Loveless

[AnyOtherName]

Closed for StoryTime87

“You look beautiful!” one of the handmaidens assured her. “Lord Baellenor is the luckiest of men this day!”

The woman to whom she spoke sat rigidly in her chair as the final touches were being done to her veil and hair, numbly staring forward. She didn’t respond to the pandering and nearly felt insulted that the other woman would be so cruel as to act as if everything were right with the world. She knew as well as everyone else in this damned city that Garrenth Baellenor had a taste for the flesh of men. Only men. His marriage to her, a noble of a far lesser House, was nothing but a sham to appease the expectations of Garrenth to the world at large.

Avari hadn’t the slightest idea how she was to produce an heir. She’d rather have nothing than suffer through the pain of bedding a man that had no sexual interest in her. Given her inexperience, having remained pure as is expected of all noble ladies, she doubted she could have much proficiency coaxing him into such an act even if she wanted to.

And, assuredly, she didn’t want to.

“My lady?” one of the handmaidens asked, looked at her with a puzzled expression. Apparently the surrounding women had continued to speak as Avari was lost to the present moment. The bride snapped out of her trance, her eyes focusing on a woman she knew to be called Kenaria.

“Hmm?”

“Are you alright?”

“You know that I’m not.”

Kenaria frowned. For a moment she turned her attention to the other women, bidding them to give the two some privacy. Once alone, the dark haired handmaiden kneeled down in front of Avari’s seated position. She took her hands. “It’s going to be okay.”

Blue eyes, usually bright and sparkling, stared back at her dully.

“Garrenth is the best of gentleman, Avari. He will take care of you, treat you with nothing but kindness and respect.”

“I won’t dispute that. Still, he’s no husband. Not for a woman, at least.”

“Men can’t marry each other.”

“I’m aware of the law.”

“Well...”

“Well, what? He should just not marry, then. A marriage without love –“

“Which seems to be the majority of bartered marriages between Houses...”

Avari fell silent. It didn’t matter what she had to say in the matter, anyway. This wedding was happening. This wretched place, where the only people that treated her well were her servants and her soon-to-be husband, was her new home.

Her attempts to gain favor in the public had gone miserably. Which is not to say the woman did anything to embarrass herself, or that she had done anything wrong in any regard. People just seemed to not like her much. Perhaps because she came from a less than prestigious House. Perhaps because she was marrying their beloved lord, whom the locals felt had the entitlement to love men if he wanted to. There was nothing wrong with being gay, everyone in this place was right on that point, but the distasteful looks Avari received because of the ruse she was being forced to participate in were...unfair.

Fairness didn’t exist though. Avari took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. As she exhaled, she stood. “...Let us get it over with, then.”

-----

The wedding was grand. House Baellenor was known for its power and wealth and they spared no expense in reminding their guests of the fact.

But while every detail was marvelous, and the ceremony was conducted flawlessly... Avari didn’t want to remember any of it. She played her part, wore a fake smile for the entirety of the festivities. She was told more than a hundred times that her ridiculously over-priced and custom designed dress was an astounding compliment to her angelic beauty – from visiting lords and ladies that didn’t know any better than to be nice to her.

And so it seemed that Avari should have expected what was to come of her wedding night. Perhaps foolishly, though, she assumed she’d be forced to share Garrenth’s chambers and that...maybe?...they’d discuss the potential of trying to produce an heir for his line. Eventually. A dreadful thought, and one the woman wished to avoid, and yet –

When he kicked her out of the bedroom, she managed to feel a deep stab at her heart. He didn’t want to share his bed with her, even for the sake of pretending. His male lover was there and she was completely unnecessary.

Avari, of course, complied with his wishes. A combination of bottomless despair and temporary relief left her again to balance things out by going numb.

There were other rooms within “their” chambers, but Avari opted to leave entirely.

She stepped out from behind a set of outward swinging doors. Immediately her gaze was drawn to the captain of the guard, who stood at attention outside of the chambers. He was older than her by at least ten years; Avari had turned eighteen only months ago. She couldn’t claim to know the man’s name, much less his exact age, and for a moment she just looked at him.

“...I can’t believe any of this is real,” she spoke before giving a shrug accompanied by a short laugh. “This is...this is just madness.”

