She didn't blink, she didn't breathe, she was sure...her heart stopped beating for a moment as she stepped in the front. His imposing aura filled the entire room. Like it belonged to him.
Her trained eyes didnt leave anything. Still in his mask - hiding secret?, sword at reachable distance - experience, focused intently on the map spread over his lap, one hand tracing the route - he is guiding the troop, other at an angle to the sword' hilt - he is right handed, polished boots - traveled only in the carriage, those riders works for him. He definitely is more powerful and dangerous than she had imagined.
And all she wanted was to cower in a corner and make herself small. So no one would know she was there, no one would break into her tiny world, no one would see her. But then they would see Pam, they would hurt Ruby and it would reach Erich, to Allen, even cherry and...him.... Her tiny world was getting bigger.
"...Never show your weakness..."-Lesson no. 1
"...Walk with pride..." - Lesson no. 2
"...First impressions matter most..." - Lesson no. 5
Erich's instructions pulled her out of reverie. She straightened her back and memorized Allen's words on how to behave like a man.
Walk lazily. She walked slowly and took time in sitting down, like she carried the burden of the whole world.
Look straight in the eyes and talk little. When he lifted his head she greeted him with just a single nod and turned her head towards the window.
Do not fiddle. She folded her hand over chest. and kept her back straight.She hoped it wouldn't break her neck.
"Ride.." folding back the map, he gave orders to the carriage rider through the small window behind him and their journey began.
"Wake me only if it's important" His commanding voice almost made her forget she was impersonating a man. She looked at him in daze. Daria should be intimidated by this man, but just now..., this trip is going to be dangerous for many other reasons.
He pulled over his legs and lay down on his back. One hand over chest and the other covering his face. She tried to calm her quickened heart...his physic, his attire were so freaking similar to her only memory of him, and it's causing her to lose herself, could it be...she didn't dare to hope.., but she is already losing herself bit by bit everyday.
Slowly, reluctantly she turned her head away.
*************
This was her first time stepping outside the capital's border, they were passing through the Troven Forrest, sunlight filtered through the trees. She saw rabbits, deer and occasionally peacocks and bobcats. Flowers of various varieties were blooming everywhere and along with crunching leaves under the wheels she heard the sound of birds, rustling wind and flowing water. It filled her heart with excitement. A feeling so expensive, she considered it a luxury. It is a luxury. She never imagined they would be riding in a spacious carriage with comfortable seats. Inside it looked clean and soft, there's no traces of chipped wood and rotting corners like their tavern carriage and even that's off limits to them. The smooth blue fabric is definitely silk, known to be one of the finest and most costly, black laces and embroidered borders are nothing like the other compartment Pam and Ruby stayed in. Is this custom made for him?.
"Nothing comes for free" Grover once said and she learned it the hard way...very hard way, every time she got something, she had to pay. Bigger the gain, higher the price. She wondered what would be the cost this time, her eyes turned to the man in front, still sleeping in the same position.
She instinctively placed a hand over her heart..remembering him. Yes, this is beyond her limits.