No words made it out to accompany Alexi's nod as Katherine spoke, but he hoped the appreciation was visible. It was certainly genuine.

The time she took to check over their horses, he took to return his quill and ink securely to their bags, and focus once more on making the journey. They wouldn't be able to travel very quickly on the paths, would they? The main roads were intended for horses and caravans, and couriers often tore down their lengths at frightening speeds when the need arose. The conditions were often... questionable, enough that the tree before them could be mistaken as stormfall. But well-kept or not, these were [i]roads[/i]. Intended for swift, sure travel.

The paths and trails that wound about them through the woods, however?

Seven years was a long time, Alexi remembered little from his frenzied wanderings that led him to Avantshire then. Roads, trails, root-knotted ground, he had stumbled over it all, and it had all seemed equally taxing. A poor experience to help him now, indeed, he would never have considered the option had Katherine not brought it up. She, at least, would have some experience in making her way without roads. If their conversation before had reinforced anything, it was that a mercenary knew far more than simply warfare. With a guide, things shouldn't be so bad.

But it would still be slow, wouldn't it?

Urging his horse to follow Katherine's as she at last took off into the woods, slow indeed seemed to be the only pace. The trails she aimed for seemed traveled enough, but rain created small gullies and pools that could prove treacherous to the reckless. Roots cautiously edged in from the great trees around, vines and brush looking to take purchase whenever the tramp of feet or hoof was not around to drive them away. Trails like these were created and lost all the time, weren't they? Starting as mere animal paths, followed by people, then forgotten or neglected for too long, until a new way had to be found. 

This trail, at least, seemed well-used enough. The thought wasn't as comforting to Alexi as he might have hoped, given everything that had happened... But it was for the best, wasn't it? He had already claimed being late wouldn't be too bad, but it was always 'how late' that became the question. The closer to the deadline the better, something Katherine seemed to understand completely.

It truly had been a fortunate meeting, hadn't it? Someone else might have done the same, known the same, and a mercenary group might have been able to offer more protection, but those were all unknowns. Katherine, so far, had proven knowledgeable, capable on her own, and understanding. There really wasn't anything more he could ask in an escort.

So he followed her carefully, eyes glued to the packed earth below, ensuring his horse's steps were sure, and as swift as they could be.