Avari watched for the man's reaction. She didn't expect to receive any sympathy from him; she prepared herself from some backbiting comment or the coldness of silence in return. Her arms crossed under her bust, drawing her silken white robes tighter against the curve of her ample D cup breasts, causing the gap in the material to widen and reveal a glimpse of the bridal lingerie underneath. A belt fastened around her waist left no doubt that, under the free flowing concealment that her robe afforded, she had a divine hourglass figure. The woman continued to wear her stockings, which were being held up by a presently unseen garter belt, but had not shoes. The length of her robe just barely covered the lace and bow design that graced her upper thighs.

Her golden hair was kept short, a detail the ladies here in the city had found as a good enough reason to ridicule her. Only a peasant would mutilate her tresses in such a way. Because they lacked the fine soaps and creams to be able to compare to the lustrous locks of their superiors, and were ashamed, or because they feared having such an easy grip for the men they were whores to. In Avari's case, it had been her enjoyment of swordplay that made decided her hair's style, but it was pointless to try to make her case with anyone here. The majority of her tresses were cut close to her scalp, with the only exception being her jaw-length bangs and the angled frame that worked up and back towards her ear.

 

[StoryTime87]

Barian let out a sigh as he stood at attention outside of Garrenth's chambers. Resting slightly against the wall, he could hear the faint murmurs of the party as it raged on in the Great Hall. He had never been fond of such festivities though this one struck a bittersweet chord within him. His lord was getting married. Rather, Garrenth was now married to a beautiful young lady. Maybe she could change his taste for men, he thought. Though deep down inside, Barian knew it was probably too late for that.

Garrenth had kept his preferences a secret while his father was alive, but when his father died three years ago, things seemed to change. Garrenth loved his father dearly but the death seemed to release a sense of freedom within him as well. Whenever Garrenth took over his father's position, he made his preferences widely known to the public. At first, there was some apprehension, but Garrenth reigned with his father's principles and the respect and love he gave to his people won them over.

Barian couldn't fault him either; he essentially owed his life to Garrenth. Barian enlisted into the Baellenor army when he was eighteen and worked his way up the ranks over the years. When Barian was twenty eight, Garrenth came of age and noticed Barian's leadership in the ranks and frequently called upon Barian for a second opinion. Barian was pulled to lead the guard of House Baellenor when Garrenth's father died, and while Barian resented the detail at first, now he can appreciate the gesture. Now at thirty five, Barian could not recall the last time he ran into a man he originally fought alongside.

Barian turned his head towards the sounds of footsteps approaching and his brown orbs fell upon a scrawny man with light brown hair approaching quickly. It was Ficar of House Teriam who Barian otherwise knew as Garrenth's lover. Barian nodded in acknowledgement of Ficar, but the man slipped past as if Barian was not there.

Barian chuckled to himself as he realized the reason Garrenth was so cheerful during the day. It has been a fortnight since the two lovers met; the Teriam name was a powerful name in its own right and as such plenty of work for its heirs to keep busy. Garrenth seemed infatuated with him for reasons Barian would never understand almost to an unhealthy point, but Barian kept his concerns to himself.

A female voice interrupted his thoughts and he quickly turned towards the direction of the voice. Surprisingly, the voice came from Avari who now stood next to him. He turned and examined her as she spoke, her words grim for such a joyous day. It was hard to not pity the girl; Barian did not envy her situation in the slightest. He knew Garrenth would treat her well, but he imagined it wasn't the fairy tale most maidens dreamed about.

This was the first time Barian had a close look at the newest addition to House Baellenor; and his brown eyes roamed her entirety. Her visage was fitting for the House, even if she was of a far lesser House. Her golden hair matched Garrenth's and an heir between them would have looks most would deem unfair. She was tall for a woman, coming up to his chin while he stood at a hair under six feet tall. Barian felt his stomach turn as he gazed upon her, a feeling of regret well within him as he contemplated the waste of such a beautiful woman. Barian made the assumption that she might've tried to convince Garrenth of a women's benefits but it seems to him that she failed.

Most of the ladies that he encountered while working for House Baellenor were nothing he wanted. The pettiness and vile things that come out of the women when they leave the public eye caused his stomach to turn. How could anyone respect such a woman? Instead Barian usually visited the brothels in the town whenever he needed release though that was no place to find a woman either. He wasn't as free flowing as such women enjoyed usually inciting names of being a stick in the mud. Though their insults turned into whorish moans when he put his stick into their mud.

