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As the rest of the party turns towards Jaffa, Mirian and Jonny turn away from Jaffa, going towards Mirian's cabin and Culpeper. As the two old friends travel, they tell each other about their recent missions. Neither wanting the others missions instead of their own, laughing together. Soon they are at Mirian's cabin. Jonny rides down to the lake, admiring the scene while filling his canteen with fresh water. Mirian takes Bigor to the back of the cabin. She loosens the saddle and removes her gear and the reins. She sets out some hay, grain, and water, then goes inside the cabin.
She goes straight to her travel bags and gear, inspects them, satisfied, returns outside to see Jonny sitting on one of two chairs placed close to the door. "Hope you don't mind; I placed Corser out back with Bigor. I wasn't sure how long you needed." Mirian moves over, taking the other chair, and replies, "Let's give the horses a little while to eat, then head out. I want to try and catch Culpeper before he gets too far from home. so he can prepare for the trip if he wants to come along.
The two rangers chat for a while longer when they hear a branch break on the trail leading to Mirian's cabin. The two rangers instinctively, by years of training, grab their bows, rolling away from each other. They come up on one knee, bows drawn. "I should have known better than to try and sneak up on you, Ranger Love," says Culpeper as he clears the trail. "Who's your friend? Would you please ask him to lower his bow? I would rather not be shot." Culpeper rides forward, keeping a wary eye on Jonny as Jonny looks to Mirian with a raised eyebrow. Mirian stands with a big smile. "It's alright, Jonny; this is my boyfriend, Culpeper. He is the one we wanted to intercept."
Jonny undraws his bow, returning the arrow to his quiver. Jonny relaxes, stepping forward to greet the man. As Culpeper dismounts his horse, Dilda, Mirian is right there to greet him with a big hug and a quick kiss. "Culpeper, I want you to meet Jonny. He is a fellow ranger and old friend." The two men shake hands in greeting. Jonny speaks first, "Mirian has told me a lot about you on our way here. I am glad she found someone. Rangers don't always have the best of luck that way. She says you are a healer and herbalist. with a whole lot of other useful skills." Looking over at Mirian, he gives a modest shake of his head. "You really have told him all about me, haven't you?" Mirian moves into him in a way that tells him she wants his arm around her. "What? Can't I be proud of my man? Besides, I promise you I haven't told him everything about you." She finishes with a mischievous grin, giving him a playful slap on the ass. Jonny laughs, saying, "And I believe we are both appreciative of that." All three of them laugh for a moment before Mirian turns serious.
"Culpeper, you remember I told you about my last mission?" Culpeper nods, picking up on the serious attitude of the two rangers. "Well, the Jaffa Guild of Rangers believes that it has caused a bounty to be placed on my head," Culpeper blurts out in concern. "What! A bounty? What kind of bounty!?" Culpeper turns to face her straight on, taking both of her hands into his. As he takes a breath to say more, Mirian frees one of her hands, putting a finger over his lips. "Culpeper, love, let me finish. This is not the first time I have had a bounty placed on my head. The guild usually sends the ranger away for a couple weeks or a month to let things settle down." she takes a breath here before continuing.
"sometimes, other rangers go after the one who put up the bounty. i am being sent to castle ravenstone with jonny to deliver both of our reports to the king. I asked if I could invite you along. I thought it might be a good chance for us to spend some time together. What do you say?" Culpeper is still trying to take everything in as Mirian finishes.
Jonny, seeing Culpepper's shocked reaction, assures him this is normal for rangers. "This happens all the time in our guild. we get sent on a mission that disrupts someone's bad business and they put a bounty on us." Jonny stops as he sees the look from Mirian that is clearly saying, 'Not helping! Shut up!' Culpeper finally catches up, replying, "Yes, of course I want to go. Let's go right now. Can we stop by my cottage? I have some healer items I would like to bring, maybe a few other items." "Of course," Mirian replies, "I am thinking that we could ride to your cottage, stay overnight, and then start fresh in the morning, if that would be ok with you? We have a shortcut to the high road to Castle Ravenstone. If we leave your cottage at first light, we should make it there before nightfall." Mirian turns to Jonny, asking him, "Are you in need of any supplies? I have extras if needed." Jonny assures her he is fine and that they should get going. Mirian and Jonny walk to the back of the cabin to retrieve their horses.
Once they are on the road, the two rangers suggest letting Culpeper's horse, Dilda, set the pace so as to not tire him out too much. the ranger horses being trained for endurance. The three companions travel in silence. The two men worried about Mirian. Mirian is thinking through a travel plan that she will share with the two men at Culpeper's cottage.
After a few hours of steady riding, they make it to Culpeper's cottage. Culpeper and Mirian lead their horses to the back of the cottage, where there is a small shed-like building for Culpeper's horse, Dilda. "Culpeper, why don't you let me take care of Dilda while you go get ready to travel? Then maybe make a meal for the three of us?" Culpeper agrees, as he could use the private time to get all this through his head. 'My girlfriend has a bounty on her head; my girlfriend is a ranger. The other ranger, Jonny, said this is normal for rangers, but I am not a ranger; this is certainly not normal for me!'
