Only a few days after meeting Dan and his small group Geoff and I had travelled quite far, we were close to the Capital and therefore had to constantly wear our, uncomfortable for Geoff, disguises. We hadn't bumped into any more guards but we hadn't exactly kept to the main road.

The treck had been long, tiresome and deathly quiet. Neither Geoff or I started a conversation. If we did say something it was either about where we're going to camp or if there were any guards nearby.

We were about a day and a half away from the Capital when we stopped to camp. I was more irritable than usual I think because we were so close but so far and it was quite easy to mess up at this point. I kept going over the things I needed to do and say to guards and townsfolk that we were simple travellers who needed a place to stay and then ask to go see the sea which proved quite difficult in my mind. I was sat thinking my brows creased as I went through every worse case scenario when Geoff sat next to me and ruffled my hair.

"Yer thinking too much, yer gonna get wrinkles if ye knit yer brows like that too." he said in his gruff voice, though his tone seemed lower, I think he was also thinking about it.

"I can't just, not think, what if we are seen through we'll both be killed. What if John's captured and is forced to reveal our location or worse what if he's captured and killed for being associated with pirates?!" I ramble on about the scenarios that could take place worry making my voice waver, soon enough tears brimmed in my eyes, I was confused as to why but I stopped talking and just cried.

"It's alright, they can't get ye, ye're too good at this to get caught," Geoff said with a confident smirk as he pet my head trying to comfort me,

I sat on the log we had found in our campground in silence tears still streaming down my face, I knew Geoff was only saying what he thought I wanted to hear, but I also felt lonely with it only being me and him, even though me and John argued and I said such cruel things to him I still felt that he was a part of my family and the fact that he could easily be captured right now frightened me.

"John will be fine lass. He's done this before. He's probably at the docks already. Get some rest we should arrive at the capital tomorrow by sundown. Hopefully, we don't run into Mr 'my charm gets any girl' guard," Geoff said with a small chuckle.

I let a giggle slip out my lips and Geoff gently wiped away the tears that were still falling, there was not as many as before, though one or two still escaped my eyes.

"Were you jealous maybe?" I tried to tease sniffling slightly,

"Of him? As if, I'm way more good lookin' don't ye agree?" Geoff said back winking his icy blue eye at me

"I think I'd rather a toad than either of you," I giggled wiping my tears away.

"Yea, well ye have no taste in men," Geoff grumbled.

"I'll go sleep then," I said awkwardly standing from the log,

"Yeah, I'll stay up a while on the lookout and I'll wake you if there's a problem," Geoff said clearing his throat,

I went and curled up by the trunk of a large tree nearby, I used my cloak as a blanket and closed my eyes, I wasn't asleep long before I woke up being vigorously shaken.

"Oy! C'mon we gotta go! The guards are nearby, I have the beard and things on but without you here I won't be able to play-off as the blind uncle," Geoffs gruff voice growled, I lazily threw my cloak around me and got up rubbing my eyes slightly,

Just as we got to the fire pit in the centre of out make do camp we were surrounded by guards, the clanking metal rung through my ears,

"You two, why are you here?! There are no villages for miles and you obviously don't come from the Capital," Dan's familiar voice yelled,

"My blind uncle and I are heading to the Capital. We've been travelling for what feels like weeks. I decided that the safest place to camp would be in a clearing in the forest away from the roads," I spoke softly and rubbed my eyes, as I spoke I tried to muffle a yawn.

"Eveline?" Dan spoke in slight confusion.

"Sir Dan?" I replied in an equally confused tone,

"It's alright men, we met them a few days ago on the road, The beautiful niece taking her Uncle to the Capital to give him more peace," Dan spoke up, making me flinch back a little, I wasn't fond of yelling, many bad memories stemmed from the yelling of villagers.

"Ah, so you remember me," I said in a cheery voice hating that I had to yet again converse with this flirty guard,

"It's hard to forget a lovely lady with such a beautiful voice," Dans flirtatious voice flowed through my ears, his tone was sickeningly sweet and made me want to gag,

Geoff cleared his throat and began to wander aimlessly towards a tree,

"Ah, uncle wait, stop walking and let me show you to where you need to stay for the night!" I exclaimed in worry rushing away from Dan and taking hold of Geoffs hands.

