His worry sat between them and she understood it. He had lost his wife, yet she stood in front of him. That must be how he felt, she thought and, when she slipped her hand into his she wasn't sure whether she had helped or hindered him. He smiled, but his eyes told the story of his worry. So, when he said that he was fine, she smiled and shook her head, just a little. But, of course, she didn't argue with him. He told her that their children were beautiful and clever, like their mother. Like her. Faith raised a single eyebrow. "Beautiful and clever? Let's not get carried away." Compliments had always made her uncomfortable, unsure of what to do or say and that was very true right now. Now they were complete unknowns, after all.
But, down the hole they went and quickly they were kneeling opposite each other and making sure that the other was uninjured. He put his hands over hers and Faith frowned, slightly. The touch of his hand, the feel of her hand on his chest, in his - they were familiar and yet she looked at a stranger. She didn't know him, he had no feature that she recognized and yet? "It is very usual, as a slave, to be terrified. It is very rare to feel safe." Her thumb gently moved against his, looking at their hands together, "and an unknown to feel cared for. Thank you."
The dog didn't seem to be that bright to her, Faith thought, but she didn't wish to insult him. And he was clear, very clear indeed, that they would not be splitting up while she looked for a way out. She didn't argue, it simply wasn't her way but Faith had a point to make and so, made it. "It would be a strange trial if you were fine during this circumstance. You are not fine, quite obviously and if my actions can help you, then it will be a pleasure to do so." She twitched her hand in his, just briefly. "It would be easier if there was some recognition in my eyes, certainly." Silver eyes lifted to look at his and she spoke to him softly. "But to feel safe and cared for and it to be familiar?" She smiled slightly as she tried to explain. "That must mean that the woman who knows you is very well loved and has traveled a very long distance from," she gestured to herself and shrugged slightly before finishing, "me."
Which brought a hundred questions into her mind, shown only by a slight frown and nothing more. He was in love with a person she was not. That was very complex, and not something which she could work out, easily and so instead she chose to ignore it. She would think about it later, or worry about it tomorrow, she determined and so she walked with him. It was treacherous going and the floor was slippery. He held on to her arm, steadying her and Faith glanced at him and smiled. "It is intriguing how it's not dark," she said, not realising that it was Famula's blessing on her. "If it is possible, would you..."
What she was asking him though would be lost to history as Faith, for the second time that trial, lost her footing. In fairness, they more or less lost it together as the slight running of water underfoot, barely more than a trickle, swelled and the pair of them were caught up in a sudden, swirling, whooshing rapids-like situation. As they had been once in a river in the woods in Andaris, they were pulled along but, this time, Faith's reaction was not to try and save him, but was to cling to him with a cry of "Padraig!"
It was dark, they were in a small tunnel which was suddenly filled with fast flowing water, and Faith simultaneously grabbed on to him from pure instinct and also hoped and prayed that she had learnt to swim in the last three arcs, or however long it was, and her muscles would remember even if she didn't. Just in case, though, she closed her eyes and held on to the stranger who was her husband. It twisted them around and they were quickly completely submerged. Her lungs were burning and it was dark and soon she would have to breathe and then she would drown, she knew. There was no up or down just a constant spinning and then, just as they got to the point of needing to breathe - they shot out of the tunnel like corks from a bottle and were ejected into what would be a nice small lake on the outskirts of their property. Of course, the drought meant that the lake was not full and it was a small pond compared to Lake Lovalus, on the best of trials. Still, they landed in it, soaked to the skin and the pair of them battered, bruised and covered in cuts.
Turning to him, Faith's hands were once again immediately over him. "Are you injured? Are you well? Oh, oh!" He knew her too well to doubt what she would say next. She was soaked, bedraggled, had cuts on her arms and looked at him with delight in her eyes. "That was amazing! Can we do it again?" Faith asked and grinned like a child.
