticing this was something that was difficult for Runa talking openly about this. "..so what made him leave so suddenly?" She asked her carefully but still calmly.

[GEM]

This story was harder for her to tell but she did it anyway. And this time she didn't break down. "The head of the Brotherhood tried to rape me," she said and looked at Melody with a strong gaze, not afraid of what happened anymore, nor keeping it some secret. She was tired of secrets. "And when I escaped I told Muiredach. While I was sleeping he snuck into the man's chambers and killed him," she said with a twinge of justice in her tone, knowing Valmaor more than earned that death.

[MELODY]

Melody's eyes widened as she told that horrible thing that happened to her without any fear or trauma. It made her decide to keep herself back from trying to comfort the girl not knowing if that would be helpful. "..I am sorry that happened to you..must have been horrible." She said with held back sympathy which still shined through anyway. She couldn't imagine how she must have felt.

[GEM]

"It was... but I'm determined not to let that break me. I have a stronger sense of purpose now than ever before and I intend to see that through just like him."

[MELODY]

Melody nodded slowly before she scooted closer to her and opened her arms to offer her a hug without saying anything.

[GEM]

Runa wasn't expecting that but when was she? She'd been living in a world of narcissists and lunatics her whole life who would sooner eat her like a cannibal than embrace her in any way. There was sudden youth in her eyes when she looked at Melody that she had never seen in her before now, reminding Melody she was still very much a child. And she accepted the hug slowly, resting her head on Melody's shoulder.

[MELODY]

Melody put her arms around her, holding her close but not too tight to make her feel uncomfortable. She didn't speak still not sure what to say as she was sure Runa wasn't used to this the way she grew up. She just decided to quietly hum a song her mother always sang when she was little.

[GEM]

Runa shut her eyes, pretending for just a moment that Melody was her own mother there to comfort her like she had always wanted.

After a few minutes Runa pulled back and said, "Thank you," to her sincerely.

[MELODY]

Melody gave her a warm smile as she shook her head slightly. "..you needed it..I could see that." She said before looking up at one of the remaining windows wondering about Muiredach. If he was alright.

[GEM]

She noticed this distraction in her and commented, "I know you think he doesn't care about you but... I don't think you quite understand. He doesn't smile. He doesn't flirt. He doesn't jest. He is loyal only to truth and justice and not to people alone. He's a cranky, cold, damaged son of a bitch who's been living in a tangled two-faced world his whole life. Now I've brought out some of the human beneath that shell... But you two just met a few days ago and you've already gotten him to do all of the things I just listed, haven't you?"

[MELODY]

Melody glanced over at her again as she tried to let what she said so sink in. "..I did?" She asked in surprise. She tried to recall if she did manage to do so when her eyes widened again in realization. But what did that mean? That she managed to make him do those things? She looked confused about that.

[GEM]

"Now you are the only one he's been companied with with an actual moral center and even a heart... Plus you're sweet, selfless, beautiful, and pure. So I assume you bring out the best qualities in everyone you meet," she observed. "That being said... I think he has a genuine soft spot for you... After all he was more than reluctant to leave you behind even if I tried to," she added with slight humor in her tone.

[MELODY]

A slight blush appeared on her face when Runa said all those things about her as it slowly began to dawn on her what this meant. "..I am sorry I..am a bit clueless I guess..when it comes to this.." she said sighing softly still not sure about all this.

[GEM]

"So am I. I've never had a friend..." she admitted thoughtfully.

[MELODY]

A small smile appeared on her face when she said that. "I had a few..when I was younger..but I haven't had a friend in years..living in my own here.." she said as she looked around the cabin.

[GEM]

"Aside from your spirit guide of course," she said with a smile.

[MELODY]

"Wait..what? How did you..?" Melody asked her in surprise. How did she notice Lyre?

[GEM]

"What?" she asked cluelessly. "Is it supposed to be some kind of a secret? Don't all witches have them?"

