Riu felt like his tiredness had sunk into his bones. He was beyond the point even of nightmares. In the week since his life fell apart, how many hours of sleep had he gotten? None in a bed, he could say that much. And this was the first time his brain was too exhausted to show him reruns of his own tragedy.<br/><br/>Still, fear was his companion now. His new slave knight was surprisingly quiet, so he could sleep, but a knock at the door a while later roused him in an instant.<br/><br/>"Who's there?" he demanded. There was no answer, though. The boy's heart was pounding, and he was very aware of the precious thing still tucked under his shirt.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Why did I take it out? So stupid! No... More importantly, would an assassin knock? Maybe someone from earlier.</span><br/><br/>After a moment, Riu addressed his slave. "Sigrun, open the door so I can see who it is. If I am attacked, protect me." And so he sat on the edge of his bed and braced himself.