Mid day was rolling around and I was getting hungry. I could tell Malachi was too so we agreed to stop to eat. He set up a fire after I told him I would be going hunting for some food since I do not eat rations. I looked down at Nexxis who was low to the ground, she found something and I was ready to follow. I nodded and she jolted forward like an arrow from a bow and I raced after her, dodging anything in my path like tree branches, roots, stones, and other debris. I was barely paying attention to my surroundings, this felt like bigger game. I haven’t seen her this excited in a while. She slowed her pace eventually and stalked forward, low to the ground. I slowed down as well and got into a crouch, moving forward slowly, noiselessly. I was right about the game, she led me to a bear. I hid behind a tree and peered around the trunk to assess the target. I knew there was no way I would be taking this guy out in one hit unless I hit him just right so I needed to figure out the best angle. It had its head down, drinking from a small creek that was cutting through the forest. But then I heard a rustle from behind me and I quickly whipped around to see what it was. I saw a glimpse of metal a few feet away, behind a different tree. I whirled back around to see the bear had noticed the glint that could only have been Malachi. It roared, rising up onto two legs and my heart sank a little with my shoulders. I dropped my head with a sigh before lifting back up and twirling away from the tree and quickly releasing an arrow into his shoulder. He stumbled and fell back onto all fours before charging me. I had another arrow ready as the bear towered over me and was ready to swipe. All of a sudden Malachi was in front of me with his shield raised and a short sword in his other hand. He took the brunt of the bear's paw and he slightly grunted under the force. He pushed up with his shield, causing the bear to stagger back. I loosed an arrow and struck it between the eyes. As it fell I took the arrow out of its forehead and jammed it through its heart to kill it faster. I kneeled down beside it to ask for its peace in death and thank it for dying for our food before I stood up and glared at Malachi in frustration. “What the hell were you thinking!?” I yelled, throwing a hand at him in an angry gesture.

He looked at the carcass then back at me “I…” he stopped with an awkward pause as I waited impatiently for an answer as he gathered his thoughts. “I apologize. I wasn’t really thinking at all.” I shook my head and sighed with a smile. I then looked at him again and noticed he wasn’t wearing his armor and he left his battleaxe behind as well. I noticed how his shirt moved against his chest and he was smaller without it on. His shirt had a deep V in the front held with string crisscrossing loosely over it. I noticed his muscles and the way his body moved and observed his chest. He noticed me watching and blushed lightly while crossing his arms and looking away. I looked back at the bear. With him here I can’t have Nexxis bring it back for me so now I have to ask him to do it. Fucking great.

I looked back at him with big eyes, “So, how strong are you?” I asked innocently. He rolled his eyes and smirked at me before heading over to grab the bear. Holy hell he is strong, it made my heart flutter and I tried to suppress a blush. I led us back to camp and Malachi put down the meat and went to put his armor back on. “You don’t trust me” I teased and he paused for a moment.

“I feel uncomfortable without it on,” He said as he finished. I rolled my eyes at him and started carving the meat before preparing it. I handed some meat still on my dagger to Malachi. After he sniffed it and took his first bite I could tell he loved it and thought it was delicious. I smiled and offered him more. After we finished eating we rested a few minutes before packing up and continuing on our way.

The day kept going as we walked and soon the sun was dipping in the sky. I took in a breath of the evening air as we stopped for the night. As we set up camp I spoke, “I have leftover bear from our hunt or I could go get new meat.” looking up at him from the flickering flames of the fire.

Malachi dropped his heavy bag in the dirt and stretched his back, “I’m not a picky eater, so whatever you would like.” As I’m cooking he is resting on the other side of the fire, cleaning his battleaxe. He lifts her into the air, examining it for any remaining stains, using the fire for his primary light source. He glances at me, “So, do you have a serious injury to want to cover your eye there?”

I looked up at him shocked, “Hmm? Oh no” I laughed nervously, “People just give me funny looks so I cover it.” I touched my hair that was in my face, briefly.

He lowered his weapon and looked at me curiously. “I didn’t peg you as the type to care what others thought, but I understand. People can be so judgmental”

I lifted my head and smiled at him, “Wanna see?” I laughed, “Might freak you out.” I shrugged, at least it freaked everyone else out.

Malachi nodded and teased, “Sure, but it does take a lot to make me freak out. I’m sure it isn’t that crazy.”

I sighed, “You’re probably right.” I lifted my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear before opening my eye, revealing its odd, clouded pink color.

“Woah… I mean that’s interesting. How’d you get that?” He asked, leaning in a bit, tilting his head as he examined it.

“My brother shot me in the eye with magic when he was first learning.” I smiled with a hand behind my head.

“Ouch, that doesn’t sound pleasant.” He cringed a bit, probably picturing how painful it must have been.

“I was five so I don’t remember it all that well” I shrugged.

“Well I suppose that’s good?” He said, sounding uncertain as he looked back at the fire, “Nobody wants to remember pain.”

I handed him some food, “Yea and I’m not sure what it does.” I smiled

“Huh, I guess it couldn’t hurt just having a pink colored eye? Unless it’s infected, then you might want to get that looked at.” He said before thanking me for the food and immediately diving into the meal.

“It’s been a long time, think I would have noticed by now.” I laughed as I started to eat as well.

He shrugged with a joking smile, “I was only teasing ya… Wow, your cooking is so good! I can’t get enough.”

“Thank you, I try.” I smiled and straightened up with pride.

“You could probably start an inn and make serious gold with this kind of cooking!” He took another bite and I noticed his tail swinging back and forth rapidly with glee.

I watched his tail a moment before responding, “I make a good amount of gold now and I get to travel, but thanks” I smiled.

He caught my eye and looked behind himself, “What?” He swallowed his food, “Something behind me?”

“Just watching your tail.” I laughed before looking at his face, “I love your tail.”

He shrugged before going for another bite, “It’s not really anything special. I think I’ve gotten it grabbed by too many enemies. I sometimes wonder if life would be easier without it. But I guess I can do this.” His tail uncurled and reached for his stuff, grabbing his water skin bringing it back and dropping it in his free hand. “So I suppose it’s not all bad.”

My jaw dropped, “That is awesome! Your tail just keeps getting better and better.”

Malachi chuckled, “It’s like an obnoxious, funny looking third hand, but thanks I think?”

I rolled my eyes, “Whatever, I like it.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Well I guess I’m glad you don’t hate it? My mentor thought it was a nuisance at times.” Our conversation continued about his tail briefly before we were both tired and he laid down to rest. I meditated for four hours before I stretched and stood up. I looked over at Malachi, asleep on his bedroll and smiled at him. He was really cute. My smile wavered as I thought again about my assignment. I know I cannot turn him in, something's off. He’s clearly old enough to remember her, he’s also not trying to find her, so I have to keep him from her. This could become problematic. I would also need to avoid her or come up with a good enough excuse as to why I do not have him. I can’t let her find out his new name otherwise he’ll be easier to track and if she discovers my betrayal then we’ll have some people hunting us both. I’ll have to play this day by day.