(This is from a different project than the one Emayra is from, it’s a medieval setting)

Adalynn pulled her cloak tighter as the breeze picked up. Big, fluffy clouds moved across the sky, sometimes blocking the light of the moon. She was halfway through her watch shift, but the cold, quiet night was making it hard for her to stay awake. She shook her head, fighting the fog of sleepiness. 

The fire had long since died, and she didn’t want to gather more wood in the middle of the night; she’d just have to deal with it. The lack of firelight made it easier for her to see in the dark, at least. 

Now that she thought about it, they probably didn’t even need to keep watch any more, not since they left Acara. But it was a little late to talk to Seth about that now. 

She glanced over to where he’d pitched his tent, and her guilt panged again. He’d seemed alright when he woke her for her watch, though he kept his distance a little more than usual. 

They’d figure everything out. She hoped.

She pinched her arm as she nodded off again, and tried shifting to a less comfortable position. 

A twig cracked nearby. Adalynn’s head snapped up, her eyes scanning the darkness. Nothing on the road, or the field opposite, but-

There! She noticed a dark shape approaching parallel to the road. It was moving slowly, and it froze when she saw it. 

It was a person, that much she was sure of. She reached for her belt, then realized that both her knife and shortsword were in her tent. She cursed her carelessness. 

She relaxed again, hoping the person would assume she hadn’t seen them. There was next to no light, after all. Her mind worked fast, searching for a weapon. That dead branch might do…

She reached for it. 

A knife appeared at her throat.

“I wouldn’t do that,” a low voice said. 

Adalynn froze. The knife wasn’t quite touching her skin, but it was close. She could sense someone standing behind her. Again, she cursed her false sense of security. 

“Who are you?” the voice asked. 

“Just a traveler,” Adalynn said, forcing herself to stay calm. Please don’t notice Seth.

“And where is your companion?”

Her heart lurched. “We don’t want any trouble,” she said. Why does that voice sound familiar?

She heard shuffling behind her, and the sound of steel on leather. “What’s going on?” Seth called.

The intruder cursed.

“Adalynn, are you okay?” Seth asked, his voice betraying his concern. 

Fear gripped at her. “Fine.” Don’t do anything stupid… 

The knife moved away from her neck. She turned around.

The intruder and Seth faced off. The cloud-covered moon shed little light, working with the intruder’s hood to keep their face in shadow. Their cloak obscured any detail that would give away an identity.

“Who are you?” Seth demanded, readying his sword. 

“Might ask you the same,” the intruder said, voice cracking slightly. It sounded like they were trying to… to lower their voice?

At that moment, the clouds shifted enough to brighten the fields slightly. Adalynn saw her chance and pulled back the intruder’s hood. 

“Wait a sec- I know you!” she cried. “You’re the healer from the trade fair!”