Whatever had been there moments ago was slipping away, though her fingers like dust of something precious that had crumbled in her hands. Perhaps at the force of her own hold. She could sense it in the tension that suddenly slipped back in Saith, the way his eyes, so open and honest mere moments ago, were closed up again. And although it was better that way, Mae felt... Hollowed, somehow, in pit of her stomach.

And when he snapped at her, throwing priestesses' words back in her face, it stung like a slap. Woman nearly winced, but the anger rising in her held her head and gaze even. She had trusted him with these words! Had trusted him to understand her life, her reality. Had she said she loved the way things were? No! But she was not some irresponsible wandered that could pack up her things and go seek adventure with... With a man who would spill his anger out on her when she didn't fall in the role of distressed lady, begging with her eyes to save her!

Elven woman stood up, brushing off few specks of dirt from her skirt and stared down at Saith, her eyes suddenly having a fierce glint, although her lips were still pressed into thin, but polite smile. "My apologies for trying to do this like a team and asking for your opinion, not ordering you around and deciding for all of us," she said. Had Mae been more passionate and loud, this could have quickly turned into heated argument. But even in her irritated state, she retained control and if dark elf made any attempts to prolong the discussion, she simply rebuked or ignored them.

Quickly, she packed away most of the remaining food (leaving enough for good breakfast for the two men, but not eating anything herself) so they could take it with them, as it would be waste to leave it here, gave more re-heated tea to Kevlar and then bid curt good bye to Saith. Placing her belongings on Reann, her fingers lingered briefly on the wrapped up sleeping bag and blanket, as if she could try and physically grasp again that soft, safe something.

Then she climbed on horse and rode off. The wind whistled in her ears and soothed that sense of disappointment and sadness swirling in her head. It was better this way. There was no way the two of them could truly get along, not even speaking of harboring something more, for prolonged time. They were too different. Yet love... Didn't love transcend race, time, worlds? It reduced cities to ash and built them again. Of course, there were kinder, gentler loves, like the one between Geron and his wife where the elven priestess had to encourage both to dare and embrace it, but it was no less powerful and important.

No, Saith hadn't meant to say that word in any case. If he had, then he would not act so insulted for her reminding that she was more than distressed maiden, that they were on a journey to perhaps prevent start of great war or worse. He would understand and someone who loved didn't just give up because the other didn't swoon and fall in their arms right away. Someone who loved her would try to pursue her, show her that love was worth it, that they together were worth it, stronger and would support her...

But did she even want to be pursued, wooed, courted? Part of her immediately said yes, the one that thrived for romance like many women's hearts did. The other still remembered her duties and also recoiled at the thought of becoming a prey or being trapped, even if only in love's game. And still, she felt hurt by Saith's reaction and his words, nearly like her trust had been betrayed.

She had been right judging that the trio wouldn't have reached the city on time. Even now in day light, with tired rider and horse, the trip took a while and her worries slowly turned towards Kevlar and his state of health. When the priestess came to stop in front of apprentice's house, she was breathless and scared the poor human man. After short explanation, he hurried to prepare a carriage and ask for one of the healers to accompany it. Mae considered joining them to show the place, but the healer insisted on knowing the spot, as few of their young apprentices used it for shelter on longer gathering trips, so priestess decided to use this time to rest and contact her temple.

When carriage would arrive with her companions, Lacrimae had had a quick bath and changed into simple linen dress much alike those that women from healer guild wore, her hair pulled up in loose hairdo. Immediately, she set to help get Kevlar out of the carriage and into the room where she remained with healers until they finally managed to send her out, assuring they had everything under control. She had already explained to eldest healer of her suspicion.

With sigh, she rested her head against cool glass. Truth be told, it felt a bit too cool... But she never fell sick, there was no way she could have a fever now. Especially when there was so much to be done. Her thoughts swam back to the temple, Geron and his little daughter and corners of priestess' mouth lifted in slight, sad smile. Oh, how she wished she could have been there. Or that she at least had someone to speak with right now. Her thoughts turned to Saith, but no. She had already done too much of opening to him and all she got in return was being seen as weak.

All that truly mattered now was to get Kevlar in travelling condition so they could use portal to Mage of Silver's tower. She had insisted that as soon as the knight came more to his senses, she had to be called, but in truth she probably ended up sitting by his bedside more, whenever there wasn't some kind of official business to attend to. If his recovery was going to take more than a day, though, she would go ahead, perhaps take Saith along, and Kevlar could join them in the tower when he was better. She'd hate to leave him behind even for a short while like that, but they were losing precious time.

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