Chapter 18: Nightmare
In Which Jozra Doesn’t Get Sweet Dreams.
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Yazeth: “Goodnight.†She enters the room and sets down the light pack, empty of spare clothes, on a chair in the corner. She looks around the room intently for a moment before closing the door and climbing into bed. No candles needed if you know where everything is.
Arrin Woodgreen: He places his own pack down and readies for bed, climbing beneath the covers.
Yazeth: Jozra snuggles down, enjoying the warm blankets and comfortable bed before drifting off to sleep.
Arrin Woodgreen: He yawns and stretches out in his bed, letting his tired muscles relax. He falls asleep quickly, sprawled out across the bed.
Yazeth: Time passes as the pair sleep in their respective rooms. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of Jozra’s mind, something sparks. Flames flare into their horrible glory, never really quenched, just buried beneath locks and the immediacy of the present. Free again to roam as the subconscious awakes that which was never really forgotten, just put away.
Arrin Woodgreen: He sleeps a bit more peacefully, his mind roaming over old, pleasant memories.
Yazeth: She was there again, back in the north. Eight of her companions from her home were there as well. Each as disgusted with the task at hand, but helpless to what needed to be done. The plague couldn’t, COULDN’T spread beyond this town but did that really justify the utter containment? A dark knife sped from her fingertips, lodging itself in the throat of a villager, no doubt infected, who had tried to escape the burning village. And she hated herself for what she had to do.
Arrin Woodgreen: He murfs softly, rolling over.
Yazeth: Flames flickered and twisted as the ferret’s body squirmed and twisted the blankets. Abruptly she awoke, glad to be conscious so that she could bury the memories again. “Wha…†Jozra blinked in the safe darkness of the room as she tried to calm her racing heart. She hadn’t had one of those nightmares for quite a while now. What brought it on?
Arrin Woodgreen: An arm flops over the side of the bed and he murmurs something in his sleep.
Yazeth: Eventually, the ferret’s eyelids grow heavy again and she begins to drift off to sleep. The flames are waiting for her, though, and she jerks back awake. She hasn’t had those dreams since… since… It dawns on her then. “Since I met Soquan…” She sits up, mulling over this revelation. She whispers to herself. “This is silly. Our rooms are right next to each other. Why should a wall make such a difference?â€
Arrin Woodgreen: He merfs again, rolling onto his back.
Yazeth: After a bit of thought, Jozra convinces herself to do what she must if she wishes to get any restful sleep this night. Quietly she slips off of her bed and cracks open the door. The hallway outside is lit dimly, with only every third torch burning. She crouches and slips over to Soquan’s door and pulls it open a crack. After a peek every which way, she slips inside, pulls the door shut and slides into the bed next to the otter.
Arrin Woodgreen: He grunts, waking up as the ferret’s weight shifts the bed. “Wha?â€
Yazeth: The ferret mutters, muffled slightly as she snuggles under the blankets. “Nothin. Go back to sleep.â€
Arrin Woodgreen: He blinks a few times. “Jozra? What’re you doin’ here?â€
Yazeth: The ferret sighs. She does owe him an explanation, after all. She pulls the blankets away from her mouth and turns to speak in Soquan’s general direction. “I used to have these nightmares. They went away when I was traveling with you but they decided to come back tonight.†She mutters angrily. “Walls shouldn’t make that much of a difference…â€
Arrin Woodgreen: He reaches over, patting her shoulder. “You alright then?â€
Yazeth: The ferret nods. “I just wanted to actually get some sleep tonight, that’s all.â€
Arrin Woodgreen: He gives her a one armed hug, settling back down. “Alright then…â€
Yazeth: Jozra pulls her covers back up to her chin. “Thanks for understanding. Goodnight.â€
Arrin Woodgreen: He smiles and moves to give her a bit of room. “’night.â€
