The fastest way

You weren't in any hurry to get to Gerlangen but the idea of losing ground to a potentially mobile army of demons made your hands shake. You tighten your grip on the reigns, "Damn. Ok, which way should I go through the wood?" Indra studies the sun for a moment and nods in what looks like the right direction. You urge Aegis onwards and you're on your way.

"Could we maybe pick up the pace a little?" You'd been following a shallow stream for the last few miles, letting Aegis set his own pace. "I told you, I don't want him to hurt himself on the underbrush. We will more than make up for it once we reach the roads." Which was exactly what you were worried about. As far as you were concerned, the longer you were in the woods the better. "Sabine, he's eating grass." You glance forward and Aegis had indeed stopped and was now grazing. A small pat sent him on his way, slowly meandering and occasionally snagging a bite. You could actually feel the tension in Indra's body, impatiently drumming her fingers on her leg. You pick up the pace a little, the sun would be setting soon and then you could try and make a move on Indra.

As the gathering darkness obscures all but the nearest trees, Indra sighs frustratedly, "Alright, lets make camp." Dismounting and pacing around the clearing she pats out a dry area and begins laying out her bedroll. You set about making a fire and soon you have a strong blaze going, rummaging through your rations to try and scrounge up something you could use to apologize to Indra. Miraculously, you find just the thing: one of Sister Brigette's bread rolls. You never did find out the herbs she used to make them so delicious.

Indra sits down next to you as you study the bread. After a moment she rests a hand on your shoulder and you look at her. She's eying you up but not like you wanted; her eyes are filled with compassion. You realize you'd been crying. You raise a sleeve to dry your eyes and try to laugh it off but the tears keep coming and your voice is choked, "funny, I didn't think a piece of bread would set me off. Must be the pregnancy." Indra pulls you close, rubbing your shoulder comfortingly, and you cry into her shoulder.

You aren't quite sure why you're crying, everything was going according to the plan. The new plan anyway. It feels like you're there a long time, leaning heavily on Indra, drawing comfort from the simple contact however chaste. Eventually you get a hold of yourself and straighten up, though neither you nor Indra moves away from the other. You break the bread and hold a half out to the witch, which she hesitantly takes, and the two of you share a quiet meal by the fireside.