The training grounds outside the academy were brutal midday. Blazing sun, sweat practically floating in the air between bodies. Going shirtless was not a choice and even thin shirts felt like chainmail after swinging your sword against a stiff dummy for hours on end.

Stephon tensed his muscles and struck the target's neck with his dulled blade, keeping it there, holding the pressure. He was demonstrating the sword combo required to receive lunch breaks again. The next phase of swordplay, the next regulation combat skill required for Knighthood.

He had feigned an attack -- dodged a suitable, potential counter-move -- swerved -- thrusted -- spun and delivered a swing to the enemy's neck. A stumble here and there. But he had done this about a dozen times today so far.

Sandon Storr humphed and approached. His hand pushed up his arm. Wrapped his hands around his grip and tightened. Used his feet to spread Stephon's stance.

"Maybe if you've spent less time drinking mead, you'd be able to perfect your form," he boomed.

Stephon sighed and slumped over, resting his arm on the practice dummy. He breathed heavily, pouring sweat. How could Sandon stand there in full armor in this heat? The guy was a beast.

"Apologies, sir," Stephon breathed.

"You're done for the day," Sandon said. "Wash up. With that form, Stephon, you'll never be a Knight."

Stephon resisted giving his Commander a glare, propped the dull blade up on his shoulder and walked away, sniffing in annoyance. It's been, like, a week since his celebration of moving up to the final class of the Academy. He's been training ever since. He knew he had been getting the hang of the technique but...

"Looks like I'm not good enough yet," he entered the barracks and shoved the practice sword in with the rest of them in the wooden bucket. Grabbed a clean rag hanging next to them and wiped down his face and hair. It wasn't much cooler inside but it was at least a reprieve from the sunlight.

He noticed Mia sharpening her sword on one of the benches. The barracks were quiet, all for the sound of her sharpening, but the way he thrusted his practice word into the bucket, it sent a clanging throughout the echoey room. The place was cozy. All stone, rugs, benches and chairs to relax. Many of the recruits would chat or smoke down here. Tables for eating. A fireplace for cold nights. There were beds too for those who wished to stay here during their training days. It was simply a place to live between clashes in the yard.

"Didn't go well, then?" Mia asked, not turning. She was focused on her work.

Stephon sighed and walked over to sit across from her.

Mia was maybe a few years younger than him, but just about Warren's age. Very early twenties. And they were pretty much an item now. Much to Stephon's mix of happiness and dismay. She had her hair tightly bound in a bun and her arm worked the blade of her weapon with the sharpening stone. Stephon exhaled and dropped down into the wooden bench across from her.

"Nah, just joking. I attacked the dummy so hard it burst into flames."

"You don't say?"

"I do say. Sandon was so impressed he gave me his job and moved away."

"Wow, that sure is impressive." She leaned back and observed her sword. "Since you're so skilled I guess you could --"

She got up, spun, reeling back with her sword. Stephon froze. Mia feigned an attack -- swerved -- spun again after Stephon had flinched and delivered a swing to his neck, ending a few inches before his body. Mia laughed, looking him up and down.

"Huh. Looks like I'm getting the hang of the fourth class maneuver as well. Surprised you didn't respond with the appropriate third class unarmed parry technique." She moved the sword away. "Lucky I didn't burst you into flames."

Stephon stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'm just exhausted," he lied. Then sighed, turning back around to her. "Okay... so maybe I'm struggling."

"You've made it to fourth class," Mia said, her eyebrow raised. "There's no way you're struggling that badly.

Stephon smirked. "Let's just say I'm pretty good at just meeting the necessary bar for passing. I barely made fourth class. I mean look at you," he said, gesturing at her... well, her everything. "You've just made third class and you've already figured out a majority of the fourth class strike maneuver."

"A majority?"

Stephon nodded. "Well, yeah. You missed a few steps." He looked at her feet. "Your stance would have been easy to mess with. A simple swipe of my foot would have had you on the floor as you spun the first time. And if I were armed there was plenty of space for me to have deflected your attack."

Mia laughed. "I forgot how much of a bookworm you are."

