Belegrander walked along the village streets when he spied Rannie. She was carrying some logs, to the side of the house. Her face was twisted with effort and sweat glistened along her brow. She’d set them down and then walk off to some place he couldn’t see behind the house. Seeing she probably was alone he decided maybe it was best for him to make himself known. He walked towards the house with his hands behind his back and his chin lifted.
Once she came back around the house, he gave her a bright smile. “Hello my love” he greeted her with a cheerful tone. Rannie’s eyes widened as it was clear he was the last person she expected to see and dropped the arm full of logs. She cursed vividly as one of the logs hit her foot causing him to smile slightly, satisfied by the reaction he gotten. “Bel? She started, looking confused. “How…why…what are you doing in Bree land I thought you hated it here?”
Her eyes suddenly then narrowed at him. “And me love? How can ya have the pluck ta call me ya love after what ya did, ya no good betrayin arse!”She snapped, marching up to him wagging her finger at him menacingly as if one would wave a dagger. Belegander took a step back in surprise, not having expected this reaction and held up his hands.
“I call you love because that’s what you are my love and betraying ass? I do not understand why you call me this,” he stated, playing ignorance all though he knew too well she was referring to the fact he had set her up to be caught in Dale. Her eyes blazes as she stood before him and her face twisted with red hot fury that he’d never seen from her before.
“Ya may have forgot what happened in Dale but I didn’t Bel. A year…one long year I spent in a dank dark cell because of ya! And I’m not ya love, I don’t think ya know what love is ya damned fool!” she spat and was ready to continue but he held up his hands once more and cut her off.
“Rannie, Rannie…calm please let me explain. I didn’t forget Dale nor was it betrayal but my lesson…my gift to you,” he started and she looked at him opened mouth. “It was, I clearly see I should have explained myself before now. You see what you were asking from me…settling down, marriage, children? You had clearly forgotten who you are Rannie…a rat from the Alley! Those things are meant for people like us…I was trying to show you that with Dale. I had come back for you but when I arrived you had already gone. I tried looking for you, I didn’t actually think you’d come back here of all places.”
Rannie stared at him a little longer then slowly shook her head. “That’s how ya gonna excuse ya self? Puttin me in me place?” she said looking at him with a frown.
“Rannie look, I swear that was my intentions. I know it may not be what you want but I love you in my own way. Let’s start anew, put the past behind us. I’ve got a good opportunity here…but I could use my partner, my love…to help me. No one can make people relax and trust like you can Rannie. This will make us both rich and powerful,” he continued to explain but Rannie shook her head and crossed her arms.
“No Bel, I’m done with that life…I’ve got a honorable life now. I help people not hurt em and I like it!” she told him stubbornly and he scoffed as he looked at her, wondering if she had lost all sense.
“Look at you Rannie? Your clothing is poor and worn, you’re doing manual labor….your face has been marred! When you were with me you wore the finest dresses made of the finest material, you never needed to sweat to live, and no one dared touched you” he argued yet her jaw clenched as she shook her head again.
“Aye and all I had ta do was destroy people….entire families for it. No Belegander….or whatever ya name really is I’m done and I want nothing ta do with that life or you. If ya really cared for me ya would respect that. I’m not that lonely lass ya found in the mud nor that innocent and naïve one ya let believe ya cared for her…ya best know that and keep it close ta ya mind. Now leave and never bother me again or ya will regret it!” She snapped pointing towards the street.
Belegander looked at her with disappointment but nodded. “You are fooling yourself if you think these people will ever truly accept you for more than a good tool to use because that’s what you truly are to them but I will leave. Once you come into reason come find me” he said then turned to leave broodingly. He made his way to the Warhorse, needing to wash out the bitter taste in his mouth. When did that girl become so foolish? He thought as walked, frowning to see he’d lost any hold he had over her.
He nodded to the four men he had recently hired. “He’s in the inn now Sir,” one of the thugs said, bowing his head meekly. Belegander grinned and looked at the in.
“Is he now? Well then I should go pay him a visit….after all this mess is his fault! Following after her…filling her head with foolish ideas!” he snapped then looked to the men. “I will triple your pay if you are willing to do a little more for me” he stated. Four men nodded, looking at him with hungry greed and he explained his plan.
