XXIII: Rin

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RIN

“What about that one?” Sylis whispered. Lana looked across the campfire at a twelve year old boy. He was a hired on orphan, helping one of the merchants they were traveling with. Lana had even tried teaching him how to spin a hoop but to little success.

“No!” Lana hissed, “Too young and too familiar. We’d be among the first questioned!”

“It’s not like he has any family who’d miss him.”

“Sylis! Ya-know-what will just have to wait until we’re in town!”
Lana began to bite her nails. She could only hope she could make it to a town before lashing out. Her mind had been trapped for days, plagued with thoughts of blood. Often they crept back to the night Sylis had presented her with a victim. The memory once made Lana sick as she recalled her cold blooded kill. But now... she could feel her toes curl with anticipation.

“You know what I can’t wait for? Better food. I’m tired of the stews and beans, and does anyone know how to make a biscuit? Curse Rin for feeding us so well!” Sylis complained.

Lana nodded in agreement, but at the mention of the Halfling, the thoughts of killing vanished from her mind. A moment of needed clarity. How she wished Rin was beside her instead of Sylis. It was bad enough that her inner voice encouraged her to kill, but the Wizard made it all the worse. Rin would never assist her in such a lowly sport. Gods help me if he ever finds out...

Lana grinned in spite of herself as she thought about the Halfling and his ability to see the good in just about everything. “Don’t forget, Lana good here,” Rin said, tapping Lana’s heart, “And Rin will see Lana soon.”

She fought back the ugly tears. He had said those words to her the afternoon after the murder. Lana felt like dirt and part of her wished to come clean with the Halfling, but she wasn’t about to sabotage her relationship with him, especially when what she had been long waiting for seemed to be within reach. Sylis was willing to swallow his pride and make amends with Rin.

“Let’s have a farewell party with him,” the Wizard had suggested, “Send us off to my mother’s in fashion.”

Lana beamed her enthusiasm. It was unexpected of Sylis and would make the months without Rin more bearable. Lana had agreed to meet Xara because of what Sylis had done for her, but if she was honest, it was to avoid the Halfling until her guilt subsided. Rin had such faith in her, but she kept failing him. Her desire to be something more than a crazy murderer was becoming more of a wishful dream.- that is, unless Rin or Sylis followed through with a cure.

The Wizard left Lana to run a few errands for their departure, leaving Lana with Rin to arrange party plans The Halfling was more than pleased to host the gathering.

“Where Lana going to?” he asked as they walked the market.

“Trolanport. I’ll be meeting Sylis’s mother,” Lana mentioned cautiously as she examined a squash, “It also sounds like she has business to discuss-”

“Trolanport?” the Halfling interrupted.

“Yeah.”

“Rin have Uncle there! Maybe Rin visit Randy?” he said, not seeming to care about the introduction to Xara.

“That... would be amazing,” Lana said lightly, masking her apprehension, “If you’re able to arrange it, it would be nice to see ya,” Lana added. At first it felt like a lie, but every day that passed, the hope for Rin to meet her in Trolanport grew. Something that Lana clung to as a means to keep her mind off of killing.

The child within suddenly grumbled as Lana’s thoughts lingered on food and her last night with Rin. The Halfling outdid himself with a memorable feast: honey glazed lamb, brown buttered squash, tarragon green beans, roasted mushrooms, peach and berry tarts, and fresh made rolls. It was heavenly, and luckily, Rin made enough to feed a small army. What Lana thought would have been a private party of three, turned into a gathering of five. Don and Brugg came along for the festivities since they were to head out with Lana and Sylis in the morning.

The smile grew on Lana’s lips as she remembered Don suggesting a competition to see who could eat the most that night. Lana, not wanting to be bested by the men, kept pace for the first two helpings. The third plate was half finished before she sat back in surrender.

Lana watched the men continue to pack the food. Though not the best of table manners, the merriment filled Lana with warmth. After hours of laughter and Rin’s store of liquor nearly all spent, Lana helped her guild companions to various places within Rin’s home. Once they were comfortable, she then helped Rin over to his bed.

“Lana has good friends,” Rin mumbled, sleepily leaning forward and kissing her. “Lana so loved.”

“I think ya drank too much,” she replied, pulling the covers over him.

“Rin love Lana.”

“Lana loves Rin,” she whispered. She then dared a kiss on the Halfling’s temple.

Lana’s insides squirmed at the memory. When she turned away from Rin, she had found Sylis sitting up on the couch, a dark look in his eyes. Cautiously, she asked what was wrong. The Wizard blinked and shook his head slightly before focusing on Lana. A dopey grin stretched across his face.

“Absolutely nothing,” he sang, pulling Lana to him. A wave of relief washed over her as she took her place next to him.

What if he had seen? Lana wondered.

Sylis might not care anymore. Maybe he’s okay with it like Rin...

Is Rin really okay with it?

The smile had faded from Lana’s face. He deserves better than me, she thought, but Lana knew it was out of selfishness that she stayed with Rin. Her conscience could scream at her that she deserved to be alone, but Lana needed him. Rin made her feel worthy, even if she didn’t believe it.

Lana curled up next to Sylis, sleep far from her mind as her thoughts wrestled within.

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