[MELODY]

"..Ehm..well yes...I just..try to hide him as good as possible.." Melody said honestly as she checked if she could sense Lyre before she told her.

[GEM]

She didn't feel his presence around her at the moment.

"Well then your secret is safe with me I suppose," she told her, not really getting it.

[MELODY]

"..Thank you.." Melody said with a small smile. "I understand it's a bit confusing..but I can't talk about him..even if he isn't here right now."

[GEM]

"Where is he?" she asked with a brow raised, confused.

[MELODY]

"I honestly don't know..he comes and goes.." She said with a shrug.

[GEM]

She smiled a little but didn't really understand it all too well. "I should go find my somber companion before he hurts himself," she said like he was an irresponsible teenager, the joke dry as Muiredach was actually the one taking care of them most of the time. She stood after saying this.

[MELODY]

There was clear hesitation in her as she just nodded with half a smile. "I will..stay here..I doubt if he wants to see me right now."

[GEM]

"Well I'm not sure about that. But regardless I'll need to slap some sense into him," she said before leaving out the door, a chill wind blowing in for the short moment that it was open.

[MELODY]

Melody sighed softly watching her leave as she turned her attention back to the fire in the fireplace.

[GEM]

Muiredach latched his saddle bag on Umbra as he stood outside the line of trees to the meadow, the moon shining brightly overhead now as the aurora was visible between the stars. He shut his eyes and took in a long breath, making sure this was the decision he had to make. And of course he had to. But that didn't stop the guilty feelings he had about it...

He was about to put up his hood, preparing to also put his mask over his face because of the cold when a voice cut through his thoughts.

"If you think you could just slip away unnoticed you'd be wrong," Runa said as she leaned against a tree.

"I knew there was a possibility you'd catch me," he replied with his back turned.

"Then I assume you have a reason prepared for why you're leaving."

He thought about it but then said coldly, "Stay with Melody for now. I'm going to find that stone and get us one step closer to ending this. She'll be alright here. It's where she belongs," he said as he adjusted the weapons' strap on the saddle.

Runa knew him better than that and she hesitated before saying. "You're leaving because she's attached to you. And you don't want to hurt her by not making it through this fight."

He stopped what he was doing and didn't turn around, pain in his eyes.

"Well I'm attached to you too... does that mean you're going to leave me?"

Silence fell over them both as that sentence stung him more than he thought it would. He didn't want to... and hadn't intended to but perhaps that would be for the best as well, seeing as he wasn't sure how this was going to end. Truth be told he had forfeited his life long ago when he became a double agent, understanding the very likely consequences as well as no longer caring for his own life because of the things he had done...

So dying didn't bother him as much as it bothered the people that loved him... Which is why he didn't want to be loved. He didn't deserve it anyway...

"Your solution seems to be to live life alone as you go about making enemies because you don't want them to get killed or be hurt when you do... But you're wrong. You know you're wrong. I know you're wrong," she began to sound more passionate the longer she spoke. "I would have been dead if I hadn't met you and you would still be caught up in Mora's conquest if not for your devotion to me and my vulnerability with you, and Melody would certainly be dead if you hadn't saved her... ...Life is not meant to be lived alone, Muiredach. We're supposed to have each other no matter the hurt that comes of it... You're all that we have," she admitted with a heavy heart.

He kept quiet, processing her words before he spoke... but nothing seemed to come to his mind for once. His lips were frozen as his fingers lingered at a small metal buckle... His heart's outer shell cracked with sadness at her lonely words and he kept there for a moment.

"More importantly you promised me you'd always be there for me. So if you leave you'd be breaking that," she finally said before turning and walking back into the woods now, saying all that she needed to as she disappeared...

He shut his eyes slowly...

Melody was lying on her back on her bed, eyes watching the ceiling. She was finding it hard to sleep and Muiredach still hadn't returned. Runa was passed out on her bedroll by the fireplace, plenty of blankets and pillows to keep her warm and comfortable as she insisted Melody sleep in her own bed.

The light from the moon made her room glow as it shone through the windows, her eyes able to see well in the dark anyway...

