For the first time during the past nights we've traveled it is not raining. After taking care of the campfire, I lie down beside it with my arms supporting my head. With a sigh relieving my body of a long day, my eyes focus on the view the heavens present.

The myrtle oak branches shape the view to a star-filled sky, and if I were in better company, I'd probably be able to enjoy it and recall the stories my nan used to tell me. But I am not alone, and beside me is Ser Willis.

His deep voice hums a melody that I seem to have grown with because of him. He's never truly sung the full song, always only singing the first part and humming the last. As a child, I would sing with him, and it was a song with which he'd cheer me up when I got hurt, sick, or was simply upset. It's not working this time though, and I can feel his gaze on me as he continues to sing.

"On the mountain tall

Whisper to me words in a voice so small

Like the dew that silently parts the blades

Quiet as the dawn, gentle as the morning sun."

I look straight ahead, but with the corner of my eye, I catch the man's defeated look. His clothes shuffle and the giant lies down on the opposite end of the fire. Once again, my gaze focuses on the dark sky above as the man heaves out a sigh.

"Beautiful night."

I don't answer.

"Did you know that the stars have names?"

I roll my eyes at his attempt at getting me to speak. He has given me the names of constellations countless times since I had a habit of calling them what my nan called them. He said that if I was going to use them for directions, I'd have to know their names properly. He told me the stories and what his favorite was called in his land; it is the only one he knows how to name with his land's tongue.

I still don't respond and keep staring up at Lepus right below the knight, or as he taught me, Orion.

"Tonight you play a mean game, Tamen."

I am doing no such thing.

"Betcha saying you're not."

I scowl.

He chuckles, "I also bet you're scowling because I am right?"

I look beside me quickly but based on our positions with distance and the fire; it's not possible for him to have seen my face. This fact makes my scowl deepen.

"You have a handsome face, but I bet you'll age fast from how much you scowl."

I let out a hot breath and look back up at the sky just in time to see a bright white light flash across it. My scowl disappears as I stare in awe.

Even though it happens quickly, time seems to slow down as the other stars grow dim at the sight of the bright flyer. Its tail is thin compared to the rest of its body, mimicking a tear on the night sky. I let out an exhale, unaware I had been holding my breath.

The sight was beautiful, and my mind continues to replay it, wanting to see it again. I sit up looking around in hopes of seeing another, "Did you see that? A shooting star."

"Oh, now you talk to me."

I let out a heated breath, and mentally kick myself at the fact that I have indeed just spoken to him.

He ignored my usual temper. "Shooting stars are a symbol of a good soul leaving this realm."

My head turns, and I stare at the man, confused with the sudden sad tone his voice holds. This time he is not looking at me, and his gaze is directed towards the star's last known location.

"Where do–"

A sharp shrill stops my words and frightens the horses. They let out a huff and one horse, Tony, paws at the ground while the other, Rain, nervously tugs on her rope that has been tied to the tree. Ser Willis, closest to them, clicks his tongue to calm them down.

He turns to me as I stand up, holding the grip of my sword ready to draw. He nudges his head towards the direction of the scream, and I nod in understanding.

We walk through the woods and follow the sounds of struggle. A high voice is heard crying. We reach an area off the path and spot a group of men holding a woman hostage. One holds her hand behind her back, a knife glinting under the moonlight as it lies close to her throat.

He laughs mockingly, "You think anyone will come for yah? Who told such a pretty thing like you to walk into the woods all on her lonesome?" The other men rummage through her things.

"Please, I don't have much!"

I analyze the scene and notice they aren't very well armed. There are three men, probably in their late thirties and definitely drunk. If I weren't on guard, I'd dismiss them as vagabonds. Their only weapon seems to be the knife and two daggers held by the others.

The sound of a tree frog calls my attention to Ser Willis, who mimics the animal with a whistle. He signals that we surround and ambush them. I nod in response and watch him go around to the parallel end of the clearing the men are in.

