IC:
"I'm sorry, Zan," I say, "what if something happens to Deomi on the way? What if she's attacked by more feral Druids? Or worse, the other creatures out there... I wouldn't be able to save her... I would just die..."
Zan looks disappointed, with a bit of annoyance in there too. I look back at Deomi. She gives me a caring smile. I turn to Zan and look at him, an apology in my eyes. He sighs, and walks away with his head down. I turn to Aaron, regretful, and see out of the corner of my eye, the flickering figure of Zan. One second, he's dressed normally, the next, he's wearing a leafy garment and carrying a staff. I look round at him. He's back to normal.
"Don't worry," Aaron says, "he's a bit distressed, but he'll get over it." I feel a twinge of irritation. Get over it? It's not that easy. He's lost a family member. If I recall correctly, he needs to go through a whole nature funeral thing, make a grave, put the ashes in, fill it up, lay his staff on the grave, burn the staff, burn the grave, or something along those lines.
Also, I feel guilt of some sort. It seems selfish now to choose safety from what might be over safety from what is.
No, I tell myself, it's for the best. I kind of believe it. I kind of don't.
I summon a claw of shadows just to comfort myself. Deomi hugs me warmly and I lean my head back on her shoulder. I kiss her on the neck, and walk over to my bed and get in.
I really need to stay awake for longer, I think to myself as my eyes get heavy and my brain starts dreaming.