The two horses with their passengers ran across the plains northward as the sun started to dip down in the clouds to give off an orange glow to the horizon. Kyia had a hunch that in order to find what they needed to combat the hostilities approaching they would need to go back where things first started for her at the city of Kanmori. It was a few days travel time even on horseback but it was a place to start since Ailes would not tell them exactly where to go. The fact he didn't divulge information on exactly how to tackle the problems at hand rose her ire a bit, but she understood why he couldn't give her those details.

Kyia gave a loud whistle and pointed over to her right as she banked her horse in the same direction. Haven followed suit on his steed as they both slowed down next to a rushing riverbed. Nearby on the bank of the soil were some slightly large trees and rocks jetting out from the ground.

“We should rest here for the night,” Kyia said as she dismounted her horse. She took the reins and tied its harness over by the rocks so it was able to drink from the waters.

Haven did the same as well. “We should get a fire going, and I will catch us some fish to eat for the night.”

Kyia nodded and began gathering up some small timber for a fire. They've been riding for many hours straight from the battle in Tireii and haven't had a chance to fully rest and eat from the ordeal. She noticed the scraps and scuffs from the fighting that she hadn't been able to wash away. It was normal for her to look battered and bruised in her travels, it was the nature of the Hunter's job. She never really minded the dirty look, but she was on her way back to her homeland and the thought of being somewhat presentable crossed her mind.

Not to mention that she was traveling with Haven and the thought of washing up brought back memories of being with him in the bathhouse the one night. It was nothing more than laying with him in the warm water but it was at that moment where she felt the scars he held and wanted to heal his thoughts from over the years. She knew there was a connection growing but still did not dare act on them. If anything they would complicate things in the war against the dark angels. She let out a sigh as she walked back to the tree with enough wood for their fire.

Haven was already setting up a makeshift fishing net with some of the supplies they were given. He threw one end which was tied to a long, sharp piece of wood and reached all the way to the other side of the river about ten feet across. The net slacked and held in the currents under the water.

“When did you learn to fish like this?” Kyia asked as she prepared the ground with stones for the fire.

“My father taught me when I was much younger,” he replied as he walked back to the tree. “He taught me many survival skills, telling me they were important for later on in life. Of course I did not understand what he meant then, but now they are the tools I have been able to live by.”

Kyia grabbed her flint and started sparking up the fire as the sunlight dimmed even more. “What was it like growing up as an angel?”

“For me it was a much harder time than others,” Haven said while sitting next to the rocks set up for the fire. “The Triine family-line was a common household. We held to our own and used the land to live off of. My father would show me how to farm the land and fish the sea so I would be able to hold my own household one day. My mother taught me to fly when my wings grew enough at ten years and how to ride the currents and respect the winds.”

The fire lit and started to consume the wood and moss as Kyia put away her flint and piled on some timber to make it grow. “Sounds like your family loved you. Did you have any brothers or sisters?”

Haven shook his head. “No, I was the firstborn of the house.” He grabbed a leaf that was on the ground and started to rub it between his thumb and finger. “As I grew I wanted to bring an honor to my family so I joined up with the couriers of the court to work on my status. Alas, you know of the history that befell me on one of my missions.”

“I see,” she said as she leaned up against the tree. “I never had a normal childhood growing up in the Hunter schools. I never got to run through the fields in joy, only to fear for my life. Never got to embrace others for warmth, only to embrace them for a final blow to their life with my sword. It wasn't until after I was on my own that I was able to feel the pleasures of life.”

“Life is but a pleasure in itself if you let it. Our lives might be rifle with pain but the little joys that come out of it are worth every second.”

Kyia tilted her head. “Care to elaborate on that more?”

Haven put down the leaf and stood up. “Our meeting was more than coincidence back in Rstra. Ailes proved that fate ebbs and flows which one can read. When you first entered the city I saw you off in the distance through one of the windows and thought my life was to come to an end at the hands of the Hunters. But as I left the inn I felt something more about you, something more soothing and peaceful that I have ever felt in my lifetime.

