Jasper was sat just inside the portal of his tent this morning, letting his injuries heal from the bout that he had partaken in only a couple of days prior. It had only been a week and already he was beaten worse than he had ever been before. He still hurt in places where he was waiting for scales to grow back and if he ever wished to go anywhere, if would be more of a hobble than a walk.

But if his host was to be believed, he definitely made an impression. The only one that mattered to him was Nadia though, and he couldn't even manage to go down to where he had seen her harpooning fish before. But it appeared he wouldn't have to. He saw that familiar and welcomed white figure. Had it not hurt so much, he would have dashed straight for her.

He settled for a quickened limp.

"Nadia!" He called as he hobbled over to the mare.

Nadia stopped and looked at Jasper with curious eyes that then looked only more intrigued at his recognition. "Jasper..." She said. Jasper inwardly cheered at the fact that she remembered his name. "You don't give up easily it seems." She continued, then smiled. "That is a good quality to have."

Jasper chuckled. "You seem to be thinking differently of me than you used to."

Nadia chuckled in turn. "I was perhaps a bit rash with my thinking when we last met." She said. "I saw your fight by the way."

Jasper held his head up high at the mention of the fight. "You did?"

"Yes." Nadia said. "Did you really think that you would beat our greatest warrior? That was quite foolish."

"I had hoped." Jasper admitted. "But then, you do foolish things when you're in love."

Nadia stayed quiet and the moment suddenly got extremely awkward. "Oh, uh, that is to say." Jasper stammered for the words. "I had hoped to make a lasting impression on you."

"... You have." Nadia said. "I need to go..." She paused, and looked Jasper over with her eyes. "If you wish to speak to me again, bring me some salt weed." She pointed towards the water. "It grows at the bottom of the water. Pick it when you're feeling well enough." She walks away with a smile, leaving a half stupified Jasper in her wake.

Jasper watches her leave until she is completely out of sight. "YE-OW!" Too painful to cheer. He grips at his side and limps back to his tent. What the heck was a salt weed anyway? Next Chapter: A Challenge Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes