There was little doubt, to Edda, of her growing lack of wonderment in Ishgard. What was once an inhospitable but fascinating land now seemed more of a second cage than anything else, and upon her return to the city, the young woman swore to never step foot outside once more unless absolutely necessary. It was so very cold, and in this state, returning in such a manner, what cause would there be? Surely what business she would have here, however minimal, could be conducted indoors, where no one would interfere, or care.
And so she called Khadai to her, hastily, as it were, as if it were some great emergency. James was out, and she had much on her mind. This changed things. Everything looked different to her now, and perhaps seeing the Xaela again would force her to decide just what it is she wanted. She needed to know, and so too did Khadai. It was his every right.
Yet that man returned, and with him every doubt she carried in her heart. There would be no peace with him present, and so Edda bid Khadai to leave, once more unsure. She felt cruel in doing so, but the vision in which she saw him fulfilling her one desire had begun to fade and tear at the seams, and as he left she felt her breath freeze in her chest. It was far too soon, now, for her to ask of him such a deed. Her father had given her a task, and she would not run from it yet.
While the original purpose Khadai would fill was but a shadow of a memory, she still had a need of him. It was too soon for her to arouse suspicion, and yet too soon for anything to go awry. She steeled herself, as she called him over the linkpearl once more. It had been some time since they last spoke, and she half expected him to have changed his attitude towards her completely. She would not be able to blame him, for that.
He agreed, and Edda awaited the man at the Forgotten Knight, in front of the large hearth in the center room. It was mid-morning, and so the dining area was not as busy as it usually was. Here they would be undisturbed, or so she hoped. She carried with her a small parcel, easily opened. If he was cross with her it would be a useless gesture, but still she felt the need to try.
He nearly surprised her, as she waited. Despite his size he made little noise as he descended the stairs and made his way to her, but his stature and the feel of his stare was noticeable enough. “We must speak.†The timbre of his voice was unmistakable.
Edda turned to face him and smiled with some apprehension. He had proven himself to be a direct and unsubtle man, but such an approach from him was a new one. She tilted her head. “Is there something on your mind?â€
“We did not finish our previous discussion. You must define the terms of our agreement, and the parameters in which I am to fight for you.†His trademark frown creased his face, punctuating the taciturn and direct statement.
“Very well.†She chuckled lightly. Her surprise at receiving orders from the Au Ra had already begun to subside. “Though I am loathe to admit it, it seems I have been put in quite a… precarious position.†She turned to look back into the fire and frowned. “I will be requiring your protection, though it would be less of a call to arms for you, and more of a request of constant vigilance. It is fine if you do not agree.†It may be better if you do not, she felt like saying, but it would only serve to confuse. The apprehension stayed with her. It felt as if she would be fine for the rest of her life, and as if she would be killed tomorrow.
Khadai nodded, a look of relief crossing his features. It was good that she said no more. “My agreement is irrelevant. If that is to be my function, then I will fulfill it. Am I to accompany you at all times?†His query was a straightforward one, devoid of any resentment she would expect from nearly anyone.
Edda looked at him from the side, gauging him quietly. “That would be expected of you, yes. Yet I am not so cruel as to request that of you. You came here for your own purpose, not to sit at my feet like a dog.†Her tone sounded far more acerbic than she liked, and she gave the man a cross look. “But for the sake of my own appearances, I would ask that you greet me in the mornings and…
“…Perhaps stand watch, during the night,†she said slowly. It sounded far worse now that it had been put into words. “But only if I request it. It will rarely occur, if ever,†she added hastily. Even now she could not imagine a circumstance where she would ask him for such a thing. The idea did not seem to suit either of their characters.
“Will you be staying at the home we met in prior?â€
“Yes.â€
He nodded. “I will do this, then.â€
His lack of protest surprised her. Of all the outcomes she might have expected, this felt by far the most unlikely. “I… see. Most suns I will send you away if I’ve no need of you, so you will be free to pursue whatever it is you wish during such times, but,†she paused, and her arms tightened around the parcel she held at her chest. “On such suns, perhaps if you have nothing planned…†She trailed off.
He tilted his head. Dealing with her seemed quite a chore. “Call for me when you wish for my accompaniment, and I will come.â€
“R-right.†Edda pursed her lips, then turned to him suddenly. She took a step forward and held out the parcel to him. “These are for you. Perhaps when there is nothing to do, we can, um.†She cut herself off and looked to the ceiling, looking for the right word. “Learn, I suppose.â€
Khadai stared at the parcel curiously before gingerly taking them into his gauntleted hands, and glanced into the opening. Inside was a collection of slim books, all varying sizes, clearly meant for children – or at least for children with parents wealthy enough to afford them an education.
