A Night in Ain Ghazal

It had been a long morning in the black spire, but culling the throngs of Dragon Priests was one of her preferred ways of passing time, especially when a certain Paladin was with her. Normally the pair would retire to the forge or their apartment in Shard after completing the day's hunt but today Sendithu had something better in mind, starting with a glass of the Chateau's finest red wine and a long, hard earned soak in the mineral baths high atop Ain Ghazal. She tilted her glass slightly, letting the candlelight play off the blood red liquid within, her thoughts starting to drift as she eases into the steamy water. This place, this island, was one of the very few places where she ever felt truly safe. Her reputation preceded her, especially here, and the Sisters ran a very tight ship and brooked no mischief. Being able to relax her guard for these few hours was precious to her and she intended to share that with Sam today. A polite tap at the crystal door shakes her from her reverie just before the attendant sweeps into the room, proffering a sumptuous bathrobe with downcast eyes. She emerges from the water and dresses quickly, draining her glass before striding up the staircase towards the sana'ati doors leading to the Palace Suite at the top of the Chateau.

The raven-haired Elf runs a critical eye over the room, but everything was perfect as usual. Even the amaranthine bedding was the perfect shade to compliment her eyes. She tossed a platinum coin to the attendant and gave a slight nod as the girl bowed her way out of the room, closing the doors behind her. A slight smile crept across her lips as she gazed into the armoire. She enjoyed this part, choosing her attire was always amusing but dressing for him was something else entirely. Time slipped by as she debated the finer points of several gowns, but finally as she stood in front of the mirror and made the final adjustments, there was a polite series of taps at the door. He had arrived.



She spared one more glance at the mirror before slipping out the doors and down the staircase, pausing just outside the Conversation Room to scan the room from behind the curtained doorway. Smoothing the firesilk gown over her hips she saunters in, catching the tall Human's gaze immediately. He rises from his chair and moves quickly to her side, his stormy grey eyes sweeping over her approvingly before he pulls her close for a kiss.

"Hello, dearest," he murmurs, slipping an arm around her waist. "You look lovely."

"So glad you think so. I see you got my note. Thank you for making the trip."

Samsaren snorts softly, giving her a disbelieving look as they settle into their seats. "Did you really think I'd say no?"

"No, I suppose not." She tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear and nibbles her lower lip thoughtfully. "There are some things I wanted to discuss away from Shard."

"Oh? And here I thought you were just tempting me away from the forge with the prospect of something more interesting to do."

She laughed softly. "More interesting than forging? Whatever could you mean?"

"Mmm, we can discuss it later. What's on your mind?"

She glanced around the room before answering. A few other guests had begun trickling into the River Fisher, drawn by the incredible smells coming from the kitchen. Catching the eye of one of the barmaids, she gave a slight gesture and was answered with a nod. She reached over and tugged at her companion's ponytail playfully. "Come upstairs, we can have dinner in some privacy."

Once they were safely behind the sana'ati doors, their meal steaming on the table between them, she picked at the chains binding the pilonu to her hand for a moment before catching his gaze. "Synamon."

He looked confused for a moment, and then thoughtful. "Synamon?"

"After that...issue...with her and that lackwit Hammerfist a few weeks ago, she has been on my mind a great deal."

He frowned slightly, drumming his fingers on the table. "Mine as well, beloved. I hate to see her bear the brunt of the enmity that her family has wrought, but I am stuck on what to do about it."

"What if she had a new family?"

He held her gaze patiently, not saying anything. His usual tactic, nod and wait. It came to him as naturally as breathing.

"What if you 'adopted' her, so to speak? Expanded your family name. She adores you, and she trusts you. If anyone could bring her away from the Arkarms, it would be you." She bit her lower lip thoughtfully, her eyes searching his face.

He rose, pacing across the room to stare out over the balcony. Far below them, the ferry lights twinkled merrily as the River Clan skiffs sailed back and forth across the Segoltha. "I...hrm. I've never considered that. I never gave much thought to offering my surname to anyone. Do you really think she'd go for it?"

Sendithu shrugged her shoulder slightly. "Would it hurt to ask? Think how much it would irritate the Therengians if she 'turned', so to speak, and they no longer had that to hold over her head. And I know it would break your heart to have yet another excuse to swing that axe of yours around if someone decides to make an issue over it."

He laughed then, turning and pulling her to her feet. "You're beautiful. I love it. Let's invite Maltris too, he's all the family I can call upon now and I'd love to make it official. Can your Factor arrange the details if they agree to such?"

She smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling close. "Anything you need is yours, just ask."

He twisted a lock of her hair between his fingertips, staring deep into her eyes. "Anything?"

She laughed softly, holding his gaze and tightening her arms around his waist. "Anything at all."