"She's a strong, courageous woman who isn't afraid to put her life on the line to protect others."
Aveline looked at him, surprised by his words.
"Are you sure?" she asked softly.
"Certain." he replied with conviction.
"Otherwise you wouldn't have come to help me against two exceptional knights. You could have just let me face these two knights alone without endangering your life."
They stayed like that for a while, sharing a moment of complicity while the mercenaries nearby ate quietly.
Aveline finally stood up, pulling the blanket tighter around her.
"Thank you, Maxime.
"No worries, I wish you a good night, Aveline."
She walked away to her tent, and Maxime sat for a moment, thoughtful.
"She's got a pretty dark past," Laura commented, setting down her empty bowl and putting her head on Maxime's shoulder.
"Yeah, it's pretty peculiar." replied Maxime simply, putting his arm around Laura's waist.
