Kaleeth was silent for a few moments as she thought. She put her hand on Janius', then took a deep breath. "I...do not know if I can pretend. I do not want to. I know this will not be easy, but I do not care."

Kaleeth removed her satchel and loincloth, then slipped into the water beside Janius. She put her arm around him, then looked at him with equal amounts of fear and longing. She was definitely scared, but she was also certain, and it showed in her expression. "I would regret more if I did nothing, and never learned what would happen." With that as her answer, she wrapped her arms around him more tightly and gave him her deepest kiss yet.

---

In the middle of the village, a figure walked, obscured by shadows. It walked with purpose, in utter silence. It peered through the cloth that served as the door for the common hut and observed which bedrolls were empty. Then, without a sound, it left just as quickly as it had arrived.