Feeling like a new person, she walked from the river and sat on the bank, shivering from cold, but in a good way. She didn't really mind the temperature, not with feeling cleaner than she had in months. Hiking the dress up past her rear to let it dry easier, she pooled the entire thing around and drew both knees to her chest, seeking a shred of warmth. Although the smartest thing to do would be to go back to the fire, she was more dignified than to let her savior see her in a wet, WHITE dress.
Arms comfortably hugged her legs as she pictured his face, now dissecting everything that happened between them. He sure was one strange knight, that much she knew. His customs and behaviors toward women were odd indeed. It was almost as if he acted as though she was a burden. Though, with having to storm an enemy castle alone and spending all his time protecting her, she almost felt like one. She wondered where his companions were, if they were going to meet up with others at Catalonia castle.
She also wondered about his strength and the deceiving size for someone so young. He couldn't be much older than she was, though his eyes made him appear years ahead. He must've held a hard life to hold such cold eyes. Her brow turned, knowing that having to endure something so terrible shouldn't be cast to ANYONE. It was something they had in common.
She heard of knight's trials and the endeavors they went through just to claim rank. It made her glad she was female. But she wondered where he came from, and what kind of training would make him so strong. She wondered if he could break a tree with his bare hands. Though the notion was absurd, she had to believe it after seeing him single-handedly take down a few dozen warriors before helping her escape.
Shaking her mind from reverie, she picked at the dress; amazed she spent so long musing. It was a lot drier than when she first sat down. Eyes went to the sky to check the moon, but were unable due to the thick canopy. With a quiet sigh, knowing she had to get back, she carefully stood and shook the dress to rid any grass. While she walked, fingers absently combed through her hair, trying to fix the less tangled locks. She was able to dunk it in the river and straighten it out, but that only did so much. Even so, she was grateful her unnamed knight stayed close to water.
When she returned, the fire was still roaring. She smiled in relief and stopped close to it, extending hands to warm them. She was nearly chilled to the bone and it was a wonder she hadn't frozen to death. After a while of shifting around so her dress could properly dry, she started wondering where her hero was. She thought back, but hadn't seen him since she so crassly left him. A small stab of guilt flowed for being so insensitive to someone that saved her life. Thinking back, she realized she was behaving quite like a spoiled brat. Ducking her eyes to the fire, she knew she should apologize, once he SHOWED himself.
A small rustle sounded on the edge of the fire's glow, on the far side of the horse. Her eyes jerked to it, thinking it was her knight or the king's warriors. Fear clutched at her, but she instantly relaxed upon finding a cute little rabbit nibbling on some of the dried meat she ate earlier. She smiled and watched, not been able to see such a creature for what seemed ages. Slowly, she edged to one side of the fire, hoping to be lucky enough to get closer. She hoped to be able to get close enough and let it smell her hand, maybe even pet it. Mentally crossing her fingers, eyes on its ears for awareness, she quietly tiptoed closer.
Almost three steps from the fire, not even a dozen feet away from the animal, a whistle flew from behind, striking the rabbit. She watched horrified as it flew a few paces, jerking in pain. Snapping from shock, she hurried over and kneeled down, tears pricking her eyes. Who would DO such a thing?! Hands hovered over the animal, torn to pull the arrow out or not. She didn't want to cause it any more pain than it was currently going through.
The rabbit's limbs twitched in effort to get away, though it only managed to flop a step away. Tears streamed her cheeks at the action, staining her freshly washed face. She knew it was dying, the small pool of blood was enough to tell her that. Feeling worthless once again, she touched the animal's forehead, seconds after it stopped moving. Knowing it was finally dead, she quietly sobbed for the poor thing.
A crunch sounded, but she didn't move. Nothing seemed to matter at this moment except her grief over the poor thing. She didn't bother to look at anything but the rabbit until the knight kneeled next to her, promptly pulling out the arrow. Wordlessly, he gripped the ears and stood, starting toward the fire.
She stared at the small bit of blood on the grass, shocked and astonished at such a loutish person. Whirling, she stood and glared through her tears. He seemed not to notice as he skinned the small animal, forcing her to turn away with a grimace. Biting her lip, more tears following, she slowly walked to the fire. "Why?" She choked, eyes fixed on the poor thing.
He looked as if he didn't understand the question. "Why what?"
