A/N: I know, I know, I don't update for half a year and then I come back with an incredibly short chapter. This is basically my way of saying "Yes I am still alive, and no I haven't forgotten."

Valla had expected that come morning, she would have to track Lyndon down and drag him back to the caravan if they were going to leave before midday. She had not expected him to stumble back on his own before the sun had even risen, looking almost as miserable as he did intoxicated.

The stench of sex and ale clung to him, and looking at her seemed to cause him some form of physical pain. She wasn't sure if she should ask him what was wrong or scold him for being irresponsible with his drink. Before she could decide, he disappeared into her currently-vacant tent and, from the sound of it, collapsed there.

Had she a stronger sense of ownership Valla might have been annoyed by the intrusion of her space, but she was fairly certain Lyndon did not have the presence of mind to realize it was her tent he had found himself in, and it was better he sleep off his intoxication there than accidentally find himself next to a disgruntled Kormac or Eirena. She would scold him for his carelessness when he was feeling better.

It was odd; normally when Lyndon stirred up trouble in town it was the townsfolk who came by looking angry or heartbroken, while he himself was rarely any worse for wear. The fact that he had returned earlier than required and looking so distressed had her concerned. What could have happened?

Lyndon had clearly not spent the night alone, if his disheveled appearance and exposed upper body were any indication. She would not be surprised if he had returned to camp early to avoid a morning confrontation with whoever he had bedded, yet that still did not explain his mood. She had never known him to feel guilt over any of his sexual exploits.

Speculating could only get her so far. At least he was currently in a place she could keep an eye on him. For now she would let him rest, but as soon as he was coherent she fully intended on getting answers.

Morning was noisy and entirely too bright. Lyndon buried his head under the furs he was using as bedding, blocking out the sunlight seeping through the tent and muffling the sounds of his companions shuffling around camp. They would no doubt wish to leave soon, but Lyndon did not plan on moving any sooner than he absolutely had to. He furtively hoped that they had made plans to stay longer, and would let him sleep the day away in peace.

Those hopes were dashed when he heard the flap of the tent being pulled back and someone entering his sanctuary. He held as still as possible, thinking that maybe if whoever it was thought he was asleep they would leave him alone.

"Lyndon."

Of course it was Valla. The simultaneous excitement and dread that hearing her voice caused him made him dizzy. Or maybe that was his body reminding him he had drunk entirely too much the night before. It was difficult to tell.

"Get up. We're leaving."

Valla didn't exactly sound angry, but there was a sternness to her tone that told him this was something that was going to happen no matter how much he resisted. That did not, however, mean he was not going to be difficult.

"Then go," he mumbled back, not certain she could even hear him from under the furs, but not much caring.

"Fine," Valla responded tersely, "But I am taking this back."

And then his precious coverings were ripped away from him, leaving him exposed to the horrible sun shining through the open tent flap. Lyndon cried out in surprise and hastily threw his arm over his eyes, already sensing a headache beginning to form. Just perfect.

"Rude," he grumbled in the direction he assumed Valla was standing. "I don't bother you when you're trying to sleep."

"I do not sleep when there are pressing matters to attend to," Valla answered calmly, "And I do not do so in someone else's tent."

Lyndon moved his arm and slowly sat up, squinting against the still-too-bright light. Once the world had stopped spinning, he examined his surroundings for the first time since stumbling in the night before. Other than the pile of furs that Valla had let fall at her feet, the only other object in the tent was a small pack that was definitely not his. It was partially crushed, as if someone had rolled over it in their sleep.

Oops.

He was sure there was a joke in there somewhere about him making it into her bed, but it was difficult to be clever with a growing headache, so he settled for silently staring at the ground and blinking rapidly as his eyes adjusted.

Once Lyndon was fairly certain he could face the light without wincing, he looked up to see Valla watching him with some mix of annoyance and concern. Her arms were crossed and she seemed to be waiting for him to do something.

"Well?" Lyndon grumbled, "You got what you wanted, why are you still here?"

Valla sighed in a manner that told him her patience was quickly wearing thin. He wondered how much more needling she would take before she really did leave him there. He deserved it, in any case; he had no idea why she put up with him as much as she did.

Or maybe she just wanted her tent back. It was probably more useful to her than he was.

"Lyndon," Valla said slowly, her voice deadly serious, "This is your last chance. If you do not get up on your own I will drag you out of here."

If it were anyone else making the threat Lyndon would not hesitate to call their bluff, but he had no doubt Valla intended to follow through. He stalled a moment longer by letting out an exaggerated sigh, then began the monumental task of getting up.

Lyndon's balance had been hampered by his unexpected loss of limb, and he normally did alright in spite of the handicap, but combined with his pounding head and extreme grogginess it made getting up embarrassingly difficult. But he was only left struggling for a handful of seconds before Valla took his arm and helped guide him to his feet. Despite her apparent annoyance and threats of physical dragging she was oddly gentle with him, and did not seem to mind when she ended up supporting most of his weight.

Had he any pride left the situation probably would have been humiliating, but he simply could not muster the energy to care. Besides, he was far too busy trying to ignore the fact that he was close enough to smell her and she smelled a bit like earth and wood and dammit dammit stop it dammit.

As soon as he was fairly certain he could stand on his own Lyndon pulled away and stumbled out of the tent, pointedly avoiding looking Valla in the eye. He squinted against the harsh sunlight, nearly tripping over a root as he scrambled to gain his bearings. He could already tell today was going to be a wonderful day.