Zavien
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
Zavien moved his hand in a soothing motion down her back, trying to help calm the panic he felt in every line of her body. The pain in her voice hurt almost as much as being suddenly outcast from their home, and he squeezed his eyes shut against the ache of his heart. "I know. I know." She had the most caring soul for those weak, vulnerable creatures, and he knew being the Caretaker was her purpose in life. There were no words he could say to make her feel better about losing that, so he just let his hand remind her that she wasn't alone, to keep her from drifting into despair.
Lena's question stilled him, worried she may disagree. His head nodded, slow as not to startle her with his own certainty. "I think that's the smartest move right now. We need to figure out a plan." To regroup and plot where they wouldn't be disturbed by the Family.
Before he could say more, the knock sounded at the door and she was peeling out of his arms, composing herself admirably in spite of everything. Joining her at the door, he muttered his own "Thanks" to the kind innkeeper as he helped her bring the platter inside. He accepted a cup of coffee, knowing he wouldn't sleep tonight anyways. Too much weighed on his mind, and he got the dreaded sense that a nightmare might be stirring like dust on the sills of a window that had been cracked open. It was probably best if he avoided sleep altogether.
Sitting on the chair, he propped his elbows on his knees to cradle the mug. Even though his stomach still soured at the thought of food, Zavien forced himself to take a few sips, breathing through the initial nausea that hit. "I don't think it would hurt." Any talk with the gods might yield something beneficial, and his gaze offered quiet hope. "Maybe you could ask Frey to warn the animals away from the Celestine? Maybe even towards the Refuge in King's End?" It wouldn't be as comfortable or prepared as the gardens, but perhaps it would be enough to ensure fewer innocent creatures ended up in the Family's clutches.
Lena's question stilled him, worried she may disagree. His head nodded, slow as not to startle her with his own certainty. "I think that's the smartest move right now. We need to figure out a plan." To regroup and plot where they wouldn't be disturbed by the Family.
Before he could say more, the knock sounded at the door and she was peeling out of his arms, composing herself admirably in spite of everything. Joining her at the door, he muttered his own "Thanks" to the kind innkeeper as he helped her bring the platter inside. He accepted a cup of coffee, knowing he wouldn't sleep tonight anyways. Too much weighed on his mind, and he got the dreaded sense that a nightmare might be stirring like dust on the sills of a window that had been cracked open. It was probably best if he avoided sleep altogether.
Sitting on the chair, he propped his elbows on his knees to cradle the mug. Even though his stomach still soured at the thought of food, Zavien forced himself to take a few sips, breathing through the initial nausea that hit. "I don't think it would hurt." Any talk with the gods might yield something beneficial, and his gaze offered quiet hope. "Maybe you could ask Frey to warn the animals away from the Celestine? Maybe even towards the Refuge in King's End?" It wouldn't be as comfortable or prepared as the gardens, but perhaps it would be enough to ensure fewer innocent creatures ended up in the Family's clutches.