Hands turned into fists as she tried to reign in anger. Broken nails dug into her palms, but pain was a welcome comfort over the internal. "Why did you kill it??" Her fury started mounting. "WHY??"
"This is going to last us till tomorrow morning." He explained, going for his knife. "I don't have enough dried meat to last us the whole trip."
Her eyes widened. "You expect me to eat THAT? I just watched it DIE!" She felt like crawling out of her skin at the mere assumption that he anticipated she EAT that poor creature!
He stared at her with bored eyes and raised brow. "What do you think the dried meat is?"
She harshly swallowed and turned away, feeling she was going to be sick. "I'd rather starve."
"It's the natural circle of life. Animals eat animals. If I didn't kill this rabbit, another creature would."
"Is THAT what the meat was doing in the grass?" She quietly asked, combating anger and sadness. She knew he was right, but that didn't make her feel any better. Had he killed it BEFORE she returned, maybe she wouldn't feel the strong urge to retch against the horrible truth.
"I baited the area while you were at the river." Though her eyes weren't on him, she heard the small crunch as he broke bones and skinned the meat. She winced, desperately wanting to leave the area while he finished. She didn't want to hear or see what he was going to do. "I waited in a tree not too far from where I shot it."
"Good for you." She retorted, not feeling like praising him. "I'm going back to the river. Let me know when you're done so I can return to sleep."
"I'll come get you when this is cooked." He muttered as she walked past.
She abruptly stopped as if running into an invisible wall. He DID expect her to eat what she just watched die! Hands clenched, teeth following. "I SAID I'd rather STARVE." She grit out, stalking from camp.
Her mind and body was furious as she splashed right into the river to the other side, wanting to get as far away from such a cold person as possible. She couldn't believe his AUDACITY! How could he be so cold and uncaring?? 'I've lasted on barely any food for three long months, I'll last one more night.'
After a while of walking, her vision cleared and she stopped. She had no clue how far she went, but felt far enough. She couldn't hear the water and suddenly felt a little afraid. After a quick scan of the area, ears perked in the quiet, she plopped down next to a tree and drew knees up, folded arms holding her tired head. She knew what he said was true, but it didn't make it right. The animal was entitled to live for at least one more day. He said their food supply wouldn't last the entire trip, but that meant he still HAD some... Yawning against a sudden bout of fatigue that surfaced, she gave a final look about before resting her head over folded arms again.
She didn't know how long she rested, but her body ached from being in such a mildly uncomfortable position. With a whispery groan, her head pulled from the dark confinements to find the knight across the way - watching her. Jumping with a loud gasp, a hand went to her chest. "Don't DO that!" She retorted, trying to regain normal breathing. After a second, she met his gaze. "What're you doing out here? Don't you have a RABBIT to skin?"
He looked at the grass under his feet, shrugging against the tree he sat against. "That has been done for a while now." He quietly answered, meeting her gaze. "I stored the meat so you didn't have to look at it." Her eyes widened in shock, feeling an unexplainable warmth in her heart expand. Maybe he WASN'T as cold as he appeared. Her companion stood and stopped above, extending a hand. "Come on, you wandered farther than I expected. I don't like being so far from camp."
Feeling a little sheepish, she took his hand and was easily yanked to her feet. Momentarily meeting his eyes, she thought she saw softness before he turned and wordlessly walked back. Blinking at his exit, she quietly followed, mind a blur of wonder and confusion. He was overly cold one minute, but would show a little kindness the next. What could she come to expect from him?? She knew coldness would show more often than not, as it had all evening, but wish he'd show that warmth she guessed was in his eyes.
~*~*~
They sporadically traveled day and night. She got a little rest, begrudgingly eating the restored food in his pack when he made camp. She marveled at how he seemed to need no sleep. A small sliver in her mind said he was staying up to watch for their enemy, to protect her. After dozens of miles, night crept upon them. Even though it destroyed her dignity, she rested on the horse identical to his stance, the dress hiked up as far as she was willing it to go. The mere notion of showing this churlish knight her legs was absurd as it was embarrassing.
She quickly forgot the situation as the night wore on and exhaustion hit. He barely let the horse stop for water or grass, let alone giving HER rest. But, feeling she was safe as she rode in front, tiredness from the past three months attacked and she didn't fight it. Giving in to something she hadn't the pleasure of - a long night's sleep - in so long was too tempting to ignore. She wanted to sleep and knew her savior wouldn't mind if she slept during the ride. He was a man who could wield a sword with the best of them, hunt for food in the middle of nowhere - virtually unstoppable. Feeling secure and protected, her eyes closed, head drooping seconds later.
