Chapter 7. All Things Work Out for the Best

emony was the kind of person who managed to find the good in any situation, a trait that her friends either found refreshing or annoying.  Considering the name she had been saddled with, it was part of the territory.   Today she was glad just to be up and about, following behind the young mesmer in her traditional place at the rear of the party.  He was good from any angle, she decided, grinning mischievously to herself.  What would her teachers have thought if they could have read her mind about now?

Not that she had any intention of letting the young fop play her for a fool.  Lemony might act naïve, but she was far from it.  She was a healer, and therefore, she had seen the result of pretty much everything humanity was capable of leveling upon its fellow humanity.

She scratched her scalp, deciding that once she reached Yak’s Bend she’d plead with Morisedd to shave the fine down that presaged the return of her hair. 

She was bored despite the view.  The trouble with Pendaran was that he was a great deal like candy.  After so many servings he became cloying and he clearly had very little internal life.  He was all boasting and strutting like a barnyard fowl. 

Now Morisedd, he was interesting, flawed and sulky though he was.  She watched the dynamics of the lopsided triangle that flowed between her two friends and the peacock stranger.  If she were a betting woman, she would lay odds that the ranger and the mesmer would come to blows before Yak’s Bend.  Poor Morisedd.  He wore his love for Uriel on his sleeve but he could not deal with her blank honesty.  It was like watching a child repeatedly reach into a fire to see if the flames still burned.

She picked up her pace to walk beside Uriel, glancing up at the taller woman as her staff clacked upon the hardpan track.

“Rather interesting choice you’ve made there.”

Uriel arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips, a sign that she was struggling with the curse.  Lemony was careful not to strain her friend in such matters by not asking direct questions, but sometimes Uriel could not stop herself and her opinions tumbled from her mouth in a snarled heap.

“Don’t ask me why,” Uriel pleaded.

“Of course not, my friend.”

Lemony searched for a topic that would save Uriel from herself.

“Isn’t it nice that we no longer have to send everything we earn to the Temple of Orr?” she said cheerily, “I actually have five hundred coins tucked aside toward my retirement.”

“There you go again,” Uriel sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperation, “I’m sorry, but I can’t see the Searing as a good thing no matter how I look at it.”

“There’s always good…”

“…in every bad thing.  Oh shut it, you annoying prat.”

“Is he any good?” Lemony asked, gesturing at Pendaran.

“I hate it when you take advantage of me!” Uriel snapped, angered, “Of course he’s good. He’s had lots of practice.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Uriel glared at Lemony, her dark eyes pleading with her not to ask any more awkward questions.

“Do you like him?”

“I hate him. He’s a pig,” she howled, shaking her head vigorously at Lemony.

Pendaran glanced back at her, appearing to have overheard.

“Stop talking to me, you stupid cow!” Uriel snarled, the curse taking control of her tongue as her composure slipped.

Lemony blushed, hurt, but consoled herself that it was only the curse speaking.  It would not be the first time she would have to act as the diplomat to preserve Uriel from herself.  Pendaran slowed his pace, joining them with a winning smile.

“How are you, my fiery blossom?” he asked Uriel, “Are you well?

“I am annoyed that you are near me and utterly sick of the sight of you, you trumped up fop,” she hissed through clenched teeth, struggling against the curse, “Walk on ahead like a nice pig.”

Pendaran dropped his chakram in shock.

“Oh, Uriel, you’re such a kidder,” Lemony giggled, picking up the chakram and handing it back to the shocked man, “Where she’s from, pig is a term of utmost endearment, and you know… she’s one of those who likes it rough.”

Uriel uttered a stiff laugh and smiled at the mesmer.

The Jewel of Luitha certainly made for some entertaining moments, Lemony reflected.