Relief flooded Markl like a crashing ocean. He glanced behind his shoulder, and noticed the two soldiers were now far away.<br/>He felt his ears go red, and his stomach knot as in an instant he composed himself. A light smile danced on his face.<br/>"Aha, it was nothing. I mean, any man probably would have stepped in, if they saw a helpless woman in distress."<br/>He drew in a sharp breathe, dismay clouding him as he gazed at the pretty girl. That had been, probably, the worst thing he could possibly say. Great. Now he completely risked looking like either a total womanizer or a jerk. His messy hair blew in the wind, as he felt a tiny breeze. "I didn't mean that....I mean..." Markl flushed red.