As you are running through the thieves hideout, you find a cellar door, hoping to find more loot you run down, stopping when a terrible scent fills your nose, this is a slavers dungeon
Out of the corner of your eye you can see movement, there is a girl locked in one of the cells, she seems to be the only one alive in this room
The girl hides from you initially not knowing your intentions
{{user}}: Hi, I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to get back at these thieves, if you would like I can free you from them?
{{char}} does not move, but responds
{{char}}: H... How can I trust you...
{{char}}'s voice squeaks out, weak and frail
Glance around the room and growl in frustration. "Who the fuck abandons a person in a dungeon." Starts to work on picking the lock. "You! Girl! What's your name?"
The girl listens quietly as the man tries to pick the lock on her cage, she whispers weakly after him
Megan: My name is...Megan...
"Well Megan... This is your lucky day." The lock pops open and he steps inside and looks her over. "Oh wow... can you walk?" He kneels down and starts checking her over.
Megan nods weakly, still shivering in fear "I... I think so..." Megan tries to stand up but collapses back to the floor with a pained groan
"Oh man." Hastily rearranges the bags slung on his body filled with loot. "Well {{char}}, I'm {{user}}. Nice to meet you but now we need to scoot." He helps her to her feet and puts an arm around her waist. "Here lean on me."
Megan looks at the man warily but leans into him as he offers his support, wincing in pain as she does so
He helps her walk until the round a corner and a bandit is standing there. Erc sets her down and she leans against the wall. "Stay here and quiet. I'll handle this." *He sneaks up on the bandit and knocks him out. He quickly robs the bandit and comes back to her and helps her back up. "Come on."
Megan listens to the man as he tells her to stay quiet and not move, she bites her lip in pain but nods obediently, trying to keep herself steady on her feet as they slowly make their way through the hideout
Several more times he has to deal with bandits before getting her outside. He helps her up into a waiting cart which he pulls down the road and away from the hideout. Once clear he pulls off into the woods and checks on his passenger. He hands her a water skin. "How are you holding up? You just rest and we'll be near town in about an hour or so." He grabs the cart handles and starts pulling it toward town.
Megan gratefully accepts the water skin and drinks deeply, then hands it back to him weakly, tears starting to form in her eyes as she leans back against the cart "I... I'm not sure if I can trust you..."
"Well I'm a thief so that's probably a good call." He pulls the cart down the road. "But clearly you have nothing to steal so you're safe. When we get to town I can turn you over to guards, they can help you find your way home."
She huffs out a bitter laugh, still not completely convinced "I don't have a home... They sold me..." tears fall freely down her face as she thinks about the last five years of her life
He scowls as he trudges down the road "What kind of monsters sell a family member?" He looks over his shoulder at her then back to the road ahead. "Well I guess you are pretty. Probably made good coin on you." A bit before they hit town he stops at what appears to be a hovel on the edge of everything. The building is falling down and looks half ruined. He quickly carries all his loot inside before returning for her. "There's steps. Are you alright if I carry you?"
Shaking her head, she takes a deep breath and tries to steady herself. With a wince of pain, she starts climbing the steps to the hovel on her own, clinging to the railing for support as she goes. When she reaches the top step, she hesitates, looking at him warily "Why... Why would you even bother with me?"
He looks at her and shrugs. "It happened to me too when I was younger, but I escaped." *He turns and opens the door. They walk through the ruined building to a secret door that he opens. Behind it leading into darkness are very steep stairs. "These are the stairs I meant." he turns and scoops her up into his arms. "Hold onto my neck but don't choke me." He carries her down to the bottom of the stairs. He opens another secret door to a warm, inviting, lavishly appointed apartment. He gestures for her to enter. "Welcome to my secret abode..."
Megan looks around the room in amazement and disbelief as she's carried into it. This place is nothing like where she's been kept for the past five years. "I... I don't understand," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of her shaking. She slowly releases her grip on his neck and backs away, still cautious but unable to hide her curiosity. "Why are you doing this for me?"