[MELODY]

A deep sigh escaped her mouth as she sat up, looking out the window next to her. The longer he was gone the more restless she grew. That's when she decided to go look for him. She got her cloak and boots on as well as attaching her sickles to her belt as she walked out into the forest. She tried to use her magic somehow to track him.

[GEM]

For some reason, it seemed her magic wasn't really working well. And she still didn't feel Lyre around her.

[MELODY]

She took a trembling breath as she cursed at her magic in her mind. She decided then to use her instincts and tried to find him in the places in the forest she thought he would be.

[GEM]

As her boots crunched the dirt and pine needles beneath them, she smelled dew in the air for beckoning the early morning that was probably only five or so hours away now. Her breath made clouds before her lips but her fur cloak kept her warm in the crisp night air. There was something... oddly peaceful about the forest tonight that she couldn't explain... a stillness... a comforting loneliness.

She could hear the distant coo of an owl that accompanied the crickets chirping the night away. This was one of the first moments she had where she didn't feel eyes on her at all times and it was... soothing.

Lost in her thoughts and the beauty of the evergreen forest, eventually she realized she'd walked all the way to the stream, hearing the water moving from where she was.

As she walked down the slope and casually scanned the area, she noticed something at last.

His cloak and armor were resting on the riverbank but he seemed to be nowhere in sight.

Just as she was wondering where he could be, someone sprung from the water ahead, this part of the stream being the deepest it got as he was able to hide his whole form in the water. But he was now standing with the water at his hips, rubbing the cold liquid back through his hair as he breathed heavily, probably feeling like a block of ice.

His back was turned to Melody, water falling off a pale and muscular form with only his trousers covering his lower half, a nasty three clawed scar diagonally from his left shoulder to his right hip.

She was far enough away that she was certain he didn't notice she was there.

[MELODY]

A slight blush appeared on her face as she watched him quietly as a lot of questions went through her mind. What was he doing in that freezing water? And why did he stay out here all alone? She carefully walked closer to him trying to be as stealthy as she could so she wouldn't notice her.

[GEM]

Unfortunately the forest floor was a difficult terrain to be silent in. She just hoped the sound of the stream was enough to cover that.

He was still breathing heavily as he kept his back to her, his breath making the same mist in the air that Melody's made but larger as he was huffing more. He then took a long breath through his nose as he felt refreshed from the ice water as well as clean after a long day of manual labor, his eyes closed for a moment.

As she got closer he finally said, "You should be sleeping, Melody."

[MELODY]

Melody was startled when he started speaking to her making her stop in her tracks before she shook that off. Of course he would notice anyone coming up at him but how did he know it was her? "..I couldn't sleep...so I just wanted to see if you were doing alright.." she said honestly at a soft tone.

[GEM]

He looked down at his hands, breathing deeply still as he thought about how to reply to her. "You needn't be concerned about me, little doe. I'll get through as I always have." He checked his arm for the injury he had gotten in that fight days ago and saw it was healing just fine.

[MELODY]

Melody was quiet for a moment before she replied. "..I know you can handle yourself..but that doesn't mean I can't worry about you."

[GEM]

He considered this and of course she was right. His eyes looked before him softly at her words before he turned, his expression hard again. He began to walk from the water towards her as it splashed around his thighs until he was on dry land again. He was close to her as he said, "I won't trouble you with the tangled thoughts that are at constant war in my mind. It would be more burdensome than you think." He then tried to pass her by.

[MELODY]

She didn't hesitate for even a second as she stopped him. "You can trouble me with them..I am not letting you leave again." She said before she realized she placed her hand on his abdomen which was bare at that moment making her blush deeply in reaction when she realized that.

[GEM]

He noticed this as well and glanced down at her hand, giving her a curious look but she noticed a redness on his lower cheeks that she decided was probably from the cold water but in reality her touch made his blood run hot as it warmed his entire body in seconds despite the frigid air. His skin was cold to the touch for her and it made a shiver go through her even though the reason could have been something else...

