I awoke some time later. I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep at first, but it was quickly apparent from the befuddled tiredness. Part of me wondered if it had all been a nightmare, but without even sitting up to look at myself, I knew that wasn't true. I could feel the dried blood caked against my skin, and my wand still in my hand. I swiftly stowed it back in my pouch. I felt much better after crying myself to sleep. I had a slight headache, but my stomach had settled, and the tightness in my chest was gone. I took in a deep, calming breath, then set out into the camp.
The sun had gone down, but there were still some people around the fire. Cayde was one of them. They all looked up as I approached. Their expressions had already been dark, but seeing me turned them darker still. They looked to Cayde, who nodded, and the group left the fire to give the two of us privacy.
"I saved you some food, my Lady," he said, handing me my bowl with some cooked meat in it. It was warm, perhaps from being left near the fire. After I'd thanked him and accepted it, he said, "I pieced together what happened from talking to Jackson and the others. I'm not going to berate you for being careless, but I hope you've learned from this. You're very lucky Jackson happened to be nearby."
His words were harsh, but fair. I could only nod in agreement. Cayde himself had warned me to be careful of Griffith. I hadn't even considered the possibility Griffith would go after me, since he'd agreed to stay to protect the camp. Whatever the reason behind my oversight, it was a serious mistake.
"But I would be remiss not to say that I'm impressed. Someone had to go out and fetch me to fix the wall, and leaving aside your lack of caution, it was extraordinarily brave for you to volunteer. You're a proper noble, through and through."
It was the first time he'd complimented me, and it was strangely moving. In a way he reminded me of my uncle. No matter how severe his criticism of me was, he always gave credit where it was due. His words reminded me of the source of all the trouble, and I asked, "Was the wall fixed?"
"Of course," he replied. "After your return, Jackson said he'd be enough to defend the camp even if the whole thing came down, so they decided to wait for my return. As soon as I was back, I grabbed my hatchet and got to work. It was done before dinner."
"I'm glad," I replied. It wasn't just for my own safety. I had been worried about these people, which was why I went to the trouble of going out in the first place. They were good to me even though my actions weren't out of any kindness or benevolence, and so it wouldn't be right not to pay it back in turn.
He sat with me while I ate in silence, and when I was finished I returned to my shelter. At some point I fell asleep again, and with that the fifth day started. After breakfast, Jackson approached me again. He looked quite contrite, and I gave him the opportunity to apologize.
"Like I said, my Lady, I'm really sorry," he said, his apology just as strange as the rest of his words. However odd it was, though, it sounded genuine. "I wasn't thinking at all — I just couldn't stop myself. I should have been more careful."
He avoided any reference to the exact events, which I appreciated. Ultimately the help from him had been more than the harm, and I likely would have been overwhelmed by the situation even if I'd killed Griffith myself. Perhaps even more so. I replied, "Whatever the ramifications of your actions, Jackson, you still came to my rescue. I thank you for keeping your oath."
His smile was not as bright as it had been before, but it was relieved. "There's no need to thank me, my Lady. I did what any decent person would have done."
"Perhaps, but... what was it that you said?" I tried to recall his words the other day, and my Total Recall brought them to the front of my mind. "'People like you are hard to come by these days.' Not just anyone would have done what you did. I am immensely grateful."
