"Oh, yes, thank you," Caenya said, relieved. She let him help her, and together they stuffed the rest of her things in the pack. Caenya swung it over her should, and with a wide grin, said, "So, where do we go now?"
"Away," Daniel said simply. "Anywhere but in walls." He thought a moment. "I know! Let's head out the opposite gate this time."
Caenya nodded in agreement and they left her room, stopping quickly for her to pay her dues to the innkeeper. As they headed down the street, she found herself thinking. Though she had only met Daniel last night, he felt like anything but a stranger. Of course, he could still be somebody just waiting to kidnap her, but he had done so much for her already; he was too sweet to be a bad guy.
Daniel smiled as they started walking through the city to get to the other gate. He held onto Caenya's hand as they walked to keep from being separated, so relaxed. When they got to the gate, he smiled brightly.
"Off on a new adventure," he said happily. "With you."
"With you," Caenya agreed with a grin on her face. As they exited the city walls, Caenya secretly hoped she wouldn't have to go back. "Alright, you're the nature specialist." She brought her voice up at the end of the sentence as if it was a question. "Where to?"
"Off the road," Daniel says with a grin. "You can't see the good stuff without going down the way less traveled." Daniel stepped off the road. He seemed to be more in his element in the trees, like he belonged there.
Caenya nodded and happily followed him into the woods, once again. They were cast in the shade of the trees, which was a relief; it had been a relatively warm morning.
"Hold on," Caenya said, releasing Daniel's hand. She had noticed a small patch of blue flowers growing next to a tree. They were beautiful. She bent down, picked a few, and stood after placing some in her hair. She smiled brightly and continued to walk alongside Daniel.
Daniel let out a soft whistle.
"Looks amazing on you," he said with a smile. He reached into his pack, pulling out a flute.
"Would you like to hear some music?" He asked.
Caenya sucked in an excited breath at the sight of the flute. She adored music. She occasionally would play herself; finding a piano or a violin wherever she could.
"Yes, please," she said, thrilled.
Daniel smiled, lifting the flute to his lips. He began playing slowly, but the tone soon picked up. It, just like Daniel, seemed to fit perfectly in the woods. Daniel closed his eyes slightly, letting the music wash over him.
Caenya leaned back against a tree and let the music sink in. It was a beautiful melody, better than anything she had heard in years. Not that she stopped to listen to others play much…
Caenya squeezed her eyes shut as she listened to Daniel play the last few notes, but opened them again when the ceased. "That was beautiful," she commented, in awe. "You're so talented. Where did you learn to play like that?"