Aurora followed Lucas' stare back to the distant dunes shrouded in crimson.

Lucas gave more clicking commands and Munbata switched directions. The creature's strides, far superior than most mounts, made short distance of the woods in little time.

Lucas leaned in close to her ear, shielding her with his body. "We will head into the Murmurwoods. We can lose them there and enter the Silent Circle if necessary."

She faced forward, silently urging Munbata faster, though she knew not what to expect once they entered the woods. The outlining trees stood like guards upon a fortress wall in vigilance, with each tree wider and taller than the one before.

The dotted trees that passed them soon multiplied in numbers. They were no longer on the edge of the forest, but safely within it. Once fully enveloped by the forest, they deviated from the main road.

Branches whirled high above them as trunks thickened and the sky became obstructed with shields of dense vegetation. Before Aurora's eyes, Munbata's skin began to undergo a change, drawing in the brilliant hues of green of the forest that engulfed them.

Scattered fingers of light shone through the nearly impenetrable green clouds of foliage. The thin streaks of light danced across the carpeted forest floor with the wind.

It was impossible for Aurora to make any sense of what direction they were traveling after all the twists and turns that they had taken. They roamed the forest until Lucas deemed it was time to a halt.

"Is it safe?" She uttered cautiously, wind rustled the leaves high on the branches stealing her voice. Lucas nodded, gave another clicking command as Munbata lowered and he dismounted.

"We will allow Munbata to rest a while." He reached out to Aurora and lowered her to the ground gently. Munbata then stood on his hind legs braced against a tree and happily feasted on the leaves and twigs of low lying limbs.

When Lucas spoke she was certain that she heard a distant echo. She tilted her head to listen closely to the forest sounds hoping she could identify those that didn't belong.

"You do not have to lower your voice. The trees already have your voice and will mimic you. The swaying of the trees and the rustling of the leaves will join with the countless other voices forming interesting conversations for anyone who will stop and listen." He sat on a mossy root and gestured for her to sit.

Aurora could not help notice that his eyes seemed to belong to the forest. "How is that possible?"

The treetops were out of sight, and when her gaze came down she noticed the trunks were almost the size of a small house. She sat with her legs crossed beside him.

"The forest is ancient. For anyone who does not know the Murmurwoods, it is quite easy to get lost. Some have never been seen again, or so the stories go.

"The trees manipulate voices; they talk. They cannot be trusted." He crossed his ankles and looked up at the interlacing limbs from tree to tree that embraced each other.

Aurora followed his gaze. Braided vines as numerous as leaves draped from unknown heights. "Is it an evil place?" Something instinctive compelled her to whisper.

He smiled at her like one who knows a treasured secret. "On the contrary, pretty one; it is a safe place for those who wish to remain hidden." He bumped her shoulder. "Like us."

"How long are we going to stay still? I mean, where are we going? Is this the way to Mithoran?" She stood and began pacing.

Lucas ignored their surroundings and side stepped a few of her questions.

"For the mean time, we will rest here and have lunch like civilized people. With Munbata's speed it would take anyone following us some time before they could be even near us.

"Though I doubt they will follow us in here and even if they did, not many would dare to venture beyond the Murmurwoods Path. Do not worry. You're safe with me." He turned to remove food and a water container from one of the bags Munbata carried.

As he offered her fruit to eat, Aurora couldn't help but remember the last meal she shared with Tezaro. She bit her lip wondering if Tezaro was angry or even worried about her. Would he try to find her? They'd met only a few days ago and already he occupied much of her thoughts.

She blinked and focused on Lucas's patient face. They were so different. Tezaro was dark and somber, like thundering clouds in the distance, but as dangerous as lightning. Lucas's entire demeanor radiated with mischief and warmth, a complete opposite.

The forest filled up the silence between them. Out of habit she played with Tezaro's medallion around her neck as she accepted bread from Lucas.

But Lucas could not be silent for long. "As far was mornings go, you've brought me an interesting day so far, Aurora: just as your name promises." He grinned widely before taking a large bite of bread.

"One can only wonder what you will bring tomorrow. You're certainly turning out to be my kind of woman." He wiggled his eyebrows in jest.

After he was done, he called out to Mumbata. "We will remain riding throughout the forest until we are certain that we have avoided your pursuers, pretty one. Though, to be honest, I will be unable to detect any use of magic here. The forest tends to coat all other magic with its own."

"How can you sense magic from a distance? Or any magic for that matter?"

"It's a gift." He winked at her. "But if need be we will hide within the Silent Circle and be safe."

It seemed like a sensible thing to do. In this she would trust him yet again. She dropped her hand from the medallion and stood. The glint of metal bounced off a finger of sunlight and caught his attention.

He stood and reached out to clasp the medallion. "What is this?"

Aurora attempted to tuck it out of sight, unsure why Lucas' reaction alarmed her, but was stopped. He held it in his palm, studying it closely. There was something in his expression that made her wary of him.

"You wear the crest of Armindia's Protector." Disbelief colored his whispered voice.

She swallowed hard. "Yes. Is that a problem?" She had no idea what the title meant, but it was clear it belonged to Tezaro.

"I do not understand. If you wear his crest, why did he abandon you to an inept guard? Does he know what you are about to do? Why is he not with you?" Lucas' stern expression did not seem to fit his face.

"Wait, I'm confused," Aurora stepped back and hid the medallion. "Inept guard? Who are you talking about? No one's left me behind. I'm the one that left. Remember?" She corrected him.

"And still you defend him. He inspires so much in you then. I should have known. All speak highly of him. You must be very special to be his Choice." He studied her openly.

"His choice? Who's choice?"

He must have noticed the apparent confusion in her face as something changed in his expression. "You do not see, do you?" A cocky smirk escaped him.

She was frozen in bewilderment at Lucas's dizzying reasoning. "What is wrong with my wearing the Protector's crest? It's only temporary." At that Lucas threw a yelp and swung her around. Echoes of laughter surrounded them like a musical chorus.

"Nothing, pretty one. Nothing is absolutely wrong. On the contrary, things are most definitely improving." He beamed a smile at her as he set her down and kissed her nose. Cheerfully he called for Mumbata.

"Yet I do not understand why he left you with that guard. But it does not matter, you're with me now. That is all that matters." He began climbing Munbata.

Something sounded wrong in what he'd said. Tezaro was the Protector Lucas mentioned that much was clear. She took hold of his outstretched hand and was lifted back onto Munbata.

The abrupt movement of Munbata's leap literally jerked her into realization. He doesn't know Tezaro and Armindia's Protector are one and the same! Cautiously she phrased her question unsure of what she'd discovered. "Lucas, have you met the Protector?"

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A/N: The explanation of the crest will be in the next chapter. Thank you for reading, commenting and voting. Please share this story if you are enjoying it.