<span style="font-style: italic">“I was not as fortunate,”</span><br/><br/>Ilia could only look at Shadow as he faced the wall to her left, in that ridiculous kneel. Sure, it was a good kneel. It showed off his bottom nicely and his shoulders were so broad and-Ilia chastised herself. She had gone from never thinking about boys and avoiding the distraction to being a lecher. However, the way he quietly added that last bit, she was sure it wasn't for her to hear. Still, she had heard it anyway and her heart called to him. For all his mischief and stone faced exterior, he was just a little boy who must feel alone in the world, searching for his place.<br/><br/>"I will bond you, Shadow." Her own voice was low, thoughtful. "Under the light and by my hope of rebirth, I<span style="font-style: italic">will</span>bond you." She was surprised the oath had come from her mouth. "I have spoken it. You know it to be true." There, she had spoken her intentions. "But not yet." She wanted to give him some freedom before taking it all away.<br/><br/>She stood and made her way in front of him, so he was looking at her. Her smile had returned and there was a bit of laughter in her eyes. "Burn you, but you're going to be a handful." Placing her hands on her hips as she spoke. "Get up! I'm not the bloody Amerlyn Seat. And Quit it with this 'Ilia Sedai' business. At least in private." Ilia returned to her bed and continued her packing. "I think we will go into town tomorrow and look for proper horses for us both as well as supplies for yourself. You can't travel unprepared. It would be most unwise." Ilia bit her lip softly. There was one question that had been eating at her brain.<br/><br/>"You mentioned that Cadre Caulen didn't have the authority to put warders in the stocks." She was almost afraid to ask. "And if Moe had been with you that means someone either interceded, or bonded him while you both were in the stocks." Ilia had straightened, a shift in her hand as she looked forward at the wall. "Was it Luna Sedai?" What exactly was she afraid of? If Luna Sedai bonded Moe, that meant that she had left Shadow to Ilia. Browns never took more than one warder.<span style="font-style: italic">Never</span>. Of course, Luna Sedai wasn't your typical brown.