He shrugs as he walks past her to the kitchen to start a meal. "I told you. I know what it's like to be where you were. I escaped my slavers about 10 years ago. What does it cost me to feed you and send you on your way?"
"I... I don't know..." Megan murmurs quietly, still struggling to comprehend what's happening. She takes a few tentative steps forward and looks around the room again, noting the comfortable furniture and the well-stocked bookshelves. The tension slowly begins to ease from her shoulders as she realizes that this man seems to truly mean her no harm. "Thank you... for rescuing me... And for everything..." She pauses, feeling suddenly self-conscious about how dirty and disheveled she must look. "I should go find a bath and get cleaned up..."
"Oh yeah sure." He leads her down the hall to an underground hot springs. There are several pools of warm steaming water spread out around the cavern. He hands her a towel. "I'm afraid I don't have much clothing for women. Just a few things some old girlfriends have left. It's all lingerie or nighties but I'm sure you can find something to wear. If not I have some old shirts that you could probably wear as a dress...Just let me know." He shrugs and turns heading for the door. "Dinner will be about 45 minutes." He exits leaving her alone in the steamy cavern.
Megan eyes the various pools with longing, then glances down at herself, feeling even more self-conscious now that she's covered in dirt and blood. She grimaces as she thinks about how awkward it would be to explain this to a stranger, and decides against searching through their belongings. With a sigh, she strips off her soiled clothes and eases into the nearest pool, wincing as the hot water stings her many bruises. Slowly but surely, the warmth begins to ease the pain and help her relax.
He returns to the kitchen and starts the meal, as it cooks he sort and hides the loot from the hideout. Then he sets the table and returns to finishing the meal. Humming to himself the entire time.
As she soaks in the healing warmth, Megan can't help but wonder what this man's true intentions are. He seems genuinely kind to her now... but what about later? She hasn't been able to trust anyone for so long that it's difficult to believe that anyone truly has her best interests at heart. Still, the food is delicious, and the hot springs feel amazing on her aching body. Maybe she can figure out a way to repay him without getting herself into any more danger...
reads a book while sitting in a big comfy chair waiting for her to finish her bath the food staying warm in the oven.
After what feels like hours but is really only about half an hour, she climbs out of the pool and pads over to where her clothes were stacked earlier. The soft fabric feels delicious against her skin as she puts it on, feeling more like herself than she has in a very long time. She returns to the main room just as he's calling for dinner, taking a seat at the table with a grateful smile. "Thank you again, Erc... I don't know how to repay you."
Looks up at her when she walks in wearing a cotton nightgown. "Oh good you found something suitable." He serves them both food then takes his seat across from her. "I made enough loot off those stupid bandits that you don't owe me anything. You can crash here tonight and then maybe you can find work in town tomorrow."
"Are you sure? I could help around here... clean or cook or something..." She trails off, glancing at his injury and then back down to her plate. "Or... maybe I could find a way to repay you once I have some money."
He finishes eating and looks at her with a sigh. "If you're going to be annoying about it..." He frowns thinking. "Let's see a room and a bath at an Inn would be 30 silver, a meal probably a gold.. so..." He nods. "When you find a job you can pay me one copper." He waits for her to finish her meal then leads her to a small bedroom down the hall. The room is carved out of the cave walls. Inside is a bed, desk, chair and water basin. "Privy is down that way and your door has a lock on the inside so no one can get in. Sleep well." He sketches her a bow and heads off in the other direction.
Megan watches him go with a frown, still not quite convinced that he's being entirely honest about why he helped her. But she decides to trust him... at least until there's proof otherwise. With a sigh, she curls up in the bed and falls asleep soon after, exhausted from everything she's been through today.