While he is thinking all this through, he builds up a fire to cook on and then gathers up his healer's traveling kit. bandages, splints, ointments, creams, herbs, and more. These all go into his saddlebags; his personal effects go into a backpack. Once he is done packing, he goes to his cold room, retrieving salad-making materials, along with some bear meat that he managed to capture recently. He throws the bear meat into a skillet with some herbs and spices, letting it cook while he chops up the salad. When the food is about ready, he opens a window at the back of the cottage. "Food is about ready; come on in when you are ready."
A few minutes later Mirian comes in, but she is alone. "Where's Jonny?" asks Culpeper. "He thought you might want a little time to talk with me alone about what is going on. He is going down to the river to wash up and wash some clothes. Do a little scouting. We have a signal for his return," with a mischievous look she says, "He even said he would be ok if we took our time." She takes a few steps towards him, but he stops her. "Mirian, I think we should talk about this first, while we eat. I am worried for you, and you are acting like it is not a concern. It is a concern for me." He draws her to him, enveloping her in a worried hug, and kisses the top of her head. He leads her to the table, gesturing for her to sit. As she sits, he gets the salad, the bear meat, and some spices he knows she likes, along with some oil for the salad. he brings a pitcher of tea to the table and some mugs.
Once he fixed both their plates, he sat and looked at her. Mirian looks back at him for a moment before speaking, "Culpeper, this is exactly why I don't tell you too much about my ranger activities. You worry too much. This is what I do. You are going to have to accept that. I know you worry about me, but I can handle it. ok?" She pauses, waiting for an answer. Culpeper looks back at her for a long while before replying, "Just because I have to accept that you work and live dangerously doesn't mean I have to stop worrying about you, because I won't, ever." Mirian reaches across the table, takes his hand, and brings it to her mouth, giving it a gentle, loving kiss. "I guess that's the best I am going to get, isn't it?" Culpeper pulls her hand to his mouth to give it a kiss. "That is the best you are going to get," he repeats. They look at each other for a while longer before he finally says, "Why don't you call Jonny up to the cottage? Then when we are done eating, we can go to the river and do some cleaning up."
Mirian practically runs to the door, opens it, sticks her head out, and makes three loud crow caws, then shuts the door. She returns to the table to finish her meal. It doesn't take Jonny long to show up at the door, knocking. "Who?" calls Culpeper. "It's Jonny," he replies. Giving Mirian a silly look, he calls out, "Enter." Mirian suppresses a giggle, knowing why he is looking at her that way. Jonny enters the cottage, asking, "You two got everything worked out? the travel plan and...whatever else needs working out?" Mirian and Culpeper look at each other, then say together, "Yes, except for the travel plan." They both stop, look at each other, and laugh, then Culpeper finishes for himself. "Truth be told, I don't really need to know the travel plan. I will be following along with you two, and you two know the plan. Now, Jonny, let me get you some food."
Culpeper gets the rest of the dinner salad and bear meat, putting it down in front of Jonny. He tells him what the spices and oil are saying: "I hope you enjoy. I make the oil and spices myself." Jonny spreads some of the spices over the salad and meat, then pours some of the oil on the salad, saying, "We got a taste of your seasoning last night at our camp. Half the rangers were asking what it was and where they could get some. If you ever get tired of being a healer, you could start yourself a new occupation." Jonny takes a bite and is delighted with the taste. "Much better than field rations, thank you, Culpeper."
While Jonny eats his meal, Culpeper gets what's needed for him and Mirian to go to the river to "clean up." As the couple is about to walk out the door, Jonny comments to Mirian, "Culpeper needs to be in good enough shape in the morning for a day's ride." Mirian blushes a little bit, replying, "He can sleep in the saddle if need be." Giving Culpeper a lusty look, she takes his hand and leads him out the door. Jonny laughs to himself, 'To be young and in love.' When done eating, he takes his belongings outside, to the front of the cabin. He situates his two wool blankets, places the backpack as a pillow, climbs in, and goes to sleep. Mirian will wake him when it's his turn to stand watch.