As his brown orbs gazed back into her blue eyes, Barian felt his heart beat quicken. Avari interested him as she drove those prissy noble women into fits while still being refined. His body reacted to what his eyes captured; his member began to stiffen within his tan breeches the more he looked upon her. The air around him suddenly seemed to get warmer though he had removed most of the ceremonial garb he wore for the wedding. He ran his hand through his straight jet black hair kept of a medium length. His torso was covered in a cotton tunic that fit snugly on his body defined through battle. Tan breeches hung comfortably on his bottom half covering his thick muscled thighs and well defined rump.

"There are many things in this world full of madness, M'lady," he spoke in a gentle tone. "For instance, it is madness for someone of your stature to voluntarily keep her tresses short," he paused for a second as a warm smile broke out over his face, "though I have to say I personally enjoy it" finishing his sentence with a playful wink and a hearty laugh.

He paused for a bit allowing his comment to sink in or for her retort before shifting to his left and patting the stone wall next to him. "Come tell Barian your woes, Lady Avari. You are of House Baellenor now and as captain of the guard, you are under my care," his voice gentle as he empathized with her predicament.

 

[AnyOtherName]

It quickly became apparent that there was no need for Avari to defend herself to Barian, but as no one else was willing to listen she took the opportunity of his pause to speak on behalf of her often insulted hair. "It is simply a matter of practicality," she began. "Though it seems that that particular concept is lost on the ladies of this city."

She couldn't blame them, entirely. Given their lifestyles, ever with handmaidens standing by to wash, moisturize, and style their tresses... Of course it would seem ridiculous to cut their hair so short. But Avari wasn't from a city, had rarely had to endure the judgmental eyes of her peers prior to moving here, and so could not truly empathize with their ridiculous and judgmental position on the matter.

Her House wasn't completely without merit; they held lands, at least. But their province was in the middle of nowhere, a collection of farms and ranches. Viktor Sendarii and those he ruled over toiled endlessly to supply the great cities (none of which were within his own district) with stock and produce - and their horses were the finest to be had, even if one traveled outside of the country. Despite playing an essential role, their efforts did not earn them a prodigious reputation among their fellow nobles.

Barian shifted his position slightly and patted the wall next to him. "Come tell Barian your woes, Lady Avari. You are of House Baellenor now and as captain of the guard, you are under my care."

Avari's full lips gave a light pout as she considered whether or not she should speak of such things to a member of her husband's staff. But, in the end, she could not keep to herself any longer. The past six weeks had been the most lonely and miserable of her life. She was ready to burst.

Arms remaining crossed under her chest, the golden haired woman stepped past the guard and settled in next to him, her back striking the stone wall with a dull thud.

"I loathe it here, Barian." She gave a long sigh. "I'm more than capable of playing my part; my father made damned sure that I received the appropriate refinement training when I wasn't working in the fields or stables, but... I don't belong here. This mask I'm forced to wear, it is unbearable." Her arms fell to her sides, hands curling into fists. "The worst part is, I'm not even sure who to blame. My father, for bartering me as easily as he would a breeding mare? Garrenth, for bowing to social pressure and setting this whole mess into motion? Or myself, for allowing something so intangible as a House's honor to convince me to agree to...this... Surely, I could best either of the aforementioned men in a duel, so why should they have any say in my fate?"

She growled. "Damn it, Barian!" Her gaze met his. "Your men may as well start placing bets as to how long it is before I simply run away. I suspect living my life as a peasant would have a happier ending than present circumstances."

 

[StoryTime87]

It was hard to hold back a smile as Barian watched Avari's plush lips form a light pout. He listened intently to her troubles, capturing each of the words that escaped her lips. Gods she was young, just barely over half his age, and her nativity shone through. Of course her situation was not one to envy but she also did not have to sell herself to survive. No, it could be worse for her but nevertheless Barian felt the overwhelming urge to comfort Avari. He could sense the fire within her, the desire to better herself as she voiced her frustrations and that was something Barian admired.

Barian chuckled as he heard Avari curse. It turned into a loud gruff laugh as she said, "Your men may as well start placing bets as to how long it is before I simply run away." "The men started right when you took your first step in House Baellenor," he chortled. "I believe most of the bets are range from six months to a year," he said mirthfully as he dabbed the tears of laughter forming in the corners of his eyes.

Regaining his composure, he met the gaze of the young woman next to him and wrapped a strong arm around Avari's shoulder. "Personally, I bet my stake that you wouldn't run away. I could see the pride in your eyes; I believed you would do your duty regardless of how much you did not agree with it." He smiled warmly at her as he pulled her into an embrace, feeling her plush ample bust press against his hardened torso.

