“You made it sound so far! Only fifteen minutes, and within sight of the shining walls?” Summer laughed at Mordred. “Even I should not be afraid to take such a walk alone. I didn’t think a Knight would be so fearful — or it is caution? So worried for my safety?”
“I‘m not afraid, I spent a long period of time living in the forest. No, it’s simply that I would prefer not to worry about anything,” Mordred glanced over his shoulder at her, raising an eyebrow. “But everyone is scared of something.”
He had noted the hint of rudeness in her voice but didn’t comment on it, preferring just to turn his attention back to making his way through the forest.
She admitted, “That’s true. I should not tease you so. Please forgive me.” Falling silent, she hitched up her skirts again and kept walking. She examined the young knight again, in light of his comments, and thought it over. It seemed odd that he would be a knight so young and yet be so familiar with forestry, which he so clearly was. Did he never sleep? Was that the reason for his solemn mien?