Chapter 64 Clouds

Chapter 64 Clouds

Rylan didn't know how much time had passed since they'd been sitting here but all through, he could feel Sandra's nervous energy beside him. Every few seconds, she'd turn to him to say something but would stop herself and turn back to the lake, after what felt like the hundredth time Rylan said.

“Let it out.”

“What?”

“You obviously have something bothering you, so let it out.” Rylan said as softly as he could, she turned to him, smiled and shook her head then stood up.

“I'm gonna go back in and join everyone. Don't catch a cold.” She said as she dusted herself off.

“I won't.” He said returning her smile as she walked off, he watched her walk away and when she was out of ear shot turned back to the lake and let out a sigh.

Inside the cabin had calmed a little, the electricity caused by the discovery was still palpable in the air, Sandra watched from the doorway as Yennifer explained what she'd done with a vigor that forced them into pretending they understood, the scene before her sent a warm feeling through her body, seeing the smiles of her squad mates filled her with gladness but still she couldn't help the dark clouds that hovered over her, weighing down her positivity with insistent thoughts of the future. With a soft sigh she turned around to walk away when she crashed into Maerik.

“Sorry.” He apologized softly, the same victorious smile that tainted the face of her colleagues on his.

“No problem.” She said softly and wanted to walk away when she felt his large hand around her wrist, he tugged and pulled her back gently.

“Are you ok?” His tone was soft as he spoke. She nodded and tried once again to walk away but he pulled her back and looked deep into her eyes. “Are you ok?” He repeated.

“I..I am…I'm ok.” She replied, his grip loosened although he didn't let her go as his gaze peered into her, probing, unrelenting, pleading for the truth, without words he had broken down every defense she'd thought she had. “You don't see it do you?” She whispered so only he could hear. He raised a brow hoping for some clarity, she took in a breath then turned and this time she was the one who pulled him. On the entrance porch she walked forward and let out a breath before turning back, his heart thumping as he saw the sadness in her eyes.

“What's wrong?” He said subconsciously reaching for her face, his palms were surprisingly soft as he raised her head to force her to look him in the eye. She stared at the lines worry had drawn on his face, the way the soft morning light danced off those eyes she'd always envied.

“They all trust him now.” She blurted out.

“What?”

“I'm happy, I'm happy they trust him, I really am but don't you see.”

“Don't I see what?”

“Whatever grain of distrust still lingered between them and Rylan was just shattered, next time he comes up with an idea that needs them to risk their lives, they'll be a whole less resistant and that's a problem.”

“Why?”

“Maybe the next will work and maybe they'll keep working but one day Rylan's plans are gonna fail and they are gonna lose their lives, even Rylan, he isn't…How much more can he do before he's at—”

Maerik's hands dropped back to his side as he took a step back in deafening silence and stared at her, he leaned against the wall but said nothing as he kept his eyes on her.

“Sorry, I was out of line.” She bent her head and leaned slightly, she was about to take her leave when Maerik spoke.

“You weren't out of line, they're your people, you're the one that hears their last words when we go on these missions, you deserve to speak your mind and thank you for saying it.” He stood to his full height and came closer to her. “We were putting our lives in danger long before Rylan showed up and we'll keep doing it even when he leaves, risk is a large path of what we do and maybe the scale of the risk has increased since his arrival but that does not mean it wasn't there, I'm not asking you to be ok with it, I'm asking you to bare with me until I can create a world where none of you need to die. Can you do that for me?”

“I can.”

He smiled, put a hand on her shoulders and with an infectiously happy tone said. “Now celebrate, we just took a big step forward, fear shouldn't be what throws a wet blanket on our achievements.”

A soft chuckle escaped her as she forced a smile, the dark cloud wasn't gone but for the sake of everyone else, she would ignore its existence.

“Thank you sir.” She said and walked past him, Maerik remained outside staring at the path that led into the forest until he heard the soft click of the door closing.“How long have you been standing there?” He asked with his eyes still fixed on the scene before him.

“Long enough.” The reply sounded before Rylan stepped out from the corner and into view, Maerik turned to him.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“Who knows.”

“Ok.”

“Would you prefer if I had something to say?”

“I don't know.” Maerik replied, his tone measured as he looked down at Rylan. Rylan shrugged as he began to climb up the stairs in silence until he got to Maerik.

“I have no illusions as to what I am to your people, a tool, I understand my part and they understand theirs, a relationship can only function if the two sides understand their roles, I do not expect them to risk their lives if I ever need to be saved and they shouldn't expect the same from me.”

Maerik studied him for a moment, he didn't exactly know what it was he was searching for but he knew he was searching for something, a tell, a micro-expression that would reveal something other than the blatant indifference shown, but if there were any he couldn't find them.“Ok then.”