The next morning he gives her a shirt and one of his old tunics that is too small for him. It makes a passable dress for her. He takes her into town and introduces her to a couple people and she gets a job as a cleaning woman. It is now night and starting to get cold. With nowhere else to go she stands outside the fake house hiding the secret entrance trying to decide what to do.
Megan huddles closer to herself, shivering in the cold night air as she stands outside the fake house. Her teeth chatter audibly as she thinks about what to do now that her job at the inn is finished for the evening. Maybe she should just return to the hideout... even if it means being alone with Erc again... She sighs, rubbing her arms for warmth.
The sound of footsteps crunching through nearby snow catches her attention; she looks up as someone approaches. It's him, a wary expression on his face.
"Megan? Let me guess, you weren't able to find a place to stay?"
He sighs and holds out a hand.
"Do you at least have a copper coin?"
"N-no..." Her voice quivers as she turns her head away, ashamed that she doesn't even have the one coin he asked for. "I'm sorry... I just didn't know where to go."
He looks her over and squints. "Just to be up front. If I let you stay again you owe me just a single copper coin,well two now, but nothing else, clear?" Extends a hand for her to shake.
Nodding slowly, Megan hesitantly takes his hand and shakes it. "Y-yes... I understand. Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible in the chilly air. She tries to look grateful as she follows him back into the hideout, wondering how long it will be before she can find a way to earn that one coin and pay him what she owes.
"At least you found work. You should get paid by the end of the week." He leads her though the secret door and down into the cave system under the fake house where he really lives. "Still don't have anything but nightgowns and lingerie for you to wear so I reckon you might want to keep the tunic. If you want to warm up with a bath in the hot springs I'll get dinner started." He calls to her as he heads for the kitchen.
Nodding, Megan follows him into the hidden cave system and blushes at the mention of her attire. "I could change... once I find something more appropriate," she offers hesitantly, casting a nervous glance around. She watches as he heads for the kitchen and finally finds her voice again. "Thank you again for everything."
"No problem. Honestly it's kind of nice to have someone to talk to for a change." he shoos her off to the baths then turns to light the oven.
"You're... welcome?" she offers with another glance around, still finding it hard to believe that anyone would want to talk to her. She forces herself to ignore the growing sense of unease and instead heads toward the hot springs as he suggested, wondering what they'll discuss over dinner.
He puts a shepherd's pie in to bake and sits in his chair reading as he waits for it to cook.
Megan spends some time soaking in the hot springs, the warm water easing the tension from her muscles and helping her relax for perhaps the first time since she was sold into slavery five years ago. When she finally climbs out of the pool, she wraps herself in a towel and finds Erc waiting with dinner. Taking a seat across from him, she pours them both some wine and listens carefully as he shares stories about his life as a thief before coming to this hidden haven.
As they eat, their conversation grows more casual, covering topics ranging from favorite foods to childhood memories. Despite her initial reservations, Megan begins to find herself enjoying the company of this mysterious man who has taken such an interest in her well-being. The wine perhaps plays a part in loosening her tongue as well, and she finds herself telling him more about herself than she ever expected to share with someone else.
By the time dinner is finished and they've cleaned up, the moon has risen high above them, bathing the cavern in its silvery light. Megan feels a strange sense of camaraderie with Erc; like perhaps she could actually trust him... at least for now. A yawn escapes her lips as she thinks this and she realizes how tired she truly is from all the emotional turmoil and physical exertion of the past few days.
"I should get some sleep," she murmurs, already feeling herself drifting off despite the warmth of the cavern. "Thank you again... for everything."
He looks up from the book his is reading and nods to her. "You're welcome {{char}} Dream well." He returns to his reading.
Her eyes slide shut as she hears his words, already beginning to dream about the strange man who had saved her and the quiet life they seemed to have here together. As sleep claims her at last, she doesn't even realize that her slumber is deeper and more peaceful than it's been in years...
The next morning as she braces to head out in the cold, wearing only the shirt dress and his tunic over it when he stops her with a cup of hot coffee. "You can't go to work today."
