Ava swallowed as she felt her shoulders rise up. Trying to hide. She was sitting across someone who has done the impossible. Noticing it Nate asked quietly "Are you scared now?"

With wide opened eyes Ava nodded gently "There is no point in me lying. I am terrified."

Nate sighed looking up at the - already - dark sky. He mumbled "That's good then. You should be scared of assassins - rouges or not." His killer smirk disappeared and was replaced by an emotionless mask. Every now and then his bloodthirst awoke, but he always fought it back.

Ava swallowed and with a shaky voice dared to ask "How... How did you do it...?" She trailed off, not sure of the reaction. Despite her blood pumping through her veins at a high speed, she did not move away. Her whole body was stuck to the place she sat in.

"You meant to ask how did an assassin manage to kill part of his family?" Nate laughed. His eyes back on the trembling girl. She nodded but did not break eye contact with him. She might have been scared and shacking, but she was mentally strong. She faced him straight on. Nate seeing the fear mixed with some sort of determination said "Like hell I know. The only explanation I can think of was because of Aaron."

That brought some peace to Ava. She stopped shaking and asked, "In what sense?" Her voice was small and wavering.

He watched for a minute thinking if it was worth telling her. "Father was sick," Nate started. He didn't share this story with many people. It would bring him even worse fame than he already had, but with this girl he was curious. How she would react? She did not run away first thing, so it was unusual "He was tormenting me, and my brother to some extent. One day he went wild on me and beat me bloody. Aaron saw it and as he tried to stop him, father's anger turned against him. So, I killed him to protect my brother."

Ava listened to it with a frown. She shook her head saying "That's... Awful..." There was no hatred in her voice. Only sadness. She looked up at Nate but did not say any more.

A long silence stretched between them. The only sound was the cracking of the wood in the fire. Telling them that the fire will die soon.

Ava looked up at it deep in thought. While Nate discreetly observed her. He had few special potions in his little pouch. One was for amnesia. If she went nuts and started to run away he would use it in a heartbeat, he already did that a few times. No one believed that assassin can kill a family member. It was impossible. So they freak out calling him a demon, a monster, a devil. Ava, however, just sat there taking it all in. She saw what rouges were capable off, now she sat in front of something much worse than a rogue. An assassin which made himself into a something between an assassin and a rogue.

After a moment she asked, "So... What about your mother?"

Nate trying to hide his shock responded: "We left her." Something squished his chest as the words left his mouth. Pain from the past. Ignoring it he said "No one would believe I killed our father, hence the blame would fall on Aaron. I couldn't leave him alone though... So we just ran away as not to be caught and killed by our village."

Ava nodded as if that was a perfect explanation. She went silent once more, taking it all in. She then raised her eyes and said: "You are very strong."

These were the last words he expected.

"I mean, that was a choice against yourself. Doing it ruined you, not doing it would still ruin you. And yet here you are, sitting and talking like a normal human being." Nate's mouth dropped open, he stared at the girl as if she was the one talking impossible. She nodded to herself once saying "I had my doubts about this mission. With you being all broken. Now I don't. I appreciate it that you were honest."

Nate was somewhat honest. He only told her some story without expressing emotions. Meanwhile inside there was the turmoil of different feelings.

"Now I can trust you a slight bit more. You love your brother, to the point of going against your own blood. If I am here to help you save him, I am perfectly safe." She then smiled slightly.

Nate's shoulders slumped. Then he burst in laughter. People ran away from him; screaming. Whereas here she was, sitting, smiling and saying she is safe. It sounded comedic. He wiped a tear that formed in his eye saying "You are not just a daredevil, you are crazy."

Ava shrugged looking slightly relieved that the tension was broken. "Call me whatever but I know I'm right." She was.

It was true Nate wouldn't hurt her if she were to help Aaron. She was not stupid. It was probably because after what she went through she had to become very calculating and logical which in turn helped her assess the situation.

