As they retreated, Amalthea made the two-finger [i]watching you[/i] gesture at the assassins. Then, when they were out of earshot: "Oh, Solomon! You were great!" she crowed. "At first you were all, 'I suggest you turn around and go back the way you came,' and then you're all like, 'there is no shame in a wise retreat.' Ah ha ha ha! That was so awesome! I love it! I love you!" She ribbed him and shot him an uninhibited grin.

Rose looked back at the assassins. The assassins looked back at her. She clenched her fists and tore away her gaze to the path ahead. Rose had just helped kill two young people her age, two people whose failure to see the truth cost them their lives. Regret tugged at her soul. The princess, however, seemed to relish the opportunity to kill her enemies. Solomon might appreciate it, especially when his life was on the line, but Rose couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand it in herself.

Was Solomon okay with killing people? He didn't talk about it much. He'd brutally fought against her men back at the inn, and had no problems smacking around the assassins with his staff. Maybe...maybe she didn't have to feel so guilty about killing him and others if he'd killed people too. But he wouldn't have killed innocents. Not like bloody Rose.

Amalthea had started talking about previous Heroes. The animated way she pitched her voice, the wide-eyed excitement on her face, and the wild waves of her hands spoke not only of interest in the subject, but also of interest in the one addressed. There was no telling yet whether it was simply lust or genuine attraction, but one thing was sure - Rose wouldn't get a chance to impress Solomon tonight. His strategic decision had carried the day, and the princess's deadly shots saved their lives. Rose had just been tossed aside.

And why shouldn't she? She'd tried to kill Solomon. She owed him her life. Being tossed aside by her enemies was the least she deserved. At the capital, she'd likely be hanged, or drawn and quartered if all her crimes came to light. Romance would only get Solomon hurt if he ever reciprocated.

So she shoved it down. She would be his platonic servant to the end. "Thank you for saving us, Solomon," she said at last during a pause in Amalthea's dissertation. "I know I put you in a hard spot, and you really pulled through for us. You're destined for great things."

Amalthea nodded. "It's true! I'm so proud of you, Solomon! Seriously! I can't wait to tell my father all about you. He's going to love you."

Rose just smiled and walked in silence.