Black Moon Draw

I can't stop laughing. My whole body contorts in the fit, one that makes the Shadow Knight tighten his grip around me as if he thinks I'm about to fall off the horse.

Only when my stomach starts hurting do I make an effort to quell the giggles. Exhausted and the most relaxed since setting foot in Black Moon Draw, I rest my head back against the Shadow Knight's shoulder and close my eyes with a heartfelt sigh.

I needed that. Maybe LF knew. It felt soooo good to laugh out all my anxiety rather than breaking down and crying.

"Your orders were given, sire." Wolfie has joined us. "The armies go to Brown Sun Lake to start the attack tomorrow."

"I do not trust the Red Knight not to try aught foolish," the Shadow Knight says. "We will proceed to my hold upon leaving the Square Table."

"Aye. Our fastest messengers ride with the body and will send word when our enemy is defeated."

"Good."

"Is our battle-witch mad?"

Opening my eyes, I grin at him.

He moves his horse away.

I rest my head on the Shadow Knight's shoulder once more, unconcerned with pretty much anything at the moment.

"I would say so," the Shadow Knight replies. "It is often the way of the battle-witch."

"Aye, 'tis," his second agreed. "But any man who has been through enough battle will break down. Your battle-witch . . ." He trails off, thoughtful, troubled.

". . . is young," the Shadow Knight snaps. "She needs training, discipline, and time, like any other warrior new to war."

"Aye, true." His second doesn't sound convinced. "The price for being much fairer than any other battle-witch I have ever seen. 'Tis unfortunate her temperament is more delicate than her hands."

"Hey, now. I'm right here," I reply, lifting my head to eye him.

"Would she not fetch a price worth three of my horses?" the Shadow Knight asks, ignoring me.

"She would."

"Would you stop comparing me to a four-legged animal?" I stiffen and twist to glare at the man wearing the creepy boar's head. "And stop talking about selling me?"

"You are right, m'lord. She has no sense."

The Shadow Knight jostles me around until I face forward once more, brushing me off the way Jason used to as being worth talking about but not worth talking to.

A second urge is building, one that started last night when the Shadow Knight was manhandling me to put my shield on correctly. I want to prove to them I'm not the wallflower-y, weak-willed, insecure woman Jason considered me. I've been that my whole life, and now, with a potential new start that leaves much to be desired, I at least want to change who I am.