Penelope nodded her head as Hazel advised her to be safe on her ride back. She was just about to turn to leave when Alistair also cut in to send her off with a message to Olivia. The knight had suspected that the two were still meeting so she found his words a little amusing as they confirmed it. “I’ll be sure to relay that to her.” she chuckled with a small nod. Turning away from the group, she headed out of the mouth of the cave and back to her horse. As she mounted the stead, she felt a small hint of anxiousness about finally returning to her battalion. A lot had changed since she had last left it, not to mention that she also had no idea what it’s current state would be when she arrived. 

[i]Guess I’ll find out soon enough. [/i]She thought with a tense exhale. Giving her horse a sharp kick, she took off in the direction of where her camp was located. 

——————————

The ride there wasn’t very long. She passed through Myrefall and traveled through the forest until it opened up to reveal the base. From afar, it appeared to be the same camp that she had left and for that she was grateful. There was no thrill in returning to the warfront but she was eager to see how the ones she had left behind were faring during their near month apart. Not to mention that she came bearing rather good news. With any luck, this camp would soon be taken down with the war’s end. Keeping that thought in mind, a small smile crossed her lips and she continued her way to the front.

Almost immediately the guards stationed there were caught off guard by her unannounced return. A couple mumbled their welcomes to her and she dipped her head to them in return. She had no doubt news of her return would travel quickly that night, likely over the knights finishing supper. She hopped off her horse and handed the reigns over to one of the guards. Though she could have handled putting away the beast on her own, she needed to speak to Mia before word reached the baroness’ ear by the morning. Penelope thanked the guard and then began to make her way towards the tent. 

As she walked, she took in the sights of the camp, eying for any familiar faces as talk began to break out from her return. Since it was nearly dark though, it seemed most were having dinner already or retiring for the night. The one thing she did get from the sight around her was that the camp had hardly changed, which likely meant that things on the warfront were no different than before. It was both a good and bad thing so she chose not to dwell on it for long. Luckily, she didn’t have to as a familiar, feminine voice called out from behind her. 

“Penelope?!” Turning her head, her gaze rested upon Olivia. The female knight stood a short distance away with wide eyes, seeming stunned to suddenly see her friend that had appeared without prior notice. Her shock gave away to a grin and the other female knight hurried over to catch up with Penelope. “What the hell are you doing here?” Olivia asked as she gave her friend a quick embrace. 

“Returning to the warfront of course.” Penelope smirked as she hugged her back. Taking a step back from Olivia, she was glad to see that her friend appeared to be in good health. 

Olivia rolled her eyes. “You know that’s not what I mean. The last time you wrote, you said you were throwing some huge party to end the war! Why are you back already? Did it not go well? Oh and how’s that viceroy of yours?” She shook her head and grinned. “Gods I have so many questions! You better start answering them!”

Penelope gave a small laugh. “I figured you would but I have to go see Mia first. As much as you want answers, I’m afraid someone out ranking you wants them as well.” she explained with a smirk. It was refreshing to see Olivia again and she was eager to share everything with her as well as find out how everyone on the warfront had been doing but she would have to wait. A quiet rumble from her stomach gave the knight an idea. “How about this, grab me a plate of whatever they’re serving for supper and I’ll meet you at my tent right after I’m done speaking with Mia, ok?”

Olivia let out a disappointed sigh before nodding her head. “You drive a hard bargain Vermillion but alright.” she said with a smirk. “If your talking price is food then I’ll pay it. I’ll meet you back at your tent in a bit then.”

“I’ll see you there.” Penelope grinned. She was just about to turn away when she recalled Alistair’s words. “By the way, Alistair said that he misses you.” she added, smirking mischievously as the statement caught Olivia off guard. After all the teasing and mischief that the female knight had put her through in the past, it was nice to have a good bit of leverage to get back at her with. “We’re definitely talking about that later too!” Penelope called over her shoulder as she hurried off to Mia’s tent before Olivia could say anymore. 

Stepping up to the front flap of the tent, Penelope tentatively poked her head inside. “Mia?” she called out. Her gaze soon landed on the baroness who was sitting at the small wooden table in her room. As Mia looked up, her expression gave way into one of surprise. Penelope casted her a small smile and stepped into the tent. “Sorry I didn’t send any letter ahead of time… Things move fast at the castle and well, I’m back.” she explained with a sheepish smile. 

