Warrior Angel

[Trinn]

The corners of Helena's mouth turned down as Vanea implied she was all but a child still, living with her parents unmarried and without her own home to see over. Vanea was right, of course, but Helena knew that as soon as she married, all thoughts of adventure would be thrown away. She mulled over her choices as the warrior angel gave orders to the butler. She was still preoccupied with her own thoughts when the butler asked her how she took tea. Realizing that eyes were upon her, Helena blushed and hastily spoke.

"A spoonful of honey would do just fine." She said as graciously as she could. "Thank you." Helena added. It would never do to be rude to servants. If they were respected, then they would return that respect ten fold. It was clear Vanea had learned this. Helena's parents were sometimes a bit strict and short tongued with their own servants, which was why Helena was extra nice to them. The Toros servants never tattled on her, and more than once had assisted her in sneaking out of the estate. As the Garen prepared her tea, Helena turned her gaze to Vanea.

"I know it might seem silly of me to shirk away from marriage, but I yearn too much for adventure and the taste of other cultures. I want to see Du Weldenvarden, Tronjhiem, the Spine, the Burning Plains, visit with tribes that know a different life than mine. And even though it terrified me, I'd like to fly on a dragon just once!" She paused and her gaze drifted away wistfully. "I suffer a great wanderlust, and it knows no cure except to obey."

[Tismri]

Vanea smiled as Helena explained her longings. To see the world was a desire of many, yet few ever achieved that goal. She herself had yet to visit many of the locations her friend had mentioned, feeling too much responsibility to her home to spend time traveling. In that moment, Vanea understood why Helena wished to explore before she was tied down in the same way.

"I think I know what you mean," she said, taking a long sip from her tea, enjoying the flavor as she relaxed from her earlier fighting. She considered the dark liquid for a moment as she thought. "It would be difficult to see all those places on horseback. Yet as you have listed it as one of your desires, upon dragon back you will be able to see all these within a few weeks. Azure and I would benefit from such a journey as well. It may be some time before we can make such plans reality, but between now and then, your sword training will prepare you for any dangers we may encounter along the way.

[Trinn]

Helena Sat up straight in her chair. She was inclined to set her teacup down on the side table, as she was sure her hands were about to begin shaking. It wouldn't do to draw attention to her intense excitement by the clatter of saucer against teacup. Poise and control were a ladies friend, not unbridled emotion. "Do you mean to say that you will help me to see these places I have dreamed of?" Helena asked carefully. She kept her eyes and voice guarded knowing how crushed she would be otherwise if her suspicions were to prove false.

"If so, than I fear that my trade with you is unequal. How could teaching you languages ever repay you for teaching me swordplay, and then toting me across Alagaesia!" Her voice rose a little at the end, but she cleared her throat and tried to pretend it hadn't happened. "There must be something else I can do for you. If of course that is your intentions."

[Tismri]

Vanea smiled pleasantly at Helena's expression, knowing that the girl was grateful for her offer. She chuckled at her begging to make an equal exchange.

"It's quite all right, dear Helena. Our lessons are an even payment. For the travel, consider it a gift from Azure and me. As a Rider and dragon, it would only be suitable for us to visit such historical sites, yet without your passion I suspect I would never convince myself to leave." She glanced out the window to see deep golden light slanting through, rapidly deepening as night approached. She sighed and set her teacup to the side, taking up the stationary and pen Garen had brought in while they were conversing. She drafted a short letter to Helena's parents, proposing they spend afternoons together wherein Helena would "learn the skills that every true lady must know" as she phrased it, emphasizing their daughter's enthusiasm with the proposal. Once she finished, she waved the page for a moment to dry the ink before folding and sealing it.

"Come along, Helena; I should escort you back home before night sets in. We want to leave a good impression on your parents so they have nothing to suspect and no reason to protest our lessons." She led the way outdoors, smiling to herself; she was glad to have made a new friend and have something to look forward to in order to end the monotony that had become her life lately.