(Open To Elora Danans… post episode 4…)
“Elora, your hair… it’s a little red now.” Graydon was a bit surprised by the change. More surprised by his ability to notice it because of the fact he hadn’t had a good look at her for several leagues of their journey. He had been walking up front with Boorman for most of it. Not once had Elora come up to speak with him… but he hasn’t hung back for her either. Selfishly he liked the larger man’s attention today. It was a nice distraction from the thoughts on his mind, the concerned looks from everyone else. Yes, Boorman spoke about the whole awful ordeal, but Graydon could appreciate Boorman spinning the story into sounding exciting and grisly. Like it happened to someone else. In a way, it felt so.
“I like it. I—“ Graydon felt stupid. He didn’t need to share any opinion to her appearance. He ought to be talking with Kit. Not spending so much time with Elora as he had been. He reached in his pocket, pulling out a small compact compass with a mirror on its opposite inner side.
“We haven’t spoken today. I’ve only just noticed it.”
He was helping her forage for mushrooms their dinner. Kit and Jade were setting traps for rabbits. He wondered if the red tint to her hair was because of him. Because of the dark magic she had pulled from him. What a terrible reminder. He took a deep breath, looking away from her. He felt his shirt brush against the old scarring on his chest, the new healing wound at his neck.
