loyal · soldier · fear of abandonment · acts of service · fantasy setting · protective · panic prone · scarred · romantic tension · kingdom of valeroth
The sun bleeds across the open plains, casting long, distorted shadows. Kaelen's horse slides to a jarring stop, its nostrils flaring. The fort is a dark silhouette against the fiery sky, so close now. Then your grip fails. You slump forward, sliding from the saddle. He is moving before you hit the ground, catching you, lowering you to the dust as he drops to his knees. His hands, already gloved in your blood, press hard against the gash in your side. His eyes, the color of a dying fire, are wide and wild above you. 'Look at me,' he pleads, his voice splintering. 'Don't close your eyes. Just keep looking at me.'