It was late in eve of the next day when the bard and the gladiator met again, at Pravat Cave, next to the fountain. The evening sky was clear, the stars twinkled, and the moon shone bright so that the sword EvilClown was sharpening, it’s edges shined as if made of crystal. Claudine was sat on the dewy grass next to the gladiator, his back was leaning against the fountain wall apreciating the cold of the stone through the fabric of his armour. Absentmindedly pulling the taut strings of her well worn Rosewood harp, she forgot she wasn’t alone, and let a few notes of song escape her lips. She was engrossed in her own thoughts whilst she practised her melodies. 'This is the happiest I've ever been she thought to herself. I'm completely infatuated by this gladiator, every touch is like being hit by beag athar!' Claudine closed her eyes slowly and thought about the day before.

 

EvilClown was also thinking about the day before, she had consumed his thoughts as he slept later that evening after their hunt. Moving his sword back and forth across a whetstone in front of him, he turned to the sword and stared intently at the metal. Upon hearing the quiet songs coming from Claudine, he paused his arm that was sharpening his trusted blade. Turning to face the girl, he looked down as her face was concentrating on her instrument and listened to the sound of her voice. Peering down at her pink full lips, the dark curled lashes of her steely blue eyes, her pale skin with freckles across her nose, how he longed to lean down to kiss her on the mouth. Suddenly he joined his voice with hers, matching the notes of the song the bard was practising. The goofiest expression he had seen yet took over the bards face. She paused her singing to let out a laugh that could be described similarly to bells tinkling. Putting his sharpening tools in his bag he reached over and took the harp from Claudine. She continued to laugh as he strung some terrible notes on her Rosewood harp, gave up and placed it on the ground with a gentle thud.

 

Making up his mind, he edged his hand through the soft grass towards hers and gently touched her delicate fingers, she didn't move away though he heard her breath catch in her throat, so after a while he simply left his hand touching hers. Their fingers slowly entwined, but neither party made any comment on this. Drawing attention to this fact may have broken the magic of the moment.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, she moved her arms and suddenly yawned, shattering the atmosphere.

“I must travel to my room for the night, I’m exhausted after today. My legs ache, I feel I’ve walked throughout all of Temuair. I received a letter from my druid companion, we are gathering components to summon the fearsome Lady Phoenix tomorrow to sell to younger aislings.”

“What friend is this, the druid Lyle?” he gritted his teeth as he said so.

Getting to her feet and beginning to head for the road towards Rucesion, she looked over her shoulder and replied, feigning ignorance at EvilClown’s sudden tone of voice “Yes, now good night. I’ll see you in a sun or so. Would you like to meet here at the same time on the next day, when we are done with the days business?”

Shielding his eyes from the sun, he turned to face her and gave a slight nod. Of course he wanted to meet her, it had become a regular occurence nowadays.

 

His eyes followed her as she stood up, as she turned to leave he was transfixed by the curves of her body moving under her favourite blue dress. He waved at her thinking in his mind he should make his feelings known, otherwise that druid is going to profess his love for her, and he would hate to see her so much as hold hands with someone that wasn’t himself. EvilClown longed to pick the girl up and never let her go, his feelings having grown every moment since their meeting. In fact, he would have if he had known she felt the same for him. She was so shy he wasn’t quite sure of himself, he was waiting for something to happen or for her to let him know.

 

The bard and the gladiator didn't spend every waking moment together. Her time was divided between helping guild members, tending to her political duties in her hometown and questing with the druid Lyle. EvilClown wasn’t particularly fond of him, he was far too familiar with Claudine for his taste.

 

Her friendship with the druid however was platonic in her eyes, as their origins were far too different to consider him in a romantic light. EvilClown originated from somewhere a bit closer to home for her, and she did think of him in that way. Quite often actually. Though she tried not to let this be known. EvilClown was originally a Rucesion citizen, same as Claudine had been now for well over 80 deoches. He had since moved to Medenia seeking a different lifestyle.

 

She was thinking about this as she peacefully slept that evening and how she was happier in recent moons than she had been for a long time, wondering what the next day would bring. Nothing eventful, roaming through Shinewood forest as they’d done many a time before laughing as they went.