The Darkling and I rode into the forests. I watched as the tall trees passed us. We rode, a slow pace.

"How do you know a gold deer is even within these woods?" I asked, tearing the silence between us. No longer can I hear the peaceful sounds of nature.

"My scouts reported the sightings here last night, I wanted to check the Intel and take you out from the Palace. A new scenery should do you good."

"I barely do anything in the palace. All I do is train or read or put up with you."

The Darkling chuckled, "That's why your riding with me." He looked at me, from his side, smirking a little.

'you ride with me.'

It's what he said after he saved me from being grinded by an axe, in the first couple hours I met him. I remember riding on a horse with him, the closeness of his breath behind my hair. The smell of his intoxicating fumes coming of his kefta. A heady mix of dark ash and smoke.

I stopped thinking about him and continued to pay attention on the road we were riding. "Why give me the bow and arrows?" I asked.

"I want to see your shooting skills. Figures as you can't use the cut." He explained, slightly shrugging his shoulders. I couldn't tell if It was an insult or a complement.

We heard some noises pass by behind the large number of trees in front of us. It was the stampede of hooves.

"Look!" The Darkling pointed out to the presence behind the tall trees. I looked to where he pointed. "The Deer!"

I got my bow out, and swiftly drew an arrow from my quiver. I aimed for the deer, I saw the Darkling's reaction from the corner of my eye. He had an amused reaction. His still facial expression indicated his patience. He waited for me to shoot. But the Deer ran away as I shot my arrow. It deflected and hit a tree stump instead.

"Missed!" I stated, frustrated. I bent my arm down. "You have excellent shooting skills, work on your aim."

"Was that supposed to be a complement?" I pulled the string of my bow and put my arms through it. Secured, around my body.

"It is, off the highest honour." He smirked. Clearly amused by my frustration. I wanted to punch him in the face.

"You'll get it next time, keep riding." The Darkling said, holding onto his reigns, getting ready to trot.

***
The Sun started to set. I could see it on the horizon, yet we kept riding. The Darkling lead the way. We barely spoke to each other until we reached a certain clearing, in the woods.

"We should stop, make camp for the night." The Darkling said, starting to unmount his horse. He looked at me and then came to my side. Before I could say anything he pulled me right of my horse.

"Hey!" I sreamed as he held me down from my waist. He had one hand pulling me down on my arm and his other on my waist, pulling me of my saddle.

"Sorry Alina, you take forever to do anything that I ask." He muttered behind my head, he helped me stand up.

"It was under a minute!" I brushed of any dirt on me.

"Too long!"

"Your impossible." I rubbed the areas where he grabbed me. He smirked, walking back to his horse. His tall figure, blocked me from seeing what he was going to get out of his saddle.

By the time the Darkling set up a small camp, it was already night fall. He made sure a small tent, cover was up and although it was made out of branches and leaves. It looked impressive. But I wasn't going to tell him that.

"You should get some rest Alina. I'll take first watch." He said, using a grandose arch to show me where to rest. He had a black blanket folded in his hands. I knew that I had to take off my gold cover up, to rest, comfortably. Or as comfortable as I can rest in a forest. 

But I didn't want to do it in front of the Darkling. The Darkling some how sensed how uncomfortable I was. "I'll be over there." He pointed behind me. He moved past me to a distance where he could still see me but chose to turn away. Allowing me some inch of privacy.

I took of my bow and quiver, putting them on a giant bolder nearby. I peeled back my leather gloves and unclipped my gold belt. Taking off my cover. I folded the gloves and belt inside my cover and placed them near my weapons.

I hugged my shoulders. Feeling a little naked. My sleeveless shirt didn't help protect my arms. But my hair did. I made sure all my long, curled hair was a waterfall down my back.

I'm pretty sure the Darkling saw me flick my hair back. I heard his foot steps, coming towards behind me. Leaves crunching underneath, every step he took. A pity for those creatures on them.

"Rest Alina, tommorow we continue East." He said. A gentle whisper behind my back. I nodded gently, slightly looking to him at my side.

I laid down soon and draped the black blanket over me. I looked up to the Darkling, who met my eyes. He simply smiled and walked away.

"What about your rest?" I asked hugging the blanket around my breasts. He turned around and smiled. It's not like I cared if he slept or not. I was simply self-conscious of him watching me sleep. Especially with my reccuring nightmares that portrayed him as the star.

"I don't need rest. You, however do. Now sleep. I'll wake you at first light." He said. Turning back to watch the trees before him. He stood, posture straight and his arms behind him.

Still a General.

I rolled my eyes, knowing he wanted to tell the world. I looked up to see the dancing stars. I remembered how in the Dotharaki, me and Khal would sometimes sleep under the beautiful lights.

I sighed. Moving to one side, trying to get comfortable. I heard the leaves crunch underneath my weight. I fell asleep soon, with one of my arms out.

The night went past, sounds of running could be heard. I couldn't tell if it was in my dreams or in the forest. Often my subconscious would take over and my memories would become my dreams. They often are. With mixed interpretations behind them.

Dreams about the Darkling, his rule. My friends. Mal. The Crows. Dotharaki, my marriage. All of it.

I suddenly woke up by someone shaking my shoulder. "Alina, wake up." The voice whispered. I hazily woke up to see the Darkling loom over my face. I could tell it wasn't the morning yet.

"What happened?" I asked sitting up. The Darkling crouched beside me. He looked behind, seeing the trees then back at me. Obviously something was wrong. "Listen, there is a disturbance nearby."

"Could be the gold deer?" I said, picking a leaf out of my hair. The Darkling leaned closer. "Get your bow were going now."

"In the dark?"

He chuckled, "I know this forest like the back of my hand, we'll be safe in the dark."

The Darkling helped pull me up. He folded the black blanket and stuffed it into the pouch near his horses saddle.

I wore my over coat, gloves and belt. I carried my bow and arrows. I mounted my horse and so did the Darkling.

"Follow!"

He said and started to ride. I followed quietly behind him. However the noises around the trees started to get worse. I was worried my horse would get scared by the sounds around us.

I saw a snake emerging from underneath the bushes. My horse neighed upwards, making me lose control of the reigns and falling off. Landing on the ground.

"Alina!"

I heard the Darkling yell with concern. As he saw me fall off. Luckily my arrows didn't scatter all over the floor. My horse ran off in the opposite direction. The Darkling got off his horse and helped me up. My knee was slightly grazed but otherwise okay.

"you alright?"

"ow." I winced, looking down at my knee. "Y-yeah I'm fine."

"Come on." The Darkling mounted on and extended his hand to me. I grabbed on and he pulled me up, I sat in front of his as his hands slithered down my waist to grab the reigns of the horse. I could tell my quiver was hitting the Darkling a little. I smiled, thinking he would be in pain.

We quickly rode off, headed east. I thought we were safe. For now.

Until an arrow came rushing through, inches before my face. The Darkling had his hand on my waist pulling me closer to him, making sure I wasn't hit.

"woah." I saw the arrow land on the tree beside us. "were under attack." The Darkling whispered being my hair.

"By whom?"

"Someone who clearly wants the Sun Summoner dead!" The Darkling pointed out.

"How do you know its only me?" I dared to point out.

"No one would dare try kill me." The Darkling murmured.

"So egotistical." I said mockingly. I felt the Darkling slightly shift behind me.

I'm usually not scared of anything. Whilst in the Dotharaki kingdoms. Many have tried to poison or rape me.

None succeed. Except for one.

But that was a story for another time. We kept heading towards east, and soon we found another place to camp out for the night.

***
Published: 27/12/21 09:42am