Sybil's head was pounding. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her vision blurred. As her vision cleared, she realized she was looking up at the ceiling of a small hut. Her body ached, her muscles tense and sore. Turning her head to the side, she scanned this strange place she had found herself in. The small hut had no windows, only a single wooden door. Baskets and pots were stacked on top of each other, the shelves lining the walls covered in a variety of jars and vials. The air smelled earthy, with hints of dried herbs and spices.

This definitely wasn't a colonist settlement or a city. This place had a certain... mystic, almost.

Slowly, Sybil sat up. She had found herself laying on a wooden cot, her shirt and coat neatly folded next to her. Looking down, she realized her chest was bare, her skin covered with green and black paint, intricate patterns drawn across her body. Her mind was foggy, her memory hazy. She didn't remember anything past the beast that attacked her and Kurt.

Kurt! Her heart skipped a beat, her breathing quickening.

"Kurt?" She called out, her voice hoarse and strained. There was no response. "Kurt!" She tried again, louder this time. Still, nothing.

"What the heck is going on..?" Sybil whimpered, standing up. Her body protested, her legs wobbling and unsteady.

Then, finally, the door of the hut opened, and in came a figure clad in a hooded cloak, their face obscured by a wooden mask.

"Ah, I see that you have awakened." A male voice spoke. "Good."

"Who are you?" Sybil asked, her body tense. The mask on his face resembled a bird, with a long, curved beak and hollow eyeholes. It was quite unnerving, to be honest.

"There is no need for alarm," The cloaked person replied, their tone calm and steady. "My fellow clansmen found you and your companion in the forest. You were injured and near death." He explained. "My name is Kesbemm. I'm the village chief and a shaman, and I healed your wounds."

"Where is Kurt? Is he okay?" Sybil asked, her eyes wide.

"Your minundhanem is fine. He is resting." Kesbemm assured her. "He-"

"Sybil!"

The door flung open, and Kurt stepped inside. His clothes were dirty and torn, but otherwise he seemed unharmed.

"Kurt!" Sybil breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you alright?" His concern evident in his voice, Kurt walked over to her. "You..." His gaze moved down to her bare chest, and for a split second, he just stared at her. Then, he finally realized what he was doing, his cheeks flushing red as he covered his face with his hands. "Oh god, I'm sorry! M'lady, I didn't mean to-" The thick layer of paint covered her most private parts, but the rest of her body was completely bare, enough to make any man blush.

"It's okay," Sybil chuckled awkwardly, covering her breasts with her arms. "It's not your fault."

"Your wounds were quite severe, and I had to use my magic to heal them." Kesbemm clarified. "The paint is part of the ritual. It symbolizes new life."

"Ritual?" Kurt asked, his hands still hiding his face.

"Yes," Kesbemm nodded, sounding somewhat amused by Kurt's reaction. "The paint also helps with the healing process. It acts as a protective barrier against infections and illnesses."

"I see," Sybil sighed, relaxing a bit. "Thank you, Kesbemm."

"You're welcome," Kesbemm smiled behind his mask. "Now, please excuse me, I must tend to the village." He gave a polite bow before turning and leaving the hut.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Kurt asked, lowering his hands and averting his gaze.

"I feel fine. Tired, but fine." Sybil smiled weakly, grabbing her shirt from the cot.

"You had me worried there for a moment, little bird." Kurt admitted, his expression serious. "I thought..." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I thought you were dying."

"I'm okay," She said, pulling her shirt on. "We were lucky that Kesbemm's people were nearby."

"Yeah, no kidding," Kurt snorted, shaking his head. "We're indebted to them."

"We are," Sybil agreed. "Speaking of which, where are we, exactly?"

"We're in a village called Taraderin, apparently." Kurt said, finally turning to look at Sybil again. "10 miles west from Védvílvie."

"Oh." Sybil blinked. "To think that we had almost reached New Bénnois, we've now strayed quite a bit from our course."

"It's not that far."

