Keil watched as Sylvia tossed and turned restlessly in her sleep. Her face was still red from crying, a sight that made his heart ache with guilt. He had known when taking her that she might upset, confused, and possibly angry upon waking. Yet to actually watch as his bride's face crumpled with hopeless sorrow and fear before him? He had not been expecting the pain such a sight could impose...

He let out a frustrated sigh, thinking back on their evening together. Putting the ring on her finger might have been a bit too unsettling, since she could not yet understand him. In his culture it was not an uncommon gesture, but he had to remember that Sylvia was not the same as the women back home. All he wanted was to show her that there was nothing to fear from him, that is why he had made his intentions of marriage quite clear. She was going to be his wife, so she need not fear any harm. After returning home she would be crowned princess and shown a new life full of luxury and ease. A life without the sufferings she already knew.

Until then though he had to be more careful, lest he wish to anger her for good. Even kissing her so boldly might have been a bad idea. At the time he simply had not been able to help himself, but now he saw that it had only frightened Sylvia in the end. Keil only wanted to make her happy, to make her stop crying so she could feel safe in his arms! And yet, it was clear that she felt the exact opposite of that around him. Even back in the burrow she was ever wary around him, flinching at every touch of his. Well, he had only gone and made that worse it seems...

Keil just had to make Sylvia understand. He would never hurt her, never be cruel to her, never cause her pain. She didn't need to be afraid. She had done everything in her power to save his life, to tend to his wounds and feed him, to protect and care for him when he was hurt. So how could he do any less for her, his new bride? Even now, despite her anger, Sylvia still cared about him. He knew she did, even after everything they had been through. Keil also knew that he would do anything for her, anything at all! Even if she didn't understand things right now, eventually she would. When she realized how much he cared for her, and what a good life he could give her, then she would understand. Then she would forgive him and everything would be okay again!

Keil sighed. Until then he supposed he would just have to show her how strongly he felt, and how happy he could make her. She would smile and laugh and be full of joy! She would be his precious princess and he would keep her safe in his father's castle. Never again would she feel the strikes against her back or a bruise against her skin. No, not on his life! He was going to make sure that nothing like that ever happened to her again. He didn't care what it took or how long he had to wait.

Just then, Sylvia turned in her restless sleep again, losing her blanket covering and exposing the back of her dress. He noticed her attempt at fixing the tears in its fabric, though it was some pretty sloppy patchwork. In fact, it was sure not to last long at all in that condition. Though the garment had nearly been in shambles even before his knife had found it.

Keil sighed. This wouldn't do. If her dress fell apart because there might never be any hope for forgiveness. He had to find someplace to replace those pathetic rags she was wearing! Perhaps he knew just the place to look too...

******

Keil risked another peek from behind the tree he was hiding behind. After following Sylvia's footprints he had come across a village that was most likely her home. He surveyed the small town cautiously from his perch, both anxious and curious to see what kind of place she had come from. To see what kind of place had hurt her.

He noticed about twenty small houses grouped together tightly in the area, with one large farm property off in the distance. The buildings were run down and dirty, as were the few people he saw walking about despite the late hour. Overall, it looked like a depressing and pathetic place. He scoffed quietly. To think Sylvia would rather return here than to come along with him! It was absolutely ridiculous.

As soon as the last of the lights were put out and all the streets darkened, Keil finally stepped out from behind his hiding spot. He cautiously roamed around the area from the shadows, looking for a place that might not be too dangerous to steal a simple dress. Obviously, houses were out of the question since people were likely to be within. What he needed was a shop or storehouse to break into, someplace no one would quickly notice an intruder. Unfortunately, there appeared to be nothing of that sort in this town, only houses. Not even any taverns! What sort of place was this anyways?

Keil felt an uneasy worry. This town was not exactly normal, not by any stretch. In fact, it seemed to be full of nothing but...farmworkers? Was it an agricultural community? Why then were there no signs of well to do people or merchants? Why did everyone look as dirty and poor as Sylvia? Unless they were all just...servants? Was that what these people were? What Sylvia had been? It made sense actually, perfect sense! That was why she always appeared so tired, so quick to come and go, and why she had those scars. She was a worker here, one who had suffered punishment or abuse from one of her employers! To imagine Sylvia in such a humiliating state truly made his stomach churn. It was impossible to picture someone as dear as her being at the mercy of such a harsh life, or such cruel people.

