Adi had taken a seat next to the spot where Damia had taken respite. Alcippe had wanted to sit next to him, but the fact that he was sitting so close to the shifter had turned her away from that idea, choosing to sit on the opposite side, by Alf's space. Xerxes had made himself comfortable at the center of the cave, towards the entrance. It allowed him full visual of both Damia and Alcippe, in case the guardian girl tried anything, but also a good view of the forest.
As he searched the forest line for any movement, he noticed his eye sight was blurring. He was reminded that they had been out searching for Damia and were now going well passed 24 hours without sleep. At least, that was the minimum for the group. He knew Elric had been out on a hunting trip before they departed on the search. He wondered if he would actually be able to catch anything in his current condition.
"Alcippe, perhaps you and Adi should collect some firewood for when the other men return with their catch. It would also be good if you gathered some herbs and fruits for us to eat."
Despite being paired with Adi, Alcippe was revolted that Xerxes would ask such a thing of her. She was a warrior, not a gatherer. "Who do you think you are to make demands of me?"
Adi didn't feel comfortable leaving Alcippe with Damia, and he agreed that these tasks were best suited for him as he had the most knowledge on edible foliage. Seeing as how he didn't have to keep up appearances as a royal, given the story they had concocted, he also didn't feel like he had to continue being so formal and polite with Alcippe. "Alcippe, don't argue, just come."
Alcippe's heart jumped at hearing him call for her and she did not continue her argument. She followed behind him and left Xerxes alone with Damia.
"Have you discovered anything new about your powers, Damia?"
Damia did not want to speak to him, but she had no reasonable excuse to ignore him. "No, though there really is no need for you to be concerned. I'm also not quite certain why you have joined Elric, Adi, and Sir Castor in their search for me. You're not of the kingdom, and I am not your Princess so you owe me no loyalty."
"You are correct on one count. I'm not of your kingdom. But I had to join them. They wouldn't have been able to find you otherwise."
"Why is that?"
"Answer my question first. Who sealed off your magic?"
Damia was rendered speechless. She had no idea what he was talking about as she had no idea that her magic had been sealed. Xerxes read the expression on Damia's face and realized that she was unaware of the seals.
"Alright, guess I'll answer yours first, and we can work together to find the answer to mine. At the ball, you felt an overwhelming feeling come over you because I used my magic to undo one of the seals placed on your magic. I didn't have enough time to undo more, but I doubt I would have anyway since it may have overwhelmed you. We saw what unsealing just one was capable of unleashing. The unsealing process linked your magic to me. No matter where you go, I can feel you."
Xerxes didn't think she needed to know there was a limit in distance to the connection, so he conveniently left that part out.
The revelation of this news made Damia feel violated. How dare he use his magic on her? "Did you not think it proper to ask before you invaded me in such a manner?"
"Oh Princess..."
"Watch it. We have an appearance to keep."
"Apologies... Damia... If I had told you about the seals, would you have let me break them?"
Damia hesitated, knowing full well that she would not allow it. It didn't seem proper to let a stranger put his magic into her, even for something necessary as that.
Xerxes snorted, "I didn't think so. Well if I hadn't, you wouldn't be here today, would you? Where do you think your sudden burst of courage came from? All these years that you've gone without so much as once seeking answers to how to become stronger? My magic courses through you as well and it's what's giving you this thirst for knowledge, for power. I suggest you try to restrain yourself though. That thirst, without power, can lead to great danger. You've already done one reckless act by going on this mission alone."
Damia was so confused by everything he was saying. She didn't even know how to begin processing all of it. They sat in silence for the remainder of the time. Xerxes suddenly stood up and walked towards Damia. She tried to back away from him, but was backed all the way up to the wall. He bent down towards her and she feared that he intended to take liberties with her. To her surprise, he stood up seconds later and was holding her bow and an arrow in his hands.
He walked away from her and back to the opening of the cave. She couldn't tell exactly what was out there as she was too far away to see, but he had taken aim at something outside of the cave. She watched as he focused each breath, and on the last exhale, released the arrow. Whatever he had been aiming at must have been hit successfully because he walked out of the cave in the direction of the arrow he had released earlier.
Damia waited patiently, and after a few minutes, he returned.
"Look what I caught!" Xerxes exclaimed as he walked in to Damia's view.
He was carrying a deer, and a few steps behind him walked in Adi and Alcippe.
"I thought Elric and Castor were the ones out hunting." Adi dropped the wood he had gathered and then helped Alcippe with the fruit and herbs.
"It was here. I figure if they've been gone this long, they'll be coming back soon, and likely empty handed."
Sure enough, a few minutes later, Elric and Castor returned to find the others roasting deer meat over a fire. They had been unsuccessful on their hunting trip. Exhausted and hungry, they saved their quips for after their meal.