~
He was tucking the young Duke in to his bed. The boy was already asleep when Hinfane walked in.
“Hinfane,” Zhallad whispered, “You are going? I should be going instead of you.”
“The boy isn’t settled yet,” she said, “You know as well as I do that he is finding it hard enough to cope without his father; he trusts me, but it would break his heart if... anything happened to you, out there.”
Zhallad sighed. “But what about me? If anything happens to you, I would die.” They kissed. He looked into her eyes, and they were dark and deep in the night. “We each have our duties and obligations. Make sure you return.”
“I will. I promise.”
They kissed again, and then Hinfane walked out.
The others were ready to go.