Ruli caught her eye and smirked. "Just can't get the hair right." He teased, patting his bun. But he caught the look in her eye. The way she looked at his armour, the weapon he held. The weight of it all. Even Ysaryn had grown quiet, her eyes alert and searching, as if she expected the enemy to appear through their own numbers. 

The march was long. Ysaryn and Ruli offered no complaints, both adjusted well enough to the pace of the army, the closeness of the other bodies. Now and then, Ruli would glance at Gavin to try to gauge his mood, his reaction. Aside from cautious, the lad looked fine. As the day wore on, and the march continued for miles, and miles more, they all grew quiet, conserving their energy. 
It was gorgeous, at least. The off-worlders often turned their heads to peer around curiously, pointing silently to direct the others attention. Even the remains of the battle field, which Ysaryn studied as it if were a painting, reading the story written upon it from afar. 

When they stopped for a meal, Ysaryn wove through the battalion for a bit before returning to sit and eat, sitting beside Ruli, who sat beside Gavin. "Battle is easy." Ysaryn said to Gavin during the conversation. "Only one thing to do in every one. Kill the person before he kills you." She grinned wickedly. "Very easy."
Ruli smirked at her before looking around to Myka, then to the sword tied to his right hip. "I haven't yet. I'll need to practice before the fight. Its heavier than mine."
"Oh, I will fight you." Ysaryn said with a tone in her voice that gave Ruli an uneasy chill. 

They ate, and, after RUli's repeated dismissal and Ysaryn's repeated insistence, they sparred only for a short time. Ruli apprehensively swinging the blade while Ysaryn circled him like a wolf. Mercifully, she only took a few swings at him, which helped Ruli get used to the weight and sturdiness of the sword before they moved on. 

As Narda asked, both Ruli and Ysaryn glanced her way. Ysaryn grinned her wolfish smile while Ruli nodded. "I'll have to Walk back anyway for all the supplies. Too much to carry, too fragile to toss into a wagon."
Ysaryn blinked. "I did not know this."
"You didn't noticed I don't have anything on me but the sword?"
"I just assume you made sort of deal with Chieftess." She said teasingly, and Ruli frowned at her. "Space in her royal wagon in exchange for ... well."
"Shut up." Ruli grumbled, and she chuckled. "You've been dying to tease me all day, and you chose now?"
"Is all about timing in a battle."
Ruli sighed, glancing to Narda, hoping she wouldn't press, now, as well. 

When they camped again, Ruli stood talking with one of the [i]Wenches[/i], though he wasn't sure which one, exactly, repeating instructions for the wards, when he heard Kire's voice and glanced over. She spoke to Gavin, looking well worn already. He nodded to the [i]Wench[/i] and wandered over, folding his arms over his chest. "A little walking is good." He put in. "Helps keep your anxiety from building. At least that's what Ysaryn kept telling us." He grinned. His blue eyes studied Kire, the wariness in her face, the shadow behind her eyes. "You alright?"