"I can't do it, Annabell." Tristan's body shook just before the door leading outside. Beyond the doors, he could see his horse and the numerous soldiers who would escort him, but it still didn't ease his fears. Rather, it compounded them. It proved his fears of the outside true, telling him of where he was going and the random danger he could face.
"You got this, Tristan. Just like last time, close your eyes and count." Nodding, Tristan did as told, feeling Annabell's feather on the side of his neck. Counting up from one, he took slow steps, squeezing his eyes tighter with each one, until the sunlight broke through his eyelids and the cool breeze that carried the smell of the storm that had passed hit him. Opening his eyes, his heart began to race and clutching his chest, he shook his head.
