Chapter 326 - The Bruised, Battered, Black & Blue (I) (2/2)

So, reluctantly, Rima did as Mira said. The first few times she was unsure. Hesitant to say anything that could be misinterpreted or that could be wrong. But then she would turn to see Tigin or Sevis, or even Mira, and they would look back at her encouragingly. After a few hours, it had become easier to reply.

Aegin had been strangely absent, a comment about needing a bath and a good meal had been made, but none of them were really paying attention. To be entirely honest, while Aegin's journey may have brought them together, it had been months since they'd turned to Aegin for any kind of aid or advice. The only reason he'd been involved this time around was because of Yashi. It was not that they were ungrateful for his help. It was that, despite Aegin's powerful and intimidating presence, it had long been clear to them that Aegin was not the same as them.

Aegin had his own path. His own calling. And they were not entirely sure if it should be theirs as well. If Yashi was any example, Chaos was not kind nor easy to those on one of its paths.

Now, after his display in Gryffyn's throne room, it was safe to say that Aegin was even further away from them than he'd ever been. Rima could not help but find herself wondering if a friendship was even possible any more. Even if that was what she wanted, she wasn't sure she could forgive him for his actions over the past eighteen months. Was it right to judge his actions in the past on the man, or rather, vampire, that he was now? She was positive, even from their short encounters, that the two individuals were not the same.

”You look like your head is going to burst with all those thoughts running through it,” Tigin remarked as he came to sit beside her on the side of the dune. Below them, at least 15,000 Tribesman set up camps in the evening light and made an effort to distribute rations to everyone. Tigin handed Rima a few slices of bread with some dried meat.

”Someone's got to think around here,” Rima sighed.

Tigin smiled, ”I missed you”.

Rima turned to look at him, a small smile on her own face, ”I missed you”.

Tigin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug, ”It must have been hard, I'm sorry that I couldn't come sooner”.

”It's okay,” said Rima, ”Clearly it was at least a bit worth it”. She pulled away, smacking his biceps that were now much bigger and more prominent than they had been in the past.

Tigin huffed a laugh, ”Yeah, well, I figured if the Vampire wasn't going to save you, somebody had to”.

Rima's smile faded slightly as she turned back towards the black smoke, ”Was it really his job to begin with?”

Tigin frowned, ”What do you mean?”

Rima sighed, ”Aegin wasn't born here, Tigin. This is not his land. He came here just as lost and confused as we were. As much as it pains me to know he did not play an active part in trying to get me back until last night, I…I can't really blame him for it”.