Ricky stood, looking over the edge, the image of the two bodies frozen in space before they plummeted to their deaths.

The adrenaline pumping through his body brought everything into sharp relief, the blood on the rocks giving of its metallic smell, the sweat of exertion and fear coating his body. The slight breeze coming across the lake set his hairs on end.

"Hey,' the woman began, gently 'Are you okay?"

Ricky straightened, feeling self conscious, coughing with embarrasment. He saw that she looked slightly drained, her face nearly as white as her heavy dress.

"Yes, yes.' he mumbled. "Just shaken by their ferocity. I've never seen such cruel men."

The woman looked down at her feet for a moment, seeming to steel herself against those words.

Perhaps she had been around men like that before. RIcky's heart went out to her. It was hard enough being surrounded by those who were garrulous and rowdy. Harder still with those who were drunk and sloppy. But to him, cruelty was the worst possible behaviour. There was no need for that kind of behaviour. Ever.

Oh, leading a group of people and providing incentives was one thing, but simply enacting cruelty to no end was absolutely despicable.

Feeling shaky from the near death experience, young Ricky stumbled over to a nearby rock, avoiding the blood stains on the ground and nearby.

"Hey, I think you might want to sit for a moment, at least." he said to the woman, holding out a gentle hand for her.

She gave the offered hand a long look. Then looked at him, his young, open face, and blue-green eyes. The stubble on his chin from the beard not yet wanting to fill itself in.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Seeing her hesitation, Ricky withdrew his hand.

"We should be getting on, friend." he said, softly. She had been in a state of fear for a long time if the four men were any indication. It would be better for her if they could reach a safer place, and quickly.

"I know a place where we can keep you safe. My friend -"

"I can't be seen here" the woman said, interrupting him. "there might be others looking for me. Those men have been close enough for me to sense for days now, but there may be more."

Her voice was strained, highlighting her concern, but it didn't break. This was a woman who was used to confrontation, and keeping her feelings hidden until later.

"I know these woods like the back of my hand,' Ricky said, holding up a hand to show her " and my friend Chase is as secretive as you can be here in the Westlands. No one ever goes near his place without being watched." He grinned, conspiratorially. "He trained me in the ways of the woods. Theres nothing he can't do when it comes to the outdoors."

"Will we be able to reach his location without being spotted?" she asked.

"Yes, he has isolated himself and his family for their safety, and I do believe I can get us there safely."

"I'm going to have to trust you, aren't I?" she said ruefully. Her face was remarkably impassive, her sharply angled brows unmoving.

"That seems like something you're not used to doing" Ricky replied, cleaning the blood from his blade with a cloth. "We'd better get going before we both starve to death." Sheathing his blade, and standing, he perfunctorily brushed the dust off his pants and looked out across the lake.

"My brother was having a party, as an elected official, which means everyone will be at the town hall." He squinted into distance, considering his internal maps. If they took the trail north, and then went east around the town ...

By now the woman had regained some of the colour in her face, her tanned skin contrasting against the pure white of the dress which was now shining brightly in the sun. She could probably use something to cover up if they were looking to be inconspicuous.

The woman lifted her chin as he cast his eye over her form.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry," Ricky stammered, lifting both palms towards her. "I was wondering if you were able to cover the bright white of the dress somehow. Your white fabric is like a torch in the greenery around here."

The woman, young woman he realised, looked more sympathetic at his sincere apology, and began to walk along the track, in the direction they were originally headed.

"This fabric cannot be dirtied. The gods know I've tried."

Ricky stood stunned as the woman walked away down the track.