“I left to see my friend in the other district and explained my thoughts on the matter. He disagreed with what I had to say, but nonetheless helped watch over me as I sought you out to talk. I risked my life on a feeling, on something I cannot explain in words, but I felt that you would not strike me down and listen to my words. And you listened.”

“Not many Hunters would've listened,” Kyia added. “I guess it was fate that we were to join up with each other in this quest.” She reached behind her head and released the tie from her hair and let it fall down on her shoulders. As she looked back up she caught Haven staring at her. “Is there something the matter?”

“No,” he replied, “there is nothing wrong at all. I am going to retrieve the fish for us to eat.”

Kyia nodded as he went back to the riverbed. She felt a bit flustered as she looked up into the night sky. Slowly the stars started to show themselves against the fading light. She thought to herself how much longer she would be able to hold back her own feelings. Haven's speech about them meeting as part of fate wooed her slightly, but now was not the time for sexual urges.

It did make her think about what laid waiting at her homeland. She hadn't been there since the attack so long ago. She wasn't sure if it was the right plan to pursue since she would be bringing an angel to the former Hunter capitol of the present world. What if they rebuilt their lands and sensed Haven as an angel? And how would other Hunters react when she would defend and his character?

Before she could answer her own questions Haven returned with a catch of four large fish. Kyia watched him prepare their dinner for the fire, laying the fish on a rock and skewering their heads. He wrapped them up in large leaves from the tree, ran them through a large stick and set them over the fire to cook.

“Your father taught you well,” Kyia said taking one of the sticks to turn over the flames.

“Thank you, I owe my life to him many times over the years.” He sat down across from Kyia

“So tell me, how is your side doing?” Kyia asked with a slight smirk. “Don't think I didn't notice you nursing a wound from your fight since talking to Kalec in his war room.”

He put his hand to his side. “The injury I received is healing as best as it can against all my movement.”

“Let me see,” she asked while placing her stick in the ground.

Haven reluctantly lifted his shirt slightly to show the bandages wrapped around his body. His right side where he was stabbed was stained red as blood continued to seep through the dressing.

“It still looks pretty bad, and those bandages need to be changed,” Kyia said standing up and walking over to the supplies on the horses.

“I will recover from the injury in a few more days, I can bear its pain for a while longer,” Haven said over his shoulder.

“Nonsense,” Kyia replied as she returned with fresh bandages and a damp cloth from the river. “Take your shirt off so I can clean you up and put these on.”

Haven nodded quietly and slowly removed his shirt and upper garments. Kyia knelt behind him and started to unravel the cloth around his side. As she got to his skin she examined the wound that was left behind. It was a large gash down his side that was still bleeding in multiple areas. She took the damp cloth and washed away the blood along the wound. Kyia couldn't tell if Haven was in pain as he didn't flinch as she continued to clean his side. With another cloth she dried his skin and started wrapping the new dressing around him. When she was finished she pinned the end on the backside and made sure it wasn't too tight. “There, how does that feel?”

Haven looked back behind him. “It feels much better. Thank you, Kyia.”

Kyia ran her hands up his back, across his wings and to his shoulders, resting them there as she pressed herself against his back. “You have to be more careful in our future fights. I don't want to see you die anytime soon,” she said as she rubbed his shoulders.

Haven reached back with his right hand to hers. “Yes, I understand things more clearly now and will not let my guard down again.”

She smiled as she slowly removed herself from him and sat to his right. “Let's eat up, you need to get your strength back and I am starving.” She took one of the stick and handed it to Haven while grabbing another for herself.

“Thank you again, Kyia,” he said with a smile as he unwrapped the leafing to expose the steaming cooked fish. The two started eating their meal for the night as they looked off into the distance, knowing that once morning came they would be on the road again with each other at their side, that fate will keep them on the same river down whatever was waiting at Kanmori and beyond. They would look out for each other's safety as each of them knew how the other felt through their subtle actions. There would be a time for those thoughts and actions, but for tonight they enjoyed the quiet nightlife, the satisfying meal and the clear starry sky overhead.