All it took to change the atmosphere were clouds. They rolled in as I jogged along the forest on foot, thick and black, full of anger and threatening.

The weather mirrored my mood. How could the king and queen expect me to protect them? I was good but not a miracle worker. It really stung. Perhaps if the experience with Gilwin hadn't happened I might have considered their offer. But that experience had spooked me good, I realized suddenly.

No, not spooked.

It scared me. I'd almost died. I was scared. My feet suddenly stopped running and I almost did a face-plant, as the thought caught me off guard.

I'd never really been afraid. Not really afraid, to a point where someone else's life was more important than my own.

I glanced around me. I was in the open, a road that stretched in front of me and disappeared away on the horizon. It didn't wind much, it didn't vary, and it only went two directions. To and from Tosca.

I growled in frustration. Who knew that a bodyguard could have a conscience? And why did I have to be the one with a conscience?!

I was going to go back, I knew. But not alone. Maybe I could do something to help. . .

Author's Note:

Ok, so this is a really, really, really short chapter. But I've hit the proverbial wall...

Any suggestions guys?

Ink out.