Letting out a groan, her eyes fluttered open. Two heads leaned over, their brows furrowed in concern. Looking about her, she found she was lying in a small tent. One of the men turned to the other and said, "I think she's alright. Daniel went to get some herbs and we already have enough bandages on her."

"Who in hell are you two and where am I?" she said groggily, rubbing her eyes to get rid of the fuzziness.

They looked down at her surprised and the other one said, "Don't you remember, you called those birds and helped us..."

"Oh," Natalia said letting out an irritated breath, "now I remember." She muttered under her breath, "Me and my stupid heart."

After a short pause the other man continued, "Well you see, we found you unconscious and took out the arrow in your shoulder. There was quite a lot of blood loss which is probably why you have been asleep for the past two days. You wouldn't have lost so much except that the bandits use an arrow that allows for much blood flow. They don't have enough money for poison tips which is lucky for you. They are just using this recent design.."

"I thank you for all you have done, but I must be going," Natalia interrupted as she pulled herself up. Nausea and dizziness swept over her, as she put a hand on her head and collapsed back onto the ground.

"You should probably stay here for a bit longer and rest until you are well. You're not ready to go just yet."

"Watch I'll make myself get up. I've gone through much worse things. This is nothing." Again she pulled herself up but to no avail.

"I Think it would be best for you to rest for a bit longer just until you are better," one of the men persuaded.

"I guess I'll have to stay a little longer," Natalia said angry at herself. She was never weak like this.

With that they left her alone. Her eyes traveled around the tent, taking in her surroundings. There wasn't much except for some blankets in the corner and food in another. At that, Natalia realized how hungry she was. Dragging herself across the ground, she picked up a fruit and took a big bite out of it.

Drawing her hand across her mouth she wiped away the juices. At that moment, the tent flapped open. She jumped at the sound but quickly regained her composure at seeing one of the young men.

"Don't just come barging in like that," she said glaring. "I hate it when people surprise me."

"Oh, sorry, I just wanted to talk to you," The man said squatting down in the small tent. He had dirty blond hair with light brown eyes and a medium build.

"About what," Natalia countered.

He took a big breath and began, "I know that the men won't say it but we want to thank you for what you did back there. I mean, you saved our necks."

"What's your name?"

"William McCall," he uttered suspiciously.

"Okay, William, don't get sentimental on me alright. I just did what I had to do. Now I need you to answer some questions of mine."

"Like what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Where am I? And who are all of you exactly?"

"Well, let's see," he said as he sat down and got more comfortable. "When we found you after taking care of what was left of the bandits, we carried you up the road a bit and after setting up camp, Baldric healed you."

"Alright, now, who are all of you?"

"Well, uh, we are.," the man looked cornered. "Um, we are...travelers."

"A little more specific, if you please"

"We're just travelers. That's it." He finalized firmly.

"You seem a little touchy. You're not trying to hide anything are you?" She smiled, taking joy from interrogating him.

"I am not hiding anything!"

"Don't lie to me. It's quite obvious. I'll figure it out eventually so you might as well tell me now and stop wasting our time."

"I'm telling you we are travelers. That's it and that's all you need to know."

"Okay, okay," she said, "I'll get back to that subject a little later. Now here's another question believe me I am almost done."

"What is it?" he asked annoyed.

"Where are you traveling to?"

He let out a frustrated sigh and said, "We're heading towards the capital of Kellia, but first we're stopping at Bast for a few days."

"Alright, now, why are you 'travelers' all the way out here."

"Now that is none of your business."

"Ooh, let me guess, it's apart of your big secret." Natalia feigned.

"I think I've answered enough of your questions." He said, irritated. "I'm leaving."

"Oh come on; just do this one thing for me."

"What is it?" he asked regretfully.

"Go into the woods and find a lavender flower with large leaves around it. After you pick the flower, take off the leaves and flower petals. Then bring what remains to me immediately. Do it exactly as I say."

"Your kidding me right how can I be sure that you're not trying to make a fool out of me?"

"Just do as I say. Believe me I am doing nothing of the sort. Now go while there's still light"

"This is pointless. Why do you need a flowerless and leafless stem?"

"eer! Just go and do it. I don't have time to explain the fundamentals of herbs and medicines."

"oh! That's why. Why didn't say you were using it as a remedy?"

"Why do you ask so many questions? Just go!"

"You mean right now"

"YES! I mean now!"

He smiled and opened the tent, thinking to himself 'now who's the annoyer?'. Before he left the tent, Natalia threw an apple at his head and smiled, satisfied, when she received her 'ouch' in return.

Rubbing his head, he frowned. 'I geuss not' he thought to himself as he went through the woods.

He searched till the sun went over the horizon, but at last he found the flower and did exactly as she said.

As William McCall was going back to camp, he felt a knife press against his neck.