The journey back was just as uneventful as the trip there, if not more so. Conversation wasn't something that happened between the three of them. They pretty much all kept to themselves, aside from Oliver and Dimia occasionally speaking in hushed voices to each other. Whatever they were talking about didn't interest the knight enough to try and listen in though so instead she just watched the trees, buildings and people pass by as they traveled back to the castle.  

Once the group finally arrived, it was around midday. Breakfast was likely done by now and since Naida was covering her shift, that meant the knight would have a bit of free time. She wasn't quite sure how she'd spend it as she didn't have much to do at the moment. All of her plans were at a small halt until she heard back from other people. She was beginning to think about possibly making a guest list of her own, after all she did know some nobles in the inner kingdom. She had reached out to them already through letter but clearly that hadn't been enough for most. Perhaps a party and some drinking would do the trick. 

"We'll talk again soon Penelope." Oliver said with a small dip of his head as they turned to part ways. 

Penelope nodded her head in agreement and was about to make her way back into the citadel when another voice caught her attention from her right. "Penelope." John called gruffly. She blinked at the sound of her father's voice and turned her head to see him approaching her. Though he appeared stoic, the knight could read him well enough to detect a hint of annoyance in his gaze. It made her flinch as she realized that she had never spoken to her father about the party or even a heads up about leaving for Bexley. She had simply to distracted and busy to even consider that was likely information he would have wanted to know. 

"Ah.. Hi father." she said a bit meekly. "Did you need me for something?"

"A couple answers would be nice." John replied crossing his arms over his chest. "I leave you with the Lenzs one day and then a few days later I hear you've left the castle to travel with them. What's going on?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to leave without a word but it was only for a day. Plus for good reason too." Penelope explained with a small shrug. "The Lenzs have offered their help to end the war and they plan to do so by throwing a large party. The plan is to invite every noble we can and have them sign a petition."

"A party?" John echoed. He paused for a moment and then sighed. "I suppose that makes sense. Where did you travel to yesterday?"

"Bexley. We were figuring out food and music for this event." Penelope told him. She paused and added. "We're hoping to host it by the end of the week."

John's eyes widened subtly. "That soon?"

Penelope nodded her head gravely. "We have to. The king had plans to send Crow to Gorm in about a month to try to form an alliance with them instead of seeking a peaceful end to the war. If we're not fast, we won't be able to convince him in time."

John fell silent for a brief moment and then nodded. "I hope your party works then for everyone's sake... Perhaps these will help too." he paused and pulled out a somewhat thick stack of letters. "I was going to give them to you this morning... Until I found out you were gone of course."

The knight stared at them in awe. It was around a day or so too early for these to be letters from her battalion so the knight guessed they must be from the nobles Jonathan had told her to contact. Perhaps even from his barons as well. Her heart began to pound a bit nervously. The letters could either mean a new wave of support or failure if most of them were letters of rejection. "Gods I sure hope they will. Thank you father." she said eagerly accepting the stake of letters from him. "I suppose I know how I'm going to be spending my time before supper."

John nodded and reached out to gave her shoulder a firm squeeze. "Good luck, Penelope. I've got duties to attend to now but if you need any help, find me. Ending this war should be everyone's top priority." he reminded her before turning and walking off. 

Penelope said a grateful word of thanks to her father before turning and heading into the castle. Both eager and a bit nervous to open the letters, she felt her stomach churn as she looked down at them. The party would only get her so far and while she did already have a few letters of support, she would need much more to convince the king. The knight hurried to her room, wanting the privacy to read through her stack of letters in peace.