Keil scowled with new anger, a deep-seated rage suddenly coursing through him. He felt a burning desire to avenge her, to make whoever had harmed her pay for inflicting such wounds! Servant or not, he doubted she could ever do anything deserving of such a punishment. Why, she was probably the kindest woman he had ever known! No, her masters had simply been evil. Not that he could expect any better from land dwellers. Sylvia was an exception among her people, even among his own in a way. A rare find he was sure among such an uncivilized and barbaric world. Well, no matter, her past was not important anymore. This place, and her old life, none of it mattered at all. She would soon be a princess, his princess.

After a bit of walking Keil eventually made his way to the large property that encircled a small plantation. He saw a smaller building off to the side, which was mostly likely where the direct servants slept. This seemed to be the best place to break in, as it would be easier to go in a larger space and remain unnoticed. Though it could be trickier too, as there could also be men on guard to watch the house...

He took a deep breath and prepared himself. He would be in big trouble if anyone caught him, so he had to be careful. Of course, he was quite confident in his stealth capabilities since he had been a remarkable thief for some time in his youth. Before coming to his father's castle, he had lived on the streets, stealing to feed himself and his mother after she fell sick. He never liked dealing dishonestly, but it seemed he had little choice back then as well as right now. Besides, considering all that these people had put Sylvia through, they at least owed her a change of clothes.

Keil crept up to the side of the house and carefully put his ear against the back door. He listened intently to the sounds coming from within, and noticed only one person snoring loudly. Most likely a sleeping servant. It seemed that security was weak, since such an easy entrance was being left unguarded. So, without a single noise he unlocked the door with his knife and slipped into the entrance unheard. He immediately spotted an old woman with her head down on a table by the fireplace, slumbering like a drunk.

After examining the area warily Keil made his way down a hallway, up a set of stairs, and down another hall until he spotted a few bedrooms. He peeked into each one carefully, eventually finding a large room with a woman sleeping in her bed. He snuck in without a single noise and quickly found a garment closet, by the looks of it, contained expensive clothing made out of fine material. He smiled and grabbed the very best looking dresses, hoping that they would please his new bride. Surely Sylvia would appreciate having a few new nice things to wear. Then after picking out a total of three garments, which was all he could reasonably carry back without being detected, he prepared to make his retreat back out the door he had come in.

However, a sudden loud and booming voice coming from the hallway stopped him. "And what of that blasted wench? Has she been tracked at all yet!?" A man bellowed.

Keil carefully reared his head out the door and listened carefully to the conversation, sensing that it was coming from a room nearby.

"Sir, we found her tracks in the woods, but they came to an abrupt halt. We cannot find her anywhere!" Another voice replied.

"How can you still be unable to find her? She could not have gone far, being the penniless slave that she is!" The first man bellowed angrily.

The other voice cleared his throat nervously. "Sir, perhaps Sylvia was killed by a wild animal. The scouts did find that ravaged camp few nights ago, remember?"

Keil tensed up at hearing Sylvia's name being spoken of in such an unsavory way. In all likelihood these men, if they were her masters, might have noticed her disappearance if she was indeed a servant from this area.

"If the other slaves hear of this, they may start thinking about escape too," The first man growled.

"Sir we will find evidence of her, sooner or later. There is no doubt about that. As you said, she has nowhere to go and no one to help her," The second voice said calmly.

"That girl had better be dead, else I will do even worse to her once she is found!" The first man replied with a malicious tone in his voice.

Keil scowled and clenched is fists with rage. It made his rage boil, wondering if one of these men could have been responsible for hurting Sylvia. He hated leave without avenging their abuse of her. But it could not be helped. Not if he wanted to escape undetected-

"Who are you!?" A shrill voice screamed from behind.

Uh oh.

As quick as a flash he closed the door and locked it from within, spinning around to face the woman in bed who was now awake and staring back at him.

"Father! Father help!!" She shouted again.

Keil cursed under his breath and raced over to the window, dresses in hand, and leaped out over the ledge. He was only two floors up so the fall wasn't too bad, even with his recent injuries. His clan of people were much stronger than Sylvia's people, and in peak condition he could easily achieve feats land dwellers could only ever dream of.

In mere seconds he was out of the town and well on his way back to the cave. He heard a few pursuers, so he made sure to throw off any stragglers by climbing a few trees and jumping across the tops for part of the trek back to hide his trail and scent. It was nearly sunrise by the time he made it back. Finna had her head poking out of the entrance, watching for him anxiously.

"Here I am girl," He chuckled.

The dragon purred happily and licked his face all over. He gave her a nice scale scratch and a quick nuzzle.

"Get some rest today, we will have to leave by nightfall." He mumbled.