Blackened Heart

He looked down. What was he doing...? Constantly changing his attitude... and for what? Nothing... it was all he ever got, ever had, or ever expected to have. Lasche receded back into the forest, wanting to be alone... wanting to think.

As he is left alone in the forest to be alone and think, the others have made it to the tavern as the sun was over the horizon.

The tavern itself was a fairly nice establishment. Inside it held the common folk, and atleast fifteen other knights, all sharing the same insignia on their armor as Marucus. He met with his comrads as the others sat at their own table.

Zander turned his drink back and forth, looking into it, thinking, of what could not be told, but whatever it was, it left a grim visage over his face.

Melina and Lady Ivy had sat down, as some of t he knights were walking up to them and trying to flirt, Lady Ivy enjoyed it, on the other hand Melina, kinda shyed away from them.

Zander saw how she reacted, and only grew darker. Everything was increasingly confusing, when things seemed to get better, they always got worse directly after. There truly was no hope for a better tomarrow, since tomarrow only could only bring bad tidings.

Marucusspoke with his fellow knights, telling them of his recent exploits, and also of the current situation.

As Melina shy's away from the flirting knights, she sees Zander, secluded from the others, she goes to sit wit him as she looks at him. "U-Um...Lord Zander...is something troubling you?"

He continues turning his cup, back and forth, not looking up. "No... I am fine... why do you ask?"

" Well, for one thing, you keep fumbling with your cup, and you have been down all day. Whats the matter?" She tilts her head. "Did someone upset you?" She looks at him with concern.

He looks at her, then smiles slightly, running the back of his finger softly over her cheek. "You worry too much. I'm fine." He pusts his hand back on the table, looking up. "I am a bit restless... I suppose."

She blushes and shivers at his touch as she looks at him, then lightly touches his hand with her. "Well, I worry because I care Mi`Lord...I just, don't like seeing you so distressed."

"Fear not, m'lady, I am fine." He sighed. "I suppose it is because I hav not been sleeping well lately."

She looks at him. " Well Sire, I'm sure Lord Marucus will have someone prepare a bed room for you, I'll prepare myself if I have to, I do not want you falling ill."

He smiled at her. "Thank you, lady Melina. I appreciate your concern."

Marucus walked over to their table. "Good news. You'll be staying here for now, at least two or three days, whilst we plan our next action. You might make use of the rooms upstairs if you are fatigued."

Zander stood. "Thats where I'm going." He waved to them. "Cya." He then made his way up the stairs to a nice comfy bed.

Melina smiles as she waves to Zander. "Sleep well Sire." She then looks at Marucus. "Thank you so much for letting us stay here for a while."

He smiled. "It is no big deal. We were provided with more than sufficient funds before setting out."

She smiles as she gets up as she walks out side. "I will be outside alright?"

He blinks, following after her. "L-Let me accompany you!"

She smiles as she looks back. "Hehe, alright sire."

He meets her outside. "I apologize, for inviting myself along. I just... guess just didn't want you to be alone."

She chuckles. "Oh, I don't mind the company hehe."

He presses his arm to his chest, bowing his head. "Thank you, Lady Melina, you are most kind."

She chuckles as she lifts his chin up as his eyes meet her gaze. "Hey now, no need for all that hehe."

He blushes slightly, looking up, chuckling nervously. "Y-Yes, of course. I'm not so good with speaking informal."

She chuckles. "It's ok, it just proves you a gentleman is all." They walks around the tavern. "This place is really beautiful." She smiles.

He smiles. "Yes, it is quite beautiful, isn't it?" Though in truth, he had not taken his eyes off of her.