Opening his eyes, having been summoned from his slumber, he quickly dropped to one knee and bowed his head in deference. It was obvious why her Ladyship had called for him as her delicate voice commanded him to attend to her. Standing he fell into a guard position, eyes trained on her Ladyship but focus on the area around them. He could sense no Enemies nor Players nearby but that didn't mean none were laying in wait.

Placing her staff beside her his Lady knelt on the ground and gracefully laid out her Divine Circle. Raising her arms towards the heavens she entreated the great Celestials to impart upon her their wisdom then drank the Moonlight Ambrosia she had poured into a silver and crystalline chalice.

After imbibing the blessed wine she was quiet for a moment before turning her head towards him. "You know, Rodrach, you are the only one who's been loyal to me, who's stayed by my side and never let me down, and you know what? I think that might be what I love about you the most."

The words fell upon his ears but he could not answer her, too stunned to speak. It was an endearing declaration and a clear damnation for all of those who had abandoned his Lady.

The seconds ticked by and with a sigh her Ladyship turned to look back out at the star filled void above their heads. From where he was standing he could see her close her eyes, as if waiting for something.

Some dreadful thing.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6,

Whatever it was he wanted to reach out and comfort her but he had his orders and he could not deviate from her command. Not unless she was attacked by a Player or an Enemy came too close.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

The world around him turned to darkness for a second that felt like an eternity. But just as quickly his sight returned.

And what a heart-stopping sight it was.

His Lady letting out truly pained gasps as she desperately tried to breathe. Folding in on herself with her hands pressed so hard to her chest he was worried her nails would bite into her flesh. "My Lady!" He cried out as she began to cough and violently spasm, spilling the Moonlight Ambrosia onto her robes.

Without a thought he rushed to her side and wrapped her up in his arms protectively. It was the grace of his heritage that he should be blessed with healing magic, and the ability to freely use it without penalty. "Hold on, my Lady, I'm here. I won't leave your side, I swear it." He promised as her soft pink eyes began to dim and finally close.

Panicked he pressed his face against her chest, holding his breath and listening carefully. Hearing the slow beating of her heart and feeling the rise and fall of her chest the warrior let out a shuddered breath of relief. Casting a diagnostic spell he found nothing that was obviously wrong with his Lady, just that she had been suddenly overwhelmed and exhausted out of nowhere.

When he stood to move his Lady somewhere more secure he stopped when he realized they were no longer in the Forest of Eternal Autumn. Whatever had happened moments ago had transported them somewhere unknown. Somewhere potentially dangerous.

"Lesser Detect Aura, Lesser Awareness, Greater Protection Field." Closing his eyes he checked the surrounding area for danger but found none that was easily detectable. Unlike her Ladyship his skillset was not optimized for uncovering those who wished to remain hidden. Which was why he had also cast a Protection Field. If anything came within a certain distance of them with the intent to harm it would be rebuffed.

Carefully kneeling he held the petite woman to his chest, resting her legs over his knee, and he reached up with his other hand to undo his cloak. Laying it on the ground he gently lay her upon it.

Looking down at her unconscious form like this made many emotions war within him. Concern for her wellbeing, elation that he had somehow been freed from whatever had constrained him before, and a cold fury that rivaled the darkest pits of hell.

Every ten minutes or so he re-cast the Diagnostic spell to check on her condition. It was thankfully less than an hour when she finally began to wake, much to his relief.

Vibrant pink eyes opened only to snap shut once more, a grimace of pain crossing her delicate features. "My Lady, you are finally awake." Her ears twitched in response, a good sign. Although the sudden stiffening of her form was a cause for some concern.

"Wha-" her voice sounded as if someone had coated her throat in sand before she began to cough roughly. She winced and tried to move but he quickly placed a hand against her shoulder to keep her still.

"You shouldn't move yet, my Lady. You are not yet well." He warned as he pulled a waterskin out of his inventory and pressed it against her lips. She startled slightly and he frowned. "It is only water, my Lady, to quench your thirst." He spoke softly, hoping to allay her confusion and fear.

After taking her fill of water she seemed more relaxed than before, it was a relief. "Thank you." She said quietly.

Letting out a small huff he set down the waterskin next to her, in case she would need it again. "It is no trouble, my Lady. I am your loyal servant. From the moment I first laid my eyes upon you, until the moment all becomes dust." It was similar to the declaration he had made the night he had first come upon her.

The night his entire world came crashing down, only to be rebuilt in the gentle light of the moon.

Her chest hitched in a silent gasp as her eyes opened with some difficulty. The wind rushing past and stirring the air, making the trees rustle, making it more of a chore than it needed to be. It took her a moment to focus before recognition lit within her eyes.

"Rodrach-?"