"Still, it's a good thing we ran into these people." Sybil pointed out, fastening the buttons of her shirt.

"I guess you're right." Kurt sighed, crossing his arms. A look of concern was still painted on his face as he studied her. "You really gave me a scare, back there."

"Sorry." She mumbled, looking down.

"Don't be," He reassured her, his tone softening. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"So, what happens now?" She asked, looking back up at him.

"Well, we could stay here for a few days and recover." He suggested. "Kesbemm said that he'll provide us with food and shelter while we recuperate."

"That sounds nice." Sybil nodded, feeling relieved.

"Yeah," Kurt smiled. "And after that, we can resume our journey."

"Sounds like a plan." Sybil smiled back.

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other, until the awkward silence stretched between them.

"What about your wounds? Are you alright?" She finally asked.

"I'm fine." Kurt brushed it off, giving a small shrug. "Just a few scratches here and there, nothing serious."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay, that's good to hear." Sybil let out a sigh of relief. "Now, let's get some rest. We need to be at our best if we want to continue our mission."

"Right."

"Let's hope there will be no more beasts trying to rip us apart."

"Let's hope so."

With that, the two of them retired for the day, both of them exhausted and sore from the day's events. They were lucky to have survived the attack, and they were grateful for the hospitality of the local tribe. They were safe, and that's all that mattered.

The next two days they spent recovering and replenishing their energy. Taraderin village was a pleasant place, and its inhabitants were friendly and welcoming. They shared their food and knowledge with the two, telling them about the flora and fauna of the region. Kesbemm was particularly knowledgeable about herbs and potions, and he shared his knowledge willingly, teaching Sybil and Kurt a great deal.

Even although they hadn't met under the most pleasant circumstances, Sybil was glad to have met these people. It was good for her to be knowledgeable about the native clans within the San Matheus region, especially since her mission involved exploring some of the uncharted regions of the continent and negotiating trade deals with the local natives.

On the morning of the third day, Sybil was taking a walk around the village when she was approached by an elderly woman.

"Oh, hello, miss." The old lady greeted her with a warm smile, her voice gentle and soothing. Her hair was a light shade of gray, tied up in a loose bun, and her eyes were a dark shade of brown, like roasted hazelnuts. She wore a simple cotton dress, the color a light green, and a straw hat to shield her face from the sun. "Do you mind if I join you?" She asked politely.

"Of course not." Sybil smiled, motioning for the woman to walk alongside her.

"I noticed you and your companion have been walking around the village quite often," The woman began, her tone light and casual. "Are you preparing for your departure?"

"We are," Sybil confirmed. "We have enjoyed our time here, but we should get back on the road soon."

"I see," The woman nodded, her smile never fading. "That man, your minundhanem, he seems like a very loyal and protective person. You have a strong connection, I can sense it." The woman continued.

"We do?" Sybil asked, taken aback by the sudden statement.

"I have seen the way you look at each other, how he cares for you." She explained. "And, how you care for him. It's a beautiful thing, really."

"Ah, well- We've known each other for quite some time— He's my friend, and..." Sybil replied, a bit flustered. "I do care about him, of course, but-"

"Lady Sybil!"

Kurt's voice calling out her name interrupted her, making her turn towards him.

"We should get going, it's getting late." Kurt said as he approached her.

"Okay." She nodded, then turning to the old woman. "It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise," The lady smiled. "Take care, young lady."

Sybil and Kurt bid the village goodbye, thanking them for their kindness and hospitality. Kesbemm and several villagers accompanied them as far as the forest edge, wishing them a safe journey.

Kurt had already begun making his way down the narrow path down the hill, but Sybil halted, turning to Kesbemm.

"Before we leave, I just wanted to thank you, once more, for saving our lives," She said, her tone sincere. "We're very grateful."

"You are welcome." Kesbemm smiled. "I am certain we shall meet again."

"I hope we do." Sybil smiled. She was about to bid the native chief a goodbye, when a thought crossed her mind. "Oh, by the way... What does 'minundhanem' mean?"

