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rigit had somehow ended up beside Armand at the breakfast table. Amid the noisy chatter of her gathered friends, both new and old, she had made it a point to choose her seat beside Teleri, concerned that the man might think she was stalking him if she made her interest too obvious. She cast a sidelong glance, trying to act as if she had not yet noticed him. He had spent the last few weeks recovering from his ordeal and was now radiant with good health. Yesterday she had followed him around Kaineng, ostensibly posing as a personal bodyguard but also just longing to be with him. Being widely traveled, he had recovered a stash of clothing and money from a Xunlai agent. The perfectly tailored clothes emphasized the elegant lines of his body. The burgundy jacket brought out the tenderness of his cornflower blue eyes and failed miserably at keeping her thoughts from straying to her indecent curiosity about his body. The coat was draped over a light linen blouse laced alluringly over his chest and left carelessly untied beneath the union of his collarbones as if to tempt her to tug it loose.
She sighed. What was wrong with her? Was she completely mad? She was an uncouth plough horse and he was a high strung race horse. The two just did not mix. The chatter died down slightly when Zhou arrived to take up his seat alone at the head of the table. Shikai was notably absent. Mabane wriggled anxiously across from her, accidentally kicking her under the table when Pendaran arrived a moment later. She blushed when Zhou met her gaze and proffered a respectful nod. He was yet another mesmer that had proved a source of cringe-worthy embarrassment.
Seriously, she needed to stick to her own kind. She glanced up table to where the burly warrior Orick was chattering animatedly with his new sparring partner, Fbody. No. Give it up. She was destined to live out her days like Auntie Pegeen. Not a bad thing, she decided as she recalled an image of the older woman happily cutting a bloody swath through roaring Charr. Being an accomplished warrior was not such a bad thing.
But it was difficult to watch Pendaran lower his face to kiss Teleri sweetly upon her cheek and take her hand as if it were his most precious treasure. His striking green eyes were warm with love as he gazed into Teleri’s face and wished her good morning. They pressed together on the bench like a pair of courting birds. She looked away and focused on her cup of steaming tea, aware that Armand had followed her gaze, and like her, had turned his attention to something innocuous. The two of them fumbled with the small porcelain cups, neither of them drinking because, as they had discussed dozens of times in awkward conversations during his recovery, they both hated tea.
She burned with embarrassment. This was really stupid. Armand thanked a servant as a fresh pot of Elonian coffee was set down beside his empty plate. He had purchased the beans yesterday and had taken pains to describe to her its more salient qualities. They had both blushed nearly purple when he had tried to explain to her what he meant by the term stimulant. What was it she had said? Like that hot prickly feeling you get from looking at a nice body? She wanted to curl up in a ball and die of shame just thinking about it.
“Would you like some?” he asked blandly.
“Sure,” she replied huskily. Why did this have to be so painful? Uriel and Morisedd were sitting beside their nephew, Mabane, and glanced up at the sound of her voice.
“I hope you’re not getting sick, Brigit,” Uriel said, “You need to give up sleeping in the nude when it’s cold like this.”
Morisedd chuckled. Armand swore under his breath as coffee missed her cup and puddled around it instead.
“Swyno told me you were infamous for loping to the outhouse naked in the morning.”
“Kill me now,” she prayed silently to Grenth as the deep burn of embarrassment rose to her face.
“I don’t wear anything to bed. Why would you want clothes to get in the way when you can just pile on more blankets?” Teleri protested, “And don’t think for a moment I’ll let Pen hide his lovely view from me.”
Oh good, they were working on Pendaran who was now an exquisite shade of scarlet as the others chuckled. She shrank down in her seat, as much as her burly frame would allow, and contrived to become invisible.
“Sorry about that,” Armand said as a servant cleaned up the mess and he handed her a half-filled cup. Their fingers brushed but somehow she managed to keep her façade of calm and bring the vessel to her lips. She sipped it cautiously and nearly gagged. Swallowing, she feigned a pleasant smile and thanked him. How could he drink this disgusting swill? As unpleasant as she found tea, at least it wasn’t bitter and gritty. He took an experimental swallow and his eyes bulged with alarm. Then, with a mesmer’s skill at hiding his emotions, he calmly swallowed and set the cup aside.
“It’s horrible,” Brigit confided.
“Quite.”
“I take it you prepare it differently?”
“Yes,” he hesitated, “Would you… “
Brigit turned her head to meet his gaze, her heart thundering with anticipation.
“Yes, Armand?”
“I need some tea to wash the taste from my mouth,” he said quickly, looking away.
