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Date Posted: 14:15:34 01/10/02 Thu
Author: Ravin Rue
Subject: Lies and laughter
In reply to: Marz 's message, "The attempted bribe" on 10:35:48 01/10/02 Thu

A rather sullen look came over Ravin's face when Isobel left the tent. His earlier actions left him feeling not only embarrassed, but also very disappointed in himself. Why did he have to go and act like such a fool simply because of the sensual desire that arose within him at the sight of a beautiful woman dressed in an alluring outfit? And, why the hell did he have to make things worse by saying that some silly chill in the air bothered him?

Isobel had seen through his lie immediately, making him feel like even more of an idiot for trying to keep the truth from her. Now, she was running off to dress herself in something different just because men like him found it hard to ignore the exposed flesh of a lovely woman. I thought I was better than that, yet I find myself filled with just as many lustful thoughts as any other man.

Sighing, he tossed off his blanket and got to his feet. It really wasn't fair that Isobel couldn't wear whatever the hell she wanted without having to worry about the leering looks she would receive. Women were probably right when they said that men were much too consumed by thoughts of sex.

Quietly, he moved toward Alakbar, smiling wistfully at the youthful innocence displayed upon his face as he slept. We were all innocent once, long ago. After retrieving his ale glass, he stepped outside and was immediately accosted by Justin. Ravin was rather taken aback by the anger he saw in the merc's eyes that seemed to be directed at him.

"Think your smooth don't ya? Moving in and stealing Isobel away from me before I got the opportunity to show her what a hell of a man I am."

Ravin's brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at the rather heavyset man. He was about to deny his allegations but then thought better of it. Perhaps Justin would leave the woman alone if he thought she in a relationship with someone else. "Actually, it was love at first sight for the both of us, so you really never had a chance with her," he said lowly. "We thought we could deny our feelings for one another, but found that such denial was tearing us apart. Now, we are together and planning to wed in the distant future."

The merc's eyes went wide and his jaw fell open. "You're gonna get hitched? That babe……ahhh, I mean, Isobel didn't look like the marrying type to me." Justin shrugged his massive shoulders then held out hand. "Good luck to ya both," he said when Ravin shook it.

The thief thanked Justin for his well wishes then asked him to remain on guard before the prince's tent. After receiving a nod from the rather stunned looking man, Ravin decided to take a stroll around the camp. Judging from Justin's reaction to his words, Isobel would no longer have to worry about the merc hassling her.

He came to a stop before a nearby tree, leaning his back against it as he sipped his ale and let his eyes take it all the activities going on around him. Marz, and Tristan stood just outside one of the tents along with Corum and his strange staff that looked even stranger at the moment. The youth's appeared to be having a rather interesting conversation with Barry. Even from a distance it was easy for him to read their lips and when he realized what they were talking about, he chuckled before turning his eyes to Tia. The petite blonde was parting company with Rowan and Jeremy, who were also engaged in deep conversation at the opposite end of the camp. Ravin's eyebrows shot up in surprise when he learned that the otherworldly youth was conspiring with Rowan to win Marz away from Tristan.

The thief shook his head and glanced briefly at Erlic and Laurel before he spotted two figures coming out of the Sheik's tent. After a moment he recognized one as being Ardesmar, the first lieutenant. The Jann that accompanied him was………well, it was Sheik Daraba, but he was poorly disguised to look like an ogre.

The two Jann looked around then headed directly for Ravin, perhaps because he was the only one who wasn't occupied with someone at the moment. The thief had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at how ridiculous the tall, Sheik looked.

Daraba and Ardesmar came to a stop a few feet before him. Ravin lowered his ale glass and returned the bow the men gave him then listened quietly when the Sheik began to speak. "Because I have seen my future as ruler of my people, I have decided to travel with you incognito in case someone else has seen the same vision and has thoughts of eliminating me."

Again, Ravin fought back laughter. Incognito? Any fool with half a brain could tell that the Sheik looked exactly like a Jann trying to impersonate an ogre.

Daraba took a step closer to the thief then hunched over and grunted menacingly. "ARRGGH! Now everyone will think I am but a harmless ogre, not Sheik Daraba al-Mussat, the Incomparable!"

Ardesmar nodded and praised his leader for his brilliance. "This disguise you chose is wonderful, oh great one. Safina did not even know it was you!"

Safina must be blind then, Ravin thought, laughter still threatening to pour from him.

"ARRGGH!!!" Daraba bellowed again. "We leave by camel at three hours before midnight, so make sure that your companions are ready at that time."

The thief nodded, then stared at the retreating figures of the Jann as they hurried away. Once they were back inside their tent, Ravin turned around, leaned his forehead against the tree, and laughed until his sides ached.

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