Mirian and Culpeper walk down to the river holding hands and chatting while they go. When they reach the edge of the river, they turn to each other and embrace. they run their hands over each other, knowing where and how each other likes to be touched. Mirian gently pushes Culpeper away, saying, "Whoa, stud. I have been on the road for a couple of days now. You are going to want me to wash up before getting too friendly. I probably smell like bigor right about now." They both lean back a bit, laughing. "I promise you, my sexy ranger, Bigor has never turned me on like you do." They both step away from each other, undressing themselves. They watch each other as they do. very much liking what they see. Once they are both naked, Culpeper reaches into the bag that he brought with them, bringing out a large vial. Mirian recognizes it as one of the bathing oils Culpeper makes, as she has a few at her cabin. Culpeper attaches it to his wrist, then holds out his hand again; Mirian takes it, and they walk into the river together. They both let out a curse to their respective deities at how cold the water is. Culpeper looks at Mirian, shivering, and asks, "I know you have some nature spells. I don't suppose you have any for warming water?" Mirian laughs, saying, "I do know a spell like that, but Nomar would probably consider this to be a waste of a spell and not grant it." They have walked out to the point where Culpeper is at about his knees and Mirian is about mid-thigh. They look at each other before Mirian asks, "Well, are we going to jump in and then clean up or what?" With that, they both turn and dive into the river. When they come up for air, they both curse their deities again for such cold water. They swim and play around for a while, finally getting used to the water. When Mirian notices that the sun has reached the point that it will soon be going down, she tells Culpeper. They swim towards the shore until they can both comfortably stand. Culper takes the vial of oil tied to his wrist and offers it to Mirian. She smells the scent of strawberries coming from the vial. She steps towards Culpeper; starting at his shoulders, she starts rubbing the cleansing oil all over his body
"I think we should get up to the cottage. before we freeze to death." The two grab the possessions they brought with them, wrapping themselves in their cloaks. They both think to themselves, 'Why get dressed to just undress again?' When they arrive at the front of the cottage, they find Jonny sound asleep on the ground a little ways from the door. Culpeper points at him, making a should we invite him in? motion. Mirian gently nudges him towards the door, making a shhh gesture with her finger.
Once inside, they both move towards the fire, soaking up the heat. Mirian tells Culpeper, "Jonny prefers to sleep outside. He believes that a ranger who sleeps in a bed too often will go soft. Besides, he is fully awake out there; if he wanted to come in, he would have let us know." Culpeper looks a little surprised. "He looked asleep to me; I could hear his breathing." Mirian smiles at her man and tells him, "Any ranger that would let someone get that close to him while sleeping would be a dead ranger in another case." Smiling again, Mirian says, "This trip is going to be a learning experience for you, Culpeper. We rangers don't normally let non-rangers travel with us when we are on assignment or on a mission."
With a playful smile, mirian takes hold of culpepers hand, leading him to the bedroom. once next to the bed she stands up on her tippy toes kissing him. while kissing he unclasps her cloak...
a couple of hours later"I think we need to get to bed and get some sleep. It's already late; morning comes mighty early with no sleep. I don't really want to get dressed again. Would you please put a cloak on to let Jonny know he has the watch for the rest of the night?" Culpeper smiles, nods. He wraps a cloak around himself, opens the door, and steps out. Mirian can hear him call softly to Jonny. "Jonny, Mirian says I should wake you and let you know you have the watch." Mirian can hear Jonny reply but can't catch the words. He comes back in, walking up to Mirian and giving her a kiss. "Why don't you get into bed? I will put out the lanterns and then join you." She kisses him back and then goes to bed. He joins her shortly, cuddling up to her, spooning her. Shortly they are both asleep.
Jonny sits in the shadows not far from the cottage. Laughing to himself, he thinks, 'I wonder if they know how late it is? morning is going to come early for them.' He is happy for his friend Mirian. Rangers don't always do good in the area of love. especially female rangers. A lot of men don't want a woman who can best them in most physical activities. From what Mirian had told him on the way here, they have been seeing each other for about six months. She has been on two extended missions during that time. He is not only still here for her, but he also wants to go on this potentially dangerous mission with her. Sounds like he might be a keeper for her.
A couple hours later he gets up, goes to the door, knocks, waits a moment, and then cracks the door. "Mirian, it will light in about an hour." With amusement in his voice, he continues, "I thought you two might need some time to get ready." Without waiting for an answer, he closes the door again. Several minutes later, Culpeper, wrapped in his cloak, calls Jonny inside. "We are going down to the river to wash up a bit. Do you mind making breakfast?" Culpeper points Jonny towards some potatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms. There are also eggs and cheese. He has pre-mixed some spices to put on the potatoes and vegetables. Jonny agrees as Mirian and Culpeper head to the river to clean up.
As Mirian goes by, Jonny notices Mirian walking a little bow-legged. commenting just load enough to be heard, but low enough they can pretend not to hear, "Maybe I should have told Culpeper that Mirian will need to be able to ride today." Culpeper has a look of great innocence as he walks out the door. Mirian walks by, smacking him on the shoulder. "Mind your business, Jonny," Mirian half scowls, half laughs.
Mirian and Culpeper return to the cottage to find breakfast almost ready. Jonny had chopped the potatoes and vegetables, throwing them into a skillet with the spices. He found three plates, placing the potatoes and vegetables on them. While cooking the eggs and cheese, Mirian and Culpeper go to the bedroom to get dressed. When the eggs are done, he places the three plates on the table. Checking the cold room, he found a pitcher of tea smelling like mint; he put it on the table. Finding three mugs in the cupboards, he places them on the table by the plates. he also places spoons and forks on the table, noticing that they are made out of highly polished, shaped wood.
Mirian and Culpeper come out of the bedroom fully dressed with their travel bags and gear. They are ready to travel as soon as they are done eating. As the three sit, they bow their heads in prayer to their deities. Mirian compliments Jonny on his cooking. As the three finish their meal, they decide it is time to travel. Culpeper asks Mirian if she will take his gear out with her and get Dilda ready while he tidies up the cottage so that it is fresh and clean when they return. When he joins them out back with the horses, they are ready to travel.
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