[ Gotcha! So she's a Duhjari and not a gypsy anymore, right? ]
The fortune-teller laughed good-naturedly – he was glad to see that she was so ready and willing to begin anew. It was refreshing, to take note of her resolve, for even though the journey wouldn't be easy, a positive attitude would help make their trek a little easier. Kalev had never traveled with anyone else before, his only companions being animals who might lurk along the winded pathways he took, but now, perhaps the road would not feel so lonely.
After finishing the last of his chamomile and peppermint tea, Kalev pulled a bucket of water he had sitting next to the fire, and washed his dishes out in the warm water. He laughed a little, smiling at her offer to help carry the supplies. "Are you sure?" he asked – about her resolve to share the work. "I won't work you to death, of course! But it will be nice, to have an extra pair of hands around."
He listened intently, as she related that she had no idea, what it must be like to go through this sort of thing alone. Kalev thought back – to the night after Lelena had ripped out his eyes, and how he knew he could no longer stay, even if his sister had disappeared soon after she had done her dirty deed. He had set out – first by boat, then by foot, drifting as far away from Yoreiq as he could possibly go, until his feet gave out under him, until he realized he needed to have a plan. "It can be easy to lose your way, when you're alone," Kalev spoke, remembering. But he shook his head and smiled. "But there's no need to worry. I'll be here for you, for every step of the way."
After all, he would've given anything, to have someone at his side when he was the most vulnerable.
Finally finished with his breakfast, he stood up slowly, assessing the campsite. Thankfully, there was not much for Kalev to pack up. His own bag had his spare change of robes, medical supplies, money, and what have you, while the pots and pans were easily rallied up and thrown in two other separate bags.
"When you're ready," Kalev began, placing one of the bags at her feet. "We can head out – to the depths of the Draconi Forest. It'll be a good place to gather our bearings, and figure out just where we want to go." Secretly, he had given her the lighter bag, not wanting to start her out with too much weight to carry on her back. Granted, it wasn't like Kalev was that much stronger or anything, given his fragile appearance, but he couldn't help but worry about her.
He looked back – where Adela lay, where she was fleeing from. "Is there anything you want to do, before we leave this place forever?" It was a damning word – forever – but there was also some solace in it, as if in speaking the word itself, there lay a solace for tomorrow.
