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When Judith woke up she made her way quietly out of the tent she shared with Estelle and Rita. It was still dark so she was expecting a chill from the early morning air but was pleasantly surprised to see a nice fire was already burning. Repede was lying stretched out nearby from the warmth. Curious to see who was awake so early she stood near the fire stretching when she heard a male and female voice come closer.
"My line broke."
"No, it didn't."
"No really, see? It snapped clean off."
"We had more line, you could have cast another one."
"Ah, it wouldn't have done any good."
"Really? How come?"
"Because...you went and caught all the fish in the lake."
"Yuri!"
Walking over the hill was Estelle and Yuri who was carrying a line of fish. The dark-haired swordsman smiled at the princess' admonishing tone. It relieved him greatly to see that she was beginning to smile and laugh again, acting more like her old self.
"Judith! Good morning!" greeted Estelle running up to the Krityan woman.
"Good morning. My you two are up early," mused Judith noticing the puffiness around the young girl's eyes.
"Yes," smiled Estelle, "Yuri was teaching me how to fish! I've never done it before but look how many I caught."
"Call it beginner's luck," said Yuri tying the fish to a nearby branch to keep them off the ground.
"Don't listen to him, he's just jealous," teased Judith.
"Estelle, why don't you grab some thin branches off that tree over there so we can cook the fish," he gestured towards a tree a few yards away. "I'll start on the rice."
"Okay!" she said walking away.
Watching the young girl at her new task Judith remarked, "You're certainly a pair of busybodies."
"Idleness is the root of all evil," Yuri replied as he moved to put a couple more logs on the fire.
"So she still isn't sleeping?" asked Judith in a disappointed tone.
Ever since Estelle returned to them after being used by Alexi, she often cried or moaned in her sleep. A few times she woke up screaming. It worried the whole group, none more so than Yuri. Judith was getting better at reading his poker face and could tell he still felt guilty over not being able to protect her or having to raise his sword against her.
"For now," Yuri said watching her twist the long slender branches off the nearest bough, "I think she just needs to keep busy. She's strong. I know she'll get better over time."
Judith smiled, "Yes, and her friends will always be there to help her."
Yawning, Karol stumbled out of the boy's tent. "Good Morning Captain Karol," greeted Yuri.
"Morning," he replied rubbing his eyes. "Gee you guys are up early."
"Yep," agreed Yuri handing Karol the empty tea kettle, "and if we want the old man to get up he'll need his tea. Go get us some water." Nodding his head the young boy shuffled off towards the lake.
"Well, it looks like you've got breakfast under control," remarked Judith. "I think I'll get in some early morning practice." Grabbing her lance she walked away from the camp.
Author's Note: Just a brief story that I had sitting around in my Google Docs. It's been years since I've played this game, I should dust off the Xbox 360 and give it another play through.