"Hmm?" Kesbemm tilted his head to the side.

"It's a word some of you have used to refer to Kurt," She clarified. "'Minundhanem', what does it mean?"

Kurt was already growing impatient, looking back at Sybil and the shaman. He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but it looked like they were having a friendly conversation. A moment later, Sybil turned around, making her way down the hill. Kesbemm waved her goodbye, a knowing smile on his lips.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Kurt asked as she reached him.

"Nothing, just thanking Kesbemm, again." She said, a bit distracted.

"What were you talking about?"

"Nothing much, just idle chit-chat." She shrugged.

"If you say so." Kurt frowned, not entirely convinced. Was he just imagining things, or did she sound a bit flustered?

They continued their walk in silence, the only sound being their footsteps and the rustling of leaves. And so, the two companions were back on the road, making their way towards the New Bénnois, their destination.

Kurt stared up at the clear sky, deep in thought.

He was thinking about the last two days. About the attack, the fear and desperation, the pain, and then, the relief and joy. He was alive, and so was Sybil. It was a miracle, really. They had been attacked by a beast, one of the strongest he had ever encountered, and yet, somehow, they had survived.

"You know, you don't need to stand guard." Sybil's voice broke him out of his thoughts. She was by the river, undressing, and Kurt was standing a few feet away, his back turned at her.

"What?" He turned his head slightly towards her, raising an eyebrow.

"You don't need to keep watch," She repeated, removing her coat and hanging it on a nearby branch. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Kurt asked, hesitating. He felt awkward, but at the same time, he didn't want to leave. Not after what happened the other day.

"Look, Kurt, I'm perfectly capable of bathing myself." Sybil snickered. "It's not like there's any peeping Toms in the area."

"I know that, it's just—"

"You don't need to treat me like a delicate flower." Sybil reassured him, starting to take off her shirt. She still had the paint on her body, and she was eager to get rid of it.

"You almost died." He blurted out, his voice cracking slightly.

Sybil paused, looking over at him.

"You were hurt, and I couldn't do anything." He continued, his expression hidden from her as he kept his gaze fixated on the horizon. "I won't let that happen again."

"Okay, it's fine." Sybil sighed. She could understand where he was coming from, but this was just silly.

"I can't-" He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, m'lady." He promised, his tone firm.

"Alright, alright. If you're really worried, you can stand guard." Sybil agreed. It was pointless to argue. "But only if you promise not to look." She added a bit jokingly.

"I promise." He nodded, his back still facing her.

A short moment passed, before Sybil finally decided to speak again.

"Are you sure you're not going to look?" She asked, a mischievous grin on her lips.

"What?" Kurt's ears burned red.

"Nothing, just checking." She shrugged, giggling softly.

"I won't." He stated firmly.

"Okay."

After that, they both fell silent, neither of them daring to say anything. Sybil finished removing her clothes, stepping into the cool water. She shivered, the cold making her skin prickle. Slowly, she submerged herself, letting the water wash away the paint from her skin.

This is ridiculous, Kurt thought, gritting his teeth. Why was he getting so flustered? He had seen her naked before— Or almost naked, at least. The first time he saw a glimpse of her bare chest while changing had taken him by surprise, he could admit that. But this time he was adamant not to lose his composure. It wasn't going to be like the first time, when he had hurried to his quarters for a frenetic handjob, imagining how her tits would feel in his hands.

The image of Sybil's naked form flashed through his mind, her slender figure, her soft, milky skin, the roundness of her breasts. The way she had blushed when he looked at her. The way her chest rose and fell as she breathed. The way she looked at him, her eyes full of warmth and trust.

No, no, no, NO! He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Stop that. He cursed himself. Get a hold of yourself.

He tried to focus on the scenery, the lush greenery surrounding him, the sounds of the forest. He wasn't losing his composure because he was aroused. No, he was keeping his composure because he cared.

