They were two weeks into the trip back to the castle, travelling through the dark trees at the painfully slow pace of the caravans, and Jane was growing impatient.

Spending her days in skirts, surrounded by people who did not believe women could be warriors, was quickly becoming tiring. Her concerns about Gunther had abated with his recovery, and a familiar irritation had taken their place.

She was annoyed by his easy camaraderie with the travellers. They treated him as their equal, if not their hero. He could go and do as he wished, without anyone making noises about propriety or decency.

He could dress as he liked, in trousers and loose shirts, and play with swords and arrows and axes. He could eat as much as he wanted and no one expected him to help clean up the dishes.

He was followed, day in and day out, by an endless stream of admiring girls who swooned and cooed at his every move. It was all Jane could do not to grind her teeth as she lay in the dark and listened to Kezia and Rose whisper and giggle about his muscles, his eyes, his charming little habits . . . it was infuriating.

Jane marched through the camp, her sword strapped to her back. She had taken to wearing it as a reminder to everyone that she was not a washerwoman, or a goat keeper. She was a knight apprentice, whether they liked it or not, and right now she needed some space.

"Jane!"

Gunther jogged towards her, and Jane rolled her eyes as she kept walking.

"Going for a walk?" He asked as he caught up with her.

"Yes, alone," she replied pointedly.

"Sounds good," he said, matching her pace.

Jane marched on, irritated.

"I have not seen much of you this last week," Gunther was saying. "Are you well?"

In truth Jane had been avoiding him as her frustration grew. She continued on in silence, resenting his presence. His stupid muscles, and eyes and charms.

"Jane, please," Gunther placed a hand on her arm, voice pleading.

They were out of sight of the camp now and Jane whirled on him. "I am fine, Gunther. Just fine. And if I could have a moment of peace I would be even better for it."

Gunther blinked, hurt momentarily crossing his features before he schooled his expression. Not, as Jane half expected into anger, or a sneer, but something closer to . . . apologetic?

"I understand," he said softly, before holding out a bundle Jane had not noticed he had been carrying. "I just wanted to give you this . . . and to apologise."

Caught off guard Jane took the offering. It was a cloth sack and Gunther continued talking as she loosened the strings holding it closed.

"I am sorry that it took so long," he was saying. "They did not have anything that would quite fit, so I had to have it made. I hope it is acceptable."

Jane blinked in surprise as she looked into the bag. A simple shirt, a vest . . . and trousers.

"I thought you might be growing tired of your . . . layers," Gunther continued, gesturing at her current outfit.

"I am, Gunther," Jane nodded, refusing to take her eyes off the bag of clothes. She was feeling strangely overwhelmed by his kind gesture. "No one here seems to realise that I am not . . . this." She grabbed a handful of skirt. "I am more than this, and I am so tired of it!" A hot tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the cloth, much to Jane's horror.

"Hey, now," said Gunther in alarm, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I do not care what you wear, Jane. In skirts or breeches you are a knight of Kippernium and my partner . . . and my champion. Which brings me to my second point." He inhaled and exhaled deeply, as though steeling himself before continuing. "I need to apologise for anything and everything I have done in these last weeks. I set out to face this alone because I did not believe I needed your help, and because I did not wish to endanger you. I thought you would be a burden but, as usual, you proved me wrong. I could not have done this without you, but I caused you pain and I apologise for that. I will not forget what you have done for me, Jane. When I needed a friend I looked up and there you were. Never in my life have I . . . Well." He cleared his throat. "I should leave you alone now."

"No," said Jane, blinking away her unshed tears. "It is okay, if you would like to walk with me."

Gunther returned her small smile with one of his own, and they resumed walking at a more sedate pace.

Jane eventually broke the silence.

"Everything you said that night, before you . . . changed. Did you mean it?"

"My memories of that night are a little hazy," Gunther admitted. "But I was beyond subterfuge at that point. So yes, for better or worse whatever I said was the truth."

Jane smiled to herself, and hugged the cloth bundle absent-mindedly.

"What did I say?" asked Gunther, suddenly concerned.

