“Basically, I'm the daughter of a pretty important person and it seems that the person we are escorting this caravan to is one of my father’s rivals.”

Aegon looked at Anna with an unblinking gaze that left her uncomfortable before asking. ”And… are you here to spy then?”

“NO!. Why do you even think I would do that?” Anna answered indignantly.

“Well, you have to admit that it’s pretty suspicious, we’re escorting a caravan to one of your father’s rivals and you just so happen to be part of the escort, you were also found snooping around the cargo. Wouldn't you be suspicious?”

Before she could answer him, Aegon resumed his accusations with an even more exaggerated tone of aggravation. “And now, I kinda feel like you dragged me into this by helping you ask around, I even got Roy involved, that poor guy….”

“No, that’s not true! You were the one who asked me what I was doing, I didn't even want to tell you about it but you took it personal and so I ended up telling you. But if you think back, I never asked for your help!” Anna answered with indignation.

Aegon stayed silent for a moment before a dangerous smile appeared on his face. “So this is why you didn't want to tell me what you were doing back then, to be honest I was a bit surprised by your reaction at the time, but now…, now everything makes sense.”

Anna’s nostrils flared and her eyes opened wide with rage and indignity but, contrary to Aegon’s expectations, she didn't continue trying to explain herself nor did she start screaming at him from the bottom of her lungs, instead she calmed down almost instantly and looked at him with a hint of disappointment hidden behind her eyes before simply turning her back to him and making her way back to the camp.

“It seems you already made up your mind about me, there’s no point in talking to you anymore.”

Aegon was shocked at such a turn of events. [Was I wrong?]

A memory of the attack a few days before made its way into his mind.

He remembered Anna’s blood-soaked face staring down at him, making him feel pathetic….

[That look, it’s just like during the attack.] A deep feeling of discomfort assailed the young man, making him think back on his words and the way he spoke and felt…

Guilty.

Looking at her fading figure and noticing a growing feeling of loss inside him, Aegon took a step he didn't think he would take, he swallowed his pride.

Running a short distance to catch up to her, he reached for her hand making her face him once again.

“I’m sorry Anna, I didn't let you speak.”

Both youths were left face to face with Aegon’s hand firmly, almost too firmly, holding Anna’s arm while he spoke.

Anna’s eyes focused on the blue eyes staring back at her and felt the sincerity in them.

[This guy has no sense of personal space.] She inwardly commented but strangely she felt herself losing her earlier disappointment and disdain for the young man.

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With a shake of her shoulder, Aegon let her go and she took a step back before answering him.

“It’s fine, I accept your apologies.”

Aegon simply nodded with gratitude and waited for Anna’s side.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts she started. “I didn't come here to spy and I can prove it, you were the one who asked me to come on this mission, if I was intent on spying for my father, wouldn't I have taken the initiative to be here?”

[Well she wasn't the one that picked this mission, but was Roy involved in this too? No, that’s impossible, then I guess she was just curious? This is too much of a coincidence, she might not have come with that intention but it’s tough to believe she really is that innocent, no one is that innocent, but then again, she might just be unlucky.]

Aegon’s mind was a mess as his suspicious side fought against his wish to believe in his friend, making him stay silent for an awkwardly long amount of time.

Cough

Anna’s forced cough brought Aegon’s focus back to the moment.

“Uhmm, I guess I believe you.” He ultimately answered in an unconvincing tone.

Anna’s face portrayed her distrust of that statement and it soon turned to annoyance.

“What is it? Spill it, it’s better if you just say it.”

“I don't know Anna, it’s still a bit hard to believe, I'm trying but you have to admit it’s all a bit too convenient, but who cares right? Me believing or not doesn't really change anything. Either way, I will try my best.”

Anna’s expression turned sour.

“I guess so, but it’s still pretty hard to swallow, if you don't believe me, who else here would?”

Aegon was taken aback for a few moments as he felt the sincerity in Anna’s words and the way it made him feel.

“Anna, saying something like that makes me feel important, you don’t have a crush on me do you?” Aegon said lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

His attempt fell flat, the tension between them still palpable in the air. Anna’s expression hardened, her annoyance now tinged with exasperation. “Really Aegon? We’re talking about something serious here.”

Aegon’s sly smile became less pronounced but lingered on awkwardly. “Sorry, I guess it was bad timing.”

“You think?” Anna replied exasperatedly.

Ignoring the obvious jab, Aegon continued. “So where do we go from here?”

“I don’t know really, I guess I’ll try to keep my curiosity in check and save myself some trouble.” She answered while looking around the forest surrounding them. “We should start by going back to the campfire, I don't really know why we are in the middle of the woods.”

Aegon shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know about you but I came here to test my superpowers and take a breather.”

“Ahhh yes, you’re recently acquired night vision.” Anna wondered out loud, her tone tinged with ridicule.

Aegon started making his way towards the camp while Anna fell into pace with him.

“You don't believe me? I don't know Anna, that kinda hurts, if you don’t, who else here would?”

Aegon’s exaggerated performance received no response but Anna suddenly stopped walking, leaving him a few steps ahead.

As he turned to look at his friend with his sly smile, a punch arrived on his stomach.

“Oomph.”

Aegon doubled over himself, clutching his stomach, the impact knocking the wind out of him.

“Ahhh shit, don't you think that was a bit too much Anna?” He asked while slowly raising his head only to see Anna’s silhouette rapidly disappearing among the maze of trees and bushes towards the light of the campfire nearby.

“You need someone to tell you when and how to joke around, I think I'll just have to take that position.”

Her voice traveled from amid the trees and bushes even as she continued walking towards the camp.

“And this time you went too far.”

Aegon struggled to recompose himself for a few minutes.

[Now we are self-appointing ourselves?] Aegon thought with derision before making his way back to the campfire.