His voice quieted as he spoke into her ear. "You have bettered House Sendarii and all the people under it's protection by aligning it with House Baellenor in this marriage. Trade will increase back towards the Sendarii lands instead of being starved by the demands of the Great Cities. None of this would be possible if you lived out your life as a peasant; you cannot serve your people any better than you do now."

Barian released his embrace and allowed Avari to settle in next to him again, gently caressing her shoulder. "We all must make sacrifices to do the duty set upon us," he voice melancholic as he stared at the stone wall in front of him. He paused for a bit, debating whether he should go further. Feelings welled up within him, hesitant to show any sign of vulnerability but remembered her willingness to confide in him.

"I... I find this place lonely myself. Most people here still view me as a commoner." Barian spoke slowly as he turned the feelings into words. "Really Lord Garrenth is the only person I can confide in, but he is usually far too busy for me to waste his time with such trivial things. I desire a family, or at least a lover, but I cannot stand most of the women in this place. A commoner would be torn to pieces by those vultures whenever I traveled with Garrenth."

Barian turned towards Avari and returned her gaze as he mustered a wavering smile. "So M'lady, do not despair. I can tell you're a fighter and you will persevere even if your troubles do not disappear." The hand on her shoulder traveled up to her golden locks, tucking the longer front locks behind her ear. "At the very least, know that you are in good company."

 

[AnyOtherName]

Avari laughed for the first time since she arrived in the Baellenor territory. She wasn't in the least surprised to find that the guards were placing bets on her longevity as Garrenth's wife and the captain's humor in the matter was infectious. It was all so damned absurd; all she had left was her own amusements, she might as well find mirth where she could.

She found Barian's arm being placed reassuringly around her shoulders as the laughter died. In a serious tone, he expressed that he'd bet that she'd not run away, that she'd do her duty no matter the expense to herself. He smiled and pulled her in for a hug. She rested her head against his chest, towards his shoulder, facing his throat. She said nothing, listening as Barian continued to speak of the good she was doing for her people. He was right, she knew, and that was the worst of it. She didn't have any options, lest she was willing to turn her back on everyone who stood under her father's banner.

He released her, a hand lingering upon her shoulder as she moved back to her former position. "We all must make sacrifices to do the duty set upon us."

"You sound like my father," she commented with sigh. Her tone was not insulting, but nor was it praising (of course). She glanced over at Barian and gave him a soft, forgiving smile.

He spoke of his own loneliness, shared a perspective of his life. It seemed that Avari wasn't alone in having a less than perfect existence. He desired a companion, even a family, but had yet to find a woman that suited him. Given those she had meet here so far, the newlywed understood completely. Barian could take a commoner as a wife, if he wanted, but he was right: he'd only be forced to listen and watch as his involvement with the nobility led the woman to a torrent of snide abuse.

The Captain of the Guard returned her gaze. "So M'lady, do not despair. I can tell you're a fighter and you will persevere even if your troubles do not disappear." He reached up a hand to tenderly sweep the length of her bangs behind her ear. "At the very least, know that you are in good company."

She stared at him for a moment. He's only being nice, Avari. Settle your heart. He meant nothing, it wasn't an intimate gesture. Still, it was more so than anything she had experienced in recent memory.

"You're the first," she recovered quickly. "You're not wrong in what you speak of the so-called ladies that reside here. I fear I will never have a friend among them. And seeking the company of anyone else casts me in a bad light. Befriending a noble man, a commoner of either gender...anything can be construed against me. I guess, at least, I have my handmaidens." She gave a thoughtful smile. "And you, of course."

She considered for a moment before continuing. "...Even then, I imagine I'm expected to remain pure, in case that Garrenth ever decides he wants me. Indulging in your company in any capacity, I suspect, will serve only to tempt and remind me that I'm destined to remain untouched or be branded a whore." She inclined her neck, placing her head on the wall as she looked towards the ceiling. She gave a long, deep sigh.

 

[StoryTime87]

Barian fell into the depths of her vibrant blue eyes as she stared back at him. Gods, Avari was beautiful. Her laughter echoed in his ear and he felt his heart beat strengthen with every passing moment. When was the last time he felt this way? When was the last time he looked at a woman in this building without disgust welling in his mouth? He knew of her beauty; there were short glimpses where his eyes fell upon her. But this close, things were different. The floral notes of her scent were alluring and Barian struggled to maintain composure. He must, as this was his lord's wife, even if he did discard her tonight.

