We stood on the hill and looked back at the fort.
"Do not worry," Gisael said.
I nodded slowly. "Okay, but I sent Ailen home and now she's alone."
"It is not our responsibility," Gisael said.
I looked at her, reached out and touched her cheek. "Don't ever change."
She pursed her lips and considered me. "I will change. I will practise qi techniques every day."
I laughed. "That's not what I meant. You're ruthless and focused on what's important. To you, their problems are theirs and ours are ours. Me, I don't like to see good people die. The bad ones can die as much as they like, but I want to protect the good ones."
She nodded. "This is good, but do not let it become a distraction. The forest can be attacked and it will need its defenders."
I caressed her cheek and then smacked her ass. "Let's go."
