Morning dawned. Elise had ridden her horse hard through the night and the poor creature was panting. She began searching for water to allow her horse and herself some rest. She could no longer feel Sir Garot. She was a fool to think he had abandoned his quest for her. He was letting her have distance so that when he chased and pounced it would be that much more deadly and crushing to her. She stopped near a pond and let her horse drink and rest. She found a tree and lay under it to rest. It was moments later when she awoke and mounted her horse yet again and rode. The day was getting later, and Elise was becoming painfully aware that her stomach was trying to get her attention. She knew she would have to stop to rest and eat in the next town. She was at a disadvantage. She knew nothing about the land. There was a small village just ahead. She would have to appeal to someone to let her stay to rest and eat. This didn’t seem to sit well in her mind, seeing as she had no money and was of little use to any villager. Elise slowed her horse as she approached the village. Worry nagged at her. What could she offer? She knew little of the power Matsey said was inside of her. All she knew was what her father had taught her. She had thought his words odd at the time but after her talks with Matsey she understood them better now. He had begged her to soften her voice and attempt to never talk above that of a whisper. She should remain as quiet as possible so that her voice would not ensnare. Elise was drawn out of her musings when she heard yelling in front of her. She looked and saw that a crowd was gathered in town, mostly congregating in front of a small inn, where there was fighting and yelling. She dismounted her horse and walked forward. When she reached the crowd she saw two men inside of a tight circle throwing punches at each other. She held her head high and marched the horse right into the ring and directly between the two very surprised men. Her mind was made up. If she had a power within her and her voice was a partial key to this power. She would use it. Taking a deep breath she spoke loudly and clearly. “Oh! If only there was a strong man who could help me.” She threw her long mane of hair behind her and looked though her dark lashes at the two men. The fight was immediately stopped and members of the crowd began attempting to get her attention. Elise swooned for effect. “I need a place to stay and I’m extremely hungry.” The Innkeeper approached her. “You stopped the fight outside. I owe you at least one night’s stay and food. My name is Delfax. Please, come inside.” Delfax led her inside, to a meal and a bed. He called to the stable boy “Diere, take care of the lady’s horse.” After she had eaten, she was feeling better, and went to the stable to see to her horse. She felt bad about using her voice to get her way. Somehow, she needed to make it up to Delfax. Diere was quite taken with her, as she stood looking at the horse. He approached her cautiously as not to scare her or spook the horse. She turned to look at him, and approached him like a calming rain, her voice danced in his mind like dew drops on soft petals. He hadn’t registered a word she said until she stopped and looked at him expectantly. There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment while the boy tried to gather any information he might have heard her say. His silence and blank staring discouraged Elise, and she made to excuse herself to leave. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. I will go and let you get back to your work.” Panicking, Diere racked his brain for words to say to keep her with him. Finding his voice at last he replied, “My lady, please don’t leave. Let me talk to the innkeeper. I’ll see what we can do for your horse.” Elise looked up at him with questioning eyes. “My horse?” The boy froze. Elise continued slowly. “I only asked if I was a bother to you if I were to stay and watch you tend the horses for a while. They are beautiful creatures, and I feel at peace around them.” The lad blushed. “It would be a pleasure to have the company of someone of such beauty and gentility as yourself.” Elise stood there in stunned silence. She turned to her horse and said, “Did you hear that? He is blind!” Nonetheless a blush crossed her cheeks. After a few hours, Delfax shuffled into the stable. He was an older man, haggard and worn out. His eyes bore marks of long worked days and sleepless nights. His clothes where tattered. Only his hair looked unruffled. It was silver as the full moon. He led Elise through the bar toward the inn, as he was planning to show Elise to her room. She stopped him in the bar before he had the chance to take her the rest of the way. “Please, I must do something in return for you kindness and for my room. She fumbled for a moment looking