It Started At The Fountain....(Part 1)(Cassius and Rhiannon)

CASSIUS: There were certain things one just didn't talk about in mixed company.

One being vulgarities, crudeness, or such atrocities that a man might see in battle. Battle didn't always mean war. Battles were fought and won every day without so much as a single drop of blood spilled. Sweat, tears ... they were always spilled in battle. But not always blood. Battles happened without, in a test again nature, against another man ... and within ... in a test against oneself. Those were often the truest tests of a man ... and the hardest fought and won ... or lost.

A silk scarf wrapped his right bicep, having fluttered in a seldom seen breeze to gain his attention, it covering tanned flesh as he fought his current battle ... a man thirty pounds heavier than he as he practiced in a spar that no prize would be given other than bragging rights. The right of glory and rubbing it into another man's face that you owned him ... at least for a minute or two.

The big brute in front of him charged, and he crouched, braced, and waited for impact before he pushed up, and sent them both sailing backward to the hard ground below, the bigger guy falling first, his elbow connecting second before his weight slammed down on him, leaving the poor bastard breathless and gasping.

He rolled up then, a shit-eating grin on his face, his bragging already starting without uttering a word. "Hey, Cassius, is that magic on your arm?" He glanced to the silk, woven around the band on his bicep and tied, making it look like it was a piece of the metal instead of an addition, and he chuckled. "It's my new good luck charm."

But nothing else as he stepped from the arena in a lazy path toward the barracks because Cassius had no one. No dwelling to call home, no one to call family. And the second thing a man didn't discuss in mixed company was his story when it lacked a foundation, the bearing that man a person who they were. The family that supported them, and a heritage that they could be proud of.

Because he lacked all of those things, so when she asked what his story was, he diverted. He was good at that.

He missed the turn that would take him where he was going, instead heading toward the market, toward the fountain, even if it probably wasn't turned on. It didn't matter, he probably wouldn't find what he was looking for. He never did.

It, however, didn't stop him from looking.




RHIANNON: "I'll be home soon!" Rhiannon called as she flitted through the outer courtyard of their modest home. It was a classic desert style home with arched doorways, open rooms and lots of swaying fabrics and cushions everywhere. An outer courtyard and inner courtyard, and their very own garden. Her father's occupation as an artisan was a lucrative one because he caught the attention of the old Emir and had spent a lifetime working for the royals.

She pulled another scarf over her head and ran out of the gate before anyone had time to stop her. Dameer was away on one of his caravans, Mika was never seen anymore unless she sought him out, her mother seemed caught up in her flowers and plants, her father was working his craft more than ever, as if the older he got, the more he needed to prove he was not getting older.

Stepping down the sandy path to the city gardens, she looked up at the blue sky, and then at the location of the sun. There would be hours of daylight left to burn. She increased her pace, nearly skipping some steps, her usual layered fabrics hiding most of what she held as a woman, but showing definitive lines and curves that came and went like a desert oasis. Her feet fairly flew over the ground as she wound her way through the city gardens.

The desert rose, as Rhiannon was called by many, slowed in her steps as she neared the fountain. It wasn't as if she expected him to be there, but sometimes in a town like Nerida, you had to have special places to find someone, otherwise you lost them forever. Somehow, losing Cassius forever would make her sad.



CASSIUS: Funny that, for a man with nothing, he seemed to seek much, but expected nothing. But never looked so hard that he missed out on the now. No, the now was where he lived. Not so much of a dreamer as to miss his current moments. Like besting Sabir earlier.

The giant bastard!

Not that he was tiny, but he swore that beast was seven feet tall (he was 6'5") and weighed 300 pounds! He smiled when he thought of beating him. Not many could. Not many had. He was the second actually, though Myron didn't count, since he was a giant bastard too.

His clothes were that of a warrior, leather and fabric covering only what needed to be covered, leaving his chest and most of his legs bared. A band on each arm, though one had a silken scarf woven through, making it appear as if it were made that way.

He paused at the fountain, and while it was off, he took a lean on the tiles as dark hair shrouded his frame, a bruise marring the back of his shoulder from an earlier tussle. A few passed by, two young women that giggled, but he didn't seem to notice. Not them anyway. But something drew his attention, he turning his head to see her approaching, and the smile that slowly grew lit up his face.