Stephon couldn't help but blush and he sat back down on the bench. "The details of swordplay are fascinating. I think I've known the details behind all the maneuvers and parry techniques since I was in my second year of schooling."

Mia sat down as well. "Right. So you're just lazy, then. Physically at least."

"Something like that," Stephon said. He looked at her and changed the subject. "Hey. What is it you see in Warren, anyway?" Mia looked back at him. He always wished he saw that fighting spark within her back in the day. He never treated her well. But whenever they talked he always felt that desire within him rise again. But... she and Warren were getting along. Warren deserved someone like her.

She smiled and stood up, looking down at him. "He's a good listener," she said.

"Well, we both knew that much. That's it?"

"Are you sure you want to know what else he's good at?"

Stephon sighed. "Maybe not."

"No, really, you should ask him sometime about how he --"

"HEY, Tobias!" Stephon cried, noticing Tobias entering the barracks in his shining armor, a gift from the Gods to interrupt wherever this awful conversation was headed. Mia grinned.

"Tobias," Mia said. "Warren mentions you a lot. Sorry we couldn't meet properly at their little celebration."

Tobias was much taller than Mia was and he shook her hand. "It's no problem. It's great to meet you. I'm glad Warren has another friend who he can talk with. Not many people in this city know sign language."

Mia nodded. "I learned just so I could ask him out for dinner."

That struck Stephon in the chest -- a wonderful gesture but a definitive marker of the end of whatever he and Mia probably could've had.

"What a coincidence, so did we," Tobias laughed. He crossed his arms and looked between the two of them. "Classes over?"

"Not for me," Mia breathed, sinking her sword into the sheath on her hip. "Third class has endurance training today."

"Best of luck," Tobias nodded.

Mia said goodbye to Tobias. Then to Stephon, who gave a bit too enthusiastic of a wave. Then slumped down on the bench.

"What's with you?" Tobias asked. His armor clanked as he walked closer. "You're soaked with sweat. Talking to women is that scary, huh?"

"Ha-ha." Stephon breathed deeply and sat up. "It's not that. I'm struggling with the classes, Tobias. I just can't find that strength. I swear, I know the techniques inside and out. But applying them physically is pain."

"Have you ever thought of joining the Committee? Overseeing Knight activity and education sounds like your route. The books come easy to you."

Stephon laughed. "Nah you don't get it," he shook his head. "Tobias, look at me. You think I want to keep failing like this?"

"Woah," Tobias tilted his head and moved so he was standing right in front of him. "Where's all of this coming from? Stephon you've just made fourth class. You know your stuff. Sure, maybe you need some work strength and agility-wise. But that's something we all work on daily." Tobias laughed. "You remember how many times it took me to memorize the final techniques to graduate? How many tries it took me to pass the exams? Especially the exams."

Stephon remembered. Smiled. "We made a plan for you to cheat off my papers."

"Yeah," Tobias said. "Glad I didn't. Would've been caught for sure. But you helped me study. And I passed -- but barely."

"Passed with flying colors in the physical tests, though." Stephon looked up at his friend. "Tobias, I've just been looking at myself lately. And I don't know where I fit in in this city. Even this world, sometimes. Hell, I talk with the Gods daily to give me signs and I feel like I'm ignored." He took slow breaths. "Everytime I see you, buddy, I'm just impressed. You're strong. Got a beautiful woman at your side. We've always competed in good fun. But these days I feel like I'm falling behind everybody."

Tobias walked closer. Was about to say something. But then something happened. Mia came rushing back in.

"Hey," she shouted. "Tobias. Did you do something?"

Tobias spun around. "What?"

"Tobias, there are Knights asking around for you. Someone said they have a warrant for your arrest."

Stephon stood up. "What? No, that can't be right." Tobias looked back at him. His look of pure terror made Stephon shake. "Tobias?"

Behind Mia a woman pushed her way inside. Mia was shoved to the side by the tall woman, as if Mia weighed nothing whatsoever. It was Kiya. What was she doing here? He was supposed to be meeting her up in the Pearl District for drinks later.

