| Dylina traced her fingers around the edge of his chest wounds as she examined the extent of the damage inflicted on Ren. "A dislocated arm and some shallow cuts on his chest," muttered Dylina to herself. At first she couldn't figure out what she could use as a bandage other than her own clothes, but then she saw his torn shirt laying on the ground near him. "You can use my shirt if you need to," replied Ren with a smile to her question. Dylina began tearing the shirt into strips, wrapping it around Ren's chest. Her bandages were crude, but they worked well enough to stop the bleeding. He reached into his backpack and pulled out another shirt, pull it over his head and covering his bandaged chest while not bothering to put his left arm through the sleeve. She wanted to check on his arm, but he got up and grabbed his backpack before she could. "Are you gonna follow me or are you gonna keep running?" Dylina scratched her head, pondering on what she should do. He is a rather impressive fighter, and he did fight for me when he didn't need to.... She nodded slowly as Ren began to walk. Dylina followed him, listening carefully to her surroundings. The two walked for what seemed like an eternity to her hard worn legs when Ren finally chose a spot to stop for the night. With his good arm, Ren took out a sleeping bag and a pillow and laid it out on the ground. "You can use that for the night." "I... should thank you for what you did," said Dylina hesistantly. "You did not have to fight for me, and you do not have to give up your sleeping bag...." Ren shook his head. "It's alright." She shook her head. "You are injured because of me. You should at least sleep in comfort." "I'll be alright." Dylina sat down near the sleeping bag, looking up at Ren. "Are you sure?" "Yeah." "I'm about ready to force you because of your injuries...." "Get to sleep." Dylina slipped into the sleeping bag and made herself comfortable as Ren sat against a tree. She inched herself closer to him until she was satisfied with her spot. She looked at him one last time before she closed her eyes, sighing in relief. Her body welcomed the sleep almost immediately as her mind drifted away into slumber. ------------------------------------------------------- The sun wasn't even awake when Dylina woke up. The morning sky could be seen through the trees, but the sun was nowhere in sight as she slowly remembered what happened to her last night. She slipped out of the sleeping bag slowly and observed her surroundings until her gaze stopped on Ren. Ren was still asleep as she snuck up to him. On his lap was a sabre, sheathed, but still ready. His backpack rested against the tree right next to him as she inched herself closer and closer to the backpack. Slowly, she unzipped the backpack and began searching through the contents. Dylina nearly screamed when she looked at Ren. One of his eyes was opened and looking at her as she slowly backed away from him. She watched him carefully as he set his sabre inside before he reached into the backpack. He pulled out a small bag and an apple, tossing her the apple before he started eating from the bag. She caught the apple easily as Dylina took a closer look at it. After a few moments, she began to eat from it, keeping her focus on Ren. When he finished eating, he gathered up the sleeping bag and the pillow and put it in the backpack with the bag. Ren closed it up completely before he slid his left arm through the sleeve and crossed his arms. "I hope you don't mind me asking why you ran away." Dylina froze as she began to think. Nervousness began to fill her as doubts arose in her mind and her heart. I didn't want to be forced to marry that ass because of the tournament, but........ I miss my home. She took a slow bite from the apple before she cleared her throat. "Because my dad is the chief of our tribe. The chief's first son always has to complete a rite of passing in order to succeed, but in my case, where there is no male in the family, the eldest daughter is married of to the winner of a tournament before she earns her power....." Ren raised an eyebrow at her. "Should I assume that this is soon?" Dylina nodded. "Tomarrow.... Ren, can I ask a favor of you?" "Sure, go ahead." "Could you stay with me, just for today? I... Well..." "I'm in no rush to go anywhere. So I'll stay." She smiled weakly at him as she finished her apple, tossing the core aside. She watched him as he picked up his sabre and began looking around. It wasn't long, however, until he looked at her and grinned. "I don't suppose you know a good hiding spot around here?" Dylina scratched her head as she began thinking. Nothing could come to her mind until she thought of the lake and her secret cave. At first she didn't want to take him there, but no other spot came to mind. She shrugged to herself as she nodded slowly to Ren before she started walking in the general direction of the lake. Ren followed her closely, keeping a lazy eye on his surroundings. The sun peeked through the trees as the two arrived at the lake. Dylina mumbled to herself, thinking of what to do next. Usually I just strip down and put my clothes in a bag before I swim, but he's with me...... and I lost my bag. Dammit. Nervously, she watched Ren as he looked around the lake. "So where to now?" "Into the lake.... but... I don't have any extra clothes." Ren reached into his backpack and tossed her a shirt and a pair of shorts. Dropping the backpack, he then unbuttoned his shirt, stuffing it into the backpack. He then paused, looking at Dylina for a moment. "Gonna go elsewhere to change?" "Yes." Slowly, she walked away through the forest until she couldn't see him. She slowly removed her dress, shivering as the cold winter air hit her bare skin. Her new clothes didn't help make her warm either as she pulled the shorts up and slipped into the shirt. She grabbed her dress before she walked back to Ren. Dylina noticed the rope attached to his backpack as she handed him her dress. He had already changed into a pair of shorts. Ren put the dress into the backpack before he closed it off. He then carried the bag to the edge of the lake, waiting for her as she joined him at the edge. She mumbled as she entered the cold water hesistantly. Ren, however, didn't seem to mind it as much as he sank underwater for a moment before resurfacing, backpack in tow. Dylina shivered continuously until the water reached her neck, until at last she began swimming toward the other end of the lake. Occasionally she would check on Ren as he towed the backpack with him. When she neared the other edge of the lake that was surrounded by a high ridge, she dove underwater, following the familiar walls of the lake. Eventually she found the opening she was looking for, pointing it out to Ren before she entered it herself. Her air began to run out as she finally reached her destination through the passage, leading to her favorite grotto. She shivered as the air in the grotto touched her wet form as she came out of the water and onto the rocky surface. Moments after she exited the water she could see Ren in the water still as he entered the grotto. He peaked out of the water before he climbed onto the suface near her, pulling the bag out after him. He looked around for a moment before he opened his backpack, reaching into it and taking out her dress as well as a towel for her. Dylina graciously accepted it before she wandered off to a spot where she would be sufficiently hidden from him. An uneasy feeling washed over her as she began removing her wet clothes, so she took a small peak on Ren. He was still near the exit in the grotto, drying off, so she relaxed a little as she began to dry herself off. The feeling she had, however, wouldn't go away as she closed her eyes and tried to relax. She let out a scream that was quickly muffled when a pair of large hands reached around her and grabbed her mouth and breast as she opened her eyes. Dylina was pulled against a large form as she elbowed and kicked against her attacker. The hand parted from her chest only to get a dirty rag as she was gagged easily by the brute. A second rag went around her eyes before her wrists and ankles were tied off. Her struggle failed to do anything other than cause her attacker to mumble and curse. "Good..... That boy of yours ain't noticing you yet," whispered the attacker into her ear. "Won't matter anyway, I'll kill 'em with the boss." Dylina struggled against her bonds as she was lifted over the attacker's shoulder. Her body still dripped as she shivered and whimpered. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she slowly gave up on struggling. She wanted to be at home. |