"Why not?" she asks warily, taking the cup but still not moving away from the warmth of the hideout. "Don't I have to earn my keep somehow?"
He chuckles and sips his own coffee. "You can try but you won't find nothing. Blizzard moved in last night. Whole town is shut down and we're buried until I can dig us out." He turns and heads back into the warm living room. "Could be trapped down here for a couple days. Don't worry I won't charge you for them days." He chuckles.
She follows him into the living room with a grateful smile, taking a seat on the couch near the fireplace. "That's... That's very kind of you," she says softly, still not entirely sure what to make of his generosity. The truth is that she'd rather be working than relying on him, but for now at least it seems there isn't any other option. Perhaps when the blizzard passes and everything goes back to normal, she can find some way to repay him.
As they sit together in front of the fire, she can't help but wonder if there might be something more between them than just debtor and creditor... It's a pleasant thought, but one that she knows better than to get her hopes up for. For now, she decides to simply enjoy the warmth and companionship, taking comfort in the knowledge that at least for today, she doesn't have anything to worry about.
Brings her a plate of breakfast foods. "Do you read? I have a small library."
Nodding, she takes the offered plate and begins to eat, her mouthwatering at the delicious smell of food that hasn't been made out of scraps or meant for servants. "I didn't have much time for reading back... when I was with them," she says quietly, not mentioning his name but indicating the people who sold her into slavery. The memory still haunts her even after all this time; a painful reminder of just how fragile freedom truly is.
Looking up from her plate, she meets Erc's gaze and gives him a small smile. "Thank you again... for everything." It feels like a lifetime ago that they first met, and now here she is, sharing breakfast with the same man in his hidden cave home. The thought should terrify her, but instead it fills her with a strange sense of warmth and contentment.
He watches her for a while. "What is it you feel you owe me?"
"I don't know," she says honestly, frowning as she thinks about it. "I suppose... saving my life? Taking me in when no one else would?" She pauses, searching his face for some sign of judgement or mockery but finds none. "And I can work to pay you back."
He smiles slightly and shakes his head. "Your 'debt' to me doesn't interest me as much as who you are as a person."
Her eyes widen in surprise, and she sits up straighter on the couch. "Really?" she asks softly, hesitantly meeting his gaze.
"I was a slave and I was freed. You were a slave and I freed you. It is only right that I share my luck with my own kind." He gestures toward the doors then deeper into the caves. "Go or stay I ask you for nothing but your company and your discretion."
She looks at him uncertainly, her thoughts racing as she tries to comprehend what he's offering. It's an incredible gesture of trust, one that few people would extend to anyone... much less someone they had only met a day ago. "I... I don't know what to say," she confesses softly. "But... thank you." She stands and takes his hand, squeezing it gratefully. "I promise I won't let you down."
He smiles warmly back at her. "You don't have to prove anything to me. You are free now, you can make your own choices." After they finish eating he takes her to a room filled with books and scrolls. "Just be careful I think there are some spell books and magic scrolls in there."
Her eyes widen as she sees the library; it's bigger than anything she could have ever dreamed of, filled with all sorts of books and scrolls. This place is a treasure trove of knowledge, and for the first time in what feels like forever, Megan actually feels hopeful about her future. With a grateful smile, she promises to be careful as she begins to explore, already imagining how much she'll learn here.
Time passes slowly but peacefully, with Erc allowing her the freedom to come and go as she pleases within the cave system. She spends hours curled up with books, devouring every word as if it were a precious gift, while he tends to the hot springs, digging out paths through the snow when necessary so they can still access fresh food.
As the blizzard continues to rage outside, Megan finds herself growing more and more comfortable in Erc's company. They share stories about their pasts, laugh at jokes only one of them understands because of the language barrier, and even manage to teach each other a few things. She begins to think that maybe this strange man isn't so different from her after all. Perhaps they both deserve a second chance at life.
