The darkness is slowly banished as sunlight begins to creep through the bedchamber window, casting light upon his golden hair and bare back. No movement does he make save to pull a nearby pillow over his head to block out the intrusive rays. She closes the door quietly behind her once having looked fondly over at the man who shares her bed. The tiled floor is cold beneath her bare feet as she walks to her workroom. There, the sun does not find her, yet. A candle is lit and a chair pulled quietly toward the table, her thoughts which intruded upon her sleep, now committed to her book.
Trust, it is difficult to give, and oh so easy to lose. The days have been trying of late, my dearest Arithem is determined to make me worry so. Three days was the agreed time of meeting, three days to conclude our business, he going one way, I the other. I trusted his words when he said not to worry. Yes mother, I hear you again, trust none of them Dernwynn, but he is not a lover, but my brother. I continue to wait, though there are pressing matters and word of a man who I could not even entertain the notion of trusting. I need him, for if this folly is to end then we are to set aside mistrust and forge ahead as one. The wild woman, the madman and I. Now I do someone a grave disservice, for I do not speak of my lover, the one whom at times infuriates me, at others makes me forget all that is sour in this arda. He has expressed his commitment to be at my side, although the path ahead seems very black. I have trusted him far more than any man I have had in my life, my bed. His words can flay the skin from my back, make me a simpering, vulnerable girl. Why is this? Such practice I have had in guarding my true emotions from others, though he? I am at a loss. Enough talk of such things, I am becoming soft of heart and there are still preparations to be made.
The woman, the tinkerer that would dress as a man and create all manner of nonsensical things. I miscalculated, I thought I might use her mind to my advantage, I thought she was bright. The child, for I see her as such, would have wanted for nothing had she simply obeyed my instruction. Do not share my business with others. What do I find myself confronted with? A halfwit of a man at her side proclaiming he knows what is best. I clearly stated I wished my device to be mended, to possibly be improved upon and should she be successful, three more produced. Most importantly, not to speak of this with anyone! I did not wish an interrogation, it was not her place to whisper my words to her..man? Lover? I know not. It is her loss for now her reputation shall suffer, for I too know how to whisper. Her purse shall be considerably lighter, for I would have filled it with silver. The wild woman claims the madman would help me repair the device, yet it was needed should things go foul with him! It is exasperating, I am tired, though..
She smiles to herself as her head turns in the direction of the bedchamber
...There are other reasons that might make me so