RHIANNON: Her grin that greeted his smile was huge. Seeing him there did something to her, made her stomach flip and tighten, her breath catch in her ribs. She narrowed the distance between them and took a seat by him on the fountain. Her legs did not touch the ground as she slid her hips back, but she didn't seem to mind. Her big brown gold eyes were on him.

She noticed the bruise on the back of his shoulder, being in a position to see it now. "What's that?" She didn't touch it, but studied it carefully. "That had to hurt.." she observed. "I'm a healer for the Palace..." she said quietly. "but sometimes I see people at my parents home if they really need someone."

Being a healer was not a big deal, a person couldn't swing a dead cat in Nerida without hitting one. Or so it seemed anyway. Everyone had an herb, a remedy, a trick that was better than the next. Rhiannon's skills were tried and true, traditional, and used herbs and ointments as supplements for the basics.

Her eyes dropped to the armband and she recognized the material of her scarf. Small fingers touched there, and her eyes squinted with the grin. "Very nice touch, and the color suits your complexion...". It was meant to be a quip, but it was too soft and too laced with tenderness to work as a sharp quip.

It was almost comical the way she was examining him. Her eyes took the rest of him in, the muscles, the gleam of perspiration, the skin warmed by hours in the sun. Even his shaggy hair was noted, her fingers touching the ends of it and tentatively brushing it back. She withdrew her hand, propriety being what it was, she did want rumors flying. Neither of them would want that, especially if he knew who she was in relation to the Emperor.

"So you're a warrior. You fight?" The Queen of Obvious strikes again.



CASSIUS: "I bested a giant!" Said with pride as he turned slightly just to get a better view of her. She was stunning. But that isn't what drew him to her. Perhaps it was the way she spoke to him, as if he were normal. Most ladies didn't speak to warriors as if they were anything but warriors.

"Is that what you're here to do? Heal me? Soothe my aches ... lull my pains?" He was definitely flirting now as she touched, though he turned, his back to her even as he turned his head to glance over a shoulder. "Heal, lady of whispering scarves..."

He had no idea who her brother was. It might put a damper in the flirting. But then again, maybe not. Maybe it would ignite it, the thrill of not being caught and all. But she was not someone a man sought for just a thrill. Even if he might act otherwise.

"Just so the giant can toss me about again!" Because he'd definitely spar if the mood struck!



RHIANNON: "A giant? Really?" She considered that. She decided it was impressive. "Can I watch? Or is it a place ladies don't go?" She wrinkled her nose. "There is a lot of fun to be missed based on the lady factor. Even the lady of whispering scarves..." she grinned. She liked that name. "You just need to put some comfrey paste on that tonight, it will heal nicely." She might even have some. Someone always needed comfrey paste. She pulled out of her satchel a small vial with an ointment in it. "It will soothe the soreness at the very least."

She walked around to face him again, and placed the vial in the palm of his hand and curled his fingers around it with her own, she held her hand there.

"Cassius, Bester of Giants, you intrigue me." And that was saying something. Rhiannon usually went about her merry way, did her healing, attended to those wounded in battles or of natural illnesses, visited cities who had been struck down with various plagues, but she no longer sought out things of the heart. This time, however, maybe things of the heart sought her out.

"Do you live in the barracks? You could come home with me, my mother would feed you, my father would question you to death about the barracks and the training, but you would get a lovely bath and a grand meal?" Her parents were good people that way.



CASSIUS: "Now you're just trying to get me fat ... and naked..." Oh and wasn't he brazen! And if he knew who she was, well, it wouldn't have stopped him. "Fat and naked aren't very attractive I'm afraid, Lady Rhiannon of the whispering scarves... naked perhaps, but fat and naked..." And he tsked. "You'd run screaming, I would be the laughing stock. The giant would crush me just to put me out of my misery..."

His fingers curled around her own though. "I could eat ... but if I get fat, I will surely blame you as the giant is crushing me under his mighty fist!" Definitely brazen, but that was probably what intrigued her to begin with.

"Though I'm not sure I can trust you not to peek ... me naked and wet..." He sighed then and shook his head. "For the sake of your eyes, I have to draw the line somewhere!" He leaned then, his whisper teasing her ear with warmth. "I'm not sure you could handle the temptation..."