“These are… books,†he murmured, more to himself than to Edda. He twisted and turned the parcel in his hands, his expression puzzled. “This will… teach me the Continent’s written word?â€
She nodded. “Yes, in theory. All it takes is practice and a basic foundation, and it is simple enough.†She smiled and shifted her weight. What an awkward feeling. She had never taught anyone a thing before, with no experience or known ability to, yet the urge was there. “I am more than happy to help you get started, though I imagine you will get a handle on it quite quickly, constantly exposed to our words as you are.â€
He returned her nod with one of his own. “If you are certain, then I accept. I have taken on the profession of hunting.†He raised a hand to pat a set of mylodon horns hanging from a large hook attached to his belt. “This profession will occupy much of my time… but when you call, I will answer.â€
“Thank you, Khadai. Truly.†She looked up at Khadai and examined him from head to toe, smiling softly. There was a small bout of silence, a bit awkward, but it passed quickly enough. Eventually, she shook her head. “I do not mean to keep you. Go,†she motioned idly with her hand. “Resume whatever it is you were doing. Please call me if you have need of anything.â€
He tilted his head in the other direction. “If you are willing, I do have need of your knowledge at the moment.â€
Her eyes widened in surprise. That had been unexpected. Her heart skipped a beat. “Of- of course. What is it?â€
The Xaela reached behind him and pulled out a fairly sizeable leather purse, filled with gil. He held the purse out in both hands towards her. “I do not know how to manage this Continent’s currency. The stern woman offered such guidance, but now I find such a thing to be a burden to carry, given that I do not know how to exchange it properly. For now, I ask that you keep track of my currencies in my stead, and store it for me in a safe location.â€
Edda frowned at the sack of gil and took it, weighing it in her arms gingerly. Here was a request she was perfectly confident in being able to fulfill, but for some reason it brought her little joy. “Do you not use it to buy food or drink? On a regular basis?â€
“I do. I have discerned the number of currency needed, and have appropriated the correct amount.†He gestured to the purse. “This is excess that I cannot carry without difficulty.â€
She chuckled softly and brought the gil purse close to her chest. “I will do so, then. It will be kept safe and secure, and I shall keep track of the amount as well.†She paused. “You have done well for yourself.â€
He shrugged. “Without knowing the value, I cannot gauge my own success in this endeavor.â€
“Be that as it may, a small success is still success.â€
“It is simple, straightforward work, and though I am no hunter, I am capable of using my skills as required.â€
Edda allowed his words to sink in for a moment, her expression sobering. “…Are you content?â€
“I do not understand the meaning behind  your question.â€
She sighed. Of course he would not. She was not, would never be, the one to ask such a thing. “Never mind. It was a silly question.â€
Khadai glanced at her quizzically but did not press the issue. “Call when I am required, and I will come to your side.†His black tabard swept along his legs and close to the floor as he turned and strode out of the establishment.
And so she called Khadai to her, hastily, as it were, as if it were some great emergency. James was out, and she had much on her mind. This changed things. Everything looked different to her now, and perhaps seeing the Xaela again would force her to decide just what it is she wanted. She needed to know, and so too did Khadai. It was his every right.
Yet that man returned, and with him every doubt she carried in her heart. There would be no peace with him present, and so Edda bid Khadai to leave, once more unsure. She felt cruel in doing so, but the vision in which she saw him fulfilling her one desire had begun to fade and tear at the seams, and as he left she felt her breath freeze in her chest. It was far too soon, now, for her to ask of him such a deed. Her father had given her a task, and she would not run from it yet.
While the original purpose Khadai would fill was but a shadow of a memory, she still had a need of him. It was too soon for her to arouse suspicion, and yet too soon for anything to go awry. She steeled herself, as she called him over the linkpearl once more. It had been some time since they last spoke, and she half expected him to have changed his attitude towards her completely. She would not be able to blame him, for that.
He agreed, and Edda awaited the man at the Forgotten Knight, in front of the large hearth in the center room. It was mid-morning, and so the dining area was not as busy as it usually was. Here they would be undisturbed, or so she hoped. She carried with her a small parcel, easily opened. If he was cross with her it would be a useless gesture, but still she felt the need to try.
He nearly surprised her, as she waited. Despite his size he made little noise as he descended the stairs and made his way to her, but his stature and the feel of his stare was noticeable enough. “We must speak.†The timbre of his voice was unmistakable.
Edda turned to face him and smiled with some apprehension. He had proven himself to be a direct and unsubtle man, but such an approach from him was a new one. She tilted her head. “Is there something on your mind?â€
“We did not finish our previous discussion. You must define the terms of our agreement, and the parameters in which I am to fight for you.†His trademark frown creased his face, punctuating the taciturn and direct statement.
“Very well.†She chuckled lightly. Her surprise at receiving orders from the Au Ra had already begun to subside. “Though I am loathe to admit it, it seems I have been put in quite a… precarious position.†She turned to look back into the fire and frowned. “I will be requiring your protection, though it would be less of a call to arms for you, and more of a request of constant vigilance. It is fine if you do not agree.†It may be better if you do not, she felt like saying, but it would only serve to confuse. The apprehension stayed with her. It felt as if she would be fine for the rest of her life, and as if she would be killed tomorrow.