"It was all very complimentary," Jane reassured him, laughing at his expression. "You are very kind when you are delirious." She teased.

Gunther ran a hand through his close-cropped hair, a light blush dusting his cheeks.

"And what happened after?" He asked after several more moments of silent walking.

"Hmm?" Asked Jane, focusing on the ground beneath the trees, looking for herbs. Sabina had trained her well.

"All I remember is dreaming, and then waking up in the caravan," recalled Gunther. "What happened in between?"

"Oh," Jane chewed her lower lip, blushing as she remembered the details of that night. "Some things are better left in a haze, Gunther, believe me." She told him eventually.

"How alarming," replied Gunther. "But I will take you at your word." He added, holding both hands up in a placating manner as Jane raised her brows, daring him to argue.

The movement caused two silver bangles on his wrist to clash together, drawing Jane's attention.

"More?" She asked, exasperated.

Ever since he had begun leaving his bed and regaining his strength and colour, traveller girls had been offering him gifts. Tokens, they called them, of their appreciation. Bracelets, rings, charms on leather cords, earrings and more. The girls always insisted on him wearing them (a challenge with the earrings) and they were always made ofsilver. Gunther accepted them graciously and did his best to oblige with wearing them, but to Jane it rankled.

"Why do you wear them? You have nothing to prove!"

Gunther smiled warmly down at her. "I have recently learned the incomparable value of peace of mind," he pointed out. "It costs me nothing to give it to these people who have done so much for us, so we will let them have it. Although," he added. "I will continue to decline having my ears pierced, as much as Harman insists it will suit me."

Jane laughed. "It may serve as a distraction from your hair."

As soon as Gunther had awoken and been himself again, Jane had come to terms with his haircut. Gunther, on the other hand, had not, and he groaned now as he ran his hand over his head once again.

"Nothing can distract from my hair," he bemoaned.

"That could well be true," Jane agreed, laughing when Gunther looked at her pitifully.

"You are supposed to soothe me with compliments," he said.

Jane snorted. "There are girls aplenty back at the camp who will do that for you," she pointed out. "It is my duty as your partner to be honest with you."

"I would take your honesty over their flattery a thousand times, Jane," said Gunther candidly.

Jane's heart hammered in her chest as she took in the expression on his face, but then they rounded a curve in the path and the dense trees yielded to daylight.

"At last!" She cried, breaking into a sprint.

She was not running away, she told herself fiercely, but rather running to, and she burst forth into the open air with a smile on her face, arms open wide to soak in the sunshine.

Gunther joined her and they stood, staring at the blue sky in silence for several moments.

"Another couple of weeks and we should reach the castle," Gunther observed, as Jane closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun wash over her face.

"Home," she said, enjoying the taste of the word as it rolled from her mouth.

"My own bed," agreed Gunther.

Jane laughed at the mention of his favourite place. "Pepper's cooking," she added.

"The training yard."

"Dragon."

"The Knights."

"My family," Jane sighed wistfully.

"My . . . duty," Gunther replied, slowly.

"You will soon be a knight!" Jane gasped, remembering.

"Perhaps, if Sir Theodore consents," he said guardedly.

"I am certain he will! I will vouch for you," Jane added. "You deserve it, Gunther."

Gunther smiled but said nothing in response, until his gaze fell upon Jane's sword.

"Jane! You could try summoning Dragon!"

"Really? Do you think?" Jane reached to draw her dragonblade, before hesitating. "But . . . I should not."

"Why? I am certain he is searching for you by now, regardless of Sir Theodore's orders."

"I am not so certain," she said, hand falling to her side. "We argued before I left, I am sure he is still sulking."

"He was worried about you, Jane," Gunther said. "Probably still is."

"I know," said Jane impatiently. "But he cannot fuss every time I leave for a mission-"

"He was worried with good reason," Gunther interrupted her. "I spent the first full moon shut in his cave. He knew, Jane. That is why he was worried."

"Oh," said Jane. "Well. But if I summon him he will want to take me back . . . ."

"And you will want to go," Gunther pointed out with a smirk.

