Just like Evåinic had told her, the snow drifted off or melted away as the days passed. The path that led from her cave to the village reopened and they were free to walk about. Her traps laid in ruins but with the help of Evåinic, Sabele rebuilt them. Herds of deer returned to her place on the mountain allowing her to hunt bigger prey than those of rabbits.

Peace returned too. Sabele fell into her usual routine, with a couple of nightly changes, but this time she wasn't alone. Visitors came for advice and when Sabele summoned the gods, Ev was right alongside her, always amused by their interaction.

His mother Amist even came to visit though Sabele felt as though she acted strangely. She seemed overly excited like a child, constantly giggling. Sabele was sure she had seen Evåinic blush in embarrassment from his mother's attitude from time to time.

Sabele currently sat her table, grounding up some herbs for a potion she was asked to make. Behind her sat Ev, watching her work with keen interest. It felt normal. But then, Sabele realized it had become normal.

He enjoyed watching her work. He even admitted he loved just watching her. It was a strange sort of compliment to receive but Sabele took it to heart that he liked being with her. He had been protecting for a little over two months by now. Before she was sure he wouldn't last the first week but there he was, watching her work.

Sabele had gotten extremely comfortable with his presence. She wasn't as high strung or tiptoeing around him anymore. She left herself open to expressing herself which led to many of their great talks.

She found herself liking Evåinic more than she should. He had a fierce, protective personality that was filled with humor. He could be headstrong and pushy but he wasn't insensitive to others' feelings.

He often held her after her nightmares and would push her to talk about it. Once Sabele gave him an answer, he changed the topic immediately to something funny like how Valcite had pranked Tatisic and ended up stuck in some mud for three weeks. He knew how to make her feel better and she felt selfish for wanting to keep him there with her, to have him hold her throughout the night.

Evåinic found her intelligent and sympathetic despite being isolated. Though still easily frightened especially by fire, she managed to keep up her brave façade. He liked those things about her. He liked a lot of things about her.

She excelled in hunting as much as she did her herbal work. The tears in her clothes were finely threaded with an expert hand. All things she learned over the years and perfected, despite her disadvantages.

He came to appreciate her hard work for those who had turned their backs to her and took any insult in stride. She wore a fiercely thick set of armor, much thicker than his own, that only came off when they were alone. He felt honored by it.

"Hey, Sabele?" She hummed softly in reply. "Can you do me a favor?"

Stopping her work she turned to face him. Evåinic had dressed in his armor, something that never failed to make her tremble with awe and maybe a little something else.

"What’s wrong?"

"I need to go visit my mother about something but I know you'd probably want to stay here," she nodded, she didn't want to leave in case somebody needed her, "so I want you to stay in the spring, hidden away. You can come out when you have visitors but don't come out if the head chief comes or anyone you feel suspicious of, okay? Plus, it'll be dark soon so I doubt you'll be receiving anyone." He fingered her cheek for a moment and naturally, she nuzzled into his warm palm.

"Okay, I can do that. I'll just grab a book to read," grabbing one of the many books she still had yet to finish, Sabele followed him back into the spring where he made sure she was comfortable, almost hesitant to leave.

Bending down, he left a small peck on her nose before disappearing.

Sabele opened the book and began to read from where she left off. She still couldn't get over the fact that she could read such a beautiful language. A language that Evåinic grew up with. It was apart of his world and now hers.

Evåinic burst through the Great Hall, surprising everyone to a stock still silence. Music and singing stopped, all conversation immediately ended. Minor gods moved out of his way, not stupid enough nor powerful enough to stand a chance against him.

When he reached the chair is mother currently sat in, he held out his hand. An invitation for a private conversation. Once the pair had left, whispers filled the room.

It wasn't that Ev had burst in when he should have been with the priestess. It wasn't that he silently asked his mother to come with him to talk privately. No, it wasn't any of those. Evåinic wore his helmet. He never wears his helmet unless in time of war.

Amist shortly returned to a still and silent hall. They all were watching expectantly, especially Fliana and Mia, who had taken it upon themselves to use their husbands to see above the crowd by sitting on their shoulders like toddlers.

"Well, Ev came to tell me three things," they leaned in, eager to hear the news. "The first I cannot tell you. You will find out eventually. Second, Ev plans to kill Eztil-Catl and his men to end this ridiculous feud. Third, the head chief and his men apparently hired a mercenary and they are with Sabele as we speak. He left in a hurry to protector her.” She sat shakily in her chair, her three sons arming themselves for the worst.

If their brother never returned home...

No one could speak.

What were they about to find out?