Shady

"Rhaebaki, sir," Harlyn said. "A village called Shirr." "I'm from Austraka," Dar'shaya answered. "Lutalya."

Aeron snorted. "What does that mean?"

(not me, once again stealing characters from Jerica's novel because I'm shit at naming characters lol these are the names of her two attendants) "Dar'shaya, sir," the dark-skinned girl answered, ...

"Yes sir." She dipped her head. "Thank you, sir. His name is Kaelan." She glanced back at the soldier behind them. "The one who stood up." Like a fool.

"Mm," he grunted, but made a mental note to try to avoid it in the future.

"Um..." She hesitated, blushing. "One of the soldiers is rather important to me, sir. I'd just like to say goodbye -- I promise I'll be quick."

Aeron briefly considered letting the branch snap back to whack them, but didn't. "Mm." He followed along behind them. "These are coarse parts. Best go back to the city if ...

Talia's heart lurched when he said 'execute' even though he was saying it in terms of not doing it. Kaelan . "M-may I... see them off, sir?" she asked timidly. ...

"Frown at me all you like." Aeron held a branch out of the way for them. "If you're gonna travel, you need to learn to listen to the locals. We ...

"She's...here?" Talia glanced around despite herself; she didn't understand.

"Best not try anything on your own," Aeron chided. "Unless you're off on a suicide mission or something. Swear to god." He shook his head. "Reckless."

"Talia, sir." She was still blushing.

"You can try it." Aeron shrugged. "Probably not, though."

Talia gasped and looked at him immediately. It was Ky? She was... alive, still? Here? How? What did that mean? Where was she? Was she okay? She realized she absolutely ...

"How so?"