Holier Than Thou

[Emora Deen]

Tenele slowly stepped out slowly, looking at all the people in the courtyard. This was exactly where she stood when they overcame here and dragged her away. It made her nervous, and she feared that they could sense her nervousness. But, instead of rushing her as they'd done then... they stared. Long, hard, and eager.

Tenele shifted from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do or how someone would greet their attacker... Especially when they were begging forgiveness.

So, Tenele lifted a small hand above her head, like she was reaching for a star. She waved to them, and it was possibly the silliest thing she could have done in the situation, all things concerning. But, Tenele was no mystical creature. She had no smoke and mirrors to charm them or wow them. She was simply a woman, a human, a mortal... Fragile and vulnerable.

So, Tenele did the only thing she knew to do for someone with no special gifts, or protection, or strength. She stepped out among the very people who tried to kill her, among possible danger and persecution. She showed them she was not afraid.

[Soran Nightblade]

Like a signal had been given, the singing began anew, rising quickly through the entire crowd. An older woman at the front of the line, closest to Tenele, cast a heavy idol into the pile as far as she could throw it and turned to look at Tenele. She knelt down slowly on unsteady knees and pressed her forehead to the tips of Tenele's feet, murmuring a prayer that was not lifted to some abstract force, but clearly and directly to Tenele. The woman raised her head with tears in her eyes, like she was looking at an estranged daughter.

[Emora Deen]

The tears in the old woman's eyes broke Tenele. She felt her own roll down her cheeks in rivers. Tenele knelt quickly and grabbed the old woman's hands, helping her to her feet. "Thank you," she whispered to the old woman.

[Soran Nightblade]

The woman murmured something warm and ancient with a protective smile before turning to get out of the way. The next repenting civilian was waiting for a turn to pray.

The lined moved, on and on. Many of the interactions were quick and formal, much like the old woman's had been. As the day wore on, some were brave enough to ask about her health or introduce themselves to their protector by name. Some even had quick conversations, telling of loved ones there and in Ida who had outlived the plague, or sharing other small details of their lives. Each of them seemed to need to connect with her in some way.

The pile of totems grew and grew, and the crowd only seemed to grow by the hour. "Do you need a break?" Vlad asked her discreetly as a tear-stricken boy led his blind grandmother away from them.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded. "Yes," she whispered, looking up to him. "I think a break would be good." She reached out for his hand and wrapped her fingers around his.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad nodded, observing the sun dipping lower and lower on the horizon. "The Lady is tired. She must retire. So should you," he called out, his strong voice easily reaching the entire square. The guards ushered them cooperatively inside and closed the doors behind them.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele was surprised at how taxing that had been, because the moment the doors closed she realized how tiring the event had been. Tenele looped her arm with Vlad's and walked with him back to their room. Atul sat up slowly when they returned, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him, climbing across the bed to take his face in her hands.

He smiled at her, resting hands along the curve of her hips. "Much better," he admitted, though he still appeared tired. His eyes flickered to Vlad. "And how are we doing?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad hesitated a minute at the question. "...No problems here," he tried to sound baffled b y the inquiry. Have you had anything to drink since waking up?" he changed the subject quickly.

[Emora Deen]

Atul sighed. "No, mother," he muttered, falling back into the sheets, dragging Tenele with him. She giggled lightly as he tugged her in tightly against him. He just wanted to hold her for a moment, now that she was safe and he didn't risk hurting her. Reluctantly, he released the wiggling woman. She jumped up and poured him a glass of water. The King drank it obediently, his blue eyes flickering back and forth between them.

After he downed the glass of water the King stood slowly to his feet. "I know I have things to tend to now that Tenele is well." He touched her cheek. "But... if it is okay with you... will the two of you allow me to sleep with you tonight, or would you prefer to join me in my room?"

[Soran Nightblade]

"Yes," Vlad answered, his tone incomplete. "Tenele can choose the place."

[Emora Deen]

Atul stared at the Dead King with a puzzled expression. "Okay," he admitted, throwing on a smile. His gaze fell on Tenele.

"Here," she told him with a smile. "I feel like staying here. If we're sleeping already, just slip in. Vlad will know, but I'll probably not even notice."

Atul grinned, shaking his head. He left the room, waving to them as he went. When the door was closed a heavy silence fell over the room. Tenele returned to the soft bed, kicking off her shoes and crawling across the width of it until she fell back against the pillows. She studied her husband from there. "Do you mind if he sleeps here. If you want us to be alone tonight, I'm sure Atul would understand."

[Soran Nightblade]

"No, he should sleep here," Vlad said. He met her gaze with a soft red glow. "I wish him to be here. I just may not have need of sleep tonight."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded. She climbed to her knees and crawled across the bed to him, taking his shirt in her hands. She appraised his dirty appearance, and then reached up to touch his face. "What are you in need of?" she asked him softly.

[Soran Nightblade]

He touched the side of her face. "To know you are both safe. And perhaps the luxury of a bath," he said with a grin.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled. "Wait here." She kissed his cheek gently and scurried off the bed towards the bathroom.

It was nice to be in the quiet room again after having all those people surround her. She smiled as she emptied the tub and began to refill it. She poured soothing sweet smelling oils into the water, watching them swirl and dissolve.

Her eyes locked on her wrist, and she quickly forced herself to not think about the past. She didn't want to think about how a few hours ago she was laying on death's door, or the reason. Tenele decided that she'd forget what he did. That she'd forgot his anger, or that she was the cause of it. She was too worried that if she dwelt on it she would begin to doubt him, and Tenele didn't want to doubt him. She didn't want to think about the possibility that one day, if he was angry, he would hurt her again. That this wouldn't be the last time.

Tenele shook her head and opened the door to the bathroom. She went back to Vlad, smiling at him despite the sad flutter that ran through her and immediately dissipated. She placed her hands on his back and pushed him towards the bathroom. "Go bathe, relax."