Days. Makaru had been on horseback for days. His back, among other body parts, were sore an numb from the endless trotting of the horses. The persistant rise and fall of the mighty steeds as the made their way to the 'enemy' camp. Although it had been mostly uneventful, they weren't without their fair share of troubles. More than a few times, the horses were spooked by sounds coming from the woods. And at one point, Makaru's horse had gotten its hoof caught in a gnarled root. The horse had tripped, its leg snared. The horse had broken its leg, and had to be put down. An experience makaru did not ever want to have again. So now he was riding on the same horse as Cestria. She didn't seem to mind, and niether did he. He felt a certain twinge of comfort knowing she was close to him and safe. As long as it was within his power, no harm would come to her. But more than once, Makaru had the slight suspicion that they were being watched. More so, Makaru had been thinking obout the situation. He had no idea how he had been roped into it all. And more importantly, he was not trusting of his present 'allies'. And when they departed, Makaru was certain Fumetsu didn't entirely trust them either.

Ces was only too happy to allow Makaru to ride behind her on her horse. She had cried a bit when they had put down the horse. She was close to nature and many times it rejuvinated her just being in a forest or with animals but to see one's life extiguished as such was horrifying to her but she knew that it had been best for the horse a broken leg would kill it slowly and if the could let it go without too much pain it was better. She rode along the gentle sway of her horse lulling her to sleep her senses becoming foggy. But she felt Makaru's arms around her waist and any time she thought about it she would blush. She had taken quite a liking to Makaru and his was as close as he had gotten to touching her. She leaned into him slightly not putting her weight on him but just feeling his body moving with hers on the horse. They had finally found a camp where they could rest for the night as the sun was casting it's orange light over the camp. They pulled thier horses over to a clear spot. Ces now had all of Makaru's and her gear on her horse so the sleeping things and much of the camp supplies were tied on her saddle and put in her saddle bags. Ces felt Makaru loose his grip and she grabbed his hand turning to face him. She looked into his blue eyes still holding his hand in hers... "M-Makaru..I," she looked at him. Why had she grabbed his hand? Could she say what she wanted to say? Could she tell him she was interested in him in more than a companion? Could feelings be conveyed through eye contact? Cestria blushed a deep red and finished. "I..I'll gather some fire wood." She jumped down from the horse with grace leaving Makaru still mounted and running off in the forest silently cursing herself for being bold. She hadn't been bold it was cowardly she couldn't tell him but she had never felt this way about anyone before and she wasn't sure how this worked how you told someone your feelings. The line of trees weren't very far and she entered the wood. Normally she would feel immediatly better gathering energy from the wood but this wood was different something wasn't right it didn't give energy. She walked through easily and gathered the fire wood in her arms. She never took wood from a living tree only those branches which fell of natural causes. On her way back with enough wood for the night black spots swam in and out of her vision. Normally she could stay awake for days without sleep but it had been a week and despite the few minute nap she had at the castle she had acquired no rest and her body was giving out. She needed sleep and soon. She knew she had pushed herself far but this far? She leaned against a tree trying to rest for a brief moment but it did nothing. If only I make it back to camp she thought. She turned and headed back to camp she could see the horses. She stumbled out of the woods fighting her body the entire way. She lay the logs down in a campfire and stood back. She had not had to use any of her elven abilities yet but they would need a fire tonight and she could make one easily. She gathered the grass and dry bark she had seen around the campsite and put it underneath the logs and branches. She whispered the elven word for fire and smoke immediatly began to rise as the grass kindled. She stood up and took two steps to help the guys unload the horses but her vision blacked out on her. She stopped as her ears began to ring and her body began to shudder. The last thing she remembered was her vision coming back in enough time to watch helplessly as her body colapsed on the ground in a heap.

Makaru no longer felt like he was being watched. But he still felt uneasy. As if something was not right. He watched as Cestria ran hurriedly into the forrest. She had grabbed him by the hand and mumbled something about gathering firewood before she scampered away. He figured that with the number of people that were around, she wouldn't be able to finish this all by herself, so he would soon follow her. But first he unloaded the horse they were on and helped do the same with the other men. After which, he turned and proceeded to help Cetria. He headed off in the direction she had left, picking up sparse bits of dry wood. He wouldn't dare take fresh branches, as all they would do was create a lot of smoke, rather than heat. And the last thing they needed was for the whole forest to know where they were. After about half an hour, he had gathered a large asortment of twigs and dry branches. But he had not seen Cestria. He started to call her name, but then stopped. If he had been right before, someone could be watching them. By shouting her name, it woud signal that she was vulnerable. And that wasn't something he was willing to risk. He put down his load of fodder, unsure of how to proceed. He could continue to call her name, and risk her life, or he could aimlessly walk around, unsure of where she was. But then it hit him. Perhaps she was back at the camp. He picked up his load, and headed back. If she was there, then there would not be any need to search for her, which made Makaru releived, but anxious. He kept walking, but then tripped over something, causing the branches in his hand to scatter. He looked back to see what had caused him to fall. On the ground was a body, all to familiar. And she was as white as a ghost.