A Well Hidden Cave

Adrian had Klaus and Shagger guard Cerridwyn von Heschburg within the cave, while he himself attempted to scavenge as much firewood as he could. He had fortunately run into a nice doe, which he felled with his crossbow. He returned to the cave with the wood being pulled behind his horse, and the doe's body on its rump.

Inside Klaus had managed to get a fire up, albeit small, but Adrian's firewood proved a great fuel. The doe was skinned and roasted and provided a meal for the day; the excess meat was salted with what little salt the two men had.

The doe's hide was fashioned into a sort of blanket, which was used to comfort Cerri.

They used all they had to clean and heal Cerri's wounds, and Adrian spent most of his idle time caressing her injuries. He teared up and was an emotional wreck the whole time. He loved the woman with all his heart, and to see her like this was... heartbreaking.

Adrian found a crevice further back in the cave which they used to store their cloaks and some armor, then covered it with rocks and moss. It would be hell to keep traveling in that gear, and discarding their cloaks would help keep them incognito. They looked like two mercenaries now.

Shagger was hidden, but guarded the entrance of the cave; he would smell, see, or sense oncomers and alarm his master, Klaus.

It was the evening when Lady Cerridwyn awoke on the third day. Adrian was tired; the doe meat might last another day, at least. He was relieved to see her moved, and cradled her head when she came over, kissing her forehead; he stroked her hair as he examined her neck and injuries.

"My love." His voice was almost a whisper. The cave was cozy and warm, and the crackling of the flames was joined by the soothing sound of the river outside. Shadows flickered on the walls, painting a moving image of two lovers.

"I... I'm sorry." What else was he suppose to say? He tried thinking of what to say the past few days, but was at a loss.

"I'm sorry for everything. The poisoning... the mess with Isenbardus... taking you back to Rouviere... the Witch Hunter mess...". Lady Cerri was truly unlucky. "And now we're far away from luxury... just... sitting here - in a cave. And I'm sorry. I can't promise you that castle anymore... nor the garden... I've nothing to my name... I love you Cerridwyn. But I've wronged a man of the Empire. I'm a criminal. So I guess... I guess if you want me to... I can take you to the closest Imperial outpost."

Adrian waited for her to respond. Honestly, he didn't know where to go from here. He considered joining a mercenary band under a new name, or - God forbid - joining the Barbarians! But what of Cerri? He finally decided to wait to see what she wanted first. Maybe by some divine miracle she would choose to stay with him: a broken man with no titles.

Is. Is. Is. Adrian counted every present-tense term Cerridwyn von Heschburg used. Did she not know her father was dead? Realistically, Adrian hadn't seen his corpse - but judging by what the Witch-Hunter and servant had said - the man was very much dead. Cerridwyn started to cry, and Adrian decided it might not be a good idea to tell her she had killed her own father. No matter how much she may have hated the man, the idea that she may have killed him would tear her up.

He stroked her hair as she sobbed; listening to every stutter, every whimper. "You have not ruined life, my love," he told her softly. "I've been dead since... since the razing." Adrian's mind flipped between images of his hometown; he could see it still, on the horizon, still smoking and in flames. His younger brother, his sister, his brother-in-law, his mother and father... all tore apart, their organs strewn across the courtyard; the civilians were-

He shook his head, dispelling the horrid thoughts. "I was dead inside. All these years I've been a dead man walking... looking for a purpose... But you... you brought me back to life, Cerri. I've dedicated my life to the Order first and the Empire second. I think I'm finished with them though; time for a new commitment. I love you... I... I don't know how else to say it! I love you, Cerri! You're the greatest thing to happen to me, there's no question about it. As long as you'll have me, I will never leave your side... I'll die for you if need be. I've come close to it already." He grinned at the last sentence. "We're stronger for it now, though," he told her.

Adrian closed his eyes and relaxed as Cerridwyn von Heschburg pressed her lips against his own. It had been... years since he had kissed anyone else; everyone he might have loved was killed at Heschburg. Afterwards, and as a result of joining the Order, Adrian remained chaste and distanced himself from love; he was fully committed to his Brotherhood. But not anymore; the Order was more or less dissolved; those Knights who remained simply desired a purpose.

"What... what should we do," Adrian asked after the prolonged kiss. He wanted Cerri's advice. "Where do you want to go?"

"Of course I would still have you," Adrian told her, his voice ringing of joy even in this moment of hopelessness. The measure of love he had for her was unfathomable. "We cannot go back to the Empire." Adrian gently pulled on the short beard hairs on his chin; he had not had a proper shave in almost a week. He seemed to zone out, staring into the empty darkness further back in the cave; he was in deep thought.

"I... I suppose I could offer my... er, our services to the Warrior Queen." He shook his head, "no, no, she would never align herself with a Vessian - much less a former Knight-Brother." He slowly rocked his head side to side, thinking, and then said "but when we have nowhere to go... we might seek shelter from her - just for now. But I shall not raise my blade against an innocent of the Empire. It was not they who have done be wrong... it was the Witch-Hunter who did me wrong. Unfortunately, the entire Empire is probably looking for me, anxious for the day to see me hanging from the gallows - or perhaps they're waiting to smell my charred corpse."