[MELODY]

She glanced up at him when she hesitantly removed her hand as she started talking again. "..I-i..didn't like how we..left things before..I regret..some of the things I said.." she said trying to concentrate on what she was saying which was difficult once again with him so close to her and bare-chested. "I-I know you care about me. I mean you saved my life for the goddess's sake. More than once..."

[GEM]

The smooth and toned state of his torso didn't surprise her but the aspect that drew her gaze in the most was the scars. All of them were different and likely had different stories to each.

His eyes fell down her form briefly as well before he looked away, his expression revealing contemplation. "Very well. But perhaps I should put on some clothing first so you can concentrate," he teased plainly, his expression not changing but he did wink at her smugly before he retrieved his clothes from the riverbank.

[MELODY]

Her face got more red when he pointed that out as she looked away towards the river trying to pull herself together. "A-Alright.." she said sighing softly trying to focus on the forest around them.

[GEM]

He smirked a bit at her reaction.

Sitting in front of a freshly made fire, their backs were resting against Umbra's warm scales. He was wearing his sleeved hooded robes loosely over his body but the front was left open, giving a peek of his chest and abdomen like a stripe down the middle of his torso. He wore dry trousers now and gloves with his boots again. And he stared into the flames with a somewhat hard expression but a thoughtful one.

[MELODY]

With her gaze on the fire in front of them as well, she tried to think of what to say to him. There had been still silence ever since they sat down there. She glanced up at him from time to time hesitant if she should break the silence and speak first.

[GEM]

"To anticipate your next question... I was in the cold water because it silences my mind," he said to her plainly, his eyes still on the dancing flames.

Ironically, it was the first question she considered as they sat in silence.

[MELODY]

"..alright...if it helps.." She said quietly still keeping her gaze on the flames as well. "..so what were you thinking about?" She asked him softly but carefully.

[GEM]

"Well first... I was thinking of the faces of those innocents I've killed while assuming I was doing good for the world... They haunt my dreams," he answered with a serious gaze, not looking at her yet. "Second, I was thinking of the regret I feel recruiting Runa into that cult. Third... I was thinking about whether or not I am even doing what's right after all, or if I am as blind now as I was then. The only thing I can make sense of is the destruction of evil... Evil has taken the face of Tempus Mora. So I will do everything in my power to stop him... whatever that takes." He had his arm draped over his propped up knee as he spoke.

[MELODY]

Melody stayed quiet for a moment before she replied to what he said. "You can't change what you did in your past..and blame yourself for it...and I agree that evil has to be stopped..but you can't carry that burden on your own." She said finally glancing up at him. "You will need others to also stand up against him.."

[GEM]

"I know there are a great many people who likely want his head removed. So no, I'm not alone in that... But I will do my part..." He finally looked at her, his brows knit together but his eyes thoughtful as the orange light made his ice irises look almost a silver-green. "And I do blame myself, little doe. They were my actions and mine alone."

[MELODY]

"..some people just do bad things when they are misguided and believe it's right.." Melody said to him as she admired the color in his eyes. "..you shouldn't blame yourself.." she said to him softly.

[GEM]

"I'm not afraid of the blame, Melody. Even bathing in it... it fuels me. Now when I remember what I have done, I do whatever I can to correct my mistake and save others rather than taking their lives. I won't forget what I did... but that doesn't mean it affects me for the worse now."

[MELODY]

Melody sighed softly nodding slightly "I guess..that makes sense.." she said to him although she wished she could take that guilt and those souls lingering away from him. "Anything else you were thinking of?" She asked him then softly

[GEM]

His expression hadn't changed much and still didn't when he turned his head and gazed back into the flames distantly. "I was thinking about your attachment to me," he admitted, something more to that than just that one statement but it was what he began with.

[MELODY]

"Attachment?" Melody raised an eyebrow as she got a confused expression on her face. "...what do you mean? Like a spirit attachment?"