I watch the scene and approach closer to the men looking through the woman's bags. One of their backs is towards me as he crouches and rummages through her belongings. The other stands sideways, ruffling his black beard. He laughs boisterously as the man below takes out the woman's intimate clothing and shows them off.

My jaw clenches as I remain hidden behind the shrubs, awaiting my mentor's signal.

At the sound of the tree frog, I step into the clearing, my leg kicking the man who had his back towards me and a hand drawing my sword. While one man falls, the other dodges my blade.

His eyes widen, and he pulls out his dagger. I walk further into the clearing to put space between myself and the two men, observing them. Their boisterous demeanor is gone as they glare. The one I kicked is now standing and pulling out his own blade.

Behind me, I can hear the man who holds the woman grunt in pain as the woman screams.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" The one black-bearded one yells.

"Your typical heroes I reckon." Ser Willis mocks from behind.

"I suggest you leave before any of you get hurt," I warn.

"What, are you and your papa going to beat us up? What can a little boy and his old man do? What is that sword you are holding, a needle?"

"He's not my father." I spit, aggravated by the man's words. His trembling hands are not as confident as his mocking tone.

Their facial expression changes and I provide a questioning look. A shadow passes by me as the third man lands right between the other two. "I forged that needle myself!"

I roll my eyes at Willis' voice as he steps beside me, and I'm starting to worry the action is becoming a habit. His body towers over the other men, his height presented by the looming shadow that befalls them.

One of them–the one who mocked me–steps forward and charges sloppily. I deflect his blade using the starcke of my sword and thrust upward causing it to fly out of his hand. My sword makes contact with his hand, causing him to scream out in pain.

"You idiot! Don't you see that giant just tossed me across the bloody field?" The one on the floor speaks with a bruised cheek and crooked nose. "Listen, we don't want more trouble. We'll give the nice lady her things back and be on our merry way."

I glare, not liking the situation. Why are they so weak? A can sense an uncomfortable feeling making itself at home within my gut.

"Y-yeah. We're drunk anyway."

Ser Willis sighs, "So you bastards only like to harass women in the dark woods, ey?"

"W-we're sorry, ey? Just let us go. I see you're a knight. Yer bo–"

He stops his word choice when he catches my glare.

"Your partner here's already cut my man's hand, and you busted up my pretty face. You don't gotta bruise my other brother here, see? Just let us go."

"If I come across you again I'll be sure to change my mind, so scurry off."

The men do so, fumbling over one another as they scramble for the path. I sheath my sword and turn towards Willis, smiling. The smile falters, however, as he slicks his hair back and walks towards the woman.

"Are you alright?"

"I am," she sighs, "thank you Ser..?"

"Willis, knight of the West."

She laughs at his words and I already know what comes next, "Where in the West?"

I mutely mock the next words I know by heart.

"That's a tale of secrecy and wonder."

She smiled, and wiped at her teary green eyes with a napkin, "I apologize, I am still quite shaken. I must get back home."

"You travel alone?" I question as I walk towards them.

She nods, "I work for the lord in the town just two days north from here. My mother fell ill, so I am on my way to help back home. South, just a bit past the following town."

"I'm sorry to hear."

She wiped at her face again and smiled, "Worry not." She inhaled and straightened up, "She's a strong old woman."

"Well we're headed South of here as well," Willis added, "to Lord Sigmund's. I'd be more than happy to escort you."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother you, gentlemen."

Ser Willis smiles, but it's not a chivalrous one, and I recognize it as the seducing one he wears like the very armors he complains about when knights are merely parading, "It's a knight's honor."

"Then if you insist, I know of an inn," she blushes, "They are quite hospitable." She glances over at me, "I hear they often give an extra room for a party of three to five."

My eyes widen at how fast the woman was already giving in, and I shake my head.

"Tamen, get the horses while I help Miss..?"

"Anya, you can call me Anya."

Neither spare me a glance as I leave the nauseating sight. If the point of being a squire is to become the knight you follow, I may very well be a squire for eternity.