"Ahh, there you are, Tobias." Kiya turned to Stephon. Held his gaze. "I figured you'd be hanging around this loser."

Stephon didn't even know how to react. It really was Kiya. Dressed in all black, stealthy armor, as if ready for battle. Her hair bright as flame. And she called him... a loser? Was this a joke? What on Nadi was happening right now? His hand moved to his hip for a weapon out of reflex but remembered he wasn't geared like the other two.

And then the worst thing Stephon noticed was that Kiya had a Hawk on her shoulder. One of those mechanical birds. Used for communications. Used as weapons...

"Tobias, you're under arrest for conceiving a child in sin. If you fight me I have been permitted to use lethal force."

The entire room was silent.

Tobias was... a sinner? No, he wouldn't do such a thing. He and Kip wouldn't defy the Gods like that, would they?

"Luckily, we have Devoted to-be Knights in this room. Both of you -- perform your duty and help me bring this criminal in."

Tobias looked to each of them.

Mia appeared shocked, stunned. But then she drew her sword. Tobias whipped around to look at her and placed his hand over the hilt of his own weapon.

"Mia..." he backed away slowly from her.

"Tobias, is it true?" Mia asked. But her weapon arm was visibly shaking. Of course she would follow orders. Why would someone like Kiya, a well respected informant for the Church and overseer of the Knights Committee make something like this up? It was a serious offense. But, of course, such sudden news was... appalling. "Would you really conceive in sin? Would you really bring a soulless child into this world?" Tobias did not say anything in return. "How could you?" Mia spat.

Stephon simply stared. Then, had to say something. "Wait," he said. "Hold on just a minute. Do you have any proof of this, Kiya?" A stupid question. But not an unjustified one. He was so confused. So --

"Shut up, Stephon." That was all she said in response.

Something snapped in Stephon then. Something that screamed inside of him that this was all wrong. "No, you shut up!" he shouted. She and Mia both looked at him. "Well, Tobias? You must deny these allegations. You wouldn't really do that!"

Tobias remained irritatingly silent.

"Alright then," Kiya said. She thrust out her arm and the Hawk came alive -- glowing blue eyes, spreading its wings and it spun forth.

In a single move, Tobias unsheathed his sword in an aggressive response, the blade blurring through the air, slashing the Hawk apart. Its innards scattered across the floor, hunks of metal and intricate little pieces that made it tick. Tobias screamed as he did so, such an attack requiring immense follow-through and resilience.

Then, to Stephon's surprise, Mia attacked, lunging forward.

"Wait! Stop!!" Stephon cried.

Mia was a skilled swordswoman, her footwork at play. She feigned, shifted, then thrusted her sword forward. Tobias wasn't a Knight for no reason, however. He successfully deflected Mia's attack. When Mia tried to back away, Tobias grabbed her by the hair and yanked down, driving his knee up into her face.

Stephon gasped, seeing Mia drop, blood splattered across her nose and mouth. Tobias then charged Kiya, not with his weapon, but with a fist and it collided with her cheek. Stephon saw what happened next with his own eyes. Kiya didn't even budge. His fist connected with the right side of her face, a vicious left hook. But Kiya acted as if it didn't even happen. Kiya moved in response but Tobias was fast, leaping back, sheathing his blade, responding to her tackle by sweeping her feet out from under her. Kiya hit the floor hard, smacking her head against the stone floor, seeming dazed.

For a moment, before Tobias bolted. He glanced back at Stephon. They stared at each other. Years of history flashed between them both. Something about that look had a sense of sudden finality.

"I'm sorry, Stephon," Tobias said. Then he bolted, as Kiya got up, shook herself off, and gave chase.

Stephon flinched out of his shock when he heard Mia sputtering. He dove for her, seeing the blood leaking from her nose into pools upon the floor.

"Hey! Hey, Mia, breathe through your mouth -- your mouth!" Mia took a moment to do so but eventually snapped out of her panic, her throat probably clogged with blood. She coughed it up and took in hard breaths. "That's it, that's it," Stephon said. "Come on, let me take you to an Alchemist." He took her arm around his shoulders and led her out. He couldn't see Tobias anywhere. But he did see clusters of Knights on horseback rushing off down the cobbled roads. Chasing after him.

