A/N: thank you to wonderful Raonaid Siofra and the magnificent Neire for reviewing, I don't have talent Neire I can write much better if I tried.

Anyway next chapter.

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The cold rain beat down on the small company of friends walking through the water soaked streets, Vix pulled her cloak over her head, it was too late and the rain was painfully cold against her skin.

Evelyn shook her head and muttered evilly from under her hood, glancing once or twice at Tarm who accidentally splashed her with water, not that it really mattered, they were all soaked to the skin.

Vix rubbed her hands together; they were beginning to become numb.

"Feeling the cold little warrior?" Vix sighed at Tarm's nickname for her but, turning her head, she smiled even though in the cold it made her feel as if her face was cracking.

Tarm smiled back, the cold and rain seeming to take no effect upon the long experienced soldier.

"Well?" he asked

"I’m fine Tarm, but I think we need to get inside where it is dry"

"Yes, soon hopefully"

The magic enhanced torches that lit the street burned through the rain, spilling light on to his handsome features, out lining them with a darkened detail.

Vix felt blood rush to her face and she blushed deeply; the closeness of them in this dimly lit street was too much for her and she turned away from him, drawing her cloak over her face to hide her embarrassment.

By the goddess! She was a worrier and yet here she was acting like no more than a maid, blushing over Tarm, her mentor and friend.

"Your wet and will need a bath, I’ll help" Tarm said coming up behind her and startling Vix from her scorn, she gaped at him open mouthed, while he winked at her.

Rascal! She thought.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and began upon a lecture of the sins of out of marital sex that lasted until they reached the warm, dry inn.

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"I'm going to order dinner" Evelyn told her companions already eyeing a plate of steaming noodles and lemon root, she opened the little string purse that always hung from around her waist and gasped.

Vix worried her lip between her teeth.

"What's wrong?"

Evelyn held out her hand and Tarm squirmed on the spot before digging in his pocket and handing Evelyn 5 pevrics, she put them back in the purse and tutted.

"It's a long road back from the devils path, but I am here to help you" she smiled sweetly at him.

Vix shook her head and smiled.

Evelyn turned on her, hands on hips.

"What do you think Vix? Tarm stole our money to feed his addiction"

Tarm snorted.

"It's a good thing his addiction isn't to women that's all I can say" Vix quipped hoping to lighten the mood but this seemed to stir Evelyn up even more.

"Men! their are all the same, how long till he has you on your back? how long till he rapes you? How long?" the dark rage behind Evelyn's eyes startled Vix who stepped back into Tarm's arms; the man starred open mouthed at the cleric.

"He won’t, he never has and he never will, Evelyn!" Vix said coldly, Evelyn seemed about to say something but them looked away, tightening her hand in to a fist. Vix put a hand on her shoulder but Evelyn slapped it away.

"I'm going to our room, don't follow me"

She mustered all the courage she could and walked away from the argument and the eyes from all around the inn watching her with interest.

"What was that about?" Vix asked, "Evelyn's never attacked you like that before"

"I don't know, hopefully she will have calmed down by the morning," Tarm said and putting a hand to his sword, he glared in nobody in general, all eye's on them turned away and tried to be interested in their own lives.

*****

TBC