Through It All

by Naresha Zahra

The door opens and the glare of the setting sun fills the Tavern as a large group enters. Looking through squinting eyes Baresh recognizes the ever friendly group of adventurers who are usually found in Shard near the Adan'f. They come to the bar and place their orders then drift over into one corner where they push several tables together so that they can continue the conversations they are obviously enjoying.

Baresh finishes his cleaning duties for now and concentrates on making sure none of the lively group has an empty mug. Baresh knows them all by name and by the drinks they favor. Making his way around the table Baresh smiles and mumbles pleasentries to each person as he glances over their shoulder to check the level of tankards, mugs and glasses. "Ye break your old record of ressurections performed in a single day yet?". He asks Nacon with a wink. "They have tae peel ye off your tree to get ye in here?", he directs at Hammir with a gentle laugh. None are left out of the playful rhetoric in the group that is so close to family, extended as it may well be. Galhamead and Sondrine, Shiyana, Saava, Krashclaw adn Aluriaz, Sabastien, Galaxa and Gazan all meet his questions with a quick laugh and an assurance that their drinks aren't in need of refurbishing. Taygar and Oiyon blush slightly as he playfully teases the most recently married couple, Chriztopher and Jaye feign fright as he pretends to almost step on their tails as he passes. One person, he saves till last, something having caught his eye, and caused him some concern.

Looking at her now Baresh can honestly say that although she isn't beautiful like Jaye, the S'Kra that captured Chriz's heart, there is something that draws you to her. "I think it is those green eyes" Baresh says to himself. "Those eyes that dance like twinkling stars when she laughs and those eyes that make your heart hurt when they are filled with tears".

It has been quite a while since Naresha last visited the tavern. He couldn't help but watch her as she softly laughed at the stories and jokes the others told. She has always been a quiet one Baresh reflected. If she knows anything about the return of the Nabori brothers it isn't showing. Oh how she grieved when the barbarian named Solrac disappeared without a trace. She had worn her emerald engagement ring for nearly two years, refusing to give up on the hope that he would come back. But as the barkeep comes to her aft, he inspects with a keen eye not only the amount of liquid and froth in the glass set before her, but the empty place on the finger formally occupied so steadfastly by that ring, as she nonchalantly touches Nacon's arm with her hand as merriment flickers over those green, green eyes. Turning her head slightly as her gentle laughter chimes out, the Elothean girl catches Baresh's investigative study, her eyelids coming to half-mast as her laughter stiffles, and the prophet of Glythide knows he's been caught. Returning to the bar with only a nod to acknowledge the lack of need for more spirits to fill the barely touched glass.

Without a sound to announce her arrival, Baresh is caught somewhat by surprise by her presence before him. "Baresh, I couldn't help but notice that look of concern on ye'r face when ye look at me." His prying is excused in this, for she knows his concern is genuine. "I want ye tae know that ye dinnae have need tae worry about me. Aye, I know that Solrac is back in Elanthia....somewhere. I feel his presence in my heart just as surely as I did the days past; I feel the tinge in my heart whenever he is struck down in battle..." Naresha's head has dipped down as she speaks those words, but the look is not one of dispair as she raises her gaze to the man, a soft smile curving her lips upwards at the ends as she continues. "I will always love Solrac, in fact, I have no choice. There is a bond stronger than any born of alchemy or metal smithing that cannae be broken, but I also see now that it wasnae meant to be for us to marry."

"Solrac is chasing demons from his past and he isnae capable of accepting my total and unconditional love. If he were, he would have known that I would have supported him in whatever he felt he had tae do..." Thoughtfully, she nibbles on her lower lip for a moment, releasing it finally when her words are chosen, blushed a deeper shade from the pressure. "He could have chosen to share with me his truobles, and found strength in my support, by his side, or from afar...if only he had shared with me what he thought he had tae do... but he chose to shut me out, and leave withnae a word, only a string of promises and dreams unfulfilled."

With resolve, but lacking any tone of harshness, she concludes; "Even now, he hasnae made any sort of contact. There isnae saddness in my heart Baresh, only gladness for the times we spent together." It's a combination of the far away voice and the eyes that don't focus on anything ...within that room, at that time , at least, that tell Baresh she is thinking of the past as she says, "I have so many things to be thankful for".

Naresha gently lays her hand on his as her attention returns to the present, "Each person we meet and every event in our life is what makes up the unique person we become." Giving Baresh's hand a quick squeeze before withdrawing her own, she turns and returns to her seat. Without missing a beat she is back in the middle of the jokes and stories being told.