Roderick and Gorlana Pt. 05

They gathered at the town hall for their meal, and many a toast was said for many of them around the hall. She gazed with a relaxed admiration at Roderick at the other end of the table, who received most of the toasts and stood tall and grateful in response. She was fairly sure she held her poise well enough when he made a toast to her... and her followers, of course, but the way his eyes held hers from across the room made her feel for a brief precious moment like she was the only orc girl in the world.

He was simply a good man. A good friend, she told herself, and felt like she perhaps was really beginning to believe it. Perhaps he was right and they really could be that to each other. Simply a good ally. Evidently born from a good town. Though none of his immediate family seemed to live here anymore. He had made mention of a grandmother off hand, but she hadn't been alone with him to ask him about it. Not that she needed to be.

She instead spoke with the mayor and one of the council, nervous but amicable. She had been curious about their knowledge of the forage in the forest, and after being met with incredulous scoffs when asking if their town had a Sage, was introduced to one of them whose wife was a healer and knew something of the plants in the area.

After some confusion and careful description, she was fairly sure that the stonedome mushrooms she had noticed were called false-impstool by the locals, and that they had no clue as to the medicinal value of them. If they never harvested them then that explained why there was so much. She was excited to tell Roderick, and to apologize for mocking his lack of knowledge, if no one else here knew. It had only been friendly jesting, but still. Plus, she didn't want to seem like she was avoiding him deliberately.

She wasn't really able to make her way to him though. He was popular. As he should be. Surrounded by those who knew him as a simple lowborn boy years ago, and she gazed silently and smiled at their proud faces and eager questions. Her admiring stare from across the room was caught at least once by him but she was able to keep her embarrassment at bay and didn't look away. When he looked back to see her still staring she gave him an amicable smile and raised her eyebrows as if to show him how impressed she was at his celebrity. His embarrassment was plain enough then for a moment as he smirked and turned briefly crimson, turning back to the barrage of questions from the faces around him. A part of her couldn't help feel reassured that they could still know each others minds without words at least a little bit.

They eventually moved on to the tavern next door. The patrons were less off-put than she expected and she saw they weren't even the first orcs there, as a few Southern-Orthalian traders who happened to be in town were already there enjoying the ale.

Zurgana stood up to give another short toast and proclaimed that she was indeed growing to appreciate this "Light brew" as she raised her glass, winking again to Roderick. The woman next to him, not quite on his arm, gave Zurgana a look that made Gorlana wonder. She eyed her and the way she turned back to Roderick, and felt a strange urge to finally walk to him and insert herself into their conversation.

Roderick eagerly addressed Gorlana as she approached, apologizing for not talking to her more, and she reassured him, but enjoyed the remark nonetheless. He introduced her to the woman, named Pellina, who was an old childhood friend apparently. She wanted to ask more, but knew it was none of her concern. She couldn't help wonder if they would be talking differently if Valessa were with him.

It was none of her business, she insisted to herself, eventually excusing herself and finding another glass of the ale, which was actually quite refreshing. The night continued, with more laughing and stories and she almost couldn't believe how comfortable she and the rest were becoming. She kept an eye instinctively on Roderick every now and then despite telling herself not to. Enough that she eventually saw him slip away, in what was a clear, deliberate attempt to avoid notice. She was alone near the corner and ignored for now, as well. She tried to tell herself not to worry about it, but thoughts of Pellina seemed to irk her into motion and she too slipped away.

She caught sight of him disappearing into the next street of the sleepy town, the sun now set completely, and everywhere but the tavern seeming to be quiet and deserted. She didn't think anyone had seen her leave either and she decided to follow.

He took the shortest way out of town through the smaller west gate which was unmanned. She saw him slip away from the road and up a trail into the forest. She frowned and carefully followed after, suspicious now.

She was quite confident of her tracking ability, but in the night, with no sense of smell to help her out, she almost lost him twice. She managed to keep him just within sight and sound, as close as she dared while avoiding being caught. Finally she saw a small cottage ahead in a small clearing in the woods. A light was on inside. Had he gone in? She hadn't heard a door shut or any talking-

"It IS you!" Roderick's voice suddenly took her by surprise from the shadows to her right.

She let out an irritated sigh, after jumping in surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

"What are YOU doing here?"

