Naveen

I opened my eyes, "It's custom to lay in the moonlight when it is completely full. We absorb better that way, but I think I will have to skip out on it this time. The woods we journey too are much too dangerous for that."

Rina:

“I'm sorry.” I bowed my head feeling a bit guilty. If not for me, he would have been able to practice his customs.

"Rina." I gently chided, "My people are warriors. If we aren't in someplace safe, we take the right precautions. I will not feel loss by missing this chance. I would feel loss if a battle were to break out and I was improperly prepared for such an event. Normally when we go out we don't remove our armor. It isn't comfortable to sleep in such heavy gear but we've learned to adapt. And yet..." I teased with a smile her direction. "Here I am without any. It's proof that I trust you and feel safe with you around to have my back."

Rina:

I looked up to meet his gaze with a soft smile. “Well, I mean, I have had your back with much less on it out here.” I commented with a flirtatious smirk.

I grinned at her, "You did..." I agreed with a knowing look. I glanced over her form for a moment before I matched her flirtatious smirk. "I believe at the time I had yours as well."

Rina:

I laughed. “Actually, I think the tree had mine.” I said, grinning back at him.

"Then I had your front. Were we protecting each other or dueling...hm...I think the latter." I said after a thoughtful pause.

Rina:

I laughed, a slight color coming to my cheeks. “I suppose so. But it ended well.” I unconsciously bit my lip for a moment.

"It did..." I agreed softly as I took a moment to stir the stew.

Rina:

I shifted a little at thinking back on it. To distract myself I went to my saddle bag and pulled out writing materials. Sitting once again, I began to make a list of names, Talon, Maleen, Wren, and Dorian at the top.

I let her be, my own thoughts wandering around. I ended up thinking of my people, and what I could do for them. Things sounded like they might be heating up if Brian was moving closer to the Capitol.

Rina:

At the end of my list I had a dozen or so names of people I might be able to trust to support me. Most of them were only possibilities as I had not spoken to them in over a year. Then there was Brian, if he gave me his support then I could add a hundred or more names. It hinged on that.

I began dishing out stew into a couple bowls, adding a chunk of bread on top to mop up the liquid that might remain. I scooted over to her offering out her bowl and spoon.

I folded, and set aside my list. “Thank you.” I murmured, taking his offering. The meal was good, and definitely filling.

I settled down beside her, enjoying my own meal. The silence was companionable, the food good, and the air pleasantly cool.

Rina:

After finishing my bowl, I wiped it clean then laid back on my cloak. The moon had just barely risen over the tree line. I could see why his kind worshiped it, beyond it being the source of their power. It was quite beautiful and calming.

I went for a second bowl, eating this one slower just to savor the taste.

Rina:

I propped myself up on my elbows and watched him. “When will you need to return to your people?” I asked him. I knew he couldn't stay forever, even if Brian continued to pay him.

"I have a few weeks. The Council and High Priestess can manage fine without me and Calin is capable of directing as he knows I would want." I told her carefully.

Rina:

I nodded, it was as I suspected. He would only be able to help me in the beginning, maybe to convince Brian to work with me.

I finished the second bowl before covering the stew and pulling it to the side of the fire. In the morning it would be thicker and richer and a good breakfast to start the day. With that taken care of I turned my head to look at her.

“I was so ignorant in thinking this would never happen.” I said after a long silence. “Of course someone would find out eventually. I should have had plan already. This shouldn't have blindsided me.”

"Perhaps. But what's done is done. It happened, and now you must accept what comes from it." I told her softly while placing my hand on her knee.

Rina:

I glanced down at his hand then back up to the sky. “I suppose.” I said with a sigh, folding my hands over my belly.

I gave her knee a squeeze before settling down to watch the moon. I let her be, knowing she had much to ponder and think about.