Tobias didn't stand a chance. But Stephon had to help who he could. He climbed the steps up to the Church with pain in his heart and immense confusion weighing down upon him.

His best friend was a sinner. What did that mean? His mind told him that it meant he would need to focus on his path to becoming a Knight. To stop criminals like Tobias from slipping into good peoples' trust.

But his heart told him that everything he thought he knew about the world could have been wrong.

Tobias bolted. Couldn't run fast in his armor, so he stole a horse from the academy stables, hoping that it wouldn't panic. Luckily it remained sturdy and focused and followed his commands. He ripped through the streets of Shieldhome. Nobody was close behind but he knew they'd be coming for Kip next. No time to grab supplies. Only her.

The horse sped through narrow streets, people rushing to get out of the way or were knocked down by the rushing steed. He couldn't afford to be cautious. He prayed that they hadn't already gotten to Kip.

When he approached the Smithy, to his horror, there were two Knights grabbing hold of her, shoving her out of the shop. Tobias' body instantly became hot. He drew his sword and cut down one of the Knights who moved to pull her up as he sped past, the Knight falling, his voice announcing to the world his death. He quickly brought the horse to a stop and leaped off, running at the other Knight. The Knight struggled to remove his sword to block. But Tobias screamed and ran him through. In quick motions, powered by his beating heart, he removed the blade, sheathed it, blood and all, and helped Kip to her feet.

"Tobias... no, this can't be happening..." He didn't waste breath on words. Only getting her out alive.

He helped her up onto the horse and they raced through the city once again. She held onto him tight. Screamed when their horse nearly collided with more Knights who were hunting for them. They blasted through the group and Tobias looked back to see dozens of Knights on horseback charging toward them, cutting around a corner. The road ahead would require luck. If the Knights up ahead hadn't been notified to keep the gates shut. Word traveled down from the Church. So, perhaps, they hadn't been notified yet.

And, as they turned their final corner, he breathed a sigh of relief as the guards on duty did not seem to be aware of what was happening. Tobias and Kip ran through the gates easily. But there was an army behind them now. Dozens upon dozens of Knights joining the chase, on horseback, on foot. Some of them wielded bows. Were drawing back to fire. Waiting to get close enough.

They were gaining.

It wouldn't be long now.

Dear Gods, Tobias prayed. I have not believed in any of you. Because as far as I can tell, you are pieces of shit -- authoritarian, evil, scumbags judging your own creations on unfair grounds... but if you are real... at least... let Kip live. Let her stay healthy. And I will devote myself to you forever.

Tobias turned, sending the horse Southeast. Did his best to keep the horse moving in small winding motions -- it would help them avoid arrows, but it would slow them down. A couple arrows from archers who had steadied themselves whistled by their heads. Kip was crying so hard. This was all his fault. Damn it. If he had to die to make up for what he's done, then so be it. But Gods, don't let her die. Don't let her die...

He knew what he had to do, however. Shieldhome was high in elevation. Just past the Commons was a cliff. Whereas everything else gradually descended as you headed South there was a cliff to the Southeast that dropped off into the Rolling Channels. Deep rivers. Wild waters. There was a small chance they wouldn't hit the rocks... No. There was nearly no chance, was there? Who knew if they were even aimed at the water? What if they -- No, he didn't want to think about it. Couldn't think about it.

It would either be falling to the Church who would torture and kill them... falling to their demise... or falling to their survival. He had to take the odds.

"Kip," Tobias shouted. His breath heaving. "I'm sorry for everything!"

She was crying so hard.

"I love you, Kip! I love you so much!"

"I love you!" she cried.

They neared the cliffs. He maneuvered the horse as best he could, arcing the strides, they kept their bodies low. The arrows didn't hit. And weren't fired as often due to the uneven plains, possibly unable to get a good shot. And soon enough the Knights slowed their chase. Because they all knew where Tobias was headed at top speeds.