"Spending some time with someone that matters, rather than drinking myself stupid listening to inflated war stories," he said, sighing with a more relaxed frankness.

Gorlana relaxed as well but looked doubtfully at the house, "Oh... Is this...?" she hesitated, trying to remember the woman's name. Did they have a deeper connection? Would he really betray Valessa like this?

"My grandmothers house," he explained.

"Oh," Gorlana said with relief, shaking her head at herself. "I'm sorry."

"Where did you THINK I was going?"

"I... I'm not sure," she said, remembering she could easily lie to him, but feeling guilty all the same. "I shouldn't have followed you. I didn't mean to be paranoid. Perhaps I'm letting Traulch get to me." She said, and saw Roderick's curious smirk disappear at the mention of the name. She added, "Or more likely I needed to get away from the noise of that tavern as well."

He gulped and shrugged, "If that's the case you should be heading back to camp to find him." Her smile completely died as well at his cold words, and he evidently saw her glance away with reluctance to do so. Then he added, "Er, sorry, that came off a little harsh. Look, do you want to come in for a minute, while you're here?"

"Oh. No I don't want to impose. You're right I should go back."

"It wouldn't be a big deal. Just as a friend to a friend. It'd feel rude to-"

"Roderick? Is that you?" an old weak voice called from the door suddenly.

"Yes! Hi Granny, sorry I'm a little late."

"Who are you talking to?" his half-orc Granny squinted into the dark night. "You should have told me you were bringing company."

They had started walking towards the porch but Gorlana frowned and sped up, muttering, "She looks really shaky."

Roderick frowned, "I think she's okay."

"Is it just one?" the woman asked, "I think I have some extra n- agh!"

She suddenly fell forward off the step. Gorlana gasped and leapt forward from her accelerating walk to catch her just in time.

"Oh! My goodness thank you," Granny laughed, "Oh, you're an o- OH! A very lovely young orc-girl why thank you."

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes, my fall was saved quite softly," Granny laughed. "Who put that step there?"

Roderick gave a sigh of relief, "Thank you. Granny you have to be careful."

"Oh, I'm sure I would've survived. Thank you still though. Oh you don't have to help me walk now, quit it. This boy I tell you. Come in. Come in both of you."

Roderick shared an amused shrug with Gorlana as she reluctantly was welcomed into the cottage. She helped his granny remove her slippers to gracious thank-you's and removed her own boots despite the old woman's polite protestations that she didn't have to.

"Well aren't you going to introduce your lady friend?"

Roderick laughed, "I was going to. I was busy making sure you're okay."

"Well you can relax I'm-" she coughed coarsely and shook her head, "Bad timing. I insist I'm fine."

Gorlana gave Roderick a concerned look at the sound of the cough, but held her hand out delicately, "I'm Gorlana." she said. Hoping she wouldn't recognize the name.

"That's a beautiful name, my dear," Granny replied without much reaction, "How did you two meet?"

"From the war," Roderick said, to Gorlana's relief, still reading her well enough to know she didn't want her overreacting at the mention of a queen.

"Oh well of course. Wait. They told me you were finally getting married. Is she...?" Granny's eyes raised with a sudden excited life, looking at Gorlana as if she thought she was the most perfect bride, and she could feel herself turn beet red.

Roderick interjected quickly, "No she's just... a good friend, travelling with us to Andrapolis.

"Oh. Well you'll have quite a trusting wife if she lets you go for walks in the moonlight with a stunning half-breed like this one," she said with a smirk, to Gorlana. "Or... maybe a touch less than half." Then, before either of them could respond, "Anyway, I'm sure I have some extra nutcakes squirrelled away somewhere, where are they now..."

"You don't need to feed us Granny, I just wanted to check up on you. Pellina said you might not be doing so well."

"Oh that girl worries too much. I don't know who told her I needed checking in on all the time, but I told her-"

"Me. I told her to," Roderick said firmly, "Mom and Dad were worried enough to have you brought to Fortspring, but I compromised with them by sending money and some instructions to Pellina to arrange for extra help."

"I'll tell you what I told her, I'm not helpless like some babe in the woods, I was scarin' bears away from the sheep long before SHE was- Oh for f-... these nutcakes are no good, should have thrown them out a week ago. Maybe I can make some more."