He startled when her head fell, mildly alarmed if she was ill. He knew he was pushing them, save for his own unbeatable endurance, and knew a break was in order. He let the horse go at an easy pace, not wanting to tire out his friend so soon. But he had no clue what the princess was thinking or feeling, being behind her. He should've let her ride behind so he could direct, but he could easily see over the top of her head, one reason he startled when it fell.
He stilled as the horse continued, ears straining. He relaxed when even breathing fell from her lips, the main fact that he HAD been pushing them too hard. With a tiny upturn on his mouth, his arms tightened a little around her waist, making sure she wouldn't slip off if she shifted. A small bout of surprised adrenaline surged when her back met his leathered chest minutes later. Hard blue softened as he stared at the unmarked trail. Her warmth transferred through the thin garment and his chin wantonly rested over the crown of her head, making sure she didn't move at all.
He didn't wake her until he decided to stop for the night. After making sure the area was okay and the horse was stopped, he let go of the reigns and slowly moved his hands so she wouldn't fall. "Princess." He whispered, hands shaking her shoulders. "Wake up. I need to get a fire going."
Her eyes fluttered open and she struggled to focus on what she was staring at. Someone just roused her from the most odd dream. She dreamt she was walking in a field of clover, following something she couldn't decipher, with a certain unnamable intent in mind.
She mumbled something incoherent and tried to fall back into relaxed darkness, to snuggle deeper into the comfortable warmth surrounding her. The ground was stamped upon and she half-heartedly startled awake, crashing back to reality. The warmth encircling her was the cold knight who pursued such a hard path to Catalonia castle. She quickly sat up and looked around, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu at their surroundings. Amidst patches of trees were small bits of green, dew-covered clover. Her eyes widened and she told herself she was just being silly. It was just a dream.
With a yawn, she mildly stretched her arms, mindful of not bashing the youth behind her. "Where are we?" She tiredly asked.
"Twenty miles from the castle." He answered, carefully dismounting. Without thinking, arms extended and helped her down. After doing so, he went for the nearest tree and picked up a few dry limbs to start a fire with. "You fell asleep a while back, but I made sure you wouldn't move so we could continue."
She blushed and her lips pressed together with a tinge of embarrassment. He made everything sound so CASUAL. Grabbing the horse's reigns, she routinely let the compliant animal a few more feet to the fire before letting him sit down. She took her usual place against him, feeling warmth from the flames. After a bout of silence, she decided to break it. "What are we going to do when we arrive at Catalonia castle?"
He dropped another log into the small blaze and looked at her. "You'll be able to rest and recuperate. My orders are to bring you back to your father safe and sound. I could've bypassed the castle by ten miles, but decided this was the better course." A small amount of mirth entered his eyes, an actual smile threatening to show. "It seemed like a good plan, seeing as how sleepy and hungry you've been the past few days."
Her lips pressed together to quell a smile, eyes going to the dirt. She knew he was playing, one reason she didn't throw back an explanation or retort. He rarely joked and to hear such was a rarity. She lacked humor so much these past months and to hear it was a treasure.
It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, as it recently didn't. She dozed for so long, it was amazing to find the fire still burning. She sat up and stretched, a silent yawn escaping. She kneeled, expecting to find the knight on the other side of the fire. The only thing her eyes saw was another path of dirt. She almost fearfully stood and whirled around, wondering where he wandered off. Was he in the trees as he normally was? He preferred height to comfortable ground, saying he held the advantage in an attack.
Her eyes rested on the makeshift pillow, finding the horse completely relaxed. She calmed a little, having learned that their mount would only become visibly agitated if something were wrong or his master was gone. Figuring he must be hunting again, she stood in front of the fire to warm up more. She decided to let the fire die, since morning didn't seem to be too far off.
As darkness pressed in, she saw a small bit of light in the not too far distance. Eyes narrowing to see that far, teeth nibbled on her lip as curiosity whispered for her to go see. She cast a glance at the horse - he was still calm and peacefully sleeping. Whatever the light was, he either didn't see or it didn't bother him. With that in mind, wholeheartedly trusting the animal's sixth sense, she edged around the fire, one hand holding up a bit of her dress.