I gently lead Geoff to the tree I had been sleeping next to which was a short ways out of earshot of the troops.

"Were you seriously going to walk into that tree?" I giggled,

"Well, if I hadn't a stepped in yer'd be eating outta the palm of his 'and," Geof grumbled.

"I can look after myself uncle, I'm sure we'll be safe while these guards are around, don't worry I'll watch out for any trouble you just rest alright," I said with a sweet smile on my face, I could feel eyes peering into my back and thought I'd best keep up my act, I patted Geoff on the head and gave him a, very awkward, gentle kiss on the forehead.

"You're so sweet to your uncle miss," An unfamiliar yet familiar deep voice spoke from behind me making me jump,

"O-Oh, well he raised me so he's more like a father to me, you startled me there sir," I said turning around, The guard looked familiar but I couldn't figure out what it was that was familiar to me.

"Sorry miss, I was just coming to inform you that Dan has appointed me to direct you and your uncle towards the capital and ensure that you both get there safely, there have been many attacks by bandits around lately," The guard spoke in a less deep voice.

"John?" I whispered slightly stunned

"The one and only, I managed to get away with impersonating this guard, he's not the brightest of the bunch," John chuckled

"huh, I can't believe I was even worried about you, so was what you said true? He's appointed you as a guide?" I asked I resisted the urge to hug him,

"Surprisin' ain't it." Geoff chuckled,

"Well, we've been talking for a while now so I'm going to pretend to thank you by bowing my head slightly okay, act like your accepting my thanks," I sighed as the two boys seemed to be getting fired up.

I bowed slightly and walked towards Dan leaving Geoff and John talking,

"You and Mr Lance seem to get along fine," Dan said with a kind smile

"Thank you very much for your care, though won't it be troublesome with one less guard?" I asked seating myself on the log opposite him in an elegant manner.

"I can't just let you and your uncle wander aimlessly around forests unprotected, you may run into more guards or worse, bandits. I want to be sure that you and your uncle reach your destination safely," Dan smiled at me in a kind manner but there was something hidden in his eyes that startled me slightly, I also disliked the fact he thought I was a weak little girl but I couldn't show him that now,

"Thank you, my uncle and I are grateful and in debt to you for keeping us safe," I said softly.

"The rest of my men and I will be off then, be safe on your journey, I hope to see you and hear your beautiful voice once more when I return to the Capital," Dan spoke reaching for my hair,

Just as Dan was about to grab my hair and move my hood a knife no bigger than one from a dining table flew past us, grazing Dans hand, I squealed slightly from shock and Dan swore quite loudly,

"Uncle! I told you not to even attempt your old tricks! You can't see anymore so stop trying to hit the trees!" I yelled standing up and storming towards Geoff,

"Sorry sorry, I was trying to prove to this young man that I could take care of myself, Did I hit anyone?" Geoffs gentle old tone came through ragged,

"You almost killed me and Dan, I told you it's not safe, I'm here to protect you so stop trying to do it yourself, you'll hurt someone again," I had gotten to him by now and I winked at him,

"Sorry sorry," He chuckled,

"Hey, that wasn't funny old man!" Dan's voice roared, I flinched at the volume of his voice,

"Excuse me, I'm not that old thank you very much! I could still whoop your ass!" Geoff grumbled.

"Don't make things worse uncle. Go to sleep now." I said softly as I awkwardly began stroking his head.

"Not until you actually stop, you also need your rest." His voice was serious and his icy eyes stared through me.

"Dan, I apologise on my uncle's behalf, he'd never liked having others look after him, your hand isn't hurt too bad is it?" I asked turning to him,

As I turned I felt his aura change, he seemed to be less kind in demeanour, seems his true self, who has a terrible personality, had finally appeared.

"We're leaving now, careful he doesn't stab you in your sleep princess," Dan spat out those words as he mounted his horse and rode off, as soon as he and his men were out of sight Geoff, John and I burst into laughter.