The Quiet Type

Shortly, the carriage lurched to life, the small caravan beginning its five day journey. The Princess could not help staring at the man sitting across from her, staring out of the window blankly. The probability that the guard accompanying her directly being one of the mercenaries had been higher than it being a knight, but that it was him specifically...

The first half-hour or so passed by in silence, neither moving a centimeter. Finally, she had to blink, her eyes getting painfully dry. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but that did not stop her from forcing her voice through her throat.

"Um..." she began softly, trying to word her questions well. He did not move. "The Captain... seemed..."

"He's convinced I'm behind some thefts that have been going on in the city."

She jumped at his rough voice, surprised that he knew what she was getting at from so few words. He did not move otherwise, gaze still pointed towards the falling snow.

"O-oh..."

"I'm not," he assured as she shifted uncomfortably. "Breaking laws willy-nilly doesn't appeal to me."

"O-oh..." she repeated, her tone more relieved despite herself. The two fell silent again. She could hear muffled laughter from outside, suggesting that the rest of their companions were enjoying themselves. Unlike the two of them, consumed by a biting silence. "I am sorry you had to be the one in here with me--" she began softly, eyes focused on her lap where she held her hands limply.

"Don't be," he interrupted. "Doesn't really matter much to me."

"O-oh..." she barely whispered, shifting slightly again. He was not much of a talker in general, then. It was not just that he was with her. He sighed.

"Honestly, if anyone should be apologizing, it's me," he stated, irises focusing on her through the corners of his eyes. "I'm not the most interesting person to be alone with." She shook her head hurriedly, perhaps a little too quickly in response.

"I..." she began, hands fidgeting slightly as she avoided meeting his gaze. "I think you are interesting..." He blinked, eyebrows raising in surprise as he finally turned his head towards her. Apparently, not many people said that about him. "Um... I was wondering... why you were asked..."

Before he could answer, the carriage came to a sudden halt, the change in velocity catching her off guard, throwing her forward into his arms. Both of them stiffened, not only from concern over why they stopped so suddenly, but from the same embarrassment flushing their cheeks at the unexpected physical contact. Hurriedly, she sat back, pressing into the seat behind her.

Voices came from outside, muffled by the closed doors. She turned her gaze out the window, hoping to see what was happening. He did not move, however, eyes closed as he faced her fully. Focusing on what was outside, just out of her sight, she completely missed the other door opening softly.

A shriek escaped her as a hand tugged on her ankle, pulling her from her seat. In a flash, her black-clad companion moved, suddenly behind her, tackling the would-be abductor out of the vehicle, forcing him to release her. Hurriedly, she pushed herself into the opposite corner, pulling her legs up close to herself and watching with wide eyes as Luka dealt with the threat. Though she could only barely see the back of his head, the screams of the attacker told her all she needed to know.

Finally, the man fell silent, her companion standing slowly. When he returned to the carriage, there was nothing about his appearance that would suggest what he had just done. He looked exactly as he had all along. No blood, no sign of struggle by or against him... She stared at him with wide eyes as he closed the door behind them sharply.

"That's why I'm in here," he explained softly, sitting at her side rather than across from her, putting a hand delicately on her shoulder. "You don't have anything to worry about while I'm around." For the first time, he smiled at her. It was something she could only see in his eyes, but it was definitely there, a warm sparkle that helped sooth her nerves. As she relaxed, tremors slowing steadily, she managed to sit up straight, lowering her feet to the floor again. Even as the caravan began moving again, he did not move from her side until she was upright, no longer shuddering, breathing steadily. Only then did he shift back to his previous seat. She stared at him, awed that someone could one moment kill someone in a way that left no trace and the next be such a comforting presence for someone else.