Morvran's ankle was a lot better than you had expected it to be. He still couldn't walk properly but it had healed enough to walk a little.

If he was blurring out the pain, he was even able to walk at normal speed. Running still wasn't an option. Neither was jumping or kicking. But it was enough for now.

As carefully as possible, you placed him in a stack of hay and sighed.

He was already visibly exhausted Form the short trip from the main house to the stables. Sweat was shimmering on his forehead and his breath was shaking.

"Don't look at me like that!", he demanded, halfway laughing and halfway trying to catch his breath.

"You're an absolut maniac if you think this will work.", you said, shaking your head.

Quickly, you saddled the mere, put reins on her and gave her a handful of snacks. Food made her calm down a little. She had made quite some progress in the past weeks. Now, she was willing to let you sit on her back whenever you wanted. Sometimes she was still refusing to follow orders and tried to pick a fight. But she did not throw you off anymore.

"Good girl.", you whispered, while stroking the spot between her eyes. "Come on. Be a good horse and let the general ride you."

With one hand, you helped Morvran to get up, while keeping the mere still with the other.

You did not quite get why he was insisting on taking a horse. Probably because sitting on the back of one was easier than walking himself. His foot would be still, at least to a certain extend and he would be a lot quicker.

"Why her?", Morvran asked, as you lead the mere outside to the fields.

Torn from your thoughts, you raised your head.

"Hm?", you asked, not in the mood for talking.

"The mere. You had insisted on taking her. Why?"

A sigh escaped you.

"Isn't it obvious? She's stronger and quicker than the other horses in your stable. In case anything is about to happen, you can race away with her. Nobody would try to catch a horse that is this quick."

Sceptical, he raised an eyebrow.

"You want me to flee whenever it gets dangerous?"

"No. I want you to flee when things are going down the drain."

"I won't leave my battalion. Ever. If we loose, everyone dies. Me included."

His words made the anger inside of you stir.

How could he say such a foolish thing?

How was he ready to throw himself into death?

Angrily, you twisted your mouth. An unsatisfied growl escaped your lips.

"Idiot...", you mumbled.

Morvran laughed. It was a mocking, hateful laugh. He had never laughed like that before. Not in your presence.

"I might be an idiot but at least I don't leave my men to safe my own skin.", he spit.

Now, the anger inside of you exploded.

With a hateful expression on your face, you twirled around to face him. The anger was written all over you. It shimmered in your eyes.

"Now listen, you fucking noble! I was forced to join this battalion! They dragged me out of my own goddamn home and chained me to a carriage so I couldn't run! I had a father to care for! He was sick. But none of those noble soldiers cared! I ran away because I needed to care for my family. I ran away because I was a slave to them, even though I am a Nilfgaardian through and through! To them, I was just trash! And what did I get for saving their soldiers? What did I get for cutting their poisoned legs and arms? What did I get?!", your voice stopped for a second, while you were staring at him. "I tell you what I got. A dead father and an execution that awaits me."

As the rage faded, tears began to fill your eyes.

Why did you tell him all this?

Why was he able to get so much out of you, even though you had kept this a secret?

Shivering, you let go of the reins and walked away. Slowly at first, then faster. You began to run, not towards the mansion but towards the forest. You wanted to be alone.

Meanwhile, Morvran had frozen in shock. He was sitting on the back of the mere, his hands holding the reins tight.
Shaking breaths escaped his lips, as he watched you with his bright blue eyes.

"I didn't know.", he whispered. "(Y/N)! Forgive me, I didn't know!"

Hastily, he ordered the mere to run after you. But she refused and just stood still. Over and over again, he wanted her to move. But she remained unmoved.

Only when your shadow disappeared between the high trees of the forest, she began to move slowly.

By the time he had reached the edge of the forest, you were already gone.

"Great!", Morvran cursed. "By the gods, why are you such a fool, Morvran?! It would have been better to just keep your mouth shut!"

Cursing himself out, he turned the mere and began to ride her across the fields. Right now, he knew that you didn't want to see anyone. Or him in particular.

He understood.

But still, that did not change the fact that he felt bad. The urge to apologise settled in his chest. He wanted to take you in, hug you tight and beg for your forgiveness. The thought of you crying made his heart go heavy.

The mere ran through the fields as if she could understand the anger that was going towards himself. She was feeling the wish inside of him to make the words unspoken.

"Come on girl! Let's run!", with one mighty command, he chased with her through the night.

The wind stroked over his face, as she chased like the devil himself.

This horse would safe his life one day. He could feel it deep down.

But he didn't want to admit it.

Not yet.