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Marcel let her go, and looked at the three, silently listening to the conversation.

"Six years ago I came here. I was selling rugs and fabrics from the desert lands, as you know." He said to the brothers. "I fell in love with Bailey. The most beautiful thing ever in creation, with a kind heart and a wonderful, intelligent mind. I fell in those creamy brown eyes and spent my whole time here with Bailey. Blond, curly hair, strong but thin frame, Bailey was like a deity of love, perfection in every way." He was talking to Muse now, the look on his eyes revealed a man deeply in love now and forever. "Bailey wanted to take things slow, but I was so full of passion. I begged Bailey to come with me, to have adventures and to be mine forever. Of course it took a lot of convincing, but finally Bailey agreed."

"We know this story," the first one said, losing his patience. "Against the wishes of the elder the two of you went, promising to return in five years. In FIVE YEARS, you said, the two of you would return clean and able to marry."

"Yes... There is a river of the purest water where the Elementals guard. The water has been rumored to make dreams come true. It can make the old young, the weak strong, the dumb smart, the lame walk and... Change genders." He looked away. "Almost four years went by, we were so happy, I didn't want him to but he... Well, he wanted to marry so much, and its forbidden in your customs to do so if we are of the same gender. Bailey wanted to become a woman to make me happy. He was going to give up EVERYTHING for me. He knew I preferred women to men, but I didn't care with Bailey because..."

The merchant lowered his head, and buried his face in his hands. He was confessing so much. The brothers didn't know about their plan, only that Bailey would return in five years. "Bailey knew his family would love him, no matter what. And technically we would be following your commands if we were different genders. But the way there is really dangerous... We were almost there, there was a flood and... The Elementals could only save one of us. I was so scared for my own life I froze. Bailey sacrificed himself... I was so scared I..."

Marcel's muscles relaxed. He didn't say a word, but he felt connected to the Merchant then. They had something in common.

"nnnnnnnnnnnnngh," was all the merchant could say. His face was red, and so was Marcel's. The other two men were both too shocked to say anything, and their thoughts at this point were completely unknown.

'M-muse, you're going to get yourself-' Marcel thought to her, but then watched as the merchant hugged back. He missed Bailey so much. A few sobs escaped him, and the mood softened. "It's all my fault... I'm-... A coward. I should have never..."

((Glad YOU remembered. XP I couldn't friggin' remember what I changed his name to. ))

Ulrich's sobs did calm down, and he looked at Muse with a bit of a smile. "I don't know how to thank you, Muse.. You- you're too kind to me."

Fear. Marcel closed his eyes and grunted. Then he turned and started to leave without a word.

"Wha-where are you- Marcel?" Ulrich asked, watching Marcel leaving.

'Stay, Muse.' His voice came to her, and his big looming figure could be seen opening the door and the light shone in. His expression, unlike his usual blank emotion, was that of pain and shame. 'Do not worry. I'm safe. You're safe.' This, he decided, was the time where he would leave and disappear from Muse's life. The merchant knew loss, and he did sacrifice his life for her from the bandits. He was better than Marcel, less afraid than Marcel... It was better this way.

"Stay here." Marcel replied again, more firm. "Stay safe." With that, he left from her sight. It was impossible to know what he was thinking or feelig, and surely if someone did know, there wouldn't be any words to accurately express it.

The Merchant had come from behind her and asked Muse, "What, where is he going? what did he say?"

"Muh-MUSE! No, wait!" Ulrich chased after her, but it was too late. Marcel was missing, and there she was, running for everyone to see. He ran to her to hide her. "Muse, wait! What did he say before he left! He had to have said SOMETHING!" Though maybe he didn't? Marcel was a pretty silent person. Still, maybe there were clues to anything he might have said.

"Safe..." Ulrich thought of that for a second, holding onto Muse, trying to push her back into solitude. It was too late though, too many people saw her. They would have to flee this town as soon as possible. "Muse... There's something I don't think you understand about Marcel. But... I think I'm starting to understand it."

"You didn't do anything, Muse," he replied, "The thing about Marcel is that he's big and scary. Haven't you noticed? People look at him as a threat. People either fight him or run away from him. I don't even want to know where he got those scars on his face, and likely he has more scars than that. I think he's afraid that if people attack him and find you, he won't be able to protect you. He thinks that you being around him will kill you, and even with how amazing a fighter he is, he isn't strong enough to protect you... Though I can't imagine why. There must be something very secret in his soul that keeps bothering him. Maybe... He's afraid of something. Intimidating or not, he's still human, and humans are plagued with fear. No matter how brave they are."