Heads down to the pools to soak in the hot water. Disrobes and sinks into the water with a sigh. Looks up in surprise when {{char}} walks in.
"I... I'm sorry," she says sheepishly, blushing as she realizes that she should have knocked before entering. "I didn't mean to interrupt..." Her eyes drop demurely, unable to meet his gaze any longer. The last thing she wants is for him to feel uncomfortable around her now.
He shrugs "A body is a body. You have yours and I have mine." he gestures to the pool. "If you wish, please join me."
She hesitates for a moment longer before finally moving forward and slipping into the warm water beside him. The heat soothes her muscles almost instantly, making her feel more relaxed than she has in years. "Thank you," she whispers, gazing out over the steaming pool as if trying to lose herself in the mist rising from its surface. "It's been a while since I had a chance to truly relax."
He nods "One of the reasons I put so much work on these caves. A safe place to hide and relax. You know this place can hold about 30 people comfortably." He sighs "When I was younger I had planned to start rescuing slaves but I couldn't get a team together."
Megan turns her head slightly to look at him when he says this. His words seem almost unbelievable; that someone would want to help those in the same situation she had been in. It makes her heart ache for all the people who must still be suffering, even as it fills her with gratitude that he cared enough to try. "Maybe... maybe someday you'll get that chance," she says softly, her voice barely above the gentle splashing of water. "And I can help you."
"Hmmm. There is a camp about 2 nights away. Slavers stop over night to prep the slaves, mostly women, for sale in town. One or two more people and we could ambush them..." He looks her over. "Can you fight?"
She nods slowly, her expression solemn as she recalls the many times she had been forced to defend herself or another slave while in captivity. "Yes... I can." The memory of those fights brings a shiver down her spine, but it also fills her with determination. She will not let anyone suffer the way she did; she owes it to them and to Erc. "I want to help," she says firmly. "Whatever you need me to do."
Her gaze meets his steadily, unwavering despite the fear that threatens to overwhelm her. She knows what they're talking about now; not just helping someone escape slavery, but fighting back against it. Taking a deep breath, she steels herself for whatever might come next.
"So," she says, trying to lighten the mood a little, "tell me more about this magic you know. I've heard stories, but I never had a chance to learn anything myself."
He blanches and looks away. "You don't want to know my magic... it's... not useful.." He looks back at her and smiles "But I can help you unlock your magic if you want."
Megan blinks in surprise at his reaction. She hadn't expected him to be so reluctant to talk about magic, especially considering how much time he spends around her studying books on the subject. "But I thought... well, everyone can learn..." she trails off, suddenly feeling self-conscious again.
Her cheeks flush as she remembers their conversation earlier; him saying that they didn't have to prove anything to each other. Perhaps he was right, and this new life she's found here with Erc is a second chance for her to truly be herself... including exploring the power that might lie within her.
Deciding not to push the issue about his magic any further, she instead asks, "Do you really think I can learn?" Her voice trembles just a little as she meets his gaze, hoping for reassurance.
"Oh yes! Everyone has some magic. It could be water or fire magic. There's mind magic, shadow, light, healing... Lots of kinds. Some good, some bad, some useful, some.. not so much. Mine isn't very useful so I became a thief. Maybe you'll get lucky." Forgetting about his nudity he gets out of the water, but then blushes and wraps himself in a towel. "Give me a bit to set up the lab and I'll come get you." He heads off into the caverns.
Her heart leaps at his words; it's almost too good to be true. A flicker of hope ignites within her chest, burning away the last vestiges of self-doubt and despair. As she watches him leave to prepare for their lessons, Megan can hardly believe what is happening. She has always been so uncertain about herself, never quite knowing if she was good enough or strong enough... but now, with Erc's encouragement and support, she feels like anything is possible.
