The night was very cold, and the wind was blowing hard. Leaves and dust from the forest floor swirled around them. The distant sound of thunder rumbled. Griffa had magicked a small shelter around them using branches and red and gold leaves. It helped to keep the wind and larger debris away from them. She had set up several wards all around them. She thought they would be strong enough to keep them safe and hidden. When she heard the thunder, she waved her hand above her head and cast a spell to repel water away from their shelter.

“That should help keep us dry. I can’t promise you won’t wake up a little damp, but at least you won’t be soaked,” Griffa said, sitting by the small fire Ansel had conjured.

“Isn’t the fire dangerous in this shelter?” asked Max. “I’m not complaining about the warmth, but this is all made up of sticks and leaves. Will the shelter not catch fire?”

“Not this fire,” said Griffa. “It’s not like ordinary fire. It burns and gives warmth but does not consume.”

“There sounds like there could be a lesson there,” said Ansel as he rubbed his hands.

“How so?” asked Max.

“Well, so much of our lives can consume us if we let it run wild. Take love for example. Some would say we need it to survive, just like this fire on this cold night. Still, we have to keep it controlled, under good regulation or it will consume us.”

“Control, that would be the perfect word to describe you, Ansel. You are always under control. You think you can control everything, even love,” said Griffa rolling her eyes.

Sometimes the things Ansel said sounded so heartless.

“Maybe control isn’t the right word. There has to be a limit on what you will do for everything, even love, Griffa,” said Ansel looking at Griffa.

Griffa sighed and looked at Ansel.

“I’m not sure why, but that makes me sad for you. I understand being smart and reasonable, but from what I have experienced of love, I don't think I would agree with there being a limit on what you would do for it, not real love. Real love wouldn’t cause you to do something to compromise who you truly are. Real love won’t cause you not to be true to yourself.”

Griffa’s experience with love was limited. She had loved her father. She didn’t think there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t have done for him. She had a few friends she loved. She cared about Ansel deeply. There wasn’t much she wouldn’t do to keep those she loved safe and happy.

“I agree with Griffa,” said Max. “I understand what you are saying, Ansel about keeping control of yourself, but love is different. There isn’t a lot I wouldn’t do to protect those I care about. That’s why I’m on this journey with you.”

“You are both young. Once you see and experience more of the world and the folk in it, you will both understand what I am saying. There will come a time where you will have to make hard choices. Love can unnecessarily complicate those choices. It comes down to what is right.”

“And love isn’t always right, Ansel?” asked Griffa exasperatedly.

She shook her head. She knew a little of his past. His father was not a nice man. He had obviously had his heart broken by someone, probably Desmona. Griffa was sad by Ansel’s pessimistic view on love.

Ansel stared at her for a moment.

“Love can sometimes make us forget what we need to do, what will be best for everyone, not just ourselves.”

“So, you don’t believe you can be consumed with duty? You can be so consumed with duty, that you forget what you are working for, fighting for. What good is duty without love?” asked Griffa.

“Love can be selfish. Duty is about looking at the bigger picture, doing what is right for everyone and the future,” answered Ansel.

“Once again, I don’t think you know what real love is, Ansel. Love is not selfish, not in my experience. You really believe duty is more important than love? Even if you have to hurt the ones you love to complete your duty?” asked Griffa.

“If it is better for the whole in the long run, yes. Temporary hurt would be worth it to ensure the safety of the whole kingdom,” said Ansel looking down at the fire.

“I think maybe you have experienced too much, Ansel. Your view on life and love is depressing. You’ve had too much thrown at you, especially when you were young, too much responsibility. I’m afraid I’ve done nothing but add to that your whole life. I was your burden for far too long, especially after father died,” said Griffa sadly.

Ansel’s head snapped up. He stared at Griffa with a soft look in his eye.

“You have never been a burden, Griff. My best memories include you. Don’t ever say you were a burden. Without you and your father, I would have been all alone.”

Max cleared his throat. “I think I’ll look through the pack and see what we have to eat.”

Griffa had her eyes on Ansel, but she nodded and handed Max the pack close to her that contained their supplies.

Max dug through the pack and handed Griffa and Ansel each a piece of dried meat and some bread. Griffa poured some wine from a pouch into three small cups. She handed one to both Max and Ansel. They ate mostly in silence.

“I think we better try to sleep so we can get an early start,” said Ansel. “Griffa, you are sure about those charms. Maybe I should stay up and watch for a while.”

“You can sleep tonight, Ansel. You know my protection charms are strong. Since we aren’t moving, no one should be able to detect us here.”

He nodded. Griffa watched Max fetch his blanket. He held it up to his nose and breathed in. She supposed his blanket smelled like home. He turned and looked to Griffa, offering her the blanket. Griffa smiled and shook her head. Max was very kind. She could see herself getting very attached to him. She liked him more every minute she got to know him.

“Lay down, Max. I’ll cast a warming spell over you,” said Griffa.

