Santiago woke early, sweat beading on his forehead. Good, he thought, perhaps this will remove some of the stench from the ill-gotten bath back in town. That would be the last time he went in search of a good cleansing while half in his cups. Despite the dampness spreading across his body, he felt remarkably refreshed but he knew he had been too far removed from civilized life lately. He felt no protest from his body for wearing the same clothes day in and day out. Even the shiny mithral shirt he'd won on one of his many gambling ventures pinched him not. Something else tingled his senses and he tried in vain to shake it off. His brow furrowed in disdain. Had the old man on the island been speaking the truth?
Santiago rubbed his beard thoughtfully while remembering what the old codfish had said. Someday lad, he had spoke, you'll feel a rumbling in your soul and the earth will quicken beneath your feet. The old man had poured sand through his fingers, making him feel the gritty texture. That, he said, is what we revere. Even the stone walls of a city are made from elements of nature. She is a fickle mistress and not to be trifled with. When she calls you, take head and seek to understand.
As if to make the feeling go away so he did not have to recognize its existence, Santiago threw back the rest of his precious rum supply knowing full well a trip into the town mere minutes away was not possible. All these landlubbers and their fear of a little fun. What about the rum? He chuckled to himself. His mirth was short-lived as he still felt the pulling of something beyond his control. Inwardly he groaned. Who could he possibly turn to about this predicament? Certainly not Jojo, that was not her area of expertise and most definitely not the aloof elf or his little pixie moppet. Sighing he knew of only one person who could be of any help and not thoroughly degrade him in the process. Val. Arranging his clothes to look a little presentable, he sought her out.
Being one of the few tall persons in the caravan, Val being the exact same height as Santiago, he found her with little trouble. She was by the small fire enjoying a small meal to break her fast. He cleared his throat while standing near her. Val, in her own fashion, pretended not to hear. By the Gods this was not going to be easy. Perhaps his antics of last night were still bubbling on the surface. Surely she would not hold his behavior against him, would she? Glancing around to make sure no one of importance was lingering by the fire, Santiago bent down on his knee as if checking the condition of his boots.
"Val. How did you know when your God called upon you to do his bidding?" His voice was low. "That is to say, I've never been much for religion or the like but..." Santiago was at a loss for words. He looked at Val, her eyes still locked on her meal for the morning but he knew she had heard his words. Whether it was the slight clenching of her jaw or the slight stiffening at his presence, he knew this had just gotten harder than he thought it would ever be. His only silent prayer to any God that would listen was to hope that this all would not end in Val knocking him cold again.
Santiago rubbed his beard thoughtfully while remembering what the old codfish had said. Someday lad, he had spoke, you'll feel a rumbling in your soul and the earth will quicken beneath your feet. The old man had poured sand through his fingers, making him feel the gritty texture. That, he said, is what we revere. Even the stone walls of a city are made from elements of nature. She is a fickle mistress and not to be trifled with. When she calls you, take head and seek to understand.
As if to make the feeling go away so he did not have to recognize its existence, Santiago threw back the rest of his precious rum supply knowing full well a trip into the town mere minutes away was not possible. All these landlubbers and their fear of a little fun. What about the rum? He chuckled to himself. His mirth was short-lived as he still felt the pulling of something beyond his control. Inwardly he groaned. Who could he possibly turn to about this predicament? Certainly not Jojo, that was not her area of expertise and most definitely not the aloof elf or his little pixie moppet. Sighing he knew of only one person who could be of any help and not thoroughly degrade him in the process. Val. Arranging his clothes to look a little presentable, he sought her out.
Being one of the few tall persons in the caravan, Val being the exact same height as Santiago, he found her with little trouble. She was by the small fire enjoying a small meal to break her fast. He cleared his throat while standing near her. Val, in her own fashion, pretended not to hear. By the Gods this was not going to be easy. Perhaps his antics of last night were still bubbling on the surface. Surely she would not hold his behavior against him, would she? Glancing around to make sure no one of importance was lingering by the fire, Santiago bent down on his knee as if checking the condition of his boots.
"Val. How did you know when your God called upon you to do his bidding?" His voice was low. "That is to say, I've never been much for religion or the like but..." Santiago was at a loss for words. He looked at Val, her eyes still locked on her meal for the morning but he knew she had heard his words. Whether it was the slight clenching of her jaw or the slight stiffening at his presence, he knew this had just gotten harder than he thought it would ever be. His only silent prayer to any God that would listen was to hope that this all would not end in Val knocking him cold again.
Santiago
Love, my friend, is a fool's game played by the young. Go searching for it? Nay, I've had enough daggers aiming for my heart to welcome something as deadly as that in.
Love, my friend, is a fool's game played by the young. Go searching for it? Nay, I've had enough daggers aiming for my heart to welcome something as deadly as that in.
