Taking one small sip from his waterflask Rasan tried to ignore the conversation of the two women sitting at his table. Once again his eyes scanned the surroundings. The common room was nearly empty, only a couple of travellers debating about their next destination and a group of men shooting dice and telling dirty jokes. Still, appearances could be deceiving. He himself looked nothing like a bodyguard; his short-cropped hair, average looks and simple dark tunic made him look more like a son of a merchant or some such. Likewise, the other woman sitting at their table might look like just a cute tavern maid but there was always a chance she could be a clever assassin, sent to kill Amaryan. Rasan couldn't understand why Amaryan had insisted on the other woman's company, even going so far as paying the innkeeper extra so the girl wouldn't need to work tonight.
Then again there was very little in Amaryan that Rasan could understand. All women were mysterious, but the Veiled Ones were atleast twice so. Everyone knew they were always female and all had magical skills, but no-one knew what they were after or what kind of magic they could do. And of course there were all the rumours about their training. Well, it was no wonder as no male had ever been allowed to enter one of their House of Veils and no Veiled One would ever mention any details, atleast to a man.
Again Rasan focused his attention on the young tavern maid sitting next to him on their corner table. She was a little taller than average and had short, red hair framing a cute face. You couldn't really call her plump, but she clearly had a little more meat to her bones than Amaryan - and certainly a lot more than the half-starved maids at the previous inn. The girl seemed friendly, relaxed, and a little mischievous based on her smiles and overall a lovely person - or maybe it was just an act.
Almost as if sensing Rasan's thoughts Amaryan turned to look at Rasan with an almost calculating look on her veiled face. As was common for the Veiled Ones, she was wearing pretty much only veils and gauzes of varying sizes, colors, materials and levels of transparency. In her case, most of them were light green. They didn't really show that much when worn together, but the effect was enought to turn heads where ever they went. And her clothing wasn't the only reason either - her body and her face would have been quite enough. She was slender and perhaps a bit short but still had curves where it counted. She had short, dark brown hair and a skin tone clearly above well-tanned. And her face... Well, her delicate features were beautiful and there was something in those dark eyes and her smiles that promised mystery and passion.
So far no-one had really tried anything thanks to Rasan's constant presence and the reputation of the Veiled Ones, but the situation hardly put Rasan on his ease. Well, he had been hired to protect Amaryan and by gods he would not fail.
Apparently coming to a decision Amaryan turned back towards the maid.
"Nel, would you like to come with me to my room? I could use your ... help with something", the Veiled One said.
The girl, Nel, looked surprised for a moment but then smiled.
"Why, I'd love to."
Rasan didn't try to hide his displeasure at Amaryan's decision but chose not to say anything. He was there only to guard her, even when she made it difficult for him. Again fully alert he escorted the two women upstairs, eyes open for any sign of danger. The rest of their group was still out buying more supplies but Rasan had no reason to trust any of them either.
For once Amaryan didn't seem to mind when Rasan entered her room first to make sure it was empty and even more surprisingly didn't try to force him back outside afterwards.
He could remember very well the first night at an inn after he had been hired. When Amaryan had realized that Rasan insisted on sharing the room with her, she had conjured a snake around her arm and threatened him with it! She had simply refused to listen to reason. As her room had a window, anyone could have come in through it and killed her without him being there to protect her. Well, the mage of their group had soon arrived and talked her into switching rooms, as his room didn't have a window. Of course Rasan checked that room very carefully before leaving Amaryan to sleep alone. He himself had slept right outside the door as after his training in the monastery he didn't need a soft bed to sleep in anyway. Besides, he had never been a heavy sleeper and especially after the...
No. Don't think about it.
Nowadays he would wake up from the smallest of sounds.
Now there were only the three of them in the room and Rasan's full attention was on Nel, watching her every move, trying to find any hints of danger to Amaryan.
Amaryan let out an annoyed breath.
"You're too paranoid, my guardian", Amaryan chided. "Not everyone is a danger to me."
"But you can't know who is and who is not. Even she might be here just to kill you" Rasan replied.
The girl's eyes widened at Rasan's words. Amaryan just shook her head softly.
"Really? She doesn't know who I am. She's here only because I asked her. Does she look dangerous to you?"
"No, but the best assassins never do."
The girl looked at him, clearly shocked at his words. Oh, she looked quite harmless - and beautiful, he had to add - but still...
"And how would she kill me? She doesn't carry a weapon."
"Daggers are easy to conceal"
"Maybe I should search her then" Amaryan said, stepping behind the girl.
Slowly, gently, Amaryan's hands travelled around, feeling Nel's body through her clothes. Nel had closed her eyes and her initial surprise was giving way to excitement as Amaryan's touch made her shiver.
"No weapons. Satisfied now" Amaryan finally asked, lifting her hands to gently caress the sides of Nel's neck.