Max laid down. Griffa pulled the blanket up over him and tucked him in as a mother might. She smiled at him and waved her hands over the length of him. Max smiled and closed his eyes, burrowing under the covers.

“Good night, Griffa,” Max said quietly.

“Good night Max,” whispered Griffa.

Griffa moved over to where she had been sitting and stared at the fire.

“How much further to Abscon, do you think?” asked Ansel quietly. “Will we reach it tomorrow?”

“We can if we don’t stop for too long. It will be very late in the evening, but we should be able to make it. I don’t fancy spending another night out here,” replied Griffa.

She was cold. She knew the ground wouldn’t be very comfortable. She longed for her big, warm bed in Keene Manor.

They were both silent for a moment. Ansel moved closer to Griffa. He sat so close their shoulders touched.

“Is he asleep?” Ansel asked quietly.

Griffa leaned over and looked at Max. His eyes were closed, and his breathing seemed even.

“He seems to be,” replied Griffa in a whisper.

“What do you think of him?” asked Ansel.

“I like him. He is kind and clever. He seems strong. I detect much magic in him as you must have. He definitely has a lot of potential, but I still think he should decide for himself about this king business.”

“He will and he will choose wisely,” replied Ansel.

Griffa stared at Max as he slept. She already started to feel protective of Max. He was young. He had no idea what he was getting into. Abscon would be a different world than the one he was used to. Max would be a curiosity in the village. Griffa hoped she could help him to feel welcome and comfortable in his new reality.

“You don’t really think you are a burden to me, do you?” asked Ansel tenderly.

Griffa turned her head quickly to Ansel.

“I don’t know, maybe. I feel like I was the little sister forced on you when you were almost a man. Then you felt you had to take care of me after father died.”

Griffa paused and closed her eyes. She knew she shouldn’t say what she was thinking, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“Then last spring, when, well you know at the festival, I was afraid I ruined things between us forever,” said Griffa sadly. “I never meant to put you in that position.”

Ansel was silent, he turned his eyes form Griffa and looked at the fire. Griffa could feel her face go warm. She knew her cheeks were red. She felt like such a fool.

“See, I knew it. I knew that is why you stopped coming to see me. I knew that’s why you were gone for so long.”

“Griffa,” stared Ansel, but she interrupted him.

“Oh, if I could just go back and stop myself from drinking too much, or thinking that you could ever, well. I wish I could just go back and change it all.”

“Griffa,” said Ansel a little louder. He had turned his eyes back to stare at her. “I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to do.”

“Oh,” said Griffa.

She stared at Ansel with wide eyes. What did he mean he didn’t do anything he didn’t want to do? Was he saying he wanted to kiss her?

“I did stay away for a bit. I was worried I had scared you, taken advantage of you. Your father asked me to keep watch over you. I had a lot to think about. Then the diviner told me it was almost time to get Max, and I had to prepare. I didn’t mean to avoid you for so long. I meant it when I said I missed you. Griffa, I find that I don’t like being away from you. I thought of you often.”

“What does this mean, Ansel?” asked Griffa quietly. “Are you saying that you…”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know my feelings at the moment. I care about you Griffa, but you know who I am, and you know who you are. I don’t know if any idea of us is even remotely possible. So many things are about to happen. There are so many things to think about. I haven’t had time to work out my feelings. I don’t know when I will. I can say that you are important to me, and I don’t want to be apart from you again.”

“You won’t be. I want to help you, help Max, but Ansel we don’t know what the future holds. I don’t want to put my feelings aside just to wait for a time that may never happen. We have to talk about this, not here, not now, but soon.”

Ansel smiled slightly at Griffa. “So, I didn’t scare you that night?”

“No,” said Griffa. “I don’t scare easily. I thought you knew that about me.”

She leaned slightly into Ansel. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“I do know, but I wasn’t sure how you really felt,” said Ansel.

He dropped a quick kiss on Griffa’s head. Griffa raised her head and sat up slightly.

“I can’t make you any promises, Griffa, except that I won’t be apart form you so long, again, at least not by my choice.”

“Ansel, I want you and Max to stay with me. Your home will be empty, and you will have things you will need to do without Max. I know you don’t like staying there. Keene Manor is large. Maybell would love to have you both there to fawn over. Also, there is Jonthon and Wallis there who can help watch over Max when you or I can’t. It is practically your home too; you have a room there.”

“If you don’t think it will be too much trouble for all of you, we will stay at the manor.”

“Good, I hope Max does like Abscon. I don’t want him forced into anything, but I don’t want him to feel unwelcomed.”

“I am sure he will be happy staying in your home. I know you will do everything to make sure he is comfortable. Now, we both need to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

Griffa stretched and moved slightly. She laid down on her side looking at Ansel. She wrapped herself in her cloak and casted a warming spell on herself. She immediately felt drowsy. Ansel shifted over to give her space. He laid down on his side facing Griffa.

“Good night, Griffa,” said Ansel softly.

“Good night,” muttered Griffa as she quickly fell asleep.