"What was that about?!" Castor exclaimed after half a minute of utter silence. "That was totally unnecessary!"

He seemed offended by Aila's words on Kaiden's behalf, though she couldn't comprehend why. A fear entered his features, concern for Kaiden and the consequences her words would hold.

Aila opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

Guilt was gripping her heart, ever-present in her mind. She couldn't dispel the image of Kaiden's face when her words had found their mark. It didn't even seem like he had desired to demean Merelia; there was even a glimmer in his eyes at her challenge, a glimmer that spoke of wanting to share some quick witted repartée with her.

He'd trusted her with a part of him, and she'd thrown it right back in his face.

"I just... it... I feel terrible," she groaned. "I thought he was insulting Merelia and my pride just..."

Castor's eyes softened as he registered her state, as he observed the panic and regret that was overwhelming her.

"Hey, it's okay..." he put an arm around her and pulled her into a half hug as they continued walking. "We'll catch up with him soon, and we'll make this right."

"He won't stick around," she kicked the sand up in frustration, watching as it flew everywhere. She would've marvelled at the phenomenon if her emotions weren't crashing around within her like a storm. "He's probably long gone now."

"I'm sure our paths will cross again," Cas said, attempting to reassure her.

Aila scoffed. "We're on the same path, idiot."

Cas smiled self-conciously and ran a hand through his hair. "Yes well, you know what I mean."

Aila lightly bumped his shoulder with hers. As they crested the dune, she really hoped Kaiden was waiting for them, having come back to express his anger. Instead, her heart sank as she saw the silhouette of a beautiful stallion galloping further away, kicking up sand as Kallias' powerful muscles propelled the two of them forward.

Wanting to change the track her mind had taken, she turned to look at her best friend. At the pensive look on his face, she smiled.

"You look thoughtful. I'm kind of worried."

"Oh shut up," Cas laughed.

"No no I'm being serious, we wouldn't want you to injure yourself before the trials begin."

"Aila," Castor regained a solemn tone. He appeared to be finding the words to express his thoughts. Even when he finally found them, they were tentative, hesitant. "What did you mean when you said Kaiden tried to put magic in items?"

Aila froze.

Cas stopped too, but when Aila's shock had subsided, she sighed and continued walking. She ran a hand through her hair in frustration. It was messy and tangled, honestly unacceptable for a princess, but she couldn't care less. 

"He has fire magic," she murmured. "He used it to keep me warm in the inn."

"Oh Aila," Castor breathed.

"I know, I know," she winced. "It was an awful thing to say."

She reached around her rucksack and pulled her water pouch free, frowning as she realised there were only a few drops left.

"You're not an awful person," Castor reassured her. "If you apologise to him, I'm sure he'll forgive you."

"Yes, which is why I plan to catch up to him." She quickened her pace, ignoring Castor's chuckle. Her mind didn't neglect the fact that she couldn't let Kaiden get to The Dragon Temple first.

"Do you have any water?" She asked her friend, wondering how she had managed to drink so much in so little time. She was grateful they'd reach the forest that evening; there was a river there that she had been planning to use to shower and wash her clothes. She could use the running water to fill up her reserves.

Castor pulled his pouch free and handed it to her. "Take as much as you need. I don't drink water."

"What do you drink?" She asked with a teasing grin.

Cas smiled secretively and shook his head, before frowning as he glanced at the sky. "Many bandits reside in the forest. He'd be wise not to be alone."

Aila rolled her eyes as the guilt again grew in her chest. "He can handle himself."

"I have no doubt."

A silence fell between the two of them. It wasn't uncomfortable, not in the slightest. The two were so aware of each other and knew almost everything about one another that conversation sometimes didn't come. Nevertheless, Aila broke the silence with a question that had been on her mind.

"Why did you decide to come?"

"I couldn't let you get all the glory," Castor joked.

"Okay, and the real answer?"

"Fine," he conceded. "I had to get some embarrassing stories of you to share with the court."

Aila laughed.

"Oh really? And how's that one working out?"

Cas grinned. "I'm sure they'll all be thrilled to know, that their princess, the brilliant Aila Rayez of Merelia, snores when she sleeps."

Aila gasped. "That's so not true!"

"Oh but I assure you it is," Cas held a twinkle in his eyes. She shoved his shoulder again and sobered up.

"But what's the real reason?"

Castor remained silent. After a while he sighed.

"There may have also been a very small, tiny, miniscule, practically nonexistent really-"

"Get to the point Cas."

"Part of me that was worried about you," he finished. "That didn't want you to face dangers alone, that didn't want to imagine you injured or dying or..." he trailed off, unable to continue.

Aila leaned into him, wrapping her arm around him as they kept walking.

"I'm glad you came," she murmured finally. "I wouldn't have wanted to do this alone."

"You're never alone," Cas affirmed.

"I know," she smiled.

Fifteen miles went by in the blink of an eye. Kaiden was still in her mind, but conversation with Castor had pushed him to the back, to a place where she could laugh with her friend and temporarily forget about the poison that had leaked from her mouth.

Before she knew it, she was under the forest canopy, with relief flooding her  chest at the feeling of soil beneath her feet. She felt less exposed, as if the trees were armour. The sky was barely visible; only tiny gaps between the leaves offered a glimpse of the endless blue above them. It was cooler in the forest, a comfortable kind of climate before the temperature would inevitably drop in the night. The sound of rushing water met Aila's ears, and she mentally sighed in content at the thought of fresh cold water sliding down her throat.

"The river is nearby," she stated.

"That'll be a good place to spend the night," Castor added, leading her between the trees.

They emerged in a clearing, where a beautiful river flowed before them.

Aila froze at the sight of Kallias, drinking from the water. She turned immediately, her eyes searching for his owner on instinct.

She spotted Kaiden leaning against a tree, eating an apple. He didn't meet her gaze, or give either of them any sign of acknowledgement but it was clear he knew they were there. His eyes trailed Kallias as his stallion finished drinking and walked through the trees, stopping in a half-hidden clearing a few metres away.

"Kaiden, I'm-"

She was suddenly interrupted by the sound of men shouting as they burst into the clearing with weapons brandished. Aila had all of two seconds to register the presence of the seven bandits, covered in grime and scars, tattered clothing, and malice in their brutish faces that promised violence.

Then, four of them charged towards her.

*charges towards you with a sword in my hands.*

*drops the sword and tackles you in a hug instead.*

Haha bet you didn't see that one coming! Thank you for reading - please vote and comment if you enjoyed! :)

~ MaddyWilson 💙