Page 21 of An Arrow to the Heart

“Um, thanks,” Ardál chuckled awkwardly.

“I’m Primrose by the way,” she said with firm, intense eye contact.

“Well, it’s.. Ah nice to meet you Primrose but I better get going, I wouldn’t want to keep you from your customers,” he said, gesturing toward her awaiting customers before he turned on his heel in need of a stiff drink.

An outstretched hand waved to him from above the crowds and he recognised it to be Lonan’s. Thank the heavens above, he sighed. He made his way to his friend, greeting him enthusiastically and Lonan immediately ushered him to one of the tables and brought him an ale, sitting beside him with his own. They were seated in the centre of the village square, with an open view of the hagglers and traders. Lonan, Ortolf and Valeska had erected a temporary outdoor bar, equipped with a long bar, tables and chairs darted around it.

“How’s the knee fairing?” Lonan asked him, settling into the chair.

“Not too bad, I can finally move the leg a bit more,” Ardál said as he stretched out his leg and showed off his limited mobility in the leg.

Lonan let out a chuckle, saying “I’ve missed seeing you around friend,” picking up his tankard and clunking it with Ardál’s.

“Likewise, friend,” Ardál said, before adding, “won’t they miss you? You don’t need to keep sorry old me company,” he offered, looking towards Valeska, Ortolf and Sera.

“Ah nah, they’ll be fine, the bigger crowds don’t usually show with us til after the stalls close. Besides, I could do with a beer break,” he said as he let out a laugh.

“Fair enough. I’ll drink to that.”

The pair had been deep in conversation for a good half of an hour or so when the crowds around the stalls began to die down allowing him to finally catch a glimpse of Sylvie. She was wearing a two tone dress, the bottom skirts the colour of oats, the top a softer shade of lilac, one that he was sure would bring out the lilac in her eyes. She wore a tight leather bodice that drew the eye to her curves. She wore her usual array of belts around her waist, little leather pouch attached. And her chain of protective crystals. Her hair was left in those large loose curls aside from the little braids she had weaved in, little silver cuffs on them that caught the light.

Fuck she was beautiful.

“Right, that's my que to help out,” Lonan said, picking up their tankards, “I’ll get another sent over for you.” Ardál nodded his thanks. He had grown fond of Lonan, one the few human males around his age in the village. Friends weren't something he had ever really made due to the nature of his lifestyle. Sure he got along with folk greatly and found most were welcoming and friendly towards him but he hadn’t really had deeper connections with anyone other than Phelan. He hadn’t allowed himself to. The same was true of his romantic conquests, he’d had his fair share of lovers but none that had him staying somewhere long term.

As the afternoon drew on into evening, the sound from the stalls had been replaced by a band of merry bards. The outdoor tavern flooded with people now begging for drinks.

Sylvie carved her way through the crowds, an eager smile perched on her perfect lips as her enchanting lilac eyes locked with his. Ardál shifted in his seat, sitting more upright as he put an arm around her waist in embrace as she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

“There you are,” she said with relief, “I was beginning to worry you weren’t going to come.”

“And miss all of this? never,” he said with a cheeky grin and beckoned for her to sit, “come, sit, rest for a bit, you must be tired from standing out there all day.”

“Making friends without me?” she asked, nodding to the flower he’d completely forgotten about sticking out of his shirt pocket.

With a light-hearted grin, he leaned in as he said, “yeah, apparently I’m a hero,” and he playfully flexed his muscles.

“I see you met Primrose, I’m surprised you got away with just a little flower in your pocket,” Sylvie giggled.

Oh how he loved that sound. They fell silent for a moment, the air between them palatable as he just looked at her before he said, “you look incredible by the way.” He could have sworn he saw her blush then and the knowledge of it sent a warmth to his core.

“I don’t know about you but I’m starving, how about I get us something? She said, skilfully changing the subject, though he had to admit, the mouth-watering scents of roasted meats had left his stomach growling to be fed.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having, if it’s not too much trouble that is, but at least let me pay,” he said as he dug out a couple of coins from his pocket. She hesitated, and he quickly said, “come on, it’s the least I can do.”

“All right,” she said, taking the coin out of his hand, her soft fingers lingering ever so slightly before she lifted them away, as though she felt the same spark as he did. The one that sent his heart racing. “I’ll be right back,” she said before she took off into the crowd.

They’d spent the early evening eating and drinking, conversation flowed easily between them, she had been telling him about her day and he listened intently, loving the sound of her voice. He loved how easy it was between them and despite the fact that he wanted to keep her all to himself he urged her to go and enjoy herself with the townsfolk.

As the fading light of dusk rolled in and the sky darkened to an inky indigo, the stars twinkled high above and he felt a shift in the atmosphere of the festival. Ardál felt as though he was being enchanted by the village and its inhabitants. The decorative lanterns painted the square in a soft orange glow and the sound of cheerful music and cackles echoed the air and perhaps it was just that he’d had a few too many drinks but he felt as though the air crackled with energy and anticipation and that feeling only intensified when he looked at her.

The sound of her laughter filled his ear, it consumed him and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was dancing, the movement of her hips sending her skirts swaying, she moved in such a natural way as though one with the music.

Each time their eyes met his longing for her only deepened. Every glance, every smile of hers sent shivers down his spine, only fuelling the fire that burned for her. He wished he was the one dancing with her, the one who was making her laugh.

But he wasn’t.

Thanks to his damned knee all he could do was sit here and watch her with Torban.