"Details would be lovely." 

Her nightly exercise over at 100 push ups, Jin pulled herself to a sitting position and wiped her forehead. She was panting slightly. If she had noticed Ishawari’s gaze, she chose not to mention it. “I have turned that damned poem over and over in my head, searching for clues. I feel like we didn’t get the whole story. I wish-” Now was not the time for wishes, but here it was anyway.

“I wish I had been rude and just outright asked where we were headed. I mean, I think I understand the need for that level of secrecy, but couldn’t just the two of us be trusted with a destination? It aggravates me deeply that I didn’t ask more questions. Maybe the Emperor could have given us a clue, just one time hint. A translation. A treasure map. I’ll take anything.” 

She sighed heavily and flopped on her back.

“I feel like we’re on a rickety bridge, with rocks on either side.” She huffed softly. “And the bridge is on fire.” Maybe she was exaggerating, but Jin really felt that danger was around every corner. Maybe she was being paranoid. Appropriate levels of paranoid, but still...

She shook her head, trying to banish the fear. Her mind got like that when it was too quiet. “But we will see this through. I have to keep reminding myself of that. No matter what, we will see the Prince to his destination.” What happened after that, she wasn’t sure. Would he still need guards when he reached the mysterious Mentor? Where would they go? Jin would like to stay beside the Prince, watch him grow and maybe guide him as well.

“Well- I am thinking too much, and I am sweaty. I am going to take a bath.” Their little wooden bath was at the back of the house, outside near a small cistern where they could pump water. It wouldn’t be hot, but it was better than nothing. 

As she passed by, she laid her hand on Ishawari’s shoulder and smiled warmly. 

“Thank you for being here. I don’t think I’d be able to do this if it wasn’t with you.”

Then she went outside.