When she reached the edge of the fire's light, she hesitantly looked at the meager camp before looking at the small glow. Squinting again, she could make out a soft green glow. Intrigued, she stepped from the light's borders, making sure to hide behind trees. She crept lightly, treading over growing clover that thickened the farther she left camp. She looked at the ground, feeling another sense of déjà vu, but cast it aside. Right now, her main concern was figuring what that glow was and where it was coming from.
She stopped a few trees away when she spotted something recognizable. In the midst of a dense grove of clover sat the knight, covered in that green glow. Her eyes widened in astonishment, mouth gaping open. Her body pressed forward to see a little better and - eyes locked on the back of his head - she quickly crept to a closer trunk. Peeking out from behind it a few seconds later, she found his position changed. He was no longer sitting with his back to her, but standing and facing her direction. Once blue eyes glowed green, as did the rest of his body.
"I know you're out there, princess." His voice carried an unearthly tone, echoing after each word. She felt afraid. What could've possessed him so?? He was truly bewitched. Teeth nibbled on her lip. Had the king's sorcerer gotten to him somehow? Hands slowly extended, palms in the air. "Come out from behind the tree, princess." Eyes widening, trying to swallow past the fearful, entranced lump in her throat, she hesitantly did as ordered.
"K...knight?" She stuttered, almost clutching the tree. Lips pressed together against the adrenaline in her body, she took a tentative step forward. "Is that...you?"
"Don't be scared, princess."
As if not of her own will, she took a few more steps to the edge of that thick clover and stopped. Her eyes looked to the deep green leaves, finding that glow hardly penetrating above the canopy. The ethereal shine soothed a little of her nerves, relaxing her enough to look into his face again.
"What happened to you?" She whispered.
A whisper of a smile adorned his face. "You needn't worry about that, princess."
"No! I'm not going to forget about something like this so easily." She retorted, familiar stubbornness rearing. Feeling renowned emotions against this unknown magic comforted her and let fear slide a little more. "What's going on?? What HAPPENED to you?"
Hands dropped to his sides and he looked about. "I was scanning the area."
Her gaze turned confused as she watched him walk into the center. "For what? Aren't we near the castle?"
"Not for that." He turned and pinned her with that daunting stare of his. "Something dangerous."
She fearfully gulped and dreadfully looked at the clover's edge so near her feet. Something indiscernible crept up, mingling with stubbornness. If something dangerous was headed their way - most likely the king's warriors - she wanted to know what it was so she could fight with him. She was tired of being an extra bag to carry around, tired of being taken care of. For fourteen years she'd been taken care of by maids and servants. The past three months of survival taught her much, shown her she owned more strength than she realized.
"May I see?" She quietly asked, willing determination not to leave. Along the way, she wanted to have more in common with this knight, to get to know him more. He hadn't bothered giving his name, or asking for hers. As days passed, she wanted to know more about him, but didn't want to be so brash. A princess's place wasn't in being a snooper, it was in courtesy. If he wanted to volunteer information, he would have to do so in his own time...no matter how long she had to wait.
His eyes widened a tad, either in amazement or awe she couldn't tell. Silent stretched and the held breath in her throat seemed to burst in her lungs. He looked at her as if reading for something. "You are able to. But you must step inside the circle to do so." She looked to the clover again, hesitant to actually do as he suggested. The unknown loomed, but her foot lifted and touched the glow. A warmth spread through her veins as her foot broke the canopy, killing all the uncertainty and alarm. Completely compliant and confident, she shuffled across the clover as if in a trance. His hands extended again and her fingers met his of their own will, entwining their hands. "Close your eyes and concentrate." He whispered, body not even a foot away.
Darkness swallowed her vision despite the light and she felt as if she were falling. From far away in her mind, her voice resounded against the dark walls. "What am I looking for?" She queried, mostly to herself.
"The king is not defeated." His voice echoed. It sounded close, but far off at the same time. "I have been trying to monitor him on our journey. He is conspiring to get you back."
From in the depths of the blackness, the cold hand of terror seized her. No! She couldn't - WOULDN'T go back to such a beast! "Where? How?" She nearly cried, trying to look as if for means of escape.
"You are able to see due to your own skill. Concentrate your mind on the path we took. It will lead you back to the castle and you will be able to see what I have."
