"A very noble act," the other one spoke up, "But the law is the law, and she has broken it."
The other one quickly silenced his comrade. "We will do as you say," he said.
"But –"
"We will," the first said, glaring at the second.
Tessa slowly stood up and took a few steps towards him. "How can I ever thank you?" she asked.
The first took a small loaf of bread and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Tessa said.
He gave a curt nod, then led the other one away, scolding him. You could hear the distant shouts of "When someone is pardoned they are pardoned, don't try to persuade them otherwise!"
"But why did you do it?" Tessa asked. "No royalty has ever cared if a peasant lived or died."
"That's what they told my brother before they chopped his hand off," Tessa told him. She still remembered that day like it was yesterday, even though it had happened ten years ago.
He pitifully glanced at her. "I'm very sorry," He sorrowfully nodded towards her. "Do you need anything whilst travelling for either you or your family...?"
"My family is dead," Tessa said. "They were killed by a disease that I was lucky enough not to get. My home isn't far from here. I was coming into the forest to gather food but accidentally crossed the border into the King's forest."
He then realized his wound existed. As soon as she had mentioned it, the pain started swelling, once again. "Determination...?" He heaved, trying his best not to show the pain.
Tessa could tell he was hurting. "You should have the guards that were just here take you back home," she said. "They'll be able to give you better care than I can."