"I should not leave you; would you come with us?" She asked hopefully.

He shook his head. "No, I will stay and escort the Travellers. You should not let that stop you, though."

"You enjoy travelling with them," Jane said. It was not a question.

"Yes," agreed Gunther. "It has been . . . liberating."

"You swore an oath to the King," she reminded him softly.

"I know," he said patiently. "And I will honour it. But if I am to become a knight I may never taste freedom like this again, so please let me have it, Jane."

"Very well," she sighed, drawing her sword. "But if you run away Dragon and I will track you down!"

"I would expect nothing less," Gunther assured her, laughing.

Dragon landed heavily on the road in front of them within an hour of Jane beginning to summon him.

She was alone, as Gunther had returned to the camp to get her bag as soon as they had seen the dragon's silhouette in the skies above them. Jane had made use of his absence to quickly rid herself of her skirts and bodice and puffy sleeved shirt, and was now much more comfortably dressed in the brown canvas trousers, simple linen shirt and deep blue vest he had commissioned. They fit perfectly.

Dressed as she was, with her sword at her back and now reunited with her best friend, Jane felt happier than she had in some time.

"Dragon," she cried in delight, as her giant friend touched down in a cloud of dust.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt?" He questioned frantically, studying her closely for signs of injury.

"No, Dragon, I am quite all right, I promise," Jane reassured her giant friend.

Dragon continued his inspection of her for several more moments, before apparently deciding that she was indeed unharmed.

"You have been gone for a long time," he said reproachfully, before adding, "for a shortlife, that is."

"I know," said Jane with a weary sigh. "Have you been searching for me?"

"I was passing by," Dragon replied with a disdainful sniff. "You are simply lucky."

"I know I am, you big lizard," she said affectionately, throwing her arms around his snout.

Dragon closed his eyes and accepted her embrace, a smile curling across his lips. "I missed you, Shortlife," he admitted.

"I missed you too, Dragon." Jane stepped back and met his eyes. "I am sorry I got cross, Gunther told me that you knew what happened to him."

Dragon huffed sulkily, but Jane could tell he did not mean it.

"What happened to Wolf-boy anyway?" He asked, looking around. "Is he dead?"

"No!" Jane gave him a withering look. "And he is completely un-wolfish now, too."

"Mission accomplished, then?" Dragon asked hopefully.

"Yes," said Jane.

"So you can come home?" Dragon clapped his hand together in glee.

"Yes, Dragon," Jane smiled, assessing him in turn as he stood on his haunches. "You look well." She told him.

"Do I?" He asked pitiably. "I have barely been eating."

"I can tell," laughed Jane, poking his side. "There is more than one pot of Pepper's cabbage soup in there if I am not mistaken!"

"Perhaps one or two," Dragon admitted.

"Dragon!" Called Gunther, running from the woods.

"Gunther," greeted Dragon warily, leaning over to sniff the squire thoroughly. "You smell all right." He conceded eventually.

"I am, thanks to Jane," Gunther agreed. "You changed your clothes." He said, turning to her. "They suit you."

"I would not mind even if I looked like a complete fool," she said, giving a quick turn. "They feel wonderful!"

"I am glad," said Gunther, seeming to take in the sight of her. "Uh, I told Vadoma you are leaving, and some of the travellers are coming to see Dragon."

"What am I, some kind of spectacle?" Dragon asked in indignation.

"Yes, Dragon, a great big wonderful green spectacle," Jane told him, laughing.

"Vadoma is leading the party, so they are travelling at a rather slow pace, if you wanted to make your escape without an audience," Gunther offered.

Jane thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"I should stay and express my gratitude," she said. "I have not been the most gracious guest of late."

Gunther's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I do not think our hosts would agree, Jane. They admire you a great deal."

Jane met his surprise with her own. "I thought they found me . . . unnatural," she admitted slowly.

"What?" He scoffed. "No! You may be different than what they are used to, but almost every young woman in that camp has asked me about you. They find you inspiring, Jane."

Jane blinked at him in bewilderment. "Truly?"

