The Red Cape

X.

Rose stood at the regal, crystal looking gates with King Alexander, waiting for Hunter to come down from the armory. King Alexander instructed him to take some weapons for Rose and himself to use to defend themselves if need be. Rose requested a few choice ones.

She had dressed herself in grey trousers, long, brown, boots that reached just above her knee, a cream blouse with a brown-leather corset, as well as her red cape she always adorned.

The king had given her a sack, in which was more clothes for Hunter and herself, a map of Trailia, some food and utensils, water canteens, Rose's pouch of Quols, rope, a canvas tent, and blankets.

"Rose, my dear," the King called her.

She faced him. "Yes, your majesty?"

"I wanted to give you something before you left. It is rightfully yours."

"Your majesty, you've been very kind, we do not-"

He raised a hand and silenced her. "I think you may want this. Your brother passed through here some time ago, on Resistance business. He left this."

The King dangled a necklace with a silver chain and a round, shining, green stone upon it. He handed it to Rose.

"Have you heard-?"

"No my dear, I'm sorry."

"Thank you, your majesty. I am indebted to you."

He bowed his head, Rose followed his example.

Hunter walked out of the gates carrying different weapons. He handed a beautifully crafted wooden bow and a quiver full of arrows to Rose, as well as a small knife and a long dagger she strapped to her thigh.

"Thank you, King Alexander." Hunter said gracefully, bowing his head.

Rose bowed her head once more.

"Goodbye, and good luck to you both."

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

"How far do we have to go?"

"Far enough." Rose replied.

They had been walking through the dense forests of Trailia for many hours. It had come to the point where neither had kept track how long they had been stepping on the dirt.

"Rose, she won't find us here. She wouldn't have found us about 7 kilometers ago either," Hunter said, wiping his brow.

Rose stopped striding ahead, and fingered her necklace the king had given her.

"Fine," she said. "We'll camp here for a few days I suppose. Let me look at the map."

She dropped the sack and pulled out the map. She studied it for a moment, running her finger across the terrain.

"There is a stream nearby. We can get water from there. How about we set up camp in that little clearing?" She pointed to a patch of grass in between some trees.

Hunter nodded. "We can go hunting tin the morning."

Rose nodded and took out their canvas tent. She collected some wood that would serve as poles and stakes. She constructed the tent so both Hunter and herself could sleep in it. She laid down canvas on the grass and blankets on top.

Hunter collected wood and Rose picked up some large stones and and arranged them in a circle for a fire pit. Hunter put some wood in the middle.

"D'you want me to light it, love?"

"I'm perfectly capable, thank you very much."

Hunter chortled to himself,

"Go and get some water from the river and put it in the pot."

"Anything you desire, your grace." He bowed his head mockingly.

Rose rolled her eyes for good measure and then rubbed two sticks together to light the fire. After a few minutes, she produced smoke, and she blew on it softly.

After a short while, she had a fire burning. She stared into the flames, wondering when this was all going to stop. Wondering if she'd still be alive tomorrow, or if someone else was going to be. And if she was at fault or not.

"I brought the water."

Rose looked up. "Okay, put two sticks up and another one in the-"

"I know how to cook over a fire. I'm not a simpleton, you know." He smiled at her, kneeling down to the fire.

"I know," she said, smiling back.

She wandered around, plucking spice off of plants. She pulled some meat and potatoes from their sack and cut them up with her knife. She crushed some leaves and other things, then she put them in the pot of water, which was now boiling.

She stirred it some, and Hunter sat watching her intently.

They ate silently, both of them watching the crackling fire.

"D'you know how to handle a sword?" Hunter asked her quietly.

"Is that even a question?" Rose responded. "I was trained in Queen Noire's army, of course I know how to handle a sword."

"Alright then," he replied with a grin, rising, "Want to challenge me?"

"Uhm, no, absolutely not."

"Why not? Are you afraid I'll beat you?"

Rose then stood up, also smiling. "You are so infuriating."

"That is what makes me so endearing," he said tossing her a sword, which she caught by the handle.

"How are we to do this?"

"We start."

He stuck his sword at her and she blocked it, and they began dancing around clashing swords together.

"You're better than I thought you were!" Hunter exclaimed.

Rose twisted her blade around and disarmed him. His sword fell to the ground.

"A lot better than I thought." Hunter repeated.

She sheathed her sword and pranced back to the fire.