as they talked she could see Kyle’s travels were taking their toll on him. Gwendolyn asked him to follow her upstairs. at the stairs she opened the first door she came to. “this is a spare room you can stay in while you are here. you look as you need to rest. I will wake you in the morning to eat.
that night Kyle had anything but peaceful dreams. ghosts old and new haunted his dreams. as everyone around him were burning and screaming he heard a gentle voice drowning out the screams. as he woke up he saw Gwendolyn sitting on his bed side. she was holding his hand trying to calm him down. as he looked at her he realized how beautiful she was in the moonlight. her hair was down and draped over her shoulders. but what truly got his attention was her eyes. they were soft and caring.
Gwendolyn woke up when she heard someone calling out. as she left her room she realized it was coming from the room Kyle is staying. as she entered he was thrashing around and talking in his sleep. remembering what he told her about what had happened during his childhood she had an idea what his nightmare was about. she tried calling his name. she approached him all the while calling his name and trying to calm him. she took his hand in hers and gently rubbed it. this stopped his thrashing. as she continued to calm him down she looked at his face. It seems so gentle but the hardships are engraved into it. here is another person that has so much taken from them and yet still is willing to give more for others. her thoughts were interrupted when she realized Kyle was looking up at her. she stopped rubbing his hand but couldn’t let go of it. for what seemed like forever they just looked at each other having a conversation with no words at all. Gwendolyn broke the silence by explaining why she was in his room. they exchanged apologies and said their good nights. both knew the other was feeling awkward, but also that neither one pulled their hand away until she got up to return to her room..
the following morning Gwendolyn knocked on Kyle’s door to make sure he is up. she heard him walking to the door. thoughts of last night came to her mind , she quickly pushed them aside as he opened the door. she stared at him for a minute before she spoke. the sun was shining through his window, it lit up his blond hair as he stood there. realizing she was just staring at him she studdered as she told Kyle that it was time for breakfast.
as they ate their was little conversation. there was a connection between them , neither wanted to explore it but the urge to do so grew. they didn’t want to hurt or be hurt, and at the same time they didn’t want to be alone anymore. the silence was broken when the undertaker knocked and entered the tavern calling Kyle’s name. it was time for Hal’s burial service. she saw reality setting on Kyle’s face. it was breaking her heart. the way he talked about Hal he was a mentor, friend and father figure in one. As he turned to go up stairs to get ready she saw a tear in his eye. as he came down in his armor freshly polished he saw her in a beautiful dress standing at the foot of the stairs. the way he looked going up the stairs she decided to go with Kyle so he wasn’t alone.
not a word was spoken on the way to the graveyard or during the ceremony. all the time he held her hand. as they stood at what would be Hal’s grave she would glance up at Kyle. one of the times he met her stare. he weakly smiled at her.
they stayed at the grave site a little while as Kyle said his final goodbye’s to his friend. the strain was too much and he broke falling to his knees he sobbed, repeating “It’s all my fault, I’m sorry”. with her own tears falling she gently pulled his arm up for Kyle to stand. she walked him back to the tavern and up to his room. she came by his room in the afternoon to see how he was doing. when he didn’t respond to her knocking she looked in his room. he was sitting in a chair still dressed in his suit of armor,
she grabbed a chair that was sitting by the door and sat in front of him. holding onto his hand she caressed it. she would wait till he was ready to talk to help him get through Hal’s death. for an hour they sat there before Kyle spoke. He said “you have been so Kind to me and you do not even know me”.
she responded by telling about how she lost her parents. the town elder had shown her the same kindness to help her through the tough times. they were in the southern city state at the time of the great fire. Kyle’s face turned white. She saw the look on his face and apologized for bringing it up knowing he had lived though it. she decided some fresh air would do them both some good. Gwendolyn excused herself to prepare lunch.
while she was gone an inner battle was raging inside of Kyle. he was falling for this caring woman. but the thought he killed her parents eats at her. if he tells her what really happened she would want nothing to do with him and probably hate him. and yet if he truly loves her as he feels, she must know the truth.
as they headed out to the country side for an afternoon picnic Kyle decided to tell her the truth. he needs to get it off of his chest.
after lunch they are sitting under a tree. she is doing most of the talking, trying to draw Kyle out. she slides over and rests her head on his shoulder as she is talking. Kyle decides now is the time to tell her because it feels as she is becoming too close to him for her not to know.
