Jon and Caro arrived at a stream by late afternoon; they had let the horses just walk most of the time to allow them to maintain some energy so they wouldn’t have to stop and exchange them for faster horses in the future.
While the horses drank from the stream and ate grass, the two stretched their bodies and rested themselves. Caro watched the horses drink and Jon lay there, staring at the sky.
“I think they’re glad we’re off of their backs for a little while.” Caro assumed, looking at Ad and Sib.
“I think so too,”
Caro turned her gaze to Jon and gave a small grin. Even though her eyes were heavy from lack of sleep and her ragged dress and small body were covered in dirt, her green eyes sparkled and Jon thought she was beautiful.
“Jon…”
He didn’t realize he had been staring at her and quickly snapped out of his daydream.
“Huh? What?”
Caro let out a quiet laugh and told him, “Are you in this universe or the next?”
“Umm well hopefully this one,”
She smiled at his comment.
“You know by you daydreaming yourself to Dule won’t get us both there any quicker.”
Jon sat up from his comfortable position.
“Did I fall asleep?” He asked her.
She laughed, somewhat amused by this.
“Well I don’t think it would make a difference either way, I suppose.”
“I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
Caro shook her head.
“Never mind. We should probably get going, though,”
Jon agreed and got up, despite wanting to. He knew Caro hadn’t slept at all and he guessed that she probably hadn’t ate anything either. Back in Bef, food and rest were limited. After returning from the work they had house chores to tend to.
Her head hung low as they rode. Every time she would shut her eyes and her head went down, she would snap back up and awake again. Jon tried not to laugh as the cycle repeated for several minutes, but he knew she was exhausted.
“Caro, why don’t you tie yourself in the saddle and just lay on Ad’s neck so you can get sleep.” He suggested.
“No, no. I’m okay, really.”
“Caro, you need sleep,”
“I said I’m fine,” she snapped. It came off a little bit harder than she had intended. “I’m sorry, Jon, I just have stuff on my mind,” she apologized.
“I know. It’s okay, I understand… I still think you should get some sleep though,”
“Maybe later.”
Jon wasn’t going to fight with her about it, even though he cared for her and knew that she should. They had hoped to reach the Valley of Revlere by dark, but to no avail.
“Are you sure we’re going in the right direction?” Caro asked, unsure.
“Belbriv said to go West until we reach the Valley; we’re going West, Caro.”
She put her hands up in the air.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry! I was only asking.”
