70 Ashan 716
They had been making their way to Hunter’s Pass for a few trials now. Violet knew that every inch they grew closer to the Burning Mountains would possibly put Malcolm more on edge and close her window of opportunity. She had watched his tent with interest the few nights they had been traveling, knowing what she wanted to do, yet knowing that it would likely been seen as inappropriate- and it was risky. Should she offend Malcolm, she might find herself making the trek back to Andaris by her lonesome, possibly rebuked from the small group of knights set to investigate the mines.Dusk had come and gone and there was a thick stew bubbling over the fire that had been built at the center of their tents meant to keep away the night’s chill and feed them something other than cold and dry meat and crusted bread. There was idle small talk among the soldiers that knew each other, and Violet had taken her bowl of stew when it was her turn. She had pushed it around and barely touched it, her stomach twisting and in knots over the possibilities of what her actions might cause.
When the meal was done, Violet spent another break or two lingering around the fire before excusing herself to her tent. There she unpacked her bedroll and hastily snuck out from under the back tent wall and came upon Malcolm’s like a quiet shadow. Entering his tent the same way she left hers, she found his bedroll lain out and the warm light of the lantern flickered. She could hear the voices from the campsite and knew Malcolm to still be outside. It gave her the short amount of time she needed.
Violet took no time slipping off her worn leather boots, sitting them to the side before shucking off her tightly worn breeches. Her shirt came next and soon she was completely bare to the pleasantly warm air inside of the tent. She stretched out on top of the folds of Malcolm’s bedroll, her arm draped over her side. Now there was only the wait and the hope that this wouldn’t end badly.