"So why were you in that dungeon?"
Iccos' question had pulled Aaron out of his one sided staring contest with the small fire they had started.
"Same reason as you I suppose; for something I didn't do."
Iccos looked back down at the ground, as he tried to massage the fatigue from his aching feet.
"That doesn't really answer my question though." Iccos said, his eyes not lifting up. "Why were you in the dungeon?"
"Why does it matter? Wouldn't you have asked earlier if it mattered?"
"It does, I just happened to have more pertinent tasks at hand during the moment."
"What if I was a murderer, or sex criminal of some sort? You were ready to throw your lot in with someone who was maybe waiting for the perfect time to strike?"
Iccos exhaled in exhaustion, the kind of sigh that comes from when you are equal parts frustrated and trying to calm yourself.
"I've known enough kinds of people to tell certain ones apart. Had I been given any kind of feeling that you were a rampant killer or a 'sex criminal', I wouldn't have asked for your help, let alone be where we are now."
Aaron's expression changed to that of grim realization, one he hoped Iccos would not be able to make out in the dark of the night.
"Besides," Iccos paused his words to prod the fire with a stick, a small burst a sparks rose in response. "You not wanting to tell me isn't reassuring."
"I cursed out the captain of the guard, called him a liar and a thief." Aaron blurt out, wanting to reassure Iccos and set any doubts at ease.
"Now why'd you go and do a thing like that?"
Aaron swore that Iccos asked that through a smile.
"They, they had said I'd receive coin but didn't pay when the time came." Aaron had said this nervously, as he did not want to appear childish or foolish.
"I see. And what did you think you'd be getting paid for?"
Aaron could feel his face warm in embarrassment, as he did not want to recall his recollecting to the guards of what he saw in that tree.
"If I tell you, do you promise not to mock?"
"No." Iccos replied promptly.
"Fair I suppose. Can you promise to listen then?"
"Aye, I could do that."
Aaron could hear Iccos readjusting himself, to lean back in a more relaxed position.
"Now then Aaron, tell your tale."
Before he could doubt himself again, Aaron recounted the events of his life, starting with his encountering of the impossible tree's vision of the future. He left out no detail, and Iccos listened with intent throughout.
When Aaron's story came to a close, he felt embarrassed once more. He wanted to make an effort not to think back on those events, let alone tell another person. Yet there was some reason he felt compelled to do so. Perhaps it was Iccos' prodding, maybe it was how much more familiar Aaron was growing to be with Iccos, or it could be something Aaron wasn't even aware of himself.
Without saying a word, Iccos got up, brushed the dirt from his legs, and walked elsewhere. The dark prevented Aaron from seeing where he was going.
"Iccos?" Aaron called out in a rather pitiful way.
Had he not the physical form of a fully grown man, one could have easily mistaken Aaron for that of a child who was unsure of the whereabouts of their parent.
Aaron had come to depend greatly on Iccos, even within the short time that they had known each other. Aaron was so unsure of the world and his place within it, while Iccos seemed to know everything about everything, and Aaron began to panic at the thought of being without that kind of person.
"I'm here, just got up to stretch my legs a bit, no need to make a fuss of it." Iccos replied, still hidden in the darkness.
Aaron sighed in relief, but tried to conceal it so that Iccos couldn't hear him.
"So..." Aaron said anxiously. "Do you believe me?"
Iccos walked back into the light, sitting down where he had sat, his eyes nor face looked in Aaron's direction. He had a different stick in his hands, and returned to prodding the flames.
"Aaron, I've lived for some time. While I'm still considered young by my own species, I have lived for over 60 years. In that time, I have seen many things, and known many people."
"One of the things that you learn after living for some time, especially if you want to die naturally and not with a knife in your back, is knowing what a lier looks like and when to trust people."
"You, Aaron..." Iccos turned to face Aaron. "Probably don't have the strength to lie to a child, let alone fabricate such an elaborate story. I don't see a liar when I look at you, I see a man who is scared and most likely out of his depth in most situations."
Aaron took a page out of Iccos' book and turned to look at the fire, a glum expression had now found its way on Aaron's face.
Iccos was visibly anxious for the first time since Aaron had met him.
"I apologize if that came off too harshly, I just meant to say that I believe you."
Aaron wasn't sure how to feel, but it was a strange concoction of equal parts relief and sadness. The worst part is that the sadness came from Aaron knowing the truth of Iccos' words, they were words he had been told by others and himself for nearly all of his life.
"It's okay." Aaron muttered meekly. "I know you weren't trying to be insulting."
Iccos carefully nodded in response.
They both stared at the fire in silence for what felt like hours but was only minutes.
"Well," Iccos broke the silence, which Aaron was thankful for. "The nearest town is a half day's walk from where we are. We'll probably want to be getting some rest so we can get as early of a start as we can."
"Mhm." Quickly replied Aaron.
They laid down in the makeshift beds consisting of what foliage they deemed suitable for rest.
"Iccos?"
"Yeah Aaron?"
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Iccos echoed.
Aaron, after his mind had some time to settle, drifted into a dreamless sleep.