The sun rose slowly over the vast plains of Sacae, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and flowers, as well as the sound of birdsong and hoofbeats.
Lyn sat by the bed of furs in her ger, gazing at the serene face of Astraeus. He was sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling gently. His blond hair was spread over the pillow, and his long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. He looked like a fairytale prince who had fallen into a deep slumber.
"He's still sleeping... He must have been exhausted." Lyn whispered to herself.
"I wonder what he was doing on the plains by himself. He said he's a strategist... but he doesn't look like one. He looks more like a noble… a prince…" She murmured.
He didn't seem like a typical tactician. He had an air of nobility and grace about him, and his eyes sparkled with intelligence and curiosity. He was unlike anyone she had ever met.
Lyn felt a warm flush on her face as she realized she was staring at him. She shook her head and scolded herself.
"God Lyn, you're very lonely…" She muttered under her breath.
She remembered how he had helped her fight off those bandits… How he had given her some good advice… How he had seemed to care about her safety. He was different from the other outsiders she had met… He was kind… and smart… and brave…
"And handsome…" Lyn added softly.
She blushed harder and covered her mouth.
"What am I saying? I barely know him!"
While admiring Astrid, she currently is having a debate with herself. To travel with him or stay in the plains.
"Maybe he could guide me... and protect me... and keep me company…"
She imagined traveling with him across the lands, seeing new places and meeting new people. She imagined fighting by his side against their enemies, supporting each other with their skills and courage.
"Maybe I should ask Astrid to travel with him…"
"Am I that desperate?"
"Being alone for six months has really messed me up…"
She had been alone for six months, ever since the incident. She had no one to rely on but herself. She had faced many dangers and hardships on the plains.
"But I need to get stronger…"
"Those bandits… I'll make my revenge."
"But what if he doesn't want to? What if he has his own plans? What if he thinks I'm a burden? What if he doesn't like me?"
"No, no, no! What am I thinking? This is silly! I barely know him! And he barely knows me! We're friends… But."
"Agh!" She clenched her fists and muttered under her breath.
Her father's words echoed in her mind. Trust no one but yourself. That's how you survive on these plains.
She straightened her back and looked away from him. Her voice was firm but hollow. "No, I don't need him."
She told herself. "I don't need anyone. I'll be fine on my own."
"...But why do I feel so lonely?"
She covered her face with her hands and tried to calm down.
Lyn let out a heavy sigh and rested her head on her hand, her eyes still fixed on Astraeus. She knew deep down that she needed companionship and someone to share her journey with. The thought of traveling alone for who knows how long filled her with dread and sadness.
She stood up and walked out of the ger, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. She looked out at the vast plains, feeling small and insignificant. She wondered what her father would think if he knew she was even considering traveling with a stranger.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound behind her. She went inside to see Astraeus sitting there, his eyes still half-closed from sleep.
"Good morning, Lyn." He said with a small smile.
Lyn's heart skipped a beat. She felt her cheeks heat up as she realized she had been caught staring at him again.
"Good morning, Astrid!" She replied, trying to sound casual… which came out overly enthusiastic.
Seeing his yawn, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you awake yet?"
"That fight yesterday must have taken a lot on you."
"Say, Astrid... I want to talk to you about something."
Astrid rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking at Lyn with interest. "Sure… What's on your mind, Lyn?" He asked, his voice soft and reassuring.
Lyn took a deep breath and spoke hesitantly.
"You have some experience in the ways of war, I can see. Would you allow me to travel with you?"
Astrid paused for a moment, considering Lyn's request. "I would be happy to have you join me."
He finally said. "But before we go any further, I need to make sure you understand the risks and dangers of traveling with me. It's not an easy life, and I can't guarantee your safety at all times."
Lyn nodded, her expression determined. "I understand that it won't be easy."
"But I'm willing to take that risk. I must become stronger, and I think traveling with you is the best way to do that." She reasoned.
Astrid looked at Lyn, his expression softening. "I admire your bravery." He then continued. "But I need to ask one more thing before we make any plans. Do you have permission from your parents to travel with me?"
