(Silver's P.O.V.) -A week later-

I looked up at the stars softly with a deep breath, standing guard over the camp. Listening to the usual cricket song next to some snoring, I smiled softly as I heard a thump of wood into the campfire, hearing the faint whoosh, and soon, I recognized the gait.

I spoke warmly, "Hello, Emma. Couldn't sleep?". I heard a chuckle as I heard a soft thud next to me, and glanced over to see Emma, "Nah. I thought you might like some company. It's lonely out here at the outskirts. Trust me, I know.".

I took her expression in, and I gave a crooked grin, "I sure appreciate that, Emma. Tomorrow, the river awaits us.". Emma smiled softly, "Yep, and after that, Andalasia. I hope that rope bridge can hold us. It didn't look quite sturdy from the hilltop point.", glancing up at the small hilltop that's ahead of us by a half-mile.

I nodded softly, "I know, but we couldn't afford to have Pippa or Logan fly back and forth transporting us over the river safely because...someone from Scar or Frollo's forces seeing a red dragon and a black dragon in the daylight...Well, you know anyway...".

Emma hummed lightly, "I hear you there, Silver. By the way, it was really brave of you to tell the basics of...well, what happened to you.". I sighed softly as I understood what she meant by that. After getting to know the famed United Talons for this past week, I saw that they are human like all of us, seeing such interactions between a united family of sorts, it somehow encouraged me to tell the basics of the time I lost my eye and leg, to everybody around the campfire earlier tonight.

Oh, Sarah and Jim knew the truth as they are my sister and my nephew, and they knew not to hurt me by telling anybody else...Even King Mickey didn't know the whole thing as there were quite a few unspeakable things, and I didn't want him to wake up from nightmares and scare Queen Minnie in the process.

I smiled bitter-sweetly at Emma, "You know that isn't the whole story, right?". Emma nodded somberly, "Oh, I know that. And I ain't going to push you either into telling the whole thing. I respect you, and it's all up to you, after all...But I am going to put my trust in you as well...The twin boys and Pippa saw the evidence, but only Zuri and Haku knows...", her eyes looking like she's seeing something when she's actually not seeing anything ahead of us.

I whispered softly, "Knows what?". Emma blinked softly, looking up at me, vaguely noting that she's only a half foot shorter than me. Emma took a deep breath, and briefly glanced back at camp, seeming determined that she is alone with me which I almost realized at once, yet somehow feeling like it's not awkward either.

Satisfied at the fact that camp is quiet, she then turned her attention on me, and took another deep breath, longer this time before nodding to herself, and started to speak in a quiet yet engaging voice.

"It was perhaps 10 years before Pippa and the twins joined the team...Zuri and I was taking rest, a break from a patrol trip the day before at this camp, not a major one per sec, but still enough to have essentials and all. Anyway, after we played some games, I was hungry, and Zuri offered to grab a couple of meals a Klick off.".

I blinked softly in understanding as I've asked Zuri about that word and its meaning when I heard it spoken by Emma a couple of days when she was looking over the map and talking to Haku. I continued to listen to her when she went to talk more.

"I was in the shade as the sun was out on full force, and then there was this whistle. A thump next to me, and I looked over, instantly recognizing it, and I ran for my life, but it still caught me...", she breathed softly, and I whispered quietly, "What was it?".

Emma looked at me, "You know about cannons, yeah?". I nodded lightly, "All too well.". Emma sighed heavily, "It was more violate, more damaging...I was in healing for a whole year.". I widened my eyes slightly at that, knowing how she couldn't sit long enough than a half hour. A whole year...I lasted three months thanks to Merlin's help in magic healing, and occasionally in the winter, Mickey would check on me...

Emma frowned strongly, "Granted I didn't end up losing a leg or eye, it was damn close...I lost some hearing in both ears.", and I then remembered how the team would talk to her, face to face, sometimes at her side, but never behind.

Emma looked at me, "Zuri found me lying in the dirt, and she was nearly scared that she would have lost me due to the wounds I've gotten. And even now, the scars ache every winter.", half-turning around, and with her hands, she lifted her winter clothes off her back slowly, and my heart actually jumped in shock at the sight.

With the nearby low light of the flames, and my mage-made eye, I can make out the scars to my horror. They weren't of a whip or belt as they aren't straight or narrow. The several scars are quite wide and deep, randomly scattered. And I could see other scars going upwards into the shoulders or down below into the legs.

They're so different from my scars of being whipped, burned, and deeply cut by a hook. Yet somehow, I feel like this is connecting us on a level, a level that is deeply involved in respect and trust.

I didn't realize that I was edging closer with a hand until I saw the scars more clearer, and I stopped, immediately using my manners as I knew touching a woman's back isn't allowed until given permission. I breathed softly, "Sorry...".

Emma, glancing just over her shoulder, smiled wryly, "It's okay. I trust you.", and I blinked in surprise before moving ahead to gently finger a few scars, whispering lightly, "Was anyone else injured?".

Emma sighed lightly, "The explosion was all 360, so, yeah, there was quite a few others. Two men and another woman. Thank God Zuri wasn't near it through she quite felt the force behind it underneath her feet and all. One of the men was similar in injuries, but he lost a spleen in the process. The other man lost his life as he was said to be closest in range than the rest of us.".

I exhaled sharply at that, and breathed quietly as I pulled back, "And the other woman?". Emma pulled down her clothes, covering her scars once more, and nodded softly, "She was luckier. She took it on the side as she was walking across the trail. Nasty scars in the end, and she didn't lose anything, through I think she lost her will to ever fight again, not that I blame her, really.".

I hummed softly in thought, and looked at her, "And you still keep fighting no matter what?". Emma sighed lightly, "Oh, I kept fighting, all right, but honestly, I thought I was entitled to some quiet time with my team before we decide to do whatever we should do when we return to the army, not thrown into another fucking war, for god's sake!".

I winced lightly at that, knowing the story of the portal and all, and was to speak once again when Emma interrupted me quickly, "But somehow despite that unfortunate side effect, I somehow feel like...this world isn't against me, you know? I mean, magic, dragons, kings and queens, and for once, I actually like this place. Like the air's cleaner, the earth's more alive, and dang, the people, they're so honest and loyal which is kinda refreshing.".

I chuckled warmly, "You think you could stay around a while longer?". Emma gave me a wry smile, "Oh, much longer than that, Silver. After all, a woman like me, I am bound to love this world sooner or later. Would you care to give me a tour of your favorite places when we're done with this war, hmm?", a slight blush showing on her cheeks, and I crookedly grinned, laughing heartily, "Oh, bonnie lass, I'd not mind that. And tell ya what, you call me by me given name.".

Emma smiled brightly, "Thank you, John, for listening and all.", noticing the sparkle in her gray eyes, so much like the sea when in the throes of a storm, and I took in the state of her blonde hair, lush and wild after being in a ponytail all day.

I blink, feeling warm, and I reply calmly, "You're very much welcome, Emma.", suddenly noticing the way her name rolls off the tongue. I then knew that I am getting soft-hearted for this woman, and I don't really care as it feels right.