around before coming to a decision.Your guests, they are ill entertained. I am a well-practiced singer and dancer. Let me entertain them tonight.” Her father had the village women teach her song and dance. At least, she thought that’s where it came from, considering she could really no longer remember if it was in the village or elsewhere she learned song and dance. She would think on that later. She said it so it must be true. It was odd though, she never honestly remembered being good at either of them. Delfax turned to Diere. “Boy, after you finish here, join us inside so we may hear this nightingale. He turned to Elise, “Let’s see what you are able to do.” Elise stepped though the door, and the Tavern hall was warm and inviting. All the tables were seated with groups of people, drinking and talking merrily. She could see the men that were in the boxing ring outside, as well as a few others, toward the back of the inn. It was bright and cheerful inside. She made her way through the raucous patrons to the front where the entertainers were meant to perform. When Elise took the stage, she immediately had everyone’s attention. She stood bathed in light like a halo over her raven hair, center stage, and began to sing. The song was light and her voice fluttered through the melody like tiny little butterflies. There were no musicians to accompany her. Just her voice. Then she began to dance. Everyone watched, completely enthralled, as she was graceful and nimble; a goddess could not compare to her. When she was finished the room went silent. Every eye was upon her. She made to leave the stage when a deafening noise rose into the air. Elise turned to the crowd to a roaring ovation, applause, and cheers, and the demand for her to continue. Elise smiled, and continued dancing and singing into the night, entertaining those that came. The inn was quite busy due to the Celestial’s song and the stable boy and innkeeper were kept quite busy. Count Declan and Matsey were urging their horses forward at an ungodly pace. Feeling the pain in her mount’s muscles and the labored breathing coming from in front of her, Matsey slowed her horse, and urged the count to do the same, and grudgingly he did so. Makraim looked around him, and realized he would have to stop with Matsey and rest for the night. They were coming up the small village of Nearsting, an old village Makraim had been to before. There were many people milling about the streets for such a late hour. Villagers recognized him as he entered the gates, and pointed him to an inn toward the middle of the town. Matsey asked what was going on this late at night to cause the town to all be out. Shrugs met their inquiries, so they made their way to the inn. As they neared they could hear the most beautiful voice. It calmed Makraim’s frayed nerves. Before they could get nearer, the sound ceased. They approached the stables and saw a boy coming towards them. He took their horses and wordlessly pointed them inside. Once inside they took a look around. A man came up to them to seat them. The customers in the place seemed to be in a trance. They were all focused on stage. Every table was full and people were standing as well. When food was brought to them Makraim inquired as to the odd behavior. The man simply replied, “It’s her.” Makraim and Matsey returned their eyes to the stage to have them almost pop out of their sockets. Up on the stage they saw Elise. She began to sing and everything again went silent. Count Declan was transfixed. When she began dancing his eyes followed the movement of her body. She was breathtaking. Matsey watched Elise and then turned her eyes to her master. He was watching Elise without blinking, his features frozen as if in utter shock. When Elise finished, Makraim gave himself a visible shake and turned to Matsey. She was looking at him with a grin on her face. “What is that look for? It is as if your smile mocks me.” Makraim turned away from the watchful gaze of his servant. Matsey’s grin widened and she clapped a hand to his shoulder to gain his attention back. “My Lord, I mean no disrespect. I was merely smiling at your shock.” Makraim stiffened and curtly replied, “I was not shocked, just merely surprised at being able to find the girl here.” “Yes... Elise. I am shocked too. I had no idea her voice was so beautiful, and her manor of dancing is only taught to those of high birth.” Matsey looked to the stage to see Elise starting her next round of singing and dancing. “Beautiful voice.” She turned to Makraim to see he hardly paid her any mind at all. However, she did hear him murmur. “Aye. Beautiful.” Matsey decided to leave the statement alone. Instead she remained quiet and smiled to herself. Her master was indeed captivated by Elise; from the first moment he set eyes on her. She had mixed feelings