As they continued to travel Alice thoughts consumed her. Her future unforeseen, a loss of direction, and soon her life would rest in the hands of a stranger she greatly feared. She pried herself away from her thoughts as she stared down at Urena who laid across her lap. Urena a very proud woman was now reduced to nothing more than a mere image of the warrior she once was. The injuries she sustained in battle protecting Alice had consumed her fully. Her chosen acceptance of death as her fate Alice wanted nothing more than to put these dark times behind her. The color had all but faded from her face and she grew weaker as the moments passed. Clenching her hand tightly she vowed to remain at her side until she took her final breath. Since crossing paths Urenas loyalty never wavered and for that she vowed to never fade her from memory. She was so impelled in her thoughts she hadn’t realized the horse they were riding had stopped. Looking ahead she sees the Kai dismount her stallion.

“We rest, “she says noticing the confusion on Alice face. Now, walking towards her she lifts Urena off her lap and lays her down next to some adjacent shaded trees. Without saying another word she follows behind Ate disappearing into the forest. Alice watching them both disappear dismounts her house then walks over kneeling down next to her.

“Your majesty it won’t be long as my march towards death draws near.”

“Don’t speak preserve what little strength you have left you must rest.” Urena weak beyond measure didn’t have enough strength to keep her eyes opened. As soon as her eyes closed she used the opportunity to re-dress her wounds. Blood continued to spill from her stomach onto the ground underneath her. Applying pressure to her abdomen she felt her body quiver from her touch. Alice initially suspected Urenas body reacted to the dropping of temperature as night fall drew near. This was not the cause, so much blood had been lost she was now slipping in and out of consciousness and shock.

“Urena, if you can hear me I must gather wood to help keep you warm I will not wonder far please remain with me until I return.” Looking over her once more she disappears into the forest in hopes of finding what was needed to build a fire.