RHIANNON: She was laughing, everything he said was making her laugh. She stilled it long enough to hear his whisper at her ear, acutely aware of the way he held to her hand. She lifted her head to look at him and the white teeth flashed as her grin blossomed. He made her feel thrilled, somehow. Eager. Breathless. She loved how he looked,the grin, the way he went beyond the acceptable boundaries but not once did he slight her as he did.

She held to his hand, "Come on, let's go to my house. And I promise to take every opportunity to peek as you bathe." Bathing was a big deal in the desert. Proper homes always offered their guests a bath, at the very least a wash up of hands, face and feet. She pulled him with her and laughed as they walked toward the home where she lived.


ASHID: Ashid, her father, was the first to see them as they came through the gate. His black hair was streaked through with silver. He was a stoic man, he rarely made a fuss about anything, unless it was vastly important. The long tunic he wore was covered in colors that he used to mix with the clay to make the tiles he worked with. He stopped, a hand rubbing at his jaw. Rhiannon was always the one that brought him stress and worry.

"Rhiannon..." her father began, then his dark eyes landed on the man.



RHIANNON: "Papa, this is Cassius, a warrior. He is to dine with us this mealtime..." Rhiannon smiled up at Cassius. He was big,bulging, more than she realized. No wonder he was a warrior! She hugged her father suddenly, as if she forgot to be polite to her parent because of her admiration of Cassius.


ASHID: Ashid Nerida nodded and waved them in as he continued on his way to his kiln. It was kept apart from the house so as not to keep them in a state of intolerable heat. "Help your mother, Rhiannon..." Ashid said in an almost rote tone.


RHIANNON: Rhiannon dragged Cassius through the outer courtyard into the house.


BELSHIDA: Her mother was in the kitchen, directing the cook on how to fix the meal when she looked over her shoulder at her daughter and the very large, very handsome man. Belshida had long red hair, with clear blue eyes. Threaded through the red hair were the signs of silver, but not as much as Ashid. She was fair and obviously not of the desert. She was a woman of the North and bore that proudly.


RHIANNON: "Mama! This is Cassius.." She embraced her mother and hugged her close. "I've invited him to dine with us.."


BELSHIDA: "Ahhh, Cassius.." Belshida stepped to him and put her hands to his arms. "You are a strong one, are you not? You wish a bath." It was a statement, not a question. Belshida clapped her hands and rattled off some instructions and within minutes she ushered him to the bathing room where a steaming bath of water, soap and towels were placed for him to enjoy.

"The meal is almost ready. Rhiannon will be in the dining room when you finish." Then she was gone.



RHIANNON: Rhiannon tiptoed to peek around her mother at Cassius as the curtains closed. A wave, then a laugh as she called. "Hurry!"


CASSIUS: Oh she was serious! No, he hadn't expected such, after all, she was obvious of some class and he was a man destined to one for one such as her. Not that that stopped him from doing what he wanted, but, she was serious!

Serious enough that he met her father, her mother ... and was ushered off to bathe like this was his home and not her own. He'd stared at her mother a moment, because she was different, unique, accepting ... then grinned at the call miss whispering scarf made. His mouth opened, to say a quip back, but, remembering her mother was there, thought better of it!

The last thing he wanted was a girl's mother hunting him down with a spear! He would be more afraid of her than the giant!

Had he not been there, in their home, he might have fallen asleep in the tub, his head submerged save his face, but there was a slight discomfort in it, given he didn't know them. Had just met her ... even if she drew him like dew on a flower would draw a man dying of thirst.

When he got out, he actually peeked over, just to see if she was indeed peeking! Grinned when she was not, for he hadn't truly expected it. Leather and cloth was pulled back on, fastened, and fingers raked through wet hair, though he shook his head, sending a spray, drying it some and giving it that wild look again before he was stepping out and pausing as he glanced around to drink in the view of their home. Hell, any home.

"Was that quick enough?" Though he was distracted in the view.



RHIANNON: Rhiannon quickly washed her hands and faced, changed her attire into a simple red wrap, one shoulder bare, the other holding a swath of fabric over it, in a sari type arrangement. Her long dark hair was brushed and shining. As he walked out she smiled. He looked so nice ...wet. She blinked at her own thoughts. "Yes, it was. Good thing or I would've had to peek.." She winked.