"Yes! And most of the unwed men under fifty have asked me if you are spoken for! You have been the subject of great admiration."

Jane looked at him in alarm. "What did you tell them?"

"Oh, I told them to ask you themselves . . . ." Gunther trailed off. "But obviously none of them did?"

Jane shook her head in the negative, lost for words.

"If I had known how you were feeling I would have told you, Jane. I did not realise no one had approached you. I think they find you intimidating, but I promise you they know you are an incredible person. I told them so myself." He paused, his ears evidently catching up with his mouth. "You know, when they asked." He added, before clearing his throat.

Dragon looked back and forth between the two squires, who were looking awkwardly at the ground.

"Well of course Jane is incredible," he said impatiently. "She is my friend, after all."

Jane laughed, and if it sounded forced neither Dragon nor Gunther said anything.

"Yes Dragon, and we have a lot to catch up on," she said brightly, disliking the high pitch of her own voice. "So we will not linger over our goodbyes when the others arrive."

"Jane," began Gunther, hesitantly. "What will you tell Sir Theodore and the King about . . . our mission?"

"Oh," she said, understanding. "I had not thought that far ahead."

"Tell them whatever you think necessary," he told her at length. "I trust you."

"I will tell them that it was a success, and that with the help of a group of Travellers you killed another werewolf and learned the cure. That you are escorting them to the castle and that I travelled on ahead to share the news." Said Jane decisively. "I am sure that will satisfy them until you are able to give a more detailed account."

"Agreed," said Gunther, his relief evident.

The sound of gasps and exclamations heralded the arrival of the Travellers, with Vadoma leading the way in her sedan chair, borne aloft by four strapping young men.

Jane wondered briefly if any of them had enquired after her marital status. The thought of Gunther answering them sat strangely in the pit of her stomach.

The Travellers had stopped at the edge of the woods, mouths agape as they stared at Dragon, until Vadoma thumped on the arm of her chair.

"Move, move!" She said impatiently.

"What is that?" Dragon asked Jane as the group drew closer.

"Shush," hissed Jane, while Gunther smiled encouragingly at the Travellers.

They stopped a short distance from Dragon, apparently unwilling to risk getting too close.

Jane heard Dragon tell Gunther that all shortlives should treat him with such awe and rolled her eyes in amusement as she walked towards the group, stopping in front of Vadoma's lowered chair.

"You are leaving us again, my dear?" The old woman asked.

"Yes, I am," replied Jane.

"We shall miss you," said Vadoma, and several of the people beside her nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for everything you have done for us," said Jane, as colour rose in her cheeks.

Vadoma waved her hand dismissively. "It was our pleasure to have you with us, my dear."

"I will see you all when you arrive at the castle," Jane reminded her and the group of people with her.

"Will you really be riding the dragon?" Asked a small girl, clutching her mother's skirt.

"Yes," said Jane, smiling at her.

"What about Gunther?" Rose took a step forward from the centre of the huddle. "Is he leaving too?"

"He is staying to escort you to our village," Jane told her, her smile painful. "Please, all of you, take care of him." She added, noting that although everyone nodded it was the girls in the group who agreed most enthusiastically.

"Your friend is growing restless," Vadoma pointed out, and Jane turned to see Dragon bouncing impatiently.

"I should go," said Jane, turning back to the Travellers. "Thank you all, and I will see you again soon!"

She turned and hurried back towards Dragon and Gunther, who held her bag and smiled when she approached.

"All done?" He asked.

Jane nodded, accepting her bag and placing the strap over her shoulder. She turned towards Dragon, preparing to climb atop his back, but hesitated.

"Jane?" Asked Dragon.

She spun back around to face Gunther, throwing her arms around him in a brief, awkward hug.

"Be good," she said before releasing him and climbing onto Dragon, studiously avoiding eye contact.

Her heart was racing, her emotions too scrambled to identify, but as Dragon launched into the air and her stomach dropped in a familiar and exhilarating way, Jane whooped with joy and the people below turned into ants.

All she had to think about for the next hour or two was the wind, the sky, and Dragon. For Jane, that was perfect.