Nate shook his head "You're nuts. Absolutely insane." He then turned his head around and whistled. A grin still on his lips in amusement.

Ava did not mind him calling her that. After what happened to her she should have been the first one to attack him, but she was very rational. She stood no chance. Her lips were curled in a smile as her body relaxed completely.

This time the silence that fell was more comfortable. Then while waiting for Lashaka Nate said after a moment “I will keep an eye over the night. We can't let anything come closer.”

Ava protested “But when will you rest? I don't know if you remember but you are wounded. And you will be the one fighting.” She was back to being her snarky, bossy self. That was, somewhat, a relief.

Nate laughed “I remember, but I don’t rest. That is the way I have been living most of my life.”

She crossed her arms saying “I'm taking half of the night, mister. Not having you shattered during the fight.”

Nate rolled his eyes “If you can stay awake, I don’t mind.” He then reached down and took out some food from his pouch which he carried around his belt. Ava eyed him as he took out a slice of completely raw meat. Nate noticed the stare and asked, “You want some?”

She shook her head “I have some, and I'm not that hungry.” Nate laughed and chopped the meat in two. Soon Lashaka trotted out from behind the bushes. She sat at some distance behind Nate and he threw the meat over his shoulder. She caught it immediately and munched on it with her tail ever so slightly wagging.

Lashaka rarely looked happy but she did at that point. Then Nate added, “Anyway, little priestess, I think that is enough of the chatting.” He looked behind at his companion. Noticing something odd he stood up and walked towards the wolf who finished eating.

“Fine, you want to take the first shift?” Ava asked indifferently.

Nate smirked “Sure.” He patted the wolf gently checking her front paw.

Ava observed him asking "Something wrong?"

Nate shook his head as he took out a sharp rock which got stuck in Lashaka's paw. A low wince broke the night's silence. "Just a little limp. As owner as a pet." He chuckled throwing the stone into his pouch. While Lashaka licked her wound. As Nate sat back down in front of the fire Lashaka walked towards him and lied down gently.

A small smile appeared on the girl's lips. It was very clear that both Nate and Lashaka got along. She then took her cover and went to sleep leaning on her Al-Shai. Before she fell asleep she said, “Wake me up halfway into the night.”

Nate chuckled “Sure.” He was not planning on it. He was relying on her magic to keep him together, it was much better for Ava to sleep all night.

After some time Lashaka yapped. Both Al-Shai and Ava were asleep. Nate  turned to the wolf and patted her “What is it?” She folded her ears back and glared at the two sleeping creatures.

Nate laughed “What? Don’t tell me you don’t like them.” Lashaka growled and Nate tilted his head “Jealous by any chance?”

Lashaka stood up and started to walk away to which Nate laughed. He whistled softly and unwillingly she came back. Nate patted his leg and she grudgingly lied down with her head in his lap.

Nate stroked her saying “Don’t worry. It will be over soon enough.” Lashaka nuzzled to him and fell asleep.

The next morning Lashaka was already awake and went hunting as soon as Nate woke up. He slept for half of the night while Lashaka slept for the other. As Nate was getting ready to go Ava woke up, she looked around and upon realising its morning she shouted “You moron! Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Nate taken aback by the sudden scowl he was given didn’t respond.

She sighed getting up “Forget it! Tomorrow I will be taking the whole night. Idiot…”

Nate laughed. She acted as if what he told her last night did not affect her in the slightest. Which was good. At least it shouldn't be awkward to fight together when the time comes.

Soon after that Lashaka came back with some hares. Nate smiled sharing them between the animals and cooking one for him and Ava. They had a whole day to get to the Garme. There was no rush.

After the meal, Nate sighed “Alright. Time to go. Garme must be waiting for us.” Ava nodded, but still send him a glare. She then mounted Al-Shai. However, instead of rushing, they headed off in a gentle trot towards the even colder region.

Once on the move, Nate's thoughts went back to Aaron who was chained and locked in the basement of the shed, most likely suffering from the vampiric venom by then.