Clearing her throat, "After the meal, we can sit in the inner courtyard or the gardens..." Her parents had worked hard on their home over the years so Rhiannon was happy to show it off for them.

The family gathered for the meal. Her father talked about the need for rain (he always did) , then he talked about the politics of Susa, he mentioned Dimmamark, which captured her mother's attention. He asked Cassius about his work, how often he trained, how were the barracks to live in, on and on.

He mentioned the 'Emperor' but he didn't specify that it was his son thankfully for Rhiannon was holding her breath during that moment. They moved past it, and the meal of flat breads, thin meats and fruits was shared, along with fresh fruit juice that was cooled in the ground and felt so good on the tongue.

Finally, the meal over, Rhiannon guided Cassius out to the garden, looking over her shoulder to be sure her parents turned to their tasks, then she slipped her arm in his and they wound their way through the gardens until they found a bench. She lowered to it and placed her palm on the seat next to her. The air was heavy with the afternoon heat, but the aromas of the flowers and plants of the garden was heightened due to being heated all day by the sun.

When he sat, she smiled, watching the flowers a moment before she met his eyes. "My family is very welcoming. They admire you for being a warrior." She could tell by the look in Cassius' eyes that he wasn't used to this kind of thing but to Rhiannon it was as natural as breathing. She hooked her arm in his and smiled. "Thank you for coming." The maids who had fixed his bathwater were giggling beyond where they sat as they emptied his water. They were flushing and blushing and Rhiannon watched them with a grin and a shake of her head.

"So, about that temptation..."



CASSIUS: Dinner was wonderful, more than he got on almost every occasion. Every once in awhile they would feast, but they were men of courage, used to hardened conditions, and so while they ate (every day!) it was never a meal such as her family served.

His answers were polite to her father, her mother, and he always said Sir or Ma'am ... a product of what he did, how he was raised. It so strong at times, even though he did not know them, had someone broken into their home, he would have defended it with his life.

"Your family is very ... " Though he wasn't sure the word he was seeking, so he just nodded in agreement. He glanced to the maids and actually laughed before looking to her with a grin. "I'm guessing you don't bring dirty men home often?" A tease before the question, and his voice dropped to a whisper...

"About that...."

He faltered. It wasn't as if he hadn't ever kissed a woman, been with a woman. But they were girls that warmed his blankets, but never his heart, his soul. They were not girls that would have brought him home. That he would have worn their silk as a sign of honor to them.



RHIANNON: She laughed and nodded. "Yes, they are..." agreeing to whatever he was thinking about her parents. The giggling girls were noted again and she grinned, looking back to him.

"I've never brought any men home" She grinned and leaned in, as if they shared a big secret. "I've brought many friends home, female and my brothers come in and out, or they used to. ..but for the past several months it's just been me, my parents and their house help."

The temptation remark brought him close. There was something very overwhelming about his close presence. When he faltered, she tilted her head and lifted her hand, putting her finger tips to his cheek, her thumb stroking the skin there tenderly. She felt her heart racing, her breath halting, and her stomach was fluttering. He was so close, so strong.

Her eyes lingered at his mouth, then rose slowly to his eyes, and it was there she saw something she never saw before. Familiarity. It made her smile begin again and broaden. She helped him out then, leaned forward and brushed her lips to his in a brief, less than chaste, kiss.



CASSIUS: "So I am a first...?" His gaze lingered on hers, stilling there, even as she touched his cheek, even when she leaned in, though in that moment, he closed a bit of the distance himself, meeting her mouth with a hungry need of his own. Less than chaste? Later he would definitely have described it that way. Less than chaste ... fiery... either way he was lost for a moment or three as his own hand lifted to stroke calloused fingers along her cheek.

"Your parents will never let you bring one home again..." Came in a whisper when he pulled back just to catch his breath, to steal control of his heart again as it pounded in his chest. "They might kill me ... bury me somewhere in the desert..." His lips curled upward before he leaned in again, his hand tugging her closer with a curl at her cheek just to greet her lips with his own.

The maids giggled, but he was oblivious to the sound, to the echo somewhere in the distance as he got totally lost in the taste of her lips ... in the feel of soft flesh under the caress of his fingers.