The morning air was crisp around the camp. The trees and grass were covered in a light dew, giving everything a sparkle as the sun rose in the sky. The morning birds singing their songs and diving at the river to catch bugs. A small fire was crackling, Azareth was making breakfast over it. Jurah was sitting up slightly this morning, leaning against his saddle stacked on top of Azareth’s saddle. He didn’t get very much sleep due to the pain in his side. Azareth looked extremely tired as well, Jurah could see the bags under her eyes. Jurah wasn’t sure what to do or say, he could only watch her carefully. Azareth shifted on her knees and handed a bowl to Jurah. She noticed how he yawned looking away from her. Jurah took the bowl out of her hand and stared at the pale mush inside.

“It’s porridge,” Azareth said. “My mom packed some in my pack.”

“Thank you,” Jurah said. He took a spoonful of it and shoved it in his mouth. It wasn’t super flavorful, but it didn’t stop him from cleaning out his bowl.

“Give me your bowl,” Azareth said. She held her hand out to Jurah again.

“We need to keep moving, it won’t be long until the Orcs notice that the party won’t be returning.”

“We can’t move, you’re still injured. It’s not going to heal overnight.”

“I know, but I don’t want to risk staying here another night. If they find us, I can’t protect you.”

“I appreciate the worry, but I can handle myself.”

“Azareth, you tripped trying to get-”

“Jurah, you were stabbed. No shut up. We are not leaving, so get fucking comfortable,” Azareth said. She took the bowls to the edge of the river to wash them. Jurah sighed and hit his fist on the ground. He winched, grabbing his side groaning. He looked over to see Azareth nodding her head.

The sun was high in the sky, causing the temperature to rise quickly. A light breeze blew through the thin forest and the leaves rustled high above the camp. Fish could be heard catching bugs from the surface of the river. Jurah had been leaning against the saddles all day long. Azareth was determined to keep him from moving around. Jurah was watching Azareth as she brushed out the horses. He observed her features as she smiled and talked to the horses. He couldn’t understand how she could have a full conversation with the horses. It seemed bizarre to him, but when she did it he couldn’t help finding it endearing.

“Jurah, how are you feeling?” Azareth asked. She walked over to him, Jurah blinked a few times. He went to say something as Azareth knelt next to him, but he was taken aback.

“Uh, I feel much better,” Jurah said. Azareth reached forward to lift up his shirt, but Jurah grabbed her hand. “What are you doing?”

“I need to check and clean the wound,” Azareth said. “What? Think I’m going to do something inappropriate?”

“Of course not.”

“Good, now stop being a baby and hold up your shirt.” Jurah listened and pulled his shirt up. Azareth’s small hands looked so delicate as they pulled back the bandage. Her eyes were so serious as they scanned over the injury. Jurah felt his heartbeat pick up as her fingers gently touched his side.

“How does it look?”

“Better, it’s not infected and it shows signs of healing,” Azareth said. “I still think we need to stay still, but I feel like you might be right.”

“I’m right? About what?” Jurah said, his eyes wide as Azareth leaned back and looked at him.

“I keep feeling eyes on me again,” Azareth said. She took out some ointment and opened the jar. She began to gently dab it onto Jurah’s side. He winched and gritted his teeth for a moment, before taking in a deep breath and relaxing his body.

“If you feel like we aren’t safe here, we should move on.”

“No, not until morning.”

“Morning?” Jurah asked. He stared into Azareth’s eyes and she sighed looking back into his. She closed the ointment jar and leaned back on her knees.

“You’re still injured and I don’t think you should be pushing yourself too much. Let's just stay here one more night, please?”

“Okay, one more night,” Jurah said. He watched as Azareth finished bandaging up his side. When Azareth was done she looked up to see Jurah staring at her. Her eyebrows knitted together as she packed her supplies up again.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Jurah said. Azareth leaned back on her heels and shook her head a bit. She stood up and went over to her saddlebags, sitting down next to them. The sun was setting and she knew she was going to have to light a fire soon. She just didn’t want to leave the camp.