about this. She wanted her master to settle down and it would be nice to have a lady in the house, she just wasn’t sure she wanted this new lady to be Elise. Matsey could no longer deny her feelings for the count nor her sisterly protectiveness toward Elise. Matsey had to admit there was something about Elise that drew you in despite yourself. She seemed to make everyone at east when around here. Elise was easy to talk to and her smile could bring the world down to her feet. Suddenly Matsey frowned. Elise couldn’t be that. She looked back up to the stage. Matsey didn’t know exactly what she was looking for, only that the power that came off of Elise intensified when she sang and danced. Was her power limitless. Count Declan saw her expression change “Matsey, what is it? Do you see something?” Matsey looked him straight in the eye and smoothly lied. “It makes my heart ache to think of Elise with that horrible Sir Garot. We have to help her.” Her heart gave a twist at the lie she told. Elise was not a normal human, and my not be fully human at all, but she had to confirm before setting anyone on edge. The only thing she did know for sure was Sir Garot could never be allowed access to Elise. Makraim thought for a moment and replied slowly, “I would do anything to keep her out of his reach. I would lay my life down for her.” For some reason his confession distressed Matsey more than it put her at ease. “Yes of course.” her reply was robotic and emotionless. Makraim looked at Matsey but, she was oblivious. The innkeeper made his way toward them. Matsey startled when he got to the table baffling Makraim. She always knew when someone was approaching her. “Count Declan, misses, let me take you to your room.” He hobbled away expecting Makraim and Matsey to follow him. They got up from the table, glanced on stage to see Elise still singing and dancing, entertaining the crowd, and left after the innkeeper. When they arrived at their room, Makraim and Matsey settled in. They needed to discuss how to keep Elise from running yet again. “My lord, what is it you plan to do? Elise already ran once!” Matsey looked at the count who was currently pacing the room. “Yes I know. Matsey, I think you should stay with her inside the room, I’ll pull a chair and rest outside of it.” Matsey made to protest but he was already heading out the door to grab Elise. Elise was easy to find. Men of all ages and sizes surrounded her, and the sight made Matsey laugh and made the Count frown and his blood boil with anger. Those men were not worthy of her attentions. He was still unsure if he wanted her attentions for himself though. He was protective of the girl without a doubt. Count Declan thought it best to let Matsey handle Elise. He would wait in the background for the girls. Matsey approached Elise slowly and timidly. Painfully aware of all the attention she was about to draw upon herself by addressing Elise, she called out, “My lady! Please, I beg your audience.” Elise turned at the odd address and smiled warmly at her friend. “Matsey!” she squealed out, “You are here.” Then she stopped suddenly in her approach of her new friend. For a moment she had forgotten she had ran from the manor. She was on stage singing and dancing and enjoying the peace she was able to bring. For a moment nothing else existed. She looked around worriedly. Matsey gently urged her off the stage. “Don’t fret. He is not angry with you. Let’s retire to your room where we can speak in peace.” Elise agreed with Matsey and they left the tavern for the room, despite the loud protests around her. Once in her room, she turned to Matsey, “ I’m sorry for leaving in a rush. I really don’t know what came over me. I just felt I needed to leave quickly.” “Well...” Matsey began but trailed off, uncertain if she should say what happened or not. She looked into Elise’s earnest eyes and sighed. “Sir Garot came for you as you fled. He threatened a lot of things, but you have nothing to worry about. The house is safe and you are officially under the Count’s protection. “ Elise looked horrified. “But you see that is what has me worried. I’ve caused you all so much trouble. How can I ever repay you?” Elise began to wring her hands in a nervous gesture. She turned tear filled eyes to Matsey. Matsey considered Elise for a moment before responding. “You need only confide in us. Don’t run from us again. We are here to help; we’re your friends. Now get to bed. We’ll go to Rumox tomorrow morning.” Elise went to her bed and lay down. Matsey situated herself near the bed and fell asleep herself nearly instantly, tired from the chase. Down the hall, in a second room, not sleeping, sat Count Declan. Now alone, he began to think about Sir Garot. The reputation of the leader of the Arots was a merciless one. Yet this man left his house with just meager