Fighting fear with his courage and almost visible strength, she remembered the lands they rode through, each camp he set up. Her mind pictured the forests and blackness was replaced with each vision. Soon, she found herself at the castle's borders, each day of the past three months echoing through her mind. All the terror and pain she was forced to endure, each night of taunting and leering. She suddenly wished to be back with the knight who lent so much security and force - made her feel safe.
'Go on. What's the point of this journey if you don't finish it to the end?' With a small shiver that she was going to reenter the lion's den, she walked to the main gates. The guards didn't notice and with a wary eye, she ambled past as quickly as possible. Best to get the journey done and over with so they could get to her friend's home that much quicker.
Looking around, she walked into the interior castle's main entrance. A small whisper of voices seemed to peek an indescribable, inescapable curiosity, and she followed the voices with perked ears. Her journey wound through inner brick walls, up stairs to a tower. She stopped at a wooden door, wondering if she should go on. Someone had that door closed for a reason... But the voices stopped behind that door. A hand reached for the familiar iron run, hesitated, moved again, hesitated a final time before finally going for the round object. She was surprised her hand went through, and pressed her entire body past before her mind could comprehend what was going on.
Inside was a place she never knew existed. She knew every powerful king had a sorcerer or sorceress, but didn't figure the king of this race even believed in that, or that someone practiced the arts of black magic. But she looked at the unreadable language wall hangings and scrolls and believed. She looked at the sorcerer and listened as he talked of a plan to get her back. To kidnap her with his magic when she and the knight least expected it.
He suddenly stopped and looked about the room. His eyes looked on either side of the door before stopping directly in front of it, inadvertently locking eyes. She gulped, eyes flying wide. There was no WAY he knew she was here! She didn't even know how all this was possible, so how did he?? Suddenly, her mind flew backwards, as if running back the way she came. She watched the settings disappear, surrounded by a bunch of forests and camps before her eyes flew open.
"Are you okay?"
"He KNOWS!" She fearfully rambled. Her hands started shaking and she felt that familiar urge to run from the king, as if he were nearby. "His sorcerer knew I was in the room! He's coming for me! We've got to get OUT of here! We can't stop at Catalonia castle; we need to head straight for home and warn-"
A hand clamped on her mouth to quiet her. He knew it was a bad idea to give her a taste of his power. But the determined, pleading look in her eyes told him she wanted to help. "Calm down princess. Let the power dissipate first."
She dumbly blinked before realizing something. There was a green haze obscuring her vision! An unnamable, fear-heightening terror instilled itself upon her. She'd been possessed! She was bewitched as he was! "What happened to me?!" She nearly shrieked, looked at glowing hands with fearful fascination.
"In order to see what I did, I had to give you some of my power. When you stepped into the circle and I asked you to concentrate, the power seeped into your body."
"You BEWITCHED me?" Anger wouldn't come, only this overwhelming urge of fear and dread. She was full of an awesome power that was apparently his. "YOU own this power?"
He gave a nod, greenish eyes almost sheepish. "It is mine, yes."
"Is that what this glow is?"
"I am able to see long distances, one reason why I was able to check up on the king and his doings. I have been keeping an eye on our camp from here and making sure the rest of our travel is safe."
"So...you're a sorcerer too?" She doubtfully queried, trying to take in all this at once.
"I am no magician. I was born with the gift to bond with nature and use it to see long distances. I see what the trees see, what animals see. And only others with chosen gifts will be able to tap into my power sense."
"Gifts?" She asked. "What gifts? Do I have some power?" She stared, but he didn't answer, only kept their gazes locked. "What?" She asked. "What is the matter?"
"We need to leave this place. The power must leave your body in order to do so. It must not leave the chosen circle, or I will lose the opportunity to see at full strength."
Her eyes widened a little. What did he mean by THAT? What would happen when it did leave? She gulped and tried to take a step back, but found her feet wouldn't obey. Her fearful gaze looked to them, but couldn't see past her dress and clover. She looked back at him, finding his gaze oddly sympathetic. "What? Why?" She choked out, feeling tears. A numbing sensation slowly traveled up her calves. He held her gaze as the green slowly took all feeling from her legs. She dropped forward, having no way to keep upright any longer. Arms wrapped over her waist, hugging her close. This overwhelming power also had the power to take movement from her! Tears fell in an indescribable sadness, wondering why this was happening. Didn't she only want to help?