Lyn's face fell. "What? You...want me to get permission from my parents?" She asked, surprised.
Astrid hesitated, then realized his mistake. He berated himself internally for bringing up a sensitive topic without thinking. "I'm sorry, Lyn. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."
"I just want to make sure we do everything properly."
"It's okay."
Lyn's expression changed, and she looked down. "My mother and my father... died six months ago."
As Lyn mentioned her deceased parents, Astrid's initial cheerful demeanor shifted to a more somber tone. He could see the sadness in Lyn's eyes and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for bringing up the topic.
'Permission from her parents? How could I have been so thoughtless? Of course, they must be dead, she wouldn't have asked me otherwise. I should have known better than to open that can of worms…'
"My people-- the Lorca-- they don't... I'm the last of my Tribe. Bandits attacked, and... they killed so many people. The Tribe was scattered."
"My father was our chieftain, and I wanted to protect our people. But I'm so young, and our people we're old-fashioned. They wouldn't follow a woman. They wouldn't follow me."
Lyn's voice trailed off as she fought back tears, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Astrid reached out and placed a hand on Lyn's shoulder, his expression sympathetic. "I'm so sorry, Lyn. You don't have to go through this alone."
Lyn looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. "Sniff... I'm sorry. I've been so alone for so long."
Lyn's eyes were filled with tears as she looked up at Astrid. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile, offering comfort without saying a word.
"No. No more. I will shed no more tears."
Astrid nodded, understanding the pain that Lyn must have been feeling. "Take all the time you need." He said softly.
"... ... ... …"
Lyn with a deep breath, composed herself and wiped her tears away.
"Thank you. I'm better now."
Lyn took another deep breath before speaking again. "Astrid, I want--I must become stronger, so that I may avenge my father's death!"
"Yesterday's battle taught me something. I won't become stronger by sitting here alone." Lyn then reflected on their battle with the brigands.
"Astrid, tell me you'll train me, that you'll let me travel with you!"
Astrid looked at Lyn with a solemn expression, his eyes studying her for a moment before he spoke.
"Lyn, I understand your pain. And I am sorry for your loss." He said, his voice steady and calm.
He then paused for a moment, looking up at the ceiling as if gathering his thoughts before continuing. "But vengeance is not the answer. It only leads to a never-ending cycle of violence and bloodshed."
"Revenge will not bring your father back. Instead, focus on becoming the best version of yourself, and fight for what you believe in. That is how you will honor his memory."
With a determined glint in her eye, she spoke again. "I won't let vengeance consume me, Astrid. You're right. But I need to find my own way to honor my father's memory, and for me, that means becoming stronger."
He then looked back at Lyn, his expression softening slightly. "I do understand your desire to become stronger. And I am willing to help you with that."
"You will? That's wonderful! Thank you! Oh, thank you!" Lyn said, overjoyed.
He said finally. "But you must understand that this path is not an easy one. It will be filled with danger, and there will be times when you will want to give up. But if you are willing to face these challenges, then I will teach you all I know."
"Thank you, Astrid. I won't let you down." Lyn promised, a sense of determination filling her voice.
Astrid smiled, placing a hand on Lyn's shoulder. "I know you won't, Lyn. And I won't let you down either."
Lyn beamed with excitement, feeling like she had finally found a true ally. "We'll be better off working together, I know it."
"You'll be my master strategist, and I'll be your peerless warrior!" She continued, feeling more confident and determined than ever before.
"And I'll be your strategist, and you will be my warrior." His voice filled with confidence and trust.
Astrid smiled as Lyn expressed her excitement at working together. "Together, we will be unstoppable."
"We can do it! Right?" Lyn asked.
With a radiant smile that crinkled his eyes, Astrid looked at Lyn and he replied. "We can do it. Together, we will achieve great things."
As they set out on their journey, Lyn couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it with Astrid by her side. She knew that together, they would be unstoppable.
Looking towards the future, Lyn knew that with Astrid by her side, she could accomplish anything she set her mind to.