[quote=@Odin]
[i]“No need,”[/i] Ketill answered, not granting her the pleasure of even looking back at her. He held onto the reins tightly as they marched, heading towards their next stop. They were going through a small mountain range, crossing into Grosswick and then shortly after into Murkran. It shaved about two days off of the travel. Though that was preferable, it did not matter in the long run it seemed. [i]“You don't ride because I pity you,”[/i] he then said following up on his comment. Much as he had protected her, he also did not feel anything towards her. Perhaps she had been correct in her assumption that he treated her like a possession, though he did think to himself, [i]were they savages? Had they attacked her brutally because they were savages and impious followers of the Monarch?[/i] Perhaps it was a religious duty, he insisted on himself, that he would grant mercy and shelter even to the sworn enemies of the Monarch. A Sawarim woman was an infidel, but no less a creation of the Monarch. Some degree of civility was expected, no? He struggled with these questions, for in all his time at Coedwin, he had not once thought of these things, being used to merely slaying them, taking them prisoner and hanging them, executing them lest they submitted to their will. 

The peasants were sure to disagree, and they had a right to. No mercy for Sawarim followers in Broacien, no privileges. Just abuse. Those were the laws in reality.

After a moment of silence he returned to reality, looking ahead of him, staring at the figures at the head of the march. Atop horses were the other leaders of the expedition, pointing out the landscapes and trying to figure out the best route to take for the many men that walked in a long column. [i]“You're on a horse because, if you decide to grab the reins and flee, you're easier to shoot down over the heads of these men,”[/i] he replied.

A vision came in his head, imagining the scene. She'd grab the reins, and quickly spur on the horse. Ketill knew that any Sawarim worth their share could ride a horse like no other. But when she rode off, he'd promptly grab an arrow from the nearest archer, and his bow, and shoot her down. It was easy, he thought, and would likely succeed. And of course, he would not be the only one that shot an arrow or two at her. Many here would have no problems shooting down a Sawarim woman. They were on a holy expedition after all, no? Surely killing a Sawarim woman would give them the blessing of the Monarch.

He was drawn back to reality by the sound of a horse approaching, from behind. Ketill looked over his shoulder and slightly upwards, seeing ser Oliver, the de-facto leader of the expedition, riding up to him. [i]“Ketill,”[/i] the young man said, looking at Saina briefly before returning his gaze to Ketill, a slightly confused look on his face. He rode closer, so that he could ride directly next to Ketill, passing by Saina quickly. He rode on the side of Ketill where he also held his shield, slowing the horse down slightly. 

[i]“I want to let you know that the commander has decided to hold a trial for your actions, and will be demanding weregild for the two men,”[/i] Oliver then said, a serious look taking the place of his earlier confused look. It seemed like there would be repercussions after all. [i]“And.. the judgement will be passed by the advisors and me. We will hold the trial at nightfall. We hope to reach a town before then, but otherwise we will do it in the commanders' tent. Just be ready.”[/i]

Ketill nodded, replying with a mere [i]“.. okay,”[/i] and ser Oliver nodded and rode his horse off again, towards the front, to join the other advisors. It seemed the night was going to be a long one.

[hr]

Later that evening, the march had made camp outside the palisade walls of a smaller town. The two quartermasters had gone into the town to barter for goods, and buy supplies for the road. It was always a good idea to do that, and it seemed they had the coin for that. At least for now. It would be typical to run out of money later because of un-thought out purchases earlier. Similarly, Ketill would have taken Saina to the market to purchase some items. He had personally not had too much time to prepare and so he was lacking some items, but it was nothing that he needed. Saina, however, would preferably be dressed somewhat more appropriately. 

Even if she was a slave, Monarchists and Ketill especially would have at least some decency. It was generally considered bad manners to have slaves walking around in left over clothes. Not just for the slaves, but also anyone else that would have to look at the slaves. 

The market itself was not as busy, since it was evening, but there were some people out still. There were many stalls, and the noises coming from them were deafening at times. Every trader was yelling about their wares, and most of them were selling food. Meat, vegetables, most of it was either brought in by local hunters or were staple foods brought in by farmers from the areas outside the town. A single merchant was selling jewelry and other bits and bobs that were of little interest to anyone looking purely to survive, but it attracted a few nobles that were on thoroughfare in the town. A few others selled other items, tools, a single merchant sold swords and armor, and a few sold clothes. Nothing too impressive, but it fit the nature of the town.

Ketill walked through the stalls, looking left and right for something that would befit a slave, though would also not be too sober, nor too extravagant. If anything, he could pass her off as a slave that was meant to be an entertainer. She had no notable skills [i]that he knew of[/i] and it was well known that any woman could sell herself and become an entertainer. Whether that meant actual entertainment or [i]entertainment[/i] was another matter, but it was a good disguise. 

Momentarily he looked back at Saina and instructed her, [i]“If you see anything, let me know.”[/i] He'd considered giving her some silver coins to purchase something for herself, but it seemed like a bad idea. He just knew time was of the essence, as his 'trial' was closing in swiftly. 
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