Thoughts as plentiful as the leaves of the Murmurwoods fluttered through his mind.

If she wore the seal of the Protector, no rational being would think of harming her or risk his fury. As the Protector's Choice, she truly was a treasure to be cherished and a perfect opportunity for him.

An interesting thought formed. It was common knowledge what a crest exchange meant, yet she acted confused when he mentioned being the Protector's Choice. Was it possible she was unaware that a given crest meant a betrothal? How could she not know?

The only way she wouldn't know the custom was if she'd come through a Crossing. And no one had come through in decades.

Lucas studied her keenly. Was it possible? Once again she had surprised him and another reason for which she intrigued him.

"Lucas, have you met Armindia's Protector?"

"A couple of years back I was presented with the opportunity to meet him." He felt Aurora tense against his arms. "However, before I could meet him, he had ridden off in the middle of the night."

As they traveled their voices mingled with the forest's indiscernible conversations, while the trees grew higher and thicker.

"His triumphs are becoming legend. He's fought off Mithoran from Armindia's borders for several years. I've never seen him in battle but there are plenty of stories of his fierceness and bravery.

"Not to mention his skill with a blade. I do not envy his opponents in battle. Sometime after we were to be introduced, he renounced his given title. But all know his seal no matter the race."

They continued riding through the forest, with very little direction from Lucas. Munbata seemed to know where they were heading.

Realizing that Aurora had remained silent for most of the journey, Lucas nudged her, "Have I said something to upset you?"

"Huh? Oh, no, no. You've simply given me something to think about." She looked warily at him.

"Anything else I can do to help? I am at the moment quite busy, though. First, I must aid you in your noble quest to save a friend.

"While I am currently occupied rescuing you from the clutches of an unknown pursuer no doubt of his intent of making you his wench." His chin rested lightly on her shoulder as he playfully batted his eyes.

She giggled at his innocent posture. "You are as sweet as Lily. Yes, you can help. I'm curious---"

"About being a wench? Well, I do not think that is a suitable conversation, but if ever you were interested," he wiggled his eyebrows again, and she elbowed him on his stomach.

"Ooof!" He exaggerated the impact to see her smile. "What? I was just saying that a friend of my cousin knows this guy that----" she pressed her hand to his lips.

"I get it," she smiled, "but I have something else you can help me with." He mumbled something against her fingers so she removed her hand.

He repeated, "Not the wench part?" A note of disappointment tainted his question while the trees grew thicker still around them.

"No. Now stop it, I have a question for you." He waited patiently for her to ask.

"Are all seals as recognizable as his?" She faced forward and did not see his lips form into a thin line.

"What I mean is, well, is your seal for example, as easily recognizable as well?" Darkness began to fall blending the trees with one another, making it difficult to distinguish where one began and the other ended.

He chose his words carefully before he answered. "Some seals are more recognizable than others, if that is what you're asking."

"In small villages the seals and faces of all can easily be identified and matched. Anonymity can be hard to find in some cases."

"What about yours?" Her question caught him off guard.

"Mine?" She appeared to be just as curious about him as he of her.

For the protection of those he loved he did not wear his anymore on his travels. And at home there was no need. The thought of home saddened him.

"I'm constantly hounded by swarms of women throwing themselves at me." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes and there was bitterness in his voice.

"Night will soon be upon us completely. We've been heading northwest while circling around the Silent Circle. We will be stopping soon for the night. Now, hold on."

Lucas's arm encircled her waist securely then he gave a clicking command to Munbata. Instantly, the barian lurched to new speeds in leaps and bounds. Another clicking noise and Munbata flew into the air straight at the approaching tree truck. Aurora closed her eyes in fright, certain that they were going to be crushed, but the impact never came.

Munbata leapt from trunk to trunk, branch to branch, higher and higher into the forest, as the trees grew larger. She dared to open her eyes and saw the rush of tree limbs all at once and the ground becoming further away. Delight radiated in her laughter as they rocked with Munbata's powerful leaps.

Lucas watched her every reaction. "This is amazing!" She shouted in glee.

Tree branches grew wider, making the leap from branch to branch feel like flying.

"Glad you are enjoying this." He was greatly pleased at her response. "You're not frightened?"

She shook her head. The branches reached and interlaced with one another forming a road in the sky, until Munbata slowed and finally halted.

"Good. We will rest here for the night." Lucas's words startled her out of her flying rapture.

Aurora scanned their surroundings, the tree limbs were so intertwined that they created a floorlike appearance. "Here? On top of trees?" Her voiced quivered as she began to doubt the limbs' sturdiness.

"I thought you were fearless." He released her waist and began dismounting while Aurora swayed with the lack of support behind her.

The last rays of light had long been extinguished as she looked at where he stood, and trying to forget how far away the ground was beneath them. Munbata turned his head at her, blinked then stuck out his tongue around his mouth awaiting his dismissal.

"Where is he going to sleep?" She appeared unwilling to dismount just yet.

"He tends to like a nest a couple of trunks away." Lucas reached out to her.

"Pretty one," he looked at her coaxingly, "I will not let anything happen to you." His gentle persuasion convinced her. She clutched tightly Lucas' hands.

He guided her off and gently landed her beside him. Munbata moved stealthily across the branches to another nest.

"I will not let you go, Aurora." With his voice confident and kind she felt steady then. He tossed several yellow fruits into Munbata's eager maw.

"You can see the branches are wide and spacious for us to stand upon. We are quite safe here."

She dared to glance down; the branches formed netted flooring with leaves and moss providing a soft cushion. Slowly, she began to relax and breathed evenly. Lucas motioned to a nearby nest for them.

"Where's the bird? Won't it want to come here to rest and peck our eyes out or something?" Her gaze searched the branches in every direction.

Lucas laughed quietly. "There's no bird. These were made by barians. Actually, by Munbata's kin."

Aurora searched for the giant beast, but could not find him in the darkness. She had never seen anything like him or the nest before.

"We'll be safe." He guided her to sit in the middle of the nest beside him then wrapped a blanket around her shoulders for comfort.

"You sleep here often?" She could not contain her curiosity.

"When I want to be alone. Yes." He nodded. "No one knows I come here." He hoped the darkness concealed his embarrassment at his revelation.

"Thank you for sharing this with me." She scooted to one side, making room for him by her. He'd trusted her with something special, and now she would trust him.

"You had a long day, Aurora. Go to sleep."

She yawned and lied on the flooring in a huddled curve, resting her head on her palm. Taking his words to heart, her eyes couldn't find the will to remain open for long.

Lucas sat and watched her as she held onto her medallion while she slept.

A slight frown marred his face as he realized he was beginning to form an attachment to her. She was the Protector's Choice. Still, he decided to throw caution to the wind.

"You might be all that I need," he whispered before he leaned against the trunk and let his thoughts wander.