Her voice brought him out of his daydream, snapped him back to reality. She agreed with his assessment of the blasted women of this place and the troubles she would encounter if she tried to find happiness. Avari was right. Nothing she did would cast her in a good light. Was she fated to a life of loneliness? The thought of that crushed Barian's soul as he listened to the young woman.

"And you." The hand that swept through her bangs and rested upon the wall while he faced her slipped as her statement caught him off guard. True, he was making an effort to show her she wasn't alone, but it was the first time anyone besides Garrenth actually listened and appreciated him. He was just the oaf that knew how to wield a sword but this beauty of a woman actually heeded his words. Continuing to listen to her words, his heart raced in his chest, confused about the feelings that coursed within him as the sound of her deep sigh echoed.

There was a silent pause as he processed her words. Surely she did not mean what she said. Him, tempt her? What madness is running through this lovely woman's head. "It's not very nice to tease an old man, my dear," he said in a playfully scolding tone.

"Personally I doubt Garrenth would care seeing as how you're out here with me right now in that garb," Barian said as his voice changed to a manner of fact tone; he quickly swept his eyes over her luscious body and drank in the sight. He winced realizing what his words and actions at that moment.

"Not that Garrenth doesn't care about you, Lady Avari, but rather I doubt he puts much weight in purity given his circumstances. Gods, who knows what things Ficar has fucked." A boisterous chortle escaped his lips before Barian regained his composure. "Pardon, my language, m'lady."

Taking a deep breath, he turned away from her and looked at the wall in front of him; his arms fell to his side brushing against the silken fabric that she wore. "Would you really care if the women here branded you a whore? It seems to be another drop in the bucket at this point."

He paused for a moment as he was at a crossroads. Did he want to voice the feelings that welled within him? Should he? His black haired brows furrowed as he contemplated her earlier words.

His voice was soft as he turned off his mind as words his mouth. "Despite your duty to House Sendarii and House Baellenor, I believe that you are entitled to some sort of light in this darkness lest you go mad. Though..." he paused slightly while swallowing hard, "I might go mad if I could not indulge your desires." He slid his hand through the gap between the wall and the small of her back and placed his hand on her hip, only the silken fabric keeping him from the desire to touch her skin. Gently he pulled her towards him until their hips bumped and Barian's face flushed a light pink.

 

[AnyOtherName]

Avari's sapphire eyes returned from the ceiling slowly, settling upon Barian's face as he spoke. He had just referred to himself as an old man and the young bride drew her brows together as she refuted his statement via her expression. She looked at him like one might a 90 pound teenage girl that insisted she was fat.

He continued to speak, stating that Garrenth couldn't possibly care, given that he had allowed the blonde to wander out of their chambers in her bridal lingerie. His eyes explored her form freely; it wasn't until his up-sweep of his gaze rested back upon her face that the captain of the guard seemed to figure out what exactly he had just said. He quickly corrected himself. Garrenth didn't care about Avari's purity. The man threw in an insult towards her husband's lover just to sweeten the deal.

He took a deep breath and turned away from her, placing himself in his original position. As his arm fell to his side, it brushed lightly against Avari. She wasn't certain if it had been intentional or not.

"Would you really care if the women here branded you a whore? It seems to be another drop in the bucket at this point."

She considered his question for several moments, in which he continued to speak of her quandary. She hoped that he wasn't wrong, that she was entitled to some sliver of light in this forsaken place. Lest she go mad. When Barian swallowed hard and finished with, "I might go mad if I could not indulge your desires."

Did he mean...?

Avari felt his hand snake passed her lower back, his fingers following the curve of her hip as the appendage settled in a light hold. A gentle tug, beckoning her closer to him, to which the lady did not resist. She looked at the man with a somewhat perplexed expression.

He hadn't spoken in riddles, it was a small wonder that Avari was so conflicted as to his intent. She studied him silently for a moment, surprised to find a light flush claiming his handsome face. Her expression softened and she smiled.

"Granted, my peers already hate me. Being labelled a whore would, as you say, only be another drop in the bucket. But so far as I am concerned, that drop could be dyed the darkest of scarlet, because it would stain everything else and make it all that much worse." She knew she wouldn't receive the same reprieve of understanding that her spouse did. Even though she would have been effectively been drove to the arm's of another male for one very solid, and the exact same, reason.

