His chin dipped again, gaze returning to the ground. He didn't want people to 'realize' he was free. He didn't want people to think about him again, at all, if he could have his way. No, all Volen wanted was to run and to keep running. To find some place where no one knew about his crime, regardless of their opinions. Wyl might not have believed it, but the citizens sure had. Oh, they'd believed it alright. There hadn't been a moment of doubt that he'd seen. It had gone from him returning to his nightly meditations to guards and chains. A hero one day, a villain the next. Worse were the 'I told you so's and 'we should have never's. Those are what ate him alive when he was chained in the square. Not the yells and the curses.<br/><br/>He only raised his eyes as Wyl changed the subject. He found it strange that someone of his...lineage would be so disinclined to magic and its power. Weren't they all still interested in something to do with the old gods? It was yet another surprise for him but, apparently, the world had many of those in store.<br/><br/>It took only a moment before An-Hinlia was in his memory. There was recognition in his eyes, and a bittersweet expression. His gaze linger on the dirt again. Funny, it was that time when Wyl had seen him. That, even with his little comments, how it seemed to fall into play. He gave a weak chuckle. Truth. He didn't quite think anyone knew what the truth was anymore.<br/><br/>"Wasn't even my horse. Or my armor," he admitted, something sweet in the memory caused his brow to crease. The pain found in his expression came from the realization of all that held so dear was now all that he had lost. Now, he supposed, he'd only have those memories. Ones like An-Hinlia.<br/><br/>He was snapped from his memories and where he'd fallen once Wyl accepted his terms. The man gave a grateful bow of his head. Even without the mask, his expression was just as rigid and solemn.<br/><br/>"I will repay every ounce of your kindness. I will accompany you and, should my own problems catch up with, I will see to it that they do not become a burden to you." He had to know of the bounty, and exactly how  many people were looking from him. Every bounty hunter to the Duke of Urr had announced their 'dedication and duty' to the kingdom by hunting down the criminal. Despite how far he'd gone, he knew his troubles were far from over.<br/><br/>With a deep breath, he looked back over the food and waited out the writhing in his chest. Once it stopped, he set himself quietly on his meal again. Only a little more. Finally, he felt another pain twist in his stomach and his expression went from stoic to stony.<br/><br/>"I am not devaluing your kindness," he began, "but I cannot eat any more. Not in one sitting. My appetite will return quickly, but it'll have a slow start." He'd seen it happen before, and refused to become a victim to his own body. He'd have to pace himself for now, despite the gnawing hunger that bit at him.<br/><br/>He reached to pull up the cloth that had been over the mask, clumsily tying it over his face to hide the lower half again. Then, he worked on the half of the mask that was left. Like the chain, he was looping and wrapping it with tattered strands to keep it from being discerned. He didn't need word getting out about such a unique looking item. Even the smallest tip could turn the scales against him. His sprint for survival was both a strategy game just as much as it was a race.<br/><br/>He gave a bow of his head and a quietly muttered prayer before he was sitting up and looking expectantly to Wyl.<br/><br/>"On your lead." He hesitated for a moment before lowering his head to him. It only the right thing to do. "I am at your command."<br/><br/>The words spoken had been uttered to kings, lords, and clergy. Wyl was the first non-human, and the first commoner to receive them.