The walk lead down through the pastures and into the heavy forest.
For the whole time he managed to keep up. Looking down at a silver bracelet he wore, or muttering about how he got here. I knew it was not polite to eavesdrop. As I grew annoyed when Padme did such things. Though with the man not three feet from me it would be rude not to overhear. As I would have to stray ahead and that may get him lost.
Though the man thought some of his friends had drugged him and flew him to a foreign land. Or dropped him in a religious commune. I was not sure what he was speaking of, perhaps he had hit his head?
It did not matter, I had to get him far from me. So I would not be tempted to dishonor Hector's memory. Far far from me.
The woods became more open but the floor steeper.
I spoke for the first time since we left Briseis, "Becareful, the forest drops quickly."
Indeed it did, but I had been down here many times. So I simply held onto the trees as I walked carefully down the forest floor. My feet screamed at me for the abuse I had put them through. I had left my sandals in the pasture. If I were too look, my feet would be torn apart, I was sure.
When I finally forced myself to look over my shoulder at the man. He had listened and was mirroring my actions. His brown eyes found my own and I quickly looked back in front of me. Walking down the rest of the way a tad to hurriedly.
Which I quickly regretted, upon coming to the bottom where the forest evens out. I stepped upon something hard and sharp.
Swearing aloud to myself I looked down at the sole of my foot.
Indeed it was filthy, little scratches covered the bottom, a large cut ran along the middle. From what I did not know, the forest floor was littered with a manner of pointy items.
I looked to the heavens, the Gods were cursing me, that had to be it. They were clearly angry with me. Well I was not pleased with them either!
The man came to my side, I quickly put my foot down. His eyes looked to my foot to my own eyes, "Is it bleeding?"
"It is fine." I told him rather hastily.
Not one man had touched me since Hector's death, as it would be till I became a barren old woman.
"Let me see your foot." He told me softly, not ordering me, but he wasn't going any further till I showed him. I could tell by his tone. Hector had been the same way.
"It Is Fine." I repeated, glaring at him.
The man did not so much as move, "Look lady, I'm not going to stand here and argue with you. If you get too much shit in your foot, it will get infected. The last thing I need is another body on my head."
I showed him my foot, still glaring mind you.
He sighed and then told me, "Sit down."
"I Will Not!" I cried backing into a tree. I should have allowed Paris to come!
The man looked towards the heavens for a moment, took a calming breath, then said, "Your going to wrap up your feet before we walk any further."
Wrap my feet with what? There were not any spare pieces of cloth around. So I asked the man, "What am I to use then?"
Hearing the challenge in my voice he spat back, "A piece of the dress you have on. That cloak or you can have my shirt. I don't care, but if your feet are not wrapped, I will carry your ass back to the pastures."
I would not have him running around undressed. It was bad enough I had to look in his face and see Hector. So I narrowed my eyes again, and took a small knife from my robes. Taking a seat upon the forest floor I began to cut strips from my dress's hem.
The man knelt down beside me, "That is not thick enough for the bandage. Use those to wrap around your feet."
Now that I held a knife I felt even more brave. If the Gods wished to torment me I would do away with it! Though Briseis would be disappointed in me. Damn the Gods!
I quickly cut thicker strips from my dress.
He took my right foot in his hand and brushed away dirt and such. When he was satisfied he wrapped one of the thick strips around my foot. Not tightly, nor loosely, and then he secured them with the thinner strips.
I watched him do so carefully, interested and incase he tried to harm me.
Though I didn't think he would. He appeared to be honorable. But one could never tell in the world we lived in now.
No! Inwardly I slapped myself, I mustn't find the good in him! I have to send him away! Damn, damn, damn! As I berated myself a sharp pain flared in my heel!
Immediately I pulled my foot back, to see blood ooze from a small cut. I looked to the man with angry eyes. He held out his hand and showed me a small pebble, "It was lodged in your heel."
I had not decided to yell at him or not, the sounds of heavy feet filled the forest. Someone was in the woods with us.