"No, you don't have to make us anything."

"Oh it's only the middle of the evening, it won't take too long. They're best fresh."

"Please Granny."

Gorlana watched the old woman's trembling hands struggle to lift the small bowl out of the cupboard and frowned with ongoing concern.

"Fine. Into the canning jars we go then. I'm feedin' ya whether you like it or not. Isn't no one too old to be a good host."

Gorlana couldn't help giggle watching Roderick facepalm and his Granny bend over with determination into the cupboard. Her smile disappeared when she saw her stand up with a cough and Gorlana's eyes caught a tiny red tinged fleck escape from her mouth.

"Uph, excuse me. Damn change in the air. Too much pollen this spring I think."

"Granny careful-"

The jar slipped from her fumbling hands and landed on the counter, Roderick lurching to stop it from tumbling further on to the floor.

"Oh I'm becoming such a butter fingers. Well you were going to have to open it for me anyway."

"Did you make these?" Roderick asked, opening the jar strongly, and taking one.

"I... well no that particular one Pellina brought. I... didn't get much canning done last fall actually. Things were just... oh I don't know."

Gorlana read the embarrassment and vulnerability on the poor woman's face and interjected, "What are they?"

"Pickled zucchini," Roderick said, offering her one.

Gorlana's eyes shot up as she bit it and had to admit it was delicious.

"Oh I suppose Pellina does alright. Here sit down. Tell me what you've been up to boy. You too Gorlana I'd love to hear about you."

They sat and talked and Gorlana felt any residual awkwardness in the encounter quickly melt away. It was fascinating seeing Roderick in a different light, obviously caring deeply for his loving Grandmother but embarrassed and avoidant of many things all the same.

Gorlana helped him dodge through a half-accurate, vague enough description of his time in Orthalia, and the events leading up to the siege and the renewed armistice. As he talked, she eyed the small wet spot on the floor of the kitchen that had flown from the woman's mouth and knew it was almost certainly blood. She watched her discretely clear her mouth into a handkerchief and was sure she saw something pink being wiped away from her lips as well. She decided it wasn't something she could tactfully bring up now and would simply talk to Roderick about it later.

Once Gorlana stopped worrying about how sick the woman might be she began to try to decide what part of Orthalia she might be descended from, but it was difficult to say from the half-blood features alone. She wished briefly she could smell, but reassured herself once again that her comfort with Roderick anywhere, especially in an intimate setting such as this, and around a woman with a half-orcish nose, was all thanks to the scentsfoil.

They broke out a few small mead bottles, and Roderick laughed and blushed through a few stories from his Granny of him as a child. Gorlana helped him out with a story of her own from her childhood getting into similar mischief. The conversation brought up Roderick's grandfather and Gorlana's heart almost broke seeing Granny's reminiscing smile as they spoke of him. Then, at the mention of her parents, Roderick then seemed to retreat into silent thought for a moment and asked an oddly hesitant question.

"Granny," he said, seeming to struggle for words, "How much do you know about your father?"

"What do you mean? He was my father of course I knew him well."

"I mean before he came to Highquarry. I've always known Great Grandpa Paud came from Andrapolis originally but never anything more than that."

"Well he never liked talking about it."

"Surely he must have said some things. Do you know what he did before coming here?"

"He weren't no criminal on the run, if that's what you're worried about. He had a respectable family, but even respectable ones out there wouldn't have welcomed an orc maiden into their fold. So they came here."

"Yes, I've understood as much. Was... his full name, Paudraich?"

Granny squinted with an odd suspicion and finally replied, "You're marryin' one of them city nobles. I remember, they said the princess was invited to the wedding. Can't say I didn't warn ya but I guess if you're happy you're happy. If they can't accept you without some noble lineage yourself though then you can tell them to b-"

"Granny I'm marrying the Princess."

"What?"

"The Princess IS who I'm marrying. We've been engaged for months now and the wedding is likely to be this summer."

Granny frowned, looking at Gorlana and back at Roderick, "But... Did I know that? I must have." She looked at her less than half-empty mead bottle, and shook her head, "I'm sorry I... I get more confused at night time." She stood up suddenly and teetered next to her chair. Roderick and Gorlana both lurched up to help her and once she was steady again brushed them off. "Let me just get some water instead of the mead, maybe it's affecting me more than I'm used to."