threats. Sir Garot could reach this town in just a few days after he catches wind of where Elise has gone. It was odd that he turned up right as Makraim was starting to realize how important Elise really was. He was tasked with finding her and her father and brining them to the safety of the king, and not even a week had gone by before the Arots were at his door. Surely someone in his house has turned traitor on him. Someone has been letting the Arots know where Elise was which meant they would also know she fled his house. He would have to fish out who it was. For now, he had to put all of his energy into the flighty girl he had with him. There was also this growing infatuation of her to figure out. His thoughts tumbled around, searching for a way to keep her at his side and safe, beginning with gilded cages and ending with simply nailing her foot to the floor. Finally, exhaustion took over and he fell into a listless sleep. Morning dawned bright and warm, and Count Declan woke and dressed quickly. It was always possible that Elise escaped them in the night. The girl seemed to not trust his protection, and this thought bothered him greatly, more than just his honor as a man was at stake here. The King appointed him to protect her, and yet this girl makes him second guess his own ability. He left his room to meet Matsey on the stairs. Fearing that Elise had run from them yet again, his eyes slid past Matsey to see Elise sitting at a table, talking with people in the Inn. He sighed and relaxed visibly, a notion not lost on Matsey, as she approached him. “She slept peacefully last night. Elise has promised to come to us when she needs help.” Makraim drew a hand through his hair before letting out a breath. “I don’t know what has come over me. I feel like different man.” Matsey touched his cheek and looked into his eyes boldly. “You are a different man Makraim Dunclan.” He drew in a breath. Matsey was out of place and she knew it. She withdrew from him to take her leave when the Count captured her wrist. Matsey flinched, thinking he was going to strike her. She was not prepared for what he did do. He looked into her eyes and drew her closer, it seemed he held her for a moment before recalling himself and releasing her. “I’m sorry. I forgot myself. It won’t happen again.” Count Declan looked at the ground and muttered. Matsey drew a few shaky breaths before dipping into a courtesy and fleeing from him as fast as possible. The Count watched her retreat and kept his eyes on her as she approached Elise eliciting friendly smiles from the girl. Elise could light up a room with her smile and his heart felt light as he watched them interact. He made his way down the stairs and sat at the table with them. “Good morning Count Declan.” Elise smiled. Makraim turned to her and nodded. “Good morning Elise. Did you sleep well?” She smiled yet again. “Best sleep I’ve had. I was glad to have Matsey in the room. It was as if a spell of sleep was cast.” She happily went to eating her food once the count sat. He looked at Matsey who was furiously blushing and looking at her own food in front of her. She refused to meet his eyes. “I see.” He replied before turning to his own food. They hastily ate their breakfast and when they were finished, the Count called for the stable boy to be brought to ready their horses. When Diere came back to them, Makraim turned to the girls and said, “Let’s move on.” They rode all morning, and by mid afternoon they were nearing a small farm. They stopped to ask for shelter and a meal, and a peasant woman came out to them. “‘Ello. We are but poor farmers. Please share a meal with us and let the horses eat. I’m afraid today is just bread and some greens.” She kept her eyes down and waited for them to dismount. Makraim hit the ground first. “Thank you. We are in your debt. Allow me to pay you for the meal and for a place of rest?” The woman gasped as money was put in her hands from the count. “Oh no! It’s much too much for us.” She tried to give the money back. Fearful that later the count would reconsider. “Please.” he took her hands in his and closed them over the money. “I insist.” The old woman smiled and bid them come inside. Makraim helped Matsey down from her horse and then helped Elise. The horses were turned out to a small meadow behind the house. After lunch, Makraim found himself under the watchful gaze of both women. The Lady of the house had excused herself to complete her daily chores. Makraim raised an eyebrow to the girls, and Matsey spoke first. “My Lord,” This drew Makraim’s full attention; She never addressed him as such unless she really had something on her mind. “You are so distant from us these past days. What troubles you so?” Makraim sighed and thought he may as well tell them. “I have been thinking about my household and it’s integrity. Someone