Nimue felt Maric's body grow tense. He seemed like a cloud had covered the sunshine of his personality. She was so ashamed. Somehow she had offended him but she talked so much and so fast that sometimes she didn't pay attention to all the words that passed her lips.<br/><br/>"Let me accompany you to the ferry dock and I will get Rupert to take you across tonight, if you please." she said formally, still allowing him to tenderly hold her hand. "You ride your beast and I will have Layla follow you. We will keep you safe from attack and she can bring me back before the moon reaches her zenith. I must tell the Lady so that she doesn't worry and then I will bring a few items for cleaning with me."<br/><br/>She dropped a curtsey and ran back to the temple, signalling the dragon to go with her. The golden scales seemed to sag with disappointment at leaving the stallion, but the dragon obeyed.<br/><br/>Nimue told the Keeper where she was going and about when she would be back. No one else was about so she helped herself to some bread and cold meat, some candle which she put in a bag along with, a skin of wine.  On the way out of the door, she  paused to rub some crushed rose petals over her face and arms so that a pleasant aroma surrounded her like a sweet aura. The Guardian smiled a toothless smile at her and nodded her head in approval. Nimue smiled broadly and hurried out to meet Maric.<br/><br/>"I am ready, my Lord. We must hurry for Rupert loves his whiskey in the waning hours of the day. Soon he will be so sotted that he will not be able to find the lake, let alone his boat. I would that you arrive safely."