Please, Tobias prayed. Please let us live.

And then, a woman's voice filled his mind. His eyes went wide.

"Straight ahead."

That was all it said. Whoever it was. So Tobias stopped maneuvering the horse. Kept it steady. Kept course.

Closed his eyes.

Let go.

And the ground was no longer there. His stomach felt ill. His throat was tight. He was falling. He heard Kip screaming. Tears leaked out from beneath his clenched eyelids. He dared not look.

Stephon sat in the infirmary. Warren was at Mia's bedside, holding her. Mia was silent but had glared at Stephon more than once. He didn't care. Tobias was his friend. How could he... how could he just arrest him because someone else told him to? Stephon was not just a tool to be used. He was not a dog for the Church.

Or was he?

Mia had a broken nose but that was all. Some bandages and clearing of blood was all they could do for her until an Alchemist could arrive and quicken the healing process. Stephon looked over at them. Warren sighed, let go of Mia and ran a hand through his short hair. Mia looked off to the side.

What happened back there? Warren signed.

Stephon didn't respond.

"Tobias is a criminal," Mia said, blatantly. "He's the one who did this to me."

Warren shot a look at her, full of shock.

"We don't know that," Stephon said.

Mia aimed her eyes at him. "Um, sure we do. Look at my fa--"

"You know what I meant!" Stephon leaned forward and shouted. Mia crossed her arms and looked away again. He ran his hands through his hair and exhaled. "You expect me to just let go of my friendships? Just because someone tells me he did something wrong?"

"Yes." The voice came from the door to the infirmary within the Church. It was Kiya. Her red hair flowing down over the front of her left shoulder. She was still in her dark armor. Not typical attire for a banker or Committee member. She stepped further inside. "Stephon, you did not even attempt to help us apprehend that sinner." Her voice was sultry, calm but filled with danger. "Why should I not assume you're trying to protect him?"

Then, an unexpected defense. "Please understand," Mia said. Stephon and Kiya looked over at her. "Stephon's known Tobias for years. It... must have been hard for him to accept what was happening." Mia looked at him. Gave him a hard look.

"Well?" Kiya said. She walked over to him. Stephon looked her up and down... then back up to her intense eyes. She placed at hand upon his cheek. "Is that true? Did you just have a moment of weakness? Are you a weak man, Stephon?"

Stephon looked away. "I... I truly didn't that know that he --"

"No," she interrupted. "I don't want to hear anything but 'I am weak, Kiya.'" She grinned.

He stared into her eyes. It wasn't hard for him to say it... because he felt it deep down. "I am... weak. Kiya. I'm sorry."

"Well," she said, backing away, seemingly satisfied. "Not that it matters much now then. Tobias is dead."

The room was silent. Stephon stared at the floor. His heart raced.

"Our Knights chased him. And he and his little whore ended it all over the cliffs. Just rode right off as our soldiers tell it. They're broken messes of bone and flesh on those rocks now." She chuckled. "Pity that they got away with it so easily. But no matter. Three sinners off the face of the world. Burning away where they belong." Kiya nodded to Mia. "We thank you for your assistance. Mia, was it? Third class recruit? Consider yourself a Knight from this day forward for your Devotion." Kiya glanced at Stephon. Then left the room.

Stephon was reprimanded by Sandon for his actions that evening. Or, rather, inactions. Demoted to third class recruit as punishment. He sat in his small home in the Commons, staring into the flame of a candle, reflecting on how alone he now felt. Kiya had led him on so convincingly. Warren and Mia probably thought less of him for his lack of Devotion. And word would certainly get out about Stephon's demotion. Embarrassing.

And Tobias... Kip... they were gone.

"Tobias..." Stephon whispered, squeezing his pant leg. "How could you do this?" Such an action was drilled into their heads since birth. That children only held souls when conceived by a man and woman who had been blessed by the Gods through marriage. To bring a soulless child into this world was... unthinkable. Pure evil. Tobias and Kip must not have held the Gods at all. They've lied to everyone, then. For years. Just pretended.

