Hal didn’t like how everything sort of shook with each strong gust. It made him nervous and feel as though the whole thing could collapse in on them while they slept. He’d keep that thought to himself for it need not be voiced. How bad was the cut? The Prince had no idea what it looked like, how much it bled, and how deep it was. He yanked off his gloves and dropped them next to the breastplate, then brought one hand up to feel for the wound.
When his fingers graced the outer edges he winced and moved his hand to look at it. The injury was still bleeding a little. He sighed and tried to rub the blood off his fingers with the hem of the shirt under his chainmail. “You may and I thank you for doing so.” He finally replied.
“Please try not to touch,” Summer admonished. “I don’t think it’s terribly bad, but … ” Pouring some of the wine into her hand, she carefully tipped it over the mark, trying not to show her nerves. Now that there was candlelight and she could examine him at close range, the purity of his features was astonishing.
Taking refuge in practicality, she held out the wineskin to the Prince. When he took it, she bent and cut a swift strip off the bottom of her skirts, laying it against the cut with care. “If you press, so, I think the bleeding will soon slow. Will you need aught of my help to remove your armour? I think you will rest better without it.”
Half of her hoped he’d say no, and she could turn her back and attend to making them something hot to eat. The other half definitely wanted an opportunity to examine Hal more closely.
Hal winced and tried not to lean away as she tended to the cut. It stung and it was quite annoying. “Will it scar?” He asked and lifted a hand to press the cloth strip against the wound to keep it in place. He didn’t care if it scarred, but it would be nice to hear her opinion. Maybe he’d get lucky and it would heal without leaving any mark to show that it had once been there.
“If you wish to assist me, that is perfectly fine. However I need no help in doing such a task myself.” The Prince didn’t want to deal with getting his armor off. He was tired and only wanted to rest. If it meant he’d be lazy and leave most of it on then so be it. If Summer wanted to remove his armor, he wouldn’t say no either…
Sleeping in the armor wasn’t an issue. He had done it many times when it wasn’t safe or convenient to remove it. Hal could leave at a moment’s notice if he was fully suited up and battle ready… Stiff or not it could mean life or death.
“No, it seems to be pretty shallow. You’re just exhausted. I … ” Summer hesitated, then plunged on. “We’re not likely to be in any danger here from aught but the weather, but if you sleep in the armour you might take a chill.” She laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Please, I beg you.”