is tipping off Sir Garot to our movements. Shortly he will ascend on the village we just left.” Elise’s brow furrowed and looked to the Count. “He will harm them.” It wasn’t a question, but the Count nodded his head at Elise anyway. “Can we not prevent it?” He shook his head sadly. “I can go to him. He wants only me. He will leave them alone then.” Makraim shook his head again and fiercely looked at the two women. “No one will bow down to that man or his insufferable desires. NO ONE!” he shouted the ending making both women jump. He then turned a cold shoulder to them and left the room to go outside and cool his head. Elise looked at Matsey. “What has upset him so?” Matsey was thoughtful for a moment before answering. “You know, none in his house know of his story. He left for the wars at a very young age, twelve or thirteen years of age. He returned briefly soon after his parents died and was called away again. When he returned again to his birthright he was a man. These are just stories, I’m unsure of their truth. Not many remain but Goelik from his original servants. Goelik tells us nothing about the count. He carries out orders for the King and is a very just and noble master. No one has ever questioned him. His family is old and well known though. He has never employed a head maid. What Goelik doesn’t take care of, he will tend to personally.” Both girls looked thoughtfully to the door before Matsey turned to Elise to see a small smile appearing on her face. “Well then, if we want answers, it seems as if we will have to corner our noble friend.” With that Elise rose to go outside to find Makraim, a very reluctant Matsey following in her wake. Count Declan was massaging his temples. It would seem the two girls had found him and were intent on being relentless in their questioning. He looked up at them again, seeing an infinite amount of patience and extreme determination in their eyes. Matsey let out a small sigh and turned to look at the horses grazing in the meadow beyond them. Elise focused her midnight eyes on his, catching the emerald orbs and holding them fast. “Please tell us about those missing years, fill in the story. Tell us what has happened to you.”Makraim gave a defeated sigh and took a breath; Elise recognized the sign of victory and settled in for a long story. “This is a long story but seeing as nothing short of divulging my deepest secrets will stop your incessant questioning, it is unavoidable. My real parents died when I was but five years old. I remembered walking in the manor gardens with my mother. She was a servant there. She was like an angel, She taught me everything I know about compassion and loyalty. My father was home very little. He was usually doing something for the Count and the Countess, and I don’t remember him at all. King Bilmarath was a young prince of only four at the time. His father, the King, was at the manor the day my father died, as my father had died carrying out an order for the King. The Count received him and brought him in to my mother. My mother died just a few days later of a broken heart. The Count and Countess took me in the as their own son, as they could have no children of their own. That time was a time of peace and the kingdom was small. The King loved my adoptive parents and trusted them infinitely. He brought his son Prince Bilmarath to the manor and he stayed with us for a while. At the age of five I was trained to inherit everything, including the title of Count. Since the prince was with us during that time his tutors were sent to the manor and I was taught as well. We were taught to ride, fight, read, and politics of court life. When I turned twelve I went with him to court to be presented to the King. They recognized then that I would benefit from training in the kings guard, and thus I remained employed there until the Count and Countess were killed in the war with the Arots.” The girls gave each other bewildered looks then looked back to Makraim expectant. “Obviously that can’t be all.” Matsey spoke up. Elise nodded in agreement. He sighed and surrendered. “Alright! Alright! You women are relentless! Prince Bilmarath was like a brother to me. While I was in the guard, he watched me, and would send word to the Count and Countess of my progress. The Arots attacked the manor and my parents were slain. Only a few faithful servants remained. I had to return to the manor to take over for a time. When I turned sixteen, the prince’s father died and he assumed the throne. I was called from the manor to help him within the castle as his advisor. At this time, Goelik was the only remaining servant from the original household and he was left in charge. During this period of time Goelik lost his wife to a fever I believe. He wrote to me and let me know everything at the manor would remain in his