“So you are.” Mia said with a hint of amusement in her expression. The low light of the lantern on her desk managed to shine just enough for the glimmer to be caught on the baroness’ face.  Mia shifted to stand up, stepping over to  her lieutenant to place a hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad to have you back Penelope but I must ask, why the early arrival? You still had another month to try and convince the king before I required for you to return.”

Penelope couldn’t help but let a smile take over her lips. “I know. That’s actually why I returned. The king is currently sending the viceroy to Younis to negotiate for peace as we speak.” She paused before adding. “I actually traveled out with him until we reached Wellspring.”

Mia’s eyes widened slightly before she broke out into a proud grin. “I see. That’s good news.. As I’m sure you’re aware, very little has changed out here since you left.” The baroness’ grinned died down and she let out a sigh. “A stalemate, still as tiring as it was the day you left. Well, with any luck, this war will be over shortly and peacefully though. I certainly look for to it.” Mia shrugged her shoulders and took a step back from Penelope to walk back over to her table, her gaze thoughtful as she looked down at the pages. 

It seemed that the warfront was just as Penelope expected it to be. Unchanging and still as grave as before. She just hoped that would help in convincing the barons to act defensively until peace could be reached. The lieutenant shifted a bit as she looked to her baroness for more information but Mia had fallen quiet. However, her dark gaze silently spoke of how much was going through her mind. “Did.. Did you want to go over anything else before I retire for the night?” Penelope asked raising an eyebrow. 

Mia finally looked back over to her lieutenant and paused before shaking her head. “No, we can catch you up tomorrow after you’ve gotten some rest.” she assured. The baroness pursed her lips together in a pause before adding, “But Penelope, I have to ask since you said you left with him again… Regarding our new viceroy, did you know prior to your father showing up that he would get that title?”

Penelope blinked in surprise at the question. She expected some questions about Crow becoming viceroy but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. “I didn’t… It came as a shock to me as well.”

Mia studied her for a moment and then frowned. “Penelope, I must ask… what exactly is or was your relationship with him? I’ve ignored it for far too long and I’d like to know, considering it sounds like you’re still hanging around the criminal turned noble.”

The knight let out a small breath, more at Mia’s words about Crow than her actual questioning. After all, Penelope knew that it was only a matter of time before the baroness found out that her lieutenant was now being courted by the very man that used to steal from their battalion. The knight had no intention of lying any more now that her and Crow had taken the proper steps to officially court as nobles. “Well, since you’re asking, I’ll have you know that I’m being courted by him now.” she said, meeting her baroness’ gaze as she tried to gage her reaction. When Mia said nothing, Penelope took it upon herself to give her more information. “Gavin and I broke it off a while ago. You know that he took that sword for me so I’m guessing you can connect the dots there… I just happened to get lucky that the king wanted to give him the position of viceroy and I swear I had no hand in that.”

Penelope shifted her feet. While she held no guilt over her choice to be with Crow, the silence from Mia was nerve wracking. “My father gave us his blessing even.” she met Mia’s gaze with a stern expression. “Mia, I may have been involved with him but I swear I never did anything that would have hurt my battalion nor my kingdom. I won’t apologize for being with him—I have no regrets there—but I do apologize for having to go behind your back.”

After another pause of silence, Mia finally acknowledged her words with a small nod. Her feelings were impossible to read though. The baroness’ gaze gave away nothing but mild shock. “Ok.” she replied in an all too simple tone. 

“O-Ok?” Penelope echoed with confusion. She was expecting a little more than just a casual ‘ok’ in response to everything she had just said. 

“Yes.” Mia said slowly moving to turn away from Penelope to look at the papers on the table she had been eying before the lieutenant walked in. “Thank you for reporting to me first, Penelope. You are dismissed now. Go get some rest.” she instructed the knight with a small wave. 

Penelope blinked, unsure how to take Mia’s reaction. Usually most people had a more opinionated reaction when she admitted to being involved with Crow—and more often than not their reactions were one of disapproval rather than excitement. However, her own baroness made her feel damn near foolish for even admitting to it. “Ah, right. Thank you, Mia.” she stuttered with a respectful dip of her head. Penelope turned and headed out of the tent, all the while pondering what to make of Mia’s lacking reaction.