author's note : Excuse this very short chapter, the next one will most certainly be longer!

I awoke just before dawn, and as per usual couldn't fall back asleep, so I rose. Only a few villages were awake at this time, morning hunters on their way to catch something to eat for breakfast. Not even the rooster had crowed yet, the village silent and still.

Dragging a hand over my face tiredly, I got out of the cot and got dressed. I had decided that it would be dumb to try and get away now, since the whole village could be deployed to find me. It would have to be next time we set up camp for the night, in the wild.

I had spotted a lake nearby before we arrived, and I was in much need of freshening up.

Thankfully it seemed like the lake was not for fishing, as there were nobody there but me when I arrived. I quickly undressed behind a shrouded tree and repressed a chill as I walked through the grass to the edge of the lake, stepping a foot in. The water was cold, but not uncomfortably so – during the day it would probably become more temperate, but that was not a luxury I could afford waiting for.

Quickly I descended into the water, until it was up to my shoulders – I breathed in sharply and ducked my head, going under.

I resurfaced a few feet away, letting out a chattering breath – my dark hair swirling around on the surface of the water like half-dead sea serpents. I swam around for a bit and used the tiny bit of soap I always carried around with me to clean myself up. Just as I was getting done with my hair, I heard the grass rustling behind me.

Immediately cautious, I carefully lowered myself into the water and hid behind a half-submerged rock, peeking around the side to try and locate what had made the noise.

I was surprised to see Asterix, sitting by the foot of a nearby tree. He was holding his helmet in his hands, polishing it with a small rag. After a moment he stopped and scrutinized it, then wiped something off with his thumb. With the helmet off, he looked different – less harsh, somehow. His hands were rough and callused, and there was a small but deep scar on his forehead that I hadn't seen before.

Suddenly, without warning, he looked up in my direction and I quickly hid again behind the rock.

"Where did you go?" Obelix asked when I got back to the village and entered the hut that the two gauls shared – at this time most of the people had eaten their breakfast, except for the three of us.

"Never mind that. What's for breakfast?" I asked as I sat down at their table. Obelix, with a mouth full of food, answered.

"The best stuff! Chicken and wild boar!"

"And for those who prefer something lighter, fish." Asterix spoke up as he sat down on the opposite side of the table to eat. Since I had eaten so little last night, I was near famished now. I had a big helping of the fish, along with some fresh boiled eggs and a hot drink with herbs in it.

Obelix noticed, and gave me a big thumbs up, nodding encouragingly.

I smiled and nodded back.

"You are welcome back anytime!" The red-headed chief said in a dramatic voice, looking very sorry that we were going so soon.

"We thank you for letting us stay, chief. "

"No problem, none at all. And you – are you sure that you wish to leave your animal behind? He looks agitated." the chief said to me – I chanced a glance at the stables and indeed, the black stallion was not happy that we were parting ways, trampling around in his stall and letting out loud, annoyed huffs.

"Oh, he's just shy."

But no sooner than the words were out of my mouth, did the horse in question neigh like a banshee (yes that is possible) as well as break down the stable door by simply running through them by sheer force of will. The few villagers that were around it took a few steps back, and I didn't exactly blame them.

The horse and I locked eyes then, and maybe -

"Okay fine, come along then. We don't have all day."