Alexander seemed to have fallen into a melancholy mood and Daniel was at a loss. He had a strong feeling that it somehow was his doing but had no idea as to what his transgression had been or how to rectify it. His nightmares had grown more terrifying recently and he often sought out the older man for comfort no matter the lateness of the hour. He would suspect that this was the reason for the baron's black moods, but he seemed at his happiest when he was reading a volume of poetry at Daniel's bedside or making them a cup of tea by the fireplace. When the sun was at its highest was when the baron would rest his chin in a thin hand and gaze out the window with sighs or murmurs in a language Daniel couldn't quite place. Worse, sometimes Daniel would turn around and find Alexander's inscrutable gaze turned on him, seemingly in search of something and finding it in want. It all made Daniel feel horrible, a failure. He tried to avoid the other man, thinking that maybe if he was the reason for the moods, his absence might be the balm for them, but that seemed to agitate the baron further. If he tried to closet himself up in the library for the day, for example, after a few hours Alexander would enter, throw him a hurt glance and seat himself nearby without a word, making busy work with whatever was close at hand. The man truly was a puzzle.

It was another fine day, Daniel observed from Alexander's study window. He debated going for a walk in the gardens and decided he was in the mood for something longer and more rambling. "You keep horses." It wasn't a question, but the baron answered as if it were.

"I do. I keep several for the carriage and some for the cart that goes into town for supplies."

"None for riding then?"

The baron's eyebrow twitched but he didn't comment further.

"I was thinking it would be fine weather for a ride." Not getting any response, Daniel threw himself back into his chair with a sigh. "I guess I'll go for a walk then. That small settlement-Altstadt was it- seemed like a good day's hike and I should get back before dark if I leave within an hour."

"We have the gardens. If you want to take some exercise, surely you can do that there."

"I was thinking of something that would stretch my legs more, where I could take in more fresh air. Maybe if I exhaust myself I will be able to sleep through the night."

The baron's eyes searched Daniel's face and he frowned at what he saw there. "Are the dreams that troubling?"

"You know they are." Daniel was aghast at the waspish tone he had directed at Alexander. "I am so sorry, my lord. I didn't mean to…" He hid his face in his hands. "I am close to my wit's end."

"You know you are safe while you're within the realm of my protection." Alexander rose to his feet and walked over to where Daniel sat. He placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder.

"But if this is my life," Daniel threw up his hands to seem to encompass himself, the castle, Alexander himself, "is it worth preserving?"

"I'm sorry you find my company and my home so distasteful." He made to withdraw his hand, but Daniel quickly caught it.

"Please my lord, no. It has nothing to do with you. It's me, it's what haunts me. I don't know what I am saying."

"Perhaps you should remain here for the day. You seem distraught."

"Distraction is the very thing I need, my lord."

"I'm not your lord, Daniel, but your friend. Fine, let us go to Altstadt."

"Us?"

"I thought you said it wasn't my company you objected to."

Daniel opened his mouth to ask if the baron could make the long trek there and back and snapped it shut again, sure the question would seem too rude. Alexander seemed to have guessed his thoughts though; there was a small smirk hovering in the corner of his lips and his eyes sparkled with badly concealed amusement. "I can have the carriage meet us there after nightfall. We can take our time in the walk there and perhaps you would not be against taking supper at the lone pub it holds."

"I think that sounds very nice." Daniel still had his doubts, but at least he would only have to worry about his host for one way of the journey.

"I'll go make the preparations then. We'll meet in the main hall within a half hour?" He didn't wait for Daniel's reply before turning on his heels and vanishing into the hallway.

Daniel had forgotten that Alexander was quite hale for his apparent years. Daniel had to stop for rests more that the baron, who would stalk back and forth impatiently, cane slapping a staccato rhythm against his boots as he waited for the younger man to get his breath back. "Are you ready at last?" His face was expressionless though his voice held a small hint of peevishness.

"Yes, I really am truly sorry." Daniel stood up and swayed. Alexander's hand immediately caught him under the arm to steady him. "It's been a while since I've…" his voice trailed off, embarrassed for Alexander to see him as weak yet again.

"How ever did you survive Algeria, my friend?"

"I was taken with heat stroke often." He glanced away. "For most of it actually."

Alexander chuckled. "My frail beauty." He kept his hand on Daniel's arm and began to lead him once more along the road, walking stick now resting over his shoulder. Daniel was too distracted by the thought that the cane had been a mere affectation than a tool to bristle at Alexander's comment.

"They made me use a parasol actually. I think they were sick of having to carry me to and from the dig sites every day." He flushed as soon as he blurted it out. Why did he add that horrible detail?

Alexander threw his head back and laughed.

"I was very thankful that they at least attempted to take some of the ruffles off of it. And that it wasn't pink."

"I think I would have liked to have seen that." Daniel found himself pulled against the older man, his arm slung over Daniel's shoulders in a way that could only be termed companionable. He frantically wracked his brain for more humiliating stories he could share as they made their way to town.