[GEM]

He almost smirked when she reacted with confusion and he looked at her, brow raised a bit. "Darling you shattered a cup expressing how much you cared about me, let's not play the coy game," he said with his eyes narrowed in slight sass.

[MELODY]

A blush appeared on her cheeks again as she looked away from him now getting what he meant by attachment. "Alright..I admit I care about you..a lot." She said the last bit quietly.

[GEM]

"Mm," is the only thing he said to comment on that before looking ahead again, a silence taking them for a moment. "As I was saying... You lost your entire family and all those you loved... and when I realized you were close with me it worried me. I likely won't make it out of this fight alive and if I hadn't, then you would have to go through that pain all over again... Then I remembered what I said to you that night in the inn... that I would not leave you... And I wrestled with which decision was more selfish; that I should leave and spare you the pain of my departure as your attachment grew, yet breaking my promise... or that I should stay and keep said promise... but risk you being hurt on account of me..." he admitted quietly. This was the most he had ever shared with her and it gave her a peek into his mind.

[MELODY]

Her eyes widened in surprise when he told her that. She hadn't expected him to share so much. She took a deep breath glancing up at him again. "..it's part of caring for someone...the risk of losing them and going through grief..it's part of life..but you better keep that promise.." she said as she looked down at her hand closest to him.

[GEM]

He had a smile hinted at in his eyes when she said that and glanced at her, the firelight highlighting his sharp jawline and dimpled cheeks beautifully, as well as the scars on the left side of his face. He lifted one brow slightly. "I am a vagabond, Melody..." he told her. "With no roots and no home. I have a past with too many scars, present with too much pain, and future with too little hope... The best thing for anyone to do is to steer clear of me."

[MELODY]

"..Well I have no plan for the future...nothing much to damage..I will just stick around you.." Melody said as a small smile appeared on her face as she watched him.

[GEM]

There was something unreadable behind his eyes as he looked into hers that she couldn't decipher. What she just said was... admittedly adorable. It took everything in him not to smile or reveal how his heart warmed at this.

What had happened? Too much over the past few days, it was true. His world had been flipped on its head too many times to count. And now here was this woman... how sweet and devoted she was to him... selfless... caring... Why? What could he possibly give her?

He stared at her with a curiosity for her and why she clung to him. Perhaps she was lonely and he was there... He thoughts about what Runa said about both of them only having him now... As he looked at her, he made a new decision.

And that was to not leave them.

Either of them.

As there was air he could breathe, he would be there for them always.

He looked away again as the quiet took over, the sound of crackling fire a music with the crickets and faint breeze. "...You didn't hurt me with your words back there..." He glanced at her. "Just so you know..." he then looked at the flames. "I've got a thicker skin than you know..."

[MELODY]

"I don't...have thick skin..that's why I was worried I did hurt you with my words.." she said quietly as she still kept her gaze on him.

[GEM]

"Your skin is like a flower petal, my dear," he teased her with dry humor.

[MELODY]

The blush returned to her cheeks when he said that as she nervously put a lock of her hair behind her ear. "..Thank you..I think.."

[GEM]

"I meant metaphorically, Melody," he said plainly.

[MELODY]

"..I know that..I am not that clueless.." Melody said sighing slightly irritated as she looked away from him. Way to ruin the mood..

[GEM]

He smirked to himself with humor but also adoration in his eyes as he gazed ahead again. "Well if I am hard on you... it's because I see a spark in you," he admitted, the tone turning serious again. "I wish to turn this spark into a flame. And I don't know what is holding you back but whatever it is, you must let it go." He looked at her with an intensely deep stare. "I've seen what you can do. It's time you claimed your independence and power for your own... with no emotional wreckage holding you back. You have this great resolve in you... I know it... If you truly want to help in this war you must get tougher... and that means controlling your emotions before they consume you... putting yourself in a place of purpose and resist your urges to violence, hate, sadness, worry... even desire." he lifted his brow just a tad at that last word, almost tilting his head to the side but not quite.

