Erin returned to Valentina's hut with news from the Queen, but didn't find her there.
"Oh no," she muttered under her breath, and then hurried for the punishment ground.
She spotted Valentina tiptoeing towards the post from afar, and hastened to catch up with her.
Valentina was just about to make a turn, when someone grabbed her from behind.
She stilled herself to keep from gasping, and slowly turned with a smile on her face, hoping to quickly plead her case.
Relief washed through her when she saw it was Erin.
She shook her head reproachfully, and Valentina sighed.
"Help me get the arrow out of him at least. Please," she begged.
Erin held her gaze for a little while, then quietly relented, and turned around.
"Thank you," Valentina muttered to her retreating figure, then continued towards the tree where Luciano was tied up.
It was dark now, so she had to make use of the stars in the sky.
His eyes were closed, and his breath a little faint when she stopped in front of him.