Gorlana shared a worried look with Roderick and began to whisper while the old woman's back was turned, "Roderick it looks like she's coughing-"

"He was a merchant," his Granny suddenly said. "He met my mother in his travels. Mainly sold wool and garments."

"Oh..." Roderick said, with an odd disappointment to his face.

"How do you think we did so well with the sheep and goats here, he was no stranger to making good quality wool. Don't you be lookin' down on that after it got us through so many years, high-fallootin' Duke or no, it's a proud heritage."

"It's just... Valessa had been so sure. The Paudraich she spoke of was a... never mind," he said, seeming to shake his head at himself.

Gorlana shrugged with a supportive look, "It shouldn't matter, but I agree, it's an honourable calling."

Roderick gave her a pained smile in gratitude, "Yeah, I know, it's just... Valessa's already assumed... You know what, I just won't say anything."

Gorlana fought off a boiling resentment, "Well if it was me, I wouldn't... I mean that... It just shouldn't matter," her voice trailing off into an embarrassed whisper in her stifled retort.

Granny hobbled back to the table, discretely using the counter for support, "It DOESN'T matter. My father swore he left that life behind and we were to never speak of it. My own piece is that it's best you don't let any of those nosy nobles be rootin' into questions of your heritage anyway," she said raising a wrinkled eyebrow at Roderick and giving a side-glance to Gorlana."

"You're likely right," he nodded with a sigh, then gestured to Gorlana, "She knows, by the way."

Granny smiled wide, "You two ARE close... Somethin' tells me you left out a few things in your story of Orthalia... Tell me deary, I've always thought he'd still look dashing if he let a couple short tusks grow from from under that lower lip and let some pointin' back into his ears, wouldn't you say?"

Gorlana felt heat rising in her cheeks and let out a giggle, as much out of nervousness as anything else, then nodded with what she hoped was a neutral agreement, watching Roderick perhaps turn just as red.

They all agreed it was time for Granny to get to bed. They insisted on helping to clean up, not just the kitchen but a few other things that had been oddly left on the floor. She insisted on not getting help to walk to her bedroom but as they were tidying up Gorlana nudged Roderick to look just in time to see his granny have another coughing fit and then slump to the floor.

By the time they rushed over she was on her hands and knees and there was no mistaking the red tinge on the phlegm coming out of her.

"Granny! How long have you been coughing up blood?"

"Oh I... ugkh I don't know, a while I guess. It's likely nothing. It'll go away I'm sure."

"That kind of thing isn't nothing, have you seen a healer?" Gorlana asked.

"Oh I don't want to be a bother. Don't want to waste all my coin for that kind of thing."

"I'll gladly pay for it Granny. If your health is failing... I should bring you to Fortspring. Mom and dad were right. You need more help, and a proper healer."

"Oh nonsense. I'm just getting old. It happens to us all. Just help me up and I can make it to my bed myself. I've managed it every day for weeks now."

They did as she asked but as they watched her struggle her way down the short hallway and through the door Gorlana and Roderick could read each other's thoughts well enough.

She whispered, "Roderick I don't like the look of her fingernails, or eyes, and... was she this thin the last time you saw her?"

He shook his head, and her heart strained seeing the pain in his eyes, a resisting denial that his Granny was really seriously sick. The old woman barely made it from the wall to the bed. With their insistence she begrudgingly allowed Gorlana to stay in the room while she changed, but not Roderick. As Gorlana helped her, she noticed the sheets were oddly stained from top to bottom.

"Oh I've just found these nights so hot. I asked if the weather had been odd, but Pellina said no. I just sweat and sweat though."

Gorlana closed her eyes and winced, "Look, I apprenticed under a wise-woman- a... healer, for a time when I was younger. I know you're trying to be strong and maybe you think there's nothing that can be done, but I think maybe there is. Would you mind if I listened to your lungs?"

The old woman studied her with an almost amused interest and then nodded, while her shirt was off, Gorlana pressed her ear to her upper back as she breathed. She said nothing at first, only helped her get her nightgown on and then sat and gave her a serious look.