Luna stood with Illyce’s assistance and the two of them made their way slowly over to Goya who was foraging for grass on the forest floor. She felt Illyces words drape around her like a warm blanket, it was not going to heal the emotional damage but it was a start. She couldn’t manage a smile yet and the tears were still clinging to her eyelashes but the place where Illyce had rubbed her cheek was tingling with warmth and that at least was a feeling, unlike the vast nothingness inside. 

With Illyce’s help Luna was thrust up onto Goya’s back and Illyce jumped up right behind her, folding her into a comforting embrace. Luna held onto her with one hand and the other she tangled into Goya mane, the familiar smell of horse and Illyce was so soothing and Luna just rested her head against Illy’s shoulder.

She thought about what Illyce had said and could not help the small smile, Illyce the knight, her courageous knight thought she was brave. A yawn broke through her smile as she leant against Illyce, she was exhausted both physically from the running and poison then there was the mental strain. Her long, silver hair which had fallen from its secure braiding was instead flowing across Illyce’s shoulder. Luna’s lashes were fluttering like dark butterflies on her pale face as she resisted against the inevitable. 

“Sorry Illyce.” Was all she managed, she knew the knight was tired too but this was too much for her, she wasn’t strong like them. Luna went limp as she fell into a exhausted sleep.