Violette returned from her trip gathering herbs from the forest to find Sir Leo staring at his mask held within his hands. He turned it over and over within his grasp, examining each wrinkle and curve of fabric.
Violette clicked the door shut and set aside her shawl and basket on the table as she made her way toward the bed. "Sir Leo?" she asked softly while slowly sitting on the edge.
"When did you know the truth?"
"The truth? What do you mean?" she asked, wide-eyed. "When did you lie?"
Sir Leo focused on her face and eyes with a touch of surprise coloring his expression.
Violette smiled and enfolded the mask and his hands within hers. "You are these men. Where is the lie?"
Sir Leo's expression relaxed. "And so you are correct. Thank you, my lady Violette, for revealing this truth."
Violette took the mask from his hands and carefully folded it before setting it aside on the side-table. Then she refocused on sir Leo's face. "How do you feel? Stiff and sore?"
Sir Leo opened his mouth to reply.
"Truthfully," Violette prompted.
Sir Leo smiled. "Yes, but not as before."
"Oh I am glad. I'll check your wrap this evening." She stood and retrieved the herbs from the table. "How are the tender spots? Better?" Violette asked as she entered the kitchen.
"Yes. What was that concoction?"
"Herbs, flower petals, oil... Things of that sort." She peeked around the partition of kitchen and main room. "Did you want some lunch?"
"Only should you have been planning such for yourself."
Violette giggled and slightly shook her head. "Sir Leo, you're my charge. You don't need to wait for me to eat. If you're hungry or thirsty you should tell me. Your body is trying to heal. It needs food to do that."
"My apologies, Violette."
"Oh, it's all right, Sir Leo," she assured, wide-eyed. She immediately smiled. "You're a true gentleman. You can't help but be chivalrous." Violette disappeared back into the kitchen. "Granpapa told stories of the Knights of Althena, and the Dragonmasters, and Vane," Violette continued. "I loved hearing the tales of Dragonmaster Alex and Dyne. Of Luna and Ghaleon. Of the white dragons Quark and Nall." She sighed deeply. "I miss him and his stories," she confessed softly.
Sir Leo wordlessly stared at the ceiling.
"I heard a tale the other day in town about an evil wizard and five heroes from around Lunar," she offered, and the brightness had returned to her voice. "Do you know anything about it?"
"I had heard something similar," he admitted vaguely.
"They said that the five heroes escorted a lady from the Blue Star." Wonder colored her voice. "Is that true?"
"That is what is said."
"Oh I do so hope it's true. Granmamma said we get to return to the Blue Star once it's healed from a horrible sickness, it's sleeping right now, and when we return it will be like we never left. Granmamma said we came from there. Won't it be lovely to return home? I wonder if the forests are as lovely. Do you know anything of the Blue Star?"
"Very little, I am afraid." Sir Leo positioned his hands behind his head and closed his eyes as he listened to her bright voice.
"I heard also that two rays of light were seen to go to the Blue Star. One very early before the other. The people in town said the first was the lady returning to the Blue Star to help it heal, but they didn't know of the second. Have you heard anything, Sir Leo?"
Sir Leo's lips twitched upward as he slowly opened his eyes. "I have heard the second light was that of her hero and protector."
The noise of the kitchen stopped.
"He had fallen in love with her along their journeys together. Once she left to the Blue star, he strove to find a way to return to her side. He battled fiends and beasts in search of his friends and the clues needed to find the key. He explored ruins and towers and finally battled the great Star Dragon to prove the depth of his love and devotion. Then he returned to her side and has not returned."
A movement to the side drew his attention, and Sir Leo turned his head. Violette knelt in wide-eyed wonder at the side of his bed, hands tightly clasped in her lap.
"The great Star Dragon?" she whispered. "Did the hero battle alongside his friends?"
"No. This one battle had to be fought alone; as a true test to his courage and dedication. Only those of the truest heart and spirit could journey to the recovering Blue Star. Only those of the purest love could be with the Lady of Eternal Blue."
"Oh the bittersweet decision of being separated from his friends to meet his love," Violette intoned, clasped hands rising to her chest. "You must have been very sad to see him go," she observed.
Sir Leo's lips twitched higher, and he looked again to the ceiling. "Yes, we four were disheartened at his leaving, but a friendship such as ours is felt across space and time. We were comrades standing against a common foe to protect the land of our heart. That is a bond not easily severed."
Violette remained silent.
Sir Leo focused back on her face. She wore a soft smile as she watched him. That smile brought one to his own lips.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Sir Leo examined her face for a silent moment before reaching out and caressing a collection of wisps from her cheek. Then he pulled his hand away and again met her eyes. "A pleasure, my lady Violette."
Violette suddenly sighed and lowered her gaze; a surprisingly troubled expression darkened her face. "Sir Leo..." She raised her eyes to meet his. "In the forest... You knew they were there, didn't you?"
"Yes. I did."
"Why didn't you stay away?" She leaned forward. "If the forest hadn't brought me..."
"My lady Violette," Sir Leo began carefully, "they were and are dangerous men wanted by the White Knights to serve their punishment. I could not turn a blind eye to my duty."
Eyes glimmered as she reached out to clasp his hand. "But you shouldn't have done it alone. You... You could have died!"
Sir Leo smiled softly. "Death is expected within the duty of a knight." His grip tightened on her hand. "My lady Violette, I could not allow them close enough to harm you."
Violette lowered her gaze to their hands. "Please, sir knight... Please don't risk your life for mine," she whispered.
"My lady Violette." She raised her gaze to meet his. "A knight of Althena must protect the innocent even at the cost of his own life. It is my duty. A duty I follow blindly. A duty I shall continue to follow, gladly."
"But the forest protects me. It always has."
Sir Leo lightly squeezed her hand. "I shall accept its assistance, but my duty stands."