care until my return home. I wrote saying I would come home if it were necessary so he could mourn her passing but he declined. It was also during this time that the prince was to take a bride. He took Princess Eri as his wife. Queen Eri is a woman of remarkable beauty. They were very happy together in the beginning, and in time I came to regard her as my sister just as King Bilmarath was my brother. The queen had a younger sister who came to attend her at court, and she was just as beautiful as Eri. Her hair was black as the darkness but her eyes were a beautiful blue. Her name was Tiaree, and I fell in love with her. She was always by my side. King Bilmarath was happy for us, and began to hope for our union in marriage. His wife Eri however, kept a guarded eye on her sister. I had thought it was due to being a protective big sister and sought to gain her approval, little then did I know the real truth. I went to Eri to ask for Tiaree’s hand in marriage since their parents had passed and she was her only family. She kept asking me if I was sure. I grew angry with her and yelled that I loved Tiaree with all of my heart. She accepted with pained reluctance and sorrow in her eyes. I was startled and hurt. Surely she could not trust me so little with her sister. But I was happy, so happy that I went to Tiaree right away. I asked her to be my wife and she accepted. We were to be married in the fall. The wedding was beautiful.” Here he stopped and looked at the stunned girls. He raised a hand to stop the questions he knew were there. “Let me finish. The wedding was beautiful. I was at peace with my bride beside me. Everyone was elated except Queen Eri. I felt I hated her at that very moment, I was so bitter towards her. She cried bitterly at our wedding and I grew apart from her even as King Bilmarath tried to reconcile us. But I was young. I was eager. Tiaree and I were happy in the beginning. We were making plans to go back to the manor. We were going to start a family. One night King Bilmarath called for me, as he had a mission for me. I was to go to a land called Mira and tell the people to stay true to their king and inform them of his coming to visit; I never questioned the King even if I thought his missions were odd. I went to Tiaree first to tell her of my upcoming journey, and Tiaree was waiting there for me, a knife in her hand. I was shocked. I stood there dumbly pleading with her. I felt my heart tear to pieces that day. Here I was, a man of only eighteen about to be killed by my treacherous wife who had never felt love for me. She looked at me with a wicked gleam in her eyes. She told me of her intentions to marry into the court in hopes that she could seduce the king away from her sister. I was merely a pawn in her play to get to him. I rose up in anger and overtook her easily. She began screaming she was with child. I froze in my tracks. She was to have a child, my child! Was this the reason she was acting so strange? I was told that women do very odd things when bearing a child. I brought her up to Queen Eri and King Bilmarath. I told them everything that had happened that night, and that my wife was with child. I left her in their care and went on my mission; my mind kept going to her though. When I got to Mira there was so much to do, and I stayed to help them with their preparations to accept the king. Two months passed and King Bilmarath finally arrived. He stayed there for two more months helping to build up their land. Later, it would become these people that became who we now know as the current Arots. We helped them. We helped them build the very land that would turn against us. They took up the name of the people in the early wars. I had been away from my wife for five total months when I retuned home with the king. I was elated to see her. When we got there we walked in to a horrible sight; Tiaree was lying on the floor next to Queen Eri, The Queen surrounded by a pool of blood. Tiaree looked up at us. She ran to King Bilmarath and grabbed him, She told him they could be together now, now that her sister was gone; he was free to be hers. I made to protest, but she just looked at me with a cruel detachment. King Bilmarath threw her aside and ran to his wife. Queen Eri was breathing but only just. I was stunned and terrified at the events that were unfolding, and went to my wife who had been thrown aside to check on our child that she was carrying. King Bilmarath called for help. I will always remember that day because of these next actions.” Makraim paused and had a faraway look in his eyes and a single tear made their way unnoticed from his eyes. “I looked to Eri and an unexplainable fury ran threw me. I turned back to Tiaree. She was laughing. She told me of the potion she had used to kill the child within her, and she instantly repulsed