“I sent Ate to retrieve you come you must eat, “walking towards the fire Alice gets close enough then takes a seat when she does the Kai notice she kept her head down. Using one of her swords she begins cutting the flesh of the cooked rabbit. Once she cut away a full portion she walked it over to her. Kneeling down she places the meat in front of her noticing the entire left side of her face was completely covered in dirt remints from her sleeping on the ground.

“I have nothing to offer you for this meal I’m sure there’s another more deserving of such nourishment, “she says her voice cracking in between words.

“I seek nothing in return now eat.” It was the tone and the manner in which she spoke Alice knew to obey, picking up the meat she places it into her mouth chewing it slowly. Once she swallowed the Kai placed a canteen full of water in front of her.

“Gratitude, “she says with her head still down. The Kai walking on the other side of the fire left her to fill her belly with as much meat as she could manage. When she awoke the following morning she was shocked to see the Kai mounted on her stallion with Ate by her side. Hearing Alice movements she turns her head to address her.

“You ate well and well rested come we must continue our journey.” Mounting her horse, she awaits further instruction when the Kai kicked her stallion into a full gallop she followed suite.

Still yourselves, ”Gaia suddenly commanded. Not fully aware of what was taking place Bette kicks her horse into a full gallop until she is alongside her.

”Gaia, to what purpose is your……..,”before Bette completed her sentence Gaia dismounted her horse with her sword drawn. Bette still unaware of what was taking place dismounts her horse following Gaias lead. With her sword drawn she raises her left hand signaling to the rest to remain still and not follow suit. Each step Gaia took was a calculated one and she pressed upon her senses using them to become more acquainted with her surroundings. Ahead laid a thin layer of fog settling a few inches above the damp soil they walked upon. Gaia pauses turning her attention to the tress above then towards the horizon laying ahead without word she stands straight sheathing her sword. Bette once again following her lead walks standing alongside her sheathes her sword.