Ever since waking in this strange new place things had been odd, to say the least. But the blessing he had been gifted with outweighed the potential for danger, at least in his opinion. Glancing down at her Ladyship he felt joy at the look of wonder in her eyes as they explored this new forest together.

Somehow the magic that had transported them to this new land had broken what had seemed to him to be a terrible curse. One where he was shackled to basic commands, where he could not express himself or move freely as he willed. But now… now he was free. And with that freedom came the ability to interact with her Ladyship as he had always wanted.

Helping her Ladyship over a large fallen tree, being able to hold her small hand in his own, was something that would never get old. The amount of warmth he felt at finally being able to show his depth of care… it was nearly overwhelming.

Although it did make him wonder- what sort of curse had he been under before? One where he would fall into a deep slumber in a world of darkness devoid of life until he was summoned once again. Had it been enacted by those slain in the Temple before he met his Lady? If so then why was it only now that the curse had broken? Questions he would find answers to eventually, he hoped.

Coming upon a river that fed into the lake he watched as her Ladyship knelt gracefully and brought the water to her red painted lips. Her happy sigh made him smile as a sudden idea spawned from his rambling thoughts. The entire walk since she had awoken she had been stiff and stumbling slightly, as if something was affecting her body. In that moment he remembered the ritual she had performed right before her collapse, and the potential issue that might be affecting her. Although he was a little hesitant to bring it up, seeing as it could be considered inappropriate in some manner. "My Lady…"

She turned to look up at him, head tilted curiously as she adopted a posture that clearly said she was listening.

Gathering the courage he was known for he spoke clearly, keeping his emotions carefully in check. "While we are here, I think it would be best if I take your outer robe further down the river and cleanse it for you. That way you could remain here to refresh yourself."

She blinked at him for a moment and seemed to ponder his words before her eyes widened in mild surprise. "You mean bathe, here? Now?"

Unable to remain still he shifted on his feet in embarrassment. "Yes, I am concerned about the affects of the Moonlight Ambrosia after your ritual was disrupted. We can't be sure it wasn't affected in some manner and I believe cleansing yourself would be best."

Setting her hands on her lap her lips thinned slightly in thought as her eyes became unfocused momentarily.

Rodrach held his breath and waited.

"I think you're right to be concerned." She finally said. "And I trust your judgment." A gentle smile crossed her lips and he let out the breath he had been holding.

Turning his back to give her Ladyship some privacy he watched the forest around them for any kind of danger. "You can turn around now. It is only my outer robe, I am wearing more underneath." There was amusement in her voice now.

Turning he took the robe and draped it over his arm, being careful not to let it catch on his armor. It was a part of her Celestial Vestments after all, he wouldn't want to damage something so precious. "I will wait for your call before I return." He said solemnly.

Following the bank of the river he found a a curved area with thick bushes, somewhere he could not accidentally glimpse her Ladyship bathing. Taking off his gauntlets he placed them into his inventory and got to work washing the wine out of the robe, which was far stronger than he had first suspected.

Focused on his task he didn't feel anything amiss until his passive detection alerted him to a new presence. Realizing that it was headed straight for her Ladyship he swapped the robe for his gauntlets. Leaping over the river and into the trees he came upon the unwelcome presence.

Spying the man by the bank he felt a dark rage come upon him. The instant he was close enough his sword was in his hands and aimed at the neck of the miscreant. "How dare you spy upon my Lady." His eyes were like frozen stars and the air almost seemed to cool around him. One move and the human's head would be leaving his-

"Rodrach, stop!" Her Ladyship's voice broke through his cold anger and his entire body twitched as the order was given. He turned to look at her, to question, before he remembered that she was unclothed and stopped. The realization hit him and he turned stiffly away again.

"This man is lost. He did not realize I was here or I am certain he would have avoided us entirely." She said simply. "You are a hunter yes? And one who lives around these parts?"

"Yes… my Lady." The human said, looking to him in fear.

He pressed the sword closer to the human's neck- a warning. "The correct term for one not in her service is 'Your Eminence or Her Eminence.' Understood?" Only he and other Players she was associated with were allowed to call her Lady. It was a privilege that this stranger had not earned.

"I-yes. Forgive me, Your Eminence." He stammered.

"You are forgiven. Rodrach, stow your sword. This man is no threat to us." He wanted to protest but once again stopped himself. She was the Celestial priestess and he her lowly bodyguard. He did not get to question her orders.

Stepping away from the stranger he sheathed his sword. "As you command, my Lady."

The stranger rubbed at his throat, probably imagining what it would have felt like to have a sword cut through the tender flesh. "Th-thank you, Your Eminence. I swear that I only came upon you by mistake."

"I believe you. Please try not to fret, my protector is fierce in his loyalty but honorable in his actions. He will not harm you and neither will I." Her belief in him was as humbling as always and he felt some of his cold anger melt away at her words. "I have one request, however, if you would be so kind as to oblige me."