"Madness," Avari repeated her former term, shaking her head softly, averting her gaze from Barian. Silence persisted for several long moments as the woman let her gaze explore the floor, as if there was an answer to be had there. Her vision traveled up her stockings, to the bottom hem of her silken robe. Knowing what was underneath it sparked the excitement and lust she had experienced in the first time she had tried on the lingerie.

She hadn't met Garrenth yet when she secured the garment. Silly Avari - she had taken the news of her marriage with an insane amount of optimism. She imagined that her to-be husband would be ravishing her within a week of her arrival...knowing that she would shamelessly give up her virginity to him well before their wedding night. She had been very particular with her tailor: the lingerie had to be perfect, make her enticing form even more so for such a consummation.

Avari's nipples hardened as she entertained the thought of putting her efforts and desires to action. She couldn't stay a virgin forever - and Garrenth could hardly expect her to, given the circumstances...

She stepped away from the wall, just enough so that a turn brought her to stand directly in front of the captain of the guard. She glanced briefly around them, ensuring that no one had wandered within their proximity. When her eyes settled back on the man, she spoke in hushed tones.

"Even if the public here were to accept me as they do Garrenth, there are others that would see such things as an affair to be a great disgrace upon my family. I can't..." She stared into his eyes, took a deep breath. "I can't be found out, Barian. No doubt I'd never be the devoted lover that you deserve." She placed her hands tenderly on his chest, a tinge of sadness marring her expression.

 

[StoryTime87]

His blush deepened as he realized his words that escaped his mouth in this time of vulnerability. Of course being branded as a slut would have much more weight than the names they currently threw at her. Barian looked back to Avari and saw her gaze pointed to the floor. It was a slight relief that he didn't have to meet her sapphire eyes, to face the effects of his words. His gaze followed hers as he looked down at her stockings, admiring the way they clung to her slender legs.

His rod steeled within his breeches as he let his eyes explore her curves once more. Gods, was he just a lecherous old man? Did he have no control, the very thing in which he prided himself on? Granted there was a beautiful young lady present clad only in her bridal lingerie but was he so uncouth as to take advantage of the situation?

Those thoughts hastily disappeared as his eyes lulled over the curve of her bosom. Faint buds shown underneath her white silken robes. Was she aroused? By him? The thought thrilled Barian as Avari's speech echoed in his mind. Madness.

Barian's brown orbs darted from her voluptuous chest to her face as he saw her stir. Stepping away from the wall, she glanced briefly around them before speaking in hushed tones. Her sultry voice danced in his ears as she explained the turmoil within her. "No doubt I'd never be the devoted lover that you deserve," she finished as she placed her hands on his beating chest, his heart pounding underneath the thin shirt he wore.

He gazed upon her beautiful visage, only marred by a tinge of sadness that ran through her plush lips. He cupped her face with his rough hands as he gazed right back into those deep blue pools. "M'lady, it is I that does not deserve your affection." His voice wavered in hesitation, but a deep breath steeled his nerves. "With you at Garrenth's side, I would always be able to keep an eye on you even if we must maintain our distance in public. The worry I would avoid would double my life expectancy." He chuckled, partially in nervousness and partially in the foolishness of it all. "Gods, I would not be able to wish for a better lover." Though looking into her vibrant orbs, he understood that he would sacrifice much for such foolishness.

Closing his eyes, he planted his lips upon Avari's somewhat unsure of her response to his action. Her young lips were soft and plush, reminding him of his first kiss with a girl named Ceres. But that was long ago. His left hand moved from her cheek to the back of her neck. His hand danced within her her short golden locks. However the moment was short lived as the sound of foot steps lightly echoed down the hall causing Barian to pull away from their connection.

The sounds of the party were absent, things must've died down during their conversation without him noticing. It must be his replacements, he did tell them to take his post once the last of the guests left. Barian looked at Avari with a new sense of vigor beaming in his eyes, as he whispered to the lady. "It would be best if my guards did not see you in such attire. Head to my chambers, dear Avari. It doesn't seem that Garrenth would be finished any time soon." He pointed to his left, torches casting flickering shadows as the hall curved out of sight. "It is down the hall, the second door on the right."

Barian hesitated, not wanting to release his hold of her; terrified that this moment would disappear if he let her out of his sight. Steeling his heart, Barian placed a firm hand on the small of the girl's back and gave her an encouraging push in the direction of his chambers. "I will be with you soon, m'lady."