Spin Offs, Gweth C

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Kahlahnti was surprised when she found out Gweth had moved to the inn, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Well, I didn’t want to cause you any trouble. Besides, I have a much nicer room now, I’m on the third level with a view overlooking the market. Also, I have a full sized bed. We could go there when next we get together.”

Kahlahnti laughed, “You don’t like my bed?”

“I love your bed, any bed really, so long as you were in it.”

“You’re such a charmer, you.” She leaned in and kissed Gweth.

“I have something for you.”

“Really?”

Gweth crawled over her and dragged her pants to the edge of the bed, then rummaged through her pouch until she found the ring. Sitting back on the bed, she leaned against the wall and proffered the treasure in her open palm.

Kahlahnti gave a small gasp, “That beautiful.” She took the ring and held it up to inspect it. She marvelled at the way the three different materials had been woven together, “What is it made from?”

“Stone, I think.”

“It’s small.”

“I thought it might fit your pinky, if not, then we could make a necklace out of it.”

Kahlahnti slipped it on her little finger and admired the ring again, “Thank you so much.”

Gweth beamed at her, “I thought you might like it. Have I told you how beautiful you are, how much I like being with you? How much better I feel when you’re around?” She leaned in for a kiss.

It was well received and passionately returned, but after a few moments Kahlahnti pulled back, laughing, “Your spirits are high this morning. It’s coming on to midday, we should clean up and go get some food.”

Gweth was quick to agree, they set about starting their day. On the way to the market she asked, “Is there anything you need?”

“No, just breakfast.”

“My treat today.”

She smiled, “If you insist.”

People were very friendly, the summer festival was the following day and all folks were in high spirits. When they went to their usual vendors to purchase food, Gweth did not have to pay a thing, oddly all three of the merchants decided that Kahlahnti had been coming to them long enough and regularly enough that they simply gave her the food. Two of them complimented her appearance and the third said that she reminded them of an old friend, from years gone by.

Gweth walked her to the roadhouse, it was a pleasant stroll, the two of them received many friendly greetings and a few compliments about how nice of a couple they were. Kahlahnti gave her a quick kiss when they parted. Gweth almost said, I love you, but caught herself at the last moment. She gave herself a shake, wondering where that impulse had come from. It seemed true, but it was much too early to be saying something like that.

On her way back to the inn she stopped by the leather worker’s shop to pick up the scabbard and gloves she had ordered. She had commissioned one of the tailors for a couple more sets of clothing as well, but those would not be ready until sometime the following eight-day.

Back in her room she went through her belongings, packed up everything that was for travelling and piled it in one corner. She had left her newer clothing in the small wardrobe, she was not planning on leaving soon, and today she was unsure if she was ever going to leave. A lot depended on how things went with Kahlahnti. Gweth was hoping they could travel together, but she had not brought the subject up yet.

Initially Gweth had been headed vaguely westward, without she a particular destination in mind. Over the last few eight-days she had talked to a number of travellers, many were coming from the west with no intention of ever going back that way. The Tannicans were closing in on the East Sister River, Brisken was under siege, most expected GreensBridge would soon be as well, some claimed that West Port would be by the end of the summer. She was no longer sure if her initial inclination was the best one.

The thought of moving towards war and the Empire with Kahlahnti seemed wrong. Gweth suspected that she was an escaped slave, though they had never talked about the scars on her back. Maybe they could go to Maldorn or maybe Gweth should give up on the idea of travelling on. The two of them could get a cottage here in Olds, it was by far the nicest place she had ever seen.

Gweth gave herself a shake, “Stop putting the cart before the horse.” It was something her mother had often said. Thinking of her mother caused a wave of sadness to overcome her, she let out a sob and sat heavily on the edge of the bed. She still did not know the fate of her family. She considered heading home, but that life was gone, a fleeting dream, there was nothing there for her now. Let it go.

Frustrated, she picked up the chest with her ill-gained loot and emptied it onto the bed. She sorted through it, there was still a lot left. Some things, like the scroll case and the scrolls within, she had no use for. There were rings and other jewellery that she liked, and had in fact tried some of it on hoping that if she concentrated she could make them do what they were supposed to, like the underwear she had traded from the mage. Nothing had happened, she was not even sure it was all magical.

She was second guessing herself now, about having given Kahlahnti the pretty little ring. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, especially since none of it seemed to do anything.

The chest, without the dress, was much too big for what remained. It would all rattle around and make a racket if she had it on the back of the horse. She took the larger of the two pouches and put the things she liked within. There was still so much left. She sighed and sat back down on the bed, elbows resting on her legs, cheeks resting on her fists. She stared at the floor. She really had not needed to take all this.

Her thoughts drifted towards Adwin and his friends, she wondered if they had found what they were looking for yet. She also thought of Alfi, the two of them had started to get along pretty well, before the battle, before Gweth left. She thought of Mir and the night her father had killed her, of the night she had killed Mir’s father. She wept, tears splashing to the floor between her feet.

Overcome with grief and self loathing, Gweth sprawled out on the bed, among her treasures, she retreated into sleep to escape her dark thoughts.

She was startled out of her nightmares. She sat up suddenly and was confused when she knocked some of the treasures to the floor. It was long after sunset, Masri cast pale light through the window. Someone knocked loudly on her door, “Gweth, are you there? Wake up.”

It was Kahlahnti, even more confused now, Gweth went to the door and opened it, “Is something wrong? Are you alright?”

“No, I’m not alright. What have you done to me?” She pushed her way into the room. She looked very upset.

“What do you mean?”

“What is this ring? How come I can’t take it off?”

Overcome with concern Gweth grabbed her hand and tried to slide the ring off, it did not move. She pulled harder.

“Stop!” Kahlahnti yanked her hand away, “Just stop!”

“I’m sorry. Have you tied grease?”

“Yes!”

There was a pounding on the wall from one of Gweth’s neighbours. A muffled, angry sounding voice commanded, “Keep it down!”

Kahlahnti shut the door and hissed, “My day has been crazy Gweth, this ring is enchanted! Everyone is going out of their way to please me. I’ve been promoted, had three marriage proposals and made more in tips this evening than I would in a month.”

She was taken aback, “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Gweth, why did you do this to me?”

“I didn’t… know.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry. We can go see that weird mage tomorrow. I’ve plenty of other treasures to pay for her services. More for you too if you’d like.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s just a magic ring, they’re all magical. But I don’t know what they do.”

“And you gave this to me!” Kahlahnti was very angry.

Gweth tried to think of something to help, she went to the bed, swept most of the remaining treasures to the floor and pulled down the blankets, “Let’s go to bed. I want to make you happy. We’ll get the mage’s help tomorrow. I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”

“You’re doing it too!”

“Doing what?”

“Doing things you think will make me happy. Like everyone else today.”

“Is that so bad? I just want to do what’s best for you. I love you! What do you want from me!?”

Again there was pounding against the wall, the muffled voice said “Be. Fucking. Quiet.”

Kahlahnti took a deep breath. Quietly she said, “I want you to leave, Gweth. Leave Olds and never come back.”

Gweth froze, it was not what she wanted to hear but… if it would make her friend happy, it was what she would do. “Okay then. I’ll go.”

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