The human stiffened slightly. "O-of course, Your Eminence."

"It would make me more comfortable if you'd both turn your back so I might make myself presentable."

"Oh!" The hunter exclaimed before quickly straightening and turning around.

Now that the human wasn't staring at the naked form of her Ladyship he began to relax. He knew what he was feeling, and why, but that did nothing to stop the burning in his core at the thought of anyone laying their eyes upon his Lady. Especially when it was clear that it made her uncomfortable.

From there things progressed quickly. With her Ladyship dressed she was able to negotiate with the human to guide them to his nearby settlement.

Rodrach only hoped that the humans understood how blessed they were about to be when they received her Ladyship in their little town.

Listening to her Ladyship and the hunter speak he had to hold his tongue on more than one occasion as it was clear the man was a simpleton. Yet somehow it appeared that her Ladyship was able to divine information from the conversation as they finally entered the settlement.

"Oh, I can see why you were so eager to return home." Her Ladyship said with a small laugh that reminded him of bells. "It looks so comfortable and peaceful here."

The hunter smiled brightly. "Thank you, Your Eminence! The Emperor is very good at keeping us all safe. We don't have to fear bandit or monster attacks. All we need to worry about is how well the crops are growing."

An Emperor? There were very few of those that he knew of. Unless this Emperor was a Player. He looked to her Ladyship but she seemed lost in thought. He left her to her own musings for the moment.

"There, see that building with the red shingles? That's the inn. I'm sure they'll have a place for you and your guard, Your Eminence." The hunter was saying happily.

Suddenly her Ladyship stopped, pink eyes going wide. "What is that boy doing on the roof?" She gasped. "Someone stop him, he's going to fall!" She called out to those around them.

Sharpening his focus he saw a young man, barely out of boyhood, as he scrambled across the shingled roof. As he took another step some of the shingles cracked and crumbled beneath his feet.

He fell. Just as her Ladyship foretold.

Without a second thought for her own safety her Ladyship ran, the tinkling of bells and crystals following in her wake. He kept just behind her, though he could have easily outpaced her. Alongside them was the hunter, whose expression was a mix between confusion and worry.

As they got close they found a woman pulling the young man to her and wailing as blood ran from his head and down his back. One of his legs was twisted horribly and it was clear by the shape of his fingers on the same side that they were broken as well.

"Garett! Garett! Someone call for the Priest! Garett, please answer me!"

"The Priest is with Lorna, she's having a difficult birth." Someone yelled from the gathered crowd.

From inside the building a man pushed the crowded villagers out of his way before collapsing to his knees next to the wailing woman. "Garett, no… this can't… I told him not to play on the roof! I've told him hundreds of times!" He choked, shoulders shaking with emotion.

It was a sight that would disturb anyone who had never before seen such an accident. But his heart had long ago hardened to violence and the sight of mangled bodies. Though he felt some sympathy for the loss of a young man just barely out of childhood years- it was not his business.

"Let me see him." Her Ladyship stepped forward, expression one of grim determination.

"Who are you?" A nearby woman asked, stepping between them and the wounded lad.

"The only one who can save him." Her voice rang out above the din of the crowd, certain as the sun rises. "Step aside and he may yet live."

The woman faltered for a moment but moved out of the way. It was clear by the similarity between her and the woman holding the lad that they were somehow related. Sisters perhaps?

Her Ladyship stepped right up to the couple and gave them the most gentle smile he had ever seen. "Peace. In a moment this will all have been a bad dream." Placing her hand on the lad's head, ignoring the blood that was matting his blonde hair, she took a calming breath. "Heal!"

A soft green glow enveloped the boy as the crowd watched on in silent awe. The wounds that had been fatal moments ago vanished entirely as the young man startled awake.

"Mom? I had a really bad dream. I don't think I'm going to climb the roof anymore… hey, why are you crying?"

As the townsfolk began to crowd closer he stepped between them and his Lady. "Keep back! I will not allow anyone close to her Eminence without her permission!" He bellowed, startling some of the townsfolk.

The man who had been hugging the young man stood and raised his hands in a calming gesture. "My name is Frior Malden. Garett is my only son, I owe you and your Lady a great debt."

Before he could speak he felt a delicate hand against his arm. "I was more than happy to help, Sir Malden. But perhaps we might take this conversation inside? I would like to wash the blood from my hands and a place to rest after our long journey would be welcome."

The man smiled widely. "Of course! Consider our home your home while you are here! Welcome to the Golden Sheaf Inn."

Her Ladyship smiled and he realized that her gifts had manifested themselves once more. As they followed the grateful couple into the building he knew that they would want for nothing as long as they remained in the settlement.

Once more the random pieces of fate had fallen into place, gently cradled in the delicate hands of his Lady.