It has been two days since the departure from Himar. The lush trees and mountains have given way to the deep emerald green of the great ocean. Rumor has it that the ship will be docking in Rephidim very soon.

There is a slight tapping on the door to the cabin, and under the crack of the door… a flash of sandy beige fur can be seen.

Jarik sits up from his bed, chest and arm bandaged. His wounds aren't so bad now. The ribs ache, but none were broken and the stiffness in his arm is leaving. "Who is it?" Jarik asks.

"Just me," comes the response. It's a familiar feminine voice. "Vandice. May I come in? I… just wish to speak with you, sir knight."

Jarik looks at himself, "Just a minute, I'm … er, not decent." He gets to his feet and picks up his shirt from the splinter in the wall he hung it on. A few moments later Jarik is tucking in the flowing white shirt and heading towards the door.

Jarik opens the door and smiles, "Good day, Lady Vandice. Please come in." The fox steps aside.

As the door opens, there she is. Her fur seems a bit lighter than Jarik remembers from the ground. Perhaps it was all that dust accumulating in her fur. she has also exchanged her loose green tunic for a more simple white peasant's dress. Her midnight black hair, once tangled, is now glossy and clean… and emits a soft flowery aroma. She has even placed a single delicate iris behind her ear.

"Thank you, Sir Jarik." Vandice says softly as she walks into the room. Her bushy tail quietly flicks behind her.

Jarik blinks a couple times and closes the door behind Vandice, "I'm sorry, there's not any good place to sit."

Vandice says, "Oh… that's quite alright, after sitting on rocks and bushes for so many months, a wooden floor is most comfortable." She moves and sits in one of the sunbeams filtering through the window. she arranges her dress and tail a bit, and gestures for the knight to sit beside her. "I have been thinking… I owe you a great deal… for my rescue that is. And I would like to offer any help I may when we reach Rephidim. I simply MUST repay you, somehow."

The vixen makes a few happy murring noises as she finally settles herself comfortably. She's resting on her hip, half sitting, half laying on the floor. Her white dress flows around her like an ocean.

Jarik sits beside Vandice and smiles. "M'lady, I need no repayment for helping you. I aide those in danger, your smile was more than enough payment." Jarik blinks, then continues, "Returning to Rephidim isn't exactly safe for me, but I left friends behind there and I need to insure they're okay." The fox fidgets nervously, "Sorry for the nervousness, I'm … rarely around someone beautiful, M'lady."

Vandice blushes, tilting her head nervously forward and causing a river of black hair to spill down over her shoulder, partially obscuring her face. She gently reaches up and brushes the hair away, causing another waft of that sweet flowery scent to assault Jarik's nose. "You are most kind," she finally stammers. "But… why are you in danger? Surely one such as yourself would be a hero!"

Jarik sighs, his shoulders slumping a bit, "I'm … an exile, M'lady. The temple found me to be … difficult." He looks at the deck, "I'm a hero to the poor and defenseless, not to them. To them I was a nuisance. I'm currently wanted, I imagine. I owe them a gold coin for my 'processing'. An airship accident separated me from the Temple. Further events lead me to protecting traders and travellers in Himar."

"How horrible! But surely you can avoid the Temple?" She smooths out a fold in her dress, flicking her ears as she does so. "The docks are far enough away… perhaps you could conceal yourself in Darkside."

Jarik looks up, his head-fur partially obscuring his eyes, "The friends I wish to see … are in the Temple."

Vandice puts her hand to her mouth in an 'oh' gesture. Then looks down at the floor for a few moments, her tail-tip flicks side to side in contemplation as she nervously twirls a strand of hair around a slender finger. The vixen is apparently thinking very hard about something.

Jarik watches Lady Vandice, "Tell me about your family and friends? How did you become separated from them and end up a prisoner?" His ear twitches, "Don't worry about me, I'm a survivor. Somehow I'll deal with the temple… "

"Nonono… I owe you my life." She reaches out and clasps Jarik's hand, holding it just below her neck. "It shames me to admit… but some of my friends are considered… less than reputable." She squeezes the hand for a moment. "I know of a… Savanite that works at the Temple. She has been known to smuggle people in. Perhaps, if she still remembers me, she could aid you?" The vixen kisses Jarik's hand, then blushes around the ears and releases it. "I owe you my life. Please say you'll let me do this one thing to repay you!" She holds her clasped hands tightly against her chest.

Jarik eyes widen slightly when she kisses his hand and he smiles. "A Savanite… Do you speak of Lady Azhtar?" Jarik asks.

Vandice plucks at her lip as she thinks. "Azhtar… Azhtar… " Her brow wrinkles. "No, her name is Chaser, I believe. She's an errand girl and the messenger. But perhaps she knows of this Azhtar?"

Jarik nods slightly, "Azhtar is the friend I wish to check on. I'm not sure how welcome my presence would be, but I have to make sure she's okay. I owe her that much." He looks at Lady Vandice then away, "I… " He shakes his head slightly, "It sounds silly … nevermind."

"Please let me offer this one favor. Chaser has smuggled people into the Temple, unnoticed before." She snatches up Jarik's hand again. "Please let me do this, sir knight. Even if you feel that it's unnecessary… I would like to feel in my heart that I have repaid you. Surely it must be fate that the star brought one such as I who can be of use to you like this. Please don't cast my offer away."

Jarik squeezes Vandice's hand lightly, "I would appreciate your help, M'lady. Very much so." He smiles and looks into her eyes, "Your smile was repayment enough, Vandice. Helping me check my friends, I would be forever grateful. Your kindness is something I've not seen often and brings me hope for this world. It's something I'll miss when you've returned home." He looks down, "I miss the company of my own kind a great deal."

Vandice squeals happily. "Then you accept? Oh ThankyouthankyouTHANKYOU!" She leaps onto Jarik in a pounce-hug, knocking him to the floor and sending a torrent of sweet smelling black hair pouring onto his face. A moment later the vixen makes a "eep" of surprise and stands, trying to pull Jarik back to his feet. "Your wounds! Oh… I'm so sorry. I haven't hurt you, have I?"

Jarik smiles weakly, "They're not too bad, just sore." He smiles and hugs her softly, "If you're going to hug me, just don't squeeze the ribs, okay?" He sighs and kisses Vandice's cheek, "You're sweet, Lady Vandice. Thank you."

The vixen blushes around the ears again and puts a hand to her cheek. "You are most kind, sir knight." She sweeps at her dress and straightens her hair out, causing several deep black strands to fall unnoticed by her to the floor. "I shall start preparations now, I must write a letter to Chaser, and several more of my friend." She curtsies. "I shall take my leave now. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. You shan't regret this." The vixen brushes a few more shed black hairs down onto the floor and walks towards the door. "I shall let you know as soon as all is ready."

Jarik looks at Vandice, "M'lady?" He blushes, "Will I see you again?"

Vandice pauses in the doorway. "Most definitely," she says, winking. As she closes the door she stops, blows a kiss to the knight, and then disappears. Her footfalls quickly fade away as she rushes back to her cabin.

Jarik smiles softly and picks up one of her shed hairs. "Jarik ol' boy, if you let her walk away you're going to regret it." He mumbles to himself, "Quit being so afraid, she's kind, gentle, perfect." The fox sits down on his bed and rests against the wall, lost in thought.