Winter Shadows of the Vale

𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖈𝖊

𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖈𝖊 (𝖛) 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖓𝖊'𝖘 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖍 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖌𝖙𝖍 𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖆 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖔𝖗 𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

Dear Diary,

Time has passed for a few days since the confession between Duran and I. Witz seems to notce a difference in the air around us but he seems rather pleased. It took a good while still for Duran to full enough to a point to be able to travel once more. He walks with a slight limp now, but you wouldn't notice unless you really looked at him. He's happy to be up and walking again and usually escapes to hunt, even though I told him I am fully capable.

He tells me every time he enjoys it, and doesn't expect me to do it all the time. He wants it to be an 'equal operation'. He's the only person, other than my parents, who has treated me like an equal individual and instead of just a woman. He doesn't realize I'm awake in the night when he pulls me to him, I act like I don't realize. His warmth has become a nicety and I rather enjoy it. I don't believe I'l be able to sleep by myself anymore.

Tomorrow is the day we're finally leaving. The trip to Laniniel is only about a week or two off now. The weather has turned cold, but not quite bitter yet. The nights are usually worse, but Duran's body heat is enough to keep me warm.

Witz also cuddles up to us, all three of us tangled around each other. I'm excited to head off to Laniniel, I just hope the King and Queen can help me.

- - - - - - - - - -

"You done yet? Can't take you that long to relieve yourself." Duran yelled out to Winter, but all he got was a laugh in return.

Winter comes out seconds later, "Says the one who loves to take their time bathing."

He looks offended but shrugs, "You don't have to wait for me to finish to come in, you know?"

The woman's eyebrow raises and she stops walking, "It's rude manners."

Duran chuckles, "We bathed together a few days ago."

Her face flushes, "And you were gravely injured."

"Fair point."

Winter shakes her head but doesn't have time to talk as he grabs her waist and hoists her up onto Witz. His strength still surprised her, "You riding with me this time?"

His eyes settles on hers and he smiles at her pout, "Do you want me too?" 

Scoffing, "I can tell you I love you but I can't ask you to join me on the ride? Get up here."

Duran feels the laugh in his stomach and grabs onto the reins to get up, "A bit bossy, aren't you?"

She smiles with a small shrug of her shoulders, hitting his chest, "And you still like me."

"I don't like you."

Winter turns to him, shock on her face and a sad tint to it, "I love you."

Her smile shows her dimples, "You're an ass."

His hands come around her, one holding the reins and the other one holding her around the waist, "And you have a rather nice one."