Ridahne smiled, and actually turned around in the saddle so that Darin could see the rare expression. But something in her eyes spelled sadness. Just a little. “Ohhh, just because he’s still breathing doesn’t mean he isn’t dead now. Some wounds take you slow. And even if he makes it out alive and comes around, he’s got to battle infection for a long time. That’s what usually gets people. The wound festers and nobody really knows how to help it. But I suppose it’s possible. I’ve been stabbed once...” she touched her side right above her hip. “Some twenty or so years ago, I can barely remember. I tell you what though, the man who did it is long dead.” She casually looked to one side as if she’d heard something, but it didn’t seem to concern her too much. Few things did when it was just her—she could defend herself and she’d already prepared herself to die once. “Darin, I’ll tell you something you should never forget: you can defend yourself with anything. I mean anything. A stick, a rope, an axe, a hoe, a chamber pot, if you have to. Some things are more useful than others, but anything can be used against you and so therefore you can use anything against someone else. I know of a woman who defended her goats from a wolf with a knitting needle. True story. If you can use that sickle effectively and comfortably, then you can count on it as a weapon. You’re better off with something you feel good with than something that feels alien to you. For example, I could shoot a bow. I am capable, but you should never rely on my aim in a tight spot, because it’s not what I’m used to. Blades though, I can count on.” Ridahne thought for a bit about Lively. She might have maybe heard of it once upon a time, though it didn’t really ring a bell. She’d been in human lands for maybe three months and she hadn’t paid much attention to where she was going, mostly because it didn’t really matter. She shook her head. “Don’t know, not off the top of my head...I’ve got a map somewhere in the saddlebags though. Why, is that where you’re going? Or where you came from? Must be a small place, I assume?” Again, Ridahne tilted her head to one side as if listening for something, and then gave a two noted whistle. In a moment, there was the sound of four trotting feet crunching towards them and Mitaja appeared through the brush and waited for them to pass, taking up the rear and following much closer now, black ears swiveling. Ridahne gave a slow nod. “Yes,” she said as casually as if Darin had just informed her of a change in the weather. “We’re being watched.” Her voice was low and soft but not overly harried. Ridahne was not worried. Aware, and would act accordingly, but not worried. Even so, she felt the need to move a little more quickly. “Hang on to me tightly and try to relax the rest of your body as best you can. I’m about to show you the stamina and speed of Azurei horses. If they give chase and decide to engage, the best they can hope for is to come away with only ONE hand missing.” From someone else, this might have been bravado, but she was so casual, so absolute about it that there left no room for doubt that she meant every word. When Ridahne was sure of Darin’s grip, Ridahne barked a sharp “HAH!” And flicked the reins, and suddenly they were flying forward on thundering hooves. The ride became much less smooth than before, though it didn’t phase Ridahne in the slightest. After all, she nearly lived on horseback for most of her life. Their burst of speed cut down the time of their trip considerably, and before long the smell of woodsmoke filled the air and they came upon the little town of Greyrock. It wasn’t particularly large, though not tiny either. It had all the amenities one would want in a settlement, including tinkers selling baubles in a thriving marketplace, though most of the residents knew each other by name. Tsura was heaving, though from the way he tossed his head and grunted it seemed like he’d enjoyed the sprint. Ridahne dismounted fluidly, her dancer’s body moving with practiced ease over the horse’s withers, and helped Darin out of the saddle. “I’ve got to get Tsura taken care of and stabled for the night, and then let’s see about that drink and a meal I owe you, eh? I think I’ll be staying at the inn tonight, and if you’ve got nowhere else to be, you’re welcome to join me. I can teach you a few things about how to use that blade of yours.”