The Story of Braith

“Aloth?” Braith looked at him with concern.

Aloth let out a sigh. “I suppose I should explain.” He moved to draw away but Braith took his hand. “I am awakened. Her name is Iselmyr. Judging by her Hylspeak she is from a rural area in Aedyr from long, long ago. I don’t have any of her memories though, Berath spared me that much.”

“You seem…scared, concerned?” Braith frowned as she looked at him.

“Well, yes.” Aloth brushed a few locks of disheveled hair from his face. “My mother taught me to hide her when I was a child, fearing for what others would think. I’ve largely kept Iselmyr a secret these past fifty years.”

“You shouldn’t worry about what I would think. I’m a Watcher. That means I am awakened also.” Braith looked at him encouragingly.

“I suppose you’re right. Thank you for listening. And…I’m not certain how to ask this but what does this mean between us?” Aloth gave her a searching look.

“Between us?” Braith repeated. “Whatever it is that causes you unhappiness you can rely on me.”

“Whoa, whoa! Didn’t expect to come back and find you two naked as jay birds. Give me a little warning next time, hm?” Edér had returned. A moment of awkward silence passed before he turned his back to give Braith and Aloth a chance to dress.

“My apologies. I didn’t prepare the camp.” Braith pulled on her robe and got to work.

A silence settled over the camp as the three prepared their dinner and settled down for the night. Aloth found himself looking over his shoulder at Braith, wishing he could see into her head the way she could his. Her sudden actions had left him with a disquieting mixture of exhilaration and anxiety. Pursuing a romance while sharing his skin with Iselmyr had never seemed a possibility. Braith’s open acceptance of Iselmyr was comforting but her response to his question left him somewhat disquieted.

“Something on your mind?” Edér sat down next to him, taking a bite of venison.

“In a manner of speaking.”

“So, uh, what’s the deal with you two?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“You been together long? Was a little surprised back there. Didn’t mean to intrude. Give me warning next time will you?”

Aloth sighed. “I met her just a little before we met you. I was a little surprised myself actually.”

“So out of the blue she just asks you for a roll in the hay?”

“Well, perhaps a little more forcefully than that but yes.”

Edér chuckled. “Well, a fellow can hardly complain about that. Sure makes it simpler that way.” He frowned. “But I take it things aren’t so simple?”

“No. I’m afraid I’m at a bit of a loss.”

“New to the womenfolk?”

“Perhaps that’s part of it.”

“Listen, there’s no sense beating around the bush. Better to just talk to her outright. Tell her how you feel.”

Aloth frowned. “She…already told me how she feels. It just didn’t make any sense.”

“She’s just after a little fun then? You seem pretty smitten with her. Been watching you stare at her all evening.”

“Oh.” Aloth fidgeted with his sleeve. “She said I could rely on her but she seemed confused when I asked her about us.”

“Huh.” Edér scratched his chin. “Never heard that before. She’s a different one, that’s for sure.”

“I feel at such a disadvantage. She’s a cipher and can read my thoughts but I haven’t the slightest idea of what goes on inside her head.”

“Oh, damn.” Edér put a comforting hand on Aloth’s shoulder. “Forgot about that. Yeah that’s rough.”

Aloth frowned.

“But she seems to like you. I say just keep rutting and see where things go.”

“Thank you.” Aloth sighed. “She’s beautiful and kind but I don’t know how to talk to someone like her.”

“Seemed like you were talking about something when I found you two.”

“Hm. Yes, it seems she has a way of putting a person at ease. She did something to me, as a cipher, I think.”

“Well, maybe you need to do less thinking and more screwing.” Edér gave him a friendly slap on the back.

“…Perhaps you’re right. Thank you for your insight. I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

“Oh and uh, I might be outta line in asking this but seeing how you haven’t a lot of experience with the womenfolk I thought I should ask if you knew how to please a lady.”

Aloth was silent.

“I mean er, did she get hers when you were storming the cotton gin?”

“Ay coorse nae ye divit.”

“What was that?” Edér gave a puzzled look.

“I mean, I didn’t get the impression that she did. I mean I would like her to but I’m a little overwhelmed at the thought honestly.”

“Aw don’t worry. It’s not that hard. You just got to work on licking the roast beef. I’m sure you’ll figure it out in no time.” He gave Aloth an encouraging smile.

“Thank you again. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Wa sae ye can screw it up? Ye need me an' ye ken it.”   

“I do not. You’ve only made a nuisance of yourself.”

“Yeah but ye dornt ken hoo tae eat 'er it. Ah coods dae it fur ye an' make 'er cum faster than ye coods cest a body ay yer spells.”     

“You will not. Stay out of this.”

“'At Edér is a fetchin' a body. If Ah hae tae sit haur while ye buck 'er Ah ooght tae be able tae hae some fin wi' heem. Mebbe we coods dae them baith at th' sam time. I'll be ridin' his tossel while yoo've got yer coopon in 'er fud.”

“No!”