Gained and lost

She had to admit, she hadn't spent a lot of time in the forest. She would forage for branches and wood to feed the fires of the col but beyond that, she hadn't lingered long under the canopy. Walking beside him through the Col and then the forest felt... empowering, for some reason now more than it had before. Her head was higher, for one thing, she kept his pace comfortably. It was almost like he was parading her around for all to see, together, openly.

She tilted her head at him and looked at him sideways. Usually, he gave her no warning. This must be his test then. She nodded curtly and said, "Alright. I'm Ready." She replied, waiting for his instruction, anticipating anything from him.