As for Kiya... he must have just imagined it earlier. Nah... No way. He saw it happen. Kiya got punched. Stephon had been punched by Tobias before. During their sparring sessions. That man threw a killer jab. Stephon had bruised from him before, been completely knocked off his feet. And those were punches without the intent of survival. Simply training. To be hit by Tobias full-force... Kiya could just take a punch like that to the face? Maybe she was tougher than he thought... Though she wasn't even bruised when she visited them all in the infirmary.

This was all too much to handle. It felt like his entire world was inverting itself.

A knock at his door made him jump. He slowly got up and opened it slowly. It was Warren.

"Oh. Hey. Come in, come in." What was he doing here? Warren slowly walked inside. His steps were heavy. Warren was a pretty short guy. But was built, with muscle, with plenty of chub from their numerous adventures for meat and drink. Tobias would often be with them... He couldn't think about Tobias right now. Hm. But he just couldn't help it. Gods, he hadn't even cried over the loss of his friend yet. Such a thing worried him.

Warren looked at him. His brows eyes were squinted with concern.

"What's wrong?"

I can't stop thinking about Tobias, Warren signed.

So he wasn't alone after all. "Yeah... me neither, buddy." Stephon moved into his living room and they both sat down in some cushioned seats. "I just couldn't do what they wanted me to. Tobias? A sinner? There's just. No. Way." Stephon sighed. Leaned against his knees. "But I want to be Devoted. Better Devoted to our Gods and our Kingdom. I've been thinking a lot about how I didn't do anything. I should have." He laughed. "I'll be repenting for this for a while I feel." He looked over at Warren. "Honestly, I'm worried that you all have a lower opinion of me."

Warren shook his head. I understand you. What you did, he signed. I probably would have hesitated too.

"I know Mia hates me."

Warren stood up. Went over and patted Stephon on the shoulder. Actually, he signed, Mia's here.

Stephon stood up.

Warren smiled nervously. She wanted to wait outside. Because. Warren paused. She's actually worried you're angry with her. For being... angry with you.

"Gods, she's a complicated woman," he sighed. He pulled a hair-tie from his pocket and pulled his hair into a ponytail. "She outside?"

Warren nodded.

Stephon peeked out the door and spotted her standing against the side of the house.

"Hey," Stephon said.

"Hey," said Mia. She tightened her lips and looked up at the night sky.

Stephon felt Warren inch past him and walk over to Mia, guiding her over to Stephon. He gave her a wide eyed look, as if trying to convince her of something. Mia returned a look of pain.

"Stephon," she sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Well. Don't feel too bad about it," he said sarcastically.

"No... no I mean it. I didn't know Tobias as well as you did. Gods, if it were you being accused of such horrible things I know I'd hesitate. Of course I would. I wanted you to know I don't blame you."

Stephon nodded. Thank the Gods. He couldn't bear having more people look down on him than he already did. "Thank you," he said. "Really. That... that does mean a lot."

"And I put a good word in for you," she said, crossing her arms and looking away. "I was able to appeal to Sandon's emotions as well as the Committee. I mean, who wouldn't hesitate to act just because some lady in a high position told you to do so? Especially when it's your friend... Warren and I convinced them not to demote you after all. That lady Kiya argued it. But not even she can fight against multiple people casting votes in favor."

Stephon grinned. But the happiness lasted only for a moment. He looked to each of them and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I really do appreciate that. I think a day ago such news would bring me nothing but joy. But... under the circumstances I don't know. My best friend is dead. He was a secret sinner." He shook his head. "I'm... I think I'm just too devastated to feel much of anything right now."

Mia moved closer and placed a hand on his arm. "I know. The both of you are. Of course you are." She paused. The three of them were silent. A snort came from Warren. They both looked at him. He was wiping his eyes, crying. He tried signing, Stephon reading it as Gods, why would this happ-- but then he couldn't finish.

Mia moved to him and hugged him. "I'm sorry, Warren."

Stephon teared up too but wanted to be strong for his friends. His only friends left. He hugged them both. "We'll get through this, buddy. We will."