[MELODY]

There was hesitation clear in her expression as he said that about her independence and power. She knew she couldn't use her magic without Lyre properly or not at all. She couldn't tell him about that..even if she wanted to. She almost told Runa about him before. And letting her family and tribe members who she missed dearly go..was going to be difficult. But she raised her eyebrow and glanced up at him when he started over desire. What did he mean by that? "Well lucky for me I have good self control over myself when it comes to resisting what I want." She said as she returned her gaze to the flames of the fire.

[GEM]

He gave her a challenging look. "Really?" he asked skeptically... and then took her thigh in his hand, using his other to push her back to the ground suddenly as he was over her in a flash, his face only two inches from hers. His hand moved up her leg and hip as he looked down at her seductively with intention, moving his lips near her ear as she could feel his hot breath on her skin making chill bumps all over her body. His hand was holding the curve of her bare waist now under her tunic. His cloak was still open as it revealed the center of his bare torso now incredibly close to her own. "And... what about now?" he asked her teasingly, his voice soft and electric when he spoke into her ear like that.

[MELODY]

Melody let out a surprised yelp when he did that as she felt blood rushing to her face making it color red. An overwhelming feeling started rushing inside her as well as her heart racing, making her mind go completely out of control. She tried to keep herself in as she attempted to say something—anything—but stopped herself, not sure what to say.

[GEM]

He lifted his head to look at her, an overconfidence in his hypnotic eyes as he noticed how nervous she was, his lips intensely close to hers as he took his hand and used his pointer finger to trace a line down the center of her throat... over her collarbone... and all the way to the dip just under her rib cage. "What is it that you want to do now Melody?" he whispered to her, thinking he'd stumped her.

[MELODY]

She gulped away her overwhelmingly tempting thoughts, narrowing her eyes as she realized what he was doing. She suddenly grabbed the fabric of his cloak with one of her hands and pulled him even closer, staring into his eyes. But when their lips were about to touch she suddenly pushed herself off the ground with her legs as she rolled them both around, holding him down with one knee on his chest as she held a dagger to his throat. "..you underestimated me...your mistake.." she said with a sudden sharp edge to her voice as she looked down at him.

[GEM]

He was surprised by her maneuver, not thinking she had a clear enough head to make it. It wasn't often that someone would go toe to toe with him, so to speak. He had his hand on her thigh as he wasn't worried she would actually cut him. He looked at her with a forced calmness, hiding how impressed he was and how... on fire his skin felt despite the chill on his chest. His whole body wanted hers now. But he lifted a brow and smirked. "There it is... your fire." He glanced her up and down before he narrowed his eyes, showing a teasing look in them. "It's about time."

[MELODY]

She scoffed at his reaction as she slowly leaned in to speak into his ear this time, her hand on his bare abs just below his chest. "That's all you wanted?" she asked him teasingly before she got off him and stood up.

[GEM]

He smirked again at her teasing and propped himself up on his elbows as he looked at her. "Perhaps it was..." He then stood up in front of her as he looked down into her eyes with that smug teasing gaze. "For now..." he added cheekily before he walked past her to get his things and put out the fire.

[MELODY]

As she looked over her shoulder watching him a warm smile appeared on her face before she looked away, putting the dagger back on her belt. But her mind was still racing as well as her heart but it was slowing down. "..for now.." she mumbled thoughtfully as she waited for him.

[GEM]

Back at the cabin, they were quiet so as to not wake Runa but they took Melody's bed as it was big enough for two and now as Muiredach wore his long sleeved black wool tunic and his leather trousers, he reclined at her side but she caught him looking at her for a moment, his gaze soft and thoughtful.

[MELODY]

Melody was looking over her shoulder at him laying with her back to him as she smiled before laying her head back down trying to get some sleep. She was glad she had made the decision to go look for him. Slowly she fell asleep after a while feeling better now that they were all in the cabin together.

[GEM]

Muiredach tore his eyes away from her to look at the ceiling but a small smile found it's way to his lips.