When Trouble and Aggravation Collide

[Aasha]

Ardencaple, Scotland August 1459

Aasha rolled over and blinked. What time was it? What the...where the hell was her husband? She blinked again, looked towards the end of the bed, and frowned. One pack, not two. No kilt hanging off a chair...roll to the side of the bed...no boots beside hers. Where the hell had he gotten off to?

The girl stood, dressed quickly, then walked outside, kicking her sleeping stalker on the way downstairs. Axle? Where be Tod? The lad just looked at her blankly, much to her dismay. Checking the other rooms, she noticed Dubs and Sandals were both gone as well. Had he left with...he had LEFT WITHOUT HER!

Emerald eyes flashing, Aasha went back upstairs, grabbed her pack, and stormed towards the edge of town. As she stomped, her mind began to go round in circles. Why did it bother her so much? She'd been determined not to care deeply, love was not allowed, it was too easy to get hurt. So why did it feel like her heart had been crushed?

Steps slowing, Aasha continued her train of thought. Maybe distance would be good for them. Or at least her. Give her some perspective. A break for a day or three wouldn't be so bad would it?

Ignoring the pang, she turned to head back to town, running right into Axle. Will ya move ou' my damn way? Being used to her temper, he just stepped aside, turned and followed her back to town. Stay 'ere, I'll be back soon... She didn't turn to see if he listened, just walked up the gangplank to the Big Booty to check and see if it needed any repairs. A night in the ship would give her distance...force it even...

[Aasha]

Much later that night...

Aasha paced the cabin. She could smell him everywhere. The bed didn't feel the same without him. She'd tried sleeping and had no luck, ending up on the floor twice. What in the world was wrong with her? She'd have to talk to Angel, maybe it was being on a ship too often lately, but something was definitely wrong. Bah, marriage was already starting to suck. What was she going to do if she went back to Ireland?

Irritated beyond belief, Aasha left the boat, temper showing in every step she took. The sun wasn't even up when she left the ship. The girl kicked Axle again when she saw him curled up at the edge of the wharf, then headed through town. Screw distance, she was going to beat the living snot out of him when she caught up to him, and she was determined to catch up to the lily livered sneaking coward. If he was going to leave her, he could damn well look her in the eyes and tell her to her face, not sneak off while she slept like a yellow bellied English snake in the grass.

[Aasha]

She almost turned back twice. Stopping to sleep for a couple of hours, and not being able to had not improved her mood, nor her confusion. Aasha hated things she didn't understand, and this one was right up there. She had known Tod for quite a while, and never had issues with feelings before, why was she now? Because they were married? No, that couldn't be it. Not when it was an arranged marriage, she hadn't married him because she loved him. She couldn't love him.

Hell, sometimes liking him was bad. It meant he had power over her. Wait...he had power over her...that was not good at all. When had she allowed him that? He wasn't supposed to know her well enough to calm her. And even if he did, that still didn't normally calm her. Why was she going soft around him? Kisses, hell even passion wasn't supposed to do that.

Her mind continued in a circular pattern, never alighting on anything she wanted, never clearing any confusion she felt. Regardless of how little sleep she was feeling, maybe she really did need distance, or perhaps just to stab him. That might make her feel better, and prove she had no softer emotions for him.

Aasha tried to strengthen the wall around her heart, determined that no one would get in, not even...no, especially not her husband. She was too afraid of being hurt, and had a feeling that was exactly what would happen if she ever let her defenses down.

Finally stopping for the second time, when it was too dark to continue on an unfamiliar road, Aasha looked back at Axle. He'd kept up, and not complained, walking a step or two behind her. She was sure it was for his own protection, she'd been cursing and swinging a dagger around while muttering, not something a wise person would want to be close to, and Axle had gotten very wise where she was concerned. She had to hand it to him, he had stayed around her longer than anyone else, putting up with her moods without complaint...well, he had complained...yet they'd still managed to stay friends. And no love involved.

Aasha pulled a blanket out of her pack, and found a nice area to lay it. The stars were out, it wasn't too cold, and she didn't feel like setting up a tent. Nite Axle, she muttered, ignoring his efforts to build a fire, willing herself to sleep. When it once again didn't work, she sat up and drank, and drank...continuing to do so until she passed out, the one way she knew she'd get sleep, even if an unnatural whiskey induced one.

[Aasha]

Tod after speaking to Dubehr needed to help take some stuff to Stirling, having previously discussed, with her thier plans.

He gets up early being sure Ash will rise in her own time and get ready to move.

