"I..." she looked away, afraid he would be angry if she told him her exact dream "Just another dream." she made no move to get up, she was comfortable there next him with the cloak wrapped around both of them.

''They shall pass'' he said. As he remembered his previous dream, he held her closer to him, lowering his gaze.
''You are safe with me'' he whispered.

_________________

She moved her head to lay in the crook of his neck. "Thank you." her own voice was quiet as she thought. Perhaps she was foolish to hope. He had that soul she had felt in her dream, and she knew he would not want to give up his lifestyle so easily. Especially bot for her, she snorted as she thought. She had already known it, she had just conveniently forgotten.

They sat there for a time before he finally broke the silence.
''We should be off soon''
His eyes looked to the sky as morning began to pass into afternoon.

_________________

She nodded and stood, wincing at the soreness in her back. But she picked up her things, smiling softly as she saw the bracelet twinkle in the sun as she moved. Soon she had all her things gathered. "Lead the way." she met his eyes abd smiled at him.

He stood and packed his things, making sure they left nothing behind. He walked closer to the road but not on it. He decided to stay off the road for now but to follow it all the same, a little way of through the forest.
Crixus began to walk alongside her.

_________________

"Do you think we are close to the ocean yet?" she knew she sounded impatient, but she couldn't wait for her dream of having her own little cottage. "I shall plant a garden, and grow vegetables and strawberries. It will be so wonderful!" she exlaimed. She truly could not wait.

''Perhaps'' he replied, unsure.
''I do not think it shall be too long'' he smiled reassuringly at her as they walked, he kept his eye out on their surroundings, checking for any sign of others or the coast.

_________________

"I hope you are right." she smiled back at him. What a difference from yesterday, she thought to herself. They kept walking in silence, she felt as though it was a comfortable silence. Her red hair bounced as she grew more impatient.

They walked for a time, a silence between them but it was an easy one, without any tension.
Crixus froze when he heard a shout behind them. Turning he saw two figures running towards them, swords drawn. Without time to think he drew his weapons and stood to face them.
''Do not attack if you value your lives''

_________________

Eonwe gasped and instinctively went behind Crixus, peering out fearfully from behind him. She had forgotten her hood before and put it back up with a rush. She waited to see what would happen, and her body was at the ready to dash of should it be needed.

''Why do put up you hood, sweetheart? We do not mind'' one said, leering at Eonwe. The other stood forward and spoke, the more direct of the two.
''We know exactly who you are. Lord Abrax wishes his slave returned and put to death. He promises not to harm you, Crixus, his champion.''
He looked at Eonwe, a twisted smile showing on his face, knowing what fate she would meet when he got a hold of her and after she was returned to Abrax.

_________________

She covered her mouth and began to tremble. If they got a hold of her, she could not imagine the horrors she would be put through. Then she would die. What would happen? She blinked. What was she doing? Cowerig in fear...no. No longer. She glared at the men "You'll never get your hands on me, or anything else, though doubtful you really have much else to put on me." she said with a quick sneer and downward glance to show what she meant. "And I will not be put to death."

Crixus watched the scene unfold before him, troubled. What should he do? He had been offered a chance to return to the arena, void of any punishment.Had he just been deceiving himself with dreams of a life beyond the fighting?
He watched as Eonwe stood and confronted them with her words. They then spoke, replying.
''You shall learn otherwise, little girl'' They began to move forward.

_________________

She looked at Crixus, he actually seemed to be considering the offer! She felt as though her heart had been pierced. When she had spoken to the men, she had stepped out from behind Crixus. It was her mistake. The men grabbed her, and she struggled, but their grip was too tight for her to even slip a little. She looked at Crixus, her eyes wide with fear and hurt as they began to drag her off.

He looked at her, apologizing with his eyes. The promise of the blood and sand of the arena was a tempting offer.
He lowered his gaze as they proceeded to tie her hands behind her back.
''Please be gentle'' he said sadly. The truth was, he was a fighter and a slave, nothing more.He followed as they began to walk back the way they had come.

_________________