It is said that knowing yourself is the beginning of all Wisdom.
Neyaa awoke, greeting the new day with a content smile and a satisfied yawn. As soon as her senses adjusted she knew the Captain had already left. Stretching like a cat she rolled into the hollow in the bed he had left, the mattress still felt warm (of course it was only her imagination). There was no time to be idle, she had errands to run and work to do. It took a little time to bathe and dress, even though the familiar pain in her belly and the taste of blood in her mouth had subsided for now. Pouring herself a drink, she reflected as she dawdled around the house quantifying recent events in her life that had been driven by an inner need to correct some of the wrong doings she had done, before she lay cold in the ground.
Some headway had been made already. She had followed Rossethor to the old ruins on the Brandy Hills intending to make her peace with him, too long had she held onto the anger of him abandoning her for Nimeway. It was not for the want of trying, but finding Ross alone without his 'shadow' in tow had proved increasingly difficult...and again even when she had found him, there was Nimeway standing silently with him. Neyaa smarted a little when recounting how unpleasant she had been to Nimeway, she had even considered throwing her to her death from atop of the ruins for she could take no more of her lurking in shadows and corners. To her relief Nimeway left and she was able to settle her differences with Ross and repair a friendship that she had cherished in the past. Neyaa knew she had lost to a better woman...she knew the pain she had clung to for some time was none other than pride. Naught had eased her suffering, not the bitter thoughts, the hateful words, the breaking of windows, not even bedding the Dun-man or anyone else for that matter... if she truly was to let go of it she would have to make things right with Nimeway for Ross's sake.
Neyaa would be the first to admit her follies, but it irked her when others would deem her a fool, or presume that she was easily fooled. Surely, one's self is the most qualified to recognize their own foolish thoughts and deeds? Only yesterday did Hyrien make a point of reminding her that Captain Hardoleth cared about nobody, did Hyrien presume that she had not at least gleaned that for herself? Hyrien was the fool if truth be told, not her, anyone with eyes could see that the Captain cared about Hyrien! No! she would not even entertain a conversation in her head about her own feelings for Hardoleth. She was not duped by pleasant conversation, charm or a comforting embrace, she was wise enough to know her position and that as long as she was able to remain on his good side, make no demands and be mindful of his moods then perhaps he would not cast her out into the cold.
With a determined stride, Neyaa headed out of the door to face the day without even a second glance at the untouched tankard of ale.
