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[Arlin]

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Fumbling with his runebook, Arlin finally managed to complete the incanatation to recall him to Poets Garden. He suddenly found himself surrounded on all sides by women, something that occurred only in his dreams. Had the spell gone wrong and killed him? Judging by the cries of shock, however, it just seemed like good timing. “Arlin, warn us next time your going to do that!” Lia chastised him. Arlin blinked in confusion, as Lia quipped with a chuckle “Men, they never warn you when they’re coming!” This further confused the poor half-ogre, as the women all laughed heartily.

Lia and Cat quickly and quietly excused themselves, once again leaving Arcana and Arlin alone. Arlin began to suspect something was going on here, but he wasn’t sure what. Arcana smiled up at him, and returned the smile, he queried if he had missed anything important. Shrugging it off, they both made their way inside to the near empty tavern.

Arcana quickly scooted off to a high backed chair, citing her reasoning as they were much more steady than the stools. “Yer balance off kilter?” Arlin sniped playfully. She spoke with a mischievous grin

“Not yet it isn’t”. Arlin shuddered inwardly, as the last time they played drinking games, he had woke up the next day with a hangover and a broken heart.

“Eh Arcy, le’s not do that again eh? Last time, I had more than a hangover ta heal.” Arlin murmured slightly, pertaining to the event they both knew of. Realization dawned on Arcana, and she readily agreed. They chatted idly for awhile, and one of Arlins soldiers, a man named Klem, soon joined them. After introductions, Arcana found some preserve pleasure in trying to get the two large men to duel it out, right there in front of her.

“Common sir, why wont you fight me?” Klem addressed his captain, with a hint of mischief in his voice.

“Eh Klem, I think the latrines be needin’ cleanin’” Klem opened his mouth as though to speak…and quickly closed it, defeated. After a few more minutes, Klem excused himself, going to prepare for tonights patrol.

As Arcana and Arlin picked up their conversation from before, the half-ogres mind began shift into gear. The other night, she had said she wanted to prove herself to him. But prove what? What could she possibly have to prove to him? She was everything he could ever want, and…everything he would never have. Arlin felt a great weight settle on his shoulders, and he wanted to know what she meant. So he stated it plainly “Arcy….what did ya mean that ya wanted ta prove yerself ta me?” She suddenly looked uncomftable and nervous. “Umm…could we talk about this in private? I know Cats not around and all” she managed a nervous chuckle.

Arlin nodded once, and taking her by the hand, led her to the teleporter downstairs. He failed to notice her hand closing around his. She broke away from him and stood in front of him, looking even more uncomftable. Arlin tilted his head and looked at her oddly, waiting for her to speak up.

“Arlin…I can’t just go on with my life and leave you behind. I can’t be happy without you in my life.” Arlin groaned inwardly. Arlin felt worse, although he suspected he should feel better. He was keeping her from happiness, and he didn’t want that. Arlin wanting to spare her all the pain he could, cut her off.

“Arcy, I just wants ya happy. If never seein’ me again would make ya happy…I’d walk out this room, and never look back. I just wants ya happy…” Arlin had barely finished, before he found himself being cut off.

“No!” Arcana nearly screamed out in desperation. Arlin blinked, remaining as confused as ever. He thought he’d had her figured out! All he wanted was for her to be happy, so he tilted his head, waiting for an explanation.

“Look, believe it or not, I’m no good at this kinds of conversations.”

Arlin smiled, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. “Eh, now you knows how I feel.” He spoke with a confident grin.

She gazed up at him, looking weak and and vulnerable. Arlin took her small, firm hands in his, and squeezed them tightly, offering her as much support as he could, lending her his strength. “Arlin, I’ve never felt happier, more alive, than when I’m with you” Arlin gazed longingly down at those beautiful eyes he so dearly loved. Arlin pulled her into his broad chest, and they embraced in a tender hug, Arcanas body pressed up against his.

“Arcy….ya’ve done so much for me. Ya taught me how ta love, how ta forgive, and I never thought I’d be standin’ here with you.”

She looked down and looked defeated. “And I ruined that” Arlin could almost see her heart sinking into the ground, as though she expected him to reject her right then and there.

Arlin shook his head, and quietly spoke again. “If there could be a second chance fer me…then there could be a second chance…fer us.”

He took her chin in his hands and tilted her head upwards, letting him gaze into the deep pools of sapphire that were her eyes. “I never imagined, that everythin’ I could ever want in the world, would have such beautiful sapphire eyes.”

She spoke quietly, gazing up into his emerald orbs. “I always imagined that my heart would belong to a knight in shining armor…but it doesn’t”

Arlin felt his spirits soar, and he leaned down, kissing her tenderly. She returned the kiss, and in that moment, Arlin had never been happier. For once in his life, everything seemed to be working out. After their kiss ended, after what seemed like a blissful eternity, he smiled and looked up at the ceiling. Arcana gave him a puzzled look, until he spoke softly “Maybe half-ogres can have happy endings” She leaned her head against his chest, and there they stood, until their separate duties forced him apart. Arcana kissed him gently on the cheek, and backing away, with one final gaze at each other, they spirited off to their duties.

When Arlin showed up at the fortress for patrol, his troops all noticed something different about him. He seemed happier, with an extra skip in his step. All his troops enjoyed his company that night, except Klem, whoses earlier transgressions had not excused him from latrine duty.

Cursing himself as a fool, he realized he had a lot of work ahead of him. That garden wouldn’t replant itself, after all.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.