The first night, we stay near a river that snakes through the thick wood. We don't stay on the banks, but not so far that we can't have fresh water at hand.

I drag my saddle close to Jed and the others, still highly untrusting of the king's dogs.

The cousins share a look before drawing their cloaks nearer, and continue to chew on the bread that they brought with them.

While my party watches the others with contempt, they also drag out their freshly stocked rations for an unsatisfactory supper.

I go to Lasreal who waits impatiently, as I had commanded him to wait, and walk him to the water to let him drink.

He tugs eagerly at the bit, delicate nostrils flaring with his sable ears pricked forward excitedly.

Ones he dips his head to the water, he skims his lower lip over the surface, an realizing that it isn't salty ocean water, (That water beasts like to drink) he tosses his head and pins his ears against his skull. Displeased, he gives a small squeal, and I feel his disagreement at the corner of my mind.

"Oh get over it, it won't kill you just drink it!" I hiss in a hushed tone, glancing behind us to make sure that no one had noticed my beasts strangeness.

-

Over the fire and behind the cousins, I have a clear shot of the bank of the other side of the water, and if I turn my head a little, I can see to the outskirts of the woods.

Sleeping on rocks doesn't sound terribly appealing, but I suppose it could be worse. And besides, I don't foresee any of us sleeping much tonight, as both parties are very weary of one another yet.

-

Eventually the soft snores of both my party, and the king's men mix with the sounds of wild creatures of the night.

I lay awake on my back, one arm resting behind my head, the other laying on my sword hilt next to me.

Looking over, I see that Jed is indeed asleep as well, though he tried to stay awake with me to keep an eye on the dogs, but a day of riding is exhausting and his heavy lids prevailed.

I roll my head back to look up at the sky, and watch them for a long minute before closing my eyes.

Taking a deep, quiet breath, I prepare myself for what had been pestering my mind since we spoke to Alphonse.

I find Lance's mind link lingering on the fringes of mine, meaning that it had been pending. He had been waiting patiently to hear from me, so I push to open it.

He responds immediately. It's about due time. Are you well? How is your arm?

I swallow, and get right to the point. I am supposed to be hunting you down. Your party I should say, I have a hit to carry out on the Prince.

He stays quiet for so long that I think he may have fallen asleep, wherever he is tonight.

I nearly fall asleep my self, but I am ones again awoken when he answers.

You know I cannot allow that to happen. I have sworn this man my sword, and my protection.

That is my fear. I wish not to harm him, and I am unsure what to do here brother. This is my cover, if I am to delay, I may be suspected.

There is once again a long pause, in which I am left alone with the sounds of the night. Not far off, the sound of several of our blended group's mounts splash through the small river to sip heartily.

Maybe you should try a different cover.

And where do you suppose I go? Two of the ones I travel with know who I am. One of them, a boy, used to live in Nordic, and told me he used to love watching me ride Las. So of corse, he knew who I was. If I am to leave, someone will surely turn me in.

A familiar pattern of hoof beats makes me open my eyes, and am greeted by a puff of warm air.

I abandon my sword to reach up and stroke Lasreal's muzzle, and he nudges me, as if to apologize for his foul reaction to the freshwater.

I blow air up at him, and he jerks his head, then lowers it again, ears pricked with interest.

He starts to lip my nose, but it's then that I shove him away. He shan't get too comfortable being allowed to have his mouth so close to me. That mouth, that is full of a row of sharp teeth.

"That is indeed, a strange beast."

I fly up from my former position, my eyes landing on Kaladin's open ones. How long had he been watching me?

Lasreal backs up and half rears, but to my relief, he doesn't scream or make a noise to wake the others.

Kaladin smiles disarmingly, and props his head up on one arm to look over Jed, Syl and Adolin at him.

I swallow, quickly pulling my hair back behind me while his eyes are busy.

"You caught and trained him did you?"

"Y-Yes, I did." I answer slowly, unsure of how far he is proposing to take his questioning.

Lyra? Lance's worry presses the corners of my mind, having felt my sudden start.

I'm alright. I assure him. Let us continue this in the morning.

Alright. He concludes, no further questions asked. Good night, child.

Good night brother.

Kaladin seems amused. "And a fine beast indeed. Why does he not graze with the others?" He asks this, but his face, though dimly lit by the embers of the fire, says that he knows the answer.

I hold his blue gaze tirelessly. "Because he does not eat grass."

He smiles. "Of corse not."

We stare at each other a while, until someone groans, and my head turns to him across the embers.
Moriar merely turns over and is still ones more.

When I look back, it seems that Kaladin had never looked away.
"He hears you when you do not speak. I see that he will not go near any of the others and the same the other way around, but also will not stray near another human."

I swallow. "We have a bond. He knows my wishes."

Kaladin chuckles quietly, so not to disturb the sleeping. "I know what he is, my uncle had one as well. It was as evil as him I'm afraid, so I never went near. They hear your thoughts, do they not? "

"You were wise to keep your distance, none of the beasts are kind to anyone but their masters. And yes, they do."

Kaladin is silent a moment, watching me carefully with skillful eyes.

I stare right back.

"He seems like a fair beast. Besides his temperament of corse."

"He is." I answer plainly. "Now if you please, I'll be off to bed now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for the reads and constructive criticism guys! A picture of Adolin has been posted, and I went back and added a few other pictures to the chapters that I forgot to post them in before, in case anyone wants to see them. That start at chapter 9, and go steadily on until here, and I will continue to post them!

Character sheet of the chapter:

Name: Lance Farfellow

Height/Weight: 6'4, 195 lbs

Age: 24

Body type: Muscular

Skin color: Tan/Dark

Clothing Style: The colors of Whales

Eye color: Dark Brown

Hair color & style: long, dark brown, curly

Distinguishing Physical Trait: rough, rugged but handsome

Action Tags: Sighs a lot

Verbal Tags: tells Lyra she is stupid, and that he loves her

Physical Imperfections: Many scars in various places from the battle

Race/Ethnic Group: European

Religion: Catholic

Special Training: Was the apprentice of a high ranking knight in Nordic.

Occupation: second-in-command knight of Whales

Skills: strong, skillful swordsman, skilled fighter and rider

Personality: Strong (but a softie with Lyra)

Strengths: Staying alive (given previous circumstances), swordsman

Weaknesses: Lyra

Quirks: Strong, Smart

Home: A noblemen's oldest son, strong relationship with his father, brother is a prick, mother is dead

History: Wealthy bloodlines

Goals: To serve his sworn time in Whales and get back to Nordic to reunite with Lyra

Motivation: Lyra

Conflict: Whales (he swore his sword to the king)

Fatal flaw: -

-A.