The next morning Rue woke up and noticed that Nyx had disappeared but left behind some white fur. Cael was also back in his previous spot. Everyone but him was awake.

“He sleeps like a rock for a knight. Aren’t they supposed to be light sleepers.” Mira looks on wringing their hands together contemplating how reliable their knight is.

“We cannot change our nature.” Liora answers unbothered.

“Yes, but we have to stop for breakfast soon so it would be good if he decided to join the land of the living soon.” Aylin comments.

“Huh.” Came a quiet mumble as if on cue the knight woke up.

“That’ convenient.” Aylin says with a raised brow judging Cael. Though they subtly meet Rues eyes and their eyes look conflicted. Rue was wondering if perhaps the elve has heard more than they admitted or perhaps don’t even remember the conversation from last night. There is also the possibility that they regret what they said not actually meaning-

“We should stop now. I would like to have a little chat with you, mister knight, if you don’t mind.” Aylins’ dry tone made it obvious that his opinion doesn’t actually matter.

“Is it about him possibly sleeping through an entire war with how heavy of a sleeper he is?” Rue inquires curious.

“While that might be a useful conversation, as Liora has already mentioned a being’s nature cannot easily be changed. I am planning on speaking about a different topic. Though nothing you have to worry about simply boring adult business.” Aylin casually waves it off.

 When she finished talking, she lightly ruffled Rues hair. Which thanks to them having horrendous bed hair now looks even worse. The others including Rue seem shocked by Aylin actions. Aylin seems unbothered by her actions though she seems concerned about another topic.

“We can’t stop! We still have 5 days left until we reach the hole. That’s too long.” Mira was trying to get the others to see her point.

“Indeed, more time would be preferable however we have to stop to take breaks and eat. It will do no one any good if we arrive half dead.” Liora explains. Mira looks unsure but nods at the end.

They stopped at a clearing and started to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner so they wouldn’t have to stop too much. Rue started to pace the clearing trying to get a feeling back into their legs.

Aylin and Cael disappeared but not without Cael complaining that he hasn’t finished writing his will yet and Aylin hitting him, hissing something about a child being present or whatever. Liora and Mira were busy cooking. So, this was of course Rues chance to sneak away again. One they were sure that no one paid attention they wandered deeper into the forest.

“Where are you going? You should quit this habit, mate. Walking away from your party members isn’t too smart, y’know.” Nyx appears again once Rue was far away from the others to not be heard. Rue side eyes Nyx glaring at them as if their life depended on it.

“Not my party members.” Rue mumbles. “We also have to continue our conversation from-” Rue was distracted by voices. They get out their knife. Moving closer to hiding behind a tree they realize that the voices a familiar. Aylin and Cael. It seems like they are in the middle of their conversation. Carefully moving backwards Rue tries to remove themselves from the conversation.

“I didn’t want to scare them besides it seemed like you had it under control.” Cael said sheepishly. Their nervous laugh drowning out the sound of a branch cracking under Rues shoes.

“I see your point, but I would have appreciated some help. Were you able to hear more than me?” Aylin was clearly still judging Cael for whatever he did.

“No, sorry. But I am concerned. We should probably keep a close eye on them after all this is surely very stressful. I just can’t believe how young they are sometimes.” Cael was frowning and seemed to be talking to himself more than Aylin.

“Truly a cruel trick from fate. I want you to know that I don’t care about fate. Should anyone hurt them then I will make them regret it. I won’t let them be harmed nor will I allow any fate to decide how this all will end. A child should be a child. (rewrite the last sentence)” Aylin declared. Rue couldn’t hear their conversation after that.

“They were talking about you, weren’t they? It’s cute, mate. How protective they are despite you being a stranger and all.” Nyx coos. Rues cheeks redden slightly and they pull their beanie over their face.

“Bullshit. ‘Kids should be kids’” Rue mocked in a quiet voice their face slightly peeking out from the beanie. They were still clutching it tightly. Their eyes unfocused, Rues continued to walk into a random direction.

“Never mind that.” Rue shakes their head once again trying to apparently try to force a thought with force out of a brain.

“You like leaving conversation half-finished, ey mate?” Nyx joked.

“Actually, I don’t and since we are on the topic you still have a fuck ton to explain.” Rue lets go of the beanie turning their entire attention on Nyx for the first time since waking up. This causes them to walk straight into a tree.

They fall to the fall apparently giving completely up they stay down. Simply deciding to lean against the tree but not before sending it a dirty look.

“So, mate. Partner. What do you want to talk about. :)” Nyx sat down in front of Rue. “You might wanna get comfortable this could take a while with luck.” The cat gave a thumbs up which Rue was not going to question in anyway instead they took their messenger back off lying it next to them and leaned against the tree.

"The threats. Why can I cut them? Is there any other power I could potentially have?"