Raven could tell that his queen was in a good mood. More so than he had ever known her to be. He was glad to see this, though he did not understand it. But he just felt glad that she was not moping.
For as long as he had known her, she had been sad. He could not get rid of the memory of her weeping near the sea. And though she would have moments where he was sure she could put it aside today was the first day she just seemed to not be dwelling on her loss.
Perhaps it was becoming more and more just a sweet memory to her. Maybe the pain was healing with time. Or the forest rest may have rejuvenated her just like it did everyone.
No matter where this change came from Raven was glad to know that it was there. That she had even one day in which she was happy.
Raven felt in a rather good mood when he decked into the tent and laid on his cot. He listened as his tentmates joined him in the comfortable space.
They were laughing together as they settled down. It was not all that abnormal to hear these young men sound such in high spirits. All three of them had a cheerful air to them.
He was not actually sure on their ages but he was pretty sure they were still in the first quarter of a century.
"What is that?" Fendrel's voice was curious, "You've just been twisting it around in your hands."
"My good luck charm," Aklane. Though the two twins sounded fairly alike, Raven had managed to pick up on the slight differences in inflections they had. Plus, Aklane's voice was slightly deeper.
Kion did not let his brother get off on that answer. But expounded on it, "It's his favour."
"Whom is it from?" Raven smiled as he sat up, tilting his head. He was genuinely curious and interested in his friend's lives. At least he hoped they could be considered friends.
They seemed to think so at least, cause Aklane did answer, if he sounded a bit short. The shortness seemed more due to embarrassment though as he muttered, "Just a friend. Her name is Luthia."
"Oh, yeah. Just a friend…." Kion drawled out, getting a kick from teasing his brother. "That explains the way she looks at you alright."
"….What do you mean?" Aklane was dismissive as he settled back as if he was done with the conversation and was just going to go to sleep.
"I don't see why you always deny the fact that she likes you." Kion laughed as he spoke, "As you already promised her to marry her."
"We were children!"
Raven had to bite his lip to keep from laughing listening to the exchange between the two. Fendrel did not stop himself from laughing, which made it even harder for Raven to try to keep a straight face.
After the laughter in the tent died down, Kion then left his brother alone and asked instead, "What about you Fen? You have any girl back home?"
"Nah." Fendrel was still laughing a little. "Been to caught up in my business to start looking for one. I still have plenty of time though."
"Me neither. Yet." Kion sounded utterly chipper as he said this, "Though I do have a girl I wished would notice me at some point… still I am even younger than you are. Even more time for me."
There was a bit more talking before the young men actually retired for the night. Knowing that Raven did not really remember his past they did not ask him about whether he had a girl. He was thankful, as he had no idea what he would have said at this point.
He did not even care anymore who he had been. After all, if no one was waiting or at the least missing him what was the point. He would not be returning anyway. He would rather take this chance at a new beginning.
And he would never again try to speak of love to a girl who was impossible to woo.
Raven could learn a lesson. No matter how stubborn his former self seemed to be in at least this matter. He was not even sure he ever wanted to actually love again at all really.
But he pushed this all aside and instead just rolled over to go to bed. It took him a while to fall asleep; the persistent discomfort in his eyes always made it difficult to relax enough to actually pass out. But sheer exhaustion eventually won.
Once he fell asleep, he did not wake up until Dawn's soft voice called him. He joined her outside and sat beside of her. There was something comforting about sitting beside of her in the chill night air. He found himself wishing he could see.
He was really curious what his companions all looked like. He wondered if he had ever taken sight for granted. He pushed such thoughts away, instead focusing on how wonderful it was on how easy it was to make friends with them.