Tempered Steel

He nodded at her assessment and drank from his water skin cleaning his mouth with the back of his hand.

The moon above was waning and the night air was colder. A slight breeze blew across the trees as well as stoking and fanning the flames of the fire sending sparks of coal and wood up in the air.

When she spoke like this, which had not been the first time, he could easily picture her as tempered steel.

Unyielding and yet flexible.

"I will turn in if you don't mind. I'm tired. It's been too long since I spoke with another for so long. I feel drained." He said going it was clear what he meant. "I thank you for the meal." He said and got up going towards the main house.

Alexis would only realise a several heartbeats later after he entered the house that he had left his pack nearby.

She looked at it. And felt a twinge of curiosity that was unlike her. Her surprise at the man leaving his prize possession behind quickly vanished over her own curiosity.

She had seen it before but now it was almost like it was calling to her.

Alexis Greyriver saw her hand reach for the pack...