Talbot dipped his hand into the cool water of the rushing river, sighing as he raised his hand to wipe some of the moisture around his neck. He rubbed away the dirt and sweat that had clung to his skin, sighing as his body silently cried out in pain. [i]I have to rest.[/i] he told himself, feeling his eyelids grow heavy. The loss of blood and the serenity around him was taking a toll on him. It was like a very calming lullaby. His body wanted to rest, but he had to eat and make sure that everyone was okay. [i]I’m the leader. I’m supposed to make sure that no one is dying from bloodloss…[/i]

That assassin man came over, telling him that he should rest. His dull eyes raised up to the mysterious man, wanting to disagree with him. But Talbot was exhausted. His bones ached, and he was pretty sure that he would pass out if he didn’t rest soon. [i]I can just eat and go to bed, right?[/i] he asked himself. His horse finished drinking water and he brought her to the side, hitching her up to a tree. The night was becoming cool. It wasn’t summer yet. They had quite a ways to go. Yet… the shadows seemed as warm as a summer breeze, coaxing him to lay down in them.

The sorcerer huffed loudly as he set himself on the ground, leaning heavily against the tree. His breath escaped his lips in short, ragged gasps as he tried to keep the groans and hisses deep inside of him. Talbot wrapped an arm around his stomach, eyes growing half lidded as he stared into the shadows opposite of him. He knew that it was a bad idea to sleep now. If he did, he wouldn’t be able to eat, and it seemed that no one caught anything, yet… 

---

All that was heard was the light sound of the grinding of herbs, at least, from where she was sitting. Ambra enjoyed being alone in times like these… where she was allowed to think. But the smell of herbs was clouding her thoughts, and all she could think about was the sharp scent of the leafy substances she had picked up on the way to Plegia. [i]I can pick up some more on the way to Ylisse. That way I won’t have to be spending a fortune for the herbs in Ferox.[/i] she thought. [i]And they’ll be fresh, hand-picked by me. I don’t have to worry if they’re too small or there’s not en-[/i]

Something into the bark of the tree to the side of her face, making her bristle and almost cry out in shock. What… what [i]was[/i] that? Was it an enemy? No… it was just a blade. Belonging to… who, then? It could still be an enemy, but before she could look around, something fell on her, making her scream in surprise. [b]”[i]W-what?[/i]”[/b] she cried out, flailing slightly. Though, as soon as the pressure had been put on her, it suddenly disappeared. Ambra blinked at the dark haired figure on the ground before frowning. [i]Zaino.[/i]

[b]”Lamb? What lamb?”[/b] Ambra questioned innocently. [i]Was he tracking a lamb? But… sheep don’t live in forests. They live in fields.[/i] Zaino could be confusing at times… or did he mean that he was hunting something that looked like a lamb? Maybe a foal? [b]”There aren’t any lambs in forests, silly.”[/b] she smiled. [b]”They only live on farms.”[/b]

Her eyes drifted over him, wondering if he was alright. It was then that she set her eyes on the arrow in his shoulder. [b]”You got a little something there.”[/b] she waved toward his shoulder. [b]”Looks uncomfortable to me. Need it pulled out?”[/b]