a new {world} ; a new {life} ~crystal~

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Ailen's eyebrows shot up. "Did he now?" she said without looking at her son. "That seems rather rash of him." Unable to help himself, Dyami snorted.

[~echo~]

Hannah, uncomfortable, took another sip of her soup. "I... I'm glad he did. I could not have lived with that man."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"No, you could have not have," Ailen said gravely. "My family knows a thing or two about James Ewing, Hannah. He is a dangerous man, one who should not be aggravated. Dyami did right by you to rescue you... but you said you are going back?"

[~echo~]

Hannah stared down at her hands. "I know, it sounds crazy. But my family back in England needs me. I'm only going back for a few days and then I'm going to escape again. I only hope he can't do anything else to me during that time."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Ailen sighed softly. "You are a brave girl," she said. "I can respect that. I'm sure Dyami will keep an eye on you." Her eyes shifted to him, an amused look on her face, but Dyami paid very studious attention to his bowl of stew.

[~echo~]

Hannah gave a small smile and dipped her head. "Thank you, ma'am." She finished off her stew and smiled at the woman. "You are an excellent cook. Thank you for the stew."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"You're welcome," Ailen replied. She took her son's bowl out of his hands, despite his protests. "It's time for you two to get some sleep. You'll have a hard day tomorrow, both of you."

"I'm not done eating," Dyami complained. He shut up at a sharp look from his mother.

[~echo~]

Hannah smiled at the interaction between the mother and son; it was charming. She looked at Ailen. "Where do you want me to sleep?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"There isn't much room," she said. She gestured at the collection of woven blankets and animal skins on one side of the tent. There appeared to be two separate piles, two beds. "You can choose where you would like to sleep. We will make do."

[~echo~]

Hannah nodded. "Thank you for everything. Your hospitality means the world to me." The girl crawled to the pile of skins closest to the tent wall and covered up with a blanket. She was very tired, she realized... And in a few moments she was asleep.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Ailen and Dyami settled down nearby, but far enough away to as not intrude on her space. They knew how the colonists felt about 'their space.' Unlike Hannah, Dyami stayed awake for a long time, thoughts circling his mind. He hadn't thought his adventure of rescuing Ewing's poor bride would result in all this.

[~echo~]

Hannah dreamed that night that Ewing was coming after her, and she awoke very early in the morning, breathing hard. But she lay back down and then waited until the other occupants were awake.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Dyami woke only a half hour or so later. He sat up and slid out from under his blankets, careful not to disturb his mother, who slept nearby. He glanced around and found Hannah already awake. Rising to his feet, he held a finger to his lips and motioned her outside.

[~echo~]

Hannah dipped her head and stood slowly, following him outside. She watched him curiously but didn't speak yet.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Up so early?" he asked once they were outside. This early in the morning, his breath misted the air a bit. The season was drawing closer to autumn. He smiled at her, but concern underlay his expression. He was worried she didn't feel safe in the village.

[~echo~]

Hannah looked around at the early morning village. It was a peaceful place and yet... so foreign. She didn't feel at home here. "Yes, I suppose I am up a bit early. I didn't sleep well."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm sorry to hear that," Dyami said. "It must be hard to sleep in a strange place surrounded by strangers. Maybe... would you like to go for a ride?"

[~echo~]

Hannah gave a slight nod as he spoke what she was feeling. It was difficult that first night. But he suggested a ride and she smiled lightly. "That sounds refreshing. Sure."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Dyami led her to the edge of the village and lifted his fingers to his lips. A sharp whistle cut through the air and was answered a few moments later by the clipclop of hooves.

[~echo~]

Hannah watched as his mare approached, then got up on the horse after he did. "Thanks for taking me with you."