me. I got up feeling betrayed and disgusted. She was trying to get the King’s attention again, but he called the guards to come and get her. She was being arrested for murder of the queen, and screamed out to me for help. She wanted me to save her, after everything she had done, everyone she had hurt, the treacherous little snake called to me to help her, and what’s worse I felt love for her still in that moment. She was being dragged away and she still looked beautiful. My heart beat for that woman and I was forced to watch her taken from me. I was confronted with reality, the reality that there really was never an us, there would never be an us again. She took everything from me. Lady Tiaree would be put to death by beheading. Queen Eri did live to bear a son. He was born about the same time you were Elise, maybe two years older at most.” He looked at the shock written on the two girls’ faces. “Yes, I am but twenty years older than you, and a great fool. I am tired now and need to clear my head. The memories you have made me recall are terrible and painful. I need some time. Be gone.” He rose and left the two. Matsey and Elise watched his retreating form. Elise wondered out loud, “Matsey what have I done? I made him recall these things. I am such a horrible person for making him feel all those things again.”She watched him go wishing she had stayed in the house with the old woman. “My Lady, he did this of his own free will. You are not to blame. Let us talk of other things. How old are you Mistress Elise?”She began to laugh, “I am but eighteen years of age. If you please, what is your age?” “Twenty-six.” Matsey laughed, addressing Elise’s look of shock, “Yes I know I only look about eighteen. I have no idea why I never seem to age right. Perhaps it is my magical background. My mother’s family comes from long lines of enchantresses.” She watched Elise with amusement in her eyes. “I see. You are so beautiful Matsey, I would have guessed you a Countess yourself.” Elise complimented her friend still in shock of her age difference. “I am well taken care of at the manor as I was not born a servant. My mother and father were a lord and lady. My father was a knight. He served King Bilmarath’s father and grandfather before him. My mother was welcomed at court often and I was brought up in court. When my parent’s passed I was put in the count’s care. I am happy to be charged with being your personal servant as well as magical safety of his home.” “You are a dear friend to me.” Elise embraced Matsey with the tenderness of a sister. After a few more hours of talk, the two sought out Makraim. “We need to travel tonight. We’ll seek the shelter of the woods in the night.” Elise and Matsey nodded their acceptance and Makraim left them to talk with the peasants they had stayed with. They took their leave and rode a few hours out to the wilderness, where Makraim made a fire and instructed the ladies to rest. Matsey slipped into sleep easily, while Elise stayed awake. Count Declan’s life story was rolling in her head. She turned to her watchful protector to see his head in his hands. She rose to sit by him. “I’m sorry to cause you such pain. I didn’t think.” Elise’s voice startled him, though he never showed it outwardly. “I needed to say it. Keeping it in only kills from the inside out.”He was quiet again and turned his gaze to the stars. His mind wandered but he found he was no longer thinking on painful memories. He was thinking of his current travel companions. Matsey has been in his household for a while now. She was sent from count to attend his household, having lost her family. Elise just stumbled into his life and everything seemed to be confused. He kept Matsey close for so long now. He felt out of control when she wasn’t around. His house was well maintained between herself and Goelik. Elise was just a child and he shouldn’t be so attached to her. Both woman occupied his thoughts way more than was healthy. It was quiet and he almost missed Elise’s next words. “Though you left something out didn’t you? You are still deeply in love with Tiaree despite everything.” She watched as his eyes left the sky and looked into her own. How wrong she was. He often wondered if he ever really loved the Lady Tiaree or if he was just young and stupid and she was beautiful and took notice of him. Flattery was a mistress better left untouched. “This time you are wrong young one. I could never love her truly.” He looked into Elise’s eyes. He loved getting lost in their midnight depths. “I don’t know if I fully know how to love anymore.” He thought to ask her to teach him again but instead said, “Get to sleep. We leave at dawn.” Elise didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed that Makraim broke their gaze off. She gave up and went to bed, and this time sleep found her easily.