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I hesitated a moment then turned to the dragon “Teras, there's someone in there. I need you to get back towards the forest and hide."

“But they could wish to hurt you!"

I shook my head as I leaned on my staff. “Not likely; it's probably a wandering sister or brother that took shelter in my hut. Nothing to worry about," I told him but I did wonder.

Teras' head weaved back and forth and I reached out and placed a hand on his cheek. He held his head still with his eyes closed for some time then looked at me. “They could hurt you."

I shook my head, “No, no Brother or Sister would hurt me and you'll be close by, right?"

He huffed a sigh and nodded, a gesture he had picked up from me. “Yes." The dragon turned and walked towards the forest and, with one last look at me, walked inside.

I turned to look at my hut, wondering who really was in there, then steeled myself and went to the door. I hesitated briefly and opened it and a man, robed in the colors of the Brotherhood looked up, startled, then a huge smile broke out on his face.

“Erin! I didn't think I'd ever see you again!"

I froze in place, mouth agape, then closed it. “Stephen, what in the world are you doing here?"

As I looked at him, memoires flooded over me. My time at the college, training and meeting him for the first time, all of the classes we were in together, studying together…

And at one point falling in love.

For me, it was very short lived. I was too focused on my studies and, well, for many reasons wasn't ready for a relationship of any sort. When he was called away to a distat monastery to serve I honestly felt relieved and then guilty for feeling so.

Looking at him, I realized my feelings had not changed at all. I was surprised, startled, in shock, but there were no feeling of affection to say nothing of love.

I think as he watched me and his smile faded he too realized that I didn't feel that way about him anymore, if I ever truly had. A flicker of dissapointment went across his eyes, a twitch of his brow, but then he smiled all the greater.

“It's good to see you again, Erin. It's been such a long time."

I gave myself a small shake. “Over ten years now," I said quietly.

“I would invite you to sit down but it's your own hut."

I sighed and stepped in, pulling the door shut behind me, then sat down in one of my chairs. “What are you doing here?"

“Well, hoping to see you again, but you weren't here when I arrived."

“So you stayed."

He blushed a little. “Yeah, been waiting a week or so."

“Why?" I said, starting to feel a little annoyed.

“Oh come on, Erin, I know we didn't leave on the best of terms and it was rather abrupt being called away, but don't be like this!"

I sighed. “Stephen, you're welcome to be here…" I trailed off. He looked into my eyes, looking for some spark, some hope that I felt some affection for him, then I turned away.

He looked troubled. “I see."

“Do you?" I said quietly with a slight edge.

“What's that supposed to mean?"

I snorted. “If you can't figure that out by now then it's no wonder you think I love you."

“Damn it—"

“What do you want me to do, Stephen?" I shouted as I abruptly stood up. “Pretend that I love you? Pretend I have some affection for you? Pretend that everything is fine between us and that we can just somehow carry on a friendship like nothing ever happened."

“Yes! No! I mean—"

With effort I mastered my surge of temper. “I'm sorry I yelled."

He looked down. “Something that's not changed, I see."

I laughed a little. “Years have taken an edge off my temper."

He snorted. “Can't see it from where I'm sitting!"

I shook my head with a sigh. “How long are you going to be here?"

He shrugged. “Not sure. I don't have any particular place to be; as long as you'll have me I guess."

I winced internally. That was completely unworkable with Teras waiting for me and having to track down his child. I wanted to tell him to leave now but the teachings of hospitality warred within me and I just couldn't quite do that.

“I really have no place for you to sleep," I pointed out.

He glanced at the bed and blushed and I damn near nearly brained him on the spot with my staff, consequences be damned. Trying to get me into bed with him been the sum of the last few months of knowing him, in which he never succeeded I may add.

“Yeah. Well, I do have my sleeping roll. I could just lay it out on the floor."

It took all I could not to grit my teeth. “I need to leave tomorrow. I have a few errands to run and some things to gather."

“Oh. Well, I'd be happy to tag along."

I silently damned him to the deepest pit while I tried to think of a way to tell him to wander off and get lost never to return. “I can handle it myself."

“Why are you being so obstinate?"

“I've always been bull necked and you know it."

“Yeah, but I just want to come along and help. Surely there's nothing wrong with that? I know we didn't part on the best of terms, but can't we at least pretend to be friends? Maybe leave as such? Just for a few days, Erin."

I couldn't honestly think of a way of refusing that wouldn't make him suspicious. “Fine," I said reluctantly. I silently prayed that I would be able to inform Teras of what was going on so he didn't worry or fret.

He smiled at me. “Thank you, Erin!"

I sighed and started to do some light cleaning to take my mind off the probable disaster that had likely just occurred.