Fiona wanted so desperately to call out to her mother as she turned and walked away, but instead she buried her face in Vai's shirt until his gentle hands pushed her off as Jayln announced, "Well, that was something. Let's get home before it gets dark."

Without the queen watching, Fiona's feet dragged. Her pack was heavy, she was hungry, tired, and sad. She was ready to drop when a firm hand grabbed her and swung her in the air. She screamed and struggled.

"Calm down, princess, I'm not going to hurt you." Fiona paused and Fenrin hefted her and her pack onto his back. "Just hold on, you're slowing us down."

Fiona stopped struggling and grabbed her uncle’s wide shoulders, wondering if she should refuse the ride but her feet were tired so she consented to being carried. Fenrin's wild hair tickled her nose so she looked down, pressing her face into his hard back.

They rose up higher and higher until finally going through a crevice and emerging into the valley. Fenrin knelt and Fiona slid off his back. She rushed to Vai's side and tugged his arm. He leaned over and listened to her whisper. He frowned, but then with a sigh stepped forward and gave a low bow to the others. "I beg your pardon, but if you allow the princess a moment of recess."

Fiona went red as the three adults eyed her, legs pressed together. Jayln gave her a smile and a nod and Fiona ducked behind some rocks to do her business. When she came back, Jayln was laughing at something her husband had said and Vai was standing awkwardly far away from where Fenrin was leaning against a rock.

Jayln's husband turned to her as she returned. "All finished then? Don't worry, it's not much farther now. Oh!" His eyebrows rose and he gave a little bow. "I haven't been introduced. My name is Matius."

Fiona gave a little curtsy and he smiled kindly. Vai quickly walked over to her and she took his hand. He helped her along as they made their way down off the mountain and into the forest. There was a path now and the journey was much easier. After another hour or so, they arrived at the village.

It was small and there were many houses that were only half constructed. The buildings were a mix of wood and old stone. Children played in the streets and many adults called out greetings to Jayln and Matius. A few moved to ask questions, but a quick head shake from Jayln staved them off. Although it took another glare from Fenrin to stave off the second, more subtle stares, especially at the handsome Aryi.

They reached a large stone house with white flowers in the windows and Matius put his arm around Jayln, pulling her close. They both gave Fenrin a concerned look. "You could stay here tonight if you'd like," Jayln said softly but Fenrin shook his head.

"My house is big enough, or at least I can rearrange. Let's let things settle and I'll check in tomorrow."

Jayla pulled away and put a hand to Fenrin's cheek. "Are you really okay, Fenrin? It's alright if you're not."

Fenrin took her hand and managed a small smile. "I'll check in tomorrow but I'll be fine tonight, there's plenty to do."

She and Matius went inside what was presumably their house and Fenrin turned to Vai and Fiona, cracking his neck. "'Fraid it's a bit farther to my place."

He stalked off and the two followed, uncomfortable with the eyes that bored into them from the street and houses.

Fenrin's home was a bit outside the village. It was also mostly stone and fairly large, although inside was mainly one big room full of half completed projects, a kitchen, and a long wooden table. Fenrin ran a hand through his hair and gave the room a once over.

"We'll have to do some remodeling but I'm sure you're tired so..."

He stepped to a wooden door and opened it. "You can get some rest. Fiona, was it?"

She nodded but didn't move. Fenrin stood awkwardly and he shoved a thumb at the only other unopened door. "That's the bathroom."

More silence. Fenrin cleared his throat and stepped into the bedroom, waving his hand. Vai followed which meant Fiona did too.

The room was mostly a large bed of furs. There was a wooden dresser and a mirror on the wall, although the mirror was turned backwards. A hung cabinet with small pots and what looked to be a pile of clean bandages was by a small window letting in the dying light.

Fenrin stuck his hands in his pockets. "You can leave your stuff here. I'll sleep in the main room tonight. Vai, a word."

Vai stiffened and Fiona flinched at the change. The intent clear, Vai removed his hand from Fiona's and placed his pack on the floor. He took a calming breath and gave Fiona a nudge. "Start unpacking, I'll get you ready for bed in a moment."

Fenrin held the door open and shut it when Vai came out. The color drained from Vai’s face and it was everything he could do not to run right there and then. Fenrin offered him a seat and Vai mechanically sat down as Fenrin pulled another in front of him. Those grey eyes watched him carefully and Vai began to sweat.

"Calm down. You look like you're going to pass out."

Vai pressed his lips together indignantly.

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you. Or the girl. I'm not...I'm not like that anymore."

Fenrin watched for a response but got nothing but a careful glance. He scratched his head. "Look, I don't give a rat's ass what you think of me, but keep acting like I'm going to eat you and Fiona's never going to settle in. Let's just lay some ground rules."

No response and Fenrin gritted his teeth irritated. "Just answer yes or no best you can, okay? You know how to take care of the girl, right? Gods know I'm not exactly the best babysitter."

"Yes."

"Great. Just so we're clear I have no desire for your usual uses and it'd be best if you just assume no one here does."

Both relief and offense crossed Vai's face. Fenrin waved a hand. "Look I don't know how Valhym's changed since my sister took the throne, but slavery of all kind is a high offence here and a particularly touchy subject. To make things more smooth for everyone involved, just pretend you're a hired nursemaid or whatever the male equivalent of it is, alright?"

"I am not accustomed to lying," Vai said, quite panicked. It was one thing to be abandoned by his mistress and stripped of his proud position, but now he was in a place where everything he prided was forbidden or frowned upon. For one of the only times in his life, Vai felt he could cry.

"We'll call you her attendant or something like that. It's not a big deal, I just don't want to create a stir. I also don't want you leaving the house without letting me know. I vouched for you and I won't have you causing any trouble."

"As you wish, Master Fenrin."

"Just Fenrin. I have one more question." He paused, eyeing Vai as if judging whether he'd get a real answer. "Is she like Lyra? Fiona, I mean. Should I be worried she's going to poison the other children or anything?"

Vai blinked. It was an awkward question. "The princess is like her mother in that she is intelligent and brave, but she has never harmed another person in her life."

Fenrin accepted the answe. "Any questions for me or do we have an understanding?"

After a brief hesitation, Vai dared say, "You said I was harmless, and it is true I am no threat, but my mistress gave me the task to keep her daughter safe and I will do anything to keep that promise. I will not let you harm her in any way."

Fenrin fought a smile but nodded. "That's fine. Go help her highness unpack and I'll get something warm cooked up."

When Vai returned to the room, Fiona was silently crying, her tears falling on her clothes as she pulled them from the bags. Vai bent down and dried her eyes with his shirt. "Hush now. Leave that to me and let's see what we can do about that hair."

He gently helped her up and led her out the door and into the bathroom. Fenrin cautiously ignored them and Vai was relieved to see a stone bath. "Undo your braids, Your Highness, while I get some water.

The girl sniffed and with trembling hands starting untangling her braids. Vai left and asked Fenrin, "Where can I heat some bathwater?"

Fenrin tossed a log into the considerably sized fireplace and nodded at a cauldron. "Might need a quick wash itself but you can use that. There's a barrel of water out back.

It took some hefting, but Vai did eventually manage to draw a bath and Fiona brightened considerably after she'd been cleaned and redressed in her nightgown.

Fenrin handed Vai two bowls of hot stew. Fiona and him ate at the table while Fenrin ate by the fireplace. Fiona was nearly nodding off in her bowl and Vai picked her up and gently brought her to bed. He gave Fenrin a nod before shutting the door and leaving the man to continue to stare into the flickering flames.