He then assists Dubehr with his equipement and moves off to Glasgow.

Before he leaves he speaks to his Gran informing her of his plans and if she see's his wife to let her know, he has left a bit earlier to prefare a nice bad and meal for her at Glasgow.

On arrival at Glasgow you can imagine his susprise to see that either Ash had spelt in or stayed on the ship for some reason.

[Aasha]

Having the cart pulled by a real horse made things much easier, Telcara thought. It was a while ago she had the luxury and enjoyed sitting on the horseback. She had been in Arden and picked up a secret stash and was heading to her home in the capital. The sun had come out of its hidey hole and the light set the world sparkling like diamonds when it hit the morning dewdrops. Telcara took time to enjoy the scenery around her. What ruined the perfection was two large larvae on the side of the road. She pulled her horse to a stop and frowned while looking down at them. They were very cocooned so Telcara couldn't tell if it was anyone she knew or not. What she did know was that they were vulnerable. She climbed down from her horse and pulled one of Angel's old cloaks with holes tighter around herself as she went to investigate.

[Aasha]

Sleeping was overrated. At least that's what Aasha had decided when she woke to some sort of noise. What was that? Hmm...a horse, she could hear the hooves striking the dirt, a very familiar sound for someone who had spent so much time in stables growing up. The roads were unfamiliar though, it was better to stay still and see if it was safe than move around much.

Aasha slowly and carefully withdrew one of her daggers, palming it and opening one eye to see who was approaching. Only one person, that was good considering their position. She really shouldn't have had so much to drink, her head was splitting open and Axle hadn't thought to find any real shelter for the night. The blankets loosened slightly around her, so she could move quickly if she needed, and she hissed Axle's name, knowing if he heard, he would be ready to fight if necessary. Then waited for whomever it was to come closer.

[Aasha]

As Telcara moved closer she could judge what was the front and behind of the cocoon closest to her.There was a chance of the person having some very hairy feet but she was willing to take that risk. She poked the cocoon with her foot. Good morning butterfly! she said loud and cheerfully. Or are you an ugly moth? I'd think you were trying to escape the guard if you weren't lying here so obvious.

[Aasha]

Aasha grabbed the foot of the person, just as soon as she felt the poke. Her dagger was out, flashing in the morning light, before she even sat up. Butt'rfly? Hmm...been called lots o' things, butt'rfly ain't one o' 'em. Flipping her hair out of her eyes, she blinked, then blinked again. Telcara? Wha' is ya doin' 'ere?

The girl's lips twitched when she saw Axle was already up, and moving into position behind Telcara. He really had learned a lot in Carlisle, and didn't need her to watch out for him anymore...as long as he wasn't sleeping too heavily. Not that he did that much, he didn't drink much, and with all the sandwiches he ate, any alcohol he did consume would be soaked up in seconds. A look was enough for him to back off and begin rolling their blankets to repack, while Aasha continued to talk to Telcara. Nae tryin' to escape, jus' gettin' a lil' sleep 'fore catchin' up wit' my...wit' Tod. Aasha let the lady's foot go, then casually stood, well as casually as she could given her position in the blankets. Was jus' gettin' ready to head out again. Nae wanna be late, I'm sure he's a'ready wond'rin' where I am.

Aasha wasn't sure of anything, but wouldn't give anyone else the satisfaction of seeing her doubts. She smiled at the lady, then bent to roll her blanket, once again regretting the binge drinking of the night before.

[Aasha]

With Axle awake and packed, and her own blankets rolled up and packed away, Aasha made her apologies to Telcara, and continued on her way. She had a lot of thinking to do, the decision looming in front of her. Aasha hated being emotional, more than anything else. Why this was affecting her so poorly was irritating.

By the time she made it to Glasgow City, Aasha had pushed back any softer feelings she had. She would honor the vows she's spoken, breaking her bond just wasn't in her. But she would distance herself emotionally, treat it more like a business deal than a marriage, one that had fringe benefits beyond most business deals yes, but still more business like than she had before. There was no reason to be soft, she'd be like a lot of the men she met, and treat anything close to emotional attachment like it was the plague. And maybe it was, anyone getting close hurt. This was hurting, and she so didn't want it to.

She could be his friend without anything more coming into it, just as she was with Axle...well, except Axle wasn't allowed to touch her. Aasha had considered not letting Tod touch her, only she had a weakness where he was concerned, and knew she couldn't stop him, not when she enjoyed it. She just didn't have to show him how much she enjoyed it...

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