They left the woodland glade after a light breakfast that was provided by their host. He sent them off with well wishes for their journey and even murmured softly to Dawn that he hoped she met the La.s.s as he was sure that as long as her request was reasonable that she would listen.Dawn nodded feeling thankful for those kind words. She gave a small smile to the kind creature before turning to leave.
There was a slightly confused look on the creature"s face as it watched them leave but it shook its head and seemed to push whatever it was aside.
There were still the whispers of the trees but knowing that it was dryads made it seem less strange, especially with the knowledge that they were probably just curious.
Soon they had made it out of the forest and were now on a hilly gra.s.sland that seemed to stretch on for miles all around.
With their spirits all boosted from the brief respite where they could truly relax they made exceptionally good time as the day progressed.
Dawn noticed that the melancholy that Raven had had lingering over him seemed utterly gone. He was happily smiling and chatting with Rex as they rode. The boy was snuggled deep into Raven"s arms and seemed to be utterly contented as well.
She really hoped that no harm came to these adorable children. It would be a tragedy if something did happen.
As they continued on, the three scouts went on ahead without any one even saying a word to them. Watching them disappear so easily into the gra.s.s was startling. They really were good at this. Even Vixen knew what she was doing.
Everyone was in fairly high moods, even Dawn herself felt refreshed from the surprisingly good night of sleep that she had gotten last night. For once her dreams had not tortured her. Whether that was from the new hope that had planted in her breast or because of the aura that the glade had given she was not entirely sure.
Listening to the banter that was being tossed between her companions made her smile, even though she did not join in. Listening to them made her miss Arrion as bantering was something they had often engaged in… and for once being reminded of him did not hurt. Her heart felt too light and the building hope in her heart made it impossible to dwell on the bad.
She wanted him back so much though. But it did not hurt, just made her feel impatient, impatient to put things right, to get her vengeance and seek for this person who could bring the dead back to life.
It was amazing what just a little bit of hope could do. Instead of dreading the future she had some desire to see the next day. She wondered what his first words to her would be. How he would react when she threw her arms around him in ecstasy.
She imagined him hugging her back, his arms snug about her. Him burying his head in her neck as he smiled in happiness at her giving him unsolicited attention. Of the joy in his eyes when she finally told him that she did love him.
Her lips turned up just thinking about it. If she could bring him back then she could put this behind her as being both good and bad instead of just terrible. Bad because she had lost him for a while, and good because it had made her realize her own deep feelings.
She was not sure it was worth it as their relationship had never been that terrible. Afterall, she might have pushed him away but… she had still taken him as being closer to her than anyone else. He had to have known that he was important to her as well. And maybe someday she would have realized without having it thrown in her face like this.
How long could she have continued being in the dark when her feelings where already so deep. Even if it had crept up on her unawares surely something could have happened.
But no, she only realized it when she lost him. And even if she got him back she would learn her lesson and cherish him. He deserved that. Arrion had always given her such warmth and she wished to return those feelings.
As she day dreamed about her husband the day pa.s.sed quickly and soon night was falling. They camped in a valley that was in one of the dips of the hills trying to go for hiding where they would not be noticed.
Dinner was quick and there was a companionable silence between them. Soon after dinner, Dawn headed for her tent and ducked inside to try to get some sleep.