Khadai nodded, a look of relief crossing his features. It was good that she said no more. “My agreement is irrelevant. If that is to be my function, then I will fulfill it. Am I to accompany you at all times?†His query was a straightforward one, devoid of any resentment she would expect from nearly anyone.
Edda looked at him from the side, gauging him quietly. “That would be expected of you, yes. Yet I am not so cruel as to request that of you. You came here for your own purpose, not to sit at my feet like a dog.†Her tone sounded far more acerbic than she liked, and she gave the man a cross look. “But for the sake of my own appearances, I would ask that you greet me in the mornings and…
“…Perhaps stand watch, during the night,†she said slowly. It sounded far worse now that it had been put into words. “But only if I request it. It will rarely occur, if ever,†she added hastily. Even now she could not imagine a circumstance where she would ask him for such a thing. The idea did not seem to suit either of their characters.
“Will you be staying at the home we met in prior?â€
“Yes.â€
He nodded. “I will do this, then.â€
His lack of protest surprised her. Of all the outcomes she might have expected, this felt by far the most unlikely. “I… see. Most suns I will send you away if I’ve no need of you, so you will be free to pursue whatever it is you wish during such times, but,†she paused, and her arms tightened around the parcel she held at her chest. “On such suns, perhaps if you have nothing planned…†She trailed off.
He tilted his head. Dealing with her seemed quite a chore. “Call for me when you wish for my accompaniment, and I will come.â€
“R-right.†Edda pursed her lips, then turned to him suddenly. She took a step forward and held out the parcel to him. “These are for you. Perhaps when there is nothing to do, we can, um.†She cut herself off and looked to the ceiling, looking for the right word. “Learn, I suppose.â€
Khadai stared at the parcel curiously before gingerly taking them into his gauntleted hands, and glanced into the opening. Inside was a collection of slim books, all varying sizes, clearly meant for children – or at least for children with parents wealthy enough to afford them an education.
“These are… books,†he murmured, more to himself than to Edda. He twisted and turned the parcel in his hands, his expression puzzled. “This will… teach me the Continent’s written word?â€
She nodded. “Yes, in theory. All it takes is practice and a basic foundation, and it is simple enough.†She smiled and shifted her weight. What an awkward feeling. She had never taught anyone a thing before, with no experience or known ability to, yet the urge was there. “I am more than happy to help you get started, though I imagine you will get a handle on it quite quickly, constantly exposed to our words as you are.â€
He returned her nod with one of his own. “If you are certain, then I accept. I have taken on the profession of hunting.†He raised a hand to pat a set of mylodon horns hanging from a large hook attached to his belt. “This profession will occupy much of my time… but when you call, I will answer.â€
“Thank you, Khadai. Truly.†She looked up at Khadai and examined him from head to toe, smiling softly. There was a small bout of silence, a bit awkward, but it passed quickly enough. Eventually, she shook her head. “I do not mean to keep you. Go,†she motioned idly with her hand. “Resume whatever it is you were doing. Please call me if you have need of anything.â€
He tilted his head in the other direction. “If you are willing, I do have need of your knowledge at the moment.â€
Her eyes widened in surprise. That had been unexpected. Her heart skipped a beat. “Of- of course. What is it?â€
The Xaela reached behind him and pulled out a fairly sizeable leather purse, filled with gil. He held the purse out in both hands towards her. “I do not know how to manage this Continent’s currency. The stern woman offered such guidance, but now I find such a thing to be a burden to carry, given that I do not know how to exchange it properly. For now, I ask that you keep track of my currencies in my stead, and store it for me in a safe location.â€
Edda frowned at the sack of gil and took it, weighing it in her arms gingerly. Here was a request she was perfectly confident in being able to fulfill, but for some reason it brought her little joy. “Do you not use it to buy food or drink? On a regular basis?â€
“I do. I have discerned the number of currency needed, and have appropriated the correct amount.†He gestured to the purse. “This is excess that I cannot carry without difficulty.â€
She chuckled softly and brought the gil purse close to her chest. “I will do so, then. It will be kept safe and secure, and I shall keep track of the amount as well.†She paused. “You have done well for yourself.â€
He shrugged. “Without knowing the value, I cannot gauge my own success in this endeavor.â€
“Be that as it may, a small success is still success.â€
“It is simple, straightforward work, and though I am no hunter, I am capable of using my skills as required.â€
Edda allowed his words to sink in for a moment, her expression sobering. “…Are you content?â€
“I do not understand the meaning behind  your question.â€
She sighed. Of course he would not. She was not, would never be, the one to ask such a thing. “Never mind. It was a silly question.â€
Khadai glanced at her quizzically but did not press the issue. “Call when I am required, and I will come to your side.†His black tabard swept along his legs and close to the floor as he turned and strode out of the establishment.
