As soon as her weight settled on Reaper's back, her arms encircling his waist to cling tightly, he put his heels to the horse and off they shot through the burning forest. Nerezza was tied to Reaper's saddle, therefore galloped alongside the black horse matching the stallion stride for stride. However it was not a panicked, frenzied sort of run, it was as if they understood that panic would not help their cause and so remained calm as they ran for the edge of the forest.<br/><br/>Breaking through the last of the foliage Xander tugged lightly on the reins, guiding Reaper into a slow walk before stopping to watch the forest reduce to ashes and embers. He felt nothing of note toward the heap of char that used to be green and thriving, the place where a twelve year old boy once played knights and dragons with a ten year old girl. Though as the princess spoke he turned his head slightly to peer back at her and see her reaction to the destruction that had just occurred. She seemed to be chattering about memories being gone because the forest burned down. A ridiculous notion of course, the forest was merely a physical thing...memories were inside one's head as intangible and untouchable as thought.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">"I couldn't just let you burn up along with the forest, now could i? What kind of rogue prince would i be if i did that?"</span>He barely got the words out before she was asking if he was hurt,<span style="color: #BF0000">"I am perfectly fine Princess, you on the other hand..."</span>As he spoke the last few words he caught up her hand and held it gently, turning her wrist to see the burn wound that marred her lovely skin.<span style="color: #BF0000">"that is a rather ugly burn, if you'll wait here just a moment m'lady,"</span>Xander said with a grin before sliding easily off of the horse and tugging the rope connecting Nerezza to Reaper. The russet horse stepped forward obediently and he rifled through one of the bags, retrieving a piece of cloth and a water container.<br/><br/>Turning back to Reaper he took Aria's hand once more, baring her wrist to pour a stream of cool, clear water over the wound and rinse away the blood gently. After which he tore a strip from the white cloth and bandaged her wrist, glancing up at her face once he had finished.<span style="color: #BF0000">"That ought to work for the time being, it'll heal up and you'll be no worse for wear, though you may end up with a scar."</span>After running a thumb lightly over the bandaged wrist and giving her a dashing smile he turned to inspect his two horses and give them both an apple. To which Nerezza whinnied thankfully and Reaper derisively as if he deserved much more than simply an apple.<span style="color: #BF0000">"oh hush, you spoiled beast..."</span>Alexander muttered in response to said snort with a grin.