After they left, Stephon still wasn't convinced. That is, he wasn't convinced he should get through anything. He spent the night terrified of his blasphemous thoughts, unable to shake the idea that Tobias wasn't really a bad guy. Just because of one thing. But that wasn't what the Devotion spoke of. He wasn't supposed to feel bad for or like a guy like Tobias. He should have been moving on from this. His entire opinion of the guy should have changed.

But it didn't. And he didn't know what he was supposed to do about that.

Not that it mattered. Tobias was dead. And now that Stephon was alone, truly alone, not even feeling like he was with the Gods, he felt comfortable crying. And he cried until he was asleep.

At the bottom of the cliff, miles away from Shieldhome, a horse lay mangled, dead upon the rocks. Blood leaked down, tainting the flow of water.

More miles down the river was a set of abandoned armor. A Knight's armor. A trail of blood led through the forests, deep within the cold covering of trees.

Tucked away within some bushes, shivering from the cold, soaked head to toe, was Tobias and Kip. Tobias was bleeding from his thigh, having struck it upon some rocks at the bottom of the river, his weight sending him all the way down. He frantically swam, realizing he was alive from the jolt of pain he received from the jagged rock piercing his armor. He thrashed. Looked around. Kip was frantically swimming, gasping for breath, looking for him as well. He held her as they let the current take them away, until it slowed and they crawled onto the shore.

Kip was caring for his wounds, tearing away pieces of her pant leg to wrap around his injury. Sobbing quietly.

Tobias breathed heavily, overcome with the stinging pain and swirling realization that nothing would be the same. He looked down at Kip struggling to stop the bleeding.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm trying. I'm trying."

He moved her hands away, leaned forward and held her face. "Hey. You're okay, right?"

She shook her head.

"Physically," he specified, "You're not injured?"

She shook her head again. Her hair was soaked, stuck to her face all over. Tobias smiled. "Good. This is just a cut. It's nothing." He nodded and looked her in the eyes. "We're alive."

"Tobias..." she said. Paused, sniffed, wiped her eyes with her arms and focused on his bandage. Tightening it. Securing it. Then, she moved up to him, slowly, and settled into his arms. "What are we going to do?"

Tobias breathed. Just held her. Just held her for a while. Listened to their heartbeats. He closed his eyes. She was shaking so much. It was cold. But it was from much more than the cold.

"I don't know," he said honestly.

She moved up and pushed her nose into his neck. "I'm sorry for getting upset with you," she whispered. "Gods, if we died and our last interaction was a fight I --" she choked up with tears.

"Kip," he sat up and held her closer. "You were right to be upset. I... I did this. I'm the one who's sorry. I --"

She held him, moved up to look into his eyes. "This world should be the one who's sorry," she said harshly. She nodded, as if really letting the thought sink into her soul. "None of this should have happened at all. We did nothing wrong." She tightened her lips.

He kissed her. "And we will make it through this. We're going to live. So is our child." He placed his forehead against hers. "I will fight to make this happen."

"I will too," she said.

After a moment she laughed suddenly. "We really survived that fall." She laughed again, as did he. "I can't believe it. Truly."

Tobias thought back on his prayers. "I was praying," he admitted. "As we were riding. I knew the only way was over that cliff. I prayed to the Gods for us to live."

He rested against a tree and she rested her head on his shoulder. "What did they say?"

"Nothing." He swallowed. "But. I heard a woman's voice."

She sat up. "Wh-- really?"

He smiled. "It could have just been my imagination. Something I conjured up out of desperation." He rubbed her back. "But after I asked them, 'Please let us live,' she told me, 'Straight Ahead.' So I stopped directing the horse. Just let it run." He laughed through his nose. "And here we are."

"Huh," Kip said, settling back down. "Maybe there is someone up there after all. Watching over us. If that wasn't your imagination... I wonder who it was. The Gods are all men."

"Who knows," he said. "Whoever she is, she's got good taste in protecting us," he laughed. "But it doesn't matter right now," he said, slowly making his way onto his feet. "All that matters right now... is that we're alive." He helped Kip stand up.

"We're alive," she said. Placed her hand on her belly. "All of us."