Chapter 63: Village in the Mountains

I backed up into the tree. "What are you doing?" My eyes widened with trepidation. I wasn't sure if I would be able to escape in my state.

"Relax." He knelt down in front of me and turned around, pulling a red hot blade out of the flames. He handed it carefully to me and lifted his shirt. He had a huge gash on his back that was dripping blood down to his trousers.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner!" I gasped and carefully wiped it with the end of my cloak. My fear had vanished and was replaced with concern. "Were you bleeding all night? You could've died!"

"Nice of you to be worried about me but I'm fine, My Queen."

"Yeah right," I snorted, "the blood running down your back says otherwise." I pulled out a waterskin and poured water onto it, cleaning it as well as I could.

"It clotted, but when I pulled the boat onto shore I felt it rip open again. It'll be fine."