The next morning's overall atmosphere was slightly depressing and quiet, with Damyan's attitude towards Raven vastly different from the day before. As for Raven, her eyes were swollen. It was clear to both Damyan and Jhon that she had cried instead of slept. Jhon was his helpful, jolly self. He helped Raven roll her bedroll while Damyan showed her how to correctly use a waterskin. Jhon's jaw dropped at Damyan's actions. Jhon also noticed how Damyan seemed to hover around Raven, finding almost any excuse to touch her. Jhon smirked when Damyan helped Raven onto Aelfred but opted to walk. "So," Jhon nudged Damyan playfully with his elbow and lowered his voice so Raven wouldn't hear. "I saw you and our sorceress friend last night," he waggled his eyebrows. "What was that about?"

"Of course, you were awake," Damyan scoffed. "You didn't think to help me?"

"I figured you had everything under control, being that you were on top of her," Jhon smiled. "You didn't need me."

"It wasn't what it looked like," Damyan sighed. "I was only on top of her because she was trying to escape."

"Uh-huh. Yeah. I've seen you singlehandedly take down 10 grown men, but a tiny girl with no powers gives you trouble?"

"I wasn't trying to kill her. I only wanted to…contain her."

"That doesn't explain the attitude shift."

"Maybe, you were right," Damyan admitted with a heavy sigh. "We argued. She made some valid points."

"I told you there was more to her than just evil sorceress," Jhon beamed.

"What do you know about Azarath? Did your father ever talk to you about the country or its eradication?"

"No," Jhon answered. "Never. I was taught that Azarath was wiped off the face of the earth with the sorcerers either defecting or killing themselves. My father never believed that last part. Why the sudden interest?"

Damyan turned around to stare at the sorceress who seemed lost in her own head. Once again, she was wearing Damyan's tunic and a saree headscarf protecting her head from the hot sun. As tired and worn as she looked, Raven still appeared beautiful in Damyan's eyes. Turning to answer Jhon, Damyan frowned at the look Jhon was giving him. "What?" Damyan asked in annoyance. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm beginning to understand everything."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your sudden interest in Azarath, the way you're treating Raven."

Damyan rolled his eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Damyan, Damyan, Damyan," Jhon sighed his friend's name.

"What?"

"It's time you acknowledged your emotions."

"Jhon, speak plainly."

"You're attracted to Raven."

"Jhon, stop speaking," annoyance laced Damyan's tone. "You're being – great," Damyan huffed as he looked past Jhon.

"What?" Jhon asked, turning to see what Damyan was looking at. "Oh," he frowned. "That's just great," he echoed Damyan's sentiment. A sandstorm was heading straight for them. Damyan commanded Aelfred to stop and sit.

"What's going on?" Raven asked worriedly.

"A sandstorm," Damyan motioned with his head before helping Raven dismount.

"Oh," she breathed with wide eyes, accepting Damyan's help.

"Worry not," Jhon smiled as he dug through their supplies. "We are more than prepared." Damyan gave her a comforting nod. Raven looked away from Damyan's piercing gaze. This time, she frowned. "Damyan," her voice shook.

"What's wrong?" he placed a gentle hand on her arm.

"Those are Slaede's men," Raven pointed adjacent to the approaching sandstorm. A small squadron of soldiers riding war horses could be seen in the distance. "I recognize that formation."

"They must have been riding all night," Jhon spoke in disbelief.

"There's a lot of sand between us and them," Damyan tried to comfort Raven. "Jhon, set up the tent. I'll deal with the soldiers." Raven gave him a questioning look. "You'll be safe," he reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Raven nodded as Damyan grabbed multiple weapons from the saddle. He gave Raven one last, lingering look before stalking off with a determined gait.

"Come on," Jhon gently pulled Raven by the hand.

"What about Damyan?" Raven asked, looking from the sandstorm to the soldiers to Damyan's back.

"Damyan comes from the Shadow Clan. They train and fight in sandstorms for sheer enjoyment. He'll be fine." Raven closed her eyes and whispered a prayer of protection to every deity. "Just keep your head down and stay calm," Jhon spoke as he finished their makeshift fort. "It will be over soon."