“Do we really need a fire?” Azareth asked, looking over at Jurah.

“Yes.”

“Right.” Azareth was looking into the woods and took a deep breath in. She stood up and gripped her dagger on her hip. Jurah watched as she took tiny steps towards the edge of the woods, he cleared his throat.

“If you get in trouble, holler, I’ll come and help you,” Jurah said. Azareth went to him and gave him a smile.

“If you get up before morning, I’ll kick your ass,” she said. Jurah rolled his eyes but watched as Azareth wandered into the woods. It was growing darker rapidly, Azareth was picking up twigs and logs as fast as she could. Azareth bent down and picked up another decent size log when she heard something behind her. She snapped up and whipped around to see if there was anything or anyone there.

“Hello?” Azareth asked the air. Of course, no one or nothing answered her. Her body stiffened and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. A chill ran through her as she scanned the dark woods, a cold sweat running down her forehead. Azareth gripped the pile of wood in her arms tight to her chest and began to run back to camp. She couldn’t stand being alone there any longer.

“Azareth?” Jurah asked as Azareth burst through the tree line. Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavily. “What happened?” Jurah tried to get up, but Azareth put her hand up stopping him.

“Don’t move,” Azareth said through her rapid breathing.

“Azareth, are you okay?”

“I thought I heard something. I got scared,” Azareth said, dropping the wood on the ground. She dropped to her knees and pushed the sticks into a pile. “I’m fine, it’s okay.”

“Don’t light a large fire, if there is someone out there, we don’t want them to see us.”

“Alright, whatever it was didn’t follow me.”

“Good,” Jurah said. He watched as Azareth’s hands shook as she tried to light the fire. “Need a hand?”

“Shut up.”

“Azareth, it’s normal to be afraid. You haven’t ever been outside the kingdom before.”

“What? Of course, I have,” Azareth said. Jurah raised an eyebrow at her. “How’d you know?”

“It wasn’t too hard to decipher,” Jurah said. He continued to watch Azareth’s hands, they weren’t trembling as much.

“I was told to stay within the kingdom’s walls. I guess it all makes sense now, considering everything.”

“Your parents wanted to keep you safe.”

“No, they wanted to keep their secret safe.”

“Maybe, but they still love you,” Jurah said, as small flames began to grow in front of him. Azareth sat back on the ground, releasing a large sigh. “Do you hate them?”

“No.”

“Are you mad at them?”

“Why are you asking?”

“We’re going to be travelling together for a while, I thought I’d try and get to know you,” Jurah said. He was pulling on his shirt, looking at the ground nervously.

“Oh, right,” Azareth said. She sighed and nodded her head. “I am mad at them, but I understand why they did it. They wanted to protect me and keep their child with them. I just don’t really know who I am anymore.”

“You’re Azareth Yutrit, a real pain in my-”

“Hey.”

“But so far, not a horrible travel companion.”

“Thanks,” Azareth said. She shook her head a smidge and looked over at Jurah. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Why didn’t you use your gifts when the Orcs attacked us?” Jurah’s face dropped and he stared into the fire. Azareth instantly regretted her question, wishing she could take it back.

“I don’t have any gifts.” Azareth’s eyes widened.

“What? But you’re part of the royal guard?”

“I know,” Jurah said. He looked like he was trying to think of the words to explain everything to her. “My parents were close to the King. My father was the King’s General and when he was dying he asked the king to watch over my family. Even though his majesty knew that I didn’t have abilities, he made me part of the guard.” Jurah looked over at Azareth. He was worried she was going to see him differently. The expression on her face was unchanged, Azareth looked like she had the entire journey.

“This only proves one thing for me,” Azareth said.

“What is that?”

“You’re cocky, but you have the right to be.” Jurah laughed, she joined in with him.

“Alright, fair enough.”