Just Tea

Writers: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 24th August 2015

Characters: Stennar, Sofeya
Description: Sofeya leans something disquieting about Stennar.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 19 of Turn 8

Finding place to spend time with Sofeya was bit problematic, when you lived
with your mother and bunch of siblings. Luckily, as a healer, he knew who
was staying in the infirmary and Sofeya, as a drudge, knew if they lived
alone and could get her hands on keys. After all, someone had to clean the
place while the owner was sick. Zelanka wouldn't accept anything else. This
bed was in a small cot just next to the butcher's. The owner was single man
and kept in infirmary for over night because of badly broken leg.

Sofeya seemed to have dozed off after their rather vigorous love making.
Nothing like knowing you're intruder in someone's else's bed to give it
little extra spice. Stennar couldn't sleep though. He felt his heart racing
and slight balm of sweat on his forehead. Clammy, cold sweat, not the kind
exercise caused. It was time to dose himself again. He carefully slipped
out under the furs, went around the bucket and mop she had abandoned to the
middle of floor. The cot had small kitchen and he soon had a water boiling.

Although she had been truly asleep, Sofeya wasn't so deeply into slumber
that she didn't awaken as Stennar moved about. She rolled over and
stretched languoriously, then let her arms flop over her stomach. Although
she was a bit parched, she loathed the idea of leaving the softness and
warmth of the bed. Silently, she turned over, able to see Stennar from
where she lay, but remained quiet in order that sleep might join her again
and soon.

Stennar's hands shook when he poured the boiling water over the herbs. He
stirred it and waited impatiently. The herbs needed sometime to infuse.

What was he doing? Curiousity won over fatigue and her eyes opened a
little wider as she watched him with his preparations. As far as she knew
no one needed any sort of concoction, so what was the purpose of his late
night chore?

"Come on, come on," Stennar murmured, waiting it to be ready. His feet
tapped nervously against the floor. He was showing all the signs of addict
waiting for his fix.

Sofeya stirred a little in the best, just enough to prop herself upon her
elbow as she watched the man. As she studied him, she noted his shaking
hands, the sweat upon his brow and the nervous tension in his body. She'd
seen this before, but hadn't expect it in him!

Stennar's brew was finally done. He sipped the hot liquid carefully,
blowing to the surface to cool it off.

"Whatcha got there?" Sofeya's voice finally broke through the silence and
she sat up fully in bed, watching him closely.

"Just tea," Stennar answered quickly. "You want some?" he asked, his eyes
scanning the shelves. He was relieved to notice that there was indeed jar
of the usual herbal tea people liked to drink.

"That, my dear, is not tea." Sofeya rose from the bed, the sheets
fluttering down her form as she slipped away from their grasp. "I'm not a
fool, Stennar."

"You can't tell about this to anyone," Stennar said with urgent tone, a
panic setting in.

"And why not?" Of course, Sofeya knew the answer. Stennar's tone, the
gleam in his eye and the panic in his face spoke volumes. The man had a
vice and its grip was powerful. If she let out his secret, she knew it
could and probably would destroy him - and he was very aware of that fact
as well.

**Because it isn't exactly legal to steal from patients, because I would
lose my knots,** frantic, guilty thoughts swirled thru Stennar's mind.
"They wouldn't understand," he finally said with a pleading look. "It's
just something that helps me keep going after long days."

"So it's not something you _need_, hm?" Sofeya fairly purred the words as
she leaned toward the healer. "I bet you don't need it at all. Of course,
if you _want_ it, well...then what's in it for me?"

"Depends on what do you want," Stennar replied. He lifted his hands to
stroke her arms, hoping to distract her.

Immediately, Sofeya retreated from his touch. He might attempt to redirect
her attention, but she knew when she was sitting on a golden opportunity.
"How about this. You owe me and you owe me big. Perhaps I'll keep your
little secret. When I need something, I'll let you know."

Like Stennar had any choice, she could ruin him. "It's a deal," Stennar
replied and hated her so much. And himself too.

Last updated on the September 1st 2015

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Just Tea