Crow sighed when Naida continued to stubbornly insist on talking instead of keeping watch. At the moment, her determination didn’t matter too much, since he and Penelope could speak about private matters later and the risk of danger was exceedingly low within the region of the inner kingdom. However, he hoped she wouldn’t keep refusing to do her part when they got closer to the border. After Penelope’s reminder of the mercenaries that had attacked them the last time, he wanted all of his guards to be on alert in case their unknown enemy tried to attack them again during this trip.

Listening to the two knights’ conversation though, his concerns gave way to amusement. As Penelope corrected the princess that he was her best friend, he casted her an affectionate smile, warmed by the sentiment. Of course, the same went for him, but it felt more significant coming from her, since she was surrounded by so many other people who cared about her. He only had a few people in his life whom he even considered friends, so there wasn’t much competition for the spot of a friend he valued above all others.

“She’s right, you know,” he chimed in when Penelope reiterated that his sister should start taking her job more seriously. “We’re not going on this trip for fun. It can be fun along the way, but I asked the king to include you so you could gain experience as a guard outside the citadel. That means actually guarding us.”

“Fine,” Naida groaned in defeat. “But I don’t see the point. We’re not even close to Younis, so there’s nothing to look out for.”

“Think of it as practice,” Crow shrugged, deciding not to say anything about the possibility of mercenaries in Brerra yet.

Fortunately, the princess finally gave in and started to let her gaze wander dully over the trees as they got further from the citadel. The viceroy could tell that she wasn’t invested in keeping watch, but it was better than nothing, so he didn’t complain. Instead, his thoughts wandered back to his old companions on the border, whom he still wanted to visit but wasn’t sure how. Their route to Younis didn’t come close to the thieves’ camp, and he doubted the knights would just accept a change that would add an entire day to their trip. His eyes drifted back to Penelope. As much as he wanted to stay with her until the last moment, he wondered if it would be better to part ways in Wellspring, so that she could get to his companions before he reached Silverpool and let them know that he was in the area. It was something he would have to ask her about when they were alone.

The first half of the ride went by without any trouble, and at Crow’s declaration that he was hungry, the group stopped for a break to eat lunch around high noon. After being constantly ignored and disregarded during his last trip to Younis, the former thief was pleased that the knights had to listen to him this time. He slid down from Baine’s back and stretched, trying not to get too stiff from riding since they had quite a long way to go. Preston did the same as he dropped to the ground from his horse and dug in his saddlebags for their food. Most of the rations were bread, fruit and dried meat, but it was enough to fill the viceroy’s stomach, so he was content.

“I have to say, so far I like this much better than our assignment two years ago,” he said with a lopsided smile at Penelope. “There’s no more strict guard telling me when I can and can’t eat.”