BYRON & CALLI: JUST WATCH
Taking place during Adventure Log XXII: On The Move
With the setting of the sun the days travelling was over and the Flowers began looking for a suitable camp site. After a few minutes they identified a spot sheltered by a copse of trees and began what was quickly becoming an efficient process of setting up camp. With tents erected, the firepit dug, wood scavenged for a fire and rations consumed the sun finally left the sky leaving the Flowers for a few minutes sitting together basking in the heat from the fire, it's flickering orange and yellow light and the comfortable silence of friends.
"I'll take the first watch," volunteered Byron as everyone prepared to either get their rest or begin their nightly rituals of praying , learning spells or catching some shut eye.
"And me," Calli added, interrupting the idle conversation she'd been having with Nightingale. She gave her bodyguard an apologetic look, and the older gentleman returned a bemused smile.
Goodnights were exchanged, and the rest of the party split off into the two tents: Taylan and Travis in one, Gale and Lil Focher in the other. They'd learned after the first disastrous night that sleeping alone was a risky endeavor. It wasn't long before snores rippled from the Old Korvosans, and only a bit longer before Nightingale dismissed his mage light in his own.
Calliandra thanked her tiny Lyrakein, Rune, for her company, and dismissed her back to whatever realm the small creature called home, before wandering over to sit next to Byron by the fire.
Looking at the beautiful bard as she approached Byron made room for her by the fire. The nights had finally lost their chill, but the heat was still a welcome balm for sore muscles after yet another long day of riding.
"It was my birthday today," she kept her voice low, to not disturb the slumbering Flowers, "I'm fully twenty years old now. Not a bad one, either. Beautiful surroundings and good company." She leaned closer momentarily to bump her shoulder into his for emphasis. "And no one tried to kill us! Bonus."
"In that case Happy Birthday," answered the barbarian, "you kept that close?"
She shrugged and considered how to explain. "Everyone's got enough on their minds right now. I didn't feel right trying to make a big deal out of it."
"Hence the tarts this morning," Byron suddenly concluded. "They were delicious by the way," the big man smiled, "when we get back and I'll have to repay that kindness." He quickly scanned the surrounding countryside, and seeing no threat moved a little closer to the young woman, "How's your tattoo healing?"
The corner of her mouth pulled up into a cheeky grin. She had used the same healing magic on herself that she'd used on his own ink, 'He must realise that,' she thought to herself. 'So maybe he's asking...' Calli feigned innocence, "I think it's fine, but there's been a distinct lack of large enough mirrors on the journey to admire it with. Should you check it? I've not got any prior experience to know what to look out for."
Her artificially green eyes darted around like his under the pretence of keeping watch, but mainly to ensure the tents remained dark and still.
Byron moved even closer to the young bard- his lips close to her ear, "I'd love to check it," he gently whispered," but we're on guard duty." In the darkening night he looked the pink haired woman in her green eyes, "another time?"
Calli lifted her hand to his cheek, rough evening stubble rasping as she ran a thumb along it, "I'm holding you to that."
He winked and then called to the little drake that had befriended them but who was currently lying next to the fire trying to eek out as much warmth from the small fire as possible, "Focher wake up you lazy beast time to work."
She started as he addressed Focher, not having seen their purple companion sneak back out of Nightingale's tent to the heat of the pit. His point was made.
"Already?" grumbled the tiny winged beast.
"Give me a few wide circuits of the camp, then return to a high perch in the trees. I want an aerial view of our site. Be alert!"
The scaled beast prepared to take to the air, griping all the while.
"Oh and Focher," continued the barbarian.
"What," hissed the Drake.
"Do it quietly." And with that the winged lizard snorted and harrumphed as he took to the air.
"Calli, I'll head into the forest do a close ground circle of the site. I won't be far away. You'll always be in sight and I need you to patrol the perimeter." With that the hulking brute of a warrior nimbly took to his feet, but before he loped off into the forest stopped and looked at the young woman, "Happy Birthday!" And quietly slipped off into the dark.
She released a burst of air through her nostrils in frustration, much like the drake had done. Hopes of a quiet few hours alone cuddling under the stars, chatting away, were not reasonable when the safety of the party was at stake. Still. It hadn't been a total waste. She got to her feet and tried to walk off the rush of the encounter, dutifully patrolling as requested. Not a bad birthday at all.