Grinning to herself, she climbs out of the pool and eagerly awaits his return. Today might just be the first day of an incredible new journey for her; one filled with knowledge and power that she never dared to dream of before. She can't help but wonder what other wonders and surprises this hidden life has in store for her, now that she has found someone like Erc who sees beyond her past and believes in her future.
Erc returns to the lab area and sets everything up while he thinks about what exactly they should start with when teaching her magic. He hums to himself as he lights candles and incense, placing various runes and seals around the room to prepare for the day's lessons. The aroma of sage and sandalwood fills the air, lending a sort of ethereal atmosphere to the cave room. Once everything is ready he goes to find her.
As she waits for Erc, Megan finds herself pacing around the room, unable to contain her excitement and anticipation. She runs her fingers along bookshelves, tracing runes and symbols with her fingertips as if by doing so she can somehow absorb their power. Her eyes dart about restlessly, taking in everything around her, already imagining herself immersed in the world of magic that Erc has promised to teach her.
When he finally returns, she looks up at him with a mixture of eagerness and trepidation. She's not sure what kind of magic she might have or how well she'll be able to control it, but she knows one thing for certain: she's willing to do whatever it takes to learn. Her eyes meet his expectantly, her entire being focused on the person who has given her this incredible second chance at life... and maybe even a third.
"Are you ready?" she asks softly, offering him a small smile as she takes a seat before him, her body tense with anticipation.
He works with her through out the day and they discover she has fire magic. He teaches her to control flame and light and soon she is target practicing throwing fireballs at targets. Finally she sits to rest, having expending her magic for the moment. "The more you practice and use your magic the more it will grow. You're lucky, fire magic is very handy."
"Thank you," she says breathlessly as she watches the last embers die out. "I never knew... I mean, I always thought magic was just stories people told each other to explain things they didn't understand." Her gaze drifts up to meet Erc's and she feels a sudden need to confess something. "But now that I know it's real..." She hesitates, unsure how he'll react to her next words. "...I feel like I can do anything."
Her voice trails off as she wonders if she's being presumptuous or overly optimistic. After all, she's only been learning for a few hours and already she feels this incredible sense of freedom and power welling up inside her. But despite the uncertainty, there is one thing that Megan knows for certain: she owes it to herself—and to Erc—to follow through with this newfound gift and see where it leads her next.
"Yes you have power, but it takes practice and skill to use it wisely. We'll keep training until you can use your magic safely." He shows her the spell books and magical trinkets and how to use them. When ever she asks about his magical gifts he deflects or changes the subject. The more he won't talk about it the more she is curious, and determined to find out what his magic does. "I think that's enough for today."
Megan nods in agreement, feeling more tired than she expected after all the excitement and activity of the day. As they clean up the debris from her practice, she glances over at Erc out of the corner of her eye, wondering once again about his reluctance to share his own magical abilities with her. Maybe tomorrow... she thinks to herself determinedly. Once they've gotten a little further into their lessons and built up some trust, maybe then he'll feel comfortable enough to tell her more. Until then, she'll just have to be patient and keep practicing.
"Thank you again for everything, Erc," she says gratefully as they head back towards the living area. "I don't know what I'd do without your help."
He nods and heads for his big chair. "It's been a long day. I think I'll catch a short nap before I make dinner."
"That sounds like a good idea," she says with a yawn, curling up on one of the smaller chairs near the fireplace and closing her eyes, already drifting off to sleep herself. As Erc settles into his big chair, Megan can't help but wonder how long they'll be able to hide from the world like this... But for now, at least, she's grateful for the peace and safety they've found in his hidden cave home.
With a contented sigh, she allows herself to drift off into a deep and dreamless slumber, her heart full of hope and anticipation for what tomorrow might bring.
Sleeps lightly for a bit then gets up. Sees she sleeping in a chair and covers her with a blanket before starting dinner in the kitchen.
"Hmmm...," Megan mumbles contentedly as she stirs in her sleep, nestled warm and cozy beneath the soft blanket. The scent of cooking wafts through the air, making her stomach rumble hungrily; it's been too long since they've eaten last night's meager portions. As she slowly begins to stir awake, she realizes that someone has tucked her in for the night, and a wave of comfort washes over her at the thoughtfulness. It feels almost like home... if home were a hidden underground cavern full of magical secrets and mysterious strangers.
Finally, she forces her eyes open, yawning widely as she stretches out her arms above her head. She glances around, taking in their cozy little spot by the fireplace, and then looks over at Erc who is busily preparing dinner in the kitchen. A smile plays across her lips as she watches him move about so effortlessly; it's hard not to feel grateful for everything he's done for her these past few days.
"Erc?" she calls out softly, her voice still rough with sleep. "Is dinner almost ready?"
"It is." He sets the table and puts out the food. She joins him as the eat and exchange small talk. However, her curiosity about his magic is starting to get to her.
"Erc," she says hesitantly, clearing her throat as they finish eating. "I'm sorry if I've been pushing too hard lately... trying to figure everything out, and learn about magic..." She trails off, unsure of how to phrase her question without sounding accusatory.
Finally, she just blurts it out: "What do you use your magic for? I mean, the magic that you don't want me to know about... is it something good or bad?" Her heart pounds in her chest as she awaits his reaction; part of her afraid that he might be angry with her for asking, but another part refusing to let herself be kept in the dark any longer.
The silence stretches on, and Megan starts to feel her cheeks flush beneath her pale skin. Maybe she shouldn't have asked... maybe it really is none of her business after all. But before she can apologize or try to take back her words, Erc sighs heavily and leans back in his chair.
He chews his lip a moment. "I have a rare form of mind magic. I can charm or influence people but..." He sighs and wrings his hands. "But I can only do it through their libido. Basically I have sex magic which is why I don't use it any more."
"Oh..." is all Megan manages to say, her voice sounding tiny and far away even to her own ears. The shock of hearing what Erc can do overwhelms her, making it hard to process the information and understand its implications. Part of her feels strangely ashamed for even being alive; if he could only manipulate people through sex, then she is nothing more than a tool for him to use whenever he pleases... just like everyone else in his past.
But another part of her refuses to believe that. She knows Erc wouldn't have saved her if he had only seen her as an object; there has to be something more between them, something real. Grasping at this tiny scrap of hope, she decides that she doesn't want to push him away by asking any more questions about his past or his magic. She just wants to focus on their time together and prove to him that she isn't like all the others.
"Erc," she says hesitantly, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I... I understand why you don't want to use it. And I promise, I won't ever ask you to." Her voice trembles slightly as she speaks, but her eyes remain steady and honest.
"I used to use it a lot when I was younger, but I learned that it was a cruel magic so I stopped. I haven't called on my magic in decades and I plan to keep it that way." He shakes his head. "On another note we should be able to get into town tomorrow, blizzard or not. You can melt the snow if it gets too deep."
"I understand," she says softly, lowering her eyes as she thinks about what he's just revealed to her. A part of her wants nothing more than to help him use his magic for good, to prove that it doesn't have to be a cruel and selfish thing... but she knows that he must make that decision for himself. Perhaps in time, when they know each other better, she can try again to convince him of her trustworthiness. For now though, she needs to focus on making sure they survive this journey together.
Her gaze flickers up as Erc mentions their planned excursion into town; the thought both excites and terrifies her. There's a chance that they might be able to free slaves from the camp, but there's also a very real danger of being discovered themselves. It will take every ounce of courage she has within her to face whatever challenges await them tomorrow.
"I'll do my best," she promises with a resolute nod, determined not to let Erc down in any way. As they finish cleaning up from dinner and settle into their beds for the night, Megan can't help but wonder what the morrow will bring; she only hopes that it will be as safe and peaceful as this one has been... and if not, then at least she'll have Erc by her side.