“But you hate tea,” she murmured, gazing at her hands.
“It’s better than badly made coffee and I don’t see anything else to drink.”
During the awkward silence that followed, the servants arrived with plates of smoked eel, balls of sticky rice and a pot of sweet rice porridge containing what appeared to be bits of dried fruit and scrambled egg. It was pleasantly simple fare and she had grown accustomed to it during her stay. She passed Armand the half-empty teapot and settled calmly back in her chair feigning boredom.
“Uriel, I wondered if you were ready to travel back to Tyria,” Zhou said after the conversation between he, Pendaran and Teleri had died down. Breakfast was now in full swing and the sounds of passing plates and contented eating were interspersed with smatterings of chatter.
“The Ministry of Earth is still refusing the building permit, despite showing that the transfer of deed had gone through. I was told to go back in two days.”
“Whatever for?” Zhou demanded, annoyed.
“I still haven’t fulfilled some ridiculous request they made two months ago. I figured their requirement would be unnecessary since it was originally tied to purchasing a plot of land for the school. I’d have thought with you passing me the deed, the matter was settled.”
“Never underestimate the power of incompetence at the Celestial Ministry,” Zhou grumbled, “What did they ask for?”
“The willing tear of a sad song. At least, that was what Lemony told me. I hope she translated it properly.”
Pendaran looked up from his quiet conversation with Teleri.
“I believe I have some of those.”
Zhou quirked a brow while Uriel merely stared at the mesmer. A hopeful expression crossed the woman’s heart-shaped face.
“A creature named Threnody gave me a necklace of diamonds shaped like tears as a parting gift,” Pendaran explained, “I had helped her escape from the demon on the island. I suppose since she is named for a sad song and she gave me her tears willingly, it fits.”
Uriel beamed with delight.
“Well if that is the case, I can deliver the thing to the Ministry and demand the final piece of paperwork be completed. Provided it goes as smoothly as that, I can be on the next boat out to Lion’s Arch soon after. It is about time we placed that Celestial Sigil.”
“Agreed,” said Zhou and Brigit detected the man was mildly vexed with Pendaran for some odd reason.
“Good, I’m ready to go home,” Morisedd announced.
“Me too,” replied Brigit. She was missing Tyria for all its woes.
“I had hoped Lore Master Orick would be available to help you find a secure location in Tyria to place it,” Zhou continued, gratified when the big warrior raised his head and ceased his conversation with Fbody.
“Of course, Master Bei, and I need to return to my guild hall in any event. I have been asked to serve as an officer of the Blade and Rose.”
“Excellent and congratulations. I will see to it that a suitable vessel is booked for the journey.”
“What about the rare extracts we require for our work?” Pendaran asked Zhou.
“Unfortunately, my original liaison with the Deldrimor dwarves is no longer with us. It being winter in the Shiverpeaks, courting a new contact would be better attempted in late spring.”
“I have friends among the dwarves,” Brigit blurted, immediately wondering why she had volunteered the information, “I can speak their language, too.”
“Do you, indeed?” Zhou murmured, his dark eyes boring into her.
“I was trained by them.”
“This is most fortuitous, and while I have my doubts, it is too great an opportunity to squander. Brigit Gaenor, would you be willing to lead an expedition into the Southern Shiverpeaks on my behalf?”
“Of course, Master Bei. You know I would do anything to help you and Pen.”
“Good, then I will book you on the next ship to Droknar’s Forge. I should go now to make the list of items I will need you to procure on my behalf.”
“I need to stop by Droknar’s Forge to pick up a new pair of boots,” Armand murmured, “If you don’t mind, Master Bei, I would like passage on the same vessel. But I will pay my own way.”
“My generosity disturbs you, Master Armand, and so I will refuse your coin.”
“I will leave it in my bedroom before I depart.”
“And it will be there awaiting your return.”
“I am going to Tyria,” Armand said calmly, “I thank you, Master Bei. Your generosity and concern for my well being is flattering, but it is no longer necessary.”
“You will be back, Master LeBlanc, and you will be welcome to stay in your room when you return. Your coin will be awaiting you there.”
Brigit nearly bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Armand’s face burned with startled anger. Zhou rose then and nodded politely to those who had joined him for breakfast. Pendaran kissed Teleri good bye and followed.
“I’m glad you’re going to Droknar’s Forge with me,” Brigit said awkwardly.
“It is good to have company on long voyages,” Armand said bluntly.
“Company is stimulating.”
Brigit flushed. Had she actually said that? Armand stared at her for a moment and a faint smile tickled the corners of his lips.
“Yes, it might be.”
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