Grief in Exile

[Jayna Moreling]

It had been difficult to keep her silence each time she returned to the cabin, but Jayna knew better than to say anything at all--any word that slipped past her lips was sure to make its way back to Lorcan through his brother. It wore on her nerves, but she would bear it as she had borne everything else. She couldn't lose her patience now that she had a real ally. 

Lorcan had gone to the cabin yesterday, and it made Jayna anxious knowing that the dragon and wolf had been alone together again. There were too many possibilities she couldn't control--he might kill her, he might free her, he might kiss her--all were equally likely, judging from the way both pairs of blue eyes had burned that night when she nearly lost her temper. Whatever happened, her own best chance was to be there, so she could twist things for the best. She was determined to make sure Aspen truly did make it out alive, whether she herself did or not. 

When she arrived, she noted with a frown that there was no water or firewood remaining, and she gestured at the lack. The younger Drach rolled his eyes at her, but he went out to get what they needed, leaving her gloriously alone with Aspen Wynfrid. She waited until she heard the familiar sound of axe against wood, then hurried to Aspen's side. She clearly had new injuries, causing Jayna to gasp, "What--?"

Horror was written across her silent face as she snatched Aspen's hands to look at her torn nails, then flicked her attention to her ankles--one bandaged and the other shackled instead. A bitter smile replaced the horrified expression for just a moment before her usual impassive expression returned. Good. This was much better than what she had feared. At least Lorcan could say he was still better than his father--it appeared he'd treated her injuries himself before Jayna had the chance. 

"Well, you have spirit, I'll give you that," she remarked calmly, rising to take the tin of yarrow and peppermint salve from the far table where Lorcan had apparently left it before bringing it back to the blonde. Fresh bandages were still in the bag at her hip--she'd been carrying them since that first night, waiting for them to be needed. She sat cross legged in front of her friend and held out her hand for the injured ankle. "Let me take a look, and you can tell me what happened."

[Aspen Wynfrid]

It always amazed the Wolf how the Lioness could still be so caring after all she'd endured. How she could take her injustices like a true warrior and continue to spit in the faces of her enemies, defying them silently at every chance she received. Aspen could only hope that her own resolve could be just as strong. Unfortunately for the wolfess, only time would tell how strong her spirit truly was, though time did not seem to be on her side these days.

Jayna had gasped at her injuries before sinking back into her deadpan state, despite the bitter grin that crossed her lips. Aspen had watched the dark-haired girl for a moment, wondering if they were really safe to speak with the man that accompanied Jayna so close by. Aspen could only assume it was Lorcan's brother - the two did look an awful lot alike, even if it were just a few of their features molding them together in similarity. Well, that and the 'I don't talk because I'm a tough guy, grrr' attitude. Aspen rolled her eyes at the thought before Jayna spoke up again, causing her to grin a little. "Well, I am a Wolf." She replied, suppressing a chuckle. Nothing about any of this was funny. It was inhumane. "I'd take my whole foot off if I were a dumber woman." She admitted, her tone cold as she spoke. It was true, however. She was painfully aware escaping meant running, but if that were something she'd not thought of, the Wolf may have quite literally found something - anything - to hack her own limb off. But a wolf that could not walk was doomed, no matter what. Aspen was smarter than that.

For the third time that she'd seen the Moreling woman, Jayna was tending her wounds. The bruises around Aspen's throat were faint now, hardly visible to the eye; turning into an invisible reminder of her time here. As the dark-haired woman held out her hand, Aspen offered her swollen leg to her, a willingness she hadn't offerened Lorcan until his instance. As requested, she informed the girl of what had happened. "Well, did you know that yanking a chain nailed to the floor isn't much use? And that you actually can't pry nails out of wood and metal with your fingers?" She did laugh now, though the sound was quiet and nearly humorless. "Also, a metal cuff banging against your foot as you pull violently, gives you this nice little injury." She pointed to her ankle. She didn't intend to be sarcastic, but truth be told, she was getting fed up with being here day in and day out. She was getting fed up within someone needing to tend to her. She was getting fed up with Lorcan and his empty promises.

