A New Life

Writers: Devin, Kaysea
Date Posted: 19th March 2009

Characters: Royani, Marod
Description: Marod comes home celebrating a bonus.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 5

Marod smiled as he walked through the cool stone corridors. Tomorrow was a rest day and he had a few marks set aside so they could enjoy themselves. Clouds had passed over this morning, but the afternoon had been bright and warm. He hoped the weather would hold. Turning another corner, he reached the small quarters he called home.

He stepped inside and his smile widened. "Hello, dear." He slipped his arms around Royani's waist and gave her a soft kiss.

Her arms slipped around his shoulders as she tilted her face willingly to his kiss. "Mmm.. You're in a good mood, any special reason?" she asked, unconsciously returning his smile.

"I got another bonus today. If things keep going this well, I might be able to open my own shop next turn." And if that went well, he might start thinking about a cothold.

"Really?" her eyes widened in surprise, "That's wonderful news." she reached up and kissed him again, "Congratulations." The news of a bonus was always good, but... she still hoped that one day they could return south. After everything they had been through, she still wanted to return to at least visit her family - and introduce Marod to them. It was always in the back of her mind, but she couldn't take Marod's hopes and dash them - not now, not since they had settled in so well here.

"And tomorrow, we can go to the beach. We can use some of my bonus for treats, and maybe you can find something nice when we pass through the market." They were so much better off than they had been, running, dressed in rags, begging and stealing to survive. They had a small but pleasant home, nice clothes, always enough to eat. But Royani was of the Blood. She should have fine dresses, jewelry ... she _deserved_ the best. Marod knew he couldn't give her what she deserved, but he was going to try to give her the best he could.

"The beach sounds lovely." she smiled up at him, "but...I don't need anything from the market, shouldn't we be saving the marks for your shop?"

"I set aside half already. You deserve something nice," he said.

"You don't have to." her arms tightened perceptibly around his waist. "Just being here, _safe_, with you, is enough."

"I will always keep you safe," he promised. He still felt guilt about putting her in danger in the first place, and he didn't know if he could ever do enough to make up for it.

"Whenever I am in your arms, I feel safe." she met his eyes, hers glimmering with unshed tears, "You've done so much for me." For an instant the murderous face of Klegen flashed into her mind and she shuddered in memory of how close she had come to being killed.

He held her tighter. "Not enough," he said softly.

"You saved my life..." she said, her voice soft and tremulous. "is that 'not enough'?"

"I endangered your life in the first place." He'd lured her away from her privileged life so he could earn a few marks. How could he have been so selfish?

"True, but you realised very quickly that what you did was wrong, and everything you have done since has been to make up for it. If it hadn't been you, it would have been someone else - someone who may have been like Klegen and Boesyn. I thank Faranth for you every day." her voice held all the emotion she had experienced since the fateful night when he had kidnapped her.

Marod didn't know what to say, so he simply kissed her.

Last updated on the March 19th 2009

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A New Life