Sybil's words, however, had made him feel uneasy. The way she had laughed, it was almost like she was teasing him. Or maybe she was just joking, and he was reading too much into it. Either way, he was determined not to give in to his own desires, and to respect her privacy. He had no right to look; He was not her lover, and he had no intentions to become one.

He could hear the splashing of the water as she washed herself, and it made his heart beat a bit faster. This was absurd, he knew that, but he couldn't help it. The fact that she trusted him enough to bathe while he was standing guard made him feel even more flustered.

It's not a big deal, he tried to convince himself. She's probably not even thinking about it.

But he couldn't help the thoughts that kept racing through his mind. He tried his best not to think about her, not to imagine what she looked like, but it was impossible. It's okay, he thought. It's not like I'm gonna sneak a peek. I'm not gonna-

A soft groan escaped his lips as his mind began to wander, and the images started to come to life.

She was lying on her back, her hands covering her bare breasts, her nipples hard against her palms.

"Kurt?"

She was kneeling before him, her eyes filled with lust, her lips slightly parted.

"Kurt!"

Her hands were on his chest, her fingers tracing his muscles, her breath hot on his neck.

"Kurt!"

His eyes snapped open, and he realized that Sybil had called him, more than once. He blinked, the images dissipating as quickly as they had appeared.

"What?" He asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Could you bring me my towel?" She asked.

"Sure." He replied, grabbing the piece of cloth and walking to the river bank. His face was still flushed as he handed it to her, trying to keep his eyes fixated on the ground.

"Thanks." She said, taking it and drying herself off.

He tried to keep his gaze averted, not wanting to see her in her current state, but he couldn't help but notice how her hair was a darker shade now, damp and curling around her shoulders. From the corner of his eye, he saw the way her body moved as she dried herself. She was so close to him, so exposed. It was too much for him to handle.

His pants were becoming uncomfortably tight. Fuck. He groaned internally, trying to keep his mind blank. Don't think about it, don't think about it. It was no use, he couldn't help himself; Slowly, he turned his head slightly towards her. Her skin was soft and pale, the perfect shade of cream. Her breasts were small, but full, and her waist was slender. Kurt felt his throat tighten as he tried to avert his eyes, but his gaze seemed drawn to her.

He managed to turn his gaze away just in time when Sybil looked up at him.

"Are you alright?" Sybil asked, her brow furrowed.

"Huh? Y-yeah, why?" He stammered. "Since you're done, I think I... I'll go and prepare the camp." He excused himself, walking back to the clearing.

Once he was a safe distance away, he quickly loosened his belt and shoved his hand into his pants. His erection throbbed painfully as he stroked it, his thoughts racing.

Fuck. He closed his eyes, his hand moving faster. The image of Sybil naked was etched into his mind, her skin glistening with the droplets of water. He could see the swell of her breasts, the curve of her hips. His breath was ragged as he imagined what it would feel like to run his hands over her body, his lips on her skin.

His grip tightened, his hand pumping harder and faster. He could hear her soft moans in his ears, her body pressed against his, her lips on his neck. He could feel her heat, her wetness, her desire.

With a low groan, he came, his seed spilling onto the ground. He panted, his hand still moving, milking every last drop. He couldn't believe he had done it again. And this time, he had actually seen her in a state of undress.

"For fuck's sake..!" He cursed himself as he wiped his hand on his trousers, feeling ashamed and guilty for the impure thoughts.

He felt dirty, and guilty. This was wrong, and he knew it. He shouldn't have looked, shouldn't have thought about her like that. But he couldn't help it. She had invaded his thoughts, his dreams, his fantasies. And he wanted her. Badly.

He tried to compose himself, straightening his clothes and fixing his belt. He had to put his thoughts and feelings aside. They were companions, nothing more. They were on a mission, and he had a job to do. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted, not when she was counting on him.

He had to get a grip on himself, and he had to do it soon. Otherwise, things were going to get very awkward, and he didn't want to think about how it could affect their relationship.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He couldn't help the way he felt, but he could control his actions.

He just hoped that one day, these feelings would pass.