When it reached her waist, still continuing, his forehead touched hers. "I'm...sorry." He whispered.
When it reached her neck, her head tilted back as if trying to escape, eyes fear-tinted. She was unable to feel anything, unable to move anything, basically a limp doll. Suddenly, she wished to be free and run home, damned the distance. Taking her chances alone would be safer than this suddenly unknown person with mystical powers. She started feeling dizzy when the power reached her cheeks, tingling them as if the veins lost blood. She met his eyes, still seeing sadness in them. "Why...are you...sad?" She mumbled losing the ability to speak.
"I can see the pain in your eyes. I didn't want you to hurt."
She tried to shake her head and reassure him that the leaving energy didn't pain her, she was just confused and scared. But the energy took the right to even move her head. The green brightened as it reached her eyes. Her lids started to close by themselves, but she peeked past hooded lids to her savior. His face slowly inched closer, as if on its own accord, lips straying dangerously close to her own. Feeling a tingling on the back of her head, she watched his eyes close, knowing he was kissing her, unable to feel it. Just before green left, a part of her mind muttered that he looked better with blue eyes than green.
It seemed like only seconds when her eyes popped open again. She quickly sat up before standing, wildly looking around. "I'm back to normal!" She observed, looking at her hands. Her gaze looked at the rest of her person, pulling the dress over her ankles to make sure she could feel her feet. Sensing eyes, she stilled, wary blue locking with blue. Almost against her will, a hand flew to her mouth as she gasped, taking an involuntary step back.
"Are you okay?" He asked, a brow rising.
"Stay AWAY from me!" She wildly cried, backing up. "You BEWITCHED me! Keep away!"
"You were dreaming princess." He evenly answered. He stopped on the other side of the dying fire. "What was with that green you mumbled?"
She dumbly stared, hands limp at her sides. Dreaming?? But...it was all so REAL...wasn't it?? Her eyes suspiciously narrowed. "What ELSE did I...mumble?"
He sighed and looking into the dawn, as if she were trying his patience. "Something about king and green, though you were so quiet I couldn't make out the rest." His eyes locked with hers. "But now that you're up, I'd like to finish the last bit of our journey. It's only a few dozen more miles and I want to reach it before nightfall."
She watched as he kicked out the fire and opened his pack, handing her some meat. She dazedly took it, mind trying to figure out if that dream really was a dream or not. How could it NOT have been? There was no way she could've dreamt anything so vivid, so terrifying. She slowly nibbled on rabbit jerky, remembering a few other dreams she recalled. The one about following an unidentified person through a clover field, going for something and someone...
He stopped in front of his packs and paused, back to her. He didn't mean to lie, but he couldn't reveal the truth, or any details yet. Turning, he found her with that same befuddled, lost expression directed to the ground. She couldn't know until he knew of the right way to explain. He didn't expect her to wake when she did. When his trances came after such concentration and meditation, it was a bad thing to leave them in the blink of an eye. Looking through the eyes of nature required patience and time, and quickly starting something so severe would damage him.
"We'd better get going. The day is coming faster and I don't want to miss it."
As they rode, his mind thought back to their first kiss. He didn't really mean to kiss her, it was just how he extracted the power to himself. Sharing such a gift drained him in the process and he needed all to use when necessary. He hadn't expected her body to numb, and that was an odd occurrence. The only explanation he could come up with - due to his own beginning experiences - was her muscles used a lot of energy and numbed to keep them from harm.
He was sorry it happened and regretted her pain, though there was no physical involved. But the feel of her lips... They may've been entirely compliant due to her lack of strength, but they were soft. His lips pressed together. He didn't need to kiss her to take the power, though that was one method. He could've used a spell to siphon it out her eyes, or touch their foreheads and let the color seep through his skin. But something inside couldn't help but touch them, even for a single moment. Only having been around her for a few weeks, that incidence mildly confused him.
After her eyes finally closed and she lost consciousness, he gathered all power from the appointed circle and carried her back to the horse. With a simple nod to his friend, reading emotions in those dark eyes, he let the steed watch her while he gathered more firewood. After keeping that in tact, he surrendered to momentary exhaustion. Using concentration and meditation required a lot of mental skill, and he was even now developing that to keep from having to sleep afterwards. He was a prisoner to that, relying on his friend to protect the princess for a few hours. Thankfully, he awoke before she did.
