The sun had already risen when Varek finally dropped the reports on Rhal’s desk. Rin did a good job on the two ledgers he had given him, while Varek completed the other three. Rhal was not yet around. Varek ran his glance around his office, decorated with nothing but weapons, a bunch of old maps crumpled on the desk. He muttered an elaborate curse under his breath as he left the room to return to his own.

He hadn’t slept last night. He knew he wasn’t scheduled for duty this day. His glance fell on the jar of cream Syraa had given him for sleep. It barely had a little left in it, but he needed rest before their first training. With a deep breath, he rubbed it onto his temples, and sleep took him fast.

Dreams didn’t always come. But if they did, it was almost always her. Just like this day. His dream replayed her smile, the scent of wildflowers in her hair, the soft touch of her skin when her hand touched his. He could almost taste the salt in her tears and feel the texture of her hair between his fingers. He saw the sway in her shoulders when she teased him and the blush on her face when she got flustered. He saw the gold flecks in her iris, and the markings running on her skin like thin veins. He could see them on parts that he hadn’t even seen: her arms, shoulders, her back…

He woke after several hours, with a pounding heart and dry lips, but a rested mind and energized body. He looked out. The sun had turned toward the horizon, but it was still high. He had time. He grabbed himself a meal – if the Arcanum did something acceptable, it was the food. It wasn’t the tastiest, but it was filling even for a fighter’s body. Enforcers greeted him on his way, and he returned it with a nod.

He needed a bath. Or perhaps he just wanted one. He hoped to be alone and in quiet, but his hopes shattered soon after he sank into the hot water.

“Who knew I would see you so soon again,” Rin smirked, joining him in the bath.

“How are you always where I am?” Varek moaned, but there was no real edge in his voice. He even allowed himself a smile.

“It seems like I’m just attracted to you,” Rin teased with a loud laugh when Varek groaned in exasperation.

“Relax, Marshal, I know I’m not the kind of company you want,” Rin continued with the same wide smirk.

Varek passed his wet fingers through his hair. “I told you, Rin, you’ll be teasing me with this nonsense until you get me killed. If you want to get rid of me, please do it now.”

“Just joking, my friend, don’t be so stuck up!”

Varek shook his head watching Rin tilt his head back into the water. “It feels nice to get rid of all the ash,” he said, rubbing water out of his eyes. “You going back to town today?”

“No, not today. Might just take a ride later, to get some fresh air,” Varek deflected. Half-truths were easier to keep up with than all lies.

Varek leaned back against the stone edge of the pool, letting the heat seep into his bones. He closed his eyes for a breath, but even in the quiet he found his thoughts wandering beyond the walls of the Arcanum, to a pair of gold-flecked eyes waiting for him in the dusk.