“remember how i told you pieces of the armor are magically enchanted?” he inquired. after she nodded he continued ” I was a Peasant child who worked in the castle for a cruel master. he would find reasons to punish me. one day I was polishing this suit of armor when he came up in a drunken rage. he raised his a fire poker and was going to hit me with it. I raised my hands in defense and closed my eyes. I heard a scream but didn’t feel a blow. as I opened my eyes the man that way my keeper was engulfed in flames. I panicked and saw the flames grow and expand I closed my eyes again and continued to scream. I have kept that secret for over ten years now. knowing I have taken something so great from you made it unbearable to keep in, all I can do is say that I am so sorry”
as he looked up in her eyes he expected a slap and a hateful glare. what he saw was Gwendolyn crying. she fell into his arms. holding tight she cried on his shoulder. he stroked her hair and let his own tears fall.
she felt for him. remembering his nightmare last night she know he must have been beating himself up for what was an accident all this time. and then to strengthen himself enough to tell her, she knew he was developing feelings for her and would sacrifice that for the truth. she truly loved this man she was holding with all her love.
as her tears subsides she gently kissed his neck. he pulled her away and had a confused look on his face. she leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek. as she approached his lips a bell was frantically ringing. Kyle’s thoughts went to the men that were chasing Hal and him. they packed up and headed back to town.
word had gotten to town of a group of men riding to the western city state and they were inquiring about two men in armor along the way. Kyle knew he would have to leave as soon as possible. staying would just get these people in the crossfire. he needs to be far enough away that only the men after the armor get injured.
Gwendolyn told him of an old trail that goes up into the mountains. it travels north and eventually returns to the valley leading to the northern city state. she lead him to the horse trail. neither knew what to say, this time Kyle said it with a kiss as he climbed up on his mount and headed up the winding trail. He was half way up the mountain by the time Durkin and his men arrived
Durkin’s questions were met with misleading answers. When he had enough he pulled out the cursor of power. it indicated the mountains as his location. the trail Kyle was taking has been around longer then Durkin’s first reign on this realm. he knew roughly where it came out and sent half of his men that way. in hopes to trap him.
Gwendolyn heard part of his discussion and saw the men split up. she got some supplies and set out up the mountain on a little know foot path. she had to hurry if she was to catch up to her love. as she climbed something didn’t feel right, but she kept going.
as she emerged from the brush she was on the edge of a small grassy opening where the foot path meets the horse trail. Kyle was entering the clearing a short time after she got there. he spotted Gwendolyn and smiled. his face turned to panic and he called her name, pointing behind her. Durkin had followed her up the mountain and grabbed her when he spotted Kyle. with a knife to her throat he proposed that Kyle give him the armor or she dies.
Kyle stepped off of the horse. as he was removing his helmet Gwendolyn pulled herself free and threw him her backpack. as he grabbed it there was a clang and the armor felt strange. as he looked up he saw Durkin lunge with the knife. She stopped with a surprise look on her face and fell to the ground. as he looked at his fallen love he heard voices, but the voices were in his head, compelling him to put on the helmet. Durkin realized he had hastily removed his bargaining chip.
” you can destroy this body but i will take over another and another till I get my armor back. I have waited over a millennia and it is only a matter of time till I get it back. Kyle kept hearing the other voices over Durkin’s rant.
“hit him with fire, lightning, Ice. everything, do it now” was repeating in his head. Kyle did just that, Durkin’s body was being hit with the three elements. as he tried to leave the body he was trapped. after his body was vaporized he was still stuck there having is very essence burned away. as he tried to figure out how this was possible it came to him. the field that cloaks must work on the level of spiritual magic. holding him there and allowing the elements to destroy him. all his plans ruined by a lowly peasant.
Durkin and the body he was using were completely destroyed for a while by the time he stopped. his thoughts went to Gwendolyn who was lying near by. as he picked her up into his arms she winced from the pain of her wounds. opening her eyes she gave Kyle a weak smile. as he held her tight she slipped away.
as he sat there looking down at her sweet face there was a rustle in the woods. a man came cautiously out into the clearing. as Kyle raised his free hand the man dropped his weapon. he explained he came up the hill with Durkin and knows the truth. he further explains how Durkin lied to them and that he would tell the others and leave him alone.
