The crisp sound of the campfire and the chatting of the group were the only sounds around.

Bella, Travis and Percy were happily chatting while eating their food with Linda occasionally tapping into the conversation, it was clear they were close friends.

As for Aegon and Roy, they were in an awkward situation, they didn't really know anyone besides Percy and he was only an acquaintance at best, they didn't even know each other that well although they already considered themselves friends.

With nothing else to do Aegon just laid on the grass with his arms for a pillow while looking at the starry sky above, he looked absent from the happenings around him, but truthfully he was a nosy bastard who liked eavesdropping.

The group talked about their journey, about the things they had seen, about how hard it was to be riding all day…

“Yeah, it was killing my back.” Bella just happened to look at Aegon while talking and a slight frown formed on her face.”I really don't understand how those two could sleep all day on that rhino…” In a twisted way she was jealous they had managed to rest while she hadn't. And she wasn't the only one…

“Tell me about it! That Aegon guy breathing down my neck was starting to annoy me…” [It would have been better if it was Roy, at least I would have someone cute breathing down my neck.] Linda got impressed by her own thoughts and a shallow shade of crimson spread on cheeks.

She tried to avoid it but, in the end, she still stole a glance at Roy.

His masculine aura, his handsome features and his overall lazy and laid back attitude were all extremely appealing, all that combined with the dim and flickering light of the fire which gave a deep and mysterious feeling to the man only added to her growing interest.

Travis didn't really say anything since it didn’t concern him and Percy had an awkward smile on his face. He didn't like the fact they were talking behind his new friends’ back, although he was pretty sure Aegon was listening so it didn't really count as “talking behind their back”. Still, he felt like it was a bad way to start a friendship and although he didn't value Aegon and Roy as much as he did his old friends he nevertheless didn't want to be put in a position where he would have to choose. But on the other hand…he also liked some of that criticism as Roy was the perfect eye candy and he already noticed Linda's interest was growing.

[I'm sorry Aegon…you will have to be collateral.]

“Come on guys, they are just kids, what did you expect from two country bumpkins who probably never left their district…give them a chance.” Percy said all this in a friendly and caring way, almost like an old grandfather talking about his grandkids’ “shortcomings” with a proud smile.

Aegon instantly smirked. [ Well played Percy, not sure it will be enough to make her lose interest though.] Aegon also noticed Linda’s interest in Roy, well basically everyone did except for the man himself, and as for knowing that Percy was interested in Linda…that was even more obvious.

[In reality you might have just shot yourself in the foot…]

Linda listened attentively and her usually cold face rippled with a hint of sadness for the second time today when the difference in status and age was mentioned. [That’s right, he’s just a kid...] Stealing another glance at Roy her eyes opened with realization. [ I could make him a man, make him someone worth knowing…maybe even worth having!] And yet again a slight crimson shade returned to her cheeks.

[AHHAHHAHAHA you really messed up Percy!]

“Yes, Percy is right we have been a judging them a bit too harshly, they are just kids after all, and if we think about it the only things Roy did were sleep and disagree with us on something, we are throwing him into the same bag as that shameless guy just because they are friends, that’s a bit unfair on our part.”

[Wow, talk about preferential treatment, and I really don't get why you guys say I'm shameless as if I committed an atrocious act…and even if I did it's not like the people you’re talking to are much better.] He stole a sidewards glance at Bella and Travis who were holding hands and were cuddled together for a while now.

Percy didn't even know how to respond to that. [ How did you come to that conclusion?! What kind of flawed logic is that? And why do you seem so keen on disliking Aegon yet so eager to jump onto Roy’s lap?] Taking a look at the pair of freshmen, he had at least a partial answer to one of his questions. [*Sigh*, I guess the handsome and beautiful do have it easier…]

“I agree, we have been judging them too harshly, especially Roy.” Bella added while stealing a glance at the young man.[ He really is handsome.]

Travis noticed her look but he didn't really feel threatened like Percy did.

Her gaze slipped past Roy and into the still laying down Aegon but this time his deep blue eyes were staring back at her with amusement, his smirk and his overall face annoyed her, she barely knew him but she had a feeling he was making some sarcastic comment in his mind at that exact moment.

[Now that I think about it…you girls should be approaching eighteen, looking at a young, impressionable fifteen year old like that…is borderline pedophilia.] And indeed he was.

Breaking eye contact with another fresh reason to dislike the guy she stood up and dusted her clothes, looking down at her slightly sweaty self a brief expression of annoyance showed on her face. Bella stopped while standing, seemingly pondering her words…

“Linda, let's go take a walk…” her tone combined with the previous hints were more than enough for Linda to understand and they soon left camp walking side by side.

A glint flashed in Aegon's eye, he seemed to be the only man in that camp who understood Bella’s invite. His rarely seen noble side was fighting his urge to be a pervert with valiant tenacity and dedication but in the end the forces of evil won…