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"My name is Hobbes Goloris." he said, and straightened up a little bit.

"So Hobbes, what are you planning on telling your companion over there?" Krystalia sneered in the trackers direction. She never really liked how Addanc viewed the people she tracked as objects, especially right now. Krystalia was twirling her dagger at her side for fun. Her wolf companion had stopped growling, but his hackles were still raised.

ooc:// sorry if the assumption about Addanc is wrong, but as of right now that's kinda how I see her...

Hobbes stiffened a little bit. He hadn't really thought of that. "I'll tell her that I thought I saw you heading south. That will distract her. But Krystalia, when are you planning on going back?" He asked.

"Well I haven't really had the chance to think about that yet... I also expected to be dragged home by force when I was found... I don't know... I don't want you to get in any trouble..." Krystalia said softly. She was looking down at the ground.

Hobbes shrugged. "I won't get into much trouble if I fail. The worst they can do is demote me to stable boy." he mumbled. "But I think you should head back into the cave, Addanc's turn to take watch is soon." he said, and glanced at Addanc.

"I'm not going to let you get demoted over this; it's not worth it. You're not insignificant, and I'll most likely have to bend to my father's whims eventually or I'll never get married. I'm just not willing to give in until I absolutely have to. You cannot let yourself get demoted over my fight with my father." Krystalia said firmly. God forbid I wasn't married to some stuck-up noble! The world would end! She thought sarcastically to herself. "Oh! And don't outright lie to Addanc about my movements or location, especially if it's obvious that your not being honest with her. She's going to realize I haven't left the cave; she's too good of a tracker. Convincing her to follow a fake trail I left would be a safer bet. Just don't get in trouble over me please! I'll have to come back eventually and it's not worth getting demoted over!" Krystalia gave him a quick hug as a thank you and quietly hurried back into the cave. She and her wolf companion were gone within fifteen seconds of her last statement.

Hobbes stiffened when Krystalia hugged him, but when he blinked, she was gone. He blushed madly, was she even allowed to even talk to him? he shrugged, and quietly tiptoed over back to their 'camp', and settled himself down as if nothing happened.

Addanc blinked her eyes open to find Hobbes sitting looking alert. She groaned to tell him she was awake. Hobbes glanced at her, then nodded. Addanc sat up, and Hobbes ettled himself down to sleep.

Balan grinned as he saw the Princess and her wolf scout enter the cave again. Now he knew the princess's location, but he wasn't mad. He wouldn't go into a cave full of wolves. This is what stumped him, but, he had just heard the Princess and the boy's conversation. A fake trail, eh? Well that would keep them away he thought.

Krystalia laid down with her wolf companions, and thought about how she could communicate with Hobbes secretly. That's it! The sparrows! Small and considered insignificant by most humans. They could carry tiny messages hidden under their wings. I will have to try that tomorrow... After she no longer had a problem to solve, her mind began to wander. I hope Hobbes didn't mind the hug... I don't think he remembers how I used to sneak off to play with him when we were really little... She drifted off to sleep thinking about her childhood companion and the young Squire he had become.

Hobbes laid down, but couldn't really fall asleep. He stared up at the stars, and couldn't stop thinking about Krystalia...and the hug. He blushed again at the thought.

Addanc glanced at Hobbes, who had his back to her. He seemed kind of...off. But she shruged it off, he was just tired.

Balan frowned in the direction of Addanc and Hobbes. Now was his chance to kill the boy. He quietly got down from the tree he was in. And quietly stalked over to the makeshift camp.

Krystalia woke up at the sound of someone moving outside the cave. It wasn't an animal or Hobbes. It wasn't Addanc either, although she would've liked a reason to send a wolf after her. That's not good.... She thought to herself, sitting up and grabbing her bow. Krystalia edged towards the front of the cave before loosing an arrow in the direction of the noise. She heard someone grunt in pain as the arrow hit its target. Not a fatal wound, but it will alert Addanc to the danger. She will protect Hobbes... If she doesn't, I will kill her myself. Krystalia quickly retreated to the back of the cave and hid behind a protective line of wolves so no one could come after her.

Hobbes shot up from his fake sleeping. "Someone's following us, we should get out of here." Hobbes said.

Addanc's head shot toward the noise. She nodded, and quickly gathered her things and on her horse in a blink of an eye.

Balan grunted in pain as the arrow hit his shoulder. He quickly hid behind a large oak tree, and pulled out the arrow, and stiffled a cry of pain. He growled, and glanced at the cave where the Princess was, and cursed her under his breath.

Krystalia used her bow to project a note about their communication method at Hobbes. It landed in his saddle. Sugarfoot whinnied his protest. "I know it's dangerous," Krystalia told him, "but he's our best bet for evading Addanc." Sugarfoot snorted at her, but didn't voice any further protests. Plus I really want to still be able to talk to him... I wish he didn't have to leave, but I'm glad he's safe... Krystalia glanced at Hobbes one last time before retreating to the very back of the cave.

Hobbes galloped the way wehre Krystalia left the fake trail. "Come on Addanc! I think I found her trail!" he said, stopping his horse. Addanc came up behind and studied the tracks closley. She nodded, and went ahead of him. When she was aways away, he sighed in relief and looked back at the cave, then followed Addanc.

Addanc galloped on. "Come on Hobbes!" she shouted over he shoulder.

Balan growled, and snapped the arrow with his hand. "I will kill the Princess and the boy if it's the last thing I do." he snarled. And threw the arrow halfs down on the ground.

Krystalia saw Hobbes glance at the cave, and her heartbeat quickened. No, I can't like him, Father would never allow it... But still... He's really nice and sweet... And I do despise all of the suitors Father brings... She was looking in the direction Hobbes had gone when she heard the assassin. Krystalia gasped and instantly wrote a note to warn Hobbes. She secured it under a sparrow's wing before asking it to fly to Hobbes. I hope he'll be okay... I better stay with the wolves until I'm positive the assassin is gone...

Hobbes wondered how long Addanc would fall for the fake trail. He felt a tug on his hair, and his hand shot back, when he pulled his hand in front of his face. He had a sparrow in his grasp, he was about to set it free when he noticed a small peice of parchment sticking out of it's wing. He carefully tugged out the note, and scanned through it quickly. His eyes widened when he finished. An assasin! "Addanc! We have trouble!" he hissed when he caught up to her. "What is it?" she grunted without looking at him. "An assasin is following us!" he replied, and glanced back wearily.

Addanc snorted. "Yes, It's Balan. That man we met up in the forest with yesterday," she said. She could sense Hobbes's confuson. "Look, If the Princess has escaped, someone who doesn't like him would be bound to hire an assasin to kill her." she explained.

Balan decided to follow them. He hopped on his black steed and quickly but quietly followed them into the darkened forest.