Tym made certain there was no one around, before she removed her outer garments, and dived into the water.
She only removed the veil from her face and left the mask on. This way should any chance on her, they won't see her hideous face.
Tym hurriedly wore her clothes before she flopped down on the ground.
"Gods, this is the more tiring mission I have ever been to." She sighed, "should I survive this, I will rest for a full moon before I set out once more."
The night was clear, and the only sounds to hear were that of crickets.
"If only I can stay in a place like this forever?"
Those were the last thoughts she had before she drifted off to sleep.
Her body hurts from the fight she had earlier, and that was why it wasn't difficult for her to sleep.
The prince checked to see if he was returning, but when he didn't see him, he decided to check out by himself.
Who knows, it's likely she might be in trouble like she was earlier.
The prince got out of his tent and glanced around the place. His guards were not yet back from the race earlier.
Probably, most of them are sleeping up trees, not knowing there was nothing that will stop the odd mystical animal should it decide to bring them all down.
The prince silently walked to the stream to prevent her from hearing of his approach.
On getting there, he saw Tym lying on the ground, like a person who does not fret about the world.
And in truth, Tym has no worries in the world. Her sister is being taken care of in the palace.
She has nothing else to bother about.
"When you sleep, you look less hostile." The prince whispered as he sat next to Tym who would have noticed another person's presence had it not been for how spent she was.
"You don't seem as hostile as I thought you are." The prince sighed once more as he watched the petit masked man that has been a terror in the kingdom for close to five years.
No one in the entire kingdom hasn't heard about the masked Tym who's merciless in his killings.
The dark-masked Tym is a no-nonsense human who is quick to execute a person.
"You know, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it now without a consequence." He sighed once more, "you are still putting on a mask even in sleep? Isn't that too suffocating?"
The prince would have helped her remove the mask from her face. However, when he recalled who Tym was, he decided to let the veil and mask stay.
It's better safe than sorry.
The prince watched her sleep for a long time before he, too, got drowsy.
So, he lay next to her.
And that was how they slept.
*********
"That was one hell of a peaceful sleep." Tym yawned as she stretched her taut muscles. "I've not had this—"
The words froze in her throat when she saw who was lying next to her.
"Hey!" She kicked the prince. "What are you done here!"
"What's wrong?" The prince slowly rubbed his eyes as he sat up. "Why did you kick me?"
"What are you doing here? I thought I emphasized that you should go back to your tent." Tym frowned.
This was the first time a person came close to her as she slept, without her knowledge.
"I saw you sleeping all alone on the ground, so I kept you company. And also save you should any try to harm you as you slept."
Tym scoffed, "so, sleeping like a log is how you will keep me safe from harm? You've got to be kidding me."
"Isn't—"
"Go back to your tent." Tym rose from the ground and stretched her muscles. "Your guards are waiting for you."
"But—"
"I need to have a morning bath. Go back to your tent." She turned her back to the prince.
The prince glanced around the place. "didn't you bring any spare clothes with you?"
"None of your business, princey. Now, return to your tent, I need to have my bath."
"I will get a spare cloth for you. I—"
"Don't bother, I don't need it." Tym turned to face the prince, "run along, prince. I need my privacy."
"You are not even grateful that a prince wanted to lend his clothes to you." The prince murmured under his breath as he glared at Tym.
"Grateful?" Tym scoffed. "Last I checked, princey, I didn't ask you to lend me your clothes. So, tell me, why should I be grateful for it?
Are your clothes a ticket to the paradise of the gods?
Will it make me richer than everyone in the entire kingdom?
If no, then I don't need your clothes."
"Suit yourself, then. I don't even know why I bothered myself about you. You can do whatever you want. It's not as if I care."
The prince frowned as he turned to leave.
He was pissed that the person he wanted to help wasn't even willing to accept his aid.
It made him look like a fool.
"And you think I do?" Tym chuckled. "Someone is full of himself."
And not for the first time, someone ridiculed the prince others admire and worship.
Tym was unlike any the prince has ever met. He doesn't worship the ground the prince walks on, rather, he's headstrong.
The prince frowned as he thought of the odd Masked Man.
Without sparing her a glance, he turned and headed back to the tent.
"Good riddance," Tym muttered under her breath as she watched him leave.
She didn't attempt to have her bath for fear the stupid guards might try something funny.
Tym only washed her legs and her hands.
"If I'm lucky, I might find another stream up ahead." She consoled herself with this as she headed back to the campsite.