Her smile was almost reassuring. Her tone… rather less so. 

Asuras was reminded then that he might know she wasn’t responsible for their problems, but that didn’t mean he should trust her with his family, or his problems. Though he dearly wanted to. He wanted to ask if she thought he didn’t already know that. That their trouble was only starting, and that he didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t know how to stop it. He was tempted to ask if she did. Just in case… She’d probably think he was trying to bait her though, instead of genuinely hoping, like a fool, that she just might have an answer when no one else did.

Now was not the time to let her know he was feeling the weight of his life ahead of him, instead of the lightness of what he’d already managed. In fact, there was no time when that would be appropriate. 

He was also, however, tempted to ask what she wanted with their strange prisoner. That was a question he could ask. But he held back, turning to look at the fellow who might well have been older than him, it was hard to tell, and puffing a raindrop off his nose while he did. “You really want him? Saw what he did to Jules’ arm, man won’t be holding a sword well anymore.” Just when he might be needing it most, too. “Well, I was going to let him go tomorrow, no use keeping him. Here.” He fished in a pocket for the keys that would undo gate and shackles, handing them over. “Leave tonight or wait for dawn, it’s all the same to me. Just make sure ain’t anyone else near for him to bite when you go.” 

Asuras turned to go then, having accomplished what he’d set out to. Two birds, one stone, if she wanted the man-thing, she could have him, though he wasn’t sure how she planned on keeping him with her. Spirit hunger wasn’t known for leaving folks with enough wits to feed themselves, let alone escape, and that’s what he knew folks were saying about their prisoner. But he didn’t think that’s what they were dealing with. Still, he was her problem now. But… 

What she’d said about the stags curled in his gut like sour milk. It echoed too closely with his own worries to be left hanging there. He didn’t know what he could say to wipe the air of it. Bravado wasn’t worth the effort. His hand fisted against his sword hilt and he turned back. “Samaire, go gently, eh. And remember us to the spirits if you hear ill.”

Nagging doubts were hard to face, but he gave her a crooked grin alongside his worst fears and didn’t wait to hear her answer, moving quickly to rejoin his brother by the fire, away from the weather, where he could almost, but only almost, pretend that he wasn’t afraid of what was coming. 

----------

“Wull, that settles that, don’t it fine. Not just me having nightmares, eh?” With his head and shoulders liberally draped with a double layer of heavy wool, Jules looked more like a walking potato sack than anything. A wet, walking potato sack. He’d heard most of the conversation, and couldn’t say he’d liked what he’d heard. He hadn’t meant to either, he’d just known who she was supposed to be spending guard duty with and had seen the blighter sitting pretty nursing a warm drink without any notion of heading out to join the cursed lady luck in the mud. 

Well, he hadn’t anything much to do with his time while he waited for his arm to heal. And damn if he’d have preferred not to hear the reminder that it wasn’t likely to. Not completely, anyway. “Wasn’t thinking on’t, but guess as I’ll be your farewell party if you’re heading on out. Though don’t see what y’want that beast for.”

He couldn’t help scowling at the creature that had paused its pacing and was glaring back, a sorry sight in the downpour, but it still made him shiver. He was angry for it ruining his arm, but it was hard to stay mad at something chained up and sodden. He’d start again tomorrow. “Don’t think as Asuras were meaning for you t’keep the chain. Be a sight though, you wandering about with that’un dragging behind.” 

Jules snorted, then laughed roughly. Ten years younger and he might have gone with her if she wanted. Or even offered on his own. But this was his home, he’d never been anywhere else. Too old and lame now. Even the chance to leave whatever was happening behind couldn’t move him enough to do more than idly consider it. “Ahh, would’ve been nice having you stick around. Could use the new blood.” He thought she might have benefited from it too, but held his tongue on that opinion. No use bringing up what wasn’t going to happen. No use at all.