Chapter 7 - Ruddy

They had walked for several hours with very little stops. From time to time, he would stop to let him catch up with him, or when she needed to catch her breath. She was sweating profusely and was definitely grateful she had opted for a tunic and trousers instead of a gown.

"Are you tired?" He asked without looking at her. She looked up at him as she tried to keep up with his strides, stay by his side, which took much effort. His legs were long.

She actually was tired, but she was not going to admit it. not now. Not yet.

"Naw." Was all she could say, she was literally trying to save her breath, And was glad beyond words when he stopped, though she wasn't about to say it.

It was a small clearing with wildflowers and rocks that were big enough to sit on.

"Let's rest here a while." Jasper said, looking at her. Her cheeks were red and he was scared she was going to faint on him. She hadn’t complained since they started moving at dawn, he found it admirable. But she was his responsibility, and he knew this wasn’t an easy journey for her. She nodded without looking at him,went to a rock, and gratefully sat down with a sigh, with him still watching her.

"You could sit down too, you know. Here, right here." She patted on the space beside her on the rock.

"I even brought cakes, we could eat those. I hear a stream nearby, we could drink from that." She looked up at him, and was flushed to find him watching her. she felt as though she was babbling, but she was too worn to care. He walked without a word toward her and crouched in front of her.

"This journey Won't be easy." She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, resisting the urge to rest her forehead on his.

"I know."

"And you'll take it anyway?"

She opened her eyes, looked directly into his, to what felt like his soul. She hoped it was his soul, one that resonated with hers.

"Yes, Jasper, I'll take it anyway. For my parents, for Ànemos, for the whole of kingdom Brone. I'll take it anyway." He didn't look away, or look at her like she was crazy.

He was captivated and he didn't look away.

He made her heart flutter, once, twice. And then he nodded before standing up, he placed his satchel down on the space beside her and brought out a bottle.

"There's some water in here, but more wouldn't hurt. I'll be right back. Don't move."

She wiggled her bum on the rock and made herself comfortable, Not like she really had anyway to go really, she thought to herself. But she didn't bother voicing those thoughts.

She took off her rucksack from her back and dropped it beside her, and got to work in bringing out the cakes she had wrapped in a pale pink napkin.

Madam Kayla wouldn't be pleased when she found both the cakes and the napkin were gone or maybe she'd never notice, neither bothered her so much at that moment.

She set the napkin filled with cakes on her lap and gently unwrapped it, revealing what would be their meal.

Jasper didn't take long and walked back into the clearing, bottle in hand. She had a moment, where she was stunned by how handsome he truly was, all ruddy and radiant, with fiery gray eyes, and shoulder length raven hair. He wore a white tunic with breeches and on his back he carried a sword that was in its scabbard.

He was truly breathtaking.

"Got the water." He Said and sat on the rock beside her.

"I see." She answered looking at the cakes but not really seeing them, trying to make her mind hers again.

"We could stay here for the night, we'd have somewhere to wash for the morrow. We'll leave at first light."

She nodded, not minding the arrangement.

"have some cakes." She said, raising a piece to him. He took it from her and handed her the bottle.

"I brought a tent, but I have no idea how to set it up."

"I'll do it." He said in between bites. She watched him chew for a moment then quickly looked away.

He was getting into her mind space, she knew he was and it bothered her.

But all she knew to do at that moment, was pick up a cake and fill her tummy.

~~~~

Time passed in a blur, she read the book on the Athànatoi again and Jasper kept watch.

When dusk came, they were hungry and fed off what remained of the cakes and got to putting up the tent.

"It's big enough for the both of us, I think." She told him while she watched him work.

"I won't be sleeping in it."

"And why is that?" She asked almost indignantly.

"Because, milady, I will need to keep watch."

"Then we'll both keep watch."

He stopped what he was doing and turned around to look at her steadily.

"You will not do that."

"I will. Unless you sleep in that tent. I brought it with me for the both of us." He ran his right hand through his hair, she knew it was a movement that spoke of his growing frustration, but she stared at him unfazed.

"Fine, we'll share the watch." He said finally. She smiled, slyly and it undid him. Just as well, he had made sure she came with him, didn't he?

*****

He had given her a knife and gotten a fire started. The woman, he thought, couldn't take no for an answer. He didn't tell her as much when she told him a resounding 'No' to letting him have the first watch. He didn't dare.

Now he was laid down in the bloody tent while a stubborn woman kept watch, for him.

But it was for peace sake, and he would relieve her soon enough.

"Argh! Damn peace." He got up and walked out of the tent, and strode toward her.

"Come to bed, princess."

She had heard him walk up to her, had heard him stop behind her, and had expected his words. She already had an answer for him, 'no.' It was better than the other one she had in mind, 'kiss my arse." And would have gladly said either if she didn't hear the hint of desperation in his voice.

She turned where she sat on the rock and faced him.

"Why?"

"I won't have you watching for me."

"I'm not complaining."

"I am." She sighed deeply before getting up and handed him the blanket that she held around herself, one he accepted, albeit a bit shocked.

"I'm tired anyway." She said quietly and walked toward the tent.

"Complex little thing." He said, when she was tucked away in the tent. And settled down on the rock, she had just vacated.

~~~

Dawn came and Hannah walked out of the tent to see him sprawled out beside the fire that had died sometime in the night, with his sword and scabbard, tucked beside him like a newborn. He was going to have to learn to share the damn watch with her, and she was going to have to try for less forcefulness and search for a little more gentleness and patience. Because they were in this together and some time during the day she was going to remind him of that, grateful that she had been reminded of it herself.

She stepped into the tent once again and got a change of clothes from her rucksack and a soap for her bath and stepped right out.

But when she got out, he was gone.