He looked to Cerri. "What do you think? Do you think the Warrior Queen will accept us?"

Adrian didn't respond to Cerri's final sentences. He was a little surprised about her suggesting consummation. An honest and modest man like Adrian would have waited - but then, he was not the same man as he was before.

His eyes darted quickly at Klaus, who nodded, stood up, and then left the cave to hide at the entrance with Shagger. He didn't say anything. He only pulled Cerri close to him, pressing his lips against hers, harder and longer than ever before. He didn't know if she was okay with it; he didn't even if he was okay with it; but if she protested in any way, he'd back off. A light caressing from his hands turned into finding laces, buttons, and straps about Cerri's attire. He himself began to remove what little bit of armor he still had; the metal plates carelessly fell onto the earthen floor as he laid Cerri down and found himself atop her...

The experience was mesmerizing, to say the least. It was his first time, which was not surprising considering his morals, but he was glad that it was with Cerri - the woman of his dreams. He would hold Cerri by him throughout their slumber; his love for her had been cemented, etched into the stones of time.

The next day Klaus was busy trying to balance some rocks on top of each other. In his boredom he almost didn't hear the sound of those approaching. Shagger propped his head up from his lazy half-sleep, alerted by a noise not yet heard by the human. He sniffed the air and then growled quietly.

"What is it boy?" Klaus whispered, eyes widened. He was about to rush back inside the cave and warn his two masters when he paused. They looked like they were from... Rouviere? He crouched down to stay hidden and peered outside to make more sense of what he saw. "Quiet, Shagger," he said, "they're friends... I think."

Klaus came out into the open, waving his arms at the party. "Hey! Hey, we're over here! Lady Cerridwyn is over here!" he sounded relieved. Shagger barked happily, panting and jumping around.

Inside, Adrian was sleeping like a rock, for obvious reasons and would not be awakened by Klaus' shouting outside.

(Cerridwyn von Heschburg)

Adrian awoke from his deep slumber, and jumped to his feet when he heard Cerri's voice. He reached over and grabbed his trousers and undershirt to pull them on quickly and then rushed outside. "Cerri! What is it?" Adrian wasn't sure what to expect, but if anything he expected danger.

But there was no danger, only the appearance of townsfolk... Cerri's townfolk. And they all seemed to swear allegiance to the good lady and to Adrian himself. "Oh no," he thought. He shook his head and took Cerri's hand, talking quietly. "Cerri, if the Empire finds us... they will kill all of these people for being traitors to the Empire!"

Adrian looked over the people again and tried to think of what to do. "They didn't come all this way for nothing though," Adrian said, sighing. "We have to get them out of the woods and somewhere safe. Any ideas?"

Adrian rubbed his hand over his wavy hair and sighed deeply. Cerri wanted the people to join them, and due to Adrian's nature, he was reluctant to let them. But turning them away meant turning them over to the Empire, most assuredly a death sentence. I'm to use to superiors making orders for me, Adrian cheerfully thought, time to suffer under the dominion of freedom.

"Yes, I think it a sound strategy to hide out in the cave - for now. We'll select those among the group who are light-footed as our scouts to ensure we're not discovered. We'll need hunters to find more food, and everyone else should see to the renovations of the cave. The children should seek out firewood." Adrian realized his authoritative nature coming out. He was no 'simple man', but a seasoned and drilled soldier.

"Perhaps... perhaps I shall go and find this Queen Efyria... If we are to present an alliance to her, I want to do it in person. Cerri, I'd feel better if you came along. Unless you'd rather stay here, or unless you had other plans. What do you say, Love?"

As soon as Klaus had heard Adrian's orders, he and Shagger approached the children, motioned at them, and started to collect some fire wood.

Adrian agreed that it was a good idea to see to the people before they moved out. In the two weeks which passed he ensured the people had a steady supply of food, good look-outs, and able-bodied defenders, as well as an escape plan should they be found. Adrian had been out on campaign many times and so knew how to properly handle the situation. Of course, the refugees were usually kept in less-than-sanitary conditions during his time in the Order, but he made do with what he had in the cave.

After rechecking the horses for the hundredth time, he took a step to recollect himself. That's when Cerridwyn von Heschburg appeared next to him.

His first reaction was to stop breathing altogether. It wasn't just the thought of her being pregnant, but the fact he also broke his moral code. "Oh, Cerri," he said looking at her. She appeared worried, so he shook his head and smiled to console her, rubbing her arms. "Don't be afraid, my Love. This is a blessing - the greatest blessing anyone could ever receive."

The thoughts started to rush through his head. A strong son, or perhaps a beautiful daughter. Perhaps both? Needless to say, the former Knight-Brother was more than a little excited about the possibility. But he didn't let it get the better of him - he knew in this dark, cold world that terrible things could happen, even more so in the dangerous state he and Cerri was in.

He pulled Cerri close and embraced her, kissing her gently. "It will be alright, my Love. You are mine and I am yours, forever and always. It is good, then, that you decided to come with me, for I would not wish you to stay in this forest in such a state. Come, let us leave."

After saying their farewells the duo would depart and make their way into the wilderness... in search of @efyria...