Settling herself, she pursed her lips, allowing herself to return to a calmer state. "I keep having these strange dreams.." She noted absentmindedly. "I think the Earth is trying to tell me something." She said, her eyes glazing over as she drifted into a day-dream, remembering her dreams vividly.

[Jayna Moreling]

Jayna shook her head and chuckled at the woman's sarcastic humor. "You don't say?" she teased as she removed the old bandage and observed the wound, careful not to twist it or prod it too much as she cataloged the damage. She ought to be fine, but Jayna suspected she might have a scar here later on just from the way she'd repeatedly worn at the skin. She herself scarred easily, though, so perhaps the wolf would make it out unblemished. "You made quite a mess of yourself, my friend. You're lucky my mother taught me all this."

She tugged the bandages from her bag along with a handkerchief, pouring water from her canteen onto the cloth so she could gently mop off the old salve and blood from Aspen's ankle. Once it was clean, she began to smooth on new salve with her fingers, gently massaging it into the skin. It would likely be uncomfortable for her patient, but she knew the yarrow would be more effective if it absorbed.

The comment about dreams and the Earth speaking made Jayna nearly roll her eyes. She restrained the more obvious skepticism, but her voice was laden with cynicism as she replied, "I'd always heard that dreams were a window into your own heart, not a message from the Earth, but to each their own." She no longer believed in a larger force that guided them all--there were only people, both good and bad. It was their choices that changed the world, their whims that could snuff out a life in the blink of an eye.

"And does the Earth have any suggestions on how to get us both out of here?" She quipped, a little gentler now.
"Tell me about your dream. Perhaps you'll have a new revelation as you explain out loud." She was curious, she had to admit, but beyond that she had found herself that being able to speak things to someone you trusted helped to bring them to life. She had often thought of it as manifesting her intentions. She missed being able to discuss her thoughts with her father, to debate new ideas and work to improve the lives of their clan. The memory brought an ache to her heart that she hadn't felt in ages. She'd hardened herself here in Drach lands, but apparently all it took was one outsider to bring it all back to the surface. That could either be good, or very, very dangerous.

[Aspen Wynfrid]

Well, at least she could join in Aspen's humor, even if only a little. It certainly made the wolf feel better about her situation. Part of her knew that if she hadn't been taken captive, she may have never found what she came looking for; she may have never found Jayna. She frowned as the girl spoke up again, causing the Wolf to shrug her delicate shoulders as Jayna went about tending to her wounded ankle. If anything, it made her feel even more like a caged, injured animal. The thought made her tighten slightly, but she forced herself to relax. "Well, better me do it to myself than it be caused by him." She sneered the word. Was that considered looking at the bright side? Likely not.

When the Moreling began to massage the yarrow into her skin, Aspen's lip curled downward as she winced, ignoring the stab of pain that shot through her foot with each touch, despite her new friend's gentle hands. She commented on the dreams then and Aspen had to resist the urge to strike up a debate. The Morelings were not the same as the Wynfrids, by any means. Each clan had their own culture, and the Wynfrids just so happened to worship the Earth that provided for them, despite the Earth not really being seen as a deity among her people. Still, it was her clan's believe that everything was connected to the Earth, even dreams. Instead of going into detail about her culture, she gave a more simple response. "Well, whatever it is, I can't seem to ignore it." The next words out of Jayna's mouth made Aspen snort as the inkling of a spark returned to her expression as she laughed. "Perhaps, but I'm not entirely sure." She said, leaning back on her palms, tilting her head so that she looked towards the ceiling. When the lioness thought it beneficial to explain the dreams, Aspen thought for a moment, mulling the idea in her mind before sitting back up straight, putting her hands in her lap.

"The first one I had was yesterday. It was of this wolf, running through the forest. I was chasing after him, but couldn't catch up. I thought he was Khan, so I called out to him, but I couldn't make a sound.." She said before pausing, realizing that Jayna likely didn't know who Khan was. "Khan is my wolf companion, by the way. He's not really a pet, but he chooses to stick around the territory, namely me. He was with me when a certain someone decided to act like a big, bad dragon." She couldn't help but chuckle at her own words. "Anyway, we finally reached a cliff and the wolf just stared at me with this big, blue eyes. Just like his eyes." She spit the word again. "And then it opened its mouth to speak. When it did, it told me that I did not deserve to call myself a wolf." She shook her head slightly. "Last night, it was the same thing, only.. the wolf said something different.." A confused look crossed her face, furrowing her brow as she looked to the side at the floor. "It said, 'you are on the right path.'" She looked back up the Moreling woman as the last words passed her lips. Then with a sigh, "I think I'm just homesick." She said, feeling better that she was finally able to talk to someone about it.

[Jayna Moreling]

Jayna listened with interest as she finished with the salve and wrapped her friend's leg in new bandages, careful to tie it snugly so that it wouldn't fall when she moved about. A wolf with Lorcan's eyes, hm? Well, he certainly was no wolf--and he was barely a dragon, at that. No honor, she thought bitterly. But her eyes drifted back to the bandages she'd removed. They hadn't been as neat as her own, but he had known enough to care for her, and didn't leave the wound to get infected. At least that was better than nothing...but it still didn't earn her respect. It would take a hell of a lot more than that.

The comment about her being on the right path, however, caught Jayna's attention. The right path to what, she wondered? She herself had been wondering these last few nights, staring at her ceiling in the dark, where this was leading. If Aspen truly made it out of here alive and spread the word that the last of the Morelings still lived, would anyone else even care? It would be nice to think that the information would lead the others to want her freed, to negotiate for her release, but they had already proven that they didn't care what happened to her people. Some rare few, perhaps, like Aspen, might be moved by her plight, but it wouldn't be enough. She sighed.

"There's nothing wrong with that. It's not as if he's made you comfortable here," Jayna answered dryly. "Even knowing that the solitude is a tactic, it can be difficult to face. I'd wanted to speak with you before, even just to be reassuring, but..." she glanced towards the outer yard where the thwack of the axe still echoed in the clearing.

Anyhow, it's not as if I have much news to report. Kaige is in a foul mood, but no more suspicious than usual. The man is delusional," she rolled her eyes and absently rubbed at a fresh bruise on the curve where her shoulder met her neck--Kaige had grabbed and held her there last night, asking if she knew where Lorcan was. She already knew how to match his answer, so there was no problem there, but it still ached where his grubby fingers and uneven nails had dug into her skin.

[Aspen Wynfrid]

Aspen shrugged at her words. Surely imprisonment couldn't be much more comfortable than this. She had a bed to sleep in if she wanted, she was given food and water, and he'd at least kept her a fire built... Scoffing at her thoughts, she pulled her shackled leg towards her, resting her arm across her knee, her chin on top of her arm. "He made me bathe out of a bucket and with a washcloth." Her nose scrunched up, though the words were light. At least she'd been able to bathe at all. "And of course, he'd gone to play macho man in the snow." She laughed lightly then, the smile remaining across her face at her following statement. "But I understand why you could not. It brought me joy just to see you alive." She admitted.

When Jayna went on to 'report' her news, Aspen's eyes rolled inside her head. "It's Kaige Drach, what else can you expect?" She asked, huffing roughly as if she were forcing a dry laugh. "Did he hurt you?" She asked lowly, a glare forming in her eyes as Jayna rubbed at a spot in the curve of her neck and shoulder. "I can't wait to see that man heave his last breath." She snarled under her breath. Then she smiled. "I hope you get to deliver the final blow." She said, giving the lioness a wink.

Even during what should have been a dark time for the Wolf, she still held a hopefulness that was accompanied by her sense of humor. Some of her clans folk had once said it was a great trait to have, to see the light despite staring in the face of danger and uncertainty. Others, like her father, said she carried the traits of the foolish. He said they would one day get her killed. Right now, she was inclined to believe him. But, she refused to let Lorcan, her imprisonment - anything at all - dull her spark. She would always remain true to herself, true to what her people believed she was. She was a Wolf, a joyous one at that. No one would ever be stronger than her sense of self. No one.

[Jayna Moreling]

A sponge bath? Now that was just bordering on ludicrous. She guessed it was so he wouldn't have to unchain her for long enough to be in the water, and so he wouldn't need to take the time to heat a full bath, but it was irritating. Still, she was glad to hear he'd at least removed himself from the house during the process to give her some privacy. Yet again, more humanity than his father.

At the remark about the final blow to Kaige, Jayna grinned, although the expression was laced with murder, more like a predator baring its teeth than an expression of mirth. "Believe you me, if I have anything to say about it, the man will see no mercy," she answered, her voice low and dark as opposed to her friend's more optimistic tone. She might have some optimism, but it was a strange and twisted variety; she was optimistic that she would be the one to sever Kaie Drach's manhood from his body and stomp it into the dirt. She was so determined it simply had to be true. No matter how long it took, she would end that man, and she would re-establish her family. There was no other answer. But that was going to take some work. There was no use skipping ahead and ignoring the problem at hand.

She rolled her neck as if to reset, then sat back a little with her arms out behind her and her weight leaning on the palms of her hands. She looked thoughtfully at Aspen, then trailed her eyes over the line of the chain from her ankle to where it bolted into the floor. It was certainly secure, and Lorcan must have the key. There was no easy way for her to get it off him, especially if she didn't know where he kept it. But wait--Aspen had seen him undo it. She snapped her gaze back to the blonde.

"Did you see where he kept the key? When he undid the shackle?" she asked abruptly. "It might be a good thing to know. Although, I seem to remember you mentioning a plan, the other night." She raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

[Aspen Wynfrid]

Aspen liked the look that came over Jayna's face. She looked more like her sigil with that murderous grin and Aspen's face seemed to twist into that of a snarling wolf of a grin at the girl's words. She'd pay money to see that, which said a lot coming from someone who hated the social construct of currency. But it was something she'd love to see on repeat time and time again, to watch Kaige die as he begged for mercy. The same way he'd slaughtered an entire people. Even if it did not directly affect Aspen, it still burned a hole in her loving heart, still blackened her bright soul.

At her next question, Aspen's eye widened for a moment. She hadn't looked at Lorcan when he came to the cabin that day. Not until he'd attempted to treat her and that had been after he'd moved the shackle to her left leg. She silently cursed herself for not being more observant. She knew better. Instead, her eyes look on a glazed look as the met the floor in her attempt to make herself remember that first night in the cabin. She'd still been reeling from the encounter, but she'd kept her eyes on him.. Slowly she glanced up, her tone thoughtful as she spoke and met Jayna's eyes. "In his pants pocket. I can't recall which, but he kept it with the key to this cabin." She said, her words almost eager. Then Jayna asked about her plan and Aspen rolled her neck, trying to keep all of her thoughts together.

"Well, you've seen the way he looks at me.." She shuddered at the thought. "And it's clear to me that he does not want to see another slaughter and that keeping me here without Kaige's knowledge for any length of time is detrimental to not only his well-being but the well-being of those he holds dear.." Her voice trailed off slightly. "The way I see it, I don't think he respects or wishes to follow Kaige, as strange an observation as that may be." Her lips pursed now as she tried to piece this little puzzle together. "So, I have two options.. Make him fall for me and pretend to fall for him until he sets me free - in which case I come for you or convince him to also let you go." She looked pointedly at Jayna. No matter how Aspen gained her freedom, she was not leaving the Moreling behind. "Or I convince him that he and I have the same end goal; to see Kaige's reign come to an end." Her lip turned up to snarl the words, though the grin that came across her face would have been enough to shake even the mightly Lorcan to his core. "Perhaps they're not the best plans to have ever been concocted, but it's the best I can do given my situation." She lifted the chain so that it clanked loudly to the ground. "Unless you have a better idea?" She asked, her plans sounding forced and inadequate - almost embarrassing - as she said them aloud.

[Jayna Moreling]

Pants pocket? How inconvenient. She wasn't going to stick her hand in there while he was wearing them, and she certainly wasn't going to get the pants off him either. She'd have to find a time when he was sleeping or bathing to sneak the key from his pocket. But that was only one part of her worries.

Jayna had to put a hand over her mouth in order to contain the gagging sound that nearly escaped her when Aspen said "you've seen the way he looks at me." Yes, she most certainly had--and she was fairly certain it was about half the reason that Lorcan had shown mercy on the petite Wynfrid woman in the first place. Thinking about it stirred the ashes of her rage from the other night, and she clenched her jaw. Getting angry wasn't going to get her any closer to freedom--if anything, it was going to cloud her mind even further. She couldn't let herself dwell on it, but she couldn't release it either. I was burning her up from the inside out. 

Aspen's romance plan was not ideal, to say the least. It made Jayna want to be sick just thinking about it. But she was right, it would certainly twist his motives to their advantage. The problem was, she didn't think it was going to take any faking on Aspen's part, or any manipulation on his. Did the two of them not see what she had witnessed the other night? She wondered if Aspen really knew what she was saying; she likely didn't know whose house she was in, or what had happened to Maja. Jayna wasn't willing to tell--it wasn't her secret to share. 

Distracted with her own anger and disgust, she almost didn't notice Aspen's very deliberate insistence that they both make it out of this alive. She gave the blonde a thin-lipped smile. "I appreciate it. But if it comes down to it, it's better that you go alone than not at all. You could get the word out, try to gather support..." she knew it sounded pathetic even as she said it, and she let her sentence die out. She wouldn't leave Aspen behind, so she couldn't truly ask her to do anything different. It was only fair.

"Scratch that. I wouldn't leave without you, so if you want to do the same, we'll call it even." She smiled again, more genuinely this time. "Perhaps there's more lioness in you than I thought, my friend."

The other plan, though, sounded familiar. "That's been my hope this whole time--make him realize that his father is beyond help, beyond sanity, and that he has no choice but to end him. I've been trying to push him to see, but until now he's always been too afraid to act. He must know he can't let this go on much longer without things finally boiling over. He'll have to challenge Kaige for leadership. The problem is that Kaige is insane, and his followers practically worship the ground he walks on. It won't be as simple as it sounds." She sighed heavily.

"I don't think we can rely on swaying him either way. The man moves at a glacial pace. If we want out, we have to think for ourselves, and work on our own."

[Aspen Wynfrid]

She chose not to give too many details of yesterday. She didn't feel Jayna needed to know how Lorcan's lips had brushed across hers, how his fingertip had found her bottom lip on more than one occasion sending chills down her spine as a fire spread through her limbs simultaneously, clashing as the sensations fought for dominance within her. She didn't want Jayna to know the desire, the craving that had nearly taken control of every part of her, threatening to tip her past the edge of no return; daring to make her weak at the knees as a spark of something roared to life like an all-consuming wildfire that could not be tamed. More than that, Aspen refused to believe that any part of that had been real, that she felt something, anything at all for the Drach. It wasn't possible. It was inconceivable. It was traitorous.

She rolled her eyes at the Lioness when she spoke up, giving her a stern look as she opened her mouth to protest. But her expression quickly softened as Jayna continued to speak. She returned the girl's smile then, nodding at her. "I'm glad we've reached that agreement. I'm too deep in now, so there's no other option. Besides," She leaned forward to whisper. "He's said if I go, you go too." She smiled a cocky smile then, overjoyed that her plan was so far working, even if something in her gut clawed at her, causing her throat to dry, nearly choking her. She looked away again, pressing her lips into a hard line as her eyes closed, swallowing hard against the emotions that she didn't understand. She forced her resolve to return, to strengthen. She would not fall for a Drach. She couldn't.. could she?

Aspen considered the dark-haired girl's next words carefully, giving her a side-eyed glance before she faced forward again, cupping her ankles in each hand. "I think you've had more influence than you think." She said slowly. "Do you really think he would have kept me here instead of taking me to Kaige if you had no impact? He does not think lowly of you, Jayna." She told the girl, shaking her head softly. "I see and understand many things. I know without a doubt that I'd be a dead woman if it were not for you. I can't explain how I know that, but I just do.." She added, her words trailing off. "But you're right about one thing for certain. We do have to figure this out on our own. I know that he does not wish to follow Kaige as the others do, however," She paused to think for a moment. "We don't know for sure if he will actually do anything about it. He may say he will, act as if he will, but there is much doubt for such an ideology. Kaige is his father after all, his Chieftain. I worry he will reconsider. Back out. Let fear and anger cloud his judgement.."