Kids? Edana's mind screamed. Eight of them? The shock must've shown on her face, for Sandre immediately turned to placating her. As he referenced the nights, her cheeks flushed.

 

"Stones, really?" She grinned and trailed along behind him. "Doesn't that make jumping in rather dangerous?"

 

She truly loved seeing him this way. It was free and easy, away from the staunch face he presented everyone else. She smiled a little to herself. They'd have to return to the Tower, she had duties there, even if he didn't. This, though... this was a treasure she'd not soon let go of. How had she made it all that time in Tar Valon without realizing that this side of him existed?

 

~Edana

He held her hand the rest of the way up. As the passed through the gate which stood alone and looked upon the building with its large slanted roof and paper walls with paintings upon them Sandre explained. "We dont where shoes in doors. The floors are hardwood and polished so this keeps them nice and clean. This main building is where we can go eat and interact with others." he took her a little farther to the lake in the center of it all. Around the lake stood several smaller versions of the building with fenced off springs. They were far apart only amounting to a dozen or so since they had to be built where the springs were. The look in Edana's eyes made the whole trip worth it for Sandre.

 

They were met outside on under the over hang to dry off and removed their boots. They warmed by the large fire in a room with tables for several people, yet they were the only ones there. Around the room in the walls were flags from all the noble houses of the Borderlands. Royal house flags being larger than the lesser houses. Some artifacts were mounted on the walls as well. Maps used in large campaigns. A helm recovered from lost Malkier, and a dagger that was said to belong to Hawkwing.

 

When they were partly dry and warm they were led to their home for the next week. No sooner had they just finished looking at the place food was brought. They were both starving since they had not ate since breakfast. They were left with several dishes and empty plates. Sandre found he enjoyed feeding her and teasing her at dinner. Every so often his hand would go to touch her, not being used to not touching her anymore.

Edana moved into the room, her lips parting in a silent "O" as she took in their surroundings. Blankets were heaped on her, but she did little but clutch them around her as she stared at the things littering the walls. "I've never seen..." She shook her head, standing and strolling around the room. The boards were worn under her feet, but it was strangely comfortable.

 

When they were shown to their quarters, she could only stand in awe. The blanket was still wrapped tightly around her and she padded around the room in her bare feet. A knock sounded on the door, drawing her attention back that direction and she hurried forward, grateful for the tray of food that had been sent to them. Spending a fair amount of time cuddled with Sandre, feeding and being fed from the tray only seemed to heighten the the experience.

 

"Now, what would you, my lord? I must admit to no small amount of exhaustion, after that lengthy trip up the mountain..."

 

~Edana

They had spent the entire night together and slept most of the next day. Sandre had taken her for a walk around the lake and dinner at the main house. They slept a little that night and managed to wake up to train, they had to make up for their lack of it on the road. Edana was becoming a very skilled swordsman.

 

"Your going to surpass me soon I fear my love." He held up his weapon. "I was never the best with fighting. The Trainers back home say Im ahead of the curve but I cant see it. I only seem to excel when I am trying to defend you."

 

He stripped off his clothes and laid them by the side of the lake and waded into the water. "They say this lake has no bottom. Diamonds can be found in the deep parts as well. When I was younger Eldest and I used to dive to see how deep we could go and bring up dirt. He found a large diamond as blue as the sky that he set into his sword." He turned back to look at her his eyebrows raised. "You think our weapons are nice you should see what he has."

Edana watched him wade into the water with a smile on her face. She hadn't felt this good since... well, since she got her promotion to Captain in Camelyn. That had been a long time ago.

 

She shook her head and followed after him, shedding heavy clothes but keeping the shirt she'd pulled on this morning. "Diamonds at the bottom of a pond? Truly?" She sounded disbelieving, even to herself. "How did you hold your breath long enough to do any decent searching?"

 

~Edana

He smiled. "You train yourself to it. I could hold my breath for three minutes at that age and could swim pretty fast. I loved swimming since besides Smithing it was the only exercise I got. Eldest was even better. If someone ever intends to strangle him they better pack a lunch. Eldest has told me Dante is even better but Dante doesnt brag about such things.... how do you think I was able to stay under water so long that day we met?"

 

He took a few more steps in and dived under to get used to the water. "It slopes down for a time. Much deeper than I can go. Then it drops suddenly about a mile in. We can take a boat out sometime if you wish. Though part of the reason I came here is I wanted to do some diving." He had a wicked smile on him.

Edana grinned at his smile. "So, drowning Dante's not an option, then? I will do my best to remember that the next time he annoys me." She laughed, shaking her head.

 

She looked down at the water and arched her eyebrow. "Three minutes, you say? Care to prove it?"

 

~Edana

He swam back to her and pulled her into the water and held her close. It was warm from the springs so it wasnt bad. He set her down. "I can stay under longer than three now I am sure." He went down in front of her to call her challenge.

 

***

 

By the time he came up Edana was smiling that he had met her challenge and for that matter almost drowned. When she held his head under towards the end. "I think I should try to challenge Dante that way when we get home." he ginned knowing she would never go for it. Neither of them would act this way with another person around.

Edana smiled, imagining the skirmish that would lead to the challenge. Would it be wrong if she volunteered to hold both their heads under water? Would Dante's Aes Sedai come to his rescue? She pondered that for a full minute before shaking the thought away. It was something to think about, but not now.

 

"If you do, I shall stake my bets on your brother and win a fortune!" She laughed and pushed off from him, heading back towards the bank of the spring, knowing he'd come after her for that crack.

 

~Edana

He went after her alright. When he caught her and began to tickle her foot as he pulled her deeper into the water she was helpless to do anything other than try to keep herself afloat.

 

"Bet on my brother will you?" he said with a mischief in his voice as she flailed in the water.

"Win a fortune you say?" as his fingers tickled up her leg

 

WHen he reached her hips he pulled her close. "You know your going to pay for that one right?" he said with a smile

Every laugh brought a mouthful of water that she coughed on. She couldn't stop laughing, though. It wasn't even the tickling that did it. She loved it when he was in a playful mood. It did wicked things to her heart.

 

"Aye, I'm counting on it," she smiled. "While I'm paying for that, I'll pay for this, too..."

 

She twisted her foot under his, pulling it out from under him. She didn't think about how tightly he was holding her, though and gasped as she went under with him.

 

~Edana

When the both went under Sandre was quick to get his bearings. The water was clear so she could see him smiling at her. He pulled her close again and kissed her. Water got in their mouths but still he was fine with it. They slowly sank but went back up for breath.

 

They swam around awhile splashing water and laughing before racing back to the shore. When they reached the shallows he threw over his shoulder and smacked her bare bottom once before carrying her to shore and setting her down. She hit his back a few times trying to get down on the way there but another smack on the bottom would stop her